A diversidade de mamíferos de médio e grande porte e o potencial desta fauna na regeneração de clareiras artificiais na região do Rio Urucu, Coari, Amazonas

Abstract

The region of Urucu River, in western Brazilian Amazon, is a priority area for conservation due to its species richness and biogeographical importance. In this region activities of oil and natural gas extraction are developed, which results gaps opening in the continuous forest. The objective of this study was to 1) estimate the species richness, composition and abundance of the medium and large-sized mammals community by linear transect, indirect evidences and camera traps; and to 2) record the presence of the mammals species on the gap through camera traps and direct observations, verifying its participation on the gap regeneration process. Additionally, camera traps were also installed in forest to work as control-areas. A total of 40 mammal species were recorded, 25 by linear transect, 16 by indirect evidences, and 15 by camera traps. The species Lagothrix cana was the most abundant by using linear transect, while T. terrestris was the most abundant by using camera traps and indirect evidences. Camera traps sampled seven species in gaps and 14 in forest. The most frequent species sampled in gaps are herbivore-frugivorous. The direct observation in gaps totalized 144 hours, where three species were registered. In gaps, the specie Dasyprocta fuliginosa frequently exhibited behavioral categories “walking” and “stopped”, while the species Tapirus. terrestris and Saguinus pileatus spent more time feeding. Data obtained by monitoring gaps let us to suggest that mammals can play an important role on the regeneration of these areas through the processes of herbivory and dispersal of fruits and seeds.