Invasion by canis lupus familiaris (carnivora) in a protected area in the atlantic forest biome, Brazil: Spatial distribution and abundance

Abstract

Most information available regarding domestic dogs in natural reserves comes from developed countries, particularly North America and Europe, where dogs are usually well managed and cared for. Conversely, in developing country reserves information about dogs are comparatively scarce, particularly in terms of their interactions with local wildlife and their management, despite their high abundance and widespread distribution. We aimed to characterize domestic dog spatial distribution using occupancy modelling and estimate abundance in the Mata das Flores State Park (MFSP). We collected data from January to May 2017. We divided the survey into two sampling protocols: (1) interviews and active search on trails and roads in the region and (2) sand plots to detect the presence of dogs in the MFSP. We recorded a total of 132 individually identified domestic dogs between interviews with surrounding residents and records through active search. We recorded an average of 2 ± 1 dogs per household interviewed. Of this total, we recorded 89 individuals inside the MFSP, through 213 detections in the five months of sampling. Both the spatial distribution map and occupancy models for the species, indicated a higher occurrence in the side of the park faced to the urbanized area of Castelo municipality, totaling about 53% of the records. We also obtained a high number of records in the areas near the road that intercepts the park, with about 36% of the records. The remaining 11% of the records occurred in areas close to human settlements around the park. Our results of abundance and spatial distribution together with occupancy modeling could serve to assist conservation planning and management in the MFSP.