Filling the gap: medium and large mammals from a Cerrado remnant in Central Brazil

Abstract

Biodiversity in the Cerrado biome is threatened by deforestation and the conversion of native vegetation by agricultural and urban areas.  Unfortunately, in some areas such as the state of Tocantins, there is a sampling gap of mammalian fauna, resulting in a lack of knowledge.  The present study contributes to reducing this gap by providing information about medium and large-sized mammals from the Rio Formoso region, Tocantins.  In January 2019, we carried out a field survey in 7 sampling points in the municipality of Dueré, southern Tocantins.  We installed 4 camera traps which remained active for a period of 7 days.  Additionally, diurnal and nocturnal active censuses were carried out.  The relative completeness of the inventory was assessed through the species’ cumulative curves.  We recorded 21 species of medium and large-sized mammals over 7 days of sampling in a region under the influence of agricultural activities, including endangered species such as jaguars, giant armadillos, giant otters and marsh deer.  The presence of species of large and medium mammals that play important ecosystem roles highlights that Cerrado remnants still maintain good environmental conditions even with anthropic actions occupying the landscape.  These results highlight the importance of field studies at the regional level and provide information about an underexplored region.