Movement ecology and spatial distribution of a large herbivore in heterogeneous tropical landscapes

Abstract

Movement of individual organisms is a crucial component of ecological and evolutionary process because it provides mobile links between habitats and ecosystems, thereby connecting resources, genes, and process among otherwise separate locations. As white-lipped peccary (Tayassu pecari) is selective in habitat occupancy, and also maintain large home ranges, it is an ideal species for elucidating the influence of landscape structure and composition on movement patterns of large vertebrates. The white-lipped peccary is one of the three extant species in the Tayassuidae family and the only species of neotropical ungulate that form large herds. Movements associated with these herds result in significant environmental modifications that can cause impacts on soil, litter, and subsequent seedling dynamics and for this reason the species is considered an ecosystem engineer. The proposed study aims to investigate how landscape structure and habitat quality affect spatial distribution and movements of white-lipped peccaries in tropical heterogeneous landscapes of Brazil, using distinct spatial scales of analysis. Species distribution modeling will be used to access environmental suitability for white-lipped peccary in regional scales of three different Brazilian biomes. Furthermore, individual based modeling and step selection functions will be used to investigate how landscape variables influence movement patterns and habitat selection for this species in landscape and patch scales in areas of the Pantanal and Cerrado. Understanding movement and distribution of white-lipped peccaries can aid in predictions regarding how impacts of fragmentation and habitat loss have been affecting this species and other large vertebrates, and also provide important information for conservation management plans for this large and social herbivore. (AU)