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In order to prioritize the conservation and management efforts to protect jaguars (Panthera onca), it is of utmost importance to determine their tolerance in face of human disturbances, habitat modifications and varying degrees of prey availability. We assessed the occupancy probability of jaguars and five of their most common prey species throughout a heterogeneous landscape in the Selva Maya in southern Mexico: armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus), coati (Nasua narica), paca (Cuniculus paca), white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), and collared peccary (Dicotyles tajacu). Additionally, we projected prey and Jaguar occupancies onto a 5993 km2 landscape based on the habitat type in the area. We averaged the best prey models ranked by QAICc and found that white-tailed deer had the highest average occupancy probability of 0.72 ± 0.06 and paca the lowest with 0.14 ± 0.04. The average occupancy probability for jaguars was 0.35 ± 0.07 and the strongest predictor of jaguar occupancy was a positive effect of collared peccary occupancy. These findings support previous studies that show that predator distribution is largely influenced by their prey availability, even in the midst of degraded habitats, and underlies the essential need to incorporate protection plans for prey species in jaguar conservation strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human infrastructure, particularly highway infrastructure, has proven to be a hazard for the resilience of large felid populations throughout the world. The Yucatan Peninsula is no exception and is presently confronted with the establishment of the "Tren Maya," a continental railway that will reshape the road network of the peninsula. We describe 12 successful crossings of a 4-lane highway on the peninsula by a female puma (Puma concolor) fitted with a GPS radio-transmitter. The median time between sequential locations was 24 h (range 8-56 h), and the average number of days between crossings was 4.33 (SD = 2.50). Felid behavior and movements in relation to roads may be influenced by reduced human mobility due to the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. We identified a 3-km stretch of highway where the crossings occurred. We describe the characteristics of the area and recommend building wildlife passage structures appropriate for the site. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Black bear distribution and dispersal in Mexico are uncertain. Here we document the occurrence of a black bear in the Sierra Gorda Biosphere Reserve in the Mexican State of Queretaro. We assessed its population membership using microsatellites genetic markers and conclude the individual came from the Nuevo Leon population, which is approximately 200 km north of the study area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The importance of identifying individuals of a population has been extensively documented in several species of carnivores, including some species of mustelids. This information is used in many kinds of ecological studies including density estimation, behavioral ecology and analyses of animal movement patterns. The objective of the present study was to determine if individual variation in the throat patches of Tayra (Eira barbara) permits individual identification. We examined 275 specimens from museum collections to determine the morphological variation of the throat patch in Eira barbara specimens collected throughout its distribution. We found differences in the shape and size of the throat patches significant enough to allow discrimination of individuals that display a throat patch (88.0% of 252 complete specimens). The proposed identification criterion was applied to photographic records obtained from a wild population using camera traps in the Peruvian Amazon. From nineteen images (54.0% of all images) in which the throat patch was visible, nine different individuals were identified and two of these were recaptured on multiple occasions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Niche segregation has been proposed as the driving factor facilitating species coexistence by reducing interspecific competition. Nonetheless, although niche segregation has been widely studied, few studies have examined it in disturbed environments. Because of their dependence on mature forests, arboreal squirrels are model organisms for studying how sympatric species coexist in disturbed habitats. We examined niche segregation between Sciurus aureogaster and S. oculatus in an oak-pine forest of Pinal de Amoles, Querétaro, Mexico, disturbed by insect infestation and deforestation. We were interested in the degree of niche overlap in activity patterns, space and tree use, and feeding behavior. Because S. aureogaster has a greater geographic distribution and occurs in a wider range of habitats, we predicted that it would show wider niche values, and would be more tolerant to disturbance compared to S. oculatus. We also predicted that nests would be situated in areas with low deforestation pressure. We searched for squirrels, nests, and tree stumps while walking along dirt roads and trails, and through the dense part of the forest. Levin’s measure of niche breadth and Pianka’s measure of niche overlap were used to evaluate how both species segregate across resource dimensions. Number of stumps was used to evaluate deforestation pressure around nests and squirrels within 30-m-radius circles. S. aureogaster showed slightly narrower niche breath values in 5 out of 7 dimensions compared to S. oculatus. We found high niche overlap values in all dimensions examined. Both squirrel species strongly relied on pine (Pinus) trees for feeding, traveling, and nesting. S. aureogaster and S. oculatus were observed in areas with similar disturbance, and nests were situated in areas with medium deforestation pressure. Pine trees were mostly logged illegally and for forest sanitation, posing a serious threat to the persistence of arboreal squirrels within the study area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Much of our understanding of the effects top predators play in structuring ecological communities are from studies documenting ecological changes following the recovery or reintroduction of large carnivores. Reintroduced predators, for example, may create unanticipated competition scenarios that influence local carnivore guilds. Here, we tested whether newly released Mexican gray wolves in Chihuahua, Mexico interacted with resident pumas, as a first step in exploring potential competition between the two species. We employed GPS data and novel methods offered by MoveMine 2.0 to quantify attraction-repulsion between individual wolves and pumas during two time periods: the first when wolves were free roaming, and the second when they restricted their movements to an area around their den and rendezvous site to protect and provide for pups. In summary, attraction-repulsion analyses conducted with MoveMine provided meaningful outputs, but we would highlight the importance of fieldwork to interpret interactions and significance values calculated between pairs. We found that high attraction values resulted from mutual attraction between wolves in the same pack, between wolves and one puma they repeatedly harassed, as well as between two pumas that repeatedly exhibited social tolerance for each other. Thus, the analyses offered by MoveMine provided a powerful means of identifying interactions and assessing attraction-repulsion relevant to questions of intra- and interspecific competition, but required intimate knowledge of the species studied and the interactions between them to interpret outputs correctly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Much of our understanding of the effects top predators play in structuring ecological communities are from studies documenting ecological changes following the recovery or reintroduction of large carnivores. Reintroduced predators, for example, may create unanticipated competition scenarios that influence local carnivore guilds. Here, we tested whether newly released Mexican gray wolves in Chihuahua, Mexico interacted with resident pumas, as a first step in exploring potential competition between the two species. We employed GPS data and novel methods offered by MoveMine 2.0 to quantify attraction-repulsion between individual wolves and pumas during two time periods: the first when wolves were free roaming, and the second when they restricted their movements to an area around their den and rendezvous site to protect and provide for pups. In summary, attraction-repulsion analyses conducted with MoveMine provided meaningful outputs, but we would highlight the importance of fieldwork to interpret interactions and significance values calculated between pairs. We found that high attraction values resulted from mutual attraction between wolves in the same pack, between wolves and one puma they repeatedly harassed, as well as between two pumas that repeatedly exhibited social tolerance for each other. Thus, the analyses offered by MoveMine provided a powerful means of identifying interactions and assessing attraction-repulsion relevant to questions of intra- and interspecific competition, but required intimate knowledge of the species studied and the interactions between them to interpret outputs correctly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Central Mexico has experienced a decline of its natural vegetation due to anthropogenic pressure. In 12 sites in the southeastern portion of Guanajuato, we deployed camera traps and analyzed landscape characteristics. We recorded the presence of bobcats in four sites. Their presence was explained by a combination of patch size and tree cover. Because bobcats are sensitive to fragmentation and habitat loss, it is essential to increase sampling and conservation efforts to define the minimum patch size and maximum area of human development that can limit their long-term persistence and the establishment of breeding populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report the first photographic record of the white-nosed coati ( Nasua narica) in the southeastern portion of the state of Guanajuato. Although this species is considered abundant and widely distributed in México, Guanajuato is not considered part of its current distribution. Because of the lack of records in surrounding areas, it is not possible to determine if there is an existing linkage to other populations. Thus, it is imperative to continue monitoring this species in the region to identify and assess the connectivity of other established populations and to ensure the species' long-term conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Changes in some mechanical and physicochemical properties of extruded Laminates, made from native (NBS) and oxidized banana starch (OBS) with 3 g/100 g of sodium hypochlorite, as affected by storage time (0–45 days) were evaluated. Micrographs showed cracks and pores with some continuity on the surface of both OBS and native banana starch (NBS) laminates. Extruded Laminates of OBS were more transparent, soluble and homogeneous than those from NBS. Little differences were observed in water vapor permeability between NBS and OBS Laminates. Laminates solubility decreased with storage time. The X-ray diffraction from NBS and OBS Laminates, showed similar type B patterns and percent of crystallinity. Throughout storage time, an increase in temperature and enthalpy of melting was observed for all Laminates, however, the enthalpy values for OBS Laminates were lower than those of NBS. The tensile strength, percent of elongation and elasticity modulus values of OBS Laminates, were higher than those of NBS. Overall, OBS might be a suitable raw material to produce extruded Laminates with adequate functional properties. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Defining areas of potential distribution for large carnivores is a critical step for generating conservation strategies. Ecological niche modelling is an important tool for identifying potential areas for conservation of carnivores, such as American black bears (Ursus americanus) in the Sierra Madre Occidental (SMOcc) and the Sky Islands (SI) region of Northwest Mexico. Our objective was to define areas and environmental factors that influence bear distribution and understand the causes of their absence. We used GARP (genetic algorithm for rule-set prediction) to define the potential area of distribution using historical and current records of black bear (n = 582) and 23 bioclimatic and physical variables. We obtained a consensus model with a high probability of occurrence and power prediction representing 80% of the SMOcc (221,078 km2), including the SI region (Sonora and Chihuahua deserts). The ecological dimensions of the model include temperate dry and mixed forest, low rainfall, low temperatures, and elevation above 1,500 m, with considerable slope variation. Information provided by residents of Aguascalientes, Chihuahua, Durango, and Zacatecas indicate that the species was extirpated in central and southwest Durango and Zacatecas about 50 years ago, coinciding with the use of 1080 poison (sodium fluoroacetate) to eradicate livestock predators, combined with habitat loss, fragmentation, and excessive hunting in the region. These factors precipitated the regional extirpation of the species. Areas such as those we have identified may be important sites for the reintroduction of black bears. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bobcat conservation status in central Mexico remains unclear. In many localities it is possible that bobcat populations are declining, so it is very important to estimate the densities of this species. In this note we report an abundance of 3 ± 0.78 bobcats and a minimum density of 0.17 ind/km² at the Parque Nacional El Cimatario, Querétaro. Information on the species is limited and this data are needed to improve our knowledge in fragmented landscapes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report on the feeding by black bears on harvestmen (Opiliones). Two scats of black bears from Sonora, Mexico each had over 50 bodies of a species of Leiobunum C.L. Koch, 1839 collected in localities separated by 5 km. Microsatellite analysis indicated that the scats were from different individuals. That all harvestmen were found in only two of the 180 scats sampled suggested that the two bears fed on harvestmen while in aggregations. Because black bears are probably minimally affected by defensive compounds and would presumably not actively search for individual harvestmen, black bear predation on harvestmen, if frequent enough, would be a factor selecting against aggregative behavior in these arachnids in the study area. Further research is needed on the aggregation behavior and other natural enemies of harvestmen in northwestern Mexico. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The presence of the viperid Atropoides nummifer in the State of Queretaro, Mexico is reported here for the first time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a lack of information about jaguar populations in Sinaloa, Mexico, because there are only anecdotic records and interviews about the presence of this felid. The aim of this study was to generate information about jaguar abundance and density in the Natural Protected Area Meseta de Cacaxtla. To detect jaguar, we used camera traps. The density obtained was 1.59 ind./100 km² and 15 jaguars for the Natural Protected Area. We considered the Natural Protected Area as an important region for jaguar populations at the Sierra Madre Occidental, because this area may represent a linkage between Sahuaripa and Costa de Jalisco. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present the first study of density and apparent survival for a jaguar (Panthera onca) population in northern Mexico using 13 years of camera trap data from 2000 to 2012. We used the Barker robust design model which combines data from closed sampling periods and resight data between these periods to estimate apparent survival and abundance. We identified 467 jaguar pictures that corresponded to 48 jaguar individuals. We included camera type and field technician as covariates for detection probabilities. We used three covariates to evaluate the effect of reserve on jaguar apparent survival: i) private reserve creation ii) later reserve expansions, and iii) cattle ranches’ conservation activities. We found that the use of digital cameras in addition to film cameras increased detection probability by a factor of 6x compared with the use of only film cameras (p = 0.34 ± 0.05 and p = 0.05 ± 0.02 respectively) in the closed period and more than three times in the open period (R = 0.91 ± 0.08 and R = 0.30 ± 0.13 mixed and film cameras respectively). Our availability estimates showed no temporary emigration and a fidelity probability of 1. Despite an increase of apparent survival probability from 0.47 ± 0.15 to 0.56 ± 0.11 after 2007, no single covariate explained the change in these point estimates. Mean jaguar density was 1.87 ± 0.47 jaguars/100 km2. We found that 13 years of jaguar population monitoring with our sampling size were not enough for detecting changes in survival or density. Our results provide a baseline for studies evaluating the effectiveness of protected areas and the inclusion of ranch owners in jaguar conservation programs and long-term population viability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Bats are one of the groups of mammals with the highest number of associated Trypanosoma taxa. • In the Neotropical region, there is an inventory of six Trypanosoma species associated with bats. • We collected 285 bats belonging to 13 species from 10 genera of the family Phyllostomidae. • Twenty-three specimens from six bat species tested positive for the presence of Trypanosoma DNA. • We detected Trypanosoma dionisii, Trypanosoma sp. Neobat4 , and a potential novelty species. Bats are one of the groups of mammals with the highest number of associated Trypanosoma taxa. There are 50 Trypanosoma species and genotypes infecting more than 75 species of bats across five continents. However, in Mexico, the inventory of species of the genus Trypanosoma associated with bats is limited to only two species (Trypanosoma vespertilionis and Trypanosoma cruzi) even though 140 species of bats inhabit this country. Specifically, 91 bat species have been recorded in the state of Veracruz, but records of trypanosomatids associated with this mammalian group are absent. Due to the complex Trypanosoma –bat relationship, the high diversity of bat species in Veracruz, as well as the lack of records of trypanosomatids associated with bats for this state, the aim of this work was to analyze the diversity of species of the genus Trypanosoma and their presence from a bat community in the central area of the state of Veracruz, Mexico. During the period of January to August 2022 in the Tequecholapa Environmental Management Unit where bats were collected using mist nets and blood samples were obtained from their thumbs. We extracted genetic material and amplified a fragment of 800 bp of the 18S ribosomal gene of the genus Trypanosoma by conventional PCR. The positive amplicons were sequenced, and phylogenetic reconstruction was performed to identify the parasite species. A total of 285 bats (149♀, 136♂) belonging to 13 species from 10 genera and a single family (Phyllostomidae) were collected. Twenty-three specimens from six species tested positive for the presence of Trypanosoma dionisii, Trypanosoma sp. Neobat 4 , and a potential novelty species provisionally named as Trypanosoma sp. Neobat 6. The results of the present work increase the number of species of the genus Trypanosoma infecting bats in Mexico and in the Neotropical region. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our objective in this study was to determine the density of the jaguar Panthera onca from camera-trap data, using an open population model, in a private protected natural area, the Northern Jaguar Reserve, and 10 adjoining cattle ranches in the state of Sonora, Mexico. The region is considered a long–term jaguar conservation unit. As well as being the most northerly recorded reproductive population of the jaguar, the arid habitat of this region is atypical for the species. During 16 months of sampling we identified 10 individual jaguars and the data met the three main assumptions of open population models. The estimated mean density was 1.05±SE 0.4 individuals per 100 km2, with a constant survival probability of 0.94 and capture probability of 0.23. This estimate of density is lower than reported in studies of the jaguar from more southerly locations in Mexico, Belize, Costa Rica, Bolivia and Brazil but cannot be attributed to a single factor even though in general there is an apparent relationship between jaguar density and precipitation. The main objectives of the management of the Northern Jaguar Reserve are to reduce the impact of cattle and restore jaguar habitat, with strategies focused on water retention, removal of invasive grass, reforestation and environmental education. Livestock have been gradually excluded since 2003 and, combined with the protection provided under the agreements with the surrounding ranches, the area is now a suitable place for long-term studies of the jaguar. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the on issues in establishing a coyote populations in tropical areas in Mexico and Central America. Coyotes are one of the most intensively studied animal. However, the information on its ecology has been obtained from people living within the northern portion of their distribution. The factors that contributed to the established of the population are unclear. On the other hand, the selection of habitat by animals is considered to be an optimization process that involves several factors such as food supplies, landform and many more.

Species' activity patterns are driven by the need to meet basic requirements of food, social interactions, movement, and rest, but often are influenced by a variety of biotic and abiotic factors. We used camera-trap data to describe and compare the activity patterns of the relatively poorly studied tayra (Eira barbara) across 10 populations distributed from the south of Mexico to the north of Argentina, and attempted to identify biotic or abiotic factors that may be associated with variation in level of diurnality. In a subset of sites we also aimed to document potential seasonal variation in activity. We used a kernel density estimator based on the time of independent photographic events to calculate the proportion of diurnal, crepuscular, and nocturnal activity of each population. Tayras were mostly active during diurnal periods (79.31%, 759 records), with a lower proportion of crepuscular activity (18.07%, 173 records) yet we documented some variation in patterns across the 10 study areas (activity overlap coefficient varied from Δ 4 = 0.64 to Δ 1 = 0.95). In northern localities, activity peaked twice during the day (bimodal) with most activity ocurring in the morning, whereas closer to the geographical equator, activity was constant (unimodal) throughout the day, peaking at midday: activity either was unimodal or bimodal in southern localities. Despite investigating multiple potential abiotic and biotic predictors, only latitude was associated with variation in the proportion of diurnal activity by tayras across its range, with increased diurnal activity closer to the equator. Seasonal comparisons in activity showed a tendency to reduce diurnality in dry versus rainy seasons, but the pattern was not consistently significant. This is the most comprehensive description of tayra activity patterns to date, and lends novel insight into the potential flexibility of the species to adapt to local conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reintroduction—defined here as the return of a species to a part of its range where it has been extirpated—is a critical pathway to conservation in the 21st century. As late as the 1960s, jaguars (Panthera onca) inhabited an expansive region in the central mountain ranges of Arizona and New Mexico in the United States, a habitat unique in all of jaguar range. Here, we make the case for reintroduction, building a rhetorical bridge between conservation science and practice. First, we present a rationale rooted in the philosophy of wildlife conservation. Second, we show that the species once occupied this territory and was extirpated by human actions that should no longer pose a threat. Third, we demonstrate that the proposed recovery area provides suitable ecological conditions. Fourth, we discuss how return of the species could be a net benefit to people, explicitly recognizing a diversity of values and concerns. Fifth, we show that reintroduction is practical and feasible over a realistic time horizon. Returning the jaguar to this area will enhance the recovery of an endangered species in the United States, further its range‐wide conservation, and restore an essential part of North America's cultural and natural heritage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To develop an updated distribution model and habitat suitability analysis for the Mexican wolf, to inform the recovery efforts in Mexico and the United States. Location: Mexico and the southwestern United States. Methods: We used an ensemble species distribution modelling (SDM) approach and a spatial analysis combining anthropogenic and ecological variables, including, for the first time, rangewide relative density estimates of wild ungulates, to determine the extent of suitable habitat for wolves within a region that includes the known historical range of the Mexican wolf and adjacent areas. Results: The results showed that the modelled distribution of the Mexican wolf extended from central Arizona and New Mexico, and western Texas in the United States, southwards along the Sierra Madre Occidental and the Sierra Madre Oriental, to the high sierras of Oaxaca, in Mexico. The habitat suitability models indicated that large tracts (>81,000 km2) of high‐quality habitat still exist for the Mexican wolf in the southwestern United States, and the Sierra Madre Occidental and the Sierra Madre Oriental in Mexico, which could ensure recovery within its historical range. Main conclusions: The recovery of the Mexican wolf is a complex, multidimensional socio‐ecological challenge, which requires binational cooperation guided by reliable information and robust scientific procedures. The next step is to carry out specific socio‐ecological studies and actions for selected candidate sites to assess their viability for hastening its recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Vector-borne diseases currently represent a significant threat to public health, mainly due to the changes that humans are producing in ecosystems and climates. Analyzing the environmental conditions that allow the establishment and survival of ticks could help determine possible sites for the appearance of infectious outbreaks. In this study, nine ecological niche models were generated from different algorithms to determine the current potential distribution of four tick genera in Mexico. Temperature and moisture have been considered as the main factors limiting tick distribution. However, the analysis of the ecological niche models determined that the four genera exhibited different distribution patterns, which may be associated with their physiological and ecological differences. This type of analysis can improve our understanding of the dynamics of ticks and, therefore, can be very useful in monitoring programs of the diseases they transmit. Ticks are vectors of a large number of pathogens of medical and veterinary importance, and in recent years, they have participated in the rise of multiple infectious outbreaks around the world. Studies have proposed that temperature and precipitation are the main variables that limit the geographical distribution of ticks. The analysis of environmental constraints with ecological niche modeling (ENM) techniques can improve our ability to identify suitable areas for emergence events. Algorithms used in this study showed different distributional patterns for each tick genera; the environmental suitability for Amblyomma includes warm and humid localities below 1000 m above the sea level, while Ixodes is mainly associated with ecosystems with high vegetation cover. Dermacentor and Rhipicephalus genus presented wider distribution patterns; the first includes species that are well adapted to resist desiccation, whereas the latter includes generalist species that are mostly associated with domestic hosts in Mexico. Ecological niche models have proven to be useful in estimating the geographic distribution of many taxa of ticks. Despite our limited knowledge of tick's diversity, ENM can improve our understanding of the dynamics of vector-borne diseases and can assist public health decision-making processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Madrean sky islands of North America, in southern Arizona and adjacent Sonora, harbor a great diversity of vertebrates, but data about the distribution and abundance of mammal species in this region are needed to develop strategies for their management and conservation. We used camera traps to record medium and large mammals in 4 sky islands in the state of Sonora, Mexico. We compared species richness and diversity of the 25 species detected: 1) within and outside a natural protected area; 2) according to land use (natural protected area, private property, or conservation area); 3) according to the presence or absence of cattle; and 4) among 7 monitored sites. We found no differences in richness, diversity, and composition of species in our comparative analyses, suggesting homogeneity of the communities. This homogeneity could be the result of the direct or indirect influences of past human impacts in the region, given that federal protection, type of land use, and ranching did not influence the community of medium and large mammals. We discuss the importance of maintaining sites dedicated exclusively to conservation in the region, as well as promoting management at unprotected sites to make predators compatible with livestock and agricultural production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present the first systematic checklist of medium and large terrestrial mammals on four mountain ranges known as Sky Islands, in northeastern Sonora, Mexico. We used camera traps for recording mammals, with which we documented 25 wild species. Two of the native species are in the IUCN Red List and four are threatened at the national level. We did not document seven wild species with potential distribution at study sites, probably due to limited availability of habitat and/or local extirpation of species. The importance of this work is that we generated an inventory of medium and large mammals in an area considered poorly studied and highly diverse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim Coyote (Canis latrans) distribution in Mexico and Central America has expanded recently reaching the Yucatan peninsula, Belize and Panama, probably promoted by deforestation of tropical areas. Historically, the southern distribution of coyotes prior to European settlement in America was described as reaching only as far south as central Mexico and that introduction of livestock favoured migration of coyotes to southern Mexico and Central America. However, coyote fossil records in Central America and Yucatan, as well as observational records of travellers during the sixteenth century suggest that the coyote's arrival to the region was earlier. Because of the uncertainty of past coyote distribution and the possible economic and ecological impacts due to recent range expansion, the objectives of this study were to confirm if paleontological and historical evidence support the hypothesis that the southernmost limit of coyote distribution before the arrival of European settlers was the centre of Mexico, to discuss the possible factors that have influenced historical shifts in coyote distribution, and to model the present distribution of the coyote in Mexico and Central America, determining the areas where they could invade in the near future. Location The research area comprises continental Mexico and the Central American Isthmus countries: Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama. Methods The historical distribution (Pleistocene-Early Holocene, Pre- Columbian, sixteenth to nineteenth centuries and twentieth century) was established from coyote records obtained from museum collections and specialized literature. Present coyote distribution for Mexico and Central America was modelled using the Genetic Algorithms for Rule-set Prediction (GARP). Results Historical coyote records show that this species was distributed in southern Mexico and Central America during the Pleistocene-Early Holocene, the Pre-Columbian period, and during the arrival of Europeans in the sixteenth century. Coyote records indicate a continuous range expansion during the twentieth century. Historical advance and regression of tropical forests in southern Mexico and Central America produced by natural and human events such as climatic changes and variation in human densities could help us understand the historical coyote distribution. The modelled present-day coyote distribution included the north of Belize, the north of Panama, the north of the Yucatan Peninsula and a corridor on the Gulf costal plain of Campeche in Mexico. Also, the model predicted a region north of the Darien in southern Panama as appropriate for the presence of coyotes, although they have not been detect Main conclusion Coyote records in southern Mexico and Central America during the Pleistocene-Early Holocene, the Pre-Columbian period, and early arrival of European settlers to the area indicated that coyotes were probably already present there and did not recently disperse from the north of Mexico to the south due to livestock introduction ed there so far. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]