Peromyscus Mexicanus Research Articles

Late Pleistocene Altitudinal Segregation and Demography Define Future Climate Change Distribution of the Peromyscus mexicanus Species Group: Conservation Implications.

Mountains harbor a significant number of the World's biodiversity, both on tropical and temperate regions. Notably, one crucial gap in conservation is the consideration of historical and contemporary patterns influencing differential distribution in small mammal mountain species and how climate change will affect their distribution and survival. The mice Peromyscus mexicanus species group is distributed across mountains in Guatemala-Chiapas and Central America, which experienced significant effects of glacial and interglacial cycles. We determined phylogeographic and demographic patterns of lowlands and highlands mountain lineages, revealing that the radiation of modern P. mexicanus lineages occurred during the Pleistocene (ca. 2.6 mya) along Nuclear Central America. In concert with climatic cycles and the distribution of habitats, lowland and highland lineages showed recent population size increase and decrease, respectively. We also estimated the current and future distribution ranges for six lineages, finding marked area size increase for two lineages for which vegetation type and distribution would facilitate migrating towards higher elevations. Contrastingly, three lineages showed range size decrease; their ecological requirements make them highly susceptible to future habitat loss. Our findings are clear evidence of the negative impacts of future climate change, while our ability to manage and conserve these vulnerable ecosystems and mountain species is contingent on our understanding of the implications of climate change on the distribution, ecology, and genetics of wildlife populations.

Deforestation increases the abundance of rodents and their ectoparasites in the Lacandon forest, Southern Mexico

Introduction: An important ecosystem service tropical forests provide is disease control. However, few studies have focused on analyzing how species more suitable to be zoonotic vectors are affected by deforestation. Objective: We evaluated how deforestation affects the abundance and species richness of rodents and their associated ectoparasites in Marques de Comillas, Chiapas, Southern Mexico. Methods: We captured rodents in 6 landscape units (LU), 1 km² each, with different percentages of tree cover (0.7, 5, 40, 46, 78, and 95 %). In each LU we set 90 Sherman traps that remained active 24 hours for 7 days during two sampling seasons in October 2019, and September 2020. All the captured rodents were checked for ectoparasites in their fur, which were collected to be identified at the lab. Results: We captured 70 rodents of five species: Sigmodon toltecus, Heteromys desmarestianus, Ototylomys phyllotis, Peromyscus mexicanus, and Oryzomys couesi. Rodent abundance increased with forest loss (R² = 0.706, P = 0.022). The greatest richness of rodent species occurred in sites with intermediate forest cover (40 % and 78 %). The most abundant species were S. toltecus (N = 45) followed by O. couesi (N = 9), these species dominated in sites with less forest cover. We recorded a total of 23 different ectoparasites, from these we identified 15 at the species level and eight at the genus level. We detected three species of ectoparasites (Amblyomma sp., Ornithonyssus bacoti, and Androlaelaps fahrenholzi) known to be vectors of zoonotic diseases. Conclusions: We found that the ongoing loss of forests promotes the proliferation of zoonotic disease vectors, which can potentially increase the frequency of affectation among the local population.

An 1896 specimen helps clarify the phylogenetic placement of the Mexican endemic Hooper’s deer mouse

Hooper’s deer mouse, Peromyscus hooperi, is the sole member of the Peromyscus hooperi species group. This species is endemic to México where it is restricted to the grassland transition zone in the states of Coahuila, Zacatecas, and San Luis Potosí. Previous studies using mitochondrial and nuclear genes (Cytb, Adh1-I2, Fgb-I7 and Rbp3) did not resolve the phylogenetic relationships of this relatively poorly known species. It was hypothesized that P. hooperi is sister to P. crinitus, and these two taxa are related to P. melanotis, P. polionotus, P. maniculatus, P. keeni, P. leucopus, P. gossypinus, P. eremicus, P. californicus, and Osgoodomys banderanus. Based on morphological characters, karyotypes, and allozymes, P. hooperi does not align with either subgenera Haplomylomys or Peromyscus. However, its unique characteristics (e. g., phallus, karyotype) have been recognized, and therefore it has been retained as its own species group. To better resolve the phylogenetic placement of P. hooperi, we performed target-enrichment and high-throughput sequencing and obtained several thousand nuclear ultraconserved elements and a complete mitogenome from a specimen collected in 1896 by Nelson and Goldman in Coahuila, México. We compared these data with 21 other species of neotomines using genome-wide data. Contrary to previous studies, we found high nodal support for the placement of P. hooperi as sister to a clade that includes Podomys floridanus, Neotomodon alstoni, Habromys simulatus, H. ixtlani, Peromyscus mexicanus, P. megalops, P. melanophrys, P. perfulvus, P. aztecus, P. attwateri, P. pectoralis, and P. boylii. We dated a Pliocene divergence of P. hooperi from its sister group at approximately 3.98 mya, and after the split of P. crinitus at ca. 4.31 mya from other peromyscines. We demonstrated that genome-wide data improve the phylogenetic signal, independently of taxon sampling, for a phylogenetically problematic species such as P. hooperi. We recommend that future genomic studies expand taxon sampling, including members of the subgenus Haplomylomys, to confirm the phylogenetic relationships of P. hooperi and the genetic status of its populations.

Current status of the Peromyscus mexicanus complex in Oaxaca, México

The physiographic, climatic, and ecological characteristics of the mountainous regions of Oaxaca are unique and host geographically isolated populations of Peromyscus mexicanus. Populations of P. mexicanus from the Sierra Madre del Sur in the Gulf side (SMG) and Pacific side (SMP), Oaxaca, were compared at the craniodental and molecular genetic levels (cytochrome b sequences). The geographic isolation of both sides of the Sierra Madre del Sur are expected to have led to genetic isolation between populations of P. mexicanus in each area and from populations of eastern México. Our results show that the Oaxacan SMG and SMP populations are genetically different, as are populations of eastern México. Populations in the Oaxaca SMG-SMP are more genetically similar to P. gymnotis than to P. mexicanus from eastern México. We recommend that the Oaxacan SMG population be classified as P. totontepecus and the SMP population as P. angelensis, with the Putla population, which is morphologically and morphometrically different, as the subspecies, P. a. putlaensis.

Paraphyletic relationships revealed by mitochondrial DNA in the Peromyscus mexicanus species group (Rodentia: Cricetidae)

Although deer mice (Peromyscus spp.) are among the most studied small mammals, their species diversity and phylogenetic relationships remain unclear. The lack of taxonomic clarity is mainly due to a conservative morphology and because some taxa are rare, have restricted distributions, or are poorly sampled. One taxon, P. mexicanus, includes southern Mexican subspecies that have not had their systematic placement tested with genetic data. We analyzed the phylogenetic relationships and genetic structure of P. mexicanus populations using sequences of the mitochondrial gene cytochrome b. We inferred that P. mexicanus is paraphyletic, with P. m. teapensis, P. m. tehuantepecus, andP. m. totontepecus more closely related to P. gymnotis than to P. m. mexicanus. This highly divergent clade ranges from northeastern Oaxaca to northern Chiapas, including southern Veracruz, and southern Tabasco. In light of this group’s mitochondrial distinctiveness, cohesive geographic range, and previously reported molecular, biochemical, and morphological differences, we recommend it be treated as P. totontepecus. Our findings demonstrate the need for an improved understanding of the diversity and evolutionary history of these common and abundant members of North American small mammal communities.

Abundance, microhabitat and feeding of Peromyscus yucatanicus and Peromyscus mexicanus in the Mexican tropics

Introduction: Rodents influence the processes of succession and regeneration in tropical forests, functioning as important dispersers and predators of seeds and plants. In this study, we describe aspects of the population structure and dynamics, and characterize the microhabitat and composition of the feces of the semi-tree-dwelling rodents Peromyscus yucatanicusand Peromyscus mexicanus in tropical forests of Quintana Roo and Veracruz, in Mexico. Methods: We trapped Peromyscus yucatanicus from September 2014 to February 2015, with 122 Sherman traps between 2 to 10 m of height in 62 trees. Peromyscus mexicanus was trapped from March to September of 2015, with 105 Sherman traps between 0-11 m of height on 57 trees. We characterized the microhabitat, identified the trees, and calculated the canopy openness in the sites where individuals were trapped. We collected and analyzed the composition of the feces of each species. Results: We captured 48 individuals of Peromyscus yucatanicus at an average height of 2.58 m above ground level. Its population density was 26.6 ind/ha, with reproductive activity in the dry season. The average canopy openness was 7.75 %. Their feces mainly contained seeds, fruit pulp and starch. We recorded 54 individuals of Peromyscus mexicanus at an average height of 1.15 m. Its population density was 20.83 ind/ha, with reproductive activity in both dry and rainy seasons. The canopy openness was 4.78 % (dry season) and 4.5 % (rainy season). Their feces mainly contained fruit pulp, starch and chitin remains in both seasons. Discussion and conclusions: The captured of rodents were higher on trees with small diameters and low leaf litter percentage; the rainy season favored the captures. Both species were mainly captured in sites with a covering of organic matter on the soil and in sites with higher vegetal cover and reduced canopy openness. Conservation of a diverse tropical forest is fundamental for the conservation of both semiarboreal rodents.

Dispersal of Dioon edule cycad seeds by rodents in a tropical oak forest in Mexico

Predation of seeds of the cycad Dioon edule Lindl. by Peromyscus mexicanus (Saussure, 1860) has been previously documented, demonstrating that the seeds’ toxins are not harmful when combined with a varied diet. However, there is scarce evidence of P. mexicanus as a seed disperser. In a tropical oak forest in San Luis Potosí, Mexico, we experimented with seeds of D. edule and Quercus polymorpha Schltdl. & Cham., evaluating predators’ preference and recording it with photo-trapping. Burrows were sampled in concentric circles around a D. edule mother plant, and the types of burrows and condition of the seeds inside were identified with a borescope without destroying the burrows. The structure and composition of the forest were evaluated. The primary dispersion of D. edule seeds is by barochory. The rodents predate on seeds and prefer Q. polymorpha over D. edule (survival: 48.9% and 78.5%, respectively). There are more escape and multiple burrows at 3–6 m with mature oaks. Rodents forget or abandon D. edule seeds in the burrows, and such seeds germinate at 3–6 m. Peromyscus leucopus (Rafinesque, 1818) is a short-distance secondary disperser and predator of Dioon edule seeds.

Fleas (Siphonaptera) Parasitizing Peridomestic and Indigenous Mammals in Panamá and Screening of Selected Fleas for Vector-Borne Bacterial Pathogens.

In total, 341 fleas belonging to 16 species were collected from 78 host mammals belonging to 10 species in Panamá from 2010 to 2016. The cat flea, Ctenocephalides felis (Bouché) predominated on domestic dogs and was also recorded from domestic cats, the raccoon, Procyon lotor (Linnaeus) and the common opossum, Didelphis marsupialis Linnaeus. The largest number of flea species (7) was recorded from D. marsupialis and the most common flea on that host was the ctenophthalmid, Adoratopsylla intermedia copha Jordan. One Oriental rat flea, Xenopsylla cheopis (Rothschild), was collected from D. marsupialis. Native rodents were parasitized by indigenous ceratophyllid, rhopalopsyllid, and stephanocircid fleas. The Mexican deermouse, Peromyscus mexicanus (Saussure), was parasitized by six species of ceratophyllids belonging to the mostly Central American genera, Baculomeris, Jellisonia, Kohlsia and Plusaetis. The long-tailed singing mouse, Scotinomys xerampelinus (Bangs), was parasitized by Plocopsylla scotinomi Tipton and Méndez, the only species of stephanocircid flea known from Central America. Twenty-six pools of extracted flea DNA representing 5 flea species (C. felis, Pulex echidnophagoides (Wagner), Pulex simulans Baker, A. intermedia copha, and P. scotinomi) and 79 individual fleas were all real-time polymerase chain reaction negative for Rickettsia felis, Rickettsia typhi, and Bartonella henselae.

Report of a Small Collection of Kohlsia mojica Tipton and Méndez, 1966 (Siphonaptera: Ceratophyllidae) from Costa Rica with a Discussion of Several Enigmatic Species of Kohlsia Traub, 1950

A collection of fleas was acquired independently from Costa Rica by two different field teams. Among these collections were a sizable series of Kohlsia mojica Tipton and Méndez which were previously reported only from the northern province of Bocas del Toro, Panama. These new records were present in two provinces of Costa Rica (Alajuela and Puntarenas). Additional specimens discovered in the Robert Traub flea collection in the Carnegie Museum of Natural History, heretofore unreported, included specimens from San Jose and Cartago provinces, Costa Rica. The primary host for K. mojica is the Mexican deer mouse, Peromyscus mexicanus Saussure. Collectively, five species of Kohlsia have been reported within the geographical boundaries of Costa Rica and Panama [K. mojica, K. azuerensis Tipton and Méndez, K. keenani Tipton and Méndez, K. graphis graphis (Rothschild), and K. traubi Tipton and Méndez]. A key is provided for these five species. Specimens of K. g. graphis are reported herein for the first time from Guatemala and Mexico, and the variegated squirrel Sciurus variegatoides Ogilby represents a new host record for K. g. graphis. Table 1 is included to illustrate the distribution of all known Kohlsia species. In addition, Kohlsia campaniger Jordan (an extralimital species) described from a single female specimen from Ecuador is discussed. Several morphological characters are provided to distinguish K. campaniger and Kohlsia felteni Smit. Jellisonia ortizi Vargas (currently valid in Kohlsia) is hypothesized to be a new synonym of Kohlsia fournieri Vargas. Kohlsia keenani is reported for the first time from Handleyomys alfaroi (J. A. Allen), Handleyomys chapmani (Thomas) and Nephelomys albigularis (Tomes).

Predation of the Mexican Deer Mouse (Peromyscus mexicanus) by Long-Tailed Weasel (Mustela frenata) in Laguna Bélgica Educational Park, Ocozocoautla de Espinosa, Chiapas

The long-tailed weasel (Mustela frenata) is a generalist predator that feeds mainly on rodents and rabbits. However, predation on Peromyscus rodents has been reported mostly at the genus level and records are scarce. In April 2018, we made a field trip to Laguna Belgica Educational Park, Chiapas, to capture, handle, and study mammalian wildlife species. We set 15 Sherman traps 5 m apart on a 70-m linear transect for one night. One male M. frenata was captured along with a dead Mexican deer mouse (Peromyscus mexicanus) in the same trap. The rodent had incision marks on the skull, indicating that it had been captured by the mustelid. This new data point enhances the existing information regarding predation habits of M. frenata on P. mexicanus in Chiapas and could elucidate the weasel's ecological role as a biological control on rodent populations.

Presence of Arenavirus in Mus musculus, Chiapas, Mexico

An outbreak of a highly lethal hemorrhagic fever, caused by an Arenavirus whose reservoir was Peromyscus mexicanus, occurred in the state of Chiapas, Mexico, in June 1967. In order to determine whether any Arenavirus is nowadays present in the same region of the state of Chiapas (municipalities of Ocozocoautla de Espinosa and Berriozabal), we surveyed rodents as potential Arenavirus reservoirs. Three species of rodents, Mus musculus, Peromyscus mexicanus, and Rattus rattus, previously identified as Arenavirus reservoirs, were registered in the study area. We detected the presence of Arenavirus RNA in one Mus musculus individual captured in an urban area. It is necessary to continue monitoring wildlife and carry out serological and molecular analyzes to investigate the incidence and future prevalence of Arenavirus in the area and propose specific actions for its control.

A New Species of Flea of the Genus Kohlsia Traub, 1950 (Siphonaptera: Ceratophyllidae) from Veracruz, Mexico.

A new flea species, Kohlsia misantlensis, is described from the central mountains of Veracruz, Mexico. The hosts of this new species are the Mexican deer mouse Peromyscus mexicanus (Saussure, 1860) (Mammalia: Rodentia:Muridae) and the Mexican spiny pocket mouse Heteromys sp. (Heteromyidae). This flea species is easily recognized by the great development of sternite VIII with a tuft of seven long bristles near the apex. The new species is included in a taxonomic key for the species of genus Kohlsia occurring in Mexico.

Testing the effectiveness of conservation management within biosphere reserves: the case of the Mexican deer mouse (Peromyscus mexicanus) as a bioindicator.

Biosphere reserves are protected areas whose purpose is to combine conservation and sustainable development. However, their effectiveness has not been tested sufficiently, especially from an ecological and genetic approach. In this sense, the Peromyscus genus represents an excellent bioindicator to address these questions, due to its short life and high evolutionary rate and fecundity. For conservation managers, genetic structure can increase the rate of loss of genetic diversity because alleles exclusive of a subpopulation are more likely to disappear as a consequence of genetic drift in comparison with a panmictic population. Here we analyzed the abundance, movement distances, morphology/morphometry and genetic structure of 3 populations of Mexican deer mouse (Peromyscus mexicanus) located in different protected zones of La Tigra National Park (Honduras). Our results are consistent among the 3 approaches and showed the highest values of abundance, morphometry and genetic diversity in the population located at the core zone, whereas non-statistically significant differences were found between buffer and transition zone populations, suggesting suitable effectiveness of conservation management in the core zone but a lack of ecological buffering function of the other zones. In addition, the low movement distances and high genetic structure among the studied populations provide evidence of poor conservation management in the buffer and transition zone. Thus, we discuss the utility of the novel methodology used in this work, combining morphometry, abundance and genetics, in testing the effectiveness of conservation strategies in biosphere reserves, and the value of the Peromyscus genus as a bioindicator.

Diverse Beta- and Gammaherpesviruses in Neotropical Rodents from Costa Rica.

Neotropical wild rodents from Costa Rica were analyzed for the presence of herpesviruses (order Herpesvirales, family Herpesviridae). Using a broadly generic PCR, herpesvirus sequences were detected in 5% (8/160) of liver and heart samples: seven putative gammaherpesviruses in samples from Talamancan oryzomys (Nephelomys devius), sprightly colilargo (Oligoryzomys vegetus), Mexican deer mouse (Peromyscus nudipes), and Chiriqui harvest mouse (Reithrodontomys creper) and one putative betaherpesvirus in long-tailed singing mouse (Scotinomys xerampelinus). Results from this study could guide ecological investigations targeting the prevalence and host associations of herpesviruses in wild rodents from Costa Rica.

Landscape predictors of rodent dynamics in fragmented rainforests

Land-use change threatens a large number of tropical species (so-called ‘loser’ species), but a small subset of disturbance-adapted species may proliferate in human-modified landscapes (‘winner’ species). Identifying such loser and winner species is critically needed to improve conservation plans, but this task requires longitudinal studies that are extremely rare. We assessed this topic with small rodent assemblages in the Lacandona rainforest, a relatively new and highly dynamic agricultural frontier from southeastern Mexico. In particular, we measured the abundance of four rodent species in 12 forest sites during a 6 year period. We related changes in abundance to differences across time in landscape structure (i.e., percentage of forest cover, matrix contrast, number of forest patches, and forest edge density) surrounding each site. Total rodent abundance was almost two times higher in 2016 than in 2011, although abundances were generally low in all years. The abundance of Heteromys desmarestianus increased through time, mainly in forest sites with increasing matrix contrast. Oryzomys sp. also tended to increase in abundance, especially in sites with decreasing edge density. Sigmodon toltecus remained stable through time, but Peromyscus mexicanus tended to decrease in abundance, particularly in sites with decreasing edge density and increasing matrix contrast across time. Therefore, spatial variations in landscape structure lead to species-specific responses. If current deforestation rates persist, we predict a population decline of forest-specialist species (P. mexicanus), and an increase in generalist species (S. toltecus and Oryzomys sp.). Improving matrix quality is crucial for preventing the extinction of forest-specialist rodent species.

Intricate evolutionary histories in montane species: a phylogenetic window into craniodental discrimination in thePeromyscus mexicanusspecies group (Mammalia: Rodentia: Cricetidae)

Mountain-associated species, which exhibit allopatric distributions associated with elevation, endemisms and complex evolutionary histories, pose challenging evolutionary scenarios in which to discern the diversification of species. The Peromyscus mexicanus mice group, distributed along mountains in southern Mexico and Central America, is morphometrically variable, a key rationale for the ongoing controversy regarding its species delimitation. Based on the recognized 15 mitochondrial lineages for the group, we analysed external and craniodental morphometric variables to test whether lineages can be differentiated morphometrically and allow for the delimitation of species. We also aimed to test the prediction that the phylogenetic structure of the morphometric data is concordant with that of the molecular information. Based on 19 craniodental measurements from 521 specimens, multivariate and discriminant analyses showed that lineages are morphometrically discernible, representing distinct phenotypes, and that overall size and mandible measurements are significant features that discriminate lineages, supporting hypotheses about differences in feeding habits between species. Also, a pattern of increasing size with elevation was observed, further supported by specific morphological differences exhibited between highland and lowland lineages inhabiting the same mountain. Our results demonstrate that P. mexicanus is both genetically and morphometrically variable, where most highland montane species are differentiated from lowland species; also, a significant correlation between mitochondrial and morphometric information is indicative of phenetic concordance, altogether in agreement with a recent taxonomic proposal for the group. We suggest that the group's intricate diversification responds to ecological diversification and adaptation to a variety of mountain habitats and Pleistocene biogeographic climatic dynamics.

Diversity and distribution of small terrestrial rodents along a disturbance gradient in montane Costa Rica

Se estudió la distribución y diversidad de roedores terrestres en cinco hábitats perturbados en un área de bosque montano nuboso en Costa Rica. Un total de 3 89 capturas correspondió a 185 individuos (siete especies en 2 Ca- , milias). La riqueza de especies resultó muy similar para todos los hábitats,c on 4-5 especieslhábitat. La densidad de población y la frecuencia de captura fueron más altas en hábitats con niveles intennedios de perturbación; Peromyscus mexicanus y Scotinomys xerampelinus fueron cuatro a cinco veces más comunes que otras especies de Muridae. Estas representaron el 79.4 % de todas las capturas y el 73.5 % de todos los individuos. Se capturo pocos Heteromyidae.

Mitochondrial diversification of thePeromyscus mexicanusspecies group in Nuclear Central America: biogeographic and taxonomic implications

The mountain mice of the Peromyscus mexicanus group currently encompass six known species; however, the limits between species remain uncertain, with two considered monotypic and the other four having multiple associated subspecific names. Based on the most comprehensive sampling of the group throughout its distribution in Nuclear Central America, we used data of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene to assess its genetic diversity, phylogeny, and main biogeographic and diversification patterns. Our mitochondrial phylogeny only partially reflects the current taxonomy of the group, in agreement with some of the taxonomically recognized species. Specifically, our phylogenetic results show that the group is highly structured, including four main clades with genetic distances ranging from 11 to 8.6%. A remarkable level of differentiation is found at a more local level, defined as 15 different lineages with high nucleotide and haplotype diversity (π = 0.068, h = 0.99), and with divergence and genetic distance values (p-uncorrected = 9.9–2.4%; K2P = 10.8–3.0%) similar to values observed between species within Peromyscus. Accordingly, we propose that the reference name P. mexicanus is polyphyletic and should be restricted to the mountains of central Mexico west of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. We suggest to limit the other five recognized specific names to equal number of lineages, as monophyletic, and to revalidate three junior synonyms: Peromyscus salvadorensis, P. nicaraguae and P. tropicalis. The Isthmus of Tehuantepec, the Motagua-Polochic-Jocotan fault system, the Maya Highlands and the Honduras Depression are examples of geographic features that are likely associated with the differentiation of main lineages. Some other lineages may represent candidate species, hence the need to review the taxonomic status of the entire P. mexicanus group.

Association between Small Rodents and Forest Patch and Landscape Structure in the Fragmented Lacandona Rainforest, Mexico

Identifying the main factors that shape biological communities in human-modified tropical landscapes has key ecological and conservation implications. In these emerging landscapes, the maintenance of biodiversity may depend on both forest patch and landscape attributes, but this topic has been poorly investigated. Here we assessed the landscape (forest cover, degree of fragmentation, and matrix composition) and patch metrics (tree basal area, patch size, and isolation) that best predicted the abundance and diversity of small terrestrial rodents in the Lacandona rainforest, Mexico. In 2011 and 2012, we sampled rodent communities in 12 sites (9 patches and 3 areas within a continuous forest). We assessed the landscape characteristics within a 100-ha buffer from the center of each site. In total, we captured 78 individuals in 2011 and 82 individuals in 2012 from four species: Desmarest's Spiny Pocket Mouse ( Heteromys desmarestianus), Rice Rat ( Oryzomys sp.), Mexican Deermouse ( Peromyscus mexicanus), and Toltec Cotton Rat ( Sigmodon toltecus). Only the abundance of rodents was strongly associated with forest patch and landscape attributes, but the best predictors differed between years. The degree of fragmentation, matrix composition, and patch isolation showed the lowest impact on rodents, probably because the region is dominated by a highly heterogeneous anthropogenic matrix. Community composition was weakly related to patch and landscape attributes in both years. Overall, our findings suggest that almost a half-century of land use in the region has not led to significant changes at the community level, but additional long-term studies including arboreal species are needed before a strong conclusion can be drawn.

Diversidad de los mamíferos silvestres de Misantla, Veracruz, México

Mammal diversity was studied in the municipality of Misantla, Veracruz; April 2010 to April 2011. Forty-two native mammalian species, pertaining to 7 orders, 17 families and 33 genera were detected, Oryzomys chapmani is endemic. Potos flavus, Sphiggurus mexicanus, Leopardus wiedii and Eira barbara are protected species. The orders with the greatest species contribution were Chiroptera with 38.1%, Rodentia with 26.19% and Carnivora with 21.43%. The greatest richness and diversity (H´) was found during the dry season (Chiroptera H´=2.310; H´ non-flying mammals=0.858), and per vegetation type, in the rainforest for Chiroptera (H´=2.24) and in the Quercus-Liquidambar forest for the non-flying mammals (H´=1.03). The most abundant species were Sturnira ludovici and Peromyscus mexicanus.