Abstract Forest degradation is a pervasive driver of biodiversity loss that alters not only species composition but also fundamental ecological processes. Among them, vertebrate scavengers play a crucial role in nutrient cycling, organic matter decomposition, and disease regulation, yet remain understudied in Neotropical dry forests. We assess how forest degradation influences scavenger assemblages and carrion removal in the seasonally dry tropical forests of the Tumbesian region, a global hotspot of endemism and conservation concern. We deployed 60 chicken carcasses monitored with camera traps during the dry season (December 2021–February 2022) in southern Ecuador to compare scavenging dynamics across three forest degradation states: Semi-natural, Shrub-dominated, and Arid land. We recorded 13 vertebrate scavenger species (six mammals, six birds, and one reptile), with estimated richness reaching 17 species. Semi-natural forests supported the highest richness and diversity, including species absent from degraded habitats such as the king vulture ( Sarcoramphus papa ) and white-tailed jay ( Cyanocorax mystacalis ). Degraded habitats were dominated by generalist species, particularly the Sechuran fox ( Lycalopex sechurae ), which scavenged nearly half of all carcasses and significantly accelerated carrion removal (GLM, p = 0.02). Carcass persistence was shorter in degraded habitats (1.2–1.8 days) than in Semi-natural forests (3.8 days). Our findings provide the first empirical evidence that forest degradation reshapes vertebrate scavenger dynamics in the Tumbesian dry forests, revealing that carrion removal remained high despite reduced assemblage diversity. However, conserving well-preserved forests is essential to sustain biodiversity and ensure long-term food web stability in one of the world’s most threatened tropical ecosystems.
Orihuela-Torres et al. (2026) studied this question.