FATORES DETERMINANTES PARA A PRESENÇÃO DE Caiman latirostris (Crocodylia: Alligatoridae) EM LAGOAS NO SUDESTE DE GOIÁS

Abstract

The loss and fragmentation of habitats has caused major changes in behavior, movement patterns, and population dynamics of crocodilians. Such an effect is shown more visible in species that occur near areas with greater population density human, such as the broad-snoutedcaiman (Caiman latirostris). It is a generalist species of habitat with high capacity for colonization of artificial environments. Thus, the study had as an objective to evaluate how environmental variables can influence the occurrence and abundance of the species in artificial lagoons created in pastures in southeastern Goias, Brazil. The work was developed in the Environmental Preservation Area of Limoeiro, in Cumari, where 30 artificial lagoons were selected to count adult individuals of broad-snouted-caiman. The temperature and humidity of the air were measured before and after the period of lagoon sampling. Lagoons were visited at night, with six visits in each season (dry and rainy). Models of occupation and abundance were made through the package unmarked software R, correlating sightings to variables: swamp presence, lagoon area (m²), lagoon type (perennial/ seasonal) and distance from the river. Between 2018 and 2019, after 264 visits, 86 sightings of broad-snouted-caiman were made. Temperature positively influenced the detection of alligators, while humidity negatively influenced the detection of individuals in both seasons. Variables such as area lagoon (m²), and the presence of swamp better explained the occupation and abundance of alligators adults in ponds during the rainy season; and distance from the Paranaíba river in the dry season. It was possible to identify that air temperature and humidity interfere with species detectability. In addition, the variables river distance, lagoon area and swamp presence were significant for the occurrence and abundance of broad-snouted-caiman. This project was supported by a grant from the Federal Institute of Goiás.