Ecology and local knowledge of the Baird’s tapir (Tapirella bairdii) in the Sierra Madre de Oaxaca, Mexico  

作　　者：Mario César LAVARIEGA NOLASCO Miguel BRIONES-SALAS Amado MAZAS-TEODOCIO Elvira DURÁN-MEDINA 

机构地区：[1]Interdisciplinary Research Center for Integral Development,Oaxaca Unit,National Polytechnic Institute,Oaxaca,Mexico

出　　处：《Integrative Zoology》2016年第5期361-374,共14页整合动物学（英文版）

摘　　要：As well as being of global cultural importance(from local tribal folklore to being an iconic species for conser­vation),the tapir plays an important role in its ecosystem as a herbivore and seed disperser.However,the ecol­ogy and ethnozoology of the endangered Baird’s tapir in the north of Oaxaca,Mexico is poorly understood.We used camera traps to estimate its relative abundance and density and to describe the activity patterns of the northernmost population of Baird’s tapir in the Sierra Madre de Oaxaca.Local knowledge concerning the ta­pir was also documented,along with the conservation strategies undertaken by the 2 indigenous communi­ties that own the land where the study site is located.Only adult tapirs were photographed,and these were ac­tive 14 h per day,but were mainly nocturnal and crepuscular.The estimated relative abundance(12.99±2.24 events/1000 camera days)and density values(0.07-0.24 individuals/km2)were both similar to those found in another site in Mexico located within a protected area.Semi-structured interviews revealed that people have a basic understanding of the eating habits,activity and main predators of the tapir.There were reports of hunt­ing,although not among those respondents who regularly consume bush meat.Thus,the relative abundance and density estimates of tapir at the study site could be related to the favorable condition of the forest and the ab­sence of hunting and consumption of tapir meat.Fortunately,the local people are conducting initiatives promot­ing the conservation of this ungulate and its habitat that combine to constitute a regional trend of habitat and wildlife protection.

关 键 词：CAMERA-TRAPPING density estimation random encounter model tapir conservation 

分 类 号：R68[医药卫生—骨科学]