Xenarthrans—anteaters, sloths, and armadillos—have essential functions for ecosystem maintenance, such as insect control and nutrient cycling, playing key roles as ecosystem engineers. Because of habitat loss and fragmentation, hunting pressure, and conflicts with domestic dogs, these species have been threatened locally, regionally, or even across their full distribution ranges. The Neotropics harbor 21 species of armadillos, 10 anteaters, and 6 sloths. Our data set includes the families Chlamyphoridae (13), Dasypodidae (7), Myrmecophagidae (3), Bradypodidae (4), and Megalonychidae (2). We have no occurrence data on Dasypus pilosus (Dasypodidae). Regarding Cyclopedidae, until recently, only one species was recognized, but new genetic studies have revealed that the group is represented by seven species. In this data paper, we compiled a total of 42,528 records of 31 species, represented by occurrence and quantitative data, totaling 24,847 unique georeferenced records. The geographic range is from the southern United States, Mexico, and Caribbean countries at the northern portion of the Neotropics, to the austral distribution in Argentina, Paraguay, Chile, and Uruguay. Regarding anteaters, Myrmecophaga tridactyla has the most records (n = 5,941), and Cyclopes sp. have the fewest (n = 240). The armadillo species with the most data is Dasypus novemcinctus (n = 11,588), and the fewest data are recorded for Calyptophractus retusus (n = 33). With regard to sloth species, Bradypus variegatus has the most records (n = 962), and Bradypus pygmaeus has the fewest (n = 12). Our main objective with Neotropical Xenarthrans is to make occurrence and quantitative data available to facilitate more ecological research, particularly if we integrate the xenarthran data with other data sets of Neotropical Series that will become available very soon (i.e., Neotropical Carnivores, Neotropical Invasive Mammals, and Neotropical Hunters and Dogs). Therefore, studies on trophic cascades, hunting pressure, habitat loss, fragmentation effects, species invasion, and climate change effects will be possible with the Neotropical Xenarthrans data set. Please cite this data paper when using its data in publications. We also request that researchers and teachers inform us of how they are using these data.

Abstract. Our understanding of mammal ecology has always been hindered by the difficulties of observing species in closed tropical forests. Camera trapping has become a major advance for monitoring terrestrial mammals in biodiversity rich ecosystems. Here we compiled one of the largest datasets of inventories of terrestrial mammal communities for the Neotropical region based on camera trapping studies. The dataset comprises 170 surveys of medium to large terrestrial mammals using camera traps conducted in 144 areas by 74 studies, covering six vegetation types of tropical and subtropical Atlantic Forest of South America (Brazil and Argentina), and present data on species composition and richness. The complete dataset comprises 53,438 independent records of 83 species of mammals, includes 10 species of marsupials, 15 rodents, 20 carnivores, eight ungulates and six armadillos. Species richness averaged 13 species (AE6.07 SD) per site. Only six species occurred in more than 50% of the sites: the domestic dog Canis familiaris, crab-eating fox Cerdocyon thous, tayra Eira barbara, south American coati Nasua nasua, crab-eating raccoon Procyon cancrivorus and the nine-banded armadillo Dasypus novemcinctus. The information contained in this dataset can be used to understand macroecological patterns of biodiversity, community, and population structure, but also to evaluate the ecological consequences of fragmentation, defaunation, and trophic interactions.

Nest stolen: the first observation of nest predation by an invasive exotic marmoset (Callithrix penicillata) in an agricultural mosaic. Biota Neotrop. 12(2): http://www.biotaneotropica.org.br/v12n2/en/abstract?short-communication+bn01612022012Abstract: Invasive exotic species can negatively impact local biodiversity. We present here a report of a nest predation of an endemic bird species, variable oriole (Icterus pyrrhopterus) by the introduced black-tufted marmoset (Callithrix penicillata) in an agricultural landscape highly disturbed by human activities. Two nestlings were predated, by adults of the introduced marmoset during two alternate days. Antipredator behavior and vocal mimicry were observed in variable oriole, while copulation was observed in black-tufted marmoset during the predation. The use of mobbing against predators by I. pyrrhopterus was observed and it is described here by the first time. The potential impact of the introduced marmosets to local biodiversity is discussed. Resumo: Espécies exóticas invasoras podem impactar negativamente a biodiversidade de um local. Nós descrevemos aqui um relato de predação a um ninho de uma espécie de ave endêmica, inhapim (Icterus pyrrhopterus) pelo sagüi-de-tufo-preto (Callithrix penicillata), espécie exótica invasora, em uma paisagem agrícola altamente impactada pelas atividades humanas. Dois ninhegos foram predados por adultos de sagüi em dois dias alternados. Durante a predação foram observados comportamento anti-predatório e imitações vocais pelo inhapim, e atividade de cópula do sagüis-de-tufo-preto. Descrevemos também o primeiro relato do uso de mobbing por I. pyrrhopterus contra predadores. O impacto potencial dos sagüis introduzidos na biodiversidade local é discutido. Palavras-chave: espécies invasoras, aves, interação interespecífica, mobbing, predação de ninhos, defesa de ninho. 212 Alexandrino, E.R. et al.

Biological invasion is one of the main threats to native biodiversity. For a species to become invasive, it must be voluntarily or involuntarily introduced by humans into a nonnative habitat. Mammals were among first taxa to be introduced worldwide for game, meat, and labor, yet the number of species introduced in the Neotropics remains unknown. In this data set, we make available occurrence and abundance data on mammal species that (1) transposed a geographical barrier and (2) were voluntarily or involuntarily introduced by humans into the Neotropics. Our data set is composed of 73,738 historical and current georeferenced records on alien mammal species of which around 96% correspond to occurrence data on 77 species belonging to eight orders and 26 families. Data cover 26 continental countries in the Neotropics, ranging from Mexico and its frontier regions (southern Florida and coastal‐central Florida in the southeast United States) to Argentina, Paraguay, Chile, and Uruguay, and the 13 countries of Caribbean islands. Our data set also includes neotropical species (e.g., Callithrix sp., Myocastor coypus, Nasua nasua) considered alien in particular areas of Neotropics. The most numerous species in terms of records are from Bos sp. (n = 37,782), Sus scrofa (n = 6,730), and Canis familiaris (n = 10,084); 17 species were represented by only one record (e.g., Syncerus caffer, Cervus timorensis, Cervus unicolor, Canis latrans). Primates have the highest number of species in the data set (n = 20 species), partly because of uncertainties regarding taxonomic identification of the genera Callithrix, which includes the species Callithrix aurita, Callithrix flaviceps, Callithrix geoffroyi, Callithrix jacchus, Callithrix kuhlii, Callithrix penicillata, and their hybrids. This unique data set will be a valuable source of information on invasion risk assessments, biodiversity redistribution and conservation‐related research. There are no copyright restrictions. Please cite this data paper when using the data in publications. We also request that researchers and teachers inform us on how they are using the data.

Characterization of the ecological corridor in the Coastal Atlantic Forest regarding the occurrence of jaguar (Panthera onca)Currently, there are 90 areas identified as priority for the survival of the jaguar. The Atlantic Forest, one of the five most threatened hotspots in the world, is one of these high priority areas for the conservation of this species. Due to a lack of basic information on the jaguar in this biome, this study aimed to characterize the occurrence of the species in the Coastal Atlantic Forest region,and indicate suitable areas for its occurrence. We carried out interviews with local residents where jaguars have been sighted. We made a correlation analysis of these data with environmental variables (altitude, declivity, distance to roads, population density, density of drainage system, percentage of forest, distance to urban areas and presence of conservation units) to help identify the important areas for the conservation of the species. Moreover, we generated occupancy models (OM) and species distribution models (SDM) to identify suitable areas for the occurrence of jaguars in the study site. From May 2010 to June 2011, we carried out five interviews in each of 111 quadrants of 90 km 2 , totaling 577 interviews in 181 days. The variables that were significant for jaguar occurrence in the study site were: distance to urban areas, percentage of forest and altitude. The occupancy models show that 93% of the total area was used by jaguars and detectability corresponded to approximately 30%. Distance to urban areas was the main co-variable. The species distribution models considered refined reports of direct sighting of jaguars and footprints (N = 300) and refined reports of direct sighting (N = 56). The two selected models were satisfactory (AUC = 0.979 ± 0.0021 and 0.9851 ± 0.0032), with acceptable omission error (0.20 and 0.24) and significant (p = 0). Together, these models allowed the characterization of the Coastal Atlantic Forest in the state of São Paulo as a suitable environment for the jaguar. Interviews are a possible method to register the ocurrence of the jaguar and use it in occupancy and distribution modeling of the species, allowing the identification of important areas for the its conservation in the study area. Areas that deserve special attention are: the Caraguatatuba, São Sebastião and Picinguaba core areas of the PESM, the PN da Serra da Bocaina, PECB, PEI, PETAR, PERT, EE Juréia-Itatins EE de Guaraqueçaba and the area between Juquiá (SP) and Tapiraí (SP). The region of the Cubatão core area of the PESM that is unsuitable for jaguar occurrence needs urgent actions to minimize further antropic impacts thus keeping this area from becoming a barrier to the dispersal of the jaguar within the biome. RABINOWITZ, A.; ZELLER, K. A range-wide model of landscape connectivity and conservation for the jaguar, Panthera onca. Biological Conservation, Essex, v. 143, 939-945, 2010. RBMA. Reserva da Biosfera da Mata Atlântica. Disponível em: . Acesso em: 19 ago. 20...