Non-Volant mammals of a remnant of the Atlantic Forest in northeastern Brazil

Abstract

Home of several endemic species, the Brazilian Atlantic Forest has been reduced to about 11-16% of its original area, and is currently considered to be one of the hotspots of global conservation. In the northeastern Brazilian state of Sergipe, the 900-hectare Mata do Junco Wildlife Refuge was established in order to protect the regional fauna and flora. Mammals were surveyed in the Refuge on three days per month between June, 2011, and May, 2012, using a combination of sample methods. A total of 16 species representing 12 families were recorded, with the order Carnivora being the most common (seven species). Whereas three didelphimorph species were trapped, only one exotic rodent – Rattus norvegicus – was captured. Comparisons with surveys from other Atlantic Forest sites indicate an intermediate species richness in Mata do Junco Wildlife Refuge and similar to that of other sites in the northern portion of the biome.

Keywords: mammalian diversity, species richness, protected areas.