Population density of the red-ruffed fruitcrow (Pyroderus scutatus) in the Otún Quimbaya Wildlife Sanctuary, Colombia

Abstract

The estimation of the abundance of a species contributes directly to the understanding of its conservation status. Measuring this parameter for the first time (T0) serves as a reference to understand population dynamics and infer its viability in transformed landscapes. The Andean and Sub-Andean forests in Colombia have been highly transformed. The Otún River basin is one of the areas that still has large and relatively continuous forests. Besides, there are several national, regional, and private protected areas in the region. Apparently, this territory harbors an abundant population of the red-ruffed fruitcrow (Pyroderus scutatus), a species at risk of extinction in Colombia (vulnerable category) due to the reduction and fragmentation of its habitat. We estimated the population density using the distance sampling line transect method to generate baseline information for determining its conservation status, particularly in the Otún Quimbaya Wildlife Sanctuary. The population density of P. scutatus in this Sanctuary was 64,48 individuals/km2 (CI 95%: 39,74 – 104,61, CV=24,23%) with a population size of 315 individuals (CI 95%: 194 - 512) for the protected area. The ecosystem type found in the Sanctuary extends out of the protected area up to 12.000 relatively continuous hectares that may be part of the area used by this bird population; however, more occurrence records and abundance measurements are required to estimate its occupation area in this landscape.