Sloths are arboreal mammals strictly dependent upon forested habitats. The southern part of the state of
Bahia in northeastern Brazil harbors important forest remnants and the highest genetic diversity known
for the maned sloth (Bradypus torquatus), an endangered species endemic to the Atlantic forest. Large
extents of cacao agroforests (cabrucas) connected to forest patches mitigate the effects of fragmentation
in this region. We radio-tracked three maned sloths during 40 months in a cabruca at the vicinity of
Una Biological Reserve, southern Bahia, and estimated their home range using two commonly employed
estimators (minimum convex polygon (MCP) and kernel). Overall cabrucas comprised a significant portion
of the home range of the three study animals (MCP: 7–100%) and at least a third of the areas of more
intensive use (kernel: 27–99%). The tagged sloths used cabrucas more than expected according to the
availability of this habitat in their home range and in the surrounding landscape. In addition to the
tagged individuals, maned sloths were observed five times in the study area, twice in cabrucas. Eleven tree
species present in cabrucas were used as food sources by maned sloths. Results indicate that biologically
rich cacao agroforests immersed in a landscape still largely composed of native forests, as is the case
here, can provide habitat for the maned sloth. This finding spells good news for the conservation of
this species, as southern Bahia is one of the most important strongholds for the maned sloth. However,
further actions are necessary to protect the species from local extinction, including active management
of protected areas, forest fragments, cabrucas and pastures in an integrated, landscape-level manner
Sloths are arboreal mammals strictly dependent upon forested habitats. The southern part of the state ofBahia in northeastern Brazil harbors important forest remnants and the highest genetic diversity knownfor the maned sloth (Bradypus torquatus), an endangered species endemic to the Atlantic forest. Largeextents of cacao agroforests (cabrucas) connected to forest patches mitigate the effects of fragmentationin this region. We radio-tracked three maned sloths during 40 months in a cabruca at the vicinity ofUna Biological Reserve, southern Bahia, and estimated their home range using two commonly employedestimators (minimum convex polygon (MCP) and kernel). Overall cabrucas comprised a significant portionof the home range of the three study animals (MCP: 7–100%) and at least a third of the areas of moreintensive use (kernel: 27–99%). The tagged sloths used cabrucas more than expected according to theavailability of this habitat in their home range and in the surrounding landscape. In addition to thetagged individuals, maned sloths were observed five times in the study area, twice in cabrucas. Eleven treespecies present in cabrucas were used as food sources by maned sloths. Results indicate that biologicallyrich cacao agroforests immersed in a landscape still largely composed of native forests, as is the casehere, can provide habitat for the maned sloth. This finding spells good news for the conservation ofสายพันธุ์นี้ บาเยียภาคใต้เป็นฐานที่มั่นสำคัญที่สุดสำหรับสวเคราขาวอย่างใดอย่างหนึ่ง อย่างไรก็ตามการ ดำเนินการเป็นสิ่งจำเป็นเพื่อป้องกันสายพันธุ์สูญพันธุ์ในท้องถิ่น รวมทั้งงานจัดการพื้นที่คุ้มครอง บางส่วนของป่า cabrucas และทุ่งหญ้าในแบบ ภูมิทัศน์ระดับลักษณะ
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