Estrutura da comunidade e diversidade funcional de pequenos mamíferos (Didelphimorphia, Rodentia e Chiroptera) da Fazenda Riachão (SELA), Maceió, Alagoas

Abstract

The Atlantic Forest is confined to fragments, predominantly located on private properties. Habitat fragmentation exerts significant effects on mammal communities, impacting their diversity, abundance, and population structure. Community ecology research is essential to understanding how these communities respond to disturbances. This study aimed to characterize the structure of a small mammal community, based on taxonomic and functional diversity, in a fragment of the Atlantic Forest within the Pernambuco Center of Endemism (PEC), as well as in the eucalyptus matrix surrounding, located in Maceió, Alagoas. Sampling was conducted in three types of environments: within the eucalyptus plantation, at the forest fragment edge, and inside the forest remnant, using pitfall and live traps. The parameters analyzed included species richness, abundance, Simpson's diversity index (D), equitability (E1/D/S), Jaccard similarity, functional richness (FRic), functional evenness (FEve), and functional divergence (FDiv). A total of 14 species were recorded, comprising seven marsupials, four bats, and three rodents, with Carollia perspicillata, Marmosa (Micoureus) demerarae, and Artibeus (Dermanura) cinereus being the most abundant. The Eucalyptus environment exhibited the lowest taxonomic and functional diversity but was the only one harboring species typical of open habitats, such as Monodelphis domestica and Oligoryzomys nigripes. The Borda and Mata environments were similar in terms of species composition, species richness, functional richness, and functional evenness. Overall, the community is well-structured, with high taxonomic and functional diversity, particularly within the Mata environment. However, the surrounding matrix is poorly permeable to most interior species. Studies on the dynamics of small mammals in fragmented landscapes surrounded by eucalyptus plantations are scarce for the PEC, particularly concerning functional diversity. Therefore, it is crucial to continue research efforts to address these knowledge gaps.