Population densities of curassows, guans, and chachalacas (Cracidae): Effects of body size, habitat, season, and hunting

• DOI: 10.1650/condor-15-51.1
• Publication Date: 2015-11-11T13:51:12Z
• Authors: Gustavo H. Kattan; Marcia C. Muñoz; David W. Kikuchi
• Keywords: Population density; Dry season; Seasonality; Density dependence

Understanding the factors that determine population densities is critical for conserving viable populations of threatened species. Half 50 species in family Cracidae have experienced declines. We conducted a literature review to explore relations cracids with body size, habitat, season, and hunting. compiled 103 density data points 27 37 localities from Mexico Argentina. There was no correlation between mass density. The larger cracines tended lower than penelopines, but both subfamilies spanned similar range values. Intraspecific interspecific varied among sites over 2 orders magnitude (1–100 birds km−2). Some exhibited plasticity habitat use, variable habitats. evidence some performed local movements related seasonality rainfall or resource availability, leading aggregations around water sources during dry season seasonally abundant food sources. Hunting had negative effect on densities, cases low moderate hunting did not cause decrease comparison nonhunted sites. Despite having ecologies, cracid are very variable, each seems respond idiosyncratically factors, which requires care if extrapolated across Future studies aim characterize conservation purposes should take into account possible intraspecific variations seasonality, movements, heterogeneity.