Mamíferos del centro-occidente de Oaxaca, México

Resumen

Oaxaca State ranks first in the list of the Mexican states with the highest mammals richnes, with 201 species. However, knowledge of the mammals in the entity is not homogeneous, and the west central area is among the least explored. Therefore, from April 2010 to January 2011, mammals the species richness was surveyed in 28 localities. Thirty nine species were recorded by field work, and twelve by literature review, for a total accumulated richness of forty nine species, belonging to 15 families, and eight orders, and represent 24.37% and 50% of the species and families in Oaxaca, respectively. Order Chiroptera was better represented (21 species), followed by Carnivora (10). The most abundant species were Sturnira ludovici, Dermanura azteca, Urocyon cinereoargenteus, Odocoileus virginianus and Sciurus aureogaster. The greatest number of species was observed in pine forest (32); and between 2,200 to 2,400 m of altitude (21). Of the species recorded, 34.69% have a shared distribution with North and South America. Seven species are endemic to Mexico; Cryptotis peregrina is distributed only in western Oaxaca; Leopardus wiedii, is listed by the Mexican government as endangered; Leptonycteris yerbabuenae, and Sorex veraecrucis, Choeronycteris mexicana as threatened and C. peregrina is subject to special protection. Conservation actions and sustainable forest management developed by indigenous communities in the west central Oaxaca, contribute to the preservation of the mammals of the region.