Human-modified landscapes alter home range and movement patterns of capybaras

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Lopes, Beatriz ; McEvoy, John F. ; Morato, Ronaldo Goncalves ; Luz, Hermes R. ; Costa, Francisco B. ; Benatti, Hector Ribeiro ; Dias, Thiago da Costa ; Rocha, Vlamir Jose ; do Nascimento, Vanessa Ramos ; Piovezan, Ubiratan ; Monticelli, Patricia Ferreira ; Nievas, Ana Maria ; Pacheco, Richard Campos ; Gaglianone Moro, Maria Estela ; Brasil, Jardel ; Leimgruber, Peter ; Labruna, Marcelo B. ; Micchi de Barros Ferraz, Katia Maria Paschoaletto

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: JOURNAL OF MAMMALOGY; v. 102, n. 1, p. 14-pg., 2021-02-01.

Abstract

The expansion of human activity forces species to co-exist with people in human-modified landscapes (HMLs). However, living in HMLs demands behavioral adaptations, and the proximity between wildlife and people heightens human-wildlife conflicts. Capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) is a thriving rodent species in HMLs in Brazil and as such, is involved in human-wildlife conflicts, such as vehicle collisions and transmission of Brazilian spotted fever (BSF). Despite their public importance, the effects of HMLs on capybara movement behavior have never been investigated. Our study aimed to investigate changes in home range, ranging pattern, and activity, for capybaras in six HMLs and two natural landscapes (NLs) by monitoring capybaras with GPS collars. We found home ranges 2.43 times greater in NLs than in HMLs and differences in ranging pattern in HMLs. Capybaras tended to be more nocturnal and move shorter distances across HMLs than NLs. Our results confirm the impacts of the HMLs altering capybara movement. The aggregation of capybaras in very small home ranges might imply on greater risks of tick infestations. In addition, capybara-vehicle collision may be increased during capybaras' nocturnal activity. Therefore, we recommend that transportation agencies avoid the construction of transportation infrastructures (roads, railways, airstrips) in capybaras' home ranges, which should be of restricted access to people in BSF endemic areas. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 16/17941-0 - Changes in capybara movement patterns and home ranges across natural and human-influenced landscapes
• Grantee: Beatriz Lopes
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Scientific Initiation
• FAPESP's process: 14/27078-2 - Diagnosis and monitoring of free-living capybaras - 1
• Grantee: Beatriz Lopes
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation