Population structure of the broad-snouted caiman (Caiman latirostris) in natural and man-made water bodies associated with a silvicultural landscape

Autor(es)

Marques, Thiago Simon ^[1] ; Bochetti Bassetti, Luis Antonio ^[1] ; Freitas Lara, Neliton Ricardo ^[1] ; Millan, Cristiane Honora ^[2] ; Ignacio Pina, Carlos ^[3] ; Verdade, Luciano Martins ^[1]

Afiliação do(s) autor(es)

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Ctr Energia Nucl Agr, Lab Ecol Isotop, Caixa Postal 96, BR-13416000 Piracicaba, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Estadual Paulista, Inst Biociencias Rio Claro, Dept Ecol, BR-13506900 Rio Claro, SP - Brazil

^[3] CICyTTP CONICET Dr Matteri & Espana, Proyecto Yacare, RA-3105 Diamante, Entre Rios - Argentina

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: SALAMANDRA; v. 52, n. 1, p. 1-10, APR 30 2016.
• Citações Web of Science: 2

Resumo

The broad-snouted caiman (Caiman latirostris) is a South American crocodilian with a wide geographical distribution. Water bodies originally occupied by the species have suffered extreme anthropogenic pressure; however, the broad-snouted caiman has a high adaptive capacity to colonize man-made habitats such as decanting pounds and artificial reservoirs for agriculture or livestock. In this context, the present study aimed at identifying the population structure of the broad-snouted caiman in a silvicultural landscape in southeastern Brazil. Fifty-two caimans of various classes were captured with baited traps and steel cable snares at night. The estimated population size was 51 individuals excluding class I individuals. The population density was estimated to be 2.6 individuals/ha with a linear density of 11.3 individuals/km. The intermediate values of linear density estimates herein are similar to other areas, suggesting that silvicultural landscapes can be relevant for broad-snouted caiman conservation. Therefore, the role of silvicultural landscapes in crocodilian conservation should be taken into consideration for environmental certification processes related to forestry in the Neotropics. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 06/60954-4 - Mudanças socioambientais no estado de São Paulo e perspectivas para a conservação
• Beneficiário: Luciano Martins Verdade
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Programa BIOTA - Temático