TERRESTRIAL VERTEBRATE FAUNA OF ASSIS’ STATE FOREST: A CERRADO REMNANT IN THE STATE OF SÃO PAULO, BRAZIL

Abstract

In the current scenario of environmental changes, anthropic pressures on biodiversity are in constant increase, stressing the importance of assessing the distribution and occurrence of organisms in natural regions, especially in protected areas. Here we surveyed the terrestrial vertebrate fauna of Assis State Forest and updated the existing species list. Reptiles were sampled using pitfall traps and active search, birds by transects and listening points, while terrestrial mammals were sampled using camera traps, linear transect census, active search, pitfall and live traps. Four samplings were conducted, totaling 28 days of sampling effort. We recorded a total richness of 230 terrestrial vertebrate species: 21 amphibians, 17 reptiles, 164 birds, 23 medium and large-sized mammals and 25 small mammals. Of these, seven species are considered endangered at the state and / or federal level. Our results led to the inclusion of 78 bird species and six medium- and large-sized mammals to the species list of ASF’s Management Plan, in addition to three new species of herpetofauna that were not reported by other fauna surveys carried out in the region. Our data shows that the area is highly diverse, with some differences in species composition between sampled phytophysiognomies. These data can also be used to update the management plan for the area, as well as for the zoning of the unit.