INTRODUCTION:

In Mexico, the state of Oaxaca is the second with higher mammalian richness. However, habitat loss and poaching have resulted in the decline and extinction of several species of flora and fauna. The present study focused on identifying the species richness and the relative abundance of medium and large mammals in the community of San Gabriel Casa Blanca, in the Biosphere Reserve Tehuacán-Cuicatlán. The work is important for the management and conservation of wildlife.

METHODS:

We placed 10 camera-traps during the dry season (November to April) and rainy season (May to October) in 2012. The camera traps were separated at least 500 m and were programmed to function 24 h a day, it took series of three photos at 10 to 15 second intervals. The cameras were reviewed every month. The richness and relative abundance during the dry and rainy season were estimated.

RESULTS:

An effort sampling of 3,300 night-trap was performed, and 826 independent records of 15 species of medium and large mammals were obtained. Additionally, Puma concolor was recorded by tracks. Only one species is under some risk category according to NOM-059-SEMARNAT-2010, Herpailurus yagouaroundi. The most abundant species were: Sylvilagus floridanus, Odocoileus virginianus, Urocyon cinereoargenteus and Dicotyles angulatus; while those of lower abundance were: Bassariscus astutus and Herpailurus yagouaroundi.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:

The results indicated that the species richness of medium and large mammals is similar to other areas with similar vegetation. In contrast, it is lower compared to other localities dominated by high and medium forests in Oaxaca.