Activity patterns of Tayra Eira barbara populations from Costa Rica and Colombia: evidence of seasonal effects

The objective of this study was to evaluate the activity patterns of Tayra Eira barbara and
the effect of seasonality in two different landscapes, one in Colombia (Canal del Dique Watershed) and another in Costa Rica (Talamanca). Methodology: Between 2005 and 2009 camera trapping samplings were conducted to determine activity patterns of the species. We estimated capture frequencies, activity patterns, and made comparisons between sites and seasons, classifying data in 24-hours and in time-periods: Diurnal, Nocturnal and Crepuscular. Comparisons were made using Kuiper tests for homogeneity, Chi-square for differences in patterns and Chao-Jaccard tests for testing overlapping activities. Results: Differences between activity periods (X2=124.26, p<0.0001) and hours (X2=46.38, p=0.0001) were found, with three activity peaks during the day, being this period in which the species is more active in general (X2=124.26, p<0.0001). Seasonality seems to be the most important factor influencing activity patterns (X2=14.15, p=0.0002), especially influencing the hours of higher activity (X2=12.42, p=0.0033). Conclusions: Activity patterns in Tayras seem to slightly vary both in space and time, with seasonality been the most evident driver. Our results coincide with previous studies in similar habitats, but differ with other locations with different ecosystems, highlighting variation within the species and potentially related with
different subspecies. The evaluation and identification of basic aspects of natural history of E. barbara are necessary for a better understanding of the species ecology, life history, habitat requirements and their role in ecosystems.