Rodents in xeric scrub and semi-desert grassland communities in southeastern Coahuila, Mexico

Abstract

Objective: To assess the diversity of rodent communities in semi-desert grasslands and xerophilous shrubland at the "Los Ángeles" Ranch in southeastern Coahuila.

Design/methodology/approach: Monthly samplings were carried out from May to November 2020 using Sherman traps. The capture-recapture method was used to estimate species richness and abundance. Non-parametric estimators, species rarefaction curves, and rank abundance plots were utilized to measure species diversity. The Whittaker index was employed to assess species turnover between sampled communities.

Results: A total of 205 individuals from three families and eight species of rodents were recorded, with the Cricetidae family being the best represented. The species rarefaction curve showed that the shrubland exhibited greater diversity compared to the grassland. The dominant species were Onychomys arenicola in the semi-desert grassland and Peromyscus zamorae in the xerophilous shrubland.

Limitations/implications: There remains a need to extend long-term monitoring efforts to detect how anthropogenic activities influence species composition.

Findings/conclusions: The study highlights the importance of grasslands for the conservation of rodents in the state. Semi-desert grasslands and shrublands provide natural resources that should be preserved to maintain biodiversity in semi-arid ecosystems