Descripción de los nidos del Cocodrilo de pantano Crocodylus moreletii en un paisaje urbanizado en el sureste de México

Laguna de las Ilusiones is an isolated urban lake in the city of Villahermosa, Tabasco in México that retains a population of Morelet´s crocodile (Crocodylus moreletii ). During the years 2007 and 2008 we studied 22 natural nests of this species. Most of the nests (53%) were built with vegetal material (leaf-litter, stems and thin branches). Also, we recorded human waste as part of the materialsfor nest construction. Mean clutch size was 30.4 ± 10. 8 eggs by nest (nests n = 19, eggs n = 578). Mean egg volume is significantly different among nests, an indication of size differences between the nesting females. Physical characteristics of the nests in 2007-2008 were compared with nests found at the same area during 1991-1994. We found that nest diameter, shore distance and clutch size were significantly higher in 2007-2008. Hatching in Laguna de las Ilusiones was low during 2007-2008 (33.9% ± 31.21) compared with other crocodilians. All new born crocodiles in 2007 and 2008 were males. We discuss how the city may affect the nesting of Morelet´s crocodiles, influencing different aspects such as, theuse of new materials for nest construction, increasing the size of the basal area of the nests, or promoting the search for a nesting site away from the shore. We recommend a management of the crocodiles with female reintroduction and artificial incubation in the Laguna de las Ilusiones to facilitate conservation of this population.La Laguna de las Ilusiones es un lago urbano aislado en la ciudad de Villahermosa, Tabasco que mantiene una población de cocodrilo de pantano (Crocodylus moreletii). Durante los años 2007 y 2008 se estudiaron 22 nidos silvestres de esta especie. En la mayoría de los nidos (53%) además de estar construidos con material vegetal (hojas, tallos y ramas delgadas) se registran productos de desechohumano como parte de los materiales para construcción de los nidos, el resto de los nidos está construido como lo descrito en otros trabajos. El tamaño promedio de la nidada es de 30.4 ± 10.8 huevos por nido (nidos n = 19, huevos n = 578). El tamaño y volumen promedio de los huevos es significativamente diferente entre nidos, lo que indica que existen diferencias en los tamaños de las hembras nidificantes. Las características físicas de los nidos en 2007-2008 fueron comparadas con las de otros nidos encontrados en la misma área de estudio en el periodo 1991-1994, encontrando que el diámetro de los nidos, la distancia a la orilla y el tamaño de la nidada son significativamente mayores en 2007-2008. El porcentajede eclosión en 2007-2008 en la Laguna de las Ilusiones es bajo (33.9 ± 31.21) comparado con otras especies de cocodrilianos. El 100% de los neonatos en 2007 y 2008 fueron machos. El efecto de la ciudad posiblemente puede afectar la ecología de la anidación en el cocodrilo de pantano, influyendo en nuevos materiales para la construcción de los nidos, aumentando el tamaño del área basal de los nidos y promoviendo la búsqueda de lugares más alejados de la orilla para la anidación. Debido al fuerte sesgo que existe hacia los machos en los nacimientos, se recomienda un manejo de la de la población de cocodrilos que incluya la reintroducción de hembras e incubación artificial en la Laguna de las Ilusiones que coadyuve a la conservación de esta población en esa área

Richness and trophic guilds of carnivorous mammals in ejido Nuevo Becal, Calakmul, Campeche, Mexico

The prevalent and increasing situations such as the expansion of areas for agricultural use, livestock raising and hunting represent the most complex issues for the conservation of wild species. Mammals of the Order Carnivora are key species in ecosystems because they respond differently to changes in habitat. This study explored the species richness and composition of trophic guilds of the assemblage of the Order Carnivora in an area adjacent to Calakmul Biosphere Reserve, Mexico. From February 2014 to February 2015, 10 stations with camera traps were set within the sub-evergreen tropical forest near water bodies, roads and trails. The structure of the carnivorous assemblage was evaluated through the species richness and trophic guild of species. The recording efficiency of traps was evaluated through the latency to first detection (LTD). A total of 76 photographic records were obtained for eight species of the Order Carnivora, as well as direct observations of three additional species, so the assemblage recorded was composed of 11 species. Four trophic guilds were identified: carnivores (5 species), omnivores (4), insectivores (1), and frugivores (1). The Order consists of two species of large predators (Panthera onca and Puma concolor) and three generalist species (Urocyon cinereoargenteus, Puma yagouaroundi, and Procyon lotor). P. concolor and Leopardus wiedii displayed a low LTD (<140 days-trap). The eleven species recorded represent 26 % of the species of this Order countrywise, and 64 % for the state of Campeche. According to Mexican laws, 55 % of Carnivore species are in a threatened category. The diversity of guilds was similar to other assemblages, particularly for the carnivorous and omnivorous guilds. The diversity observed in the Nuevo Becal region confirms its importance for the conservation of the Order Carnivora, and the relevance of the evaluation of wild population in areas adjacent to large reserves such as Calakmul. Situaciones prevalentes y en aumento como la expansión de áreas para uso agrícola, la ganadería y la cacería representan los mayores problemas para la conservación de especies silvestres fuera de las áreas protegidas. Los mamíferos del Orden Carnivora son importantes en los ecosistemas debido a que responden de manera distinta a cambios en el hábitat. Este estudio se enfoca en conocer la riqueza de especies y composición de gremios tróficos del ensamblaje del Orden Carnivora en un área adyacente a la Reserva de la Biosfera de Calakmul, Campeche, México. Desde febrero de 2014 a febrero de 2015, 10 estaciones con fototrampas fueron establecidas dentro de la selva mediana sub-perennifolia en sitios cercanos a cuerpos de agua, caminos y brechas. La estructura del ensamblaje de carnívoros fue evaluada por medio de la riqueza específica y del gremio trófico de las especies. La eficiencia de las trampas en el registro fue evaluada mediante el cálculo del Tiempo de Latencia para la Primera Detección (LTD). Se obtuvieron 76 registros fotográficos independientes de 8 especies del orden Carnivora, además otras tres especies más fueron avistadas, por lo que en total fueron 11 especies. Los gremios tróficos fueron cuatro: carnívoros (5 spp.), omnívoro (4 spp.), insectívoro (1sp.), y frugívoro (1sp.). El Orden estuvo integrado por dos especies de depredadores de talla grande (Panthera onca y Puma concolor) y tres especies de hábitos generalistas (Urocyon cinereoargenteus, Puma yagouaroundi y Procyon lotor). Los valores de LTD para el registro de P. concolor y Leopardus wiedii fueron los más bajos (<140 días-trampa). Las 11 especies registradas representan el 26 % de las especies de este orden a nivel nacional y el 64 % para el estado de Campeche. La diversidad de gremios fue similar a otros ensamblajes, particularmente para el gremio carnívoro y omnívoro. El 55 % de las especies se encuentra en alguna categoría de riesgo según la legislación mexicana. Esta diversidad en el ejido Nuevo Becal confirma su importancia para la conservación del orden Carnivora y la importancia de la evaluación de las poblaciones silvestres en áreas adyacentes a grandes reservas como la de Calakmul. Key words: Calakmul; camera traps; carnivore; communal areas; conservation

Primer registro de la comadreja (Mustela frenata) en el estado de Campeche, México

In this paper, we report three different records of the long tail weasel (Mustela frenata) using camera traps in the western portion of Campeche; thus confirming the presence of the species in this Mexican state

Activity patterns of tayra (Eira barbara) across their distribution

Species' activity patterns are driven by the need to meet basic requirements of food, social interactions, movement, and rest, but often are influenced by a variety of biotic and abiotic factors. We used camera-trap data to describe and compare the activity patterns of the relatively poorly studied tayra (Eira barbara) across 10 populations distributed from the south of Mexico to the north of Argentina, and attempted to identify biotic or abiotic factors that may be associated with variation in level of diurnality. In a subset of sites we also aimed to document potential seasonal variation in activity. We used a kernel density estimator based on the time of independent photographic events to calculate the proportion of diurnal, crepuscular, and nocturnal activity of each population. Tayras were mostly active during diurnal periods (79.31%, 759 records), with a lower proportion of crepuscular activity (18.07%, 173 records) yet we documented some variation in patterns across the 10 study areas (activity overlap coefficient varied from Δ4 = 0.64 to Δ1 = 0.95). In northern localities, activity peaked twice during the day (bimodal) with most activity ocurring in the morning, whereas closer to the geographical equator, activity was constant (unimodal) throughout the day, peaking at midday: activity either was unimodal or bimodal in southern localities. Despite investigating multiple potential abiotic and biotic predictors, only latitude was associated with variation in the proportion of diurnal activity by tayras across its range, with increased diurnal activity closer to the equator. Seasonal comparisons in activity showed a tendency to reduce diurnality in dry versus rainy seasons, but the pattern was not consistently significant. This is the most comprehensive description of tayra activity patterns to date, and lends novel insight into the potential flexibility of the species to adapt to local conditions.Fil: Villafañe Trujillo, Álvaro José. Universidad Autonoma de Queretaro.; MéxicoFil: Kolowski, Joseph M.. Instituto de Pesquisas Ecológicas; BrasilFil: Cove, Michael V.. University of Belize; BeliceFil: Medici, Emilia Patricia. Instituto de Pesquisas Ecológicas; BrasilFil: Harmsen, Bart J.. University of Belize; BeliceFil: Foster, Rebbeca J.. University of Belize; BeliceFil: Hidalgo Mihart, Mircea G.. Universidad Juárez Autónoma de Tabasco,; MéxicoFil: Espinosa, Santiago. Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí; MéxicoFil: Ríos Alvear, Gorky. Universidad de Porto; PortugalFil: Reyes Puig, Carolina. Universidad de Porto; PortugalFil: Reyes Puig, Juan Pablo. Universidad de Porto; PortugalFil: Da Silva, Marina Xavier. Universidad Central del Ecuador; EcuadorFil: Paviolo, Agustin Javier. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Instituto de Biología Subtropical. Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Instituto de Biología Subtropical; ArgentinaFil: Cruz, Paula Andrea. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Instituto de Biología Subtropical. Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Instituto de Biología Subtropical; ArgentinaFil: López González, Carlos Alberto. Universidad Autonoma de Queretaro.; Méxic

Leishmania (L.) mexicana infected bats in Mexico: novel potential reservoirs

Leishmania (Leishmania) mexicana causes cutaneous leishmaniasis, an endemic zoonosis affecting a growing number of patients in the southeastern states of Mexico. Some foci are found in shade-grown cocoa and coffee plantations, or near perennial forests that provide rich breeding grounds for the sand fly vectors, but also harbor a variety of bat species that live off the abundant fruits provided by these shade-giving trees. The close proximity between sand flies and bats makes their interaction feasible, yet bats infected with Leishmania (L.) mexicana have not been reported. Here we analyzed 420 bats from six states of Mexico that had reported patients with leishmaniasis. Tissues of bats, including skin, heart, liver and/or spleen were screened by PCR for Leishmania (L.) mexicana DNA. We found that 41 bats (9.77%), belonging to 13 species, showed positive PCR results in various tissues. The infected tissues showed no evidence of macroscopic lesions. Of the infected bats, 12 species were frugivorous, insectivorous or nectarivorous, and only one species was sanguivorous (Desmodus rotundus), and most of them belonged to the family Phyllostomidae. The eco-region where most of the infected bats were caught is the Gulf Coastal Plain of Chiapas and Tabasco. Through experimental infections of two Tadarida brasiliensis bats in captivity, we show that this species can harbor viable, infective Leishmania (L.) mexicana parasites that are capable of infecting BALB/c mice. We conclude that various species of bats belonging to the family Phyllostomidae are possible reservoir hosts for Leishmania (L.) mexicana, if it can be shown that such bats are infective for the sand fly vector. Further studies are needed to determine how these bats become infected, how long the parasite remains viable inside these potential hosts and whether they are infective to sand flies to fully evaluate their impact on disease epidemiology

Registro de pecarí de labios blancos (Tayassu pecari) en la región de la laguna de Términos, Campeche, México White lipped pecaries (Tayassu pecari) recorded in the area of Términos Lagoon Campeche, México

Se registró fotográficamente al menos un grupo de pecaries de labios blancos (Tayassu pecari) en la Selva La Montaña, al suroeste del área de Protección de Flora y Fauna Silvestre Laguna de Términos, Campeche, México. El registro se realizó utilizando trampas cámara. La presencia de esta especie muestra la importancia que tiene la región Selva La Montaña para la conservación de la biodiversidad, especialmente para las especies protegidas.We report at least one group of white lipped peccaries (Tayassu pecari) in Selva La Montaña located in the southwestern portion of the Términos Lagoon Flora and Fauna Protection Area, Campeche, Mexico. The record was obtained using camera traps. The presence of this species in the area shows the importance of the region for biodiversity conservation, particularly for protected species

La importancia de Palenque, Chiapas, para la conservación de los murciélagos de México The importance of Palenque, Chiapas, for the conservation of Mexican bats

La fauna de murciélagos de Chiapas, una de las más estudiadas del país, representa cerca del 77% de las especies registradas para México. Sin embargo, se ha prestado poca atención a los murciélagos de la región selva-norte, área convergente entre la Planicie del Golfo, la Sierra Chiapaneca y la porción más norteña de la Selva Lacandona. Con el objetivo de complementar el listado de las especies de la Región Selva Norte, entre febrero de 2008 y mayo de 2010 se capturaron murciélagos en 130 sitios mediante redes de niebla en Palenque, Chiapas. Los muestreos se realizaron en el continuo de vegetación del Parque Nacional Palenque (PNP) y en fragmentos aislados de vegetación en diferente grado de sucesión, así como en cercas vivas, corredores riparios y pastizales inducidos, localizados desde 1 hasta 14 kilómetros al norte del Parque. Con un esfuerzo de muestreo de 432 m-red/noche, en 130 noches se registraron 52 especies de murciélagos; 10 catalogadas como especies hábitat-dependientes, 26 vulnerables a la fragmentación y 16 tolerables a la fragmentación. Entre las especies registradas se encuentran Noctilio leporinus, Mimon crenulatum, Chiroderma salvini, Myotis californicus, M. elegans, Rhogeessa tumida, Molosus rufus y M. sinaloae que no se habían registrado previamente en la zona. Los resultados de este trabajo muestran que la diversidad de murciélagos encontrada en Palenque representa el 42% de la fauna de quirópteros mexicanos, por lo que el PNP y su periferia deben considerarse como área focal para la conservación de este grupo de mamíferos.<br>The bat fauna of Chiapas, is one of the most studied of Mexico, and representing about 77% of the bat species reported to the country. Although, low attention have received the bats from the Selva-Norte region (located in the Plains of the Gulf of Mexico, the Chiapas Mountains and the northern portion of Lacandona). With the objective of obtain a comprehensive list of the bat species of this region, we captured bats in 130 sites using mist-nets in Palenque Chiapas from February 2008 to May 2010. Capture sites were located in the large patch of natural vegetation that included the Palenque National Park (PNP), as well as isolated fragments of vegetation in different succession stages, live fences, riparian corridors and induced grasslands, located 1 to 14 kilometers north to the Park. With a sampling effort of 432 mist net hours/night, we recorded 52 bat species (10 species classified as habitat-dependent, 26 vulnerable to fragmentation and 16 fragmentation tolerant). Some of the not previously recorded in the Palenque area were Noctilio leporinus, Mimon crenulatum, Chiroderma salvini, Myotis californicus, M. elegans, Rhogeessa tumida, Molosus rufus and M. sinaloae. Results of this study show that the bat diversity found in Palenque, represents 42% of the Mexican bat fauna, making the PNP and its periphery, as an important area for the conservation of this mammalian group

Conservation implications for jaguars and other neotropical mammals using highway underpasses.

The Nuevo Xcan-Playa del Carmen highway in Quintana Roo, bisects the vegetation corridor connecting two Jaguar Conservation Units (JCUs): Yum Balaam (north) and Sian Ka´an (south). The project´s main goal was to describe differential use of available crossing structures (wildlife underpasses and culverts) by mammals present along this highway. We set 28 camera traps along the 54km stretch of the highway covering wildlife underpasses (10), and culverts such as box culverts (9) and pipes (9) from September 2016 until March 2017. A total of 24 jaguar crossings have been recorded exclusively using wildlife underpasses, including four males and two females. At least 18 other mammal species including five of the target priority species (protected by Mexican law) were documented, all of which were native except for two invasive species. In terms of species using the crossing structures, we identified 13 species using wildlife underpasses, nine using concrete box culverts and 10 using concrete pipes. Wildlife underpasses show higher diversity values (Shannon´s exponential index = 5.8 and Inverse Simpson´s index = 4.66) compared to culverts because they allow bigger species to cross. We recommend more highways along the jaguar´s distribution should develop mitigation measures to allow for wildlife connectivity. Wildlife underpasses, along with retrofitted culverts, could help secure not only the permanence of this species by facilitating the functional connectivity between populations but have positive impacts on other neotropical mammalian fauna as well

Registros de zopilote rey (Sarcoramphus papa) en el área de Laguna de Términos, Campeche, México

Reportamos la presencia de dos individuos juveniles de zopilote rey, Sarcoramphus papa, en la Selva La Montaña localizada al suroeste del Área de Protección de Flora y Fauna Silvestre Laguna de Términos, Campeche, México. Realizamos el registro por medio de fotografías utilizando cámaras trampa. La presencia de esta especie protegida en el área evidencia la importancia que tiene la región de la Selva La Montaña para la conservación de la biodiversidad, especialmente para especies en peligro de extinción