Response of sympatric species of tinamous (Tinamidae) to a disturbance gradient in a secondary forest in the Manu Biosphere Reserve, Peru

Abstract

Tinamous play a key ecological role in tropical forests by providing ecosystem services. However, their relatively large size and terrestrial habits make them susceptible to habitat loss and fragmentation caused by anthropogenic disturbances. Most of these species have sympatric distributions but have ecological characteristics that prevent competition among them. Here, we utilized two sets of historical data (Incidental records and Terrestrial in Line Transects) from January 2011 to February 2023 to evaluate variations in tinamou diversity and their preferences along a disturbance gradient and identify their diel activity patterns in a secondary forest in the Manu Biosphere Reserve (MBR). We recorded nine tinamous species, the most recorded species was Crypturellus cinereus, while the least recorded were C. atrocapillus, C. variegatus, and C. bartletti. The most diverse type of forest according to the area classification was selectively logged forest now in regeneration (SLR), followed by partially cleared forest now in regeneration (PCR) and finally completely cleared forest now in regeneration (CCR). The species C. cinereus and C. undulatus showed a preference for CCR; Tinamus major for PCR and SLR; and the rest of them did not show a clear preference. According to the diel activity pattern, C. variegatus showed a statistically significant uniform hourly distribution, the rest of the species did not show a uniform distribution, reaching their peak activity in the morning or afternoon. Differences in habitat use and activity patterns are essential to understand habitat segregation of different species, especially in high diversity areas.