Terrestrial mammals’ species richness, diversity, and activity patterns in the Darién National Park, Panamá

A comprehensive survey of terrestrial mammals in Darién National Park, one of Mesoamerica's largest forest blocks, identified 24 species with certainty, representing 85% of previously recorded species in the region. The study revealed distinct activity patterns: jaguars, ocelots, and margays exhibited crepuscular behavior, while pumas and jaguarundis were diurnal. Nocturnal activity was dominant among pacas, nine-banded armadillos, and Baird's tapirs, whereas ñeques, coatis, temazates, and peccaries showed higher activity during periods of more light. This research marks one of the first evaluations of terrestrial mammal activity patterns in Darién and Panamá, highlighting gaps in species documentation and emphasizing the need for long-term monitoring to better understand wildlife population dynamics.

Moreno, R., Young, N., Puertes, A., & De la Torre, J. A. (2023). Terrestrial mammals’ species richness, diversity, and activity patterns in the Darién National Park, Panamá. Therya Notes, 4, 210–218. https://doi.org/10.12933/therya_notes-23-131