Ocorrência, distribuição e atividade de cães (Canis lupus familiaris) na ARIE Mata de Santa Genebra (Campinas – SP), o seu impacto para a mastofauna nativa e propostas para controle.

Abstract

The introduction of exotic species is an increasingly recurrent event in a context of expanding human occupation, destruction and fragmentation of habitats, alteration of natural ecosystems and globalization, with the impact of these introductions being considered the second largest cause of species extinction. In this sense, the domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris) appears as an important character, considering that it is a cosmopolitan species, with great adaptive plasticity, generalist habits, introduced in most parts of the world and with several records of attacks and predation on native fauna in different continents. Thus, to deeply understand the dynamics of these dogs occurrences in natural areas, such as Conservation Units, from the evaluation of the places, periods and seasons of greatest activity is of crucial importance in order to understand this presence and its possible impacts on native fauna. In this study, we aimed to conduct an updated survey of the presence of domestic dogs within the Area of Relevant Ecological Interest (ARIE) Mata de Santa Genebra, focusing on the number of individuals, the areas of major activity and the interactions with non-flying native mammals species in the area. The sampling was done by collecting images with camera traps and field observation at twelve different points in the area, resulting in a sampling effort of 2754 camera-days. From 40-second filming, 316 mammal records were obtained which 88 of them documented the presence of dogs in the area. The analysis of the records allowed the identification of ten native mammals (Didelphis albiventris, Didelphis aurita, Sapajus nigritus, Dasypus novemcinctus, Cerdocyon thous, Procyon cancrivorus, Puma concolor, Leopardus pardalis, Silvivagus brasiliensis and Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) and the Canis lupus familiaris (with 24 dogs distinct individuals identified). The data obtained were confronted with AIRE historical data recorded during the period from 2016 to 2020, in order to observe possible changes in the occupation of the area by domestic dogs. The results obtained during the sampling period pointed to a highest activity of dogs in areas of clearing and forest edge, with a beginning of advancement to areas inside the Conservation Unit and a preference for evening periods and rainy season. The results were also compared with the non-flying native mammals activity periods, as a way to assess the potential of dogs to use the same spaces and the same periods as the native fauna, leading to greater possibilities of direct contact between the dogs and the native mammals. The result was a similar occupation of spaces and periods by both domestic dogs and native fauna. Thus, based on the literature, it was highlighted which native mammals are more subject to the impacts of domestic dogs, such as, for example, by competition and infections, the Crab-eating fox (Cerdocyon thous), and by predation, the herbivores considered curious and that inhabit the border areas, such as the armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus) and the tapiti (Silvivagus brasiliensis). Finally, proposals for controlling dogs and mitigating impacts were presented.