Keyword: Leopardus

Tropical felids, activity patterns, and anthropogenic pressures: a study in the Cordillera del Cóndor, Ecuador

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Interactions between Neotropical felids, such as pumas (Puma concolor), ocelots (Leopardus pardalis), margays (L. wiedii), and clouded tiger cats (L. pardinoides), vary depending on their territorial behaviors. These felids are threatened by habitat degradation from urban and agricultural expansion and industrial activities, resulting in declining populations and greater vulnerability to environmental stressors. This study used camera traps to investigate the interactions and activity patterns of these felids in the Cordillera del Cóndor of southern Ecuador. We used negative binomial generalized regression models to analyze anthropogenic stressors and land cover variation on felid presence in three adjoining study sites: two mining concessions and a wildlife refuge. Our results showed that puma presence negatively impacts margay presence. We also observed a difference in activity periods for pumas, who were more diurnal in one of the concessions and more nocturnal at the other two sites. Puma presence was positively influenced by distance from the mining operation and associated infrastructures, but not by distance from other anthropogenic features. Finally, the influence of mining-related activities was a more significant indicator of small cat presence than land cover or other environmental factors, but to varying degrees. These results indicate a need for further monitoring of anthropogenic activities, such as mining, on felid communities, and provide an opportunity for collaboration with industry to reduce these impacts.

Felinos tropicales y presiones antropogénicas: un estudio en la Cordillera del Cóndor, Ecuador. Las interacciones entre los félidos neotropicales, como el puma (Puma concolor), el ocelote (Leopardus pardalis), el margay (L. wiedii) y la oncilla nublada (L. pardinoides), varían en función de sus comportamientos territoriales. Estos félidos están amenazados por la degradación de su hábitat debida a la expansión urbana y agrícola y a las actividades industriales, lo que se traduce en una disminución de sus poblaciones y una mayor vulnerabilidad a las amenazas. Este estudio utilizó cámaras trampa para investigar las interacciones y patrones de actividad de estos félidos en la Cordillera del Cóndor, al sur de Ecuador. Utilizamos modelos de regresión generalizada binomial negativa para analizar los factores de estrés antropogénicos y la variación de la cubierta terrestre sobre la presencia de félidos en tres sitios de estudio adyacentes: dos concesiones mineras y un refugio de vida silvestre. Nuestros resultados mostraron que la presencia de puma afecta de manera negativa a la presencia de tigrillo. También observamos una diferencia en los períodos de actividad de los pumas, que eran más diurnos en una de las concesiones, mientras que eran más nocturnos en los otros dos sitios. La presencia de pumas se vio influida de manera positiva por la distancia a la explotación minera y las infraestructuras asociadas, pero no por la distancia a otros factores antropogénicos. Por último, la influencia de las actividades relacionadas con la minería fueron indicadores más significativos de la presencia de pequeños felinos que la cobertura del suelo u otros factores ambientales, pero en grados variables. Estos resultados indican la necesidad de un mayor seguimiento de las actividades antropogénicas, como la minería, sobre las comunidades de félidos y brindan la oportunidad de colaborar con la industria para reducir estos impactos.

Graphical abstract for the article “Tropical felids, activity patterns, and anthropogenic pressures: a study in the Cordillera del Cóndor, Ecuador” (Arostegui Armijos et al., 2026)

Felinos neotropicais como hospedeiros de agentes zoonóticos no Brasil

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Os mamíferos apresentam papel central no ciclo de várias zoonoses e o estudo de sua prevalência e distribuição é extremamente importante para prevenir surtos e criar profilaxias. As espécies de felinos silvestres têm cada vez mais contato com os humanos, expondo-os a possíveis transbordamento ou compartilhamento de vários patógenos e participando do ciclo de várias zoonoses. Nosso objetivo foi investigar a participação das espécies de felinos silvestres do Brasil em ciclos zoonóticos, a partir de dados secundários. Foram encontrados registros de 19 zoonoses para 10 espécies de felinos silvestres, incluindo duas causadas por vírus, cinco por nematoides, quatro por protozoários e oito por bactérias. A zoonose com maior prevalência causada por vírus foi a raiva, por protozoários foi a toxoplasmose, por bactérias destacam-se brucelose e leptospirose, enquanto que por nematoides destaca-se a ancilostomose e toxocaríase. As espécies Leopardus pardalis, Leopardus tigrinus, Panthera onca e Puma concolor apresentaram maior número de registros de patógenos e distribuição mais ampla dos registros pelas regiões brasileiras. Os registros desses patógenos ocorreram principalmente nas regiões Centro-Oeste e Sudeste do Brasil. Observa-se o papel dos membros dessa família como reservatórios de agentes de várias zoonoses letais, embora a leptospirose apresente registro de diferentes sorovares, incluindo alguns não patogênicos ao homem. Esses resultados trazem à luz a importância da preservação e manutenção dos habitats naturais dessas espécies como medida de saúde pública, a fim de prevenir a proliferação dessas zoonoses, tanto para os humanos quanto para os animais. A preservação dos ambientes naturais dos felinos poderia minimizar possíveis trocas de patógenos entre essas espécies e os animais domésticos e, consequentemente, com os humanos, além de diminuir a probabilidade de contato direto desses com os felinos.

Neotropical Felidae as hosts of zoonotic agents in Brazil. Mammals play a central role in the cycle of several zoonoses; the study of their prevalence and distribution is extremely important to prevent outbreaks and create prophylaxis mechanisms. Wild feline species have been increasingly in contact with humans, exposing them to possible overflow or sharing of various pathogens and participating in the cycle of numerous zoonoses. Our objective was to investigate the participation of Brazilian feline species in zoonotic cycles, through secondary data analysis. We found records of 19 zoonoses for 10 feline species, including two caused by viruses, five by nematodes, four by protozoa, and eight by bacteria. The zoonosis with highest prevalence caused by viruses was rabies, by protozoa was toxoplasmosis, by bacteria were brucellosis and leptospirosis; while by nematodes were hookworm and toxocariasis. The species Leopardus pardalis, Leopardus tigrinus, Panthera onca, and Puma concolor presented highest number of records of pathogens and wider distribution of records through Brazilian regions. Records of these pathogens occurred mainly in the Central West and Southeast regions of Brazil. The role of the members of family Felidae as reservoirs of agents of several lethal zoonoses is observed, although leptospirosis presents a register of different serovars, including some non-pathogenic to humans. These results bring to light the importance of preserving and maintaining the natural habitats of these species as a public health measure, in order to prevent the proliferation of these zoonoses, both for humans and animals. The preservation of feline natural environments could minimize possible pathogen exchanges between these species and domestic animals and, consequently, with humans, as well as reducing the likelihood of their direct contact with felines.

Eficiencia de atrayentes para carnívoros en bosques yungueños y praderas altoandinas en Bolivia

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Comparamos la eficiencia de tres tipos de atrayentes odoríferos para carnívoros en cada uno de cuatro pisos altitudinales del Parque Nacional y Área Natural de Manejo Integrado Cotapata, Bolivia. Los atrayentes (Canine Call, Cat Passion y una mezcla de Wild Cat y Canine Call) se probaron por una noche en 6–12 transectos instalados con separación de al menos 600 m, cada uno con 6 huelleros de 1 m2 separados 50 m entre sí. La primera noche de revisión se instalaron los huelleros sin atrayente como control. La tasa de visitas de carnívoros a los huelleros con algún atrayente fue en general más alta que cuando no se usaron; otras especies visitaron los huelleros con atrayente, aunque algunas evidentemente no lo hicieron atraídas por el olor y otras probablemente evitaron acercarse a los huelleros con atrayentes para felinos. Concluimos que el atrayente más efectivo fue el Cat Passion, el cual podría utilizarse para programas de monitoreo de carnívoros (especialmente adecuado para Pseudalopex culpaeus, Oreailurus jacobita y Leopardus tigrinus) en esta zona. El monitoreo de otras especies podría ser mejor si no se usan atrayentes para carnívoros.

Efficiency of lures for carnivores in Yungas forests and high altitude prairies in the Bolivian Andes. We compared the efficiency of three types of scent lures for carnivores in each one of four altitudinal floors within the Cotapata National Park and Natural Area of Integrated Management, Bolivia. The lures (Canine Call, Cat Passion and Wild Cat mixed with Canine Call) were tested by one night in 6–12 transects installed with separation of at least 600 m, each one with 6 track plots of 1 m2 separated 50 m from each other. To use as control, we did not use any lure during the first night of revision. In general, visitation rates of carnivores were higher with the use of lures than when we did not use them; other species visited the lured track plots, though some were evidently not attracted by their scent and others probably avoided the track plots with lures for felids. We conclude that the best lure was Cat Passion, which could be used for monitoring programs of carnivores (specially appropriate for Pseudalopex culpaeus, Oreailurus jacobita and Leopardus tigrinus) in this area. Monitoring of other species could be better if lures for carnivores are not used.