Abundance, density and habitat use of lowland paca (Cuniculus paca, Rodentia: Cuniculidae) in the Lacandon Rainforest, Chiapas, Mexico

Abstract

In this study, the effect of relevant variables (availability of food and cavities, competition, predation, and hunting pressure) on the relative abundance and population density of the spotted lowland paca (Cuniculus paca) was assessed. In addition, habitat use of this species at three sites with different land use regime (Montes Azules Biosphere Reserve, community reserves, and anthropic sites) in the Lacandon Rainforest, Chiapas, Mexico was analysed. From the perspective of the source-sink systems, it was predicted that pacas selectively would use the habitat with higher food and cavity availability (source habitats), where higher densities were expected. Twelve transects were located in three sites with different land use regimes, where food availability and potential cavities used by pacas were assessed. Along these transects, 4 camera-traps were deployed every 200 meters to estimate the relative abundance of pacas and their potential competitors and predators. Photo-captured individuals were identified to estimate population density and seasonal variation in habitat use. Generalized linear models (GLM) were constructed to analyse the effects of several variables on paca abundance and density. A relative abundance of 0.05 and 0.08 paca photographs/100 camera-days were recorded in the dry and the rainy season, respectively. A density of 54 pacas/km 2 was estimated in both seasons. The availability of cavities was the only variable that showed a significant effect on paca density (P = 0.04 for the dry season, and P = 0.006 for the rainy season). Community reserves were used in the dry season more than expected from their availability in the study area (x 2 = 28.8; P = 0.0001). In the rainy season, all three sites were used by paca in proportion to their availability. Our results suggest that the cavities used as refuges by pacas drive their population dynamics, and constitute a key habitat resource for them in the study area. We propose that the Ejidal Reserve and Montes Azules Biosphere Reserve may be source habitats supporting higher paca densities and greater availability of adequate cavities to protect adults and their offspring. On the other hand, areas transformed into croplands and grasslands for livestock production would represent sink habitats with lower paca densities, less availability of adequate cavities, and absence of offspring. The long-term conservation and habitat management of pacas in transformed landscapes will probably rely on the distribution and connectivity between and within the different habitat types available in the study area.En este estudio, se evaluó el efecto de variables (disponibilidad de alimento y cavidades, competencia, depredación y presión de cacería) sobre la abundancia y densidad poblacional de Cuniculus paca. Se determinó el uso de hábitat de esta especie en tres sitios con distinto uso de suelo (Reserva de la Biosfera Montes Azules, reservas ejidales y sitios antrópicos) en la Selva Lacandona, Chiapas, México. Desde la perspectiva de los sistemas fuente-sumidero, s...

Ecología alimentaria del tepezcuintle (Cuniculus paca) en áreas conservadas y transformadas de la Selva Lacandona, Chiapas, México.

“…En cuanto al estado de maduración y la cantidad de frutos en los comederos, se encontraron diferencias entre la REBIMA y el ejido Reforma Agraria, lo que pudo ser consecuencia de que en el ejido el tepezcuintle aprovechó frutos aún inmaduros ante su escasez y debido a su condición de oportunista (Figueroa-de León et al, 2017). En cambio, la abundancia de árboles frutales en la REBIMA proveería de mayor volumen de alimento al tepezcuintle.…”

“…Así mismo, es importante prestar atención a la presencia de competidores y depredadores potenciales que pudieran influir en la actividad de forrajeo de este roedor. Por último, además del comportamiento de forrajeo, en el plan de manejo se deberá considerar información sobre la disponibilidad y uso de hábitat (disponibilidad y características del refugio y alimento; Dubost y Henry, 2006;Figueroa-de León et al, 2016, 2017Gallina 1981) y el comportamiento reproductivo en vida silvestre (tasa reproductiva, recursos necesarios para el éxito reproductivo de la especie).…”

“…El conocimiento de la dieta y hábitos alimenticios del tepezcuintle se ha logrado en gran parte por observaciones realizadas en cautiverio (Beck-King et al, 1999;Smythe, 1997). Sin embargo, en los estudios realizados en vida silvestre se han logrado registrar 75 especies de frutos correspondientes a 63 familias que conforman la dieta del tepezcuintle (Beck-King et al, 1999;Figueroa-de León et al, 2017;Gallina, 1981;Muñoz et al, 2002;Zucaratto et al, 2010). En estos estudios, algunas de las especies que se han reportado con mayor frecuencia en la dieta del tepezcuintle son el jobo Spondias mombin, el sonzapote Lycania platypus, aguacate Persea americana, plátano Musa paradisiaca y cacao Theobroma cacao.…”

Spatiotemporal ecology of two Neotropical herbivorous mammals

“…Thus, the spotted paca selectively used the forest fragment at IFS, during the dry season, probably due to the reduction of the superficial water sources. The proximity to permanent watercourses has been described as a key-variable for the selective use of burrows by spotted paca (Figueroa-de-León et al, 2017). In the same way, hydric bodies have been the main habitats elements related to the reproduction of this rodent.…”

“…The spotted paca lives in different forest types, such as mangroves, semi deciduous forests and savannas (Oliveira & Bonvicino, 2011). It occurs mainly at gallery forests close to rivers and other bodies of water, where it builds its own burrow or rests in shelters of other species (Emmons, 2016;Figueroa-de-León et al, 2017). The spotted paca is a territorial and solitary animal and it is eventually seen in pairs (Pérez, 1992).…”