Abstract

MORALES-CONTRERAS, Jonathan et al. Population density and risk factors for the Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis saturatus) on Cozumel Island, Mexico. Huitzil [online]. 2022, vol.23, n.2, e639.  Epub Mar 31, 2023. ISSN 1870-7459.  https://doi.org/10.28947/hrmo.2022.23.2.644.

LThe Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis saturatus) is a poorly studied island endemic bird, its population status and basic biology remain unknown. In 2017 and 2019 we evaluated: (i) the density and population size of the Northern Cardinal in Cozumel Island by distance sampling using line transects, (ii) the association of the species of capture of this bird and logging on transects influence the probability of presence of the Northern Cardinal. We estimate a density of 0.1686 ± 0.0452 individuals/ha and a population size of approximately 5693 individuals for the forests of Cozumel Island. We found no relationship between the species and water bodies and human settlements. However, we found that the probability of registering the Northern Cardinal was higher on transects where no activities associated with hunting were recorded (0.28 probability) and on transects with signs of logging (0.25 probability). We recommend that the Northern Cardinal (C. c. saturatus) on Cozumel Island should be included in the Mexican government’s list of species at risk (NOM-059) as “Threatened”, based on its biological vulnerability, restricted distribution, and anthropogenic activities that affect its population and habitat.

Keywords : abundance; conservation status; Passeriforme; threatened species; distance sampling; hunting.

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