Abstract

MACARIO-CUEYACTLE, Demesio et al. Richness and abundance of mammals in an anthropized environment in Zongolica, Veracruz. Ecosistemas y recur. agropecuarios [online]. 2019, vol.6, n.18, pp.411-422.  Epub Feb 20, 2020. ISSN 2007-901X.  https://doi.org/10.19136/era.a6n18.2083.

Mammal diversity patterns are often affected by habitat loss and human presence. Veracruz has an inven- tory of 195 mammals, but in isolated geographic areas such as the Altas Montañas (High Mountains) region the dynamics of mammal diversity are unknown. The objective of this study was to evaluate the richness and abundance of mammals on two slopes of Cerro Acontecatl (Acontecatl Hill), Zongolica, Veracruz, Mexico. Camera trapping was used and transects were established to identify traces of mammal species from 12 samplings during May to September 2014. With a total of 7704 h trap−1 and 144 000 m2 sampled, 11 mammals belonging to seven families were recorded: Didelphidae, Sciuridae, Cuniculidae, Mephitidae, Procyonidae, Cervidae and Felidae. Leopardus wiedii and L. pardalis; two felines recorded in this study are in danger of extinction. The Shannon index showed similarity between the two Acontecatl slopes, while the Margalef index indicates a moderately diverse ecosystem in terms of mammal richness and abundance. The species accumulation curve indicated that 12 species should have been recorded with 91% sampling coverage. Hunting activities were detected in the study area, which is why Acontecatl should be declared a Priority Conservation Area, where environmental education is promoted in the city of Zongolica to raise awareness about the ecological importance of the mammals that inhabit the municipal seat’s periurban area.

Keywords : Priority Conservation Area; fragmented forest; hunting; mammal fauna.