Mammals in São Paulo State: diversity, distribution, ecology, and conservation

Authors

  • Mauro Galetti Universidade Estadual Paulista, Instituto de Biociências, Departamento de Biodiversidade https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8187-8696
  • Ana Paula Carmignotto Universidade Federal de São Carlos, Departamento de Biologia, Campus Sorocaba https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2348-4397
  • Alexandre R. Percequillo Universidade de São Paulo, Escola Superior de Agricultura “Luiz de Queiroz”, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas
  • Marcos C. de O. Santos Instituto Oceanográfico da Universidade de São Paulo https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6642-2658
  • Katia Maria P. M. de Barros Ferraz Universidade de São Paulo, Escola Superior de Agricultura “Luiz de Queiroz”, Departamento de Ciências Florestais
  • Fernando Lima Universidade Estadual Paulista, Instituto de Biociências, Departamento de Biodiversidade
  • Maurício H. Vancine Universidade Estadual Paulista, Instituto de Biociências, Departamento de Biodiversidade https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9650-7575
  • Renata L. Muylaert Universidade Estadual Paulista, Instituto de Biociências, Departamento de Biodiversidade
  • Fernando César Gonçalves Bonfim Universidade Estadual Paulista, Instituto de Biociências, Departamento de Biodiversidade
  • Marcelo Magioli Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservação da Biodiversidade, Centro Nacional de Pesquisa e Conservação de Mamíferos Carnívoros https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0865-102X
  • Fernanda D. Abra Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, Center for Conservation and Sustainability https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8102-7974
  • Adriano G. Chiarello Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto, Departamento de Biologia https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1914-5480
  • José Maurício Barbanti Duarte Universidade Estadual Paulista, Departamento de Zootecnia
  • Ronaldo Morato Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservação da Biodiversidade, Centro Nacional de Pesquisa e Conservação de Mamíferos Carnívoros
  • Beatriz de Mello Beisiegel Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservação da Biodiversidade, Floresta Nacional de Capão Bonito
  • Fábio Olmos Permian Brasil
  • Pedro Manoel Galetti Jr. Universidade Federal de São Carlos, Departamento de Genética e Evolução
  • Milton Cezar Ribeiro Universidade Estadual Paulista, Instituto de Biociências, Departamento de Biodiversidade

Abstract

Abstract Mammals are charismatic organisms that play a fundamental role in ecological functions and ecosystem services, such as pollination, seed dispersal, nutrient cycling, and pest control. The state of São Paulo represents only 3% of the Brazilian territory but holds 33% of its mammalian diversity. Most of its territory is dominated by agriculture, pastures, and urban areas which directly affect the diversity and persistence of mammals in the landscape. In addition, São Paulo has the largest port in Latin America and the largest offshore oil reservoir in Brazil, with a 600 km stretch of coastline with several marine mammal species. These human-made infrastructures affect the diversity, distribution, ecology, and the future of mammals in the state. Here, we answer five main questions: 1) What is the diversity of wild mammals in São Paulo state? 2) Where are they? 3) What is their positive and negative impact on human well-being? 4) How do mammals thrive in human-modified landscapes? 5) What is the future of mammals in the state? The state of São Paulo holds 255 species of native mammals, with four endemic species, two of them globally endangered. At least six species (two marsupials, Giant otter, Pampas deer, Brazilian dwarf brocket deer, and Giant armadillo) were extirpated from the state due to hunting and habitat loss. The intense human land use in the state forced many mammalian species to change their diet to cope with the intense fragmentation and agriculture. Large-scale monoculture has facilitated the invasion of exotic species such as wild boars (javali) and the European hare. Several “savanna-dwelling” species are expanding their ranges (Maned wolf, Brocket deer) over deforested areas and probably reflect changes towards a drier climate. Because the state has the largest road system, about 40,000 mammals from 33 species are killed per year in collisions causing an economic loss of 12 million dollars/year. The diversity of mammals is concentrated in the largest forest remnants of Serra do Mar and in the interior of the State, mainly in the regions of Ribeirão Preto and Jundiaí. Sampling gaps are concentrated throughout the interior of the state, particularly in the northwest region. Wild mammals play a fundamental role in many ecosystem services, but they can also be a concern in bringing new emergent diseases to humans. Although the taxonomy of mammals seems to be well known, we show that new species are continuously being discovered in the state. Therefore, continuous surveys using traditional and new technologies (eDNA, iDNA, drones), long-term population monitoring, investigation of the interface of human-wildlife conflict, and understanding of the unique ecosystem role played by mammals are future avenues for promoting sustainable green landscapes allied to human well-being in the state. The planting of forest or savanna corridors, particularly along with major river systems, in the plateau, controlling illegal hunting in the coastal areas, managing fire regimes in the Cerrado, and mitigating roadkill must be prioritized to protect this outstanding mammal diversity.

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Published

2022-01-01

How to Cite

Galetti, M., Carmignotto, A. P., Percequillo, A. R., Santos, M. C. de O., Ferraz, K. M. P. M. de B., Lima, F., Vancine, M. H., Muylaert, R. L., Bonfim, F. C. G., Magioli, M., Abra, F. D., Chiarello, A. G., Duarte, J. M. B., Morato, R., de Mello Beisiegel, B., Olmos, F., Galetti Jr., P. M., & Ribeiro, M. C. (2022). Mammals in São Paulo State: diversity, distribution, ecology, and conservation. Biota Neotropica, 22(spe). Retrieved from //www.biotaneotropica.org.br/BN/article/view/1953

Issue

Section

Thematic Reviews
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