Mammal Fauna of Serra da Chapadinha: when citizen science reveals a landscape that needs to be protected

Abstract

The study aimed to characterize the mammalian fauna of Serra da Chapadinha, located in the Chapada Diamantina/BA, and to evaluate the contribution of citizen science to recording wild mammals in an area undergoing the process of becoming a Protected Area. Sampling was conducted exclusively using camera traps operated by local collaborators, generating data on species occurrence and their distribution in the environment. A total sampling effort of 1,080 trap-days resulted in the recording of 23 species belonging to 8 orders and 18 families, including taxa threatened with extinction at regional and national levels. The five most frequently recorded mammals were Dasyprocta prymnolopha, Subulo gouazoubira, Thrichomys sp., Dasypus novemcinctus, and Cerdocyon thous. Threatened species included Leopardus tigrinus, Herpailurus yagouaroundi, Tayassu pecari, Sylvilagus brasiliensis, Sapajus xanthosternos, Callicebus barbarabrownae, and Kerodon rupestris. The observed species richness, although influenced by inherent methodological constraints, was consistent with previous studies conducted in the Chapada Diamantina that employed broader approaches, including combinations of methods. These results indicate that Serra da Chapadinha harbors a representative assemblage of the regional mammalian fauna and reinforce its ecological importance for landscape connectivity between Caatinga and Atlantic Forest formations. The study also highlights the potential of citizen science to expand the spatial coverage of biodiversity inventories and to generate relevant information for environmental planning. It is concluded that the region plays a strategic role in the conservation of threatened species and that complementary efforts, integrating different sampling methods, can further improve knowledge of the local fauna and support long-term management and monitoring actions.