Telemetry Tracking of Two Resplendent Quetzals (Pharomachrus mocinno mocinno) at a mountain area of Baja Verapaz, Guatemala

Telemetry tracking provides essential insights into avian movements and habitat preferences, aiding the identification of critical resources and conservation areas for endangered species such as the Resplendent Quetzal. In this study, we tracked two radio-tagged Resplendent Quetzals in a mountainou...

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Main Authors: Michelle Bustamante, Bianca Bosarreyes, Manuel Barrios-Izas
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala 2024-12-01
Series:Ciencia, Tecnología y Salud
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Online Access:https://revistas.usac.edu.gt/index.php/cytes/article/view/1865
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author Michelle Bustamante
Bianca Bosarreyes
Manuel Barrios-Izas
author_facet Michelle Bustamante
Bianca Bosarreyes
Manuel Barrios-Izas
author_sort Michelle Bustamante
collection DOAJ
description Telemetry tracking provides essential insights into avian movements and habitat preferences, aiding the identification of critical resources and conservation areas for endangered species such as the Resplendent Quetzal. In this study, we tracked two radio-tagged Resplendent Quetzals in a mountainous cloud forest region containing national protected areas, private reserves, and indigenous lands. Both individuals primarily remained within the protected Biotopo del Quetzal reserve and nearby areas for approximately five months; however, during the non-breeding season, one individual exhibited increased mobility, moving outside the reserve for three months and utilizing lower-elevation areas up to 5.5 km away. These areas are embedded in a modified landscape, comprising agricultural fields, roads, and human settlements. Together with previous telemetry data from Central America’s quetzal populations, these findings support the occurrence of seasonal migratory behavior in this species, indicating reliance on distinct habitats at different times of the year. Establishing biological corridors could provide safe passage between these habitats, facilitating access to vital foraging and roosting sites while mitigating genetic isolation effects through enhanced connectivity and genetic resilience. Key non-protected sites within the study area, such as Ranchitos del Quetzal and forest patches along the Panimá River basin, offer valuable opportunities for targeted conservation aimed at improving habitat connectivity, safeguarding critical resources, and engaging local communities. Finally, preserving and restoring plant species identified as primary food sources should be prioritized in protected and adjacent areas to ensure adequate nutrition for Quetzals throughout their migratory and breeding cycles.
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spelling doaj-art-df784bcb13ff4d3d954d87e48862b9e62025-08-20T03:50:15ZengUniversidad de San Carlos de GuatemalaCiencia, Tecnología y Salud2409-34592410-63562024-12-0111210.36829/63CTS.v11i2.1865Telemetry Tracking of Two Resplendent Quetzals (Pharomachrus mocinno mocinno) at a mountain area of Baja Verapaz, Guatemala Michelle Bustamante0Bianca BosarreyesManuel Barrios-IzasCentro Universitario de Zacapa Telemetry tracking provides essential insights into avian movements and habitat preferences, aiding the identification of critical resources and conservation areas for endangered species such as the Resplendent Quetzal. In this study, we tracked two radio-tagged Resplendent Quetzals in a mountainous cloud forest region containing national protected areas, private reserves, and indigenous lands. Both individuals primarily remained within the protected Biotopo del Quetzal reserve and nearby areas for approximately five months; however, during the non-breeding season, one individual exhibited increased mobility, moving outside the reserve for three months and utilizing lower-elevation areas up to 5.5 km away. These areas are embedded in a modified landscape, comprising agricultural fields, roads, and human settlements. Together with previous telemetry data from Central America’s quetzal populations, these findings support the occurrence of seasonal migratory behavior in this species, indicating reliance on distinct habitats at different times of the year. Establishing biological corridors could provide safe passage between these habitats, facilitating access to vital foraging and roosting sites while mitigating genetic isolation effects through enhanced connectivity and genetic resilience. Key non-protected sites within the study area, such as Ranchitos del Quetzal and forest patches along the Panimá River basin, offer valuable opportunities for targeted conservation aimed at improving habitat connectivity, safeguarding critical resources, and engaging local communities. Finally, preserving and restoring plant species identified as primary food sources should be prioritized in protected and adjacent areas to ensure adequate nutrition for Quetzals throughout their migratory and breeding cycles. https://revistas.usac.edu.gt/index.php/cytes/article/view/1865Migración aviarconectividad del hábitatbiología de la conservaciónbosque nubosocorredores ecológicos
spellingShingle Michelle Bustamante
Bianca Bosarreyes
Manuel Barrios-Izas
Telemetry Tracking of Two Resplendent Quetzals (Pharomachrus mocinno mocinno) at a mountain area of Baja Verapaz, Guatemala
Ciencia, Tecnología y Salud
Migración aviar
conectividad del hábitat
biología de la conservación
bosque nuboso
corredores ecológicos
title Telemetry Tracking of Two Resplendent Quetzals (Pharomachrus mocinno mocinno) at a mountain area of Baja Verapaz, Guatemala
title_full Telemetry Tracking of Two Resplendent Quetzals (Pharomachrus mocinno mocinno) at a mountain area of Baja Verapaz, Guatemala
title_fullStr Telemetry Tracking of Two Resplendent Quetzals (Pharomachrus mocinno mocinno) at a mountain area of Baja Verapaz, Guatemala
title_full_unstemmed Telemetry Tracking of Two Resplendent Quetzals (Pharomachrus mocinno mocinno) at a mountain area of Baja Verapaz, Guatemala
title_short Telemetry Tracking of Two Resplendent Quetzals (Pharomachrus mocinno mocinno) at a mountain area of Baja Verapaz, Guatemala
title_sort telemetry tracking of two resplendent quetzals pharomachrus mocinno mocinno at a mountain area of baja verapaz guatemala
topic Migración aviar
conectividad del hábitat
biología de la conservación
bosque nuboso
corredores ecológicos
url https://revistas.usac.edu.gt/index.php/cytes/article/view/1865
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