Spatio-temporal distribution of two species of cracids in a landscape dominated by domestic dogs.

• Grant number: 24/02405-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: December 01, 2024
• End date: July 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Ecology - Applied Ecology
• Principal Investigator: Rita de Cassia Bianchi
• Grantee: Bianca Ferreira Castaldini
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias (FCAV). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Jaboticabal. Jaboticabal , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Domestic dogs (Canis familiaris) can negatively impact native wildlife, particularly harming ground-dwelling birds that may be affected by predation, nest destruction, or changes in their activity patterns. Two species that may suffer from these threats are the Bare-faced Curassow (Crax fasciolata) and the Speckled Chachalaca (Penelope superciliaris). To assess the spatiotemporal patterns of these species and investigate potential alterations due to the presence of domestic dogs, I will analyze data obtained from camera traps collected over the years in a Cerrado biome area. I will use the Poisson modulated by Markov process (MMPP), an approach that deals with complex species interactions using temporal and spatial data. Bird sightings will constitute the temporal data, while spatial data will include land use and occupancy data extracted from platforms. These insights will provide an overview of the activity and occupancy patterns of Bare-faced Curassows and Speckled Chachalacas in interaction with domestic dogs, an invasive species that has been increasing in conservation units. The results will be crucial in supporting the development of management and conservation measures, considering the level of threat and the ecological functions performed by the birds, and assisting in the formulation of control measures for invasive species.