Testing camera traps as a potential tool for detecting nest predation of birds in a tropical rainforest environment

Autor(es)

Lais Ribeiro-Silva ^[1] ; Daniel F. Perrella ^[2] ; Carlos H. Biagolini-Jr ^[1] ; Paulo V.Q. Zima ^[2] ; Augusto J. Piratelli ^[3] ; Marcelo N. Schlindwein ^[3] ; Pedro M. Galetti Junior ^[4] ; Mercival R. Francisco ^[3]

Afiliação do(s) autor(es)

^[1] Univ Fed Sao Carlos, Programa Posgrad Diversidade Biol & Conservacao, Rodovia Joao Leme dos Santos Km 110, BR-18052780 Sorocaba, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Fed Sao Carlos, Programa Posgrad Ecol & Recursos Nat, Rodovia Washington Luiz Km 235, BR-13565905 Sao Carlos, SP - Brazil

^[3] Univ Fed Sao Carlos, Dept Ciencias Ambientais, Rodovia Joao Leme dos Santos Km 110, BR-18052780 Sorocaba, SP - Brazil

^[4] Univ Fed Sao Carlos, Dept Genet & Evolucao, Rodovia Washington Luis Km 235, BR-13595905 Sao Carlos, SP - Brazil

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: Zoologia; v. 35, 2018-06-18.

Resumo

ABSTRACT Identification of the predators of bird nests is essential to test ecological and evolutionary hypotheses and to make practical management decisions. A variety of nest monitoring devices have been proposed but many remain difficult to set up in the field. The aim of this study was to test camera traps as a potential tool to study predation of natural nests in a tropical rainforest environment. Specifically, we registered the predators, assessed their size range, and we compared the use of one and two cameras per nest. Of 122 nests from 24 bird species, 45 (37%) were depredated, and the cameras recorded the predator species in 29 of the total of depredated nests (64%). We identified predators in eight of 16 depredated nests (50%) in which we used one camera trap per nest, and we identified predators in 21 of 29 depredated nests (72%) when we used two camera traps per nest. The predators included six species of birds and six species of mammals, with body masses varying from 20 g to 16.5 kg. Causes for 10 of the 16 detection failures were identified and are discussed. These results suggest that camera traps are viable tools to investigate nest predation in a tropical rainforest area. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 13/21209-5 - Fertilização extra-par e parasitismo intraespecífico de ninhos em sabiá-coleira, Turdus albicollis Vieillot, 1818
• Beneficiário: Carlos Humberto Biagolini Junior
• Modalidade de apoio: Bolsas no Brasil - Mestrado
• Processo FAPESP: 10/52315-7 - Predadores de topo de cadeia alimentar
• Beneficiário: Pedro Manoel Galetti Junior
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Programa BIOTA - Regular