Skip to main content
WCS
Menu
Library
Library Catalog
eJournals & eBooks
WCS Research
Archives
Research Use
Finding Aids
Digital Collections
WCS History
WCS Research
Research Publications
Science Data
Services for WCS Researchers
Archives Shop
Bronx Zoo
Department of Tropical Research
Browse By Product
About Us
FAQs
Intern or Volunteer
Staff
Donate
Search WCS.org
Search
search
Popular Search Terms
WCS History
Library and Archives
Library and Archives Menu
Library
Archives
WCS Research
Archives Shop
About Us
Donate
en
fr
Title
Patterns of vertebrate abundance in a tropical mosaic landscape
Author(s)
Polisar, J.; Scognamillo, D.; Maxit, I.E.; Sunquist, M.
Published
2008
Publisher
Studies on Neotropical Fauna and Environment
Published Version DOI
https://doi.org/10.1080/01650520701726075
Abstract
Multi-faceted field sampling in a mosaic landscape in Venezuela generated insights on how topographical characteristics, forest composition, degree of habitat interspersion, and paleoecology influenced the abundance and distribution of vertebrates. Physical heterogeneity resulted in distinct vegetation types and a very uneven distribution of medium to large-sized vertebrates. Variations in forest composition resulted in dramatic contrasts in primate densities. White-tailed deer densities varied an order of magnitude between vegetation types. Yellow-knobbed curassow densities peaked in moist forest. Similar chachalaca densities were encountered in dry forest. Although there was spatial overlap between jaguars and pumas, from a large-scale perspective pumas made more use of drier habitats. In select habitats the abundance and biomass of red-footed tortoises exceeded that of multiple species of large native mammals combined. This variation in animal abundance highlights the significance of scale in the interpretation of ecological data. © 2008 Taylor & Francis.
Keywords
Animalia; Geochelone carbonaria; Mammalia; Odocoileus virginianus; Primates; Vertebrata; Abundance; Mosaic landscape; Vegetation; Venezuela; Vertebrates
Access Full Text
A full-text copy of this article may be available. Please email the
WCS Library
to request.
Back
PUB10547