David Valenzuela-Galván

The Barranca del Amatzinac is the principal hydrological system in northeastern Morelos, crossing several municipalities, including the recently established Indigenous municipality of Hueyapan. Despite its ecological importance, reliable information on the diversity of medium- to large-bodied mammals—and other taxonomic groups—is lacking. Here, we present the first report on the diversity of medium- to large- bodied mammals and describe the activity patterns of species recorded in the upper basin of the Barranca del Amatzinac. We deployed 15 camera traps strategically across the upper basin and conducted 12 monthly sampling sessions from May 2023 to April 2024, each lasting one week. In parallel, we performed transect-based sign surveys (track and sign identification) with two walks per month over the same period. Species richness was estimated using Hill numbers. We also calculated proportional capture rates for each species recorded by camera trapping and encounter rates for each species recorded from signs and inferred activity patterns using the Diel.Niche package in R. In total, we documented 15 species of medium- to large-bodied mammals. With 1,183 trap-days, camera traps recorded 12 species, and nearly 264 km of transect walks yielded 11 species. Alpha diversity (α, using Hill numbers) was 6.57 for camera-trap records and 6.52 for sign surveys. The most common species were Dasypus mexicanus, Didelphis virginiana, and Bassariscus astutus. Consistent activity patterns were obtained for most of the photographed species, as well as seasonal changes in some taxa (Canis latrans and Nasua narica), suggesting temporal partitioning and responses to seasonal environmental variation. This study provides the first formal data on medium- to large-bodied mammals for the Indigenous municipality of Hueyapan and northeastern Morelos, establishing a baseline for future biological research in the area.

The jaguarundi is one of the six wild feline species found in Mexico and is considered threatened, with population trends indicating a decline. It is a species difficult to capture, with very few recorded sightings. More studies on its ecology are needed. The data were obtained through photo-trapping samplings conducted at six ejidos (communal landholdings) within the Sierra de Huautla Biosphere Reserve (REBIOSH), in southern Morelos, from 2015 to 2022, using between 35 and 61 camera traps on each 30-60 day sampling periods. The cameras were deployed on sampling grids with a minimum separation of 500 m. We obtained 25 records of the species in 15 different sites within the REBIOSH. On average, its photographic capture rate in this protected natural area (PNA) was 0.63 ± 0.67 individuals per 1,000 trap days. Most of these new records were obtained in wide ravines within large fragments (ranging from 80 to over 1,500 ha) of preserved continuous dry forest, at altitudes below 1,200 m above sea level, and during the daytime. This increases knowledge of the species’ distribution in Morelos and provides evidence that, in the REBIOSH, this species has a persistent population with a wide distribution,especially in its southern and northeastern portions, although it is low in abundance. We provide concrete suggestions to help conserve it within this PNA and in the state of Morelos.

Background and Research Aims: Conservation efforts often face paradoxes, particularly when introducing threatened species into non-native habitats. Cozumel Island exemplifies such paradoxes with the recent introduction of the ocelot, alongside previously established margay and boa populations, threatening endemic biodiversity. Methods: Long-term wildlife sampling since 1994 involved diverse methods across Cozumel’s varied habitats, including camera traps, line transect sampling, road sampling, and extensive fieldwork to monitor and document wildlife presence. Results: The first documented ocelot ( Leopardus pardalis ) sightings on Cozumel occurred in 2016, captured by camera traps. These records highlight potential establishment risks, especially given the island’s habitat suitability and absence of significant natural predators. Conclusion: The introduction of the ocelot on Cozumel constitutes a critical conservation challenge, reflecting broader issues with managing introduced predators on island ecosystems. Immediate actions are needed to mitigate ecological impacts and prevent further introductions, emphasizing genetic studies for informed conservation strategies. Implications for Conservation: Effective management must include enhanced monitoring, strict control of species introductions, and public education to prevent future threats to Cozumel’s unique biodiversity. Strategic conservation efforts are essential to balance species protection with ecological integrity on island environments.

In the Sierra Monte Negro State Reserve, Morelos, Mexico, free-roaming dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) and cattle (Bos taurus) have been recorded, with potential negative effects on biodiversity. We analyzed the overlap in the activity patterns between domestic and native species to identify scenarios of possible competition or predation. We generate data on their presence and activity at different times and photo trapping sampling stations, estimate their activity patterns and evaluate their overlap. The activity pattern of dogs overlaps moderately with those of Coyote (Canis latrans), Gray fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus), Southern spotted skunk (Spilogale angustifrons), and North American Ringtail (Bassariscus astutus) and its low with those of White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana). However, the activity pattern of the dogs differed from that of all species except Coyote and White-tailed deer. The activity pattern of cattle overlapped highly with that of the Coyote and moderately with the rest of the species and differed from that of all the wild species considered, except for the White-tailed deer. Our results suggest that domestic species could be competing for resources with some wild species and that dogs could be preying on some wild species in this protected area.

Background: As a result of botanical explorations carried out for the project Bromeliaceae of Mexico, we collected plants of the genus Hechtia within the Sierra de Huautla Biosphere Reserve, in Xochipala, municipality of Tlaquiltenango, Morelos, Mexico. However, this plant does not resemble any known species. Question: Do the Hechtia populations in Xochipala correspond to an undescribed taxon? Studied species: Species of Hechtia previously reported from Morelos and all the taxa with greater morphological similarity to the new proposed taxon. Study site and date: Xochipala, municipality of Tlaquiltenango, Morelos, Mexico, 2023. Methods: Our research involved field work, review of herbarium specimens, protologues, and type material of all the species of Hechtia distributed in Morelos, in the neighboring states of Puebla and Guerrero, and of the most morphologically similar taxa. Results: After a careful and detailed review of the living material and herbarium specimens, we conclude that those plants belong to an undescribed taxon that we propose here. A morphological description, images, and a distribution map of Hechtia cerrostlatilpae are included, as well as an identification key and a list of examined specimens of all Hechtia species known from the state of Morelos. Conclusions: The discovery of a new species of Hechtia in Xochipala, Morelos, Mexico increases the plant diversity of Morelos, particularly at the Sierra de Huautla Biosphere Reserve. Hechtia cerrostlatilpae presents unique vegetative and floral characters that allow its recognition as a new species within the genus.

Protected areas are of paramount relevance to conserving wildlife and ecosystem contributions to people. Yet, their conservation success is increasingly threatened by human activities including habitat loss, climate change, pollution, and species overexploitation. Thus, understanding the underlying and proximate drivers of anthropogenic threats is urgently needed to improve protected areas’ effectiveness, especially in the biodiversity-rich tropics. We addressed this issue by analyzing expert-provided data on long-term biodiversity change (last three decades) over 14 biosphere reserves from the Mesoamerican Biodiversity Hotspot. Using multivariate analyses and structural equation modeling, we tested the influence of major socioeconomic drivers (demographic, economic, and political factors), spatial indicators of human activities (agriculture expansion and road extension), and forest landscape modifications (forest loss and isolation) as drivers of biodiversity change. We uncovered a significant proliferation of disturbance-tolerant guilds and the loss or decline of disturbance-sensitive guilds within reserves causing a “winner and loser” species replacement over time. Guild change was directly related to forest spatial changes promoted by the expansion of agriculture and roads within reserves. High human population density and low nonfarming occupation were identified as the main underlying drivers of biodiversity change. Our findings suggest that to mitigate anthropogenic threats to biodiversity within biosphere reserves, fostering human population well-being via sustainable, nonfarming livelihood opportunities around reserves is imperative.