Mammals of the Parque Nacional Lagunas de Chacahua and La Tuza de Monroy, Oaxaca, Mexico

Abstract

A checklist of the mammals found in the Parque Nacional Lagunas de Chacahua (PNLCh) and La Tuza de Monroy (TM), Oaxaca is presented, including data about geographical affinity by the distribution range and conservation status. Data were obtained by capture and field observations exclusively. Forty two species of native mammals were recorded, arranged in eight orders, 19 families and 36 genera. The orders with most representation are Chiroptera, Carnivora and Rodentia. The most diverse family is Phyllostomidae and the most abundant genera are Didelphis, Glossophaga, Leptonycteris, Artibeus and Sturnira. This species richness constitutes the 7.75% of terrestrial mammals of Mexico and 21.58% of mammals of Oaxaca. The fauna of mammals of PNLCh and the TM shows a Neotropical affinity with a good representation of Mesoamerican mammals, including five Mexican endemic species. Only seven species were found in some category of risk according to national and international laws. It is important to establish monitoring programs in the PNLCh to know the fluctuations of mammal diversity and abundance in relation to different degrees of habitat fragmentation.