Registros destacados de Spilogale angustifrons en la Reserva de la Biosfera Calakmul

Spilogale angustifrons has a wide distribution in southeastern Mexico, however, knowledge is scarce for the Calakmul region. New spotted records are reported S. angustifrons in the Calakmul region, Campeche, Mexico. With a cumulative effort of 9000 trap-nights, 18 photographs of southern spotted skunks corresponding to 15 independent events were obtained at four photo-trapping stations in the Calakmul region. At the photo-trapping stations, four photographic events were recorded in which solitary male individuals were observed, but it was not possible to identify whether the records correspond to one or more individuals. The few records of S. angustifrons in the Yucatan Peninsula may be due to the lack of mastozoological surveys in the region. The records reported in this note provide knowledge on the distribution, habitat, use of artificial watering places and interspecific relationships of S. angustifrons. Being a carnivore, it is likely that the ecological role of S. angustifrons in the Calakmul region is relevant, however the population and ecological aspects of the species are unknown, so it is necessary to conduct studies focused on the status of the populations of S. angustifrons.Spilogale angustifrons cuenta con una amplia distribución en el sureste de México, sin embargo, para la región de Calakmul el conocimiento es escaso. Se reportan nuevos registros de S. angustifrons en la región de Calakmul, Campeche, México. Con un esfuerzo acumulado de 9000 noches-trampa, se obtuvieron 18 fotografías de S. angustifrons que corresponden a 15 eventos independientes, en cuatro estaciones de fototrampeo colocadas en la región de Calakmul. En las estaciones de fototrampeo se registraron cuatro eventos fotográficos en los que se observan a individuos machos, solitarios, pero no fue posible identificar si los registros corresponden a uno o más individuos. Los pocos registros de S. angustifrons en la Península de Yucatán puede deberse a la falta de prospecciones mastozoológicas en la región. Los registros reportados en esta nota, aportan conocimiento sobre la distribución, hábitat, uso de bebederos artificiales y relaciones interespecíficas de S. angustifrons. Al ser un carnívoro es probable que el papel ecológico de S. angustifrons en la región de Calakmul sea relevante, sin embargo los aspectos poblacionales y ecológicos de la especie se desconocen, por lo que es necesario realizar estudios enfocados a conocer el estado de las poblaciones de S. angustifron

The Tree Biodiversity Network (BIOTREE-NET): prospects for biodiversity research and conservation in the Neotropics

Biodiversity research and conservation efforts in the tropics are hindered by the lack of knowledge of the assemblages found there, with many species undescribed or poorly known. Our initiative, the Tree Biodiversity Network (BIOTREE-NET), aims to address this problem by assembling georeferenced data from a wide range of sources, making these data easily accessible and easily queried, and promoting data sharing. The database (GIVD ID NA-00-002) currently comprises ca. 50,000 tree records of ca. 5,000 species (230 in the IUCN Red List) from \u3e2,000 forest plots in 11 countries. The focus is on trees because of their pivotal role in tropical forest ecosystems (which contain most of the world\u27s biodiversity) in terms of ecosystem function, carbon storage and effects on other species. BIOTREE-NET currently focuses on southern Mexico and Central America, but we aim to expand coverage to other parts of tropical America. The database is relational, comprising 12 linked data tables. We summarise its structure and contents. Key tables contain data on forest plots (including size, location and date(s) sampled), individual trees (including diameter, when available, and both recorded and standardised species name), species (including biological traits of each species) and the researchers who collected the data. Many types of queries are facilitated and species distribution modelling is enabled. Examining the data in BIOTREE-NET to date, we found an uneven distribution of data in space and across biomes, reflecting the general state of knowledge of the tropics. More than 90% of the data were collected since 1990 and plot size varies widely, but with most less than one hectare in size. A wide range of minimum sizes is used to define a \u27tree\u27. The database helps to identify gaps that need filling by further data collection and collation. The data can be publicly accessed through a web application at http://portal.biotreenet.com. Researchers are invited and encouraged to contribute data to BIOTREE-NET

La Red Internacional de Inventarios Forestales (BIOTREE-NET) en Mesoamérica: avances, retos y perspectivas futuras

Conservation efforts in Neotropical regions are often hindered by lack of data, since for many species there is a vacuum of information, and many species have not even been described yet. The International Network of Forest Inventory Plots (BIOTREE-NET) gathers and facilitates access to tree data from forest inventory plots in Mesoamerica, while encouraging data exchange between researchers, managers and conservationists. The information is organised and standardised into a single database that includes spatially explicit data. This article describes the scope and objectives of the network, its progress, and the challenges and future perspectives. The database includes above 50000 tree records of over 5000 species from more than 2000 plots distributed from southern Mexico through to Panama. Information is heterogeneous, both in nature and shape, as well as in the geographical coverage of inventory plots. The database has a relational structure, with 12 inter-connected tables that include information about plots, species names, dbh, and functional attributes of trees. A new system that corrects typographical errors and achieves taxonomic and nomenclatural standardization was developed using The Plant List (http://theplantlist.org/) as reference. Species distribution models have been computed for around 1700 species using different methods, and they will be publicly accessible through the web site in the future (http://portal.biotreenet.com). Although BIOTREE-NET has contributed to the development of improved species distribution models, its main potential lies, in our opinion, in studies at the community level. Finally, we emphasise the need to expand the network and encourage researchers willing to share data and to join the network and contribute to the generation of further knowledge about forest biodiversity in Neotropical regions

Registros recientes de Neogale frenata (Carnivora: Mustelidae) mediante fototrampeo en Campeche, México

In Mexico Neogale frenata is distributed throughout most of the country, however, the species has been little studied and the information on its natural history is relatively scarce. We report new records of N. frenata obtained by photo-trapping in the Calakmul region, which constitute the second formal record of this mammal for the state of Campeche and the first for the region. Which brings the total records for this species to 7 in the state.En México Neogale frenata se distribuye en casi todo el pais, sin embargo, la especie ha sido poco estudiada y la información sobre su historia natural es relativamente escasa. Reportamos cuatro nuevos registros de N. frenata obtenidos mediante fototrampeo en la región de Calakmul. En esta nota se reporta el segundo registro formal de este mamífero para el estado de Campeche y el primero para la región, lo que eleva el total de registros para esta especie a 7 en el estado. &nbsp