Inventário da comunidade de mamíferos terrestres de médio e grande porte do Parque Estadual do Pau Furado, Minas Gerais, Brasil

Abstract

The Brazilian Cerrado stands out for its high biodiversity, but it is seriously threatened by the conversion of natural areas. Protected Areas are crucial in this regard, as they contribute at the local level to the conservation of native vegetation fragments which can improve species persistence. This study aimed to conduct an inventory of the community of medium and large sized mammals (> 1 kg) in the Pau Furado State Park (PEPF) and to compare the results with previous analyses available in the literature. Monitoring took place between May 2024 and July 2025 using camera traps, resulting in a sampling effort of 2,237 trap-days. Based on 437 independent records, the study recorded 20 species of medium and large sized mammals, a value considered satisfactory by the Jackknife 1 estimator, representing 90.9% of the expected richness for the area. Frequency and relative abundance indices referring to each recorded species were also estimated, based on species-specific detection rates throughout the sampling period. This study indicated the presence of the European hare (Lepus europaeus), an exotic species that had not previously been detected in the PEPF, as well as species classified under threat categories, such as the maned wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus), the jaguarundi (Herpailurus yagouaroundi), the puma (Puma concolor), and the giant anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla). In contrast, the presence of the wild boar (Sus scrofa), an exotic species, was not detected, as previously reported in an earlier inventory of the area. This study updates the knowledge of the park’s mammal fauna, and the results indicate the relevance of PEPF for local biodiversity conservation by highlighting the occurrence of native and threatened species. Additionally, the results point to the need for improved management, especially of the buffer zone, in order to reduce potential impacts on the mammal community.