Demographic changes in an Atlantic Forest primate community following a yellow fever outbreak.

We investigated demographic changes in three primate species (Alouatta guariba, Sapajus nigritus, and Callithrix flaviceps) at the Reserva Particular do Patrimônio Natural-Feliciano Miguel Abdala, Caratinga, Minas Gerais, Brazil, following a yellow fever outbreak (YFO) by comparing their population sizes before (2015) and after the outbreak (2017-2018), and by monitoring the size, composition, and reproductive status of groups from 2017 to 2021. Comparisons of pre- and post-YFO census data indicate the A. guariba population declined by 86.6%, from an estimated minimum of 522 individuals to 70 individuals. However, by October 2021, the population had grown to at least 86 individuals, with an adult sex ratio (N = 53) that was female-biased (0.61). Eleven of the 13 groups being monitored systematically were reproductively active with high survivorship to 12 months of age. S. nigritus declined by 40%, from 377 to 226 individuals. The sex ratio of 33 adult S. nigritus is also female-biased (0.71), and at least 8 of 15 groups being monitored are reproductively active. C. flaviceps declined by 80%, from 85 individuals to the 15-17 individuals observed from 2017 to 2021. The female-biased adult sex ratio and presence of infants and juveniles in the A. guariba and S. nigritus groups are encouraging signs, but there is still great concern, especially for C. flaviceps. Continued monitoring of the demographics of these primates is needed as their persistence appears to still be at risk.

The distributional ecology of the maned sloth: environmental influences on its distribution and gaps in knowledge.

The maned sloth Bradypus torquatus (Pilosa, Bradypodidae) is endemic to a small area in the Atlantic Forest of coastal Brazil. It has been listed as a threatened species because of its restricted geographic range, habitat loss and fragmentation, and declining populations. The major objectives of this study were to estimate its potential geographic distribution, the climatic conditions across its distributional range, and to identify suitable areas and potential species strongholds. We developed a model of habitat suitability for the maned sloth using two methods, Maxent and Mahalanobis Distance, based on 42 occurrence points. We evaluated environmental variable importance and the predictive ability of the generated distribution models. Our results suggest that the species distribution could be strongly influenced by environmental factors, mainly temperature seasonality. The modeled distribution of the maned sloth included known areas of occurrence in the Atlantic Forest (Sergipe, Bahia, Espírito Santo, and Rio de Janeiro), but did not match the observed distributional gaps in northern Rio de Janeiro, northern Espírito Santo or southern Bahia. Rather, the model showed that these areas are climatically suitable for the maned sloth, and thus suggests that factors other than climate might be responsible for the absence of species. Suitable areas for maned sloth were located mainly in the mountainous region of central Rio de Janeiro throughout Espírito Santo and to the coastal region of southern Bahia. We indicate 17 stronghold areas and recommended survey areas for the maned sloth. In addition, we highlight specific areas for conservation, including the current network protected areas. Our results can be applied for novel surveys and discovery of unknown populations, and help the selection of priority areas for management and conservation planning, especially of rare and relatively cryptic species directed associated with forested habitats.

O status do conhecimento sobre a fauna de mamíferos do Espírito Santo baseado em registros de museus e literatura científica / Current state of knowledge on Espírito Santo mammals based on museum records and published data

O estado do Espírito Santo é uma das regiões reconhecidas como uma das mais ricas em termos de diversidade de espécies. Entretanto, o conhecimento sobre a fauna de mamíferos é ainda limitado. Devido à falta de uma lista completa sobre as espécies de mamíferos silvestres do estado e à pouca informação sobre os registros dessas espécies, realizamos um estudo sistemático sobre o status do conhecimento científico das espécies de mamíferos do Espírito Santo. Assim, reunimos em um banco de dados digital as informações sobre os registros de ocorrência das espécies de mamíferos utilizando dados publicados ou associados a espécimes tombados em museus. Verificamos, também, quais as regiões do estado onde houve um maior esforço de coleta da fauna de mamíferos e onde a riqueza de espécies é mais elevada utilizando o programa DIVA. Como resultado, geramos uma lista de 138 espécies de mamíferos silvestres no Espírito Santo que inclui espécies ameaçadas de extinção e endêmicas da Mata Atlântica, além de duas típicas do Cerrado. Esse estado possui regiões do seu território consideradas lacunas de conhecimento, pois não existem muitas informações sobre a mastofauna. O extremo norte do estado é a principal região onde o conhecimento é limitado. As microrregiões do Espírito Santo onde se realizaram mais levantamentos da fauna de mamíferos foram a Central Serrana e a Pólo Linhares. A lista de espécies de mamíferos é uma diretriz para as próximas pesquisas a serem realizadas no estado, entretanto não se pode afirmar que é uma lista completa. É importante que sejam realizados outros levantamentos faunísticos no estado com maior abrangência geográfica e esforço amostral, principalmente nas regiões onde as informações são escassas.

The state of Espírito Santo has been recognized as one of the richest Brazilian states in terms of species diversity, but the knowledge on its mammal fauna is still limited. Due to the lack of a complete list of wild mammals occurring in the state and to the scarcity of information associated to species records, we carried out a study on the state of scientific knowledge on mammal species in the state of Espírito Santo. We compiled a digital database with locality records of mammal species from published data and museum specimens. We used the software DIVA to verify where efforts for recording mammals are located and also where species richness is higher. As a result, we generated a list of 138 Espírito Santo mammals, which includes threatened animals and Atlantic Forest endemic species, and two species typical of the Cerrado. We found regions that are knowledge gaps, especially in the northern part of the state. There have been more mammal surveys in the micro regions "Central Serrana" and "Pólo Linhares". The list of mammal species is a guideline for future research, even though it is not exhaustive. We recommend conducting faunal surveys focusing on larger geographic areas and intensive sampling efforts, mainly in those regions where information is scarce.

Ocelot (Leopardus pardalis) predation on primates in Caratinga Biological Station, Southeast Brazil.

This study demonstrates that ocelots (Leopardus pardalis) extensively use primates as a food resource at the Caratinga Biological Station (CBS) in Southeast Brazil. Analysis of 60 fecal samples collected over 4 years revealed predation upon the brown howler monkey (Alouatta guariba), the muriqui (Brachyteles hypoxanthus), and the brown capuchin monkey (Cebus apella). The most frequent items found in the fecal samples analyzed were Calomys (n=16) and non-identified Aves (n=15), followed by A. guariba (n=12). Although Rodentia was the most common group consumed (n=52) Primates were found in 27% of total fecal samples and were the third most consumed group in relation to the total items. Particularly, predation of A. guariba by ocelots (20% of the total fecal samples) was not an isolated event; our results showed that this species was preyed on across several months. Predation on primates was far higher at CBS than at other sites where comparable studies have been carried out.