Horário de atividade e ocupação de roedores caviomorfos em uma floresta de terra firme amazônica

Abstract

The behaviour of frugivorous mammals such as time and space distribution can be altered as consequence of changes in abiotic and biotic environmental factors. The present work used Camera-traps records to investigate if variation in environmental characteristics affect the daily activity and occupancy of four caviomorph rodents in a dry land forest in Central Amazonia. We test the influence of precipitation on the activity pattern and detection probability; the influence of topography, predators, palms, distance from non-forest area on the occurrence probability; and the co-occurrence of similar species. The activity pattern was not significant different but differ between dry and rainy periods. The period influenced the detection probability of agouti (Dasyprocta leporina) and paca (Cuniculus paca). The occurrence probability of acouchy (Myoprocta acouchy) was positively influenced by the distance from non-forest area; occurrence probability of agouti (D. leporina) was positively influenced by the vertical distance from the water; occurrence probability of paca (Cuniculus paca) was negatively influenced by the number of Astrocaryum sciophilum palm; and occurrence probability of spiny-rat (Proechimys spp.) was negatively influenced by the number of Astrocaryum acaule palm. The detection probability of acouchy was influenced by the detection probability of agouti and vice versa and they avoided each other in both periods. This study provides responses related to the partitioning of time and space, as well as the influence of environmental characteristics on the proportion of occupied area of four South American mammals. Information that are inherent to comprehension about the contribution of caviomorph rodents to the dynamic balance of the Central Amazon rainforest. These results and long-term monitoring with studies focusing on diet and telemetry can clarify the limitations and niche partitioning in face of environmental variation.