DIVERSITY, DISTRIBUTION AND ABUNDANCE OF MAMMALS IN SANTIAGO COMALTEPEC, OAXACA, MÉXICO

Abstract

Wild mammals present severe conservation problems due to the destruction and fragmentation of their habitat. Although there is no information about the current situation in México, there is evidence that a considerable part of this group is threatened or in danger of extinction. During February to July 2010, a study about the diversity, distribution and abundance of mammals in pine forest and tropical forest of the community of Santiago Comaltepec, Sierra Norte de Oaxaca, was performed, through techniques of photo trapping and the search for trails. Sixteen species were recorded, which represent a specific wealth of nine for the pine forest and nine for the tropical forest, grouped into 16 genera and 14 families; in pine forest the most abundant families were Canidae and Felidae, and for tropical forest it was Felidae. The species Pecarí tajacu and Conepatus semistriatus were distributed in both forests. In this study, species such as Panthera onca, Leopardus pardalis, Puma yagouaroundi and Tamandúa mexicana stand out, whose records indicate a broad biological wealth in the habitats studied. However, there is a need to propose strategies for their protection, since they are currently within some category of risk in national and international regulations, such as NOM-059-SEMARNAT-2001 and CITES, respectively.