Space use by giant anteaters (Myrmecophaga tridactyla) in a protected area within human-modified landscape

Author(s)

Bertassoni, Alessandra ^{[1, 2]} ; Mourao, Guilherme ^[3] ; Bianchi, Rita de Cassia ^{[4, 5]}

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Fed Goias UFG, Programa Posgrad Ecol & Evolucao, Inst Ciencias Biol, BR-74690900 Goiania, Go - Brazil

^[2] Inst Pesquisa & Conservacao Tamanduas Brasil, Projeto Tamandua, Parnaiba - Brazil

^[3] Embrapa Pantanal, Corumba - Brazil

^[4] Univ Estadual Paulista UNESP, Fac Ciencias Agr & Vet, Dept Biol Aplicada & Agr, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[5] Univ Estadual Paulista UNESP, Inst Biociencias Letras & Ciencias Exatas, Programa Posgrad Biol Anim, Sao Jose Do Rio Preto - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION; v. 10, n. 15 JUL 2020.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

Spatial ecology data are essential for conservation purposes, especially when extinction risk is influenced by anthropogenic actions. Space use can reveal how individuals use the habitat, how they organize in space, and which components are key resources for the species. We evaluated the space use and multiscale habitat selection of giant anteaters (Myrmecophaga tridactyla), a vulnerable Neotropical mammal, in a Cerrado site within a human-modified landscape in southeastern Brazil. We used GPS transmitters to track eight anteaters in the wild. With the resulting dataset, we estimated home range and core-area sizes and then used two overlap indexes. We assessed habitat selection by compositional analysis and analyzed events of spatio-temporal proximity. The average Brownian bridge kernel estimate of home range size was 3.41 km(2)(0.92-7.9). Regarding home range establishment, five individuals showed resident behavior. Males (n = 4) had larger home ranges and were more active than females (n = 4). Despite the spatial overlap of home range (above 40% in four dyads), maximum temporal space sharing was 18%. Giant anteaters were found in proximity. Habitat selection favored savanna, and exotic timber plantation was always avoided. Roads and built-up areas were selected secondarily at the landscape level. The selection of anthropogenic sites denotes behavioral plasticity regarding modified habitats. However, the high selectivity for savanna, at all levels, demonstrates a high dependence on natural habitats, which provide the necessary resources for the species. The recurrent proximity of male-to-female anteaters may indicate reproductive behavior, which is essential for maintaining this isolated population. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 13/04957-8 - Landscape use by giant anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla) by satellite monitoring in Estação Ecológica de Santa Bárbara, São Paulo State, Brasil
• Grantee: Alessandra Bertassoni da Silva
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 13/18526-9 - The importance of cerrado's remnants to the giant anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla) in the Northeast of São Paulo State
• Grantee: Rita de Cassia Bianchi
• Support Opportunities: BIOTA-FAPESP Program - Regular Research Grants