Seleção e uso de habitat pelo Jacaré-paguá (Paleosuchus palpebrosus) no Rio Verde, Mato Grosso do Sul.

Abstract

Among the Brazilian crocodilians, the Dwarf caiman (Paleosuchus palpebrosus) stands out due to its peculiar behaviors and because it is one of the caimans that uses terrestrial environments the most during its life. However, most studies with this species focus on smaller environments, such as streams and streams with cold, crystal clear waters, with research on populations in large rivers being scarce. In this context, the objective of this work was to investigate whether there is a preference for a certain habitat on the part of P. palpebrosus in a portion of the Rio Verde, located in the municipality of Água Clara, Mato Grosso do Sul. During a period of 6 months, they were 5 field and remote sensing analyzes were carried out to monitor a population of P. palpebrosus (N=151), investigating a possible preference for a habitat, relating these data to the size of each caiman. The data obtained revealed that caimans have preferences for flooded environments, avoiding open areas and areas close to urbanized areas. Furthermore, the study area and the size of the individuals did not influence the choice of these animals for different environments. This study contributes to knowledge about the ecology of P. palpebrosus, which is a relatively little- known species, in the Rio Verde region, in Água Clara, Mato Grosso do Sul. The information obtained in this work can be useful for the management and conservation of the biodiversity in the area, including the identification of priority areas for the conservation and restoration of P. palpebrosus habitats and increasing knowledge about the species in previously unknown environments.