Abstract

HERNANDEZ-JUAREZ, Alma et al. Habitat characteristics of the white-toothed woodrat (Neotoma leucodon) in the Potosino-Zacatecan plateau. Abanico vet [online]. 2021, vol.11, e122.  Epub Apr 04, 2022. ISSN 2448-6132.  https://doi.org/10.21929/abavet2021.33.

The white-toothed woodrat (Neotoma leucodon) inhabits the arid zones of north-central Mexico and it is important for rural communities for food and economic income. The objective was to characterize the habitat of the white-toothed woodrat in the Potosino-Zacatecano Plateau. In 44 sites with burrows and 44 random sites, the altitude, slope, slope exposure, ground cover: shrubs, grasses, rock, woody material and bare soil, as well as the density of prickly pear cactus, agave, shrubs and palms were recorded. In addition, 21 hunter-gatherers (H-G) were surveyed about woodrat habitat conditions. The woodrat builds its burrows in agaves (40.4 %) and 47.6 % of the H-Gs stated that the woodrat was more frequent in prickly pear cactus. Ninety % of the burrows were located on terrain with low slopes (≤ 4 %), where shrub density and cover were dominant (2085.6 ± 1825 ha -1, 36.1 ± 17.5%, respectively). Rat burrows are associated with shrubs and cactus, as they provide them with food and protection from predators. The H-G consider that in order to conserve the woodrat it is necessary to allow them to reproduce, establish hunting seasons and maintain the vegetation.

Keywords : Soil cover; local knowledge; density; burrow.

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