Abstract

SANCHEZ-HERNANDEZ, Cornelio; ROMERO-ALMARAZ, Ma. de Lourdes; COLIN-MARTINEZ, Helisama  and  GARCIA-ESTRADA, Carlos. Mamíferos de cuatro áreas con diferente grado de alteración en el sureste de México. Acta Zool. Mex [online]. 2001, n.84, pp.35-48. ISSN 2448-8445.

The mammals from four areas of Southeastern Mexico were examined to compare the species diversity in areas characterized by various degrees of disturbance caused by human activities such as felling of trees, cattle grazing, and agriculture. We examined 458 specimens from 52 species in the four study areas. Carlos A. Madrazo was the site with more species richness (n= 41) and also has the less disturbed vegetation, followed by Agua Dulce (n= 37) that presents some orchards that had changed the natural vegetation, and Jalapita (n= 28) and El Espino (n= 14), the areas with the most alteration in their vegetation. The differences found in the distribution of the species in the four areas indicate that most species prefer to inhabit the less disturbed areas with favorable conditions for their survival, suggesting that disturbance reduced the number of species in the studied zones. In Southeastern Mexico, Tabasco and Veracruz are among the states with the most disturbed areas in which the original vegetation has been substituted by grass. It is imperative that the authorities responsible for the conservation of species and use of the land implement a plan to educate local people on the sustainable use of natural resources so their protection and management can be achieved.

Keywords : Mammals; disturbance; diversity; southeastern Mexico.

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