What can camera traps tell us about reproduction and survival of a neotropical marsupial?

Authors

  • Mariana Silva Ferreira Programa de Pós-graduação em Ecologia; Laboratório de Vertebrados, Departamento de Ecologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ); Departamento de Ecologia e Recursos Marinhos, Instituto de Biociências (IBIO), Universidade Federal do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UNIRIO), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
  • Giovanna Costa Laboratório de Ciências Ambientais, Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro (UENF), Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil
  • Caryne Braga Laboratório de Ciências Ambientais, Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro (UENF), Campos dos Goytacazes; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Ambientais e Conservação, Instituto de Biodiversidade e Sustentabilidade (NUPEM), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Macaé, RJ, Brazil

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.32673/bjm.vi94.156

Keywords:

Atlantic Forest, Demography, Life history, Litter size, Small mammals

Abstract

In this paper, we present the first record of a female Metachirus myosuros carrying two young on her back, along with data on the species' reproduction, obtained during two wildlife monitoring studies in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The low number of young (n = 2) carried by the female compared to the average litter size (n = 8.33) suggests a high mortality rate for the species in the first months of life. This record adds to other studies indicating that early survival is a critical phase in the life cycle of marsupials.

Author Biography

Caryne Braga, Laboratório de Ciências Ambientais, Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro (UENF), Campos dos Goytacazes; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Ambientais e Conservação, Instituto de Biodiversidade e Sustentabilidade (NUPEM), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Macaé, RJ, Brazil

ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2671-0206

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Published

2025-05-20

How to Cite

Ferreira, M. S., Costa, G., & Braga, C. (2025). What can camera traps tell us about reproduction and survival of a neotropical marsupial?. Brazilian Journal of Mammalogy, (94), e942025156. https://doi.org/10.32673/bjm.vi94.156