Serra da Capivara National Park

World Heritage Research

Discover scientific research and academic studies that deepen our understanding of Serra da Capivara National Park from its history and significance to its conservation, management, and contemporary challenges.

• The Construction of Pedagogies on Femininities: Scenes in Prehistoric Rock Art in Serra da Capivara National Park in São Raimundo Nonato, Piauí, Brazil

  Prehistoric rock art in Serra da Capivara National Park, Brazil, reveals nuanced representations of femininity that challenge traditional interpretations. A cultural history approach applied to two key images—one depicting a monogamous sex scene and another potentially representing childbirth or polyandry—highlights the influence of feminist and gender research on understanding these ancient visual narratives. The study suggests that phallic and vulvar imagery, previously interpreted through Western lenses, may reflect complex social dynamics in prehistoric societies.

  Franco, R. F. L. L., & Maio, E. R. (2026). THE CONSTRUCTION OF PEDAGOGIES ON FEMININITIES: SCENES IN PREHISTORIC ROCK ART IN SERRA DA CAPIVARA NATIONAL PARK IN SÃO RAIMUNDO NONATO, PIAUÍ, BRAZIL. School, Culture, and Society - 1st Edition, 107–125. https://doi.org/10.63330/aurumpub.032-009

  View Publication Record | Read Publication

• Anuran Assemblage Structure in the Serra Da Capivara National Park, Piauí State, North‐Eastern Brazil

  Research on the anuran assemblage of Serra da Capivara National Park, Brazil, reveals that while these species do not exhibit spatial or trophic niche partitioning, their habitat preferences are strongly influenced by phylogenetic history. The study analyzed microhabitat use and diet data from 551 individuals across 16 species, employing null models to assess niche dimensions. Findings suggest that spatial patterns in resource use are constrained by evolutionary factors, whereas dietary patterns reflect local ecological adaptability. This dual influence highlights the complex organization of anuran communities in semiarid environments, offering insights into species coexistence mechanisms.

  Rodrigues, N. L. A., Araújo, K. d. C., Gonçalves‐Sousa, J. G., Andrade, E. B. d., & Solé, M. (2026). Anuran Assemblage Structure in the Serra Da Capivara National Park, Piauí State, North‐Eastern Brazil. Austral Ecology, 51(4). Portico. https://doi.org/10.1111/aec.70220

  View Publication Record | Read Publication

• Eating on the Rock Paintings: Diet Composition of Leptodactylus syphax Bokermann, 1969 in the Serra da Capivara National Park, Brazil

  A new study reveals that the frog species Leptodactylus syphax in Brazil's Serra da Capivara National Park is a generalist and opportunistic predator, with no significant dietary differences between males and females. Researchers analyzed stomach contents of 16 individuals during the rainy season (January–May 2024), identifying 212 prey items across 16 categories, including Blattaria, Coleoptera, and Hymenoptera (Formicidae) as dominant. Plant fragments were also detected in nine individuals, suggesting a varied diet. The study highlights this species' active foraging strategy and contributes to the limited knowledge of leptodactylid feeding habits.

  Douglas Henrique de Sousa Oliveira, França, D. E., Assunção Rodrigues, N. L., Ferreira, J. L. P., de Castro Araújo, K., Vinícius de Mira-Mendes, C., Solé, M., & Barroso de Andrade, E. (2026). Eating on the Rock Paintings: Diet Composition of Leptodactylus syphax Bokermann, 1969 in the Serra da Capivara National Park, Brazil. Biology Bulletin, 53(4). https://doi.org/10.1134/s106235902561482x

  View Publication Record | Read Publication

• Assessing the effect of local heterogeneity on anuran diversity in the Serra da Capivara National Park, Piauí State, Brazil

  Local habitat heterogeneity does not significantly influence anuran species richness but plays a crucial role in supporting higher abundance and stability of frog populations in the Caatinga biome. Researchers recorded 16 anuran species across five families within Serra da Capivara National Park, Brazil, most of which are endemic or widespread taxa. The study highlights that while species diversity remains consistent, heterogeneous environments enhance population stability, offering key insights for conservation strategies. This research updates the park's anuran checklist and provides evidence for the importance of habitat diversity in maintaining healthy amphibian communities.

  Araújo, K. d. C., Assunção, N. L. R., Solé, M., & de Andrade, E. B. (2025). Assessing the effect of local heterogeneity on anuran diversity in the Serra da Capivara National Park, Piauí State, Brazil. ZooKeys, 1236, 233–248. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1236.138858

  View Publication Record | Read Publication

• Environmental perceptions in rock art: the Serra da Capivara and Serra das Confusões national parks, Brazil

  Rock art in Brazil's Serra da Capivara and Serra das Confusões National Parks reveals ancient environmental perceptions, suggesting a wetter climate 20-25 thousand years ago. The study, using Landscape Archaeology, interprets phytomorphic and zoomorphic representations—like the Blastocerus dichotomus—as paleoenvironmental indicators. It also contributes to the debate on the peopling of the Americas, particularly at Toca do Boqueirão da Pedra Furada, while contrasting Western scientific perspectives with indigenous views that see petroglyphs as containing hidden languages.

  Justamand, M., Almeida, V. J. R. d., Queiroz, A. N. d., Carvalho, O. A. d., Oliveira, G. F. d., Buco, C. d. A., Balbino, A. C. A., Oliveira, M. F. d., Paiva, L., Maton, C. M., Luz, G. N., Soares, F. d. S., Nolêto, J. R. A., Caldeiras, A. C. S., Oliveira, G. P. R. d., Xavante, M. B. S., Funari, P. P. A., Fontes, M. A. F., Cotes, M., et al. (2025). Environmental perceptions in rock art: the Serra da Capivara and Serra das Confusões national parks, Brazil. Observatório de La Economía Latinoamericana, 23(12), e12501. https://doi.org/10.55905/oelv23n12-024

  View Publication Record | Read Publication

• Social tolerance and success-biased social learning underlie the cultural transmission of an induced extractive foraging tradition in a wild tool-using primate

  Researchers demonstrate that social tolerance and success-biased social learning are critical for the cultural transmission of extractive foraging traditions in wild bearded capuchins (Sapajus libidinosus) within Serra da Capivara National Park. The study, using social network analysis and an open diffusion experiment with an induced foraging task, found that while general social tolerance facilitated opportunities for learning, tolerance during task introductions directly influenced the pathways of information diffusion. Capuchins primarily learned through direct observation, showing a bias toward successful males, supporting evidence for cultural transmission in these tool-using primates. These findings highlight the role of social dynamics and learning strategies in both human and nonhuman primate cultural evolution.

  Coelho, C. G., Garcia-Nisa, I., Ottoni, E. B., & Kendal, R. L. (2024). Social tolerance and success-biased social learning underlie the cultural transmission of an induced extractive foraging tradition in a wild tool-using primate. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 121(48). https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2322884121

  View Publication Record | Read Publication

• What does caring HRD look like in practice? A case study of two social enterprises in Brazil

  Caring Human Resource Development (HRD) in practice involves a reciprocal, systemic approach that integrates moral values into an organization's mission, culture, and processes. This study, conducted through qualitative interviews and documentation analysis of two social enterprises near Serra da Capivara National Park, Brazil, reveals that such an approach is particularly relevant for organizations operating in complex, collaborative social contexts. Unlike previous research focusing solely on leaders' behaviors towards employees, this work expands the scope of care interventions to encompass the entire organizational system, including its environment and surrounding community. The findings underscore the importance of ethical care as a guiding normative for HRD, offering practical strategies that address societal challenges such as inequality, systemic racism, and environmental degradation.

  Rodriguez, A. C., Lobo, D., Ardichvili, A. A., & Pereira de Castro Casa Nova, S. (2023). What does caring HRD look like in practice? A case study of two social enterprises in Brazil. Human Resource Development International, 26(5), 500–520. https://doi.org/10.1080/13678868.2022.2160886

  View Publication Record | Read Publication