Temporal activity of domestic dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) in the Mata Escura Biological Reserve
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.37002/biodiversidadebrasileira.v16i3.2889Keywords:
wildlife , temporal overlap , camera trapsAbstract
The presence of domestic dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) in protected areas often leads to the spread of diseases, genetic introgression, and predation on native species. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the occurrence of domestic dogs in a Federal Integral Protection Conservation Unit – the Mata Escura Biological Reserve (REBIO Mata Escura) – and their impacts on local wildlife activity patterns. Seven camera traps were installed from December 2022 to July 2023 (1,172 camera-days). The temporal activity patterns of the species and temporal overlap between domestic dogs and wildlife were analyzed. Of the seven traps, six recorded domestic dogs in both forested areas and high-altitude grasslands. Sixteen native species were recorded in the same area as the dogs, including four classified as threatened with extinction according to IUCN criteria (Sapajus xanthosternos, Tinamus solitarius, Penelope superciliaris, and Sylvilagus brasiliensis). Five species had their activity patterns analyzed: Sylvilagus brasiliensis, Subulo gouazoubira, Penelope superciliaris, Leopardus pardalis, Puma concolor. S. gouazoubira and S. brasiliensis exhibited irregular activity intervals (cathemerality). Domestic dogs showed low temporal overlap with the analyzed wildlife, except with P. superciliaris, which showed moderate overlap with this canid. However, the presence of dogs may indirectly threaten native fauna by enabling disease transmission. The occurrence of domestic animals within the protected area highlights the importance of continuous monitoring to mitigate impacts on wildlife, especially on threatened species.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Bianca Caitano, Tiago de Oliveira Godinho, Márcia Nogueira de Souza , Fabrício Rodrigues Santana , Ednardo Pereira Martins
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