Meeting Abstract
P3.34 Wednesday, Jan. 6 Inventory of a mid-elevation assemblage of mammals in Ecuador’s eastern Tropical Andes hotspot HODGE, Anne-Marie C.*; ARBOGAST, Brian S.; VANDERHOFF, E. Natasha; BURGER, Joseph R.; KNOWLES, Travis T.; University of North Carolina-Wilmington; University of North Carolina-Wilmington; Jacksonville University; University of New Mexico; Francis Marion University ach7229@uncw.edu
Wildsumaco Wildlife Sanctuary is a new preserve (ca. 500 ha; ~1400 m – 1500m elevation) located adjacent to Sumaco National Park, in the eastern Andean foothills of Ecuador. Habitat includes primary and secondary premontane rainforest, with some disturbed areas. A mammal survey was initiated in mid-December 2008, using 12 camera traps along the established trail system. As of September 2009 we have documented 14 mammal species, with the most common image captures being black agouti, nine-banded armadillo, margay, paca, and Amazon red squirrel. A particularly rich assemblage of carnivores have been recorded, including puma, spectacled bear, margay, tayra, greater grisson, South American coati, kinkajou and long-tailed weasel. Possible images of jaguarundi await confirmation. Mammal species richness from camera trapping and visual surveys is currently 23. Presence of spectacled bear and margay are noteworthy, considering the low elevation occurrence of the bear and the high abundance of margays, a near threatened and declining species. Presence of pumas and absence of evidence of jaguars suggest that the puma represents the apex predator in this community. Future research will shift from species inventory to density estimates using noninvasive camera surveys. We will investigate human-wildlife interactions and will employ local citizens to assist with data collection. Studies will be conducted to elucidate intraguild interactions and trophic hierarchy within the local carnivore assemblage. The Wildsumaco preserve offers great potential for scientific study and conservation of mammals in a biologically rich and highly threatened corner of the Tropical Andes biodiversity hotspot.
