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THE WILSON JOURNAL OF ORNITHOLOGY • Vol 123, No. 4, December 2011 
CONSERVATION IMPLICATIONS 
Some observations occurred near highways 
with heavy traffic (Jacupiranga and Santa Virginia 
parks), altered forest (bamboo forest in Ilhabela 
Park) and areas dominated by Cecropia spp. (Ilha 
do Cardoso Park). Galetti et al. (1997) also 
reported Black-fronted Piping Guans in young 
forests dominated by Cecropia spp. (Jureia Park), 
and in monoculture of Pinus (Carlos Botelho 
Park). These observations occurred in areas 
surrounded by mature forest, but our data indicate 
Black-fronted Piping Guans are not extremely 
sensitive to habitat disturbance and the major 
threat to its conservation is most likely from 
illegal hunting. Cracids can be used as indicators 
of hunting pressure (Strahl and Grajal 1991, Strahl 
and Silva 1997) and studies demonstrating 
hunting pressure in all areas with Black-fronted 
Piping Guans can be done similarly to those of 
Silva and Strahl (1991), Bega/o and Bodmer 
(1998), and Peres (2000). 
All protected areas of Sao Paulo State studied 
have human occupation and are understaffed 
(according to park managers, a single park ranger 
is usually responsible for patrolling >1,700 ha). 
These areas have illegal activities including 
hunting, palm-heart extraction, and logging (Ga¬ 
letti and Fernandez 1998, Galetti 2001, Galetti el 
al. 2009). An obvious recommendation is to 
increase the number of park rangers in all areas, 
as well as effective law enforcement. Easy access 
to protected areas also increases hunting pressure 
(Peres and Terborgh 1995, Galetti et al. 2009). In 
addition to evidence of hunting, we also observed 
domestic dogs ( Canis lupus familiaris) in all areas 
surveyed and it is well known they can impact 
bird biodiversity (Galetti and Sazima 2006 
Bernardo 2010). 
The absence or low density estimates of the 
species in three survey sites is of special 
concern, because it is known that guans are 
important in seed dispersal (Galetti el al. 1997 
Sedaghatkshi et al. 1999). This species eat fruits 
ranging from tiny drupes (0.4 mm diarn) to large 
(25 mm cliam) arilate seeds (Galetti et al. 1997). 
Thus, the absence of Black-fronted Piping Guans 
may have consequences for long-term forest 
regeneration. 
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 
Th.s research was funded hy FAPESP (Biota program). 
Funda^ao B.odiversitas/CIiPAN (Programa Especies 
Amea 9 adas, 084A 02/2004;, Board of Trade of Endangered 
Species (Chicago Zoological Society), and Funda 9 ao 0 
Boticario de Proteyao a Natureza (4892001-1). Idea Wild 
provided equipment. We are grateful to Phil McGowan uml 
Daniel Brooks for their support. Carlos O. Gussoni, Carta 
Fontana. Jan Mahler. Fabio Schunck. and Bruno Lima 
provided useful information. Fabio Olmos. Jeffrey Thomp¬ 
son, and Huw Lloyd provided useful suggestions on the 
manuscript. We acknowledge Sergio Nazareth, A. C dos 
Santos, Andr«5 Guaruldo. G. M. Preiskom. G. B Automate, 
M. M. Pimenta Jr., and Marinu Somcnzari for help in the 
field, (nstitulo I-lurcstal allowed our research in (he 
protected areas of Sao Paulo State. MG and RAB received 
fellowships from CNPq: RMM. SKG and FM had 
fellowships from FAPESP. and CID had a fellowship from 
CAPES. 
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