Registro actual del jaguar Panthera onca (Carnivora: Felidae) en el Parque Nacional Cumbres de Monterrey, Nuevo León, México

ResumenPresentamos los primeros registros de jaguar Panthera onca (Carnivora: Felidae) para el Parque Nacional Cumbres de Monterrey, Nuevo León, México. Entre los años 2013 a 2015 se colocaron cámaras trampa en los bosques templados del parque. Se obtuvieron 15 fotografías y 7 vídeos de varios individuos de la especie, que evidencian la presencia de una población dentro del parque nacional y que representa la población residente de jaguares más al norte de su área de distribución, por la vertiente del golfo de México. Por esta razón resulta necesario fortalecer acciones de protección ambiental para asegurar la conservación de esta población como: promover el pago de servicios ambientales, implementar el pago del seguro ganadero, capacitar a comités de vigilancia comunitarios y atender las denuncias sobre conflictos por depredación de ganado doméstico en esta área.AbstractWe present the first records of jaguar (Panthera onca) in Cumbres de Monterrey National Park, Nuevo León, Mexico. We placed remote cameras between 2013 and 2015 in oak forest habitats of the Park and obtained 15 pictures and 7 videos of 4 different individuals of the species. Our results constitute the first evidence of a resident population of jaguars in this protected area and the northernmost population of the species along the Gulf of Mexico. Strenthenging of conservation measures such as environmental services compensation, livestock compensation programs, conflict management and law enforcement are needed to protect this jaguar population

Preference indices for shrubs browsed by white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in northeastern Mexico

The Texas white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus texanus) is a selective and opportunistic ruminant that can consume over 100 plant species in its diet throughout the year. However, the white-tailed deer’s diet is made up of less than 10 species, mainly shrub species, in southern Texas and northeastern Mexico. The objectives of the study were to compare dry matter-based consumption and the shrub selectivity index for white-tailed deer and to study the relationships between some physical and chemical characteristics of shrubs that may affect consumption. A total of four white-tailed deer were involved. Shrub branches were offered for 15 minutes. Leucaena leucocephala, Acacia farnesiana and Acacia rigidula were the most consumed species; furthermore, a negative relationship between iron content and consumption rate, and a negative relationship between consumption and stem percentage were found

Interacciones temporales y espaciales de mesocarnívoros simpátricos en una Reserva de la Biosfera: ¿coexistencia o competencia?

Abstract: Temporal and spatial interactions of sympatric mesocarnivores at a Biosphere Reserve: coexistence or competition? Interspecific interactions among tropical mesocarnivorous species and other mammalian trophic guilds have been poorly studied, despite they have important implications in the survival, structure, demography, and distribution of these species. In this study we analyzed spatio-temporal interactions of three sympatric mesocarnivores that are located in the Northeastern limit of their geographic distribution in Mexico, with the objective of analyzing if these species coexist or compete in the axis of the temporal and spatial niche. With a sampling period from January 2015 to December 2016 and 26 camera-trapping stations (with in a set of two camera traps opposite to each other) and located along roads and animal trails, we determined the activity pattern and habitat use of L. wiedii (margay), L. pardalis (ocelote) y P. yagouaroundi (yaguarundi). All independent photographs of each species were grouped into three temporal categories (day, night and twilight) and six habitat categories; Oak Forest, Oak-Pine Forest, Cloud Forest, Pine-Oak Forest, Tropical Deciduous Forest and Medium Forest. Temporal and spatial overlap between species (i.e. interactions) was obtained with the Czekanowski index and the Pianka index, respectively. These indices are symmetrical and take values from zero to one, where the results close to zero indicate that there is no overlap between species and values close to one indicate overlap. We obtained a total of 379 independent photographs, of which 239 corresponded to margay, 118 to ocelot and 22 to yaguarundi. Margay and ocelot were nocturnal, with 75 % of their records in this category showing a high temporal overlap (0.85); whereas yaguarundi was fully diurnal, suggesting it may be able to coexist with the other two species (margay and ocelot). Moreover, the yaguarundi used habitat similar to ocelot and margay (with high spatial overlap of 0.81 and 0.72, respectively), while the spatial overlap between the margay and ocelot was intermediate (0.53), since they used in most cases different habitat types. Our results suggest that there is no interspecific competition among these tropical mesocarnivorous species, probably due to antagonistic interactions among them on the temporal and spatial axis. These strategies may positively favor populations of mesocarnivores, which are characterized by having a high territorial behavior. Rev. Biol. Trop. 66(3): 996-1008. Epub 2018 September 01. Key words: “El Cielo” Biosphere Reserve; Tamaulipas; Mexico; tropical felines; interespecific interaction

Programa piloto de ciencia ciudadana en México para vigilancia pasiva de triatominos y concientizar sobre la enfermedad de Chagas

Objective. To generate data about Chagas disease vectors through passive surveillance and inform the public using social media and community science. Materials and methods. We used social media to inform, raise awareness and to promote the public to report their triatomine encounters. We received pictures and specimens collected to be tested for Trypanosoma cruzi and to identify recent bloodmeal source through PCR. Results. Community scientists reported 44 triatomines from 15 states in Mexico and one triatomine from Nicaragua, including 9 species with Triatoma dimidiata sensu lato and T. gerstaeckeri being the most common. We received 12 collected specimens and T. cruzi was detected in 8 (67%) of the discrete typing unit TcI. We identified recent bloodmeal source in 6 triatomines including: human (Homo sapiens), dog (Canis lupus familiaris), wood rat (Neotoma sp.), dove (Columbidae) and amphibius (Bufonidae). Conclusion. The use of community science can be a complementary method to generate information about the ecology and epidemiology of Chagas disease vectors.Objetivo. Generar datos sobre vectores de la enfermedad de Chagas (EC) mediante vigilancia pasiva e informar a la población mediante redes sociales y ciencia ciudadana. Material y métodos. Utilizando redes sociales informamos, concientizamos y alentamos al público a reportarnos sus encuentros con triatominos. Recibimos reportes fotográficos y especímenes colectados a los que analizamos para detectar infección por Trypanosoma cruzi e identificar la fuente reciente de alimentación mediante PCR. Resultados. Nos reportaron 44 triatominos de 15 estados en México y uno de Nicaragua, incluyendo 9 especies siendo Triatoma dimidiata sensu lato y T. gerstaeckeri las más comunes. Recibimos 12 especímenes colectados y encontramos T. cruzi en 8 (67%) de la unidad taxonómica discreta TcI. Identificamos fuente reciente de alimentación en 6 triatominos incluyendo: humano (Homo sapiens), perro (Canis lupus familiaris), rata de campo (Neotoma sp.), paloma (Columbidae) y anfibio (Bufonidae). Conclusión. Ciencia ciudadana puede ser un método complementario para generar información sobre ecología y epidemiología de EC

Temporal and spatial segregation of top predators (Felidae) in a Mexican tropical Biosphere Reserve

Jaguars, Panthera onca (Linnaeus, 1758), and pumas, Puma concolor (Linnaeus, 1771) are the largest felids in the neotropics. Both can overlap in niche axes (time, space and prey), and are therefore potentially competing species. Segregation mechanisms presented by a low overlap in one of these axes of niche can facilitate the coexistence. Our aim was to analyze jaguar and puma temporal and spatial overlap for understanding their segregation mechanisms. Between 2015 and 2017, twenty-six camera trap stations were located in five habitat types of El Cielo Biosphere Reserve (ECBR) in northeastern Mexico. Temporal activity was analyzed using circular statistics and time overlap analysis. Spatial overlap was calculated with the Pianka index and a selectivity habitat analysis. Our results showed that jaguars and pumas were nocturnal and that the temporal overlap was high (∆4 = 0.77). We found an intermediate spatial overlap (Pianka index = 0.61). Jaguars were more selective and preferred the deciduous forest. In comparison, pumas preferred oak-pine forest, but also used oak and deciduous forest. Our results indicate that spatial segregation best explains the coexistence of jaguars and pumas in our study area, probably due to both habitat diversity in the reserve and the generalist habits of the puma

Primer reporte del agente zoonótico anaplasma phagocytophilum en garrapatas dermacentor sp colectadas de ursus americanus en Monterrey

En las enfermedades que son transmitidas por garrapatas el agente etiológico Anaplasma phagocytophilum es el causante de la enfermedad conocida como Anaplasmosis granulocítica humana. En la ciudad de Monterrey la interacción en épocas de sequía que realiza el oso negro (ursus americanus eremicus) que es habitante endémico de la sierra madre oriental donde también existen áreas urbanizadas, algunas de estos animales incluso han tenido contacto directo con humanos y perros dando lugar a posibles interacciones de vectores. En nuestro país no se tienen reportes de microorganismos en especies silvestres. La presencia de agentes patógenos en vectores que pueden parasitar especies domesticas y/o humanas debe de ser de reporte obligatorio debido a la importancia en identificar los hospederos intermediarios y centinelas para determinar su ciclo silvestre y peridoméstico en esta zona geográfic