Mauricio Neves Godoi

Effects of altitude and vegetation on small-mammal distribution in the Urucum Mountains, western Brazil

We conducted a study on small-mammal composition, abundance and diversity across altitudinal and vegetational gradients in the Urucum Mountains (from 150 to 1000 m asl) in western Brazil, a complex biogeographic region. Small mammals were collected in 31 sampling units distributed along altitudinal and vegetational gradients (forest and grassland), totalling 18 112 trap-nights for pitfall and 3500 trap-nights for live-trap. Community variation among sampling units was assessed by randomization tests, setting altitude, vegetation, locality and time as factors, and using presence/absence data. Correlation and logistic regression analyses were run for species and diversity along gradients of altitude and vegetation, according to abundance and presence/absence data. Nineteen species (seven marsupial and 12 rodent) and 355 individuals were recorded. The species composition of small mammals differed according to altitude, vegetation type, locality and time. Species diversity varied significantly according to altitude. Species were influenced solely by altitude or vegetation, or by both vegetation and altitude concomitantly. The small-mammal community was divided in two groups according to biogeographic affinities. The grassland group is capable of invading forest habitats. The results are discussed in light of current hypotheses that attempt to explain community variation along altitudinal gradients around the world.

Composition and structure of bird communities in vegetational gradients of Bodoquena Mountains, western Brazil

The informations of bird species distribution in different habitats and the structure of their communities are crucial for bird conservation. We tested the differences in composition, richness and abundance of birds in different phytophysiognomies at Bodoquena Mountains, western Brazil, and we demonstrated the variations in richness and abundance of birds between different trophic groups. Sampling was conducted between July 2011 and June 2012 in 200 point counts arranged in the study area. A total of 3350 contacts were obtained belonging to 156 bird species. Woodland savannas, seasonal forests and arboreal savannas had higher bird abundance and richness, while riparian forests, clean pastures and dirty pastures had smaller values of these parameters. The bird community was organized according to local vegetational gradient, with communities of forests, open areas and savannas, although many species occurred in more than one vegetation type. The insectivorous, omnivorous, frugivorous and gramnivorous birds composed most of the community. These data showed how important environmental heterogeneity is to bird communities. Furthermore, the presence of extensive patches of natural habitats, the small distance between these patches and the permeability of pastures, with high arboreal and shrubby cover, are indicated as important factors to maintain the bird diversity.

Biogeography and conservation of non-volant mammals from the Urucum Mountains: a Chiquitano dry forest ecoregion in western Brazil

Abstract The distributional data of mammalian fauna are important to reach a comprehensive overview of biogeographic patterns and to highlight regional conservation status, especially in a poorly known region such as the Chiquitano dry forest in western Brazil. Our aims were to survey the mammal species occurring in the Urucum Mountains, located in the southeast end of the Chiquitano forest, compare its species composition to areas elsewhere in different ecoregions, and discuss their conservation statuses. Small mammals were sampled using pitfall and live traps, and medium and large mammals were sampled by direct observation, indirect evidence (e.g. faeces and tracks), and camera traps. Patterns of species composition were compared to other surrounding areas of different ecoregions in South America using multivariate analyses. The results indicated that both faunas have similar biogeographical influences. The Urucum Mountains have an influence on the faunas from the Cerrado, Chaco and Pantanal ecoregions, and only secondarily from forested ecoregions (e.g. Amazon forest). The Urucum harbours a rich non-volant mammalian fauna with species that are widely and restrictedly distributed. The conservation of Urucum Mountains is important because these mountains harbour threatened plant, invertebrate, and vertebrate (mammals) species, which could be suffering due to the mining activity carried out in the region. We stress that the Chiquitano dry forest is unique to western Brazil, situated in a complex biogeographical region, and harbouring a rich and diversified mammal fauna.

Bird species richness, composition and abundance in pastures are affected by vegetation structure and distance from natural habitats: a single tree in pastures matters

ABSTRACT Throughout the world, natural habitats have been replaced by pastures. Thus, bird conservation requires making pastures more accessible for birds. The use of pastures by birds inhabiting the surrounding natural habitats may be affected by the structure of pastures and their distance from natural habitats. In this study we tested whether bird species richness, composition and abundance in pastures of the Brazilian Cerrado are linked to habitat and dietary requirements and affected by vegetation structure and the distance to natural habitats. We found that pastures with more trees and shrubs had greater richness of forest birds, forest insectivorous birds and semi-forest insectivorous-frugivorous birds. Pastures with taller trees had greater richness of semi-forest insectivorous birds, and pastures closer to natural habitats had greater richness of forest frugivorous birds. Bird composition in pastures changed according to vegetation structure and distance from natural habitats, and the abundance of some bird species was positively correlated to vegetation structure and negatively correlated to distance from natural habitats. These findings highlight the importance of trees and shrubs in pastures and maintaining patches of natural habitats near pastures. Management measures can make pastures more accessible for birds from surrounding natural environments and could help in bird conservation.

The effects of forest-savanna-grassland gradients on bird communities of Chiquitano Dry Forests domain, in western Brazil

Different vegetation types are distributed in mountains according to altitude, topography and soil. The composition and structure of bird communities in these areas can change in relation to the vegetation gradient, with particular communities occupying each habitat type. In this study we present the changes in composition, species richness and bird abundance over the gradient of forests, savannas and altitudinal grasslands of Maciço do Urucum, a mountainous region located in the Chiquitano Dry Forests domain in western Brazil. We recorded 165 bird species through qualitative and quantitative methods. Forested savannas, riparian forests and submontane forests presented the highest richness and abundance of birds, while arboreal savannas and altitudinal grasslands had intermediate and low values, respectively. The bird composition was similar between riparian and submontane forests, while other vegetation types present more dissimilar bird communities. Our results show differences in composition, richness and bird abundance among the vegetation types present at Maciço do Urucum, and highlight an important function of vegetation gradients for the conservation of bird communities in mountains. Additionally, this is the first study of the bird communities in the Brazilian Chiquitano Dry Forests, an important domain in the west of Brazil which has been poorly studied.

Trogon rufus Gmelin, 1788, Baryphthengus ruficapillus (Vieillot, 1818), Notharchus swainsoni (Gray, 1846), Synallaxis ruficapilla Vieillot, 1819, Tyrannopsis sulphurea (Spix, 1825) and Procnias nudicollis (Vieillot, 1817) (Aves): documented records in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil

A better understanding of patterns of species distribution is critical to carrying out the ecological studies needed to develop more appropriate conservation plans. Here we present records for six bird species in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. Five of these species ( Trogon rufus , Baryphthengus ruficapillus , Notharchus swainsoni , Synallaxis ruficapilla and Procnias nudicollis ) are rare and their distribution range is still poorly understood; one species ( Tyrannopsis sulphurea ) was recorded for the first time in the state.

First records of the Crested Black-Tyrant (Knipolegus lophotes, Tyrannidae) in the State of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil

The Crested Black-Tyrant (Knipolegus lophotes) is a member of the Tyrannidae family that occurs throughout open areas in central, southeastern and southern Brazil. Although this species occurs in regions that surround the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, there had never been a recorded sighting in the state. Thus, information on its distribution across Brazils midwestern region is scarce. In this study, we report the first sightings of K. lophotes in Mato Grosso do Sul. These records extend the known distribution range of the species in midwestern Brazil and contribute to expanding knowledge of bird species composition in this region. We believe that the absence of K. lophotes from the lists of bird species recorded in different localities in Mato Grosso do Sul may be a reflection of its local rarity and the lack of bird inventory efforts in this region, which underscores the need for further research into bird communities in this poorly known region of Brazil.