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Coatis (Procyonidae; Nasua) are considered the only truly social mesocarnivore mammals in Neotropical forests. In Mexico, white-nosed coatis (Nasua narica) are suspected to have undergone population reduction due to habitat loss and fragmentation and led to a lack of genetic adaptability and genetic isolation throughout its range. We examined patterns of genetic diversity and connectivity of five populations of Nasua narica distributed throughout Mexico (n = 60) by sequencing an ≈ 800 bp fragment of the mitochondrial cytochrome-b gene and also by screening 12 microsatellite loci. We found moderate to high levels of genetic variability for both genetic markers. We recorded twenty-two different cytochrome-b haplotypes throughout the 5 sampled areas and found that each of the sampled population of white-nosed coatis in Mexico harbors unique haplotypes and only three haplotypes were shared among two different populations that were closer geographically. All populations had high haplotype diversity (h) (0.968 ± 0.008 (SD)) but lower levels of nucleotide diversity (π) of 0.007 ± 0.001 (SD). All microsatellite loci were polymorphic in all of the populations and the mean number of alleles per locus was 5.033 ± 1.545 (SD) with expected (H E ) and observed (H O 32F IT = 0.310). Significant differences between the five populations confirmed isolation by distance, which suggests genetic structure among five subpopulations.

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Protected areas are frequently established to prevent declines in biodiversity, but their effectiveness in preserving biodiversity can depend on how land outside their borders is managed.  We evaluated how land use changes from 1989 to 2016 in the Reserva de la Biosfera Sierra del Abra Tanchipa (RBSAT) landscape might affect the role of the RBSAT for conservation of biodiversity, with an emphasis on conservation of jaguars, a keystone species.  We estimated the rate of land use change within and surrounding the RBSAT, a 215 km2 natural reserve in San Luis Potosí, Mexico, from 1989 to 2016 using supervised classifications of satellite imagery.  We also analyzed the distribution of two GPS collared male jaguars.  The RBSAT and surrounding landscape became increasingly fragmented and impacted by human use over the previous ca. 30 years.  The largest increases were seen in infrastructure and intensive agriculture, while the largest decreases were seen in pasture, tropical deciduous forest, and secondary vegetation.  Jaguars were located more frequently than expected in secondary vegetation, the most common cover class, which decreased from 34.8 % of the landscape to 32.1 % by 2016.  Only 23 % of jaguar locations fell within the boundaries of the RBSAT, due to increases in preferred habitat attributes of jaguars and prey outside the Reserve.    Increasing fragmentation compromises the RBSAT’s role as a biodiversity reserve, especially for interior-dependent species. Fragmentation and edge habitats in combination with increasing agriculture enhance suitability of the landscape surrounding the RBSAT for prey of jaguar, and only 23 % of jaguar locations were within the RBSAT itself.  This increases the likelihood of jaguar-related conflicts in surrounding communities.  Regional landscape planning should include policies that incentivize practices that maintain remaining larger habitat patches and minimize the likelihood of human-wildlife conflicts.

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Mazama gouazoubira (Fischer [von Waldheim], 1814) is an ungulate commonly called gray brocket deer. Six morphological forms have been described, but it is currently considered as monotypic. It is a widespread medium-sized cervid, sexually dimorphic with males having antlers. The geographic distribution of M. gouazoubira extends from the southern Amazon region to northern Argentina and Uruguay and stretches from east of the dry Andean range in Argentina and Bolivia, to the Atlantic Coast. It is the most abundant species of brocket deer in South America. Habitat loss and hunting are considered the major threats and it is listed as “Least Concern” (LC) by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

La liebre de flancos blancos de Tamaulipas, Lepus altamirae, fue originalmente descrita como una subespecie de Lepus merriami hace más de un siglo.  Varias décadas después fue reclasificada como una subespecie de la liebre de cola negra, L. californicus altamirae.  A pesar de la importancia ecológica, social y económica de las liebres, existe un vacío en el conocimiento de muchas especies, tal es el caso de L. altamirae, ya que históricamente se han avistado, colectado y estudiado pocos individuos.  El 13 de octubre de 2016 y el 22 de septiembre de 2021, 2 lagomorfos con pelaje pajizo-grisáceo, así como extremidades y orejas alargadas fueron fotografiados in situ durante el monitoreo de fauna silvestre en la región de la Huasteca Potosina, en el noreste de San Luis Potosí.  Por su coloración, características morfológicas y distribución, se identificaron como L. altamirae.  Estos son los primeros registros documentados de la especie en las tierras bajas de la Huasteca Potosina, así como los primeros registros después de un siglo de la descripción de la especie.  Los registros conocidos más cercanos se encuentran ca. 98 km al este en el estado de Tamaulipas.  La presencia de la liebre de flancos blancos de Tamaulipas en la región podría estar relacionada con el cambio de uso del suelo.  Es necesario un monitoreo sistemático para mejorar el conocimiento sobre la distribución de éste y otros mamíferos en las tierras bajas de la Huasteca Potosina.

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