Activity pattern of the crab-eating raccoon (Procyon cancrivorus) and its interaction with sympatric carnivores

• Grant number: 24/22288-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: February 01, 2025
• End date: January 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Ecology - Applied Ecology
• Principal Investigator: Rita de Cassia Bianchi
• Grantee: Daiane Fernandes de Godoi
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias (FCAV). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Jaboticabal. Jaboticabal , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The circadian rhythm of a species reflects an extensive programming of biological activities that addresses the opportunities and challenges posed by the periodic nature of the environment. Information on an organism's activity pattern promotes a better understanding of its basic biology, in addition to elucidating the impacts of anthropogenic activities on the behavior of affected species. Understanding the activity patterns of sympatric species is also crucial for understanding how communities are structured. The crab-eating raccoon (Procyon cancrivorus) is a mesocarnivore with a wide geographical distribution, but there are few studies related to its ecology and behavior. Thus, this study aims to describe the activity pattern of the crab-eating raccoon, as well as to evaluate aspects of its interaction with other sympatric carnivores. The study area comprises 21 fragments within eight Conservation Units (CU) in the northeastern region of the State of São Paulo, an area dominated by the Cerrado biome, and data were collected using camera traps. Kernel density curves will be used for the descriptions of activity patterns. Abundance index calculations, probability density distribution, and delta overlap coefficient will be performed to assess the temporal behavior of the crab-eating raccoon in relation to other carnivores. ANOVA will be used to identify if there are differences in recording times between species. All analyses will be performed in RStudio.