A camera trap assessment of terrestrial mammals in Machalilla National Park, western Ecuador

By

Cervera, Laura
Lizcano, Diego J.
Parés-Jiménez, Violeta
Espinoza, Sueanny
Poaquiza, Diana
De La Montaña, Enrique
Griffith, Daniel M.

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2016-4-4

Original Publication

Check list : journal of species lists and distribution

Volume

12

Series / Issue

Issue: 2

Pages

1868--8

Subjects

Conservation , protected area , regional list , tropical dry forest , Tumbes-Choco-Magdalena , Wildlife management

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

[São Paulo, Brazil] Luís Felipe Toledo 2005-

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.15560/12.2.1868

 

Abstract

Understanding the abundance, geographicdistribution, and conservation status of terrestrial mam­mals is vital to promote effective wildlife management in protected areas. Located in the Tumbes-Chocó-Magdalena hotspot of western Ecuador, Machalilla National Park contains high levels of biodiversity and endemism but suffers from habitat loss and degradation. This study provides an updated inventory of medium-sized to large mammals in the park and assesses changes in species richness over the past 20 years. Surveying 70% of Machalilla’s 562-km2 terrestrial area with 60 camera trap points, we detected 18 species of mammals belonging to 13 families. Richness of terrestrial species has declined in recent decades, due to the disappearance of keystone species like Jaguar (Panthera onca), White-lipped Peccary (Tayassu pecari), and possibly the Sechuran Fox (Lycalopex sechurae). We recommend specific man­agement improvements to ensure conservation of the unique ecosystems and biodiversity of Machalilla, the only national park in Ecuador containing dry forest.