Influência do ciclo lunar no padrão de atividade de Cuniculus paca (Rodentia: Cuniculidae) em uma floresta de Mata Atlântica no Sul do Brasil

Abstract

Information on the activity period is relevant to understand how species adapt themselves and persist in their environment. The influence of moonlight on the activity pattern of mammals has already been reported for certain species. Ten photo-traps set during 12 months were distributed in a fragment of the Atlantic Rainforest in southern Brazil to verify whether moon phases had any effect on the activity period of Cuniculus paca. Ninety-six registers of C. paca were obtained in 8,928 hours of photo-traps. A prevalent night activity pattern (92%) was reported, with most registries occurring during the new moon phase (40%) and the lowest number during the full moon phase (12%), with differences between activity peaks according to the moon phases. Data showed that C. paca reacts negatively to high moonlight and decreases its circadian cycle in nights with a full moon.