The benefits of contributing to the citizen science platform iNaturalist as an identifier.

As the number of observations submitted to the citizen science platform iNaturalist continues to grow, it is increasingly important that these observations can be identified to the finest taxonomic level, maximizing their value for biodiversity research. Here, we explore the benefits of acting as an identifier on iNaturalist.

Mamíferos de la Selva Zoque, México: riqueza, uso y conservación / Mammals of Zoque Forest, Mexico: richness, use and conservation

Mammals of Zoque Forest, Mexico: richness, use and conservation. Zoque Forest is one of the richest and threatened regions in Southeastern Mexico, and for which few studies on mammal biology and use are available. Here we analyzed the conservation status of mammalian species according to Mexican and international laws, with an updated checklist of mammals in this forest, and some information on their use by some rural communities. Basic information was obtained from national and international collections and publications. A total of 42 fieldtrips, that followed conventional techniques, were conducted from 2003 through 2010, and some questionnaires to local hunters were applied. The mammalian fauna found in the area was composed of 149 species belonging to 99 genera and 30 families; these results support that the Zoque Forest is the richest in the number of mammalian species in Mexico. A total of 35 species were considered at risk by the Mexican National Law NOM-059-SEMARNAT-2010, and 21 species were found to be registered in the IUCN Red List or in CITES. Of the 40 species included in any of the lists, only the Baird’s tapir, jaguar and white-lipped peccary were included in all three lists and 14 species were shared by the two of them. The main uses of mammals in order of importance are: 1) bushmeat, 2) pets, 3) skins, and 4) traditional medicine. Subsistence hunting and trade are unofficially allowed for farmers in this area. As for now, the region has healthy populations of a large number of mammals even though they have been used by local residents. However, since a considerable number of these species are listed under some criterion of threat, local authorities are called for more control. Rev. Biol. Trop. 60 (2): 781-797. Epub 2012 June 01.

En el sureste de México, la Selva Zoque es considerada la segunda mayor extensión de selvas y bosques bien conservados al norte de Mesoamérica. En este estudio se presenta una lista actualizada de los mamíferos de esta región. Analizamos el estado de riesgo de los mamíferos de acuerdo a las leyes Mexicanas e internacionales, y se evaluó el uso que las comunidades rurales les dan. La información se obtuvo de bases de datos de colecciones nacionales e internacionales y publicaciones; asimismo, se realizó trabajo de campo a partir del 2003 hasta el 2010, siguiendo técnicas convencionales. La mastofauna de la región está compuesta de 149 especies, que pertenecen a 99 géneros y 30 familias. Esta gran riqueza de mamíferos señala a la Selva Zoque como la región más rica de especies en México. En la región se localizan 35 especies registradas en la Norma 059, además de otras 21 registradas en la lista roja de la IUCN o en CITES. De las 40 especies incluidas en alguna de las listas, solamente el tapir, el jaguar y el pecarí de labios blancos se incluyen en las tres listas y 14 especies son compartidas por dos de ellas. Los principales usos que se les da a los mamíferos en orden de importancia son: 1) carne de monte, 2) mascotas, 3) pieles y 4) medicina tradicional. La cacería de subsistencia y su comercio están permitidas extraoficialmente para los campesinos de esta zona. Esta región aun posee poblaciones saludables de una gran cantidad de mamíferos utilizados por los pobladores locales; sin embargo, un gran número de éstas se encuentran enlistadas bajo algún criterio de riesgo.

[Mammals of Zoque Forest, Mexico: richness, use and conservation]. / Mamíferos de la Selva Zoque, Mexico: riqueza, uso y conservación.

Zoque Forest is one of the richest and threatened regions in Southeastern Mexico, and for which few studies on mammal biology and use are available. Here we analyzed the conservation status of mammalian species according to Mexican and international laws, with an updated checklist of mammals in this forest, and some information on their use by some rural communities. Basic information was obtained from national and international collections and publications. A total of 42 fieldtrips, that followed conventional techniques, were conducted from 2003 through 2010, and some questionnaires to local hunters were applied. The mammalian fauna found in the area was composed of 149 species belonging to 99 genera and 30 families; these results support that the Zoque Forest is the richest in the number of mammalian species in Mexico. A total of 35 species were considered at risk by the Mexican National Law NOM-059-SEMARNAT-2010, and 21 species were found to be registered in the IUCN Red List or in CITES. Of the 40 species included in any of the lists, only the Baird's tapir, jaguar and white-lipped peccary were included in all three lists and 14 species were shared by the two of them. The main uses of mammals in order of importance are: 1) bushmeat, 2) pets, 3) skins, and 4) traditional medicine. Subsistence hunting and trade are unofficially allowed for farmers in this area. As for now, the region has healthy populations of a large number of mammals even though they have been used by local residents. However, since a considerable number of these species are listed under some criterion of threat, local authorities are called for more control.

Habitat Mosaic, Wildlife Availability, and Hunting in the Tropical Forest of Calakmul, Mexico.

Habitat loss and subsistence hunting are two of the main activities that affect wildlife in frontier areas. We compared subsistence hunting patterns in four villages with different ethnic composition and degree of habitat disturbance in the vicinity of Calakmul Biosphere Reserve, Campeche, Mexico. We also compared differences between some of these villages in harvest composition and prey availability to determine hunting preferences. We used a Landsat TM satellite image to analyze the degree of disturbance around the villages. We conducted periodic surveys of subsistence hunting and prey availability. Wildlife availability was assessed monthly on nine transects (3000 m) established in the vicinity of three villages. The relative amount of disturbed habitat was smaller in an indigenous Maya village ( IV ) and larger in a mestizo village ( MV ). The two mixed-composition villages ( MCVs) had intermediate levels of disturbance. Ten species, four large and six small, of birds and mammals accounted for 97% of the hunting records. Hunting was more intense in IV and less intense in MCV1. The three village types had different hunting preferences. The habitat-mosaic composition in the vicinity of the villages influenced prey availability and subsistence-hunting preferences. Changes in the habitat mosaic were caused by the size of the holding and by ethnic composition. In spite of longer settlement time, the habitat mosaic in the vicinity of IV was less transformed than that of the other sites. Their larger holding size and greater diversity of economic activities may explain why the Mayas at IV have transformed the landscape less than the other groups and can hunt more and larger prey.

RESUMEN: La pérdida de hábitat y la cacería de subsistencia son dos de las principales actividades humanas que tienen un efecto negativo sobre la fauna en las fronteras de la colonización. En el presente estudio comparamos los patrones de cacería de subsistencia en cuatro poblados con diferente composición étnica y diferente grado de perturbación del hábitat en los alrededores de la Reserva de la Biosfera de Calakmul en Campeche, México. Entre algunos de estos poblados, también comparamos las diferencias en la composición de la caza y la disponibilidad de presas para determinar preferencias. Utilizamos imágenes de satélite Landsat TM para analizar el grado de perturbación alrededor de los poblados. Llevamos a cabo registros de la cacería de subsistencia y de la disponibilidad de las presas. La disponibilidad de las presas se evaluó mensualmente en nueve transectos de 3000 m cada uno, establecidos en la cercanía de tres poblados. Comparativamente, el área de hábitat perturbado fue menor en la comunidad con población indígena maya ( IV ) y mayor en la comunidad con población mestiza ( MV ). Los dos poblados con composición poblacional mixta ( MVC1 y MVC2) presentaron niveles intermedios de perturbación. Diez especies (4 grandes y 6 pequeñas) de aves y mamíferos representaron el 97% de los registros de cacería. La cacería fue más intensa en IV y menos intensa en MCV1. Se registraron diferencias en las preferencias de cacería en los tres tipos de comunidad. La composición del mosaico de hábitat en los alrededores de los poblados influenció la disponibilidad de presas y las preferencias de cacería de subsistencia. Los cambios en el mosaico de hábitat se deben al tamaño de las propiedades y a la composición étnica. A pesar de que el poblado IV tiene más tiempo asentado en el área, el mosaico de hábitat a sus alrededores está menos transformado que el de los otros sitios. Los mayas tienen una propiedad de mayor tamaño y actividades económicas muy diversificadas, lo cual ha evitado la transformación del hábitat, proporcionándoles mayor disponibilidad de presas grandes.