MAMMALS OF A FOREST FRAGMENT IN VOLTA REDONDA, RIO DE JANEIRO STATE

The state of Rio de Janeiro, whose mammals species is one of the most studied in Brazil, still has areas poorly sampled, for which no study has been published. This study aims to survey the mammals of a forest fragment, located in the Medio Paraiba region of Rio de Janeiro state. The rapid mammal's survey was conducted using Sherman, Tomahawk and pitfall traps, mist nets, sightings and reports of local residents. We recorded 46 species of mammals, of which nine are on the list of threatened fauna. Moreover, the marsupials Didelphis aurita and Gracilinanus microtarsus, and the mice Juliomys pictipes are considered endemic to the Atlantic Forest. Bats were the group most representative species (15.32%), followed by rodents and carnivores, both with 10.22%. The results indicate that the park harbors 24.2% of mammal species known to occur in the state, highlighting its importance as a protected area for the Medio Paraiba, where there are few units of conservation.