NON-FLYING MAMMALS OF THE STATE PARK ESPINILHO, BARRA DO QUARAI, RIO GRANDE DO SUL, BRAZIL

Abstract

The Pampa is the biome with the third highest number of threatened mammal species (13%) and historically has been modified by human activities, often leaving only small remnants in a predominantly agricultural landscape. Although a group of mammals are well known, very few places in the region that houses the Gaucho were properly inventoried. The study identified the records of non-flying mammals in Espinilho State Park, which is a conservation area. The methods used identified the non-flying mammals based on traces and tracks, feces, and carcasses and other remains, hair, etc, previews and interviews with fifteen residents of the area surrounding the town of study.We obtained records of seventeen species of mammals: Mazama spp, Ozotocerus bezoarticus, Cerdocyon thous, Lycalopex gymnocercus, Leopardus sp, Conepatus chinga, Galictis cuja, Lontra longicaudis, Procyon cancrivorus, Didelphis albiventris, Lepus europaeus, Hydrochoerus hidrochaeris, Cavia sp, Myocastor coypus, Dasypus novemcinctus, Dasypus septemcinctus and Euphractus sexdnctus. The most successful approach regarding the identification of mammals, was through interviews with local residents, confirming some species already identified through the trace and visualization. Of the total of seventeen species identified, only three were recorded based on reports from residents. Of the species listed, four are classified with a risk in the Red Book of threatened fauna of Rio Grande do Sul. The confirmation of a considerable number of species of native mammals and also a record of some species listed as hreatened for the state in the study areas indicate that there is the necessity of programs on ecology and conservation of these species.