New records of the restinga antwren Formicivora littoralis Gonzaga and Pacheco (Aves, Thamnophilidae) in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: inland extended range and threats.
The Restinga Antwren (Formicivora littoralis) has a narrow distribution range in southeastern Brazil, and it is a typical species of restinga habitat (sandy coastal plain vegetation). In this paper, we describe two new records for the species (22 degrees 51' 45" S and 42 degrees 14' 13" W; 22 degrees 51' 14" S and 42 degrees 11' 47" W) in the northern margin of the Araruama Lagoon, which represent a new inland limit for its distribution (11 km), besides assessing the current state of its habitat. We recorded supposed isolated subpopulations, most of them due the accelerated human-made fragmentation. The Massambaba Environmental Protection Area comprises the larger continuous extent of the suitable habitat for the Restinga Antwren, being essential to its long-term existence. However, the region lacks effective protected areas and, besides urgent practical measures, we recommend an accurate mapping and populational studies on this species.
Vecchi
M B
MB
Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
Alves
M A S
MA
D000818:Animals; D001938:Brazil; D017753:Ecosystem; D046109:Passeriformes / Q000145:classification* / Q000502:physiology; D011156:Population Density; D014197:Trees