EFEITO DA PERDA DE HABITAT PARA A mastofauna EM UM FRAGMENTO DE CERRADO GOIANO E NOVOS PONTOS DE OCORRÊNCIA DE Cabassous tatouay (Desmarest, 1804) NO CERRADO

Abstract

The Cerrado, after the Atlantic Forest, was the Brazilian ecosystem that suffered most from human occupation. In recent years, the Cerrado has been suffering from habitat reduction and fragmentation processes, which are considered the main threats to biodiversity. Understanding the effects of habitat loss on fauna and information on species distribution is of utmost importance for the conservation of species. In this sense, this dissertation aims to approach the effects of habitat loss to the community of medium and large mammals and presents species inventory for a Cerrado fragment in southeast goiano. In addition, the study contributes to the knowledge of the distribution of Greater Naked-tailed Armadillo [Cabassous tatouay (Desmarest, 1804)], presenting new records and carrying out a bibliographical survey on the places where the species occurs. The studied fragment was sampled between 2014 and 2017 in three periods (P1 = January-June / 2014, P2 = December / 2016-June / 2017 and P3 = July- December / 2017) using direct methods (visual, vocal and photographic records ) and indirect (footprints, burrows and other signs). Greater Naked-tailed Armadillo records come from the studied fragment and from animals hit on three highways, two in Goiás and one in Minas Gerais. Twenty-nine species of mammals were recorded, distributed in 8 orders, and 5 of the listed species are endangered in Brazil. There was no significant effect of habitat loss on species richness between the periods studied, with observed riches (RO) and estimated riches (RE) for periods 1, 2 and 3, respectively: RO = 25; 23; 23 and RE = 32 (IC = 4.58); 30 (IC = 4.39); 28 (IC = 4.70). The species composition was relatively similar between the periods, where P1 and P2 shared 71% of the species, P1 and P3 66% and P2 and P3 77%. With regard to the distribution of C. tatouay (Desmarest, 1804), five new records were presented from four localities, four of which were from three localities in Goiás and one in Minas Gerais. The bibliographical data compiled indicate the presence of the species at about 1000 km of the current distribution limit of the species in the northeast region of Brazil, which shows the importance of updating this species distribution map. It was observed, therefore, that no significant change in species richness was observed and the composition of the species was similar between the periods. Moreover, it is evident the importance of filling the gaps in the distribution of C. tatouay (Desmarest, 1804) for possible expansion of its current distribution area.