Author: Paola M. Carrera-Ubidia
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Food habits
Languages : en
Pages : 244
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Book Description
Giant otters (Pteronura brasiliensis) and humans in the Lower Yasuní Basin (Ecuador) have similar food and space requirements: they consume comparable arrays of fish species, and they use similar aquatic and terrestrial habitats. Resource partitioning could facilitate coexistence by allowing each species exclusive access to some resources. My research examines the correlations between the use of spatial resources by giant otters and humans and the hydrological pulse of their ecosystem. My objectives were (1) to estimate the extent of terrestrial and aquatic habitat available for giant otters and humans;(2) to recognize the main patterns of space occupancy and its overlap between them; (3)to explain these patterns in relation to natural gradients in the watershed; (4) to describe the giant otter's diet; and (5) to depict the foraging activities of giant otters and humans relative to the distribution of prey. Between October 2004 and March 2005, I surveyed the Jatuncocha and Tambococha Creeks (Yasuní National Park) for direct and indirect signs of giant otters and humans, and I collected giant otter scat. Habitat availability was estimated by a geo-referenced map model that integrated virtual and field data, portraying four seasonal scenarios. Space use overlaps between giant otters and humans are a function of water level and the distance between terrestrial and aquatic habitats. The floodplain comprises 43% of the total study area during the flooding season, and is reduced to 25% of the total area at minimum water levels. Polygons obtained containing suitable habitat for giant otters are in average 41% larger than those obtained for humans; these contain areas that are inaccessible to humans (isolated pools and swamps, tributaries, and the upper portions of the main channel). Differences in space availability for and use by giant otters and humans depend on water level fluctuations. Area occupancy by both species is proportional to the estimated availability; but more so for giant otters, as humans increase area occupancy during the driest periods. Giant otter activity was primarily concentrated around the largest tributaries of each creek, and secondarily wherever the distance between suitable terrestrial and aquatic habitat was smaller. Human activity signs were distributed along the hydrographical gradient, i.e. in the lower portion of the Jatuncocha System (lagoon) or in the middle portion of the Tambococha Creek (large tributary). To identify correlations between habitat use by giant otters and humans and prey availability, I analyzed scat samples and collected fish along several creek stretches. Giant otters consumed at least 47 of the 73 species available for them. Identifiable hard parts in the scat samples consisted primarily of Hoplias malabaricus (11.3%), Hypselecara termporalis (5.3%), Acestrorrhynchus sp. and Prochilodus nigricans (4.9% each). Foraging activity of giant otters was positively correlated with fish abundance and relative diversity, with some exceptions. Human activity patterns were related to fish abundance and diversity in Tambococha, but showed less correlation to fish distribution in Jatuncocha. Overlap in resource availability and habitat use by otters and humans is highly variable. In the floodplain, extent and depth are critical variables that determine the distribution of resources in time and space, as well as the amount of resource partitioning possible. Competitive interactions during stressful conditions could be reduced by ensuring the availability of exclusive resources for giant otters during the driest periods, allocating suitable habitats within a short distance from one another along the longitudinal gradient of each watershed. Locally adapted and biologically sound regulations within this and comparable areas of the YNP could promote the persistence of giant otters without compromising the well-being of the local human inhabitants.
Author: Ana Maria Montes Ferro
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :
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The giant river otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) is an endangered top predator of oxbow lakes, streams and rivers in the Amazon and Orinoco basins. Socially complex, this aquatic mammal is considered a keystone, flag and umbrella species. As its occurrence strongly overlaps with human settlements and fishing areas, giant otters research could provide further insights on social, economic and environmental dynamics happening in tropical freshwater ecosystems. In the current study, through a theorical analysis and field essay, we propose giant otters as a model organism for passive acoustic monitoring. A literature review accounting for the last two decades in giant otter research was carried and information about the study area, methodological approach and main results was analyzed. Traditional approaches account for most studies bringing the highest diversity of possible responses. However, it's through a combination of traditional approaches and novel technology, that unexpected results have been obtained, revealing a higher complexity...
Author: Jessica Groenendijk
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Endangered species
Languages : en
Pages : 110
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Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :
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Book Description
Behavior and ecology of the Giant Otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) in oxbow lakes of the Manu Biosphere Reserve, Peru.
Author: Clifford James Palmer
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Otters
Languages : en
Pages : 96
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Author: Jessica Groenendijk
Publisher: Pen and Sword
ISBN: 1526711761
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 340
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Book Description
“The charisma of these huge, Amazonian ‘river people’ burns through even the most factual descriptions, emphasized by an abundance of photographs.” —BBC Wildlife The aptly named giant otter is exceptionally well adapted to life in rivers, lakes and wetlands in tropical South America. Known in Spanish as lobo del rio or ‘river wolf,’ it can be as long as a human is tall and is the most social of the world’s thirteen otter species. Each individual is identifiable from birth by its pale throat pattern, as unique as your fingerprint. Giant otters are top carnivores of the Amazon rainforest and have little to fear . . . except man. There are many reasons why scientists and tourists alike are fascinated by this charismatic species. Spend a day in the life of a close-knit giant otter family and you’ll realize why. Learn about their diet and hunting techniques, marking and denning behavior, and breeding and cub-rearing strategies, including shared care of the youngest members. Become familiar with the complex life histories of individual otters over their 15-year lifespans. And accompany a young disperser during the trials and tribulations of a year spent looking for a mate and a home of its own. “The descriptions of the otters, their habits and their homes along with tons of jaw dropping photographs, made me feel (almost) like I was there myself. Treat yourself to a book that will transport you to a place like nowhere else on earth, where you explore the wilds of the Amazon from your own garden.” —Cayocosta 72 “An intimate, educational and a dedicated love letter to the Giant Otter.” —Queen of Geekdom
Author: Pete Oxford
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Huao Indians
Languages : en
Pages : 152
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Author: Christina A. S. Mumm
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Animal communication
Languages : en
Pages : 109
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Book Description
Author: Nicole Duplaix
Publisher:
ISBN: 9780692042229
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :
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Book Description
Author: Marcia C. M. Marques
Publisher: Springer Nature
ISBN: 3030553221
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 527
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Book Description
The Atlantic Forest is one of the 36 hotspots for biodiversity conservation worldwide. It is a unique, large biome (more than 3000 km in latitude; 2500 in longitude), marked by high biodiversity, high degree of endemic species and, at the same time, extremely threatened. Approximately 70% of the Brazilian population lives in the area of this biome, which makes the conflict between biodiversity conservation and the sustainability of the human population a relevant issue. This book aims to cover: 1) the historical characterization and geographic variation of the biome; 2) the distribution of the diversity of some relevant taxa; 3) the main threats to biodiversity, and 4) possible opportunities to ensure the biodiversity conservation, and the economic and social sustainability. Also, it is hoped that this book can be useful for those involved in the development of public policies aimed at the conservation of this important global biome.
