Aspects of the ecology of Penelope superciliaris temminck, 1815 (Aves: Cracidae) in the Araripe National Forest, Ceará, Brazil
Abstract Guans are large frugivorous birds that inhabit Neotropical forests and play a fundamental role in seed dispersal and forest regeneration. Despite their ecological importance, the natural populations of these birds are increasingly threatened by deforestation and hunting pressure. The presen...
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| Format: | Article |
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Instituto Internacional de Ecologia
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| Series: | Brazilian Journal of Biology |
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| author | T. N. Thel P. H. R. Teixeira R. M. Lyra-Neves W. R. Telino-Júnior J. M. R. Ferreira S. M. Azevedo-Júnior |
| author_facet | T. N. Thel P. H. R. Teixeira R. M. Lyra-Neves W. R. Telino-Júnior J. M. R. Ferreira S. M. Azevedo-Júnior |
| author_sort | T. N. Thel |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Guans are large frugivorous birds that inhabit Neotropical forests and play a fundamental role in seed dispersal and forest regeneration. Despite their ecological importance, the natural populations of these birds are increasingly threatened by deforestation and hunting pressure. The present study was conducted in the Araripe National Forest, Ceará (Brazil), with the objective of estimating population parameters (density and total population size) in the Rusty-margined Guan (Penelope superciliaris) and the White-browed Guan (Penelope jacucaca), as well as providing data on their feeding ecology, including seasonal variation and fruit morphology. The study was based on the monthly collection of data between November, 2011, and October, 2012. Population parameters were estimated using line transect surveys, while feeding ecology was studied by direct observation, and the collection of plant and fecal samples. The estimated population density of P. superciliaris was 19.17 individuals/km2 (CV=13.98%), with a mean of 0.13 sightings per 10 km walked. Penelope jacucaca was not encountered during the surveys. A total of 14 plant species were recorded in the diet of P. superciliaris, 12 by direct observation, and two from fecal samples. Fruit diameter varied from 6.3±1.35 mm (Miconia albicans) to 29.9±1.7 mm (Psidium sp.). Yellow was the most frequent fruit color (41.6%, n=5), with two species each (16.6%) providing black, green, and red fruits. Fleshy fruits of the baccate (50.0%, n=6) and drupe (33.3%, n=4) types were the most consumed. The data on population parameters and feeding ecology collected in the present study provide an important database for the development of effective management strategies by environmental agencies for the conservation of the populations of the two guan species. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-19T20:45:58Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-4284610152534a7dbb94d5c122b756a9 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1678-4375 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-19T20:45:58Z |
| publisher | Instituto Internacional de Ecologia |
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| series | Brazilian Journal of Biology |
| spelling | doaj.art-4284610152534a7dbb94d5c122b756a92022-12-21T20:06:14ZengInstituto Internacional de EcologiaBrazilian Journal of Biology1678-4375754 suppl 112613510.1590/1519-6984.07314S1519-69842015000800126Aspects of the ecology of Penelope superciliaris temminck, 1815 (Aves: Cracidae) in the Araripe National Forest, Ceará, BrazilT. N. ThelP. H. R. TeixeiraR. M. Lyra-NevesW. R. Telino-JúniorJ. M. R. FerreiraS. M. Azevedo-JúniorAbstract Guans are large frugivorous birds that inhabit Neotropical forests and play a fundamental role in seed dispersal and forest regeneration. Despite their ecological importance, the natural populations of these birds are increasingly threatened by deforestation and hunting pressure. The present study was conducted in the Araripe National Forest, Ceará (Brazil), with the objective of estimating population parameters (density and total population size) in the Rusty-margined Guan (Penelope superciliaris) and the White-browed Guan (Penelope jacucaca), as well as providing data on their feeding ecology, including seasonal variation and fruit morphology. The study was based on the monthly collection of data between November, 2011, and October, 2012. Population parameters were estimated using line transect surveys, while feeding ecology was studied by direct observation, and the collection of plant and fecal samples. The estimated population density of P. superciliaris was 19.17 individuals/km2 (CV=13.98%), with a mean of 0.13 sightings per 10 km walked. Penelope jacucaca was not encountered during the surveys. A total of 14 plant species were recorded in the diet of P. superciliaris, 12 by direct observation, and two from fecal samples. Fruit diameter varied from 6.3±1.35 mm (Miconia albicans) to 29.9±1.7 mm (Psidium sp.). Yellow was the most frequent fruit color (41.6%, n=5), with two species each (16.6%) providing black, green, and red fruits. Fleshy fruits of the baccate (50.0%, n=6) and drupe (33.3%, n=4) types were the most consumed. The data on population parameters and feeding ecology collected in the present study provide an important database for the development of effective management strategies by environmental agencies for the conservation of the populations of the two guan species.http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1519-69842015000800126&lng=en&tlng=endensityabundancecracidsfeeding and conservation |
| spellingShingle | T. N. Thel P. H. R. Teixeira R. M. Lyra-Neves W. R. Telino-Júnior J. M. R. Ferreira S. M. Azevedo-Júnior Aspects of the ecology of Penelope superciliaris temminck, 1815 (Aves: Cracidae) in the Araripe National Forest, Ceará, Brazil Brazilian Journal of Biology density abundance cracids feeding and conservation |
| title | Aspects of the ecology of Penelope superciliaris temminck, 1815 (Aves: Cracidae) in the Araripe National Forest, Ceará, Brazil |
| title_full | Aspects of the ecology of Penelope superciliaris temminck, 1815 (Aves: Cracidae) in the Araripe National Forest, Ceará, Brazil |
| title_fullStr | Aspects of the ecology of Penelope superciliaris temminck, 1815 (Aves: Cracidae) in the Araripe National Forest, Ceará, Brazil |
| title_full_unstemmed | Aspects of the ecology of Penelope superciliaris temminck, 1815 (Aves: Cracidae) in the Araripe National Forest, Ceará, Brazil |
| title_short | Aspects of the ecology of Penelope superciliaris temminck, 1815 (Aves: Cracidae) in the Araripe National Forest, Ceará, Brazil |
| title_sort | aspects of the ecology of penelope superciliaris temminck 1815 aves cracidae in the araripe national forest ceara brazil |
| topic | density abundance cracids feeding and conservation |
| url | http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1519-69842015000800126&lng=en&tlng=en |
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