Movement patterns and space use of the first giant anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla) monitored in SAo Paulo State, Brazil

Author(s)

Bertassoni, Alessandra ; Mourao, Guilherme ; Ribeiro, Rullian Cesar ; Cesario, Clarice Silva ; de Oliveira, Juliana Paula ; Bianchi, Rita de Cassia

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Studies on Neotropical Fauna and Environment; v. 52, n. 1, p. 7-pg., 2017-04-01.

Abstract

This study analyzes a giant anteater's (Myrmecophaga tridactyla) movement patterns and space use in SAo Paulo, Brazil. It is the first study to track a giant anteater with Iridium-GPS. The anteater traveled an average distance of 1326mday(-1) with an average speed of 1.04mmin(-1). Home range by Kernel was 2.46km(2) while the core area was 0.75km(2), and estimates by Brownian bridge and minimum convex polygon were also provided. The anteater used shrub savanna, open savanna, and water habitats more than expected. Monitoring ended just after 10days when the female giant anteater's GPS was found on an illegal trail. RESUMOEste estudo analisa os padroes de movimento e o uso do espaco por um tamandua-bandeira (Myrmecophaga tridactyla) em SAo Paulo, Brasil. E o primeiro estudo a monitorar um tamandua-bandeira com GPS-Iridium. O tamandua-bandeira percorreu uma distancia media de 1.326 m/dia com uma velocidade media de 1,04 mmin(-1). A area de vida estimada por Kernel foi de 2,46 km(2), enquanto a area nucleo foi de 0,75 km(2). Estimativas por Ponte Browniana e Minimo Poligono Convexo tambem foram fornecidas. O tamandua-bandeira utilizou os habitats savana arbustiva e aberta, e aqueles relacionados a agua mais do que o esperado. O monitoramento terminou depois de 10 dias quando o GPS do tamandua-bandeira foi encontrado caido em uma trilha ilegal. (AU)

• 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
• 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