Non-flying Mammals Research Articles

Doubling diversity: a cautionary tale of previously unsuspected mammalian diversity on a tropical oceanic island

The development of meaningful models of species richness dynamics in island ecosystems requires accurate measurement of existing biodiversity. To test the assumption that mammalian diversity on tropical oceanic islands is well documented, we conducted a 12-year intensive survey of the native mammal fauna on Luzon Island, a large (ca. 103,000 km2), mostly volcanic island in the Philippines, which was thought to be well known. Prior to the start of our study in 2000, 28 native, non-flying mammals had been documented, and extrapolation from prior discoveries indicated that the rate of discovery of new species was steady but low. From 2000 to 2012, we surveyed non-flying mammals at 17 locations and discovered at least 28 additional species, doubling the number known. Nearly all of the new species are restricted to a single mountain or mountain range, most of which had not been sampled previously, thus also doubling the number of local centers of endemism within Luzon from four to eight. The number of species on a mountain is strongly correlated with the elevation of the peak, and the number of endemic species on a mountain range is strongly correlated with the maximum elevation of the range. All 28 of the new species, and 20 of the species discovered prior to 2000, are members of two morphologically and ecologically diverse endemic clades (“cloud rats” and “earthworm mice”), which strongly implies that species richness has primarily been the product of speciation within the island. We reject the general assumption that mammals on tropical oceanic islands are sufficiently well known that analysis and modeling of the dynamics of species richness may be conducted with precision. In the development of conceptual biogeographic models and implementation of effective conservation strategies, existing estimates of species richness, levels of endemism, and the number of subcenters of endemism should be actively reassessed and verified through robust field, museum, and laboratory studies.

Doubling diversity: a cautionary tale of previously unsuspected mammalian diversity on a tropical oceanic island

The development of meaningful models of species richness dynamics in island ecosystems requires accurate measurement of existing biodiversity. To test the assumption that mammalian diversity on tropical oceanic islands is well documented, we conducted a 12-year intensive survey of the native mammal fauna on Luzon Island, a large (ca. 103,000 km2), mostly volcanic island in the Philippines, which was thought to be well known. Prior to the start of our study in 2000, 28 native, non-flying mammals had been documented, and extrapolation from prior discoveries indicated that the rate of discovery of new species was steady but low. From 2000 to 2012, we surveyed non-flying mammals at 17 locations and discovered at least 28 additional species, doubling the number known. Nearly all of the new species are restricted to a single mountain or mountain range, most of which had not been sampled previously, thus also doubling the number of local centers of endemism within Luzon from four to eight. The number of species on a mountain is strongly correlated with the elevation of the peak, and the number of endemic species on a mountain range is strongly correlated with the maximum elevation of the range. All 28 of the new species, and 20 of the species discovered prior to 2000, are members of two morphologically and ecologically diverse endemic clades (“cloud rats” and “earthworm mice”), which strongly implies that species richness has primarily been the product of speciation within the island. We reject the general assumption that mammals on tropical oceanic islands are sufficiently well known that analysis and modeling of the dynamics of species richness may be conducted with precision. In the development of conceptual biogeographic models and implementation of effective conservation strategies, existing estimates of species richness, levels of endemism, and the number of subcenters of endemism should be actively reassessed and verified through robust field, museum, and laboratory studies.

Travel-Associated Rabies in Pets and Residual Rabies Risk, Western Europe.

In 2015, countries in western Europe were declared free of rabies in nonflying mammals. Surveillance data for 2001–2013 indicate that risk for residual rabies is not 0 because of pet importation from countries with enzootic rabies. However, the risk is so low (7.52 × 10−10) that it probably can be considered negligible.

Floral structure in the Asian palm Eugeissona tristis Griff. (Arecaceae: Calamoideae), and description of a new nectary type in the family

The South-East Asian palm genus Eugeissona has an unusual flower structure, and it occupies a basal position in the early divergent palm subfamily Calamoideae. This article describes the floral structure of Eugeissonatristis, a palm that has been associated with an uncommon pollination syndrome in which non-flying mammals ingest large amounts of fermenting nectar produced by flowers. Our study focuses on the architecture of the nectaries responsible for this nectar production. The nectariferous tissues differentiate in four histological regions along the length of the gynoecium, and appear to be primarily associated with ventral slits of the carpels, corresponding to pollen tube transmitting tracts (PTTT). Nectariferous tissues also develop along the carpel septa—as is typical for the Monocotyledons—but to a much lesser extent. A comprehensive review of the nectariferous systems diversity in palms confirms that it represents an undescribed type of nectary unique to the family, and demonstrates a topographical shift when compared to the septal or labyrinthine types typical of other palms. The non-flying mammal pollination syndrome observed in Eugeissona tristis is described and compared with similar syndromes in other angiosperms.

Wild fauna as a carrier of Salmonella in Reunion Island: Impact on pig farms

Salmonellosis is an economic burden to the livestock industry in Reunion Island. In this study, we wanted to improve our understanding of Salmonella epidemiology by studying the wild fauna of Reunion Island. We assessed Salmonella diversity in small non-flying mammals, birds and cockroaches in order to evaluate their potential role in the epidemiology of Salmonella. A total of 268 samples were collected from cockroaches, small mammals and birds. The bacteriological analyses revealed that 11.7% of non-flying mammals and 25% of cockroaches tested were Salmonella infected; two wild bird species were also detected positive. The 128 Salmonella isolates were distributed in fifteen serotypes and the most predominant were S. 4,[5],12:i:- (21.9% of positive samples) followed by S. Enteritidis (15.6%), S. Typhimurium (15.6%), S. Infantis (12.5%) and S. Weltevreden (12.5%). A total of 27 XbaI profiles were identified using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. Comparison of these Salmonella strains with our collection of Salmonella isolated from pigs and pig farm environments at the same period revealed 14 strains in common between wild fauna and pigs, especially for cockroaches. Our results suggest that wild fauna of Reunion Island could be infected by strains of Salmonella also isolated from pigs or pig environment. They may play a role in both persistence and spreading of Salmonella and therefore, could be a source of infection in pig farms. Pest control against cockroaches could be a helpful tool in the reduction of Salmonella infection of pigs, limiting contacts between wild fauna and both pigs and pig environment. Special attention should be paid to S. 4,[5],12:i:- since it was predominant in Reunion Island’s wild fauna and pigs and was the third most frequently reported serotype in human salmonellosis in Europe.

The plant pathogen Phytophthora cinnamomi influences habitat use by the obligate nectarivore honey possum (Tarsipes rostratus)

Introduced plant pathogens can devastate susceptible plant communities, and consequently impact on animal communities reliant on plants for food and habitat. Specifically, plant pathogens change the floristic diversity of vegetation communities, thereby reducing availability of food sources for fauna (e.g. pollen and nectar) and result in major changes to habitat structure when canopy and understorey plant species succumb to disease. Phytophthora cinnamomi poses a threat to flowering plant species (e.g. Banksia species) which are important food sources for nectarivorous fauna. The honey possum (Tarsipes rostratus) is the only obligate nectarivorous non-flying mammal living on a restrictive diet of nectar and pollen; consequently, these tiny mammals are likely to be particularly vulnerable to the landscape-wide devastation caused by P. cinnamomi. We investigated habitat selection by honey possums in a vegetation community infested with P. cinnamomi to determine how these mammals respond to habitat affected by this pathogen. Over four seasons, 18 honey possums were fitted with radio-transmitters and tracked to identify habitat preferences. Vegetation surveys were compared for locations selected by honey possums (as determined from tracking) and randomly selected sites. Radio-tracking revealed that sites selected by honey possums were significantly taller, denser, and more floristically diverse than their paired random locations. The presence of P. cinnamomi influences habitat use by honey possums, but animals show resilience in terms of using the best of what is available in both P. cinnamomi–affected and unaffected locations. Habitat patches comprising less susceptible species, or plants that have yet to succumb to infection, provide refuge and food resources for honey possums. Management to reduce the spread of existing P. cinnamomi infestations and prevent contamination of new locations will benefit vegetation communities and associated faunal communities, while identifying honey possum food plant species that are resilient to the pathogen may support revegetation attempts.

DIVERSIDADE, BIOGEOGRAFIA, CARACTERIZAÇÃO CARIOTÍPICA E TRICOLÓGICA DOS PEQUENOS MAMÍFEROS NÃO VOADORES DO PARQUE ESTADUAL RIO DA ONÇA, LITORAL SUL DO PARANÁ

The Atlantic forest possess 1,361 vertebrate species of which 567 are endemic. Rodentia and Didelphimorphia comprise 71% of the endemic mammals observed in this biome. In Brazil, these animals still lack basic information about their biology, distribution, and even total wealth. This study aimed to identify the species of marsupials and rodents present in Rio da Onca State Park and to characterize the morphology of guard hairs and chromosomal set thereof, besides verify the composition of small non-flying mammals in different environments and vegetation strata. Thirteen field campaigns were conducted and as an additional effort, three lines of pitfall traps were installed. The total sampling effort was 6.633 traps and 1.181 buckets spread over 69 nights of sampling, which resulted in 196 captures of 166 individuals of 12 species. Seven species of Rodentia Order were recorded: Akodon montensis, Delomys sublineatus, Euryoryzomys russatus, Juliomys pictipes, Nectomys squamipes,Oligoryzomys nigripes and Thaptomys nigrita and five species of marsupials (Didelphimorphia Order): Didelphis aurita, Gracilinanus microtarsus, Metachirus nudicaudatus, Marmosa paraguayana and Monodelphis iheringi. Trichological and cytogenetic results were consistent with those available in the literature. Regarding the vertical stratification, only seven captures were made in trees. Four of the species Marmosa paraguayana, two Didelphis aurita, and one Akodon montensis. Therefore, in the environment of the lowlands of the study area, sampling carried out on tree and shrub extract of the understory did not contribute to the increase of the species list.

Small mammal distributional patterns in Northwestern Argentina

ABSTRACT Quantitative evaluations of species distributional congruence allow evaluating previously proposed biogeographic regionalization and even identify undetected areas of endemism. The geographic scenery of Northwestern Argentina offers ideal conditions for the study of distributional patterns of species since the boundaries of a diverse group of biomes converge in a relatively small region, which also includes a diverse fauna of mammals. In this paper we applied a grid-based explicit method in order to recognize Patterns of Distributional Congruence (PDCs) and Areas of Endemism (AEs), and the species (native but non-endemic and endemic, respectively) that determine them. Also, we relate these distributional patterns to traditional biogeographic divisions of the study region and with a very recent phytogeographic study and we reconsider what previously rejected as 'spurious' areas. Finally, we assessed the generality of the patterns found. The analysis resulted in 165 consensus areas, characterized by seven species of marsupials, 28 species of bats, and 63 species of rodents, which represents a large percentage of the total species (10, 41, and 73, respectively). Twenty-five percent of the species that characterize consensus areas are endemic to the study region and define six AEs in strict sense while 12 PDCs are mainly defined by widely distributed species. While detailed quantitative analyses of plant species distribution data made by other authors does not result in units that correspond to Cabrera's phytogeographic divisions at this spatial scale, analyses of animal species distribution data does. We were able to identify previously unknown meaningful faunal patterns and more accurately define those already identified. We identify PDCs and AEs that conform Eastern Andean Slopes Patterns, Western High Andes Patterns, and Merged Eastern and Western Andean Slopes Patterns, some of which are re-interpreted at the light of known patterns of the endemic vascular flora. Endemism do not declines towards the south, but do declines towards the west of the study region. Peaks of endemism are found in the eastern Andean slopes in Jujuy and Tucumán/Catamarca, and in the western Andean biomes in Tucumán/Catamarca. The principal habitat types for endemic small mammal species are the eastern humid Andean slopes. Notwithstanding, arid/semi-arid biomes and humid landscapes are represented by the same number of AEs. Rodent species define 15 of the 18 General Patterns, and only in one they have no participation at all. Clearly, at this spatial scale, non-flying mammals, particularly rodents, are biogeographically more valuable species than flying mammals (bat species).

Mammal richness and diversity in Serra do Facão region, Southeastern Goiás state, central Brazil

At least 251 mammal species are recorded for the Brazilan cerrado, which, therefore, is the third richest Brazilian biome. Most mammal surveys in Brazilian cerrado result from studies performed opportunistically and in short time periods. The aims of the present study were (1) provide a checklist for the mammalian fauna based on a five-year sampling in Serra do Facão region, Southeastern Goiás state; (2) compare small non-flying mammals diversity in open and forest areas and (3) compare species diversity before and after the flood caused by a hydroelectric reservoir filling. The data was gathered in 19 sampling periods, from May 2008 to September 2013. We sampled open and forest habitats and captured non-flying small mammals with Sherman and Tomahawk live traps and pitfalls; bats were sampled with mist-nets; large mammals were recorded with camera traps, and by direct observations and track surveys in field. We found 20 species of small non-flying mammals, 10 species of bats and 33 species of larger mammals. Species diversity was greater for forest than open habitats, and was also greater before than after the complete reservoir filling. About 10% of the recorded species are included in the Brazilian official list of threatened species. The total richness represents 25% of all cerrado mammal fauna, highlighting the importance of this area for regional mammal fauna conservation.

Claudin gene expression patterns do not associate with interspecific differences in paracellular nutrient absorption.

Bats exhibit higher paracellular absorption of glucose-sized molecules than non-flying mammals, a phenomenon that may be driven by higher permeability of the intestinal tight junctions. The various claudins, occludin, and other proteins making up the tight junctions are thought to determine their permeability properties. Here we show that absorption of the paracellular probe l-arabinose is higher in a bat (Eptesicus fuscus) than in a vole (Microtus pennsylvanicus) or a hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris). Furthermore, histological measurements demonstrated that hedgehogs have many more enterocytes in their intestines, suggesting that bats cannot have higher absorption of arabinose simply by having more tight junctions. We therefore investigated the mRNA levels of several claudins and occludin, because these proteins may affect permeability of tight junctions to macronutrients. To assess the expression levels of claudins per tight junction, we normalized the mRNA levels of the claudins to the constitutively expressed tight junction protein ZO-1, and combined these with measurements previously made in a bat and a rodent to determine if there were among-species differences. Although expression ratios of several genes varied among species, there was not a consistent difference between bats and non-flyers in the expression ratio of any particular gene. Protein expression patterns may differ from mRNA expression patterns, and might better explain differences among species in arabinose absorption.

Palaeoenvironmental and palaeoclimatic reconstruction of the Latest Pleistocene of L’Arbreda Cave (Serinyà, Girona, northeastern Iberia) inferred from the small-mammal (insectivore and rodent) assemblages

Abstract L’Arbreda Cave is one of the southernmost of the Reclau Caves (Serinya, Girona, northeastern Iberian Peninsula), located between the west margin of the Pla d’Usall and the Serinyadell river, at an altitude of about 211 m a.s.l. The Pla d’Usall forms part of the Banyoles-Besalu Basin, which is bounded by Eocene and Neogene reliefs. It is filled with sediments of Plio-Pleistocene age. The cave is a shelter formed by travertine cascades with a degree of karstification, and contains sedimentary deposits ranging from the end of the Middle Pleistocene to the Early Holocene, thus constituting an important archaeo-palaeontological record for an understanding of the prehistoric occupation of northeastern Iberia. It is one of the most complete and best-dated terrestrial sequences in Iberia from the Mousterian to the Early Holocene period. In this paper we present a palaeoenvironmental and palaeoclimatic reconstruction of the sequence based on non-flying small mammals (insectivores and rodents) and pollen analyses. The environmental and climatic results, together with the absolute dating of the sequence and direct comparison with NorthGRIP δ 18 O and the sea-surface temperatures (SST) of the Alboran Sea, allow us to identify various climatic periods within our sequence: a cold period between interstadials 12 and 10 in Level I, probably interstadial 10 in Level H, the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) in Levels C and B, the Bolling-Allerod interstadial (B/A) in Level A, and the Preboreal/Boreal (Pr/B) in the Terra Rossa Level.

Bibimys labiosus Winge, 1887 (Mammalia: Rodentia: Sigmodontinae): new records in Paraná state, southern Brazil, and update of the known geographic distribution

Bibimys is a genus still poorly known in its basic aspects, such as systematics, natural history and geographic distribution. In Brazil, only Bibimys labiosus is recorded, with occasional records spread in time and space. This paper presents four new localities of the species in Araucaria Forest, Paraná state, extending its distribution 150 km southwards. Additionally, a map of the known distribution of the species in Brazil and in Araucaria Forest is provided. The records point toward the lack of knowledge about basic aspects of the small non-flying mammal fauna in the plateau regions of Brazil.

The cost of digestion in the fish-eating myotis (Myotis vivesi)

Flying vertebrates, such as bats, face special challenges with regards to the throughput and digestion of food. On the one hand, as potentially energy-limited organisms, bats must ingest and assimilate energy efficiently in order to satisfy high resting and active metabolic demands. On the other hand, the assimilation of nutrients must be accomplished using a digestive tract that is, compared with that of similarly sized non-flying vertebrates, significantly shorter. Despite these competing demands, and the relative breadth of dietary diversity among bats, little work has been done describing the cost of digestion, termed 'specific dynamic action' (SDA). Here, we provide the first systematic assessment of the SDA response in a bat, the fish-eating myotis (Myotis vivesi). Given the shorter digestive tract and the relatively higher resting and active metabolic rates of bats in general, and based on anecdotal published evidence, we hypothesized that the SDA response in fish-eating myotis would be dependent on meal size and both significantly more brief and intense than in small, non-flying mammals. In agreement with our hypothesis, we found that the peak metabolic rate during digestion, relative to rest, was significantly higher in these bats compared with any other mammals or vertebrates, except for some infrequently eating reptiles and amphibians. Additionally, we found that the magnitude and duration of the SDA response were related to meal size. However, we found that the duration of the SDA response, while generally similar to reported gut transit times in other small bats, was not substantially shorter than in similarly sized non-flying mammals.

Non-volant mammals from Núcleo Santa Virgínia, Serra do Mar State Park, São Paulo, Brazil

This study presents data on the composition and species richness of non-flying mammals in the northern part of the Parque Estadual da Serra do Mar, called Núcleo Santa Virgínia (NSV - around 17000 hectares of Atlantic Forest), São Paulo state, southeastern Brazil. The species list was based on ca. 660 km of line-transects, 25512 hours of cameras traps, 7740 trap.nights for small mammals, and 394 track-station.days, as well as occasional records and registers from local people (period 2002 to 2009). Based on these complementary methods, a total of 58 species were recorded from the 85-104 possible. Eighteen taxa are listed in the Brazilian endangered species list, 29 in the state list. The high species richness of non-volant mammals and the presence of threatened species show the importance of NSV for the conservation of Atlantic Forest mammals.

Integrative and adaptive responses.

Darwin is considered the father of modern evolutionary biology by recognizing the importance of integrative and adaptive structural and physiological responses in living organisms. In his textbook Principles of Biology (1864), Herbert Spencer succinctly stated the essence of Darwin's theory of

The forgotten pollinators – First field evidence for nectar-feeding by primarily insectivorous elephant-shrews

Pollination of plants by non-flying mammals, such as mice (Rodentia), is a rarely observed phenomenon. Previously, elephant-shrews (Macroscelidea), small African mammals looking similar to mice, but not being related to them, were believed to be purely insectivorous and occasional flower visits of elephant-shrews in captivity were interpreted as a by-product of the search for insects. Only recently it was demonstrated that under lab conditions elephant-shrews regularly lick nectar from flowers. However, field observations of flower-visiting elephant-shrews and their role as pollinators were completely missing. Here I present the first evidence for flower visits and nectar consumption for elephant-shrews in the field. With video camcorders and infrared lights I recorded Cape rock elephant-shrews (Elephantulus edwardii) beside Namaqua rock mice (Micaelamys namaquensis) visiting flowers of the Pagoda lily (Whiteheadia bifolia, Asparagaceae) under natural conditions in the Namaqualand of South Africa. With their long tongues, the elephant-shrews visited the flowers non-destructively, definitely licking nectar, but not eating insects. The footage clearly shows that the elephant-shrews’ fur around their long noses touches the pollen-sacs and the stigmas of the flowers and that the animals’ fur is being dusted with pollen. As the elephant-shrews visited several flowers of different plants, it is obvious that they transfer pollen between the plants. This observation contributes to the knowledge about the behaviour of these representatives of a unique clade of small African mammals – especially in their natural habitat. With their behavioural and anatomical uniqueness, it is not unlikely that elephant-shrews even play a role as selective force driving floral evolution. Appendices:Additional supporting information is to be found:Appendix I. With its long tongue Elephantulus edwardii licks nectar from Whiteheadia bifolia flowers, getting dusted with pollen on its nose. Infrared video.http://www.pollinationecology.org/user-files/ JPE349_Appendix1.mp4Appendix II. Micaelamys namaquensis licking nectar from Whiteheadia bifolia flowers, getting dusted with pollen on its nose. Infrared video.http://www.pollinationecology.org/user-files/JPE349_Appendix2.aviAppendix III. Micaelamys namaquensis feeding on pollen-sacs of Whiteheadia bifolia flowers. Infrared video.http://www.pollinationecology.org/user-files/JPE349_Appendix3.avi

Temperature variation in nest boxes in eastern Australia

Nest boxes are frequently installed in Australia to provide shelter sites for arboreal mammals. Little is known about the temperatures that may be experienced inside nest boxes or the factors that may influence those temperatures. I established paired nest boxes on the south-east and north-west sides of trees at two locations in south-east Queensland to investigate the influence of nest box aspect on nest box temperature. Squirrel gliders (Petaurus norfolcensis) occupied boxes at both locations. I recorded temperatures over a 1-month period in two summers. Temperature varied by up to 20°C within a 24-h period and some nest boxes experienced temperatures above 40°C. There was no significant difference in maximum temperature with nest box aspect but south-east boxes could be 1°C cooler during hot weather. Nest box construction material, colour (brown or green) and volume (0.008 m3 or 0.025 m3) had variable influences on temperature. Nest box installations for non-flying mammals should place nest boxes to minimise extreme temperatures. Further studies are required to determine whether temperature limits the effectiveness of nest boxes at some locations.

Digestive adaptations of aerial lifestyles.

Flying vertebrates (birds and bats) are under selective pressure to reduce the size of the gut and the mass of the digesta it carries. Compared with similar-sized nonflying mammals, birds and bats have smaller intestines and shorter retention times. We review evidence that birds and bats have lower spare digestive capacity and partially compensate for smaller intestines with increased paracellular nutrient absorption.

Distribución de la musaraña canaria (Crocidura canariensis) en Fuerteventura, Islas Canarias

The only endemic non-flying land mammal of the Canary Archipelago, the Canary Shrew, inhabits the two easternmost islands Lanzarote and Fuerteventura, and nearby islets. Based on the poor data available, this study aimed to add knowledge about its distribution using pitfall live-traps, as well as searches for remains in pellets of avian predators, and dead shrews in discarded bottles. In addition, population fluctuations were attempted to register by frequent pitfall live-trapping in three places. Prospection ran from December 2012 to April 2013, accumulating 900 trap-nights in 22 locations. With a global trapping success of 18,3 individuals/1000 trap-nights, 11 shrews were captured in lava fields and five on a mountain ridge, all quite barren areas. No captures occurred in richer habitats. Pellets of avian predators were very scarce. Searches of discarded bottles gave better results, with dead shrews present in three out of eight visited locations, and individuals encountered afterwards by live-trapping in all three. Shrews were missing in four protected areas formerly occupied by the species, but monitoring should take place regularly to confirm local extinctions and (re)colonizations. To ensure conservation of this endemism, investigations of interactions with alien species are needed, and introduction of vertebrates and invertebrates to the islands should be avoided.

Representatividad de mamíferos amenazados en el Sistema Departamental de Áreas Protegidas (SIDAP) del Quindío, Colombia

El objetivo principal de las áreas protegidas (AP) es mantener muestras representativas de la biodiversidad. Dado que la biodiversidad en su totalidad es imposible de conservar, usualmente se utilizan especies amenazadas como sustitutas. Bajo esta premisa‚ el propósito del presente trabajo fue evaluarla representatividad de los mamíferos no voladores amenazados en el sistema departamental de áreas protegidas (SIDAP) del Quindío‚ así como identificar áreas importantes para su conservación. Se recopilaron registros de Leopardus tigrinus‚ Tapirus pinchaque‚ Pudu mephistophiles‚Tremarctos ornatus‚ Aotus lemurinus‚ Dinomys branickii y Lontra longicaudis y se estimó su distribución geográfica potencial. La distribución potencial de los mamíferos amenazados estuvo bien representado en el SIDAP Quindío (entre 48% y 100%) excepto para L. longicaudis con el 15‚42% de su distribución incluida en APs‚ que coincide con la poca representatividad de las tierras bajas en el sistema. En cuanto a la zona oriental y nororiental del departamento las oportunidades de conservación in situ son apenas aparentes‚ porque la mayor área corresponde a los Distritos Regional de Manejo Integrado (DRMI) en los municipios de Salento y Génova‚ donde las categorías de manejo son flexibles por lo que se sugeriría un ajuste de su categoría. Se evidencia la necesidad de fortalecer el SIDAP para procurar la conservación de las especies de mamíferos amenazados y aumentar la representación de los ecosistemas de esta zona. En conclusión‚ se recomienda la declaración de AP en zonas bajas del departamento‚ teniendo en cuenta el contexto socioeconómico en la asignación de las categorías de conservación y manejo de las AP. Por su parte, en los DRMI de la cuenca del río Quindío y de los páramos y bosques altoandinos del municipio de Génova, podría considerarse la recategorización de algunas áreas por esquemas más estrictos, especialmente en tierras estatales con áreas decobertura natural.