Potential distribution of the ocelot (Leopardus pardalis) in Northeastern Mexico

Abstract

Introduction: The ocelot ( Leopardus pardalis ) is a Neotropical cat which is threatened by illegal hunt and habitat destruction in the Mexican territory. Mexican and American authorities are interested in promoting their conservation. The MaxEnt algorithm allows modeling the potential distribution of elusive species, for instance, the ocelot. This has been based on trustable presence records and some other information about the habitat condition. This work was developed with the aim of generating important information about the species in Northeastern Mexico, especially, with the purpose of determining its potential distribution. Methods : Our study was conducted in six physiographic subprovinces (PSP) in the Mexican states of Tamaulipas and San Luis Potosi. Sixty-trhee recent records about the ocelot were obtained, 41 through literature and 22 from field surveys , between May 2006 to May 2009. In order to develop a prediction model which let us know the animal potential distribution, twenty-seven bioclimatic, topographic, vegetation and anthropic variables were used through the MaxEnt software. Results: The model AUC was of 0.8221±0.009. The most related variables about the ocelot presence were: precipitation of wettest month and quarter, human population density, terrain elevation, vegetation type, vegetation cover and distance to roads. The potential distribution area covers 20.8% of the study area. The PSP showing the highest potential distribution were: Llanuras y Lomerios (7.4%), Carso Huasteco (4.8%), Gran Sierra Plegada (4.5%), and Sierras y Llanuras Occidentales (3.4%). The Llanura Costera Tamaulipeca PSP showed lower potential distribution; meanwhile, Llanuras de Coahuila y Nuevo Leon and Sierras y Llanuras del Norte de Guanajuato were not suitable distribution for ocelot. Discussions and conclusions: In order to obtain the ocelot potential distribution model we use recent information collected through field work and surveys. Through this, we could achieve a robust model, where were relevant both bioclimatic and landscape variables. There are patches of habitat important in size and quality for ocelot. The PSP with the roughest landscape were the ones where the highest presence of the species. This study complements the ocelot distributional range in Northeastern Mexico and providing important information about the habitat quality in that portion of the country, as well as the difficulty to possible connectivity between Mexico and USA.