Data from: Factors influencing ocelot occupancy in Brazilian Atlantic Forest reserves

Over 80% of the remnant Atlantic Forest patches are < 50 ha and protected areas are embedded in a matrix dominated by human activities, which undermines the long-term persistence of carnivores. The ocelot (Leopardus pardalis) is an opportunistic species, but little is known about its tolerance to habitat alteration and the influence of other species on ocelot occupancy in Atlantic Forest remnants. We used camera traps to assess ocelot occupancy and detection in protected areas of Atlantic Forest in southeastern Brazil. We found a strong, positive relationship between ocelot occupancy and the occupancy of top predators (jaguars, Panthera onca and pumas, Puma concolor), and a weaker negative effect of the number of domestic dogs (Canis familiaris) detected on ocelot occupancy. Ocelot detection was higher at sites with more eucalyptus, suggesting that ocelots may use these areas more frequently. Better-protected areas, surrounded by permeable matrices, such as those associated with silviculture, may be critical to the persistence of ocelots in the current degraded scenario of the Atlantic Forest.