Avaliação do uso de substâncias atrativas para mamíferos neotropicais

Abstract

It is estimated that approximately 1/3 of all mammals species on the planet are in the Neotropical region. Activities performed by mammals are fundamental to their environments, and although mammals are sometimes considered key species for ecosystems they are threatened in all their distributional ranges. Furthermore, difficulties exist at studies with mammals, through the logistical difficulties of Neotropical biomes and / or the criptic behavior of most species of mammals. However, the use of attractant substances for studies with mammals, have the potential to compensate the cost-benefits in studies with this group. Thus, we aim to provide a clear basis for understanding interactions between mammals and attractants, to maximize comparability between studies and increase the potential utility in future studies with Neotropical mammals. Our results presented that most of the studies were based on previous knowledge and / or scientific culture, and did not use any control nor statistical tests to evaluate explicitly the efficiency of the attractive used. Most of the studies focused or registered carnivores, and this order had the highest number of substances used among all studies. There was only consensus on the effect of using and attracting frugivorous bats with fruits, essential oils and floral compounds. Finally, we considered guidelines to maximize the comparability between studies, in terms of cost-benefits, in order to direct future studies that intend to study groups of mammals, with the use of attractants