Diversity and ecology of non-volant mammals associated to a cacao agro-productive system, Granja Yariguíes, Santander, Colombia ; Diversidad y ecología de mamíferos no voladores asociados a un sistema agro-productivo de cacao, Granja Yariguíes, Santander, Colombia ; Diversidade e ecologia de mamíferos não-voadores associados a um sistema agro-produtivo de cacau, Granja Yariguíes, Santander, Colômbia

Agro-productive systems are considered a valid alternative to diminish biodiversity loss. At these systems, some mammals are listed as pests because of their potential affectations on these crops, which results in control measurements that alter the functions these same species carry out on these transformed ecosystems. During a study at the Yariguíes experimental farm, Santander, and including productive plots (80% of the area) as well as tropical humid forests reserve areas (20%), we assessed the diversity of non-flying mammals, the possible damages they cause, and the ecological roles services they play. We completed surveys through the productive plots and the forest areas, setting automatic cameras and live traps, and searching for signs such as tracks, burrows or feces. In addition, we detected and quantified the damage to the cacao crops produced by some species. We detected 17 species from five orders, representing 13 guilds; these guilds show the ecological roles fulfilled by the mammals and how these roles can benefit the crops. The red-tailed squirrel (Notosciurus granatensis) was the species that reported the largest amount of attacks to cacao pods, showing higher preference by ripe ones. Damages at plots had average low frequency (<5% as average), perhaps because rodents predating the pods are being controlled by some of the carnivores still present on the forest areas. Whereas forest reserved areas could be providing refuge and food resources to some species, productive plots could act as corridors, allowing a key equilibrium for these agro-productive systems. ; Los sistemas agro-productivos se consideran una alternativa para amortiguar la pérdida de biodiversidad. En estos sistemas, algunos mamíferos son catalogados como plagas debido a las afectaciones que ejercen sobre estos cultivos, lo que se traduce en medidas de control que alteran las funciones que cumplen en dichos ecosistemas transformados. Durante un estudio realizado en la granja experimental Yariguíes, Santander, que incluye ...