Activity patterns of West Mexican Chachalaca (Ortalis poliocephala)

Abstract

Animal activity patterns fluctuate throughout the year, in response to resource availability, climate changes, and predator activity. Studying species activity patterns is necessary not only to increase our knowledge of their natural history but also to plan research (or population sampling) according to the period of greatest activity. In order to recognize the activity patterns of the West Mexican Chachalaca (Ortalis poliocephala) in a dry forest in southwestern Mexico in two seasons, we use information collected through camera-traps during the winters of 2011-2012 and 2012-2013 and the spring of 2012 and 2013. The daily activity of the West Mexican Chachalaca was bimodal with greater activity between 10:00 to 11:00 h and 18:00 to 20:00 h. Patterns of temporal activity showed similarity in two of the four monitoring periods (P > 0.05), indicating that the activity patterns are maintained regardless of the number of light hours. In contrast, the activity of the Western Mexican Chachalaca was different in the winter of 2012-2013 (P < 0.05), possibly in response to the presence of non-climatic exogenous elements, such as predators. When developing study designs for population studies, the activity patterns of cracids species should be considered to understand their biology and to contribute to their conservation and management strategies.

Keywords

• cámaras-trampa
• selva seca
• oaxaca
• áreas protegidas
• monitoreo participativo
• méxico, ritmo circadiano.