Study of the social and reproductive behavior of capybaras Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris Linnaeus, 1766 (Rodentia) in different livel area of human influence / Comportamento social e reprodutivo de capivaras Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris Linnaeus, 1766 (Rodentia) em áreas com diferentes níveis de influência humana

AUTOR(ES)
DATA DE PUBLICAÇÃO

2008

RESUMO

The capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) is the largest living rodent. This general herbivorous animal is well adapted to its semi-aquatic life. The species occurs in most of the Neotropical zone, extending from Venezuela to northern Argentina. This paper aims to compare the intensity of behavioural events between two groups of capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris): one in captivity and another in an anthropic area. The main objective is to provide data and contribute to the commercial raising of this animals, in a sustainable way. The study of the capybaras reproductive and social behavior in captivity was developed in the USIPAs Biodiversity Center, located in Ipatinga-MG, Brazil. The animals were observed daily, from Monday to Saturday, during 12 months, between September 2005 and August 2006, for a total of 549 hours. The reproductive behaviors were mostly done by the alpha male, but it was alsa observed on subordinate males. The courtship and copulation were most frequently observed during the afternoon in October and November 2005 and March, May and August 2006. The social behaviors stops after disturbances, forming subgroups and playing occurred both during the morning and afternoon. However, the shiftings after disturbances, conflicts, mud baths and territorial marking behaviors were mostly observed in the afternoon. Only activities like caecotrophy and breastfeeding occurred mostly in the morning. The group of capybaras observed at the Federal University of Viçosa were composed of 22 animals. It was observed in continuous campaigns at least 10 meters away, between July 2007 and June 2008, for 431 hours. The most frequently behaviors observed were grassing, resting in land, stops after disturbances, shiftings after disturbances and conflicts. Resting in the sand was the most frequent behavior during the day. Grassing and shifting behaviors were more abundant at night. The individual behaviors like territorial marking and conflicts were mostly observed during the night. Everything indicates that the human presence induced the capivaras they manifest it its displacement behaviors, pastejo and territorial demarcation in the night period, staying the group inside in rest of the forest during the day.

ASSUNTO(S)

ambiente capybara behavior comportamento reproducao animal environment capivara

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