Abstract

GAMEZ, Niza et al. Biogeographic characterization of the Transmexican Volcanic Belt and analysis of the distributional patterns of the mammal fauna. Rev. Mex. Biodiv. [online]. 2012, vol.83, n.1, pp.258-272. ISSN 2007-8706.

The Transmexican Volcanic Belt (TVB) is recognized as a center of diversification, endemism and biogeographic transition. Due to its environmental heterogeneity, complex geological origin and intricate distributional patterns, there is no consensus on its geographic delimitation and the ecological and biogeographic differentiation of its biota. We undertook a spatial analysis of the geology, altitude, climate and vegetation types, and the richness and endemicity patterns associated, with the aim of characterizing the province and the units within it. We also analyzed the distributional patterns of the mammal fauna, based on ecological niche models of the species. The TVB is characterized as a biogeographic unit, with 2 districts (east and west), where vegetation and altitude explain the distribution of richness and endemism of the mammal fauna, and the pine-oak forest from 2 000 to 3 000 m is the most relevant portion. The highest species richness is found in orders Rodentia and Chiroptera; 12 out of the 13 mammal genera endemic to Mexico are represented in the TVB, and 14 endemic species are registered for the province, mostly rodents.

Keywords : biogeography; Mammalia; biotic province; richness; ecological niche models; Neovolcanic Belt.

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