Riqueza, abundancia relativa y patrones de actividad de mamíferos medianos y grandes en el Bosque Protector Cerro Blanco (Guayas, Ecuador)
Jaime A. Salas, I. Benjamín Navas, María Belén Merchán, Jordan Medranda-Benavides, Cindy M. Hurtado
Abstract
The study of large and medium-sized mammals based on systematic methodologies and standardized techniques have covered few localities in the province of Guayas, a region characterized by accelerated urbanization, as is the case for Bosque Protector Cerro Blanco. Our objective was to assess the richness, relative abundance, and activity patterns of large and medium-sized mammals in this reserve. During seven months, from March to September 2019, we established 17 camera-trap stations and estimated the Relative Abundance Index (RAI) and activity patterns of the species recorded. With a sampling effort of 2937 camera-days and 1931 independent photographic events of mammals, we recorded 16 native species and one introduced (Canis lupus familiaris); species as Dasyprocta punctata and Procyon cancrivorus presented higher RAI; four species were categorized as diurnal, six as nocturnal, and two as cathemeral. Also, we recorded two endangered species through camera-traps: Alouatta palliata and Cebus aequatorialis. We recommend maintaining continuous and systematic monitoring in this reserve to understand the effects of defaunation and introduced species on native mammal species.