Abstract

VAZQUEZ-PEREZ, José Raúl; ENRIQUEZ, Paula L.  and  RANGEL-SALAZAR, José Luis. Diversity of diurnal raptors in the Biosphere Reserve Selva El Ocote, Chiapas, Mexico. Rev. Mex. Biodiv. [online]. 2009, vol.80, n.1, pp.203-209. ISSN 2007-8706.

Environmental loss and degradation are negatively affecting important functional avian groups, such as diurnal raptors. We evaluated spatial variation of diversity in diurnal raptors in core and buffer zones in Selva El Ocote Biosphere Reserve using point counts and elevated points for observation. We recorded 16 diurnal raptor species, 10 in the core zone, 14 in the buffer zone, and 8 species occurred in both zones. Chondrohierax uncinatus and Buteogallus anthracinus were exclusive in the core zone and 6 species in the buffer zone. Cathartes aura and Coragyps atratus were the more abundant species in the core zone using point counts, and Micrastur ruficollis using point counts in the buffer zone. The diversity index showed that core zone had the higher values comparing with the buffer zone values. Although the core zone supports a lower number of species compared with the buffer zone, diversity and evenness estimates were higher in the core zone. Large annual deforested rates will be determinant on the distribution and diversity of rain forest raptors in the region.

Keywords : abundance; communities; diurnal raptors; ensemble; spatial variation.