Biological survey of a cloud forest in southwestern Mexico: plants, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals

Abstract

Cloud forest ecosystems contain unique flora and fauna characterized by high levels of richness and endemism. However, this ecosystem is one of the most threatened because of land-use changes stemming from anthropogenic activities. Therefore, biological inventories are necessary to adequately assess the effects of land-use changes on species now and in the future. In this study, we conducted an inventory of plants and terrestrial vertebrates (amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals) in three fragments of cloud forest in southwestern Mexico. Field work was carried out for 15 days per biological group during distinct time periods (2005-2008). Conventional methods of species capture and observation were employed to record species. Recorded species were then categorized based on their endemism and risk category. A total of 67 species of plants, 17 species of amphibians, 25 species of reptiles, 93 species of birds, and 46 species of mammals were recorded. The species accumulation curves for most taxa, except for birds and mammals, showed an asymptotic trend. A total of 56 species endemic to Mexico and four quasi-endemic species were recorded. Plants, amphibians, and reptiles presented the greatest number of species exclusive to Mexico (13 species). Six species of herpetofauna endemic to Guerrero were recorded. According to Mexican laws, 24 of the encountered species are under special protection, while 16 are categorized as threatened and seven as endangered. Reptiles and birds presented the greatest number of at-risk species (14 species). Bird and mammal richness in this study is high in comparison to that recorded in the cloud forests of the entire Mexican state of Guerrero (157 and 75 species, respectively). This data highlights the importance of cloud forests in the study area for local and regional biodiversity. Effective conservation strategies should be prioritized in cloud forests, as this ecosystem is poorly represented in natural protected areas.

Effects of Land-Use Modifications in the Potential Distribution of Endemic Bird Species Associated With Tropical Dry Forest in Guerrero, Southern Mexico

“…Information on the distribution of the selected species was obtained primarily using four sources: (a) the Atlas of the Birds of Mexico (Navarro-Sigüenza, Peterson, & Gordillo-Martínez, 2003), which contains data on Mexican birds deposited in scientific collections around the world (Figure 1(a)); (b) the available digital database of eBird (2015), which contains observational records; (c) the global biodiversity information facility, which includes collected birds from diverse regions at both the national and global level; (d) records compiled from fieldwork carried out from 2001 to 2013 in diverse localities throughout the four biotic regions in the state of Guerrero (Figure 1(b)). Fieldwork records were obtained throughout observations and collections as part of diverse regional studies focused on the birds’ ecology and biogeography of the state of Guerrero (i.e., Almazán-Núñez, 2009; Almazán-Núñez et al., 2018; Almazán-Núñez & Navarro, 2006; Almazán-Núñez, Puebla-Olivares, & Almazán-Juárez, 2009; Jacinto-Flores, Sánchez-González, & Almazán-Núñez, 2017). All doubtful localities were eliminated, and all of the records were limited to the time interval (1910–2009) covered by the bioclimatic variables used.…”

Diversidad alfa y beta de la avifauna en bosques tropicales húmedos y semihúmedos de la sierra de Atoyac, una región prioritaria para la conservación del sur de México

“…Por ejemplo, la vegetación primaria de los BTS y BMM en Guerrero ha sido modificada en aproximadamente 28% y 19%, respectivamente (Semarnat, 2013). Esto evidencia la potencial reducción en las condiciones de idoneidad ambiental para varias especies de aves que allí se distribuyen (Almazán-Núñez et al, 2018;Sierra-Morales et al, 2016). Así, varios procesos ecológicos en los que participan, como la polinización, dispersión de semillas y control de plagas también se ven alterados (Şekercioğlu et al, 2004).…”

Riqueza y conservación de las aves del suroeste de Oaxaca

“…En el suroeste de Oaxaca se muestran actualmente altas tasas de cambio de uso de suelo y vegetación, lo que ocasiona que parches de selvas de distintos tamaños queden inmersos en una matriz de áreas agropecuarias (Velázquez et al 2003). Esta fragmentación puede traer efectos considerables en el comportamiento, abundancia, distribución, interacción y diversidad de las aves (Sekercioglu y Sodhi 2007, Sodhi y Smith 2007, Korfanta et al 2012, Bregman et al 2014, Almazán-Núñez et al 2015, 2018b, Barrantes et al 2016. En esta región, aunque el tipo de vegetación dominante es la selva, tanto caducifolia como subcaducifolia (Ceballos et al 2010, Meave et al 2012, otros, como la vegetación ribereña, a lo largo del río Verde y sus tributarios, pueden ser elementos importantes para las aves durante determinadas épocas del año (Ornelas et al 1993) y soportar una proporción considerable de la diversidad (Sekercioglu 2009).…”