Mammal responses to global changes in human activity vary by trophic group and landscape

Wildlife must adapt to human presence to survive in the Anthropocene, so it is critical to understand species responses to humans in different contexts. We used camera trapping as a lens to view mammal responses to changes in human activity during the COVID-19 pandemic. Across 163 species sampled in 102 projects around the world, changes in the amount and timing of animal activity varied widely. Under higher human activity, mammals were less active in undeveloped areas but unexpectedly more active in developed areas while exhibiting greater nocturnality. Carnivores were most sensitive, showing the strongest decreases in activity and greatest increases in nocturnality. Wildlife managers must consider how habituation and uneven sensitivity across species may cause fundamental differences in human–wildlife interactions along gradients of human influence.Peer reviewe

Abundancia relativa y patrones de actividad de las especies de mamíferos terrestres en el Refugio Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre Barra del Colorado, Costa Rica.

Relatively little information has been generated regarding the mammal diversity of Barra del Colorado Wildlife Refuge, Costa Rica. This study assessed relative abundance and activity patterns of some terrestrial mammalian species. We used ten camera traps distributed within the refuge, during 2014. After a total of 1 611 camera trap nights, we identified 15 mammalian species in seven orders and 11 families. The most abundant species were Dasyprocta punctata, Leopardus pardalis, Tayassu pecari, Mazama temama, Pecari tajacu and Tapirus bairdii, while Tamandua mexicana was characterized by its lower abundance. Activity patterns were estimated for eight species, all of which were similar with those previously described in the literature. Further monitoring is required in the refuge in order to increase our understanding of its diversity, information that will be essential for the proper management of the area.Poca información ha sido generada sobre la biodiversidad del Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre Barra del Colorado, Costa Rica. En el presente estudio determinamos la abundancia relativa y el patrón de actividad de ciertas especies de mamíferos terrestres. Durante el periodo 2014 se empleamos diez cámaras trampa, las cuales fueron distribuidas dentro del refugio. Después de un total de 1 611 noches de muestreo, se identificaron 15 especies de mamíferos distribuidos en siete órdenes y 11 familias. Las especies más abundantes fueron Dasyprocta punctata, Leopardus pardalis, Tayassu pecari,Mazama temama, Pecari tajacu y Tapirus bairdii, mientras que Tamandua mexicana reportó la menor abundancia. Se estimaron los patrones de actividad para ocho especies, los cuales fueron similares a lo previamente descrito en la literatura. Estudios adicionales son necesarios con el fin de incrementar nuestro conocimiento sobre la biodiversidad del refugio, información que será esencial para el adecuado manejo del área

Efecto de la depredación por jaguares, Panthera onca (Carnivora: Felidae), sobre las poblaciones de tortugas marinas de Tortuguero, costa caribeña de Costa Rica.

Little is known about the effects of jaguars on the population of marine turtles nesting in Tortuguero National Park, Costa Rica. This study assessed jaguar predation impact on three species of marine turtles (Chelonia mydas, Dermochelys coriacea and Eretmochelys imbricata) that nest in Tortuguero beach. Jaguar predation data was obtained by using two methodologies, literature review (historical records prior the year 2005) and weekly surveys along the 29 km stretch of beach during the period 2005-2013. Our results indicated that jaguar predation has increased from one marine turtle in 1981 to 198 in 2013. Jaguars consumed annually an average of 120 (SD= 45) and 2 (SD= 3) green turtles and leatherbacks in Tortuguero beach, respectively. Based on our results we concluded that jaguars do not represent a threat to the population of green turtles that nest in Tortuguero beach, and it is not the main cause for population decline for leatherbacks and hawksbills. Future research should focus on continuing to monitor this predator-prey relationship as well as the factors that influence it so the proper management decisions can be taken.Existe poco conocimiento sobre el impacto que tienen los jaguares sobre las tortugas marinas que anidan en el Parque Nacional Tortuguero, Costa Rica. Este estudio evaluó el impacto de la depredación de jaguar sobre tres especies de tortugas marinas (Chelonia mydas, Dermochelys coriácea y Eretmochelys imbricata) que anidan en Tortuguero. Los reportes de depredación fueron obtenidos empleando dos metodologías, revisión literaria (eventos registrados antes del 2005) y monitoreos semanales a lo largo de la playa (durante el periodo 2005-2013). La depredación del jaguar se ha incrementado de una tortuga en 1981 a 198 tortugas en 2013. Asimismo, los jaguares consumieron anualmente un promedio de 120 (SD= 45) y 2 (SD= 3) tortugas verdes y tortugas baula en Tortuguero, respectivamente. Nuestros resultados indican que los jaguares no representan una amenaza para la población de tortugas verdes que anida en Tortuguero, y no son la causa principal de la disminución poblacional de la tortuga baula y carey. No obstante, se recomienda continuar con el monitoreo con el fin de entender cómo esta interacción depredador-presa evolucionará en el futuro

Impact of jaguar Panthera onca(Carnívora: Felidae) predation on marine turtle populations in Tortuguero, Caribbean coast of Costa Rica

Little is known about the effects of jaguars on the population of marine turtles nesting in Tortuguero National Park, Costa Rica. This study assessed jaguar predation impact on three species of marine turtles (Chelonia mydas, Dermochelys coriáceaand Eretmochelys imbricata)that nest in Tortuguero beach. Jaguar predation data was obtained by using two methodologies, literature review (historical records prior the year 2005) and weekly surveys along the 29 km stretch of beach during the period 2005-2013. Our results indicated that jaguar predation has increased from one marine turtle in 1981 to 198 in 2013. Jaguars consumed annually an average of 120 (SD= 45) and 2 (SD= 3) green turtles and leatherbacks in Tortuguero beach, respectively. Based on our results we concluded that jaguars do not represent a threat to the population of green turtles that nest in Tortuguero beach, and it is not the main cause for population decline for leatherbacks and hawksbills. Future research should focus on continuing to monitor this predator-prey relationship as well as the factors that influence it so the proper management decisions can be taken

King Vulture (Sarcoramphus papa) scavenging at green turtle (Chelonia mydas) carcasses in Tortuguero National Park, Costa Rica

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Abundancia relativa y patrones de actividad de los mamíferos terrestres en la Reserva Natural Pacuare, Costa Rica.

Located in Costa Rica, Pacuare Nature Reserve has a long established history of wildlife monitoring programs primarily focused on species of nesting marine turtles and the Agami herons (Agamia agami) found within the reserve. Our research represents the first as­sessment on the local terrestrial mammal populations. Data was col­lected by using seven camera trap stations distributed within the boundaries of the reserve. From April 2015 to March 2016, and after a total of 1 643 camera trap nights, we were able to identify 11 terres­trial mammalian species distributed in six orders and nine families. The most abundant species was the common opossum (Didelphis marsu­pialis), followed by the ocelot (Leopardus pardalis). A noticeably ab­sent species, otherwise common throughout the area, was the Central American agouti (Dasyprocta punctata). Our results are similar to those from other protected areas in the Northeastern Caribbean coast of Costa Rica.Nuestro estudio representa el primer monitoreo de la población local de mamíferos terrestres. Los datos fueron recolectados con siete cámaras trampa. Entre el periodo abril 2015-marzo 2016, y después de 1 643noches de muestreo, identificamos 11 especies de mamíferos terrestresdistribuidos en siete órdenes y nueve familias. La especie más abundante fue el zorro pelón (Didelphis marsupialis), seguido por el ocelote (Leopardus pardalis). La lista de especies que elaboramos para la reserva es semejante a las de otras áreas protegidas del noreste caribeño de Costa Rica

Habitat features influencing jaguar Panthera onca (Carnivora: Felidae) occupancy in Tortuguero National Park, Costa Rica

Habitat characteristics and human activities are known to play a major role in the occupancy of jag uars Panthera onca across their range, however the key variables influencing jaguar distribution in Tortuguero National Park, Costa Rica, have yet to be identified. This study evaluated jaguar occupancy in Tortuguero National Park and the surrounding area. Jaguar detection/non-detection data was collected using digital camera traps distributed within the boundaries of the protected area. Local community members were also interviewed to determine jaguar occurrence in the Park’s buffer zone. Occupancy models were then applied to identify the habitat characteristics that may better explain jaguar distribution across the study area. From June 2012 to June 2013, a total of 4 339 camera trap days were used to identify 18 individual jaguars inside the protected area; 17 of these jaguars were exclusively detected within the coastal habitat, whilst the remaining individual was detected solely within the interior of the Park. Interviewees reported 61 occasions of jaguar presence inside the buffer zone, between 1995 and 2013, with 80% of these described by the communities of Lomas de Sierpe, Barra de Parismina and La Aurora. These communities also reported the highest levels of livestock predation by jaguars (85% of attacks). In the study area, jaguar occurrence was positively correlated with the seasonal pres ence of nesting green turtles Chelonia mydas, and negatively correlated with distance to the Park boundary. Our findings suggested that the current occupancy of the jaguar in the study area may be a response to: 1) the vast availability of prey (marine turtles) on Tortuguero beach, 2) the decline of its primary prey species as a result of illegal hunting inside the Park, and 3) the increase in anthropogenic pressures in the Park boundaries. Rev. Biol. Trop. 62 (4): 1449-1458. Epub 2014 December 01Universidad Nacional, Costa Rica.Instituto Internacional en Conservación y Manejo de Vida Silvestr

Habitat features influencing jaguar Panthera onca (Carnivora: Felidae) occupancy in Tortuguero National Park, Costa Rica

Habitat characteristics and human activities are known to play a major role in the occupancy of jaguars Panthera onca across their range, however the key variables influencing jaguar distribution in Tortuguero National Park, Costa Rica, have yet to be identified. This study evaluated jaguar occupancy in Tortuguero National Park and the surrounding area. Jaguar detection/non-detection data was collected using digital camera traps distributed within the boundaries of the protected area. Local community members were also interviewed to determine jaguar occurrence in the Park's buffer zone. Occupancy models were then applied to identify the habitat characteristics that may better explain jaguar distribution across the study area. From June 2012 to June 2013, a total of 4 339 camera trap days were used to identify 18 individual jaguars inside the protected area; 17 of these jaguars were exclusively detected within the coastal habitat, whilst the remaining individual was detected solely within the interior of the Park. Interviewees reported 61 occasions of jaguar presence inside the buffer zone, between 1995 and 2013, with 80% of these described by the communities of Lomas de Sierpe, Barra de Parismina and La Aurora. These communities also reported the highest levels of livestock predation by jaguars (85% of attacks). In the study area, jaguar occurrence was positively correlated with the seasonal presence of nesting green turtles Chelonia mydas, and negatively correlated with distance to the Park boundary. Our findings suggested that the current occupancy of the jaguar in the study area may be a response to: 1) the vast availability of prey (marine turtles) on Tortuguero beach, 2) the decline of its primary prey species as a result of illegal hunting inside the Park, and 3) the increase in anthropogenic pressures in the Park boundaries. Stephanny Arroyo-Arce1*, James Guilder2 & Roberto Salom-Pérez3 1Instituto Internacional en Conservación y Manejo de Vida Silvestre, Universidad Nacional, 1350-3000 Heredia, Costa Rica; [email protected] Vision International/GVI Costa Rica, 230-60601 Quepos, Costa Rica; [email protected] Costa Rica, 8-3870-1000 San José, Costa Rica; [email protected]* Correspondenc