Ecology of Margay Leopardus wiedii (Schniz, 1821) in Atlantic forest fragments of western Paraná, Brazil.

        The Margay is one of the least known neotropical felid with only three peer-reviewed works on ecology and behaviour published from Mexico where it also occurs. Although it is a threatened species listed on the threatened species list in Brazil, little is known about the species, exception made of anecdotal or punctual information in Latin America. Bearing this in mind, the biologists in charge of the project want to gather as much information as possible on the ecology and behaviour of this neotropical felid using capture, radiotelemetry, camera-traps and faeces analyses. These techniques should help analyzing at a regional scale this species characteristics, i.e. home range size, activity patterns, morphometric data, habitat preferences and diet. This project will be developed in Atlantic forest fragments including mixed-woods and Brazilian pine stands of varying succession stages in the western region of the Paraná state.

Keys words

Margay, Leopardus wiedii, ecology, carnivorous mammals, forest fragments, Atlantic forest, conservation, radiotelemetry.

Phoenix, young male margay, carried by Dr. James G. Sanderson (Small Cats Conservation Alliance). Left : Alcides R. Rinaldi.

Halloween : young male margay, radiocollared in Nov 2006.

Alcides Ricieri Rinaldi
Address: Rua belém 112, Conjunto “C”, CEP: 85857-170. Foz do Iguaçu, Paraná, Brasil.
Phone: +55 45 3529-9845

Cell: + 55 45 8816 1541