The last 25 years of research on terrestrial carnivore conservation in argentina Ultimos 25 anos de pesquisa em conservação de carnívoros terrestres em argentina. Los últimos 25 años de investigación para la conservación de los carnívoros terrestres en argentina

MIROL, PATRICIA; MARIO DI BITETTI; JAVIER PEREIRA; ANDRÉS NOVARO

MASTOZOOLOGí­A NEOTROPICAL

UNIDAD DE ZOOLOGÍA Y ECOLOGÍA ANIMAL, INSTITUTO ARGENTINO DE INVESTIGACIÓN DE LAS ZONAS ARIDAS, CRICYT, CONICET

Lugar: Mendoza; Año: 2020 vol. 27 p. 68 - 77

0327-9383

Twenty-seven species of terrestrial carnivores (Order Carnivora) inhabit Argentina, representing 10.0% and 38.6% of the global and Neotropical diversity of terrestrial carnivores, respectively. We evaluate the main topics of research on carnivores in Argentina over the past 25 years (1994-2018) considering the great conservation challenges the group faces. Feeding and spatial ecology, conflicts with livestock production, impacts of hunting and invasive species, and conservation genetics have been addressed for some of the more charismatic and larger-bodied carnivore species. Also, we identify thematic and taxonomic gaps and discuss what research we believe is important to deal with key conservation and management needs. Further studies are needed on topics like the ecological role of carnivores in ecosystems (including carnivores? role in rewilding projects), mitigation methods to reduce conflict, conservation status of rare or less conspicuous species, and impacts of emerging threats like climate change, disease, and expansion of feral dog populations.