Richness and habitat use by medium and large size mammals in Caatinga, northeastern Brazil

Abstract

The Caatinga, a Brazilian semiarid ecosystem, is threatened critically by human activities. Information on the region’s large mammals is limited. This study characterizes the species composition and habitat use of medium and large mammals in an area of 2,138 ha in the state of Sergipe, northeastern Brazil. Samples were obtained in three habitats: arboreal- shrubby caatinga, grota (humid gallery) forest, and riparian forest. We used 30 sand plots and camera traps, from November 2012 to November 2013, in monthly campaigns. We recorded 10 species in 571 records, 454 in sand plots and 117 by photographs. The occurrence of three additional species was confirmed by other methods, amounting to 13 species recorded for the study area. There was the first record of Lontra longicaudis for the Caatinga. Kerodon rupestris and small wild cats differed in habitat use, with K. rupestris being more related to the grota and wild cats to the riparian vegetation. Overall, the community consists of habitat generalist species; the reduced size of the area and the degree of habitat degradation, resulting from the conversion of native vegetation to agriculture, may have contributed to the low observed species richness.

Keywords: Sergipe, neotropical otter, camera trap, sand plot, community.