Predators of artificial nests in Cerrado remnants: An edge-interior analysis

Understanding how habitat fragmentation affects trophic interactions is essential for guiding conservation strategies. However, studies on edge effects in nest predation are more common in temperate regions, with limited information available for tropical biomes such as the Cerrado. Here, we used artificial nests combined with camera traps to evaluate nest predation along an edge (25 m)–interior (100 m) gradient in 12 forest fragments embedded within an agricultural matrix in the Brazilian Cerrado. We tested whether predation dynamics differed between edge and interior habitats in terms of predation rates, time to predation, and predator assemblages, and whether these patterns varied seasonally. We recorded a diverse assemblage of avian and mammalian predators, with mammals accounting for most predation events. Rarefaction analyses showed that predator richness stabilized in fragment interiors but not at edges. Predator richness and overall predation rates did not differ between edge and interior habitats. Habitat position, vegetation quality, and season did not explain variation in time to predation. Predation was dominated by a few generalist species particularly Sapajus libidinosus , Cyanocorax cyanopogon , and Didelphis albiventris with some seasonal turnover in species composition. Capuchin monkeys were the main nest predators in interior habitats during the dry season. At the spatial scale evaluated, nest predation dynamics did not differ between edge and interior habitats.