Wild mammals of the Cuitzeo basin, Mexico

Abstract

The Cuitzeo Basin harbors the second largest interior lake of México, and its wetlands provide a wintering habitat for migratory waterfowl of North America. However, the lake and terrestrial habitats are decreasing in size because of the agricultural expansion. The aims are to evaluate the richness of mammal species, to compare the results with available records in databases containing the results from historical surveys, and to estimate the species potential richness of the basin. Although the terrestrial habitats surrounding the lake present degradation and fragmentation, these are still inhabited by a minimum of 42 species. The greater richness of species was observed in the tropical dry forests, with 28 species. Among the recorded species, Sciurus oculatus, Leptonycteris yerbabuenae, L. nivalis, and Choeronycteris mexicana stand out, as they are listed in risk categories. The richness of mammals in the basin could reach 67 if all species recorded historically are confirmed. Surveys should continue and expand to areas of the basin not surveyed during the last years.