MAMÍFEROS MEDIANOS Y GRANDES DE LA SERRANÍA DEL AGUARAGÜE, TARIJA (BOLIVIA)

Abstract

The medium and large mammals of the Serrania del Aguarague, Tarija (Bolivia). The southern slopes of the Bolivian sub-Andean are among those considered poorly known in terms of local biodiversity. Although it is known that the region harbors mammal species typical of the Chaco and transitional forests, few surveys of mammals were conducted. We present an annotated check-list of the medium and large mammals of the Serrania del Aguarague National Park and Natural Area of Integrated Management, Tarija (Bolivia). In the Serrania del Aguarague, faunal elements from the eastern Chaco forest converged with elements of western montane forest. During 18 months (2003 to 2006) we study the mammals in five localities in the central part of the park and one locality in the southern part in a gradient between 400 to 1600 m in elevation. We completed a total effort of 350 days of fieldwork, 1319 km by transects, 72 interviews, and 272 km of random walks. The species were identified by direct observation and indirect methods. We re- corded 32 species of mammals, of which Panthera onca, Tremarctos ornatus, Tapirus terrestris, and Tayassu pecari are threatened species.