Inventory of medium and large-sized mammals from Serra do Brigadeiro and Rio Preto State Parks, Minas Gerais, southeastern Brazil

Abstract

Cerrado and Atlantic Forest brazilian biomes are biodiversity hotspots that still have few areas under legal protection, especially on Minas Gerais State. Protected areas are essential to maintain environmental services, and it is necessary to know the fauna present and protected. With this aim, a medium and large sized mammal survey was conducted from January to December 2006 on two brazilian parks, trough tracks stations and active searches. These parks were Serra do Brigadeiro State Park (Atlantic Forest reserve) and Rio Preto State Park (Cerrado reserve), and had 19 and 23 species recorded, respectively. In total, 33 species were recorded and important discussions about their abundance and occurrences are presented. Relevant registers were obtained, and almost 18% of threatened mammalian fauna from Minas Gerais State were represented, highlighting the importance of protected areas.