Mammals In Mexico Research Articles

Risk of a vector-borne endemic zoonosis for wildlife: Hosts, large-scale geography, and diversity of vector-host interactions for Trypanosoma cruzi

Drivers for wildlife infection are multiple and complex, particularly for vector-borne diseases. Here, we studied the role of host competence, geographic area provenance, and diversity of vector-host interactions as drivers of wild mammal infection risk to Trypanosoma cruzi, the aetiological agent of Chagas disease. We performed a systematic sampling of wild mammals in 11 states of Mexico, from 2017 to 2018. We tested the positivity of T. cruzi with the Tc24 marker in tissues samples for 61 wild mammal species (524 specimens sampled). 26 mammal species were positive for T. cruzi, of which 11 are new hosts recorded in Mexico 75 specimens were positive and 449 were negative for T. cruzi infection, yielding an overall prevalence of 14.3%. The standardized infection risk of T. cruzi of our examined specimens was similar, no matter the host species or their geographic origins. Additionally, we used published data of mammal positives for T. cruzi to complement records of T. cruzi infection in wild mammals and inferred a trophic network of Triatoma spp. (vectors) and wild mammal species in Mexico, using spatial data-mining modelling. Infection with T. cruzi was not homogeneously distributed in the inferred trophic network. This information allowed us to develop a predictive model for T. cruzi infection risk for wild mammals in Mexico, considering risk as a function of the diversity of vector-host spatial associations in a large-scale geographic context, finding that the addition of competent vectors to a multi-host parasite system amplifies host infection risk. The diversity of vector-host interactions per se constitutes a relevant driver of infection risk because hosts and vectors are not isolated from each other.

Classification and distribution of functional groups of birds and mammals in Mexico.

There has been a recent exponential growth in the study of functional trait ecology. Nonetheless, the study of functional traits and functional groups has been limited for terrestrial vertebrates. We conducted a classification update of functional groups (FG) of birds and mammals in Mexico, and determined the distribution patterns of FG species richness in different ecosystems nationwide. We selected six functional traits (feeding habit, locomotion, feeding substrate and technique, activity period, seasonality, and body size) obtained for 987 and 496 species of birds and mammals, respectively. A cophenetic correlation analyses resulted in values of 0.82 for the bird species dendrogram, and 0.79 for the mammal species dendrogram showing that the structures adequately reflected the similarity between observations. We obtained 52 FG for birds, assembled into 9 broader groups based on their feeding habits (16 invertivores, 6 carnivores: 5 herbivores, 9 aquatic vertivore/invertivore, 5 granivores, 1 scavenger, 3 nectarivores, 4 frugivores, and 3 omnivores). We obtained 35 FG for mammals, assembled into 9 broader groups based on their feeding habits (4 granivores, 10 herbivores, 1 nectarivore, 4 frugivores, 8 invertivores, 3 omnivores, 2 aquatic vertivore/invertivore, 1 hematophagous, and 2 carnivores). Overall, the distribution of FG species richness for birds and mammals gradually increased from the Nearctic to the Neotropical region, following a typical latitudinal species richness pattern. Few FG of migratory birds, and FG of granivore and herbivore mammals showed more species in the Nearctic and in the transitional regions. Our study provides a baseline for identifying ecological functions of species of birds and mammals in different ecosystems in Mexico, and contributes to understand the relationship between species diversity, community structure and ecosystem functioning. Identifying spatial patterns of functional trait diversity is important as biodiversity loss has a negative impact on ecosystem functioning and provision of environmental services.

Diversity and conservation of mammals in indigenous territories of southern Mexico: proposal for an "Archipelago Reserve".

Southern Mexico's tropical forests are home to the country's highest richness of mammal species; La Chinantla region is situated within this area, its name from the indigenous group residing in the area and holding territorial ownership, namely the Chinantecos. In La Chinantla, there are no Protected Areas; instead, there are Areas Destined Voluntarily for Conservation (ADVC) and "Voluntary Conservation Areas" (VCA), that are managed by local inhabitants through social consensus. These ADVC may function as an archipelago reserve, which represents regional diversity, including the social context, through complementarity. To verify its biodiversity, we analyzed the richness, composition, distribution, and conservation of wild mammals in the region. Records were obtained from four sources-primary data collection, databases, scientific literature, and community monitoring-and were organized into four zones based on altitudinal and vegetation gradients. We compared the diversity between zones for three categories of mammals: small (<100 gr.), bats, and medium and large (>100 gr.). 134 species were identified comprising 11 orders, 26 families and 86 genera. The zone with highest elevation presented the greatest species richness for the assemblage of mammals and terrestrial mammals, while the zone with the lowest elevation had the highest richness of bats. For each mammal category, the zone with the most species also registered the highest number of exclusive species. For the assemblage of mammals and for medium and large mammals, the similarity index was highest between the two intermediate zones, while for small mammals and bats, the greatest similarity occurred between the areas of higher altitude. The study region was found to have the second highest richness of mammals in Mexico. Finally, we suggest that the conservation proposals by indigenous people could function as a set of "islands" that promote the conservation of biodiversity, possibly as an Archipelago Reserve.

New records of nematodes from three aquatic mammals in Mexico with notes about the nematode fauna recorded in Mexican waters

Nematodes are among the most common parasites in aquatic mammals. Because of their cuticular covering, these worms are frequently collected from the examination of feces or stranded hosts. This work provides new records of three nematode taxa infecting three different aquatic mammal species (Lontra longicaudis annectens, Trichechus manatus, and Zalophus californianus) in Mexico. Additionally, it brings together all available published records about this country's nematode fauna parasitizing aquatic mammals. The aim is to describe the current state of the art, which sets the basis for the strategic design of future research. Given the diversity of printed sources recording nematode fauna, we gathered literature, including theses and articles in journals profiled in the Journal Citation Reports or similar academic databases. The compiled information shows that 24 nominal nematode taxa have been reported from 11 species of aquatic mammals in Mexico. Our study exhibits irregular patterns of geographic distribution and host spectrum, existing entire marine ecoregions, and numerous host species lacking records.

Activity patterns of arboreal mammals in a tropical rain forest in México

Studying activity patterns of canopy mammals provides information on the biology of these species. However, the challenges of reaching and sampling the forest canopy restrict the information available on activity patterns. This study aimed to describe the activity patterns of canopy mammals, and analyze their temporal overlap, in the Santa Gertrudis Ecological Reserve, State of Veracruz, Mexico. Camera trap records were obtained from February 2016 to February 2017. Nine camera traps were set in the study area, separated between 300 and 1500 m from each other, along a straight line in the forest canopy (~ 8 to 12 m above the ground). Cameras were affixed to a trunk above a branch that was perpendicular to the line and overlapping a neighboring tree. A total of 12 mammal species that use the tree stratum were recorded, including two diurnal and ten nocturnal species. The five species for which at least ten records were obtained were included in the activity pattern analyses. Four of these are nocturnal species and showed temporal overlap values (Δ1) ranging from 0.69 to 0.9. Four of the 12 species recorded are listed in an extinctionrisk category as per the Norma Oficial Mexicana NOM. This is one of the first studies providing ecological information on activity patterns of canopy mammals in Mexico.

Gamebirds and Mammals of Mexico

Gamebirds and Mammals of Mexico

What do studies in wild mammals tell us about human emerging viral diseases in Mexico?

Multiple species of viruses circulate in wild mammals, some of them potentially causing zoonosis. Most of the suspected viral zoonotic diseases affecting human patients remain unidentified with regard to their aetiological agent. The aim of this study is to summarize the state of knowledge of the viral richness associated with wild mammals in Mexico throughout 1900–2018 and their relationship with human cases. We compiled two databases, one of them containing all available published studies on potentially zoonotic viruses in wild mammals and another with human cases related to zoonotic viruses. The database on wild mammals covers the period of 1900–2018; the human case database spans 2000–2013. We calculated the richness of viral potential zoonotic agents and evaluated their geographical distribution. We found 262 records of 42 potential zoonotic viral species associated with 92 wild mammal species in 28 states across Mexico. Records of human viral cases were only found in 29 states, which did not overlap with the reports in wild mammals. We detected 25.6% (42/164) of viral zoonotic agents reported worldwide. This analysis opens a relevant topic of discussion for public health attention.

Relative vulnerability to hurricane disturbance for endangered mammals in Mexico: a call for adaptation strategies under uncertainty

AbstractMost climate change vulnerability assessments of species focus on characterizing the degree to which species are likely to be affected by changes in mean climatic conditions. Yet, there has been little progress in the explicit assessment of species vulnerability to extreme climatic events (ECEs) which have the potential to cause substantial environmental disturbance and potentially catastrophic declines of wildlife populations. Using a trait‐based approach, we assessed the relative vulnerability of populations of wild animal species to hurricanes, focusing on 25 terrestrial mammals at high risk of extinction in Mexico. Our assessment uses biological traits associated with heightened sensitivity (low vagility and territoriality) and low adaptive capacity (restricted diet and habitat specialization) in relation to their predicted exposure to hurricanes, based on records of occurrence of hurricanes in their geographical range over the past 45 years. We found that territoriality was present in most of the species assessed (n = 20) followed by habitat specialization (n = 6), low vagility (n = 6) and diet specialization (n = 3). Two subspecies of spider monkeys Ateles geoffroyi vellerosus and A. g. yucatanensis, two howler monkeys Alouatta pigra and Alouatta palliata mexicana and the silky anteater Cyclopes didactylus all emerged from this assessment as highly vulnerable to population declines from exposure to hurricanes. In the absence of any robust predictive framework for assessing risk to species from ECEs we suggest that the integration of data on hurricane exposure and species’ intrinsic biology, as presented here, represents a coherent and informative basis for risk evaluation and the design of possible mitigation strategies.

Record of american black bear (Ursus americanus) in Durango, México

In Mexico, the American black bear (Ursus americanus) has withstood a number of anthropogenic pressures such as habitat loss, illegal poaching, poor legislation regarding conservation, management and exploitation, etc. Consequently, these have been the major causes of the decline of large carnivorous mammals in Mexico. The new technologies currently available have provided tools that facilitate their study, documenting their presence and distribution, in addition to expanding the biological and ecological information of this group of predators. During the 2009 winter season, intensive field surveys were conducted in southeastern Chihuahua and western Durango. In each area surveyed, 40 fixed monitoring stations were set, fitted with a camera trap and an scent station, distributed at distances ≥ 1 km between stations across the study areas. A total sampling effort of 2,400 days/trap resulted in one record of a juvenile American black bear (Ursus americanus; Figure 1) at Ejido “Lobos y Pescaderos”, in the municipality of Tepehuanes, Durango, in Sierra Madre Occidental, Mexico (Figure 2). This record was obtained at 2436 masl, representing the second reliable report of the presence of the American black bear at these altitudes. The photographic record currently available underscores the need to implement and intensify long-term surveys that contribute to determine the presence of American black bear in the northwestern states of Mexico, specifically in Sierra Madre Occidental in the state of Durango, in sites already identified as having temperate forests habitat conditions that are potentially suitable for the American black bear.

An Evaluation of the Contemporary Uses and Cultural Significance of Mammals in Mexico

We evaluated current uses of wild mammals by indigenous and mestizo communities in Mexico by extracting data from 59 sources published or produced between 1987–2017, covering data from 240 localities and 3,905 questionnaires. We then calculated a Cultural Value Index (CVI) previously applied to plants to quantify resource use and assess the cultural significance of each mammal. A total of 82 species were reported, and the animals with the highest cultural importance according to their CVI (in brackets) were two species of deer (Odocoileus virginianus [18.32] and Mazama temama [10.04]), as well as the nine-banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus [14.18]), white-nosed coati (Nasua narica [14.75]), collared peccary (Pecari tajaccu [11.90]), northern raccoon (Procyon lotor [11.28]) and spotted paca (Cuniculus paca [9.84]). The most common uses were for food, to reduce the damage or harm they cause, and for medicinal purposes, with O. virginianus, P. lotor, N. narica, and D. novemcinctus frequently hunted for all these reasons. Our analysis also highlighted the hunting of rarer species of national conservation concern, including commercial trading of body parts of the felids Panthera onca, Leopardus pardalis, and Leopardus wiedii. By quantifying the ethnozoological significance of wildlife to indigenous communities, indices such as CVI provide a robust measure of the extent of use and preference for particular species or taxa. This adds to the body of evidence used to develop effective regulations and laws related to harvesting and hunting, and helps promote a more sustainable and long-term approach to the use of natural resources.

Marine Mammals Of Mexico: Are We Successfully Protecting Them?

Marine Mammals Of Mexico: Are We Successfully Protecting Them?

Keys for Mammals of Mexico

Keys for Mammals of Mexico

Detection of pathogenic Leptospira species associated with phyllostomid bats (Mammalia: Chiroptera) from Veracruz, Mexico.

The genus Leptospira encompass 22 species of spirochaetes, with ten pathogenic species that have been recorded in more than 160 mammals worldwide. In the last two decades, the numbers of records of these agents associated with bats have increased exponentially, particularly in America. Although order Chiroptera represents the second most diverse order of mammals in Mexico, and leptospirosis represents a human and veterinary problem in the country, few studies have been conducted to identify potential wildlife reservoirs. The aim of this study was to detect the presence and diversity of Leptospira sp. in communities of bats in an endemic state of leptospirosis in Mexico. During January to September 2016, 81 bats of ten species from three localities of Veracruz, Mexico, were collected with mist nets. Kidney samples were obtained from all specimens. For the detection of Leptospira sp., we amplified several genes using specific primers. Amplicons of the expected size were submitted to sequencing, and sequences recovered were compared with those of reference deposited in GenBank using the BLAST tool. To identify their phylogenetic position, we realized a reconstruction using maximum-likelihood (ML) method. Twenty-five samples from three bat species (Artibeus lituratus, Choeroniscus godmani and Desmodus rotundus) showed the presence of Leptospira DNA. Sequences recovered were close to Leptospira noguchii, Leptospira weilii and Leptospira interrogans. Our results include the first record of Leptospira in bats from Mexico and exhibit a high diversity of these pathogens circulating in the state. Due to the finding of a large number of positive wild animals, it is necessary to implement a surveillance system in populations of the positive bats as well as in related species, in order to understand their role as carriers of this bacterial genus.

Mammals of Mexico

Mammals of Mexico

Ecological restoration and protection of mammals in Mexico

Ecological restoration and protection of mammals in Mexico

ENDEMIC ORTHOPOXVIRUS CIRCULATING IN PROCYONIDS IN MEXICO.

Limited serosurveillance studies suggested that orthopoxviruses (OPXV) are widespread in the US (e.g., Raccoonpox virus, Skunkpox virus, Volepox virus) and Brazil (Vaccinia virus); however, their animal reservoir(s) remain unconfirmed. Mexican mammal diversity includes several species related to those in which evidence for OPXV infections has been found (Oryzomys, Peromyscus, Microtus, and Procyonidae). The presence of these groups of mammals in Mexico and the evidence of their possible involvement in the maintenance of OPXV in nature suggest the same or similar OPXV are circulating in Mexico. We tested 201 sera from 129 procyonids via modified enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Western blot (WB) to estimate OPXV antibody prevalence in these animals. We detected a prevalence of 16.67% in Nasua narica (white-nosed coati), 35% in Procyon lotor (raccoon), and 30.4% in Bassariscus astutus (ring-tailed cat) when tested by either ELISA or WB. Western blot results presented protein bands consistent with the size of some OPXV immunodominant bands (14, 18, 32, 36, and 62 kDa). These results support the hypothesis that OPXV circulate in at least three genera of Procyonidae in Central and Southeast Mexico.

Análisis del manejo y aprovechamiento legal de los mamíferos silvestres de Oaxaca, México

The management and legal use of mammals in Mexico is done throughout the management units for the conservation of wildlife (UMA) and premises and facilities that manage wildlife in a confined way (PIMVS). In the state of Oaxaca, 216 mammal species are distributed, nevertheless there is a lack of information to analyze its use and management in the state. In this study the UMA and PIMVS of mammals in Oaxaca are analyzed, empowered by the Mexican authorities during the period of 1998-2014, the type of management and utilization, the included surface, the species used and the degree of endemism and risk. For 17 years 92 properties and facilities that handle and exploit wild mammals have been established, including 33 intensive UMA, 51 in the wild and 8 PIMVS. The authorized area is 143,329.37 hectares; the majority (99.47%) in the wild and intensive minority (0.53%). Management includes 20 species of mammals, of which 11 are exploited legally. The extractive use has been of 1,138 individuals spread over 856 in the wild and 282 in intensive. The most managed and exploited specie is Odocoileus virginianus. Recommendations are given in order to improve the functioning of the UMA and PIMVS in Oaxaca.

Mammals of Mexico

Ceballos, G. (ed.). 2014. Mammals of Mexico . Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, Maryland, 974 pp. ISBN 13:978-1-4214-0843-9, price (hardbound), $150.00. Ceballos’ and Oliva’s Los mamiferos silvestres de Mexico (2005) was a ground-breaking volume stemming originally from funding by CONABIO (Comision Nacional para el Conocimiento y Uso de la Biodiversidad) in 1992. A result of years of effort, it compiled all the available information through 2004 on the ecology, biogeography, taxonomy, and systematics of some 530 mammalian species (including distributional maps and a bibliography) in one of earth’s major biodiversity hotspots. Now, Ceballos provides us with the Mammals of Mexico , which although largely an English translation of the earlier work, updates our knowledge of Mexico’s mammals through 2011. Like its predecessor, it includes checklists and species accounts as well as an updated bibliography; it also provides a broad overview of some 200 years of research on the mammals of the region in this diverse country. Following mostly the nomenclature of Wilson and Reeder (2005), the book synthesizes the information from hundreds of workers in the field; in addition, it includes black and white photographs of skulls of most species as well as appendices with tracks of medium- and large-sized mammals. The book is divided into 5 parts; the 1st part covers diversity and conservation of Mexican mammals. In a section on global mammal species diversity, it is noted that Mexico has fully 11% of the world’s mammals; table 1 shows 544 species (up some 19 species from Ceballos and Oliva [2005]) of which 161 are endemic. However, totals for the other 18 countries in that … Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409-3131, USA; e-mail: nicte.ordonez-garza{at}ttu.edu

Análisis de los trabajos presentados en los Congresos Nacionales organizados por la Asociación Mexicana de Mastozoología (AMMAC)

Introduction: The Asociación Mexicana de Mastozoologia was established in 1984 at Mexico City, with four objectives: 1) to study and propose solutions to problems and policies of management and conservation of mammals in Mexico; 2) to gather people interested in mammals in Mexico; 3) to promote and organize the interaction between people and groups interested in mammalogy, and 4) to spread and stimulate activities referred to mammalogy through meetings and assemblies, develop curricula and research and organize conferences and congresses about mammalogy. The National Congress of Mammalogy has become the most important academic forum where the progress in analyzed in the nationwide investigation of mammals, held every two years in different locations of the country; brings together about 600 people from different academic levels. It is an event whose purpose is the presentation of papers and discussion. During their activities exchanging ideas and finding solutions to the various problems faced by Mexican mammals. We reviewed and analyzed the content of oral and poster resentations of eleven Mammalogy National Congress organized by ¿ the Asociacion Mexicana de Mastozoologia, A. C. (AMMAC) from 1991 to 2012. Methodology: We reviewed the printed and digital memories of the 11 national conferences held in Mexico mammalogy, from the year 1991 to 2012. Oral and poster presentations for terrestrial, flyers and marine mammals were considered. We organized a database with the content of presentations. We arranged the data base by11 principal topics and 68 specific topics, as well as other categories including: taxonomic group, states represented and by national and foreign institutions represented in each meeting. Results: A total of 2,527 oral presentations and posters were registered. The number of presentations since 1991 to 2012 has been increasing over time. The meeting with the higher number presentation was the X NCM organized at the state of Guanajuato in 2010 (476 presentations); following by the XI NCM meeting in the state of Veracruz 2012 (430 presentations). The topics with higher number of studies were ecology 32 % (n = 795) and conservation 14 % (n = 356), while the least topic included in presentations was physiology 3 % (n = 84) and others 1 % (n = 30). The state of Oaxaca has been mentioned and studied in 10 % (n = 212) of the presentations, while the state of Zacatecas has been the less mentioned 0.5 % (n = 11) in meeting presentations. The most studied taxa are: Order Carnivora 25 % (n = 657), Family Muridae 48 % (n =346), Genus Peromyscus 6 % (n = 233) and Specie: Odocoileus virginianus 4 % (n = 170). Species in the order Erinaceomorpha were not mentioned at any of the meetings. Discussion and conclusions : Mammalogy in Mexico has developed significantly in recent years and especially since the founding of the Asociación Mexicana de Mastozoologia. It is demonstrated by the number of works that have been increasing in relation with time. Our revision aims to contribute to guide the future generation of Mexican mammalogists to focus on different regions of Mexico, topics, and taxa for which there is great concern in their study.

Biodiversidad de Chordata (Mammalia) en México

Mammals constitute one of the most conspicuous groups of terrestrial vertebrates showing internal and external characteristics that have allowed them to be successful in virtually all ecosystems worldwide. The objective of this revision is to update the current knowledge of mammals occurring in Mexico. In Mexico mammals constitute a highly diverse group, ranking third worldwide with 564 species, representing close to 10% of the total mammal fauna. The description of mammals in Mexico has been uneven through time; a significant increase occurred from 1700 to 1950. Mammals are distributed nationwide; a total of 77% of species are less than 5kg, belonging to the Orders Rodentia, Chiroptera and Soricomorpha. Population trends are poorly documented in most species, but it is likely that populations have been negatively affected by human activities. We conclude that despite mammals are a well-studied group compared with other vertebrates, they continue to offer interesting theoretical insights and challenges for their conservation and sustainable use.