Response of Bolivian gray titi monkeys (Plecturocebus donacophilus) to an anthropogenic noise gradient: behavioral and hormonal correlates

Worldwide urban expansion and deforestation have caused a rapid decline of non-human primates in recent decades. Yet, little is known to what extent these animals can tolerate anthropogenic noise arising from roadway traffic and human presence in their habitat. We studied six family groups of titis residing at increasing distances from a busy highway, in a park promoting ecotourism near Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia. We mapped group movements, sampled the titis’ behavior, collected fecal samples from each study group and conducted experiments in which we used a mannequin simulating a human intrusion in their home range. We hypothesized that groups of titi monkeys exposed to higher levels of anthropogenic noise and human presence would react weakly to the mannequin and show higher concentrations of fecal cortisol compared with groups in least perturbed areas. Sound pressure measurements and systematic monitoring of soundscape inside the titis’ home ranges confirmed the presence of a noise gradient, best characterized by the root-mean-square (RMS) and median amplitude (M) acoustic indices; importantly, both anthropogenic noise and human presence co-varied. Study groups resided in small, overlapping home ranges and they spent most of their time resting and preferentially used the lower forest stratum for traveling and the higher levels for foraging. Focal sampling analysis revealed that the time spent moving by adult pairs was inversely correlated with noise, the behavioral change occurring within a gradient of minimum sound pressures ranging from 44 dB(A) to 52 dB(A). Validated enzyme-immunoassays of fecal samples however detected surprisingly low cortisol concentrations, unrelated to the changes observed in the RMS and M indices. Finally, titis’ response to the mannequin varied according to our expectation, with alarm calling being greater in distant groups relative to highway. Our study thus indicates reduced alarm calling through habituation to human presence and suggests a titis’ resilience to anthropogenic noise with little evidence of physiological stress

A camera trapping survey of mammals in the mixed landscape of Bolivia’s Chiquitano region with a special focus on the jaguar

At a site in the Bolivian Chiquitano region composed by a mosaic of pastureland and primary Chiquitano Dry Forest (CDF) we conducted a camera-trapping study to (1) survey the mammals, and (2) compare individual Jaguar numbers with other Chiquitano sites. Therefore, we installed 13 camera stations (450 ha polygon) over a period of six months. On 1,762 camera-days and in 1,654 independent capture events, we recorded 24 mammalian species that represent the native fauna of large and medium-sized mammals including apex-predators (Puma, Jaguar), meso-carnivores (Ocelot, Jaguarundi, Margay), and large herbivores (Tapir, Collared and White lipped Peccary). We identified six adult Jaguars and found indications of successful reproductive activity. Captures of Jaguars were higher in CDF than in altered habitats. In summary, we believe that (1) the mammal species richness, (2) the high capture numbers of indicator species, and (3) the high capture numbers of Jaguar indicate that our study area has a good conservation status. Future efforts should be undertaken to keep this, and monitoring programs in this region are necessary to further evaluate the potential importance of the Chiquitano region as a possible key region for mammals, especially Jaguars, in South America

A camera trapping survey of mammals in the mixed landscape of Bolivia’s Chiquitano region with a special focus on the Jaguar

At a site in the Bolivian Chiquitano region composed by a mosaic of pastureland and primary Chiquitano Dry Forest (CDF) we conducted a camera-trapping study to (1) survey the mammals, and (2) compare individual Jaguar numbers with other Chiquitano sites. Therefore, we installed 13 camera stations (450 ha polygon) over a period of six months. On 1,762 camera-days and in 1,654 independent capture events, we recorded 24 mammalian species that represent the native fauna of large and medium-sized mammals including apex-predators (Puma, Jaguar), meso-carnivores (Ocelot, Jaguarundi, Margay), and large herbivores (Tapir, Collared and White lipped Peccary). We identified six adult Jaguars and found indications of successful reproductive activity. Captures of Jaguars were higher in CDF than in altered habitats. In summary, we believe that (1) the mammal species richness, (2) the high capture numbers of indicator species, and (3) the high capture numbers of Jaguar indicate that our study area has a good conservation status. Future efforts should be undertaken to keep this, and monitoring programs in this region are necessary to further evaluate the potential importance of the Chiquitano region as a possible key region for mammals, especially Jaguars, in South America

Developing transboundary monitoring of the jaguar in southern South America

During 12–14 March 2018, researchers from Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, and Paraguay met in Asuncion, Paraguay for the workshop Developing a transboundary monitoring framework for the jaguar (Panthera onca) in the Southern Cone towards determining transboundary research needs for jaguar in these four countries. We defined a focal area of interest, which includes 15 Jaguar Conservation Units JCUs and seven ecoregions. For this focal area we defined research needs to determine population status and viability, connectivity, and genetic diversity among units, as well as connectivity with the continental core populations in the Amazon. We prioritized conducting research outside of protected areas, particularly in areas dominated by row crops and grazing. Furthermore, we identified a need for increased research on the movement of individuals and genes through the landscape to be incorporated into the assessment of population connectivity. Also, the intentional killing of jaguars needs to be better quantified, including research on the human dimensions of killing, as mortality is high in many areas and limits jaguar occurrence despite the availability of suitable habitat.Fil: Thompson, Jeffrey. Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología; ParaguayFil: Velilla, Marinela. Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología; Paraguay. University of Arizona; Estados UnidosFil: Morato, Ronaldo G.. Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservação da Biodiversidade; BrasilFil: de Angelo, Carlos Daniel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Instituto de Biología Subtropical. Instituto de Biología Subtropical - Nodo Posadas | Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Instituto de Biología Subtropical. Instituto de Biología Subtropical - Nodo Posadas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Fisicoquímicas y Naturales. Instituto de Ciencias de la Tierra, Biodiversidad y Ambiente - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Ciencias de la Tierra, Biodiversidad y Ambiente; ArgentinaFil: Paviolo, Agustin Javier. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Instituto de Biología Subtropical. Instituto de Biología Subtropical - Nodo Posadas | Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Instituto de Biología Subtropical. Instituto de Biología Subtropical - Nodo Posadas; ArgentinaFil: Quiroga, Verónica Andrea. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Diversidad y Ecología Animal. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Instituto de Diversidad y Ecología Animal; ArgentinaFil: Perovic, Pablo Gastón. Administración de Parques Nacionales; ArgentinaFil: Tortato, Fernando. No especifíca;Fil: Mirol, Patricia Monica. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales "Bernardino Rivadavia"; ArgentinaFil: Romero Muñoz, Alfredo. Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin; AlemaniaFil: Maffei, Leonardo. Wildlife Conservation Society; Estados UnidosFil: Bonzi, Viviana. Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología; ParaguayFil: Cabral, Hugo. Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología; ParaguayFil: Breuer, Norman. Universidad Católica; ParaguayFil: Gimenez, Diego. Society For Preservation Of Endangered Carnivores; Estados UnidosFil: Rumiz, Damián Ignacio. Museo de Historia Natural; Bolivi

Ecological modeling, biogeography, and phenotypic analyses setting the tiger cats’ hyperdimensional niches reveal a new species

Abstract Recently, the tiger-cat species complex was split into Leopardus tigrinus and Leopardus guttulus, along with other proposed schemes. We performed a detailed analysis integrating ecological modeling, biogeography, and phenotype of the four originally recognized subspecies—tigrinus, oncilla, pardinoides, guttulus—and presented a new multidimensional niche depiction of the species. Species distribution models used > 1400 records from museums and photographs, all checked for species accuracy. Morphological data were obtained from institutional/personal archives. Spotting patterns were established by integrating museum and photographic/camera-trap records. Principal component analysis showed three clearly distinct groups, with the Central American specimens (oncilla) clustering entirely within those of the Andes, namely the pardinoides group of the cloud forests of the southern Central-American and Andean mountain chains (clouded tiger-cat); the tigrinus group of the savannas of the Guiana Shield and central/northeastern Brazil (savanna tiger-cat); and the guttulus group in the lowland forests of the Atlantic Forest domain (Atlantic Forest tiger-cat). This scheme is supported by recent genetic analyses. All species displayed different spotting patterns, with some significant differences in body measurements/proportions. The new distribution presented alarming reductions from the historic range of − 50.4% to − 68.2%. This multidimensional approach revealed a new species of the elusive and threatened tiger-cat complex

Sustainability Agenda for the Pantanal Wetland: Perspectives on a Collaborative Interface for Science, Policy, and Decision-Making

International audienceBuilding bridges between environmental and political agendas is essential nowadays in face of the increasing human pressure on natural environments, including wetlands. Wetlands provide critical ecosystem services for humanity and can generate a considerable direct or indirect income to the local communities. To meet many of the sustainable development goals, we need to move our trajectory from the current environmental destructive development to a wiser wetland use. The current article contain a proposed agenda for the Pantanal aiming the improvement of public policy for conservation in the Pantanal, one of the largest, most diverse, and continuous inland wetland in the world. We suggest and discuss a list of 11 essential interfaces between science, policy, and development in region linked to the proposed agenda. We believe that a functional science network can booster the collaborative capability to generate creative ideas and solutions to address the big challenges faced by the Pantanal wetland