Gerson Buss

Brazilian primates differ regarding landscape characteristics within their ranges (e.g. habitat availability) and life‐history traits (e.g. body size). These landscape and life history attributes may be related to extinction risk. Here, we verified how such attributes correlate with primate threat categories. We considered 124 Brazilian primates based on the 2014 Brazilian list of threatened (Critically Endangered, Endangered and Vulnerable) and non‐threatened (Least Concern and Near Threatened) species. We then characterized their landscape (i.e. habitat availability, habitat loss and fragmentation, indigenous lands, roads, urban areas, deforestation arch) and life‐history attributes (i.e. body weight, gestation length and generation time), which together make up the threat context for each threat category. We compared threat categories to identify differences in such attributes, considering biome (Atlantic Forest, Amazon, Caatinga and Cerrado) as a factor and testing for phylogene...

In 2019, a canopy bridge was built connecting two fragments of the Atlantic Forest separated by the Pacatuba unpaved road within the Pacatuba-Gargaú Corridor. This bridge was built as part of the Brazilian National Action Plan for the Conservation of Northeastern Primates (Plano de Ação Nacional para Conservação dos Primatas do Nordeste – PAN PRINE). The forest fragments contain a variety of mammal species, including the endangered primate species Alouatta belzebul and Sapajus flavius. Between September 2019 and March 2020, we monitored the canopy bridge continuously with a Bushnell camera trap; for a total of 204 days of sampling, resulting in evidence of 113 independent passage events. During the monitoring period, four mammal species used the canopy bridge, the Endangered Sapajus flavius (blond capuchin monkey), Callithrix jacchus (common marmoset), Marmosa demerarae (woolly mouse opossum), and Marmosa murina (murine mouse opossum). The common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) used the bridge most frequently, representing 50.44% of the passage events (57), while the blond capuchin monkey (S. flavius) crossed the bridge in 30 events (26.5% of total crossings). All other mammals used the bridge less frequently than the primates (23% of crossings were of opossums). There was no record of crossings by the red-handed howler monkey (Alouatta belzebul) during the monitoring period. The construction of the canopy bridge within the Pacatuba-Gargaú forest corridor promoted structural and functional connectivity of the forest habitats, affecting the movement of the Endangered blond capuchin monkey and the common marmoset and benefiting other arboreal mammal species. The results indicate that monitoring the use of this canopy bridge provided important insights into the behaviour and ecology of the species studied (e.g., activity patterns, social interactions, group sizes, and reproduction, among many others). In addition, the use of the bridge decreases the risks of animal-vehicle collisions and electrocutions. Considering our results, we strongly recommend constructing and implementing canopy bridges as a strategy for the conservation of arboreal species living in fragmented forest areas.

Brazil is known as a high biodiversity country, but at the same time, it has an extensive road network that threatens its wildlife and ecosystems. The impacts of roads and railways on vertebrates have been documented extensively, and the discussion concerning the implementation of mitigation measures for terrestrial wildlife has increased in the last decade. Arboreal animals are especially affected by the direct loss of individuals due to animal-vehicle collisions and by the barrier effect, because most arboreal species, especially the strictly arboreal ones, avoid going down to the ground to move across the landscape. Here we summarize and review information on existing canopy bridges across Brazil, considering artificial and natural canopy bridge initiatives implemented mainly on road and railway projects. A total of 151 canopy bridges were identified across the country, 112 of which are human-made structures of different materials, while the remaining 39 are natural canopy bridge...

Terrestrial mammals face a severe crisis of habitat loss worldwide. Therefore, assessing information on habitat loss throughout different time periods is crucial for assessing species’ conservation statuses based on the IUCN Red List system. To support the national extinction risk assessment in Brazil (2016–2022), we developed a script that uses the MapBiomas Project 6.0 data source of land cover and land use (annual maps at 30 m scale) within the Google Earth Engine (GEE) platform to calculate habitat loss. We defined suitable habitats from the MapBiomas Project land cover classification for 190 mammalian taxa, according to each species range map and ecological characteristics. We considered a period of three generation lengths to assess habitat loss in accordance with the Red List assessment criteria. We used the script to estimate changes in available habitat throughout the analyzed period within the species’ known ranges. The results indicated that habitat loss occurred within 9...

In 2019, a canopy bridge was built connecting two fragments of the Atlantic Forest separated by the Pacatuba unpaved road within the Pacatuba-Gargaú Corridor. This bridge was built as part of the Brazilian National Action Plan for the Conservation of Northeastern Primates (Plano de Ação Nacional para Conservação dos Primatas do Nordeste – PAN PRINE). The forest fragments contain a variety of mammal species, including the endangered primate species Alouatta belzebul and Sapajus flavius. Between September 2019 and March 2020, we monitored the canopy bridge continuously with a Bushnell camera trap; for a total of 204 days of sampling, resulting in evidence of 113 independent passage events. During the monitoring period, four mammal species used the canopy bridge, the Endangered Sapajus flavius (blond capuchin monkey), Callithrix jacchus (common marmoset), Marmosa demerarae (woolly mouse opossum), and Marmosa murina (murine mouse opossum). The common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) used t...

Assessing the conservation status of species is essential for implementing appropriate conservation measures. A lack of evidence of threats, rather than showing an absence of impacts, could reflect a lack of studies on how human activities could result in species population declines. The range of Prince Bernhard's titi monkey Plecturocebus bernhardi is restricted to the Arc of Deforestation, a deforestation hotspot in south-eastern Amazonia. Despite this, it is categorized as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. To reassess the conservation status of P. bernhardi, we carried out surveys during 2015–2017 to delimit the geographical distribution of the species and estimate its population density and abundance. We then used spatial predictive modelling to examine future habitat and population loss within its range. Plecturocebus bernhardi occurs over an area of 131,295 km2. Its mean group size was 2.8 individuals/group and its density 10.8 individuals/km2 and 3.8 groups/km2. Habitat...

Fifty years of deforestation in the Arc of Deforestation have put at risk species survival, ecosystem services and the stability of biogeochemical cycles in Amazonia, with global repercussions. In response, we need to understand the diversity, distribution and abundance of flagship species groups, such as primates, which can serve as umbrella species for broad biodiversity conservation strategies and help mitigate climate change. Here we identify the range, suitable habitat areas and population size of Vieira's titi monkey Plecturocebus vieirai and use it as an emblematic example to discuss biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation in one of the largest deforestation frontiers. Our findings show that deforestation for agriculture and cattle-ranching expansion is the major threat to P. vieirai and is responsible for present (56%) and projected (14%) reductions in habitat area and population size. We also found that human-driven climate change affects the P. vieirai ...

Embora a Reserva Biologica do Lago Piratuba (RBLP) seja uma unidade de conservacao de protecao integral, ha incidencias de pressoes e ameacas que podem comprometer a conservacao de sua biota. Neste trabalho, avaliou-se a presenca de primatas na RBLP por meio do registro de ocorrencias, lacunas de informacao e fatores de pressao e ameaca. Para tanto, foram compilados dados da literatura, realizada expedicao a uma porcao da regiao meridional da RBLP e feitas entrevistas com moradores. Os resultados indicaram a ocorrencia de Saimiri sciureus, Sapajus apella, Alouatta macconnelli e evidencias de ocorrencia de Aotus infulatus e Alouatta belzebul. As principais atividades economicas da regiao relacionam-se a pecuaria e a pesca, e as secundarias sao o cultivo de melancia, hortalicas, mandioca e milho, para as quais ha registros de ataques/predacao por S. sciureus e S. apella. Para afugenta-los, moradores estabelecem vigilias, instalam espantalhos e utilizam armas de fogo. Dessa forma, a incidencia historica de perturbacoes ambientais como incendios e desmatamentos, as quais tem alterado a condicao natural da regiao, e motivo de preocupacao moderada com os primatas na regiao meridional da UC. Sugere-se que esforcos sejam voltados a confirmacao da ocorrencia de Aotus infulatus, Alouatta belzebul e demais primatas potencialmente ocorrentes, ao estudo populacional de primatas nos ambientes alterados, ao monitoramento de rocas e a caracterizacao das interacoes conflituosas entre humanos e primatas nao-humanos. ABSTRACT Although the Lake Piratuba Biological Reserve (RBLP) is a strictly protected area, there are pressures and threats that might compromise the conservation of its biota. In this work, we evaluate the presence of primates in the RBLP lack of information, and threats. To do this, we reviewed the available literature, interviewed residents and carried out an expedition to the southern portion of the reserve. We confirmed the presence of Saimiri sciureus, Sapajus apella and Alouatta macconnelli and obtained evidence for the occurrence of Aotus infulatus and Alouatta belzebul. The main economic activities of the region are primarily related to livestock farming and fisheries, and secondarily to the cultivation of watermelon, vegetables, cassava and maize. Saimiri sciureus and S. apella raid maize crops and the farmers guard their crops, and use firereams and scarecrows to to keep them away. Past historical incidence of environmental disturbances, such as fires and deforestation, have altered the natural landscapes and are of moderate concern particularly in the south of the reserve. We suggest that future research should be focused on the confirmation of A. belzebul and A. infulatus and the possible presence of other species, the study of populations in disturbed habitats, the extent of crop-raiding, and a better understanding of primate-human conflict in the reserve. RESUMEN Primates de la Reserva Biologica del Lago Piratuba, estado de Amapa, Brasil: ocurrencia, conflictos y amenazas. Aunque la Reserva Biologica del Lago Piratuba (RBLP) es un area estrictamente protegida, sufre incidencia de presiones y amenazas que pueden comprometer la conservacion de su biota. En el presente trabajo, se evaluo la presencia de primates en la RBLP por medio del registro de ocurrencias, lagunas de informacion y factores de presion y amenaza. Con ese objetivo, fueron compilados datos de la literatura, realizada expedicion a la region meridional de la RBLP y realizadas entrevistas con residentes de comunidades locales. Los resultados confirmaron la ocurrencia de Saimiri sciureus, Sapajus apella, Alouatta macconnelli y evidencias de ocurrencia de Aotus infulatus y Alouatta belzebul. Las principales actividades economicas de la region se relacionan con la ganaderia y la pesca y, secundariamente, a los cultivos de sandia, hortalizas, mandioca y maiz, para las cuales hay registros de ataques/depredacion por S. sciureus y S. apella. Para ahuyentarlos, los residentes locales hacen vigilancia, instalan espantapajaros y utilizan armas de fuego. Adicionalmente, la incidencia historica de perturbaciones ambientales como incendios y deforestacion, las cuales han alterado la condicion natural de la region, son motivo de preocupacion moderada sobre los primates en la region meridional de la RBLP. Se sugere que los esfuerzos sean dirigidos a la confirmacion de ocurrencia de Aotus infulatus, Alouatta belzebul y demas primates con potencial presencia en el area, al estudio poblacional de primates en los ambientes alterados, monitoreo de cultivos y caracterizacion de las interacciones conflictivas entre humanos y primates no humanos.

The study of environmental perception is fundamental to understand the relations between human populations and the environment, especially in the vicinity of protected areas, where we must seek for the development of values and attitudes compatible with the conservation of species from local residents. In this study we evaluated the environmental perception of people living in the county of Itapuã about the brown howler monkey (Alouatta guariba clamitans) and on the Itapuã State Park. To access the environmental perception, semi-structured interviews were carried out. All 52 interviewed residents affirmed they like howlers, and the most cited reasons were: "howlers are part of nature", "howlers do not disturb" and "howlers are beautiful". When asked about who must be responsible for conserving howlers, 51.9% answered "everyone". Forest conservation, planting fruit trees and educating people were the major actions mentioned to improve the life quality of howlers. The Itapuã State Park is recognized as important for howlers and for nature conservation. The community presented a very positive view about the howler monkeys, which must be a result from environmental education activities undertaken during the implementation process of the park. These results corroborate the role of the brown howler monkey as a flagship species for biodiversity conservation in this region.

He we present data on >22 years of records on the main incidents involving free-ranging brown howlers in two states of southern Brazil: Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina. Overall, we obtained 423 incidents (SC=218 and RS=205). This information was used to write the manuscript: Chaves, Ó. M., Souza, J. C., Buss, G., Bicca-Marques, J. C., Hirano, Z.M.B., Amaral, E. L.S., Godoy, J.C., Jardim, M.M.A., A.R. Peruchi, Michel, T & J.C. Bicca-Marques. (2020). Assessing the threats for wildlife in peri-urban landscapes of southern Brazil: the case of brown howler monkeys. Attached the following documents; 1) dataset on all incidents (including runover, electrocution, dog-attack, and mistreatments), 2) dataset used asses the main drivers of the event lethality, and 3) a legal document on the economic costs associated to the maintenance of injured monkeys in captivity.

O guariba-de-mãos-ruivas (Alouatta belzebul) é um primata com ocorrência restrita à porção oriental da Floresta Amazônica e à Mata Atlântica do nordeste brasileiro. Encontra-se ameaçado de extinção, principalmente devido à situação das populações nordestinas da espécie. Em 1990, foi criada a Reserva Biológica Guaribas (REBIO Guaribas), com 4.028,25ha, para proteger o habitat desta espécie que, na época, estava localmente extinta. Em 1998 foi iniciado o Projeto “Guaribas do Nordeste” com o objetivo de repovoar a área através da translocação de animais. Considerando que os números atuais da população de guaribas não são conhecidos, esse estudo teve por objetivo determinar a abundância e densidade populacional do guariba-de-mãos-ruivas (Alouatta belzebul) na REBIO, através do método de transecção linear. Foram utilizadas duas trilhas, totalizando 7km de extensão. A cada mês, as trilhas foram percorridas três vezes cada, no período da manhã, entre 06:30 e 10:30, a uma velocidade média d...

O Parque Nacional do Jamanxim (PARNA do Jamanxim) esta localizado no sudoeste do Para, e propicia a conectividade entre as unidades de conservacao (UCs) da Terra do Meio e da bacia do Rio Tapajos, no interfluvio Tapajos–Xingu, regiao que abriga consideravel riqueza de primatas, inclusive especies ameacadas de extincao. Alem da estrada BR-163 (Cuiaba–Santarem), que atravessa essa UC, ainda esta prevista a construcao de uma ferrovia e de complexos hidreletricos no interior da unidade, tornando urgente a ampliacao do conhecimento sobre a biota local. No entanto, ainda nao existe um inventario dos primatas que ocorrem na UC. O presente estudo teve como objetivo realizar um levantamento da comunidade de primatas do PARNA do Jamanxim e caracterizar as principais ameacas a sobrevivencia de suas populacoes. A riqueza de primatas foi determinada considerando informacoes resultantes de tres inventarios distintos: i) Projeto Integrado MCT–Embrapa (PIME) na Amazonia (2008–2010); ii) Avaliacao Ecologica Rapida para o Diagnostico Faunistico do Mosaico de UCs da Terra do Meio (2009); e iii) inventario realizado pelo Projeto Primatas em Unidades de Conservacao da Amazonia (PUCA), do ICMBio (2012). Foram observadas, diretamente, sete das oito especies esperadas na unidade: Mico leucippe, Sapajus apella, Aotus infulatus, Plecturocebus moloch, Chiropotes albinasus, Alouatta discolor e Ateles marginatus. As entrevistas confirmaram a presenca do mao-de-ouro (Saimiri ustus), cuja ocorrencia era esperada, mas nao foi observada. Das especies encontradas, as duas especies de atelideos encontram-se ameacadas de extincao: o coata-da-testabranca (Ateles marginatus), “Em Perigo” (EN), e o guariba-de-maos-ruivas (Alouatta discolor), “Vulneravel” (VU). Esta ultima foi observada com bastante frequencia nas margens do Rio Jamanxim. O Mico leucippe foi registrado nas duas margens do Rio Jamanxim. Os limites de distribuicao entre Plecturocebus moloch e Plecturocebus vieirai precisam ser estabelecidos com mais precisao, bem como a possibilidade de ocorrencia do Mico emiliae na area sul do PARNA. Alem das ameacas existentes, a recente pavimentacao da BR-163 e a previsao de construcao de hidreletricas de grande porte no Rio Jamanxim geram a perspectiva de aumento da pressao antropica, constituindo as principais ameacas ao futuro dessa importante UC e de sua comunidade de primatas. ABSTRACT The Jamanxim National Park (Jamanxim NP), located in the southwest of Para, was created in 2006 and extends over ca. 858,000 hectares. This Park has an important role for the conservation of the region’s biodiversity, because it provides connectivity between the protected areas in the Terra do Meio and those in the Tapajos river basin in the Tapajos–Xingu interfluvium, a region with considerable primate richness, including species that are threatened. Besides the road BR-163 (Cuiaba–Santarem) already traversing this park, there are plans for the construction of a railroad and hydroelectric dams inside the area, making urgent the need to know more about the local biota. The objective of this study was to survey the primate community of the Jamanxim National Park primate community and to describe the main threats to these populations. Primate richness was determined through three separate inventories: i) Integrated Project MCT–Embrapa (PIME) in the Amazon (2008–2010); ii) Rapid Ecological Assessment of the Terra do Meio protected areas (2009); and iii) an inventory conducted as part of the ICMBio’s project (2012) on the Primates in Protected Areas of the Amazon (PUCA). Seven of the eight species previously registered for the site were observed: Mico leucippe, Sapajus apella, Aotus infulatus, Plecturocebus moloch, Chiropotes albinasus, Alouatta discolor and Ateles marginatus. Local residents reported the presence of the goldenbacked squirrel monkey, Saimiri ustus. The two atelid species are threatened, the white-frontedspider monkey (Ateles marginatus) is “Endangered” (EN), and the howler (Alouatta discolor) is “Vulnerable” (VU). The latter species was quite often seen on the banks of the Rio Jamanxim. Mico leucippe was recorded on both sides of the Jamanxim. The limits of the ranges of Plecturocebus moloch and Plecturocebus vieirai need to be more precisely defined. The possible occurrence of Mico emiliae in the south of the area should also be investigated. In addition to the extant threats, the recent paving of the BR-163 highway and the projected building of large hydroelectric dams along the Rio Jamanxim are the main threats to the future of this important protected area and its primate community. RESUMEN Primates del Parque Nacional del Jamanxim: riqueza, distribucion y amenazas. El Parque Nacional Jamanxim (PARNA del Jamanxim), situada en el suroeste de Para, fue creado en el 2006 y tiene aproximadamente 858.000 hectareas. Este Parque posee un importante papel en el contexto regional de conservacion de la biodiversidad, pues favorece la conectividad…

A Area de Endemismo Belem apresenta apenas cerca de 30% de sua cobertura florestal primitiva, e os seus remanescentes florestais estao fortemente impactados pelo desmatamento. A Reserva Biologica do Gurupi, localizada no Maranhao, com aproximadamente 270 mil hectares, e a unica unidade de conservacao federal de protecao integral na Area de Endemismo Belem a abrigar populacoes de Cebus kaapori (caiarara-ka’apor) e Chiropotes satanas (cuxiu-preto), especies criticamente ameacadas de extincao. Em 1992, foi feito o primeiro levantamento da abundância de primatas nessa unidade de conservacao e, apos 21 anos, este estudo buscou fornecer dados atuais sobre a abundância desses primatas por meio da aplicacao dos mesmos metodos. Para estimar a abundância das populacoes das especies de primatas presentes na Reserva Biologica do Gurupi, foi utilizado o metodo de transeccao linear. As amostragens foram realizadas em uma rede de trilhas situadas em tres diferentes regioes da unidade. Entre 9 e 16 de outubro de 2013, foram percorridos 320km, e obtidos 101 avistamentos de cinco das sete especies presentes na Reserva. As especies Saimiri collinsi e Aotus infulatus nao foram visualizadas. O sagui-una (Saguinus ursulus), com 1 grupo/10km, foi a especie mais frequente, seguida do macaco-prego (Sapajus apella), com 0,91 grupos/10km, e do guariba-de-maos-ruivas (Alouatta belzebul), com 0,72 grupos/10km. As especies criticamente ameacadas – o caiarara (Cebus kaapori) e o cuxiu-preto (Chiropotes satanas) – tambem foram registradas, mas com taxas de encontro mais baixas, de 0,25 e 0,28 grupos/10km, respectivamente. Esses resultados sao similares aos do inventario de 1992. Contudo, a taxa de encontro para Cebus kaapori foi maior neste estudo. Apesar de ser uma unidade de conservacao, a Reserva Biologica do Gurupi ainda sofre uma serie de ameacas, como a caca de animais silvestres, a exploracao ilegal de madeira, o desmatamento e as queimadas. Essas ameacas colocam em risco a conservacao dos primatas, sobretudo as mencionadas especies criticamente ameacadas de extincao. ABSTRACT The Belem area of endemism has only about 30% of its original forest cover remaining, and what remains fragmented and degraded. The Gurupi Biological Reserve (REBIO Gurupi) covers approximately 270,000 hectares in the state of Maranhao. It is the only federal strictly protected area that has populations of two critically endangered species: Cebus kaapori (Ka’apor capuchin) and Chiropotes satanas (black bearded saki). The first survey of primate abundance in this protected was in 1992. In this study we provide data on the relative abundance of these primates 21 years later, using the same methodology, the linear transection method. Surveys were carried out along a network of tracks in three different locations in the reserve. From 9-16th October 2013, we walked 320km of trails and obtained 101 sightings of five of the seven species present; Saimiri collinsi and Aotus infulatus were not recorded. With 1 group/10km Saguinus ursulus was the most abundant, followed by Sapajus apella with 0.91 groups/10km, and Alouatta belzebul with 0.72 groups/10km. Cebus kaapori and Chiropotes satanas, were also recorded, but with lower encounter rates of 0.25 and 0.28 groups/10km, respectively. These results are similar to those found in 1992, but the encounter rate for Cebus kaapori was higher in the present study. Despite being a protected area, the Gurupi still suffers from threats such as hunting, illegal logging, deforestation, and fire. These threats significantly impact the primate populations there, especially the two that are critically endangered. RESUMEN Abundancia y densidad de primatas en la Reserva Biologica Del Gurupi/Ma. La area de endemismo Belem mantiene solo alrededor del 30% de su cobertura forestal original y sus bosques estan muy afectados por la deforestacion. La Reserva Biologica (REBIO) Gurupi, que se encuentra en el Estado de Maranhao, tiene 270.000 hectareas y es la unica area federal estrictamente protegida y principal refugio para poblaciones de Cebus kaapori (caiarara-ka’apor) y Chiropotes satanas (cuxiu-preto), especies en peligro critico de extincion. En 1992, se realizo el primero estudio sobre la abundancia de primates en este area. Despues de 21 anos, el presente estudio busca generar datos actualizados sobre la abundancia de estos primates utilizando el mismo metodo de transecto lineal para estimar la abundancia de las poblaciones de primates presentes en la REBIO Gurupi. El muestreo se llevo a cabo en una red de senderos ubicados en tres diferentes regiones de la reserva. Se recorrieron 320km entre el 9 y el 16 de outubre de 2013, lograndose 101 avistamientos de cinco de las siete especies presentes en la reserva. No se observaron Saimiri collinsi y Aotus infulatus. Saguinus ursulus, con 1 grupo/10km fue la especie mas frecuente, seguida de Sapajus apella con 0,91 grupos/10km y Alouatta belzebul con 0,72 grupos/10km. Las especies en peligro…

Here we present data on >22 years of records on the main incidents involving free-ranging brown howlers in two states of southern Brazil: Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina. Overall, we obtained 423 incidents (SC=218 and RS=205). This information was used to write the manuscript: Chaves, Ó. M., Souza, J. C., Buss, G., Bicca-Marques, J. C., Hirano, Z.M.B., Amaral, E. L.S., Godoy, J.C., Jardim, M.M.A., A.R. Peruchi, Michel, T & J.C. Bicca-Marques. (2020). Assessing the threats for wildlife in peri-urban landscapes of southern Brazil: the case of brown howler monkeys. Attached the following documents; 1) dataset on all incidents (including runover, electrocution, dog-attack, and mistreatments), 2) dataset used asses the main drivers of the event lethality, and 3) a legal document on the economic costs associated to the maintenance of injured monkeys in captivity.

In 2011, a distinct but unnamed form of titi, Plecturocebus, was re-discovered in the Chapada dos Parecis, a plateau in the southern extreme of the Brazilian state of Rondônia. Here we describe it as a new species based on an analysis of morphological and molecular traits. It can be distinguished from all other species of the genus Plecturocebus by its generally grayish agouti pelage. The limbs are grayish agouti on the outer surface, and grayish white on the inner surface; the breast, throat, and sideburns are also grayish white; the dorsum is reddish chestnut, and the tail is gray, paler to white at the tip. A phylogenetic analysis of the new species revealed a monophyletic clade with the four geographically closest species, and four scenarios of species delimitation indicated that speciation was recent. The geographic distribution of the new species is still poorly defined. Most of the recorded localities coincide with areas of higher elevation in the transition zone between the ...

Urbanization and deforestation impose severe challenges to wildlife, particularly for forest-living vertebrates. Understanding how the peri-urban matrix impacts their survival is critical for designing strategies to promote their conservation. We investigated the threats faced by brown howler monkeys (Alouatta guariba clamitans) in peri-urban regions of Rio Grande do Sul (RS) and Santa Catarina (SC) states, southern Brazil, by compiling negative interaction events (hereafter NIE) reported over more than two decades. We assessed the major NIEs, their distribution among age-sex classes, and the predictors of NIE-related mortality. After 20+ years of monitoring, we compiled 540 NIEs (RS = 248 and SC = 292). Electrocution by power lines was the most frequent cause of death or injury (37%), followed by dog attack (34%), vehicle collision (17%), and human mistreatment (12%). The occurrence of lethal injuries ranged from 5% to 69% depending on the type of NIE and on which state it occurred...

Human interventions in natural environments are the main cause of biodiversity loss worldwide. The situation is not different in southern Brazil, home of five primate species. Although some earlier studies exist, studies on the primates of this region began to be consistently carried out in the 1980s and have continued since then. In addition to important initiatives to study and protect the highly endangered Leontopithecus caissara Lorrini & Persson, 1990 and Brachyteles arachnoides E. Geoffroy, 1806, other species, including locally threatened ones, have been the focus of research, management, and protection initiatives. Since 1993, the urban monkeys program (PMU, Programa Macacos Urbanos) has surveyed the distribution and assessed threats to populations of Alouatta guariba clamitans (Cabrera, 1940) in Porto Alegre and vicinity. PMU has developed conservation strategies on four fronts: (1) scientific research on biology and ecology, providing basic knowledge to support all other a...

This study aimed to (i) characterize the different forest formations of the ‘Morro do Campista’, Parque Estadual de Itapua, Viamao, RS, and to (ii) assess aspects related to the composition and the structures of these forest formations that can be influence the density and habitat use of the brown howler monkey (Alouatta clamitans). The transect point sampling method was used to gather data on habitat characterization. Round plots of 6m ratio (113 m2) were used, summing up 107 sampling units. In each unit, all the specimens with a diameter at breast height (DBH) wider than 10cm were registered. The physiognomy of the vegetation of each sampling unit was classified. The phytosociological parameters and Shannon-Wiener diversity index of each formation were assessed. Four forest formations were characterized: hygrophilous, mesophilous, subxerophilous and psamophilous. 1038 individuals of 70 species distributed in 32 families were sampled; amog these, 45 species are included in the diet...

Primates play an important role in ecosystem functioning and offer critical insights into human evolution, biology, behavior, and emerging infectious diseases. There are 26 primate species in the Atlantic Forests of South America, 19 of them endemic. We compiled a dataset of 5,472 georeferenced locations of 26 native and 1 introduced primate species, as hybrids in the genera Callithrix and Alouatta. The dataset includes 700 primate communities, 8,121 single species occurrences and 714 estimates of primate population sizes, covering most natural forest types of the tropical and subtropical Atlantic Forest of Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina and some other biomes. On average, primate communities of the Atlantic Forest harbor 2±1 species (range=1-6). However, about 40% of primate communities contain only one species. Alouatta guariba (N=2,188 records) and Sapajus nigritus (N=1,127) were the species with the most records. Callicebus barbarabrownae (N=35), Leontopithecus caissara (N=38), a...

Mortality from collision with vehicles is the most visible impact of road traffic on wildlife. Mortality due to roads (hereafter road-kill) can affect the dynamic of populations of many species and can, therefore, increase the risk of local decline or extinction. This is especially true in Brazil, where plans for road network upgrading and expansion overlaps biodiversity hotspot areas, which are of high importance for global conservation. Researchers, conservationists and road planners face the challenge to define a national strategy for road mitigation and wildlife conservation. The main goal of this dataset is a compilation of geo-referenced road-kill data from published and unpublished road surveys. This is the first Data Paper in the BRAZIL series (see ATLANTIC, NEOTROPICAL, and BRAZIL collections of Data Papers published in Ecology), which aims make public road-kill data for species in the Brazilian Regions. The dataset encompasses road-kill records from 45 personal communicati...