Aim  The jaguar, Panthera onca, is a species of global conservation concern. In Mexico, the northernmost part of its distribution range, its conservation status, is particularly critical, while its potential and actual distribution is poorly known. We propose an ensemble model (EM) of the potential distribution for the jaguar in Mexico and identify the priority areas for conservation. Location  Mexico. Methods  We generated our EM based on three presence‐only methods (Ecological Niche Factor Analysis, Mahalanobis distance, Maxent) and considering environmental, biological and anthropogenic factors. We used this model to evaluate the efficacy of the existing Mexican protected areas (PAs), to evaluate the adequacy of the jaguar conservation units (JCUs) and to propose new areas that should be considered for conservation and management of the species in Mexico. Results  Our results outline that 16% of Mexico (c. 312,000 km2) can be considered as suitable for the presence of the jaguar. Furthermore, 13% of the suitable areas are included in existing PAs and 14% are included in JCUs (Sanderson et al., 2002). Main conclusions  Clearly much more should be carried out to establish a proactive conservation strategy. Based on our results, we propose here new jaguar conservation and management areas that are important for a nationwide conservation blueprint.

Predation by jaguars (Panthera onca) and pumas (Puma concolor) is often a source of conflict with cattle ranching in northeastern Sonora, Mexico. Because jaguars are endangered in Mexico, such conflicts have biological, social, and economic consequences. We documented the extent of predation by jaguars and pumas on cattle in 1999-2004 in northeastern Sonora, where the northernmost breeding population of jaguars exists in North America. Jaguars and pumas killed only calves , 12 mo old, and calves constituted 58% of prey biomass consumed by jaguars and 9% by pumas. Annual cause-specific mortality rates of confirmed jaguar predation (# 0.018), confirmed and suspected jaguar predation (# 0.018), and all confirmed and suspected large felid predation (# 0.018) were low and cattle calf survival was high (0.89-0.98 annually). If calves reported as missing but for which no evidence of mortality could be found were classed as large felid predation, annual cause-specific rates increased to 0.006-0.038. Collectively, confirmed jaguar and puma predation accounted for , 14% (57/408) of total cattle losses, with jaguars responsible for 14% of all calf losses; this could increase to a maximum of 36% (146/408) if missing calves were included in the totals. While jaguar and puma predation may have an impact on some small cattle operations, it is generally minor compared to losses from other causes in northeastern Sonora. Moreover, 91% of all confirmed calf kills were associated with three individual jaguars in our study. Targeting problem cats rather than broad-scale predator control may therefore be a viable alternative to address chronic predation problems. Because most (83%) instances of jaguar predation occurred during the dry season along thick riparian habitats, modified cattle husbandry operations, such as establishment of permanent water sources in uplands and away from dense vegetative cover, could ameliorate many cases of predation by jaguars on cattle. Resumen La predación por jaguares y pumas es a menudo fuente de conflicto con ganaderos en el Noreste de Sonora, México. Debido a que los jaguares están en peligro de extinción en México tales conflictos tienen repercusiones biológicas, sociales y económicas. Documentamos el grado de depredación en ganado por jaguares y pumas de 1999 al 2004 en el noroeste de Sonora, donde existe la población reproductiva de jaguares localizada más al norte en la región de Norte Ame´rica. Los jaguares y pumas matan becerros de menos de 12 meses de edad, y los becerros constituyen el 57% de la biomasa de las presas consumidas por jaguares y 9% por pumas. La mortalidad anual por causas especificas debida a la depredación confirmada (# 0.018), por los jaguares y la asumida (# 0.018), y así como toda la confirmada y asumida de los felinos (# 0.018), fue baja y la sobrevivencia de los becerros fue alta (0.89-0.98 anualmente). Si los becerros se reportaban como perdidos pero no se encontró evidencia de la mortalidad se clasificaron como depredación anual de de los felinos, así, la tasa de la ca...

Resumen. Durante 2007 se obtuvo información del conocimiento y la percepción que los pobladores del ejido tienen sobre el jaguar, sus presas y los factores que afectan la distribución y su conservación. Mediante el índice de importancia cultural (IIC) se determinó el conocimiento que los ejidatarios tienen de las presas, y el uso y valor que les otorgan. Las presas que reconocieron importantes fueron venado cola blanca (Odocoileus virginianus), temazate (Mazama temama), pecarí (Tayassu pecari), tejón (Nasua narica), armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus) y tepezcuintle (Cuniculus paca); 72% de los encuestados también identificaron especies domésticas como presas del jaguar. Según su percepción, las más abundantes son pecarí, tejón y armadillo. El valor de uso más importante es el alimenticio, puesto que 82% de los encuestados ha consumido alguna especie silvestre. El valor más alto del IIC fue para el venado (27.17). En el ejido se considera perjudicial el jaguar por alimentarse del ganado. Los pobladores y los jaguares utilizan las mismas especies para obtener beneficio. El presente estudio constituye una base para el desarrollo de trabajos tendientes a manejar y conservar los recursos naturales que existen en el ejido considerando las necesidades de la población humana, de su fauna silvestre y la relación entre éstas. Palabras clave: pobladores rurales, manejo, recursos, índice de importancia cultural.

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There is little information on the population status of the ocelot Leopardus pardalis in Mexico. In the Sierra Abra-Tanchipa Biosphere Reserve, in San Luis Potosí, ocelots are affected by habitat loss and fragmentation as a result of increased agricultural development. We used photographic identification in camera-trapping capture–recapture surveys to determine population abundance and density during the dry season and subsequent early and late humid seasons during April 2011–March 2012. We recorded 80 photographs of 15 individuals (10 males, one female, and four of undetermined sex) in 7,786 camera-days. Abundance was estimated using a closed capture heterogeneity model, yielding an estimated population of 9 ± SE 3 in the dry season and 21 ± SE 8 and 15 ± SE 5 during the subsequent early and late humid seasons, respectively. Spatially explicit density estimates were 0.04 and 0.03–0.18 individuals per km2 for the dry and humid seasons, respectively, and were similar (P > 0.612) among seasons. Peaks in ocelot activity occurred during 20.00–04.00. We conclude that the ocelots of the Sierra Abra-Tanchipa Reserve have a low population density and may face geographical and biological isolation as a result of habitat conversion. Continued monitoring and improved understanding of the movements and habitat preferences of ocelots are necessary to ensure their continued persistence, and connectivity between this population and others in north-east Mexico.

Jaguar and puma faeces (N 030) were collected in an area of 75 km 2 in the tropical forest of Tamasopo in San Luis Potosi. A dot-blot assay was developed with DNA from scats in order to differentiate between jaguar and puma. This assay employed a probe recognising cytochrome b of puma. A total of 14 prey species were found, of which 7 were used by both felids. Jaguar and puma diets in this study showed an overlap of 93.38% where collared peccary was the main prey consumed by both felids (jaguar 39.64% and puma 45.76%). White-tailed deer was also present in the diets of both felids, with a similar biomass consumed (jaguar 7.64% and puma 5.88%). Brocket deer and domestic goat appeared only in the puma's diet. With the exception of some remains from a lizard in the jaguar's diet, the rest of the prey species were comprised of medium-sized prey (1Á15 kg), with the common opossum and raccoon found for both felids. A method is presented to estimate the number of individuals consumed based on energy requirements. The overlap suggests an important competition between these species.

Para definir la distribución geográfica del ocelote en el estado de San Luis Potosí, México, se obtuvieron nuevos registros de la especie. El estudio se realizó de enero de 2007 a abril de 2009. Se obtuvieron 41 registros de ocelotes por medio de entrevistas y trampeo-fotográfico. Los registros se localizaron en comunidades vegetales de selva baja caducifolia (37%), matorral submontano (22%), bosque de encino (15%), selva mediana (10%), selva alta perennifolia, bosque mesófilo de montaña, bosque de pino-encino y matorral desértico micrófilo (10%). La presencia de ocelotes se ubicó en los municipios de Ciudad del Maíz, El Naranjo, Cerritos, Guadalcázar, San Nicolás Tolentino y Ciudad Valles en de elevaciones de 38 a 2 400 m snm. Los resultados de esta investigación sugieren una distribución del ocelote más hacia el oeste del estado respecto a su distribución original. El presente estudio definió nuevas regiones con presencia de ocelotes que pueden ser consideradas en el desarrollo de estrategias de conservación de la especie en el estado de San Luis Potosí.

The northernmost known breeding population of jaguars occurs in the municipality of Nácori Chico, Sonora, Mexico about 270 km from the United States-Mexico border and may be the source from which jaguars sighted in the United States dispersed. Since 1999 at least 11 jaguars (Panthera onca) had been illegally killed in the area due to predator control programs. We initiated a jaguar landowner-based conservation plan in 2004. The eight participating landowners agreed to suspend predator control programs targeting jaguars and pumas (Puma concolor) only if cattle losses were compensated. A private outfitter, with the consent of landowners, initiated white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) hunts in 2004 and agreed to pay the group of participating landowners US$1500 for every deer hunt permit sold. The funds paid to the landowners from deer hunts were sufficient to convince landowners to suspend all predator-control efforts of jaguars and pumas. The involvement of landowners in the jaguar conservation program in northeastern Sonora is a successful, private, wildlife-conservation initiative that provides an example for jaguar conservation efforts in northern Mexico.