Reestablishment of giant otters in habitats altered by the filling of the teles pires hydroelectric dam in the Amazonia

Abstract:

Studies evaluating the influence of river damming on the behavior and distribution of giant otters are still scarce. Here we present temporal data on the influence of the filling of the Teles Pires Hydroelectric Power Plant reservoir in Mato Grosso State, Brazil, on the records of giant otters. No recent evidence of the presence of giant otters was obtained in the first four months after the beginning of the reservoir's filling. Eight months later, the first direct record of a group of three individuals was documented; one year and six months later, different types of direct and indirect records were documented including that of an active den, which is the main indicative of environment colonization by the species. The giant otters in this reservoir may benefit from the abundance increase in fish species observed in the short term after the dam construction. However, a reduction in prey diversity over the years may be a critical factor for the species' maintenance and survival.

Año de publicación:

2017

Keywords:

• Distribution
• dam
• Reoccupation
• Hydroelectric reservoir
• Amazon basin
• Pteronura brasiliensis

Fuente:

scopus