Secondary forest is utilized by Great Curassows (Crax rubra) and Great Tinamous (Tinamus major) in the absence of hunting

Whitworth, A., Beirne, C., Flatt, E., Pillco Huarcaya, R., Cruz Diaz, J. C., Forsyth, A., Molnár, P. K. and Vargas Soto, J. S. (2018) Secondary forest is utilized by Great Curassows (Crax rubra) and Great Tinamous (Tinamus major) in the absence of hunting. Condor, 120(4), pp. 852-862. (doi: 10.1650/CONDOR-18-57.1)

Abstract

Deforestation and hunting are the leading human-driven disturbances causing population declines of the vulnerable Great Curassow (Crax rubra) and the near threatened Great Tinamou (Tinamus major). These threats typically co-occur, with synergistic effects. We investigated habitat use of Great Curassows and Great Tinamous in the Matapalo corridor of the Osa Peninsula, southwest Costa Rica, where they are not hunted, to understand whether disturbed habitats can be suitable for these species. We analyzed camera trap data from 56 locations and 5579 trapping days using occupancy modeling. We obtained 195 independent captures of Great Curassows at 33 of 56 locations (59%) and 429 independent captures of Great Tinamous at 37 of 56 locations (66%). Great Curassow occupancy did not vary with habitat type but was negatively influenced by distance from roads and by elevation; detection probability varied with habitat type. Great Tinamou occupancy probability was principally related to habitat type; primary, secondary and plantation forest areas all displayed high occupancy probabilities, but occupancy of agricultural land was low. Our work suggests that secondary-growth forests can offer valuable complementary habitat to assist in the recovery of these declining species, at least when hunting is controlled and intact forests are nearby.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: P.K.M. is grateful for support from an NSERC (Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada) Discovery Grant, CFI (Canada Foundation for Innovation) John R. Evans Leader Funds, MRIS Ontario Research Funds, and University of Toronto Scarborough Research Competitiveness Funds.
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Whitworth, Dr Andrew
• Authors: Whitworth, A., Beirne, C., Flatt, E., Pillco Huarcaya, R., Cruz Diaz, J. C., Forsyth, A., Molnár, P. K., and Vargas Soto, J. S.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine
• Journal Name: Condor
• Publisher: Central Ornithology Publication Office
• ISSN: 0010-5422
• ISSN (Online): 1938-5129
• Published Online: 17 October 2018
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2018 American Ornithological Society
• First Published: First published in Condor 120(4): 852-862
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License
• Data DOI: 10.5525/gla.researchdata.643