The activity patterns of medium and large sized mammals show limited response to agroecotourism and agricultural disturbance in the Pantanal, Miranda, MS, Brazil

Abstract

This study analyzed the activity patterns of medium and large sized mammals in a human-modified landscape to assess whether agriculture and ecotourism influence their diel rhythms. Understanding these patterns is crucial, as behavioral changes can affect ecological processes and conservation. Research was conducted at San Francisco Farm, in the Pantanal-Cerrado ecotone, which includes rice paddies, pastures, native areas, and ecotourism. Camera traps were deployed across three environments during two campaigns, totaling 5,200 trap nights. From 115,395 images, 3,228 independent records of 25 species were obtained. Most species showed expected activity patterns, but some exhibited flexibility. The giant anteater ( Myrmecophaga tridactyla ) was mainly nocturnal in pastures but diurnal in native areas, likely related to thermoregulation. The marsh deer ( Blastocerus dichotomus ) showed cathemeral activity, alternating between day and night. Generalist species such as the crab-eating raccoon ( Procyon cancrivorus ) and crab-eating fox ( Cerdocyon thous ) were more active in modified areas, indicating adaptability to resource availability. Seven species (28 %) occurred in all three environments. Overall, agriculture and ecotourism showed limited influence on mammal activity, suggesting that agroecotourism can reconcile productive land use with biodiversity conservation.