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A comparison of mammalian diversity across vegetational associations of the Aramberri region of Nuevo Leon in northeastern Mexico.

Article Excerpt
Abstract. -- The mammalian fauna inhabiting nine different vegetational associations found in two state natural protected areas (San Juan y Puentes and Trinidad y Llano Salas) near Aramberri in southern Nuevo Leon, Mexico was examined. Prior to this study, 32 individuals representing 13 species were collected in the zone from August to October 2001. Monthly sampling was conducted from February 2003 through April 2004; 131 individuals of 20 species were collected and 12 individuals of seven species were observed. In total, 25 species of mammals are reported from this study area; these included Rodentia (15 sp.), Chiroptera (5 sp.), Lagamorpha (2 sp.), Carnivora (2 sp.) and Marsupial (1 sp.). Of the nine vegetational associations, the Mesquital/Juniper was highest in mammalian diversity with 19 species. Three species of rodents (Peromyscus pectoralis, Peromyscus leucopus and Neotoma albigula) were widespread in the study area and were found in five to seven of the vegetational associations.

Resumen. -- Este estudio examina los mamiferos que habitan en nueve diferentes tipos de asociaciones vegetales, que se encuentran en dos areas protegidas cerca de Aramberri en el sureste de Nuevo Leon, Mexico. Antes de este estudio, se colectaron en la zona 32 individuos (13 sp.) de agosto a octubre del 2001. Para este estudio, se muestreo mensualmente desde febrero del 2003 hasta abril del 2004, colectandose 131 individuos (20 sp.) y observandose 12 individuos (7 sp.). En total, 25 especies de mamiferos fueron colectadas en el area; estos incluyen Rodentia (15 sp.), Chiroptera (5 sp.), Lagomorpha (2 sp.), Carnivora (2 sp) y Marsupial (1 sp). En cuanto a la influencia de la vegetacion en la distribucion de los mamiferos, la mayoria de las especies fueron colectadas en areas de Mezquital/Juniperus, con 19 especies. Tres especies de roedores (Peromyscus pectoralis, Peromyscus leucopus y Neotoma albigula) no mostraron tener preferencia de habitat, distribuyendose practicamente en casi todos las asociaciones vegetacionales.

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Under the guidelines of the "Plan Estatal de Desarrollo" the state of Nuevo Leon in northeastern Mexico established 23 state protected natural areas during 1997-2003 (AMAVISI 2002). Two of these sites, San Juan y Puentes and Trinidad y Llano Salas, are located near the municipality of Aramberri in southern Nuevo Leon.

Historically, this area of Nuevo Leon was dominated by cedar forest and naturally occurring underground springs. During the 1970s, this area began to show the impact of increased use by human activities. The most significant of these changes have resulted from the clearing of the Juniper woodland for agricultural purposes. This resulted in fragmentation of the woodland and increased secondary vegetation. Additionally, the extraction of groundwater for agricultural use has resulted in an increased accumulation of organic matter (peat moss) which is subject to spontaneous combustion. An underground fire has existed in the area for more than 25 years.

The consequences of human impact in conjunction with the loss of water and the presence of sulfur fumes have altered both the diversity and distribution of the original plant and animal species. The objective of this study was to inventory the mammalian species present in these two state protected natural sites and determine any existing relationships between these mammalian species and existing vegetational associations.

STUDY SITE

The study area is...