Ecology of the com (Formicivora littoralis) at NEIG UFF: Spatial distribution and habitat use

The com-com is considered the only bird species endemic to sandbanks and is globally endangered. Its distribution is restricted to the Lakes Region of the State of Rio de Janeiro, and it is extremely sensitive to habitat loss and fragmentation, which are the main threats to the remaining populations. The objective of this book was to delimit the effective distribution area of the species in the NEIG, as well as to characterise its preferred habitat. Sampling was carried out in six transects, and eight environmental variables were measured. Records of F. littoralis were associated with the sandbank area near the Araruama lagoon, with its greatest abundance found in the initial stretches near the beach, with few records in the interior portions of dry forest known as steppe savannah. F. littoralis tends to select areas of dense shrub vegetation, with the presence of cacti and close to water. Although it avoids anthropised areas, the species has sometimes been recorded in patches of exotic vegetation. Aiming at the long-term conservation and maintenance of the F. littoralis population, the recovery of degraded areas in NEIG is recommended.

Pagina's: 52, Paperback, Our Knowledge Publishing