The jaguarundi Puma yagouaroundi is a small Neotropical cat that presents two main coloration phenotypes (grey/dark vs. reddish). Although these coat colour variants have been known for decades, and historically speculated to be associated with different habitats, their exact geographical distribution has never been mapped. Moreover, their association to different habitats has so far not been tested statistically, so that their ecological relevance with respect to varying environmental features remains unknown. Based on 566 location records encompassing the entire historical range of the species obtained from camera‐traps, captures and skins held in scientific collections, we produced suitability models for both jaguarundi phenotypes using maximum entropy algorithms of niche modelling. The frequency of grey/dark jaguarundis is c. 80%, whereas reddish animals represent c. 20% of our overall sample set. However, there were marked differences in these frequencies across regions. Although the spatial distribution of grey/dark animals did not depart substantially from random expectations (as it encompassed the whole species range), the occurrence of the ancestral reddish form was strongly and significantly non‐random. In spite of their broad distribution across multiple habitats, grey/dark animals were significantly associated with moist and dense forests, whereas reddish forms were associated with dry and open areas such as deserts and xeric landscapes. Furthermore, there were clear spatial differences in the suitability models generated for these coat colour phenotypes. We also employed the distribution models to investigate whether particular environmental predictors could explain these different distributions. Predictors related to moisture were especially influential on the differences between the grey/dark and reddish models, and demonstrate an effect of natural selection on coloration traits, suggesting that a complex interplay of different ecological processes regulates this system over evolutionary time.

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.

Habitat fragmentation reduces biodiversity and affects ecological processes that are fundamental for maintaining ecosystem services. We investigated how landscape structure-percent forest cover, patch density, percent cover by edge, perimeter-area ratio, and spatial heterogeneity-affects the diversity of mammalian carnivores at multiple extents within 22 Atlantic Forest landscapes. We hypothesized that 1) species richness of carnivores is positively related to forest cover; and 2) the occurrence of species will vary according to its sensitivity to forest loss and its preference for forest or open areas. Species richness, composition, and occurrence of mammalian carnivores were correlated with several landscape structure metrics. Due to a high correlation among the metrics, we adopted forest cover as the principal predictor variable. We compared a forest cover model to a null model using Akaike Information Criterion (AICc), and evaluated other fragmentation metrics using a redundancy analysis. Carnivore species richness was positively related to forest cover and negatively associated with other fragmentation metrics. However, the responses to landscape structure differed among species, possibly due to their differences in habitat use. Landscape configuration is an important factor influencing carnivore species composition. Forest cover can explain some, but not all, carnivore species occurrence. Our results reinforce the protection of forests as fundamental to the conservation of carnivore species and the ecological processes in which they participate.O processo de fragmentação de habitat reduz a biodiversidade e afeta processos ecológicos fundamentais para a manutenção de serviços ecossistêmicos. Nós investigamos como as métricas de estrutura da paisagem-cobertura florestal, densidade de manchas, cobertura porcentual de borda, relação perímetro-área e heterogeneidade espacial-afetam a diversidade de mamíferos carnívoros em múltiplas extensões em 22 paisagens da Mata Atlântica. Orientamo-nos pelas seguintes hipóteses: a) a riqueza de carnívoros é relacionada positivamente com a cobertura florestal; b) a ocorrência das espécies varia de acordo com a sua sensibilidade à perda de floresta e à preferência por florestas ou áreas abertas. Riqueza, composição e ocorrência de mamíferos carnívoros foram relacionadas com várias métricas da paisagem. Devido à alta correlação entre as métricas, adotamos a quantidade

Primates play an important role in ecosystem functioning and offer critical insights into human evolution, biology, behavior, and emerging infectious diseases. There are 26 primate species in the Atlantic Forests of South America, 19 of them endemic. We compiled a dataset of 5,472 georeferenced locations of 26 native and 1 introduced primate species, as hybrids in the genera Callithrix and Alouatta. The dataset includes 700 primate communities, 8,121 single species occurrences and 714 estimates of primate population sizes, covering most natural forest types of the tropical and subtropical Atlantic Forest of Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina and some other biomes. On average, primate communities of the Atlantic Forest harbor 2 ± 1 species (range = 1–6). However, about 40% of primate communities contain only one species. Alouatta guariba (N = 2,188 records) and Sapajus nigritus (N = 1,127) were the species with the most records. Callicebus barbarabrownae (N = 35), Leontopithecus caissara (N = 38), and Sapajus libidinosus (N = 41) were the species with the least records. Recorded primate densities varied from 0.004 individuals/km2 (Alouatta guariba at Fragmento do Bugre, Paraná, Brazil) to 400 individuals/km2 (Alouatta caraya in Santiago, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil). Our dataset reflects disparity between the numerous primate census conducted in the Atlantic Forest, in contrast to the scarcity of estimates of population sizes and densities. With these data, researchers can develop different macroecological and regional level studies, focusing on communities, populations, species co‐occurrence and distribution patterns. Moreover, the data can also be used to assess the consequences of fragmentation, defaunation, and disease outbreaks on different ecological processes, such as trophic cascades, species invasion or extinction, and community dynamics. There are no copyright restrictions. Please cite this Data Paper when the data are used in publications. We also request that researchers and teachers inform us of how they are using the data.

Defaunation is a key ecological issue that has only recently been given sufficient attention. As predicted, evidence so far indicates loss of larger species followed by medium-sized species, leading to cascading effects that propagate throughout entire communities and ecosystems. The Atlantic Forest is among the most important global biodiversity hotspots. These regions have historically been impacted by habitat loss and fragmentation, resulting in landscape changes and negative impacts upon animal communities. This study evaluates community characteristics of medium- and large-sized mammals in subtropical Atlantic Forest, southern Brazil. We gathered data on mammal occurrence using 108 cameras traps located across 8 protected areas. We then tested whether landscape differences impact mammal richness, composition, and community complexity. Specifically, we used a regression tree to evaluate compositional differences as a function of landscape configuration. We analyzed data for 26 species in total, with the number of species per area ranging from 9 to 17. Changes in mammal composition at the landscape scale were most strongly associated with human occupation. Areas with strong human occupation had low species richness, with a predominance of medium-sized omnivores and insectivores species; these conditions led to high defaunation indices. Community complexity was greater in areas with low human occupation, where carnivores (Felidae) were more abundant. Differences in species composition were also linked to altitudinal bands and the ratio of period of time with protected status versus history of land exploitation in a particular area. Analysis of functional groups indicated that intense human occupation had negative effects on larger species, a process that may have impending consequences. Despite defaunation being a serious ecological issue, we assert that taking prompt action may limit or potentially reverse effects of defaunation before the most dramatic changes take place. Defaunação é uma questão ecológica chave e que só recentemente tem recebido atenção suficiente. Como previsto, as evidências até agora indicam perda de espécies de maior porte, seguida por espécies de médio porte, levando à efeitos em cascata que se propagam em todas as comunidades e ecossistemas. A Mata Atlântica está entre os mais importantes hotspots de biodiversidade mundiais. Essa região tem sido historicamente impactada pela perda e fragmentação de hábitat, resultando em mudanças na paisagem e impactos negativos nas comunidades animais. Este estudo avalia características de comunidades de mamíferos de médio e grande porte na Mata Atlântica subtropical, sul do Brasil. Nós reunimos dados sobre ocorrência de mamíferos utilizando 108 armadilhas fotográficas instaladas em oito áreas protegidas. Em seguida, avaliamos se as diferenças de paisagem impactam a riqueza, composição e a complexidade das comunidades de mamíferos. Especificamente, nós usamos uma análise de árvore de regressão para avaliar as diferenças na composição das comunidades em função da configuração da paisagem. Analisamos ​​dados de 26 espécies no total, com o número de espécies por área variando 9 a 17. As alterações na composição de mamíferos na escala da paisagem foram mais fortemente associadas à ocupação humana. As áreas com maior ocupação humana tiveram baixa riqueza de espécies, com predominância de espécies onívoras e insetívoras de médio porte, e, estas condições geraram índices de defaunação elevados. A complexidade das comunidades foi maior em áreas com baixa ocupação humana, onde carnívoros (Felidae) foram mais frequentes. As diferenças na composição de espécies também foram ligadas às quotas de altitude, assim como à razão entre o período de tempo com estatuto de proteção e o tempo de exploração de cada área. A análise com abordagem de grupos funcionais indicou que a maior ocupação humana teve efeitos negativos sobre as espécies maiores, um processo com consequências negativas iminentes. Apesar da defaunação ser uma importante questão ecológica, nós acreditamos que um conjunto de ações conservacionistas imediatas podem potencialmente limitar ou reverter os efeitos da defaunação antes que mudanças mais dramáticas acontecem.