Latest Articles from Neotropical Biology and Conservation Latest 2 Articles from Neotropical Biology and Conservation https://neotropical.pensoft.net/ Fri, 29 Mar 2024 02:21:31 +0200 Pensoft FeedCreator https://neotropical.pensoft.net/i/logo.jpg Latest Articles from Neotropical Biology and Conservation https://neotropical.pensoft.net/ Potential impact of mammal defaunation on the early regeneration of a large-seeded palm in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest https://neotropical.pensoft.net/article/54017/ Neotropical Biology and Conservation 15(2): 177-193

DOI: 10.3897/neotropical.15.e54017

Authors: Ana Y. Y. Meiga, Alexander V. Christianini

Abstract: Defaunation, the decline in animal species and populations, is biased towards large-bodied animals that have unique roles as dispersers of large seeds. However, it is speculated that these roles may still be performed by smaller animals, such as small mammals like rodents and marsupials, that thrive in defaunated sites. We investigated if small mammals can disperse the large-seeded palm Attalea dubia. We performed the study in a well-conserved Atlantic Forest remnant in southeast Brazil that still harbours large mammals, such as tapirs. Focal observations showed that capuchin-monkeys consumed the mesocarp of the fruits and dropped the seeds beneath the plant crown thereafter. Mammals preyed on ca. 1% and removed ca. 15% of the fallen fruit/seed and deposited them up to 15 m away. Amongst them, small mammals (< 1 kg), such as the squirrel Guerlinguetus brasiliensis and non-identified nocturnal Sigmodontinae, as well as the marsupial Philander frenatus performed the bulk of interactions. Dispersal enhances recruitment, but the short distances of seed removal did not match the current spatial distribution of palm seedlings and juveniles. Recaching rates of hoarded seeds were small (2%) and unlikely to increase distances of seed dispersal achieved. Short distances of dispersal would increase plant clumpiness and negative density-dependent effects with time. Although small mammals can provide legitimate dispersal, they cannot fully replace larger frugivorous mammals and maintain long-distance seed dispersal that feeds plant metapopulation dynamics and seed gene flow.

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Research Article Fri, 12 Jun 2020 08:33:22 +0300
Trends and biases in scientific literature about marmosets, genus Callithrix (Primates, Callitrichidae): biodiversity and conservation perspectives https://neotropical.pensoft.net/article/49077/ Neotropical Biology and Conservation 14(4): 529-538

DOI: 10.3897/neotropical.14.e49077

Authors: Wellington Hannibal, Polla Renon, Valquiria Vilalba Figueiredo, Roniel Freitas Oliveira, Antonio Eduardo Moreno, Romari Alejandra Martinez

Abstract: Marmosets of the genus Callithrix are small-bodied platyrrhines, endemic to Brazil. In the last 30 years, there has been a constant interest in studying their biology, ecology and conservation. In this study, we compiled a systematic review to evaluate the trends and advances of marmoset research, from biodiversity and conservation perspectives. We searched for articles published in peer-reviewed journals within the main academic search engines, using the keywords “marmoset” OR “sagui” OR “Callithrix”. We found 68 published articles with a focus on biodiversity and conservation. The number of articles has increased over the years, most of them consisting of research from the Atlantic Forest biome. Callithrix penicillata (26 articles) and C. jacchus (21) were the most studied species. The number of studies was associated with the species’ geographical distribution. From a conservation perspective, the most threatened species showed the narrowest geographical distribution, a lower number of studies and, on average, a smaller protected area size. We concluded that trends and biases in biodiversity and conservation scientific literature of Callithrix are directly and indirectly associated with its geographical distribution. Species with wide geographical distribution are more studied, better known and protected. We highlight that the major effort of studies must be towards marmoset populations from the transition region of the Atlantic Forest-Cerrado and Caatinga biomes, and on threatened species within narrow geographical ranges.

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Research Article Wed, 18 Dec 2019 09:44:31 +0200