Abstract

GILCREASE, Kelsey. The Mexican Cottontail (Sylvilagus cunicularius): A historical perspective of hunting and grazing and implications for conservation planning. Acta Zool. Mex [online]. 2014, vol.30, n.1, pp.32-40. ISSN 2448-8445.

The Mexican cottontail (Sylvilagus cunicularius) is a widely hunted and locally important species in Mexico. The literature suggests that the Mexican cottontail population has declined and hunting and cattle grazing are speculated for a couple of reasons for population decline. Historical analyses can offer lessons to help aide in the conservation of this leporid species. This article examined the history of hunting and grazing in Mexico and assessed how these factors would have impinged on the Mexican cottontail. This historical analysis suggests that the Mexican cottontail was abundant at one time and was often eaten in prehistoric times. This paper provides examples of where practices, laws, and regulations led to deforestation and cattle pasture expansion such as The Law of Unproductive Land (1920) and Law on the Occupation and Alienation of Barren lands. These policies and practices would have facilitated continual use of agriculture and introduced feral fauna and grasses. This paper provides implications of hunting and grazing for conservation of the Mexican cottontail.

Keywords : Grazing; hunting; history; legislation; Mexican cottontail; Sylvilagus cunicularius.