Evaluación de la diversidad de mamíferos medianos y grandes en el Parque Nacional Carrasco (Cochabamba - Bolivia)

Abstract

ASSESSING DIVERSITY OF LARGE AND MEDIUM SIZE MAMMALS IN THE CARRASCO NATIONAL PARK (COCHABAMBA - BOLIVIA) The diversity, distribution, relative abundance, and status of large and medium size mammals, in eight zones of the Carrasco National Park, were assessed with a rapid survey, based on animal signs, sightings, and questionnaires. A total of 67 km of transects, traversing tour major vegetation units ranging from 350 -4 200 m altitude, were surveyed on foot, recording animal tracks, scats, claw marks, and feeding signs. Based on 476 signs and sightings, 32 mammal species were identified and relative abundance was estimated. Riparian sites, ranging in altitude from 350 -2 300 m, showed higher species diversity and abundance than nearby non riparian sites. Highest diversity was registered in undisturbed humid lowland forest. Diversity decreased with altitude (or human presence), although, highlands contain unique and threatened species. Responses by local people to questionnaires increased to 52 the number of species for the park, 33 of which are subjected to hunting and 28 have some conservation status. The presence of important species such as Priodontes maximus, Speothos venaticus, Tremarctos ornatus, Pteronura brasiliensis, Lutra longicaudis, Panthera onca, LeQPardus pardalis, Leopardus wiedii, Oreailurus jacobita (perhaps Felis pajeros), Hippocamelus antisensis, and, possibly, Mazama chunyi was confirmed or reported. Key words: Mammals, animal signs, distribution, altitude, habitats, Carrasco National Park, Bolivia. RESUMEN A fin de evaluar la diversidad, distribucion, abundancia relativa y estado de los mamiferos medianos y grandes del Parque Nacional Carrasco, se realizo un relevamiento rapido basado en indicios y encuestas en ocho zonas del parque. Se recorrieron 67 km de transectas buscando huellas, excrementos, marcas y signos de alimentacion de animales a traves de cuarto unidades de vegetacion que abarcaban desde 350 -4 200 m de altitud. Se registraron 32 especies y se estimo su abundancia relativa en base a 476 indicios y observaciones. Los sitios riberenos, entre 350 -2 300 m de altitud, mostraron mas especies y con mayor abundancia que los sitios no riberenos cercanos. Los sitios mas diversos correspondieron a bosque humedo de llanura no disturbado, mientras que con la altitud (o presencia humana) la diversidad decrecio. Aunque menos diversas, las zonas altas presentaron especies unicas y amenazadas. Los cuestionarios aumentaron a 52 el numero total de especies, de las cuales 33 son objeto de caceria y 28 tienen alguna categoria de conservacion. Entre las mas notorias se inbJuyen Priodontes maximus, Speothos venaticus, Tremarctos ornatus, Pteronura brasiliensis, Lutra longicaudis, Panthera onca, Leopardus pardalis, Leopardus wiedii, Oreailurus jacobita (o tal vez Felis pajeros), Hippocamelus antisensis, y probablemente Mazama chunyi. Palabras clave: Mamiferos, indicios, distribucion, altitud, habitats, Parque Nacional Carrasco, Bolivia.