Factors affecting presence and relative abundance of the Endangered volcano rabbit <i>Romerolagus diazi</i>, a habitat specialist

Osuna, Felipe; Guevara, Roger; Martínez‐Meyer, Enrique; Alcalá, Raúl E.

doi:10.1017/s0030605320000368

Cited by 3 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 30 publications

(41 reference statements)

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“…Our analyses indicate that the RAI of volcano rabbits in burned plots is supported by the recovery of M. macroura , which is described as a vital element in their habitat as a source of food and cover ( Velazquez & Heil, 1996 ; Hunter & Cresswell, 2015 ; Rizo-Aguilar et al, 2015 ; Osuna et al, 2022 ). In the five burned plots where the number of latrines increased over the sampling year, the height of M. macroura exceeded 0.9 m. The reported heights of 1 m, excluding the burned plot of site 9, indicated an exponential increase in RAI (plots at sites 8 and 10).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 70%

Response of the subalpine bunchgrasses to wildfires and its effects in the relative abundance of the volcano rabbit in the Ajusco-Chichinautzin Mountain Range

Uriostegui-Velarde,

González-Romero,

Rizo-Aguilar

et al. 2024

PeerJ

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The volcano rabbit (Romerolagus diazi) is a lagomorph endemic to the central mountains of the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt and is classified as threatened at extinction risk. It is a habitat specialist in bunchgrass communities. The annual wildfires that occur throughout its distribution range are a vulnerability factor for the species. However, the effects of wildfires on volcano rabbit populations are not fully understood. We evaluated the occupancy and change in the volcano rabbit relative abundance index in the burned bunchgrass communities of the Ajusco-Chichinautzin Mountain Range during an annual cycle of wildfire events. Additionally, we assessed the factors that favor and limit occupation and reoccupation by the volcano rabbit using the relative abundance index in burned plots as an indicator of these processes. The explanatory factors for the response of the volcano rabbit were its presence in the nearby unburned bunchgrasses, the height of three species of bunchgrass communities, the proportion of different types of vegetation cover within a 500 m radius around the burned plots, heterogeneity of the vegetation cover, and the extent of the wildfire. Statistical analyses indicated possible reoccupation in less than a year in burned bunchgrass communities adjacent to unburned bunchgrass communities with volcano rabbits. The relative abundance index of volcano rabbits was not favored when the maximum height of the Muhlenbergia macroura bunchgrass community was less than 0.77 m. When the vegetation around the burned plots was dominated by forest (cover >30% of the buffer) and the fire was extensive, the number of latrines decreased per month but increased when the bunchgrass and shrub cover was greater around the burned plots. While the statistical results are not conclusive, our findings indicate a direction for future projects, considering extensive monitoring to obtain a greater number of samples that contribute to consolidating the models presented.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 70%

Response of the subalpine bunchgrasses to wildfires and its effects in the relative abundance of the volcano rabbit in the Ajusco-Chichinautzin Mountain Range

Uriostegui-Velarde,

González-Romero,

Rizo-Aguilar

et al. 2024

PeerJ

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“…Besides, our polygons have an average altitude upon 3,800 masl, so they could be helpful in a climate change scenario according to the ascent of the lowest altitudinal limit of the volcano rabbit's distribution (Anderson et al 2009). Furthermore, the relative abundance of this rabbit is significantly higher in altitudes above 3,600 masl with abundant bunchgrass cover (Osuna et al 2021). According to the significant evolutionary units proposed by Osuna et al (2020), these polygons are located in the area of the Nevada south unit and can also be useful as a natural refugee for genetic management.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 94%

Use of distribution models in the conservation of a Mexican endemic lagomorph

Aguirre-López

Escalante

2021

Therya

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The volcano rabbit (Romerolagus diazi), endemic to the central-eastern Transmexican Volcanic Belt, is one of the most threatened lagomorphs worldwide. Several factors threaten to decrease its geographical distribution, which is already restricted to the Pelado, Tláloc, Iztaccíhuatl, and Popocatépetl volcanoes. Our study aimed to propose priority areas for the conservation of this rabbit within Iztaccíhuatl-Popocatépetl National Park (IPNP) based on species distribution models. Volcano rabbit presence data were collected through different field sampling techniques and public and private databases. The environmental predictors used to model suitability were obtained from both open-access remote sensors and topographic information. The models’ performance was adjusted by evaluating different sets of variables and data to improve the certainty of the results. We obtained an area of 132.5 km2 within the IPNP potentially occupied by the volcano rabbit and a high suitability area of 7 km2. In addition, four priority conservation polygons for the volcano rabbit were identified within the National Park. We showed that the suitability and potential distribution are not uniform in the park, being the alpine meadow dominated by Muhlenbergia sp., the most suitable area for R. diazi. Therefore, the conservation strategies should focus on preserving these meadows in the prioritized polygons, avoiding tourist and unskilled personnel’s access. This work represents a contribution to the conservation of the volcano rabbit and a theoretical and practical tool for use in the IPNP.

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Pollen signal of modern vegetation registered in surface soil samples along an elevation gradient from Iztaccíhuatl volcano, central Mexico

Rodríguez-Pérez,

Vázquez Selem,

Cañellas-Boltà

et al. 2024

Veget Hist Archaeobot

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Characterising the vegetation-pollen signal is a crucial task for enhancing the interpretation of fossil pollen records. This study analyses 28 surface soil samples collected in the surroundings of Iztaccíhuatl volcano, between 2,650 and 4,024 m asl. Pollen zones and ordination analysis were assessed to establish a qualitative connection between the pollen signal and the distribution of plant communities along the elevation gradient. The results show: (i) the predominant pollen type in the pollen assemblage is Pinus; (ii) pollen grains of Quercus and Alnus are present along the elevation gradient, even at high elevations where the parental plants are not typically found; (iii) samples taken between 2,650 and 3,338 m asl., where fir forests dominate, exhibit higher values of Abies pollen compared to samples above 3,405 m asl.; (iv) the locally-dispersed pollen of the hemiparasite Arceuthobium results key in identifying the presence of pine forests; and (v) pollen taxa such as Apiaceae, Eryngium, Valerianaceae, and Caryophyllaceae are linked to higher elevations, specifically where the plant communities of Pinus hartwegii and alpine grassland occur. The study suggests that the pollen signal along the elevation gradient is useful to characterise the main plant communities of the study site (fir forest, pine forest and alpine grassland). Additionally, the percentage variations of Abies in the pollen signal below 3,600 m asl. show the reduction of fir forest communities resulting from recent human activities in the area.

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Factors affecting presence and relative abundance of the Endangered volcano rabbit Romerolagus diazi, a habitat specialist

Cited by 3 publications

References 30 publications

Response of the subalpine bunchgrasses to wildfires and its effects in the relative abundance of the volcano rabbit in the Ajusco-Chichinautzin Mountain Range

Response of the subalpine bunchgrasses to wildfires and its effects in the relative abundance of the volcano rabbit in the Ajusco-Chichinautzin Mountain Range

Use of distribution models in the conservation of a Mexican endemic lagomorph

Pollen signal of modern vegetation registered in surface soil samples along an elevation gradient from Iztaccíhuatl volcano, central Mexico

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