Aspects of natural history and conservation of Pseudalopex vetulus (Lund, 1842) (Carnivora: Canidae) / Aspectos da história natural e conservação de Pseudalopex vetulus (Lund, 1842) (Carnivora: Canidae)

AUTOR(ES)
DATA DE PUBLICAÇÃO

2006

RESUMO

The influence of human activities on wild species has been increasing in a rate without precedents. As to Cerrado, the second biggest Brazilian vegetal formation, around a half of its original ground cover has already been changed into grazing lands, annual crops and other sort of usages; such fact represents a threatening to the survival of species that live in this biome. In these terms, it becomes important to produce enough knowledge about the species that live in Cerrado biome, as well as to evaluate the adaptive capacity of these organisms to the anthropised environment, aiming to plan suitable strategies to their conservation. Therefore, this work aimed to contribute to a better understanding of Pseudalopex vetulus (Lund, 1842) (hoary fox), based on information about seed dispersal, consumption of termites, population density and some remarkable aspects about its conservation. Discussions about seed dispersal and the consumption of termites were done based on literature review by using works currently available on P. vetulus diet. Two areas with different degrees of alteration, campo sujo and grazing land, in Campinápolis, East of Mato Grosso state, Brazil, during August to November 2005, were used to estimate population density and to know some relevant characteristics about its conservation. Due to the large amount of fruitful species consumed and high frequency of unbroken seeds in the feces, P. vetulus seems to be an important seed disperser in the environments where they are seen. Besides, considering the high rate of termites consumed by P. vetulus, especially the ones belonging to the genus Syntermes e Cornitermes, its importance on predation of such insects becomes clear. The population density of P. vetulus in grazing area (D = 4.28 individuals/km2; IC = 2.69 6.82) was shown to be greater than in campo sujo area (D = 1.21 individuals/km2; IC = 0.73 2.01). Such fact can be mainly related to the high rate of available food, particularly termites, and reduction of potential predators in grazing area, allowing by this the species survival, showing even high population density, in this agroecosystem, in Campinápolis - MT, where the original vegetation was Cerrado. It was found four dens with P. vetulus offspring, one was in the campo sujo area and three were in the grazing area, being usually three the number of offspring in each den. Predation done by Canis familiaris Linnaeus, 1758 (domestic dog) and indiscriminate slaughter, possibly, are the main causes of death of P. vetulus in the assessed areas. This species is not pointed as endangered species in Brazil and in the evaluation of its status done by IUCN (The World Conservation Union) it is included as Data Deficient, but it was assorted as vulnerable species in Minas Gerais. Lastly, taking into account the large slaughter of P. vetulus individuals, under the mistaken claim that they prey raised fowls, it becomes necessary do implant environmental educational campaigns in the neighborhood around Campinápolis MT, in order to change such mistaken reputation.

ASSUNTO(S)

cerrado carnívoros raposa pseudalopex vetulus cerrado hoary fox carnivora conservacao da natureza pseudalopex vetulus

ACESSO AO ARTIGO

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