Habitat selection in natural and human-modified landscapes by capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris), an important host for Amblyomma sculptum ticks

Author(s):Show less -

Dias, Thiago C. ^{[1, 2, 3, 4]} ; Stabach, Jared A. ^{[1, 2]} ; Huang, Qiongyu ^{[1, 2]} ; Labruna, Marcelo B. ^[5] ; Leimgruber, Peter ^{[1, 2]} ; Ferraz, Katia M. P. M. B. ^[6] ; Lopes, Beatriz ^[6] ; Luz, Hermes R. ^{[5, 7]} ; Costa, Francisco B. ^{[7, 8]} ; Benatti, Hector R. ^[5] ; Correa, Lucas R. ^[4] ; Nievas, Ana M. ^[9] ; Monticelli, Patricia F. ^[9] ; Piovezan, Ubiratan ^{[10, 11]} ; Szabo, Matias P. J. ^[12] ; Aguiar, Daniel M. ^[13] ; Brites-Neto, Jose ^[14] ; Port-Carvalho, Marcio ^[15] ; Rocha, Vlamir J. ^[4]

Affiliation:Show less -

^[1] Smithsonian Natl Zoo, Conservat Ecol Ctr, Front Royal, VA 22630 - USA

^[2] Conservat Biol Inst, Front Royal, VA 22630 - USA

^[3] Univ Fed Sao Carlos, Ctr Ciencias Biol & Saude, Programa Posgrad Ecol & Recursos Nat, Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

^[4] Univ Fed Sao Carlos, Dept Ciencias Nat Matemat & Educ, Lab Fauna, Araras, SP - Brazil

^[5] Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Med Vet & Zootecnia, Dept Med Vet Prevent & Saude Anim, Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

^[6] Univ Sao Paulo, Dept Ciencias Florestais, Escola Super Agr Luiz de Queiroz, Piracicaba, SP - Brazil

^[7] Univ Fed Maranhao, Dept Patol, Programa Posgrad Biotecnol Renorbio, Sao Luis, Maranhao - Brazil

^[8] Univ Estadual Maranhao, Fac Med Vet, Dept Patol, Sao Luis, Maranhao - Brazil

^[9] Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Filosofia Ciencias & Letras, Lab Etol & Bioacust, Ribeirao Preto, SP - Brazil

^[10] EMBRAPA Tabuleiros Costeiros, Aracaju, Sergipe - Brazil

^[11] Embrapa Pantanal, Corumba, MS - Brazil

^[12] Univ Fed Uberlandia, Fac Med Vet, Lab Ixodol, Uberlandia, MG - Brazil

^[13] Univ Fed Mato Grosso, Fac Med Vet, Lab Virol & Rickettsioses, Mato Grosso - Brazil

^[14] Secretaria Municipal Saude, Programa Vigilancia & Controle Carrapatos & Escor, Americana, SP - Brazil

^[15] Inst Florestal, Div Florestas & Parques Estaduais, Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: PLoS One; v. 15, n. 8 AUG 20 2020.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

Human activities are changing landscape structure and function globally, affecting wildlife space use, and ultimately increasing human-wildlife conflicts and zoonotic disease spread. Capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) are linked to conflicts in human-modified landscapes (e.g. crop damage, vehicle collision), as well as the spread and amplification of Brazilian spotted fever (BSF), the most human-lethal tick-borne disease in the world. Even though it is essential to understand the link between capybaras, ticks and BSF, many knowledge gaps still exist regarding the effects of human disturbance in capybara space use. Here, we analyzed diurnal and nocturnal habitat selection strategies of capybaras across natural and human-modified landscapes using resource selection functions (RSF). Selection for forested habitats was higher across human-modified landscapes, mainly during day- periods, when compared to natural landscapes. Across natural landscapes, capybaras avoided forests during both day- and night periods. Water was consistently selected across both landscapes, during day- and nighttime. Distance to water was also the most important variable in predicting capybara habitat selection across natural landscapes. Capybaras showed slightly higher preferences for areas near grasses/shrubs across natural landscapes, and distance to grasses/shrubs was the most important variable in predicting capybara habitat selection across human-modified landscapes. Our results demonstrate human-driven variation in habitat selection strategies by capybaras. This behavioral adjustment across human-modified landscapes may be related to increases inA.sculptumdensity, ultimately affecting BSF. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 15/04795-3 - Diagnosis and monitoring of free-living capybaras - 2
• Grantee: Thiago da Costa Dias
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• FAPESP's process: 13/18046-7 - Capybaras, ticks, and spotted fever
• Grantee: Marcelo Bahia Labruna
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants