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Keywords

Neotropical, terrestrial, mammals, inventory, biodiversity, Belize

Abstract

Billy Barquedier is a National Park located in the Stann Creek district of Belize that contains Neotropical vegetation and wildlife. This study was performed to provide a baseline inventory and appearance frequency patterns of the terrestrial mammals located within Zone 1 of the park near a waterfall and to gain a greater understanding of the biodiversity and activity patterns of terrestrial mammals within the park. The methods included camera traps, small Sherman live traps, large live traps, and tracking methods. A non-random sampling method of placing camera traps and live traps on or near human-made or animal-made trails was used to identify the maximum amount of species possible within the eight-week study period. Bait including the local fruit Mamey Apple (Pouteria sapota) was used to attract wildlife to the study area. The hypothesis was at least eight species would be identified during the eight-week study period. The results indicated eleven species were identified, therefore the null hypothesis less than eight species would be identified was rejected and the alternative hypothesis that at least eight species would be identified was accepted. The non- random sampling method introduced bias into the data. Consequently, definite conclusions about relative density and abundance of animals in the area cannot be drawn by this study alone. However, chi-squared tests revealed statistically significant evidence animals appeared more frequently in the central region of the study site, during the first three days the cameras were set out, and during the nighttime hours (2000 to 0459).

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