Medium and Large-sized Mammals of the Municipality of Pirajuí, São Paulo, Brazil

Mammals play an important ecological role and are related to several ecological processes. The objective of the study was to list medium and large-sized mammals species which occur in the municipality of Pirajuí, SP. The study was carried out in an urban area, roads that run through rural areas and in small fragments of Atlantic Forest. The data were obtained during a period of three years by different methods: direct observation, footprints records and by camera traps. We recorded 18 medium and large-sized mammals species belonging to 13 families and eight orders, representing 40% of medium and large-sized mammals species that occur in the State of São Paulo. Carnivora was the order with the highest number of representatives, with seven species. Thereby, the study provides important data about the occurrence of certain species of mammals in these often-neglected environments, where the lack of knowledge may lead to a future local extinctions.


INTRODUCTION
Brazil has the greatest mammal richness in the Neotropical region, with 732 mammal species distributed in 12 Orders and 50 families (Paglia et al., 2012;MMA, 2016). In the state of São Paulo, 231 taxa were registered of which 45 account for medium and large-sized mammals (Vivo et al., 2011).
Due to a historical agricultural and urban expansion, current mammals have taken refuge in small forest remnants, which are common in the State of São Paulo, but their composition is poorly studied (Briani et al., 2001). They play an important role in the environment and are associated with several ecological processes such as: forest regeneration, prey control, seed dispersal, pollination, herbivory, among others (Abreu-Jr & Köhler, 2009).
The greatest threats to terrestrial mammals in Brazil come from the loss and fragmentation of their habitat resulting from human activities and strong hunting pressure (Costa et al., 2005). In the Atlantic Forest area, one of the world's biodiversity hotspots (Myers et al., 2000), mammals are the group with the highest proportion of endangered species, with approximately 25% of the species included in the Red List of Endangered Brazilian Fauna (ICMBio, 2018). Seasonal Semideciduous Forest are one of the most fragmented ecosystems in the Atlantic Forest with few protected areas and less than 10% of the remaining vegetation (Ribeiro et al., 2009).
Studies concerning the consequences of forest fragmentation and biodiversity conservation have increased substantially because a significant part of this biodiversity is located in small forest fragments, which are poorly studied and historically forgotten by conservation initiatives (Viana & Pinheiro, 1998;Santos et al., 2013). For the development of conservation actions, basic knowledge of the species as well as its spatial distribution is indispensable, including inventories of mammals (Kasper et al., 2007).
Aiming to contribute with data on the occurrence and distribution of mammals in the region, the objective of this study was to inventory medium and large-sized mammals in an area under anthropogenic influence such as rural areas and small forest fragments associated with them in the municipality of Pirajuí, state of São Paulo, Brazil.

Study Area
The municipality of Pirajuí is located in the northwest region of the State of São Paulo, Brazil (21°59'56"S; 49°27'25"W). The municipality has an area of 823,350 km², covering a transition area of Atlantic Forest and Cerrado (Savannah) biomes (IBGE, 2000). This study was carried out in the urban area, on unpaved roads that cross rural areas and in small fragments of seasonal semideciduous forest (Figure 1). The forest fragments, which are the main ones with free access, are isolated within matrix of cultivated areas, mainly sugarcane, orange and eucalyptus plantations and pasture areas for cattle.

Sampling
Data from this study were obtained over a three-year period, from April 2014 to March 2017, when the mammalian species were recorded through different methods: direct observation, footprint records and records from camera traps (Covert 'The Deuce' Trail Camera). At least 5 hours of monthly inventory was taken in the area, with an average of 1 h 30 min in each fragment and 30 minutes in the urban area, with a total of 180 hours sampling effort. Domestic mammals found in the study area were not considered. The species nomenclature followed Paglia et al. (2012).

Analysis
By means of the survey of medium and large-sized mammals, a list of species for the municipality of Pirajuí was elaborated and, in addition, the registered species were classified into trophic guilds based on their diets. Dietary information on each species was based on Paglia et al. (2012) and on field observations.

RESULTS
A total of 18 species of medium and large-sized mammals, belonging to 13 families and eight orders, were registered. This richness represents 40% of the total medium and large-sized mammal species in the State of São Paulo (Table 1).
Among the cataloged species, 13 were registered using the methodology of direct observation.
Using the footprint records methodology, eight species were recorded and seven species were recorded using cameras traps.

DISCUSSION
We highlight the conservation importance of the studied region in Pirajuí where we recorded species with great ecological importance, such as individuals of the Order Carnivora. Due to its great mobility and ability to explore anthropic environments, species of Carnivora Order often occur in fragmented landscapes (Lyra-Jorge et al., 2008), such as the area where the study was carried out.
Carnivores are crucial for balancing ecosystems as they maintain and restore the diversity and resilience of the environment through prey control and seed dispersal processes (Terborgh, 1992), and the animals of this order usually rely on forested areas and have a low population density (Robinson & Redford, 1986). In addition, the high proportion of species in this order seems to be common in surveys conducted in areas of Atlantic forest and Cerrado biomes (Chiarello, 1999;Santos-Filho & Ferreira da Silva, 2002;Negrão & Valladares-Pádua, 2006;Modesto et al., 2008;Prado et al., 2008;Eduardo & Passamani, 2009;Pessôa et al., 2009;Bocchiglieri et al., 2010;Bruna et al., 2010;Penido & Zanzini, 2012).
The absence of these species can be attributed to a local low population density. It is also possible that the methodology used in the study was not suitable for the registration of these species or a local extinction.
In relation to registered species, we highlight those with conservation concerns, being in the State  (2018) classifies Sapajus nigritus and Lontra longicaudis on its Red List as nearly-threatened species (NT).
Among the registered species, the puma (Puma concolor) is found throughout the entire national territory and has suffered with deforestation, habitat fragmentation, hunting, retaliation due to domestic animal predation, forest fires and roadkill, which can cause a future decline on the national subpopulation (Azevedo et al., 2013). The conservation of large felines such as the puma requires extensive areas, once these animals need large life territories and many environmental resources.
The Brown Howler Monkey (Alouatta guariba) is endemic to the Atlantic Forest and may live in primary or secondary forests, as well as highly man-disturbed habitats, since they have an eclectic diet adaptable to environmental conditions . Nonetheless, habitat loss, hunting and capturing are the main reasons why this species is framed as vulnerable. In addition, individuals have been dying Knowing the species that occur in a certain area is an important tool because without this information it is practically impossible to develop any conservation initiatives (Cullen-Jr et al., 2003). Therefore, studies carried out in environments similar to the studied area become important, since these sites can present a high species richness, which reinforces the need to develop conservation measures for these forest remnants.

CONCLUSION
This study showed the importance of wildlife inventories performed in areas under anthropic influence, such as rural sites and small fragments associated with them, providing important data about the occurrence of certain species in these often-neglected environments, where the lack of knowledge may lead to a future local extinction. This study contributes to acknowledging the wildlife potential in the region and the need for conservation measures in the studied area.