Papers by Mauro Lucherini
The Bahía Blanca Estuary, 2021
The use of general descriptive names, registered names, trademarks, service marks, etc. in this p... more The use of general descriptive names, registered names, trademarks, service marks, etc. in this publication does not imply, even in the absence of a specific statement, that such names are exempt from the relevant protective laws and regulations and therefore free for general use.
Journal of Zoology, Dec 1, 1995
Factors affecting activity, habitat use, and home‐range size of the red fox were analysed in a hi... more Factors affecting activity, habitat use, and home‐range size of the red fox were analysed in a highly heterogeneous rural environment. Individual differences in behaviour were used to test our hypotheses. Food habits tended to depend on food availability, which, in turn, was mainly influenced by temperature. Diet was highly heterogeneous. Insects, e.g. grasshoppers and beetles, and cultivated fruits were the staple of the diet, but no diet component stood out clearly from all others. For an opportunistic species such as the fox, habitat heterogeneity may be the main factor underlying a wide trophic niche. All foxes selected the vineyard as part of their home ranges, whereas they preferred for activity the abandoned olive‐yard among the habitats of their home ranges. Human intolerance of foxes affects their pattern of activity, habitat selection, and ranging behaviour. Foxes were strongly nocturnal. Cover‐rich habitats were preferred for resting and for movements in daylight. Areas under human management were mainly used at night. Selectivity was higher for resting than for activity sites. Variation in home‐range size and shape can be influenced not only by the dispersion of the main food patches, but also by the location of shelters
Journal for Nature Conservation, Aug 1, 2023
The puma (Puma concolor) is distributed over most vegetation types and elevation ranges, but is s... more The puma (Puma concolor) is distributed over most vegetation types and elevation ranges, but is still sensitive to habitat loss and human persecution. Due to its large spatial requirements, pumas must persist in human-modified landscapes, where vegetation cover and prey availability can limit its occurrence. Few studies have assessed the suite of factors that may influence carnivore persistence in deforestation frontiers such as the Dry Chaco. We explored the influence of landscape structure, native prey availability, and local anthropogenic proxies on puma occupancy in Argentine Dry Chaco agroecosystems through a single-season occupancy framework based on camera-trap surveys. We used the results to predict puma occupancy for the ecoregion. Woody cover and the proportion of pasture within the surrounding matrix influenced puma occupancy: in areas with moderate to little woody cover, puma occupancy was negatively influenced by the proportion of pasture relative to cropland. Predicted puma occupancy probability was very high throughout half of the ecoregion. Our results corroborate the landscape-scale importance of woody cover for the puma in the Dry Chaco. However, the negative relation between puma occupancy and pasture dominance in areas with little woody cover could be suggesting potential negative interactions with humans, or seasonal variations in environmental conditions and resource availability that should be further explored.
Mastozoología neotropical, Jun 1, 2005
Oecologia Montana, May 4, 1994
The Andean cat Oreailurus jacobita, which only inhabits the high Andes of Argentina, Bolivia, Chi... more The Andean cat Oreailurus jacobita, which only inhabits the high Andes of Argentina, Bolivia, Chile and Peru, is one of the most threatened and least known cats in the world. In 2004 the Andean Cat Alliance published the Andean Cat Conservation Action Plan, which identified human persecution as the primary threat and listed the design and implementation of a global educational campaign as a priority for the long-term conservation of this rare felid.Fil: Lucherini, Mauro. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Biología, Bioquímica y Farmacia; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca; ArgentinaFil: Merino, Maria Jose. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Biología, Bioquímica y Farmacia; Argentin
Fil: Manfredi, Matilde Claudia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Centr... more Fil: Manfredi, Matilde Claudia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Centro Cientifico Tecnologico Conicet - Bahia Blanca; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Biologia, Bioquimica y Farmacia. Catedra de Fisiologia Animal; Argentina
Mammal research, 2021
Understanding the food habits of mammalian carnivores is crucial for the comprehension of the rol... more Understanding the food habits of mammalian carnivores is crucial for the comprehension of the role of apex-predators in maintaining healthy ecosystems. The puma is currently the most widespread top predator and the carnivore most frequently involved in conflicts with humans in the Americas. We analyzed puma diet in the South American temperate region, a vast area largely modified by humans, to assess the importance of native prey with respect to livestock and exotic species. We reviewed 18 studies published between 1991 and 2020 to which we added 19 feces of puma from a rangeland area of central Argentina. “Undetermined small rodent,” plains vizcacha, European hare, and wild boar were the most frequent species in the small area of the Argentinean Espinal. In the southern temperate region, exotic (European hare and wild boar) and native species (guanaco and armadillos) were the most frequent wild prey species, while sheep was the most frequent livestock followed by cattle. Exotic species had a greater frequency of occurrence than native and livestock species. Livestock frequency of occurrence was greater inside protected areas than outside. These findings reveal that, although the puma is considered in this large area as conflictive, wild prey (exotic and native) are its main food sources. Given the potentially crucial role exotic species can play in the ecosystem, understanding the role of pumas in controlling their populations is a challenge for future research.
Historical Biology
This paper aims to characterise the modifications caused by the Pampas fox (Lycalopex gymnocercus... more This paper aims to characterise the modifications caused by the Pampas fox (Lycalopex gymnocercus) to the bones and teeth of its prey in the Espinal and Dry Chaco environments, in central Argentina. Plant remains, invertebrate remains, and vertebrate bones and teeth were recovered from a set of more than 180 faeces. From an actualistic perspective, we evaluated the taphonomic signature of this predator in the remains of snakes, birds and mammals recovered in its faeces. We achieved a high rate of taxonomical identification and recovered remains of exotic and native fauna, such as Ovis aries and Lagostomus maximus, respectively. The most remarkable aspects recorded in this taphonomic study were a high frequency of breakage, a low frequency of tooth marks (only observed in large prey), and a high frequency and intensity of digestion damage. The information generated in this study contributes to the evaluations of accumulating agents in archaeological and palaeontological sites of South America.
Conservation Biology
Conservation biology is a mission-driven discipline that must navigate a new relationship between... more Conservation biology is a mission-driven discipline that must navigate a new relationship between conservation and science. Because conservation is a social and political as well as an ecological project, conservation biologists must practice interdisciplinarity and collaboration. In a comparative study of 7 cases (Jaguars in the Chaco, Grevy's zebra in Kenya, Beekeeping in Tanzania, Andean cats in Argentina, Jaguars in Mexico, Lobster fishing, and Black bears in Mexico), we examined motivations for collaboration in conservation, who can collaborate in conservation, and how conservation professionals can work well together. In 5 case studies, successful conservation outcomes were prioritized over livelihood benefits. In the other 2 cases, livelihoods were prioritized. All case studies employed participatory approaches. There were multiple external actors, including local and Indigenous communities, nongovernmental organizations, agencies, regional and national governments, and international organizations, which enhanced conservation and wider sustainability outcomes. Key collaboration aspects considered across the case studies were time (mismatch between relationship building and project schedules), trust required for meaningful partnerships, tools employed, and transformative potential for people, nature, and the discipline of conservation biology. We developed guidelines for successful collaboration, including long-term commitment, knowledge integration, multiscalar and plural approaches, cultivation of trust, appropriate engagement, evaluation, supporting students, and efforts for transformation. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Revue d'Écologie (La Terre et La Vie)
The diet of the Red fox Vulpes vulpes was studied by faecal analysis in a coastal area of central... more The diet of the Red fox Vulpes vulpes was studied by faecal analysis in a coastal area of central Italy (Maremma). Orthoptera and Coleoptera predominated in the diet in spring and summer, whereas juniper berries were the staple food during the rest of the year, when the trophic niche of the Fox was narrowest. Vertebrates were taken mainly in spring, but their importance in the overall diet remained small (10 %). Seasonal variations in diet and trophic niche breadth were significantly correlated with variations of temperature and photoperiod. The comparison with other studies carried out in Mediterranean habitats emphasizes the importance of invertebrate food and fruit (seasonally) in this area. The opportunistic foraging strategy of this Canid is confirmed.
Ecología Austral
A�������. Human-wildlife interactions can be negative when the needs and behavior of wildlife neg... more A�������. Human-wildlife interactions can be negative when the needs and behavior of wildlife negatively influence human goals, or vice-versa, and management of these interactions may lead to conflict. Here, we review information on negative interactions between humans and wildlife in South America contained in 136 scientific publications, focusing on terrestrial mammalian predators and raptors. We found that most studies were conducted in Brazil, Argentina, Chile and Colombia. The methodology most commonly used to investigate negative interactions was interviews with rural inhabitants. Studies were performed mainly on interactions involving large felids such as Panthera onca and Puma concolor, and-to a lesser extent-on other mammalian predators and raptors such as eagles or scavenger birds. The main drivers of negative interactions involved perceived or actual impacts on human economy (material) (e.g., livestock or crop losses) or were based on non-material (intangible) aspects (e.g., fear, myths, and religious beliefs). The studies showed that negative a�itudes and perceptions toward terrestrial mammalian predators and raptors are widespread in South America. Although non-lethal strategies for mitigation of negative interactions have been proposed, most are not widely used and lethal controls are still very common. A multidisciplinary approach is required, based on multiple actions (e.g., improving livestock practices, running educational programs, increasing stakeholder involvement, providing farmers with solutions), which would minimize negative interactions and promote coexistence between humans and wildlife. This is key to maintaining threatened species, ecological interactions and healthy environments in the anthropized landscapes of biodiverse South America.
Wild Felid Research and Management Association, Jul 1, 2016
The puma Puma concolor is the most widespread top predator and one of the most controversial carn... more The puma Puma concolor is the most widespread top predator and one of the most controversial carnivores in Argentina. It occurs from the high-altitude deserts of the Andes to tropical and subtropical forests, and from the Pampas grasslands to the Patagonian steppe (Nowell and Jackson 1996). The natural prey base of Argentinean puma populations formerly included vicuña (Vicugna vicugna), guanaco (Lama guanicoes), Patagonian huemul (Hippocamelus bisulcus),taruca (Hippocamelus antisensis), Pampas deer (Ozotoceros bezoarticus), Marsh deer (Blastocerus dichotomus), rheas (Rhea americana and R. pennata), Plain viscachas (Lagostomus maximus), Mountain viscachas (Lagidium viscacia), Patagonian hare (Dolichotis patagonum), and capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris). In the southernmost part of the country large native prey still comprise the bulk of puma diets (Zanón et al. 2012); however, during the last two centuries, hunting of wild prey and conversion of natural habitat into ranches and farms increased conflicts with humans and predation on livestock (Novaro et al. 2000, Walker and Novaro 2010).Fil: Luengos Vidal, Estela Maris. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca; ArgentinaFil: Guerisoli, Maria de Las Mercedes. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca; ArgentinaFil: Caruso, Nicolás. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca; ArgentinaFil: Franchini, Marcello. No especifica;Fil: McDonald, Zara. No especifica;Fil: Lucherini, Mauro. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca; Argentin
Libro rojo de los mamíferos amenazados de la Argentina, 2012
A.A. Pautasso, Dec 1, 2007
Nota sobre las actividades de investigación y conservación en felinos silvestres, realizadas en l... more Nota sobre las actividades de investigación y conservación en felinos silvestres, realizadas en los campos privados cercanos al Parque Provincial de la Laguna Chasicó. En el mismo se explican las distintas metodologías que se aplican en el proyecto y para que son utilizadas las mismas.Fil: Manfredi, Matilde Claudia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Sur; ArgentinaFil: Benzaquín, Ester Miriam. Universidad Nacional del Sur; ArgentinaFil: Luengos Vidal, Estela Maris. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Sur; ArgentinaFil: Lucherini, Mauro. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Sur; Argentin
Fil: Lucherini, Mauro. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Biologia, Bioquimica y Farma... more Fil: Lucherini, Mauro. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Biologia, Bioquimica y Farmacia. Catedra de Fisiologia Animal; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Centro Cientifico Tecnologico Conicet - Bahia Blanca; Argentina
Ocean & Coastal Management, 2020
Land-sea interface is an ecotone where the intersection of marine and terrestrial ecosystems crea... more Land-sea interface is an ecotone where the intersection of marine and terrestrial ecosystems create unique ecological conditions for terrestrial mobile species and freshwater-adapted organisms to exploit marine-derived food resources. Mammalian carnivores play an important role in almost any ecosystem where they live due to their top-down (or trophic cascade) effects on prey species and primary producers, thus structuring ecosystems along varied food-web pathways. We use camera trapping to study the patterns of coexistence, habitat use and activity pattern of carnivores species in a coastal area in southern Buenos Aires province, Argentina. We were able to detect five of the seven species of Mammalian carnivores being the Pampas fox Lycalopex gymnocercus and Geoffroy's cat Leopardus geoffroyi the two most common. Geoffroy's cat seems to use more intensively those areas close to the shoreline, while we found little support of it for Pampas fox; which seems to use more inland areas. Congruently, we found evidence of a lack of spatial and, to a lower extent, temporal avoidance between the two most common carnivore species of our study area. Our findings support those previous studies indicating that the coastal dunes have an important role in the conservation of the biodiversity of Buenos Aires province. Wildlife conservation is compatible with carefully-designed ecotourism and limited infrastructure development and this may be a unique chance for the areas of Buenos Aires coast that have not been affected yet by poorly planned, conservation-unfriendly urbanization.
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Papers by Mauro Lucherini