Density, habitat use, and daily activity patterns of the Red-rumped Agouti (<i>Dasyprocta leporina</i>) in the Atlantic Forest, Brazil

<p>The Red-rumped Agouti (<i>Dasyprocta leporina</i>, Linnaeus, 1758) is considered common in areas where it occurs, and it is listed as Least Concern status in the IUCN red list; however, in recent decades it has been negatively affected by habitat loss and hunting. The conservation status needs to be updated since no recent studies have been conducted in the Atlantic Forest. Therefore, we aimed to estimate the density, occupancy and detectability of <i>D. leporina</i> in one of the larger Atlantic Forest remnants in Espírito Santo, Brazil, the Vale Natural Reserve (VNR). We surveyed four line transects between April 2013 and May 2014 to estimate density and abundance. To model occupancy probability, as well as to document activity pattern, we selected 39 sampling sites with one camera-trap each. Estimated density was 21 ± 3 individuals km^–2 and estimated population size was 4935 ± 368 individuals. Occupancy increases with palm density, distance from forest edge, and canopy cover. Occupancy and detectability decreases with distance from water resources. Detectability increases with palm density. The results presented herein can be a starting point to support future action plans for the species, making predictions regarding the ecosystem and management and conservation of <i>D. leporina</i>.</p

Reptile diversity in the Duas Bocas Biological Reserve, Espírito Santo, southeastern Brazil

The lack of information on the occurrence of species in a region limits the understanding of the composition and structure of the local community and, consequently, restricts the proposition of effective measures for species conservation. In this study, we researched the reptiles in the Duas Bocas Biological Reserve (DBBR), Espírito Santo, southeastern Brazil. We analyzed the parameters of the local community, such as richness, composition, and abundance of species. We conducted samplings from August 2017 to January 2019, through active search. We performed the samplings in nine standard plots of 250 meters in length. All individuals located in the plots or occasionally on the trails were registered. To evaluate sample effort to characterize the reptile community, we performed an accumulation curve of species, and to update the DBBR reptile list, we used as secondary data specimens deposited in collections and previously published studies. Considering primary and secondary data, we recorded 38 species, one chelonia, 13 lizards, and 24 snakes. Our study showed a richness of 15 additional species to the previous list of reptiles, increasing by about 40% the known richness to the area. We concluded that the DBBR holds a high richness of reptile species, representing 12% of the richness of reptiles of the Atlantic Forest and with a considerable number of endemic species in this biome. This suggests that the DBBR is an important forest fragment constituting a reservoir of the biodiversity of the reptiles of the Atlantic Forest

Bat diversity along an altitudinal gradient in the Itabapoana drainage basin, Espírito Santo state, Brazil

Among all the mammal species that occur along every montane altitudinal gradient in southeastern Brazil (i.e. Atlantic Forest), bats are an excellent model for analysis, because they are abundant, and all trophic guilds are represented within the taxon. In mountain chains around the world, bat communities may present two patterns of species richness and diversity: 1) progressive decline in species richness and diversity as the altitude increase or 2) a peak of richness and diversity in intermediate altitudinal level. In this context, we aimed to survey the bat species occurring in the Atlantic Forest remnants located in the Itabapoana drainage basin (IDB) and to verify how altitude affects bat capture rates. We used mist-nets to capture bats, which were set up at ground level, totaling 1,500 m2/ha of sampling effort for each location. The IDB has a diverse assemblage of species (26 species), representing 44% of the bat species of Espírito Santo. Our study showed that there is variation in bat capture rates and species richness, with a turnover of some species along the altitudinal gradient in the IDB. Changes in habitat heterogeneity along the elevation gradient are probably one of the strong ecological factors affecting these assemblage parameters. Furthermore, the data from this study allows the expansion of knowledge of the bat species occurring in the region of the IDB. The diversity of species found, together with the occurrence of rare, threatened, and data deficient species highlights the importance of the region for conservation to understand the species distribution patterns

Bat diversity along an altitudinal gradient in the Itabapoana drainage basin, Espírito Santo state, Brazil

Among all the mammal species that occur along every montane altitudinal gradient in southeastern Brazil (i.e. Atlantic Forest), bats are an excellent model for analysis, because they are abundant, and all trophic guilds are represented within the taxon. In mountain chains around the world, bat communities may present two patterns of species richness and diversity: 1) progressive decline in species richness and diversity as the altitude increase or 2) a peak of richness and diversity in intermediate altitudinal level. In this context, we aimed to survey the bat species occurring in the Atlantic Forest remnants located in the Itabapoana drainage basin (IDB) and to verify how altitude affects bat capture rates. We used mist-nets to capture bats, which were set up at ground level, totaling 1,500 m2/ha of sampling effort for each location. The IDB has a diverse assemblage of species (26 species), representing 44% of the bat species of Espírito Santo. Our study showed that there is variation in bat capture rates and species richness, with a turnover of some species along the altitudinal gradient in the IDB. Changes in habitat heterogeneity along the elevation gradient are probably one of the strong ecological factors affecting these assemblage parameters. Furthermore, the data from this study allows the expansion of knowledge of the bat species occurring in the region of the IDB. The diversity of species found, together with the occurrence of rare, threatened, and data deficient species highlights the importance of the region for conservation to understand the species distribution patterns. Entre os mamíferos que ocorrem ao longo de todo gradiente altitudinal em montanhas no sudeste do Brasil (i.e. Mata Atlântica), os morcegos podem ser um excelente modelo de análise, porque são abundantes e apresentam todas as guildas. Nas cadeias de montanhas ao redor do mundo, a comunidade de morcegos pode apresentar dois padrões de riqueza e diversidade de espécies: 1) declínio progressivo na riqueza e diversidade de espécies à medida que a altitude aumenta; ou 2) um pico de riqueza e diversidade no nível altitudinal intermediário. Nesse contexto, o presente estudo teve como objetivo realizar um levantamento das espécies de morcegos ocorrentes nos fragmentos localizados na bacia do rio Itabapoana verificando a influência do gradiente altitudinal nas taxas de capturas dos morcegos. Para a captura dos morcegos, utilizamos redes de neblina, armadas no nível do solo, totalizando um esforço amostral de 1.500 m2/ha para cada localidade. A região do rio Itabapoana apresentou uma elevada riqueza de espécies de morcegos (26 espécies), abrigando 44% das espécies já registradas no Espírito Santo. Nosso estudo mostrou que existe uma variação nas taxas de captura de morcegos e riqueza de espécies, com uma reposição de algumas espécies, ao longo do gradiente altitudinal na região do rio Itabapoana. As mudanças na heterogeneidade do habitat ao longo desse gradiente são provavelmente um dos fatores ecológicos fortes que afetam esses parâmetros. Além disso, os dados desse estudo permitem a expansão do conhecimento das espécies de morcegos que ocorrem na região do Itabapoana. A diversidade de espécies encontrada, juntamente com a ocorrência de espécies raras, destaca a importância da região para a conservação ajudando a entender os padrões de distribuição das espécies

NEOTROPICAL XENARTHRANS: a data set of occurrence of xenarthran species in the Neotropics

Xenarthrans—anteaters, sloths, and armadillos—have essential functions forecosystem maintenance, such as insect control and nutrient cycling, playing key roles as ecosys-tem engineers. Because of habitat loss and fragmentation, hunting pressure, and conflicts withdomestic dogs, these species have been threatened locally, regionally, or even across their fulldistribution ranges. The Neotropics harbor 21 species of armadillos, 10 anteaters, and 6 sloths.Our data set includes the families Chlamyphoridae (13), Dasypodidae (7), Myrmecophagidae(3), Bradypodidae (4), and Megalonychidae (2). We have no occurrence data onDasypus pilo-sus(Dasypodidae). Regarding Cyclopedidae, until recently, only one species was recognized,but new genetic studies have revealed that the group is represented by seven species. In thisdata paper, we compiled a total of 42,528 records of 31 species, represented by occurrence andquantitative data, totaling 24,847 unique georeferenced records. The geographic range is fromthe southern United States, Mexico, and Caribbean countries at the northern portion of theNeotropics, to the austral distribution in Argentina, Paraguay, Chile, and Uruguay. Regardinganteaters,Myrmecophaga tridactylahas the most records (n=5,941), andCyclopessp. havethe fewest (n=240). The armadillo species with the most data isDasypus novemcinctus(n=11,588), and the fewest data are recorded forCalyptophractus retusus(n=33). Withregard to sloth species,Bradypus variegatushas the most records (n=962), andBradypus pyg-maeushas the fewest (n=12). Our main objective with Neotropical Xenarthrans is to makeoccurrence and quantitative data available to facilitate more ecological research, particularly ifwe integrate the xenarthran data with other data sets of Neotropical Series that will become available very soon (i.e., Neotropical Carnivores, Neotropical Invasive Mammals, andNeotropical Hunters and Dogs). Therefore, studies on trophic cascades, hunting pressure,habitat loss, fragmentation effects, species invasion, and climate change effects will be possiblewith the Neotropical Xenarthrans data set. Please cite this data paper when using its data inpublications. We also request that researchers and teachers inform us of how they are usingthese data

NEOTROPICAL XENARTHRANS: a data set of occurrence of xenarthran species in the Neotropics

Xenarthrans—anteaters, sloths, and armadillos—have essential functions for ecosystem maintenance, such as insect control and nutrient cycling, playing key roles as ecosystem engineers. Because of habitat loss and fragmentation, hunting pressure, and conflicts with domestic dogs, these species have been threatened locally, regionally, or even across their full distribution ranges. The Neotropics harbor 21 species of armadillos, 10 anteaters, and 6 sloths. Our data set includes the families Chlamyphoridae (13), Dasypodidae (7), Myrmecophagidae (3), Bradypodidae (4), and Megalonychidae (2). We have no occurrence data on Dasypus pilosus (Dasypodidae). Regarding Cyclopedidae, until recently, only one species was recognized, but new genetic studies have revealed that the group is represented by seven species. In this data paper, we compiled a total of 42,528 records of 31 species, represented by occurrence and quantitative data, totaling 24,847 unique georeferenced records. The geographic range is from the southern United States, Mexico, and Caribbean countries at the northern portion of the Neotropics, to the austral distribution in Argentina, Paraguay, Chile, and Uruguay. Regarding anteaters, Myrmecophaga tridactyla has the most records (n = 5,941), and Cyclopes sp. have the fewest (n = 240). The armadillo species with the most data is Dasypus novemcinctus (n = 11,588), and the fewest data are recorded for Calyptophractus retusus (n = 33). With regard to sloth species, Bradypus variegatus has the most records (n = 962), and Bradypus pygmaeus has the fewest (n = 12). Our main objective with Neotropical Xenarthrans is to make occurrence and quantitative data available to facilitate more ecological research, particularly if we integrate the xenarthran data with other data sets of Neotropical Series that will become available very soon (i.e., Neotropical Carnivores, Neotropical Invasive Mammals, and Neotropical Hunters and Dogs). Therefore, studies on trophic cascades, hunting pressure, habitat loss, fragmentation effects, species invasion, and climate change effects will be possible with the Neotropical Xenarthrans data set. Please cite this data paper when using its data in publications. We also request that researchers and teachers inform us of how they are using these data