Records of two species of felines in Oaxaca, México

Abstract

The State of Oaxaca is home to six felid species. There are regions, such as in the Valles Centrales, where there is no evidence of their presence. This scientific note records two feline species listed in the Norma Oficial Mexicana 059. Two species of felines were recorded in the municipalities of San Jose del Progreso and San Pedro Totolapan. The photographs are deposited in the Coleccion de Fotocolectas Biologicas at UNAM (IBUNAM-CFB), plus one specimen in the Coleccion Nacional de Mamiferos, UNAM. Historical records were sought in the literature and databases. The species were determined based on literature descriptions, collection vouchers, and assisted by expert opinions. The first two records refer to Herpailurus yagouaroundi in oak forest and tropical deciduous forest in San Jose del Progreso and San Pedro Totolapan. The third is Leopardus wiedii, in a pine forest in San Jose del Progreso. Herpailurus yagouaroundi has been recorded on the Pacific and Gulf of Mexico slopes. The specimen closest to the ones reported here is located at 63.5 km from San Jose del Progreso and 76 km from San Pedro Totolapan. Leopardus wiedii has been spotted to the north, south and east of the state. The record that is closest to the one of San Jose del Progreso is located 48 km to the north. These records contribute to the knowledge of the Valles Centrales of Oaxaca.