Registros ocasionais de mamíferos de médio e grande porte na microrregião de Lavras e São João del Rei, Campo das Vertentes, Minas Gerais

Abstract

Descriptive papers that aim to report the occurrence of mammal species are of great importance, since they provide subsidies for the construction of conservation practices. However, in Brazil, many areas still lack studies and one of these is the Campo das Vertentes mesorregion. The present study aimed to collect and present records of medium and large sized mammals collected during the last six years. The records reported here resulted from occasional encounters during fauna inventories, focusing on other groups conducted between 2009 and 2014. In total, 19 species belonging to six orders were found: Artiodactyla (2 species); Carnivorous (9 species); Lagomorpha (1 species); Primates (4 species); Rodentia (2 species); Cingulata (1 species). Even under intense anthropogenic pressure, the study area is home to ecologically and conservationist species, such as the jaguar (Panthera onca), a top predator of the threatened food chain in the state of Minas Gerais. Systematized studies are recommended in order to increase knowledge about the region’s medium and large mammal community