Areas of use of <i>Tayassu pecari</i> in forest fragments with Araucária in Paraná, Brazil

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the area of use, relative abundance, spatial distribution and area size of the white-lipped peccary (Tayassu pecari Link, 1795) along the Araucaria Ecological Corridor. The research was carried out in 14 properties located on a spatial section of 659 km² situated in the Third Plateau of the state of Paraná. The points of occurrence of peccary were mapped based on interviews with local inhabitants and on tracks, paths, and other signs of its presence in the sampling areas. The areas were monthly visited (18 months) and the points (UTM) with signs of the species were marked by GPS and plotted on the map. The relative abundance index was estimated based on all the events in which the species was seen. Considering the values of relative  abundance index for both groups of peccary studied, an average of 119 individuals was estimated for an area of 232 km². The relative density obtained was considered low, especially considering that the peccary is a social species. It is possible that hunting is the main cause of the population decline of the species in the studied region.