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Martínez-Chapital, Sara T, Schnell, Gary D, Sánchez-Hernández, Cornelio, Romero-Almaraz, María de Lourdes (2017): Sigmodon mascotensis (Rodentia: Cricetidae). Mammalian Species 49 (954): 109-118, DOI: 10.1093/mspecies/sex013, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/mspecies/sex013

The frequency of high-intensity hurricanes has increased in past decades, making it necessary to understand their impacts on biological diversity. The disturbance by cyclones adds to the anthropic disturbance and generates important effects on ecosystems. Bats are ideal bioindicators that show several responses to impacts of hurricanes in insular systems. However, little is known about their usefulness in assessing impacts of hurricanes in continental regions. We aimed to analyze the short-term impact of Hurricane Patricia (category 4) and anthropic disturbance on the diversity of bats in coastal Jalisco, Mexico, and on abundance of functional groups. We sampled bats at three locations before Hurricane Patricia and eight months after. During a sampling effort of 7091 m2 of netting we captured 487 bats of 17 species, 12 of which were phyllostomids. We detected a decrease in diversity of bats and a more similar composition of species among locations after the hurricane, and a greater stability in species composition and trophic structure in the location with more conserved dry forest. Bats responded in different ways according to functional group. The most vulnerable species were nectarivores, small, with low mobility, and with preferences for understory and cavities. However, their changes in abundance were different among locations and habitats. Conversely, abundance of frugivores-omnivores and insectivores was greater after the hurricane. Additionally, greater changes in abundance among functional groups were in more disturbed sites. Our results indicate that maintaining primary forest and remnants of secondary dry forests is vital to mitigate the effects of major natural disturbances on biodiversity in continental regions.

We recorded for the first time the species Rhogeessa alleni in the state of Hidalgo, Mexico, and registered the third locality for Myotis californicus. The bats were caught between March 2010 and September 2012. Specimens were preserved in skin, skull, and parts of skeleton and were deposited at the Coleccion Mastozoologica of Centro de Investigaciones Biologicas, Universidad Autonoma del Estado de Hidalgo. We provide external and cranial measurements as well as information about reproductive condition and habitat of each specimen.

Mammals from the state of Guerrero, Mexico, are poorly studied, particularly those from the Balsas River basin, despite the importance of this area as a biogeographical boundary for flora and fauna. To contribute to the knowledge of mammals in this state, we compiled information on geographical distribution, habitat, and reproduction for 41 mammal species from Tlaxmalac in the Balsas River basin in northeastern Guerrero. These represented 26.9% of mammal species known from Guerrero and 8.6% of mammal species from Mexico. Eight species were endemic, comprising 19.5% of species surveyed. Mammals from Tlaxmalac had eight different feeding habits. People from the community use 14 species of mammals as part of their diet, as pets, for medicinal purposes, and other uses. Overall, Tlaxmalac supports a great diversity of small and medium-sized mammals.

Ocular diseases are common in pets and other domestic mammals, as well as in wild mammals, but there are few reports for bats. A review of multiple mortality events in bats and examination of bat carcasses from several species revealed that principal causes of death were traumas, bacterial infections, and attacks by domestic cats. Relatively little is known concerning ocular lesions or diseases in bats with only two papers reporting ocular anomalies. We describe ocular lesions or diseases detected in bats of Jalisco and Oaxaca, Mexico. From January 2008 through March 2017, we captured 8,718 bats, nine of these had ocular lesions or diseases. These nine were collected in five localities. Bats were captured with mist nets; six with ocular anomalies were released after recording the basic biological information and three were preserved as museum specimens. Eyes of the affected bats were photographed in the field. Of nine bats with ocular lesions or diseases, two had corneal opacity, four had eye injuries or infections, one had microphthalmia or nanophthalmia, and two had anophthalmia. No other evidence of trauma, disease, or reduced fitness was noted. The bats with anomalies were from two families (Phyllostomidae and Molossidae) and six species (Desmodus rotundus, Glossophaga soricina, Artibeus jamaicensis, Artibeus lituratus, Sturnira parvidens, and Tadarida brasiliensis). The paucity of reports of ocular anomalies in bats suggests that those with ocular problems have low survival probability in natural settings. However, given the small size of the eye in many bat species, the rarity of such reports could be in part due to field researchers missing such anomalies even when they occur. Also, we suspect that researchers at times encounter such anomalies but simply do not report their observations in the literature.

Osgoodomys banderanus (Osgood's deermouse) was studied in January 2006 and 2007 in north-central Colima, Mexico. During 8 nights each year, five mark-recapture grids were established with elevated and ground traps. For 16,000 trap-nights, 123 individuals were captured 385 times (comprising 9.4% of captures on grids); one-third of captures were in elevated traps. The ratio of males to females was 1.51:1 (significantly different from 1:1). No sexual dimorphism in mass was detected, 84.4% were adults, and 41.5% of adult females were pregnant or lactating. Average distance between successive captures was 19.62 m, and average distance from a central point of capture was 12.74 m. Osgoodomys banderanus was captured on 6 of 10 grids (densities 0.76–30.55 individuals/ha). Probability of capture or recapture was influenced by trapping night, with probabilities peaking on nights 6 and 7. Habitat preferences were based on 14 environmental variables taken at each trapping station. Logistic regression indicate...

In western Mexico, gray mouse opossums Tlacuatzin canescens typically are not only in tropical deciduous and semideciduous woodlands but also in croplands and orchards. We conducted mark-recapture studies in January 2003–2007 and 2010 in coastal, northern, and central Colima, Mexico. Each year, five grids, established in areas of thick vegetation within a mosaic of habitats, had 100 stations (10 × 10), each with two Sherman traps, one on the ground and another elevated 1–2 m. On 24 of 30 grids, 82 individuals were captured 126 times (85.7 % in elevated traps). Sex ratio did not deviate from 1:1; there was no sexual dimorphism in mass (average for males, 28.21 g; average for females, 25.64 g); 46.3 % of animals were adults, 27.3 % of adult females were reproductively active, and 77.5 % of males had scrotal testes. Distance from centroid of trap locations averaged 15.24 m, with mean minimum distance moved between captures being 33.19 m. Densities usually were low (0.67–8.03/ha), with the species widespread in habitats studied. We assessed 14 environmental characteristics for each station using ANOVA, logistic regression, and nonparametric multiplicative regression (NPMR) to characterize habitat selection. T. canescens was more likely found where percent grass was about 30 % and litter over 50 %, with height of canopy less than 10 m and about 40 % closed. NPMR, being able to recognize hump-shaped response curves where intermediate variable values are preferred, identified two variables (percent grass and percent canopy closed) not detected by other techniques as important in characterizing habitat selection of T. canescens.

In our recent epidemiological survey conducted in Mexico for hantavirus infection, we identified three distinct viruses circulating in Mexican wild rodents, namely Montano virus (MTNV), Huitzilac virus (HUIV), and Carrizal virus (CARV). To gain a detailed understanding of hantavirus epidemiology and its associated hosts, 410 rodents were captured at eight collecting points in Morelos and Guerrero, Mexico, and examined for hantavirus seroprevalence, the presence of viral RNA, and rodent host species identification using cytochrome b gene sequences. Of the 32 species captured, seven species were positive for hantavirus: Peromyscus beatae (31/127; 24.4%), Reithrodontomys sumichrasti (6/15; 40%), Reithrodontomys megalotis (2/25; 8%), Peromyscus aztecus evides (1/1; 100%), Peromyscus megalops (1/41; 2.4%), Megadontomys thomasi (1/9; 11.1%), and Neotoma picta (1/6; 16.7%), with an overall prevalence of 10.5%; virus genome persisted in the majority of seropositive rodents. Nucleotide sequence and phylogenetic analysis showed that the viruses belonged mainly to the three lineages previously identified. The data showed that MTNV and CARV were primarily carried by P. beatae and R. sumichrasti, respectively. In addition, the data revealed an apparent complex interaction between hantaviruses and their hosts, suggesting active transmission and/or spillover infections within sympatric rodent species.

Use of habitat is a critical component related to structure of small-mammal communities, with partitioning occurring primarily along dimensions of microhabitat, although use of microhabitat often does not explain fully use at a macrohabitat level. Through grid studies of small mammals in coastal Colima, Mexico (during January 2003–2005), we appraised influence of available habitat, species richness, abundance, and cumulative abundance of other small mammals on variation in habitat used by species. We evaluated 14 habitat variables (reflecting ground cover, slope, canopy, and vegetation density on vertical and horizontal axes) and developed a composite variable (principal component 1) reflecting general openness of habitat through which we addressed habitat use. For the four most common mammalian species (Sigmodon mascotensis, Heteromys pictus, Baiomys musculus, and Oryzomys couesi), two measures of variation in habitat used were employed to estimate niche breadth, one of which assessed variation in habitat use relative to variation present on a grid. Sigmodon mascotensis and B. musculus preferred areas that were more open, and H. pictus and O. couesi occupied less-open areas; breadth of habitat use did not differ interspecifically. Habitat use was more variable on grids with more variability in habitat, although not greater than chance expectations. Findings do not lend support to the resource-breadth hypothesis as an explanation for population densities of species at a local level or the habitat-heterogeneity hypothesis as a predictor of species richness. Variation in habitat used by S. mascotensis did not proportionally increase when diverse habitat was available but was greater when the species was more abundant. For H. pictus, when cumulative abundance of other small mammals was greater, breadth of habitat used was greater. Intraspecific density-dependent habitat selection may result in S. mascotensis selecting a greater variety of habitats, while greater interspecific abundance is related to a greater range in use of habitats by H. pictus. Baiomys musculus used a higher proportion of habitat relative to that available when more species were present on a grid. Variation in habitat used by O. couesi was unrelated to any factor examined. Overall, the four species responded in notably different ways with respect to availability of habitat, abundance, and presence of other species.

A variety of hantaviruses are harbored by rodents in North and South America, some of which can cause hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. To obtain greater evolutionary insight into hantaviruses in the Americas, a total of 211 rodents were captured in the Mexican states of Guerrero and Morelos in 2006. Anti-hantavirus antibodies were detected in 27 of 211 serum samples (12.8%) by ELISA. The distribution of seropositive rodents was: 17 Peromyscus beatae, 1 Megadontomys thomasi, 1 Neotoma picta, 6 Reithrodontomys sumichrasti, and 2 Reithrodontomys megalotis. The hantavirus small (S), medium (M), and large (L) genome segments from P. beatae, R. sumichrasti, and R. megalotis were amplified and the sequences covering the open reading frames were determined. The hantaviruses from P. beatae, R. sumichrasti, and R. megalotis were provisionally designated Montano (MTN), Carrizal (CAR), and Huitzilac (HUI), respectively. The M segment amino acid identities among the Mexican hantaviruses were 80.8–93.0%. When these M segments were compared to those of known hantaviruses, MTN virus was most closely related to Limestone Canyon (LSC) virus (88.9% amino acid identity), while the CAR and HUI viruses were most closely related to El Moro Canyon (ELMC) virus (90–91% identity). Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the MTN, CAR, and HUI viruses occupy a monophyletic clade with the LSC, ELMC, and Rio Segundo viruses, which are harbored by Peromyscus boylii, R. megalotis, and Reithrodontomys mexicanus, respectively. The data obtained in this study provide important information for understanding the evolution of hantaviruses in the Americas.

Species co-occurrence is an important ecological research area. Mark-and-recapture studies of mammals allow identification of coexisting species, a necessary step in determining mechanisms enabling habitat sharing. Using data from five 1-ha grids in January 2004 in tropical dry deciduous forest of coastal Colima, Mexico, we detected significantly more interspecific overlap than expected between seven species pairs. Oryzomys couesi shared more stations than expected with Sigmodon mascotensis, Baiomys musculus and Peromyscus perfulvus. Baiomys musculus was associated positively with S. mascotensis and Reithrodontomys fulvescens. Heteromys pictus shared fewer stations than expected with O. couesi and S. mascotensis. For species collectively, there was non-random community structuring, with two grids displaying more species aggregation than expected. While two grids had non-random co-occurrence patterns, three grids did not differ from random, which differs from that reported for mammalian taxa on average. Other small-mammal studies have documented species segregation, while this study detected more positive than negative associations. Similarities in preference and habitat use (or diet) are likely explanations for interspecific overlap patterns at stations and co-occurrence patterns among grids. Simultaneously evaluating associations of species pairs and all species on a grid collectively is novel methodology as applied to mammals, adding to understanding of species co-occurrence.

In tropical deciduous forest along the Pacific coast in Colima, Mexico, we conducted eight-night mark-recapture studies of Sigmodon mascotensis (January 2003–2005), evaluating habitat preferences and demography. Yearly we established five grids with 100 trapping stations (one ground and one elevated trap; 24,000 trap-nights), each evaluated for 14 environmental measures. We captured 96 S. mascotensis 274 times on 10 grids, most at ground level (85.6%), with densities of 0.84–25.31 individuals/ha. Adults predominated (88.2%), sex ratio (males:females) was 1:0.74, and males were heavier. Sigmodon mascotensis co-occurred with Oryzomys couesi and Baiomys musculus more often and Heteromys pictus less often than chance expectation. For 2004, univariate analyses indicated that stations frequented had more ground cover in woody plants, forbs and grasses; less in litter and bare ground; more vegetation low and less high; lower and more open canopy; and longer distance to nearest tree. Logistic regression indicated preference for open canopy, dense low vegetation, little litter and longer distance to nearest tree. Nonparametric multiplicative regression showed occurrence likelihood decreased as litter increased and increased with increasing slope, average hits at 1 m and average distance to nearest tree. The likelihood was high with no or low canopy, as well as high canopy.

The vesper rat (Nyctomys sumichrasti), a little-known arboreal rodent, was encountered during mark-recapture studies in Colima, Mexico, in January 2003-2007. We trapped on the Pacific coast at Playa de Oro (2003-2005) and in northern Colima (2006-2007). Each year five trap grids were established in heavily vegetated areas and typically run for 8 nights (100 trap stations per grid, each station with a ground trap and an arboreal trap elevated 1-2 m, 10×10 configuration with adjacent stations 10 m apart; 1,600 trap-nights per grid; 40,000 trap-nights total). Nyctomys sumichrasti occurs throughout most of Colima. On grids we captured 29 individuals a total of 41 times, with 90.2% of captures in arboreal traps and 69.0% of animals being adults. The sex ratio of adults was 1.22:1 (males:females), not statistically different from 1:1. Most adult females (77.8%) were pregnant or lactating. Mean mass was 41.3 and 38.6 g for males and females, respectively (P>0.05). Mean greatest distances traveled were longer for males (60.6 m) than females (20.2 m), with an overall mean of 40.4 m. One to six individuals were captured on 9 of 25 grids, with density estimates of 0.87-4.09/ha. We contrasted 14 environmental measures (most involving vegetation structure) for stations where N. sumichrasti was caught and not caught using logistic regression and nonparametric multiplicative regression, finding the species frequented sites flat to moderate in slope with considerable ground litter and relatively sparse high vegetation. In northern Colima, N. sumichrasti used areas with close trees, an open understory, and little grass. Other studies indicate the species sometimes occupies similar areas but with a relatively dense understory.

The state of Colima in western Mexico is part of the transition zone between the two biogeographic regions of America, the Nearctic and the Neotropical. The state has particularly high mammalian diversity (128 species) and is in the area with the greatest concentration of endemic species in Mexico (25%). As a result, there is intrinsic scientific interest in the study of mammals of Colima. However, the mammalian fauna has received only limited attention to date. There is no published comprehensive inventory of mammals of Colima and only a few detailed reports of the species that occur at any given location within the state have been published. As a contribution to the knowledge of mammals present in Colima, data were compiled on the mammals of Ejido Ranchitos, municipality of Minatitlan, and the species were characterized. We recorded 35 species, 9 monotypic and 26 polytypic, gathering information on natural history and reproductive condition for each. These represent 27.3% of species of mammals known from Colima and 7.4% of the total for Mexico. Eleven species were endemic, comprising 31.4% of species captured for Ejido Ranchitos and 6.5% of the endemic species for Mexico. Nonvolant mammals exhibited three reproductive patterns: continual polyestrous (10 species, 28.6%), seasonal polyestrous (4, 11.4%), and seasonal monoestrous (3, 8.6%). Reproductive patterns for bats were seasonal monoestrous (7 species, 20.0%), asynchronic continual polyestrous (7, 20.0%), bimodal polyestrous (2, 5.7%), continual polyestrous (1, 2.9%), and asynchronic monoestrous (1, 2.9%). Three of the species we examined (Heteromys spectabilis, Neotoma mexicana tenuicauda ,a ndPeromyscus hylocetes) have not been reported previously for Colima. Overall, Ejido Ranchitos supports a diverse fauna of small-sized and medium-sized mammals. RESUMEN—El estado de Colima se localiza en el oeste de Mexico y forma parte de la zona de transicion entre las dos grandes regiones biogeograficas del continente americano, la Neartica y la Neotropical. Este estado tiene una alta biodiversidad de mamo ´feros (128 especies) y se encuentra dentro del area con mayor concentracion de especies endemicas (25%) de Mexico. Como resultado, existe un interes ciento ´fico en el estudio de los mamo ´feros de Colima. Sin embargo, esta fauna ha recibido poca atencion a la fecha y no existe un inventario completo. Solo unos pocos reportes detallados de las especies en ciertas localidades en el estado han sido publicados. Por esto, deseamos contribuir al conocimiento de los mamo ´feros del estado de Colima y para tal fin realizamos un inventario del ejido Ranchitos, municipio de Minatitlan. Registramos 35 especies, 9 monoto ´picas y 26 polito ´picas, y reunimos informacion de su historia natural y condicion reproductiva. Estas especies representan 27.3% de las especies conocidas de mamo ´feros para Colima y 7.4% del total para Mexico. Once especies fueron endemicas y representan 31.4% del total capturado y 6.5% de las especies endemicas de Mexico. Los mamo ´feros no voladores exhibieron tres patrones reproductivos: poliestro continuo (10 especies, 28.6%), poliestro estacional (4, 11.4%) y monoestro estacional (3, 8.6%), mientras que los murcielagos presentaron cinco patrones reproductivos: monoestro estacional (7 especies, 20.0%), poliestro continuo asincronico (7, 20.0%), poliestro bimodal (2, 5.7%), poliestro continuo (1, 2.9%) y monoestro asincronico (1, 2.9%). Capturamos tres nuevas especies (Heteromys spectabilis, Neotoma mexicana tenuicauda ,y Peromyscus hylocetes) para el estado de Colima. En conclusion, el ejido Ranchitos alberga una gran diversidad de mamo ´feros de tamano pequeno y

sources for Quiscalus mexicanus and Cyanocorax sanblasianus in Chamela, Jalisco coast, Mexico. Acta Zoologica Mexicana (n. s.), 25(2): 427-430. ABSTRACT. Information over the feeding habits of neotropical birds have been relatively few documented, this is the first report in Mexico over the depredation of the mole crabs (Emerita spp.) by the Great-tailed Grackle (Quiscalus mexicanus) and for Ruddy-ground Dove (Columbina talpacoti) by San Blas Jay (Cyanocorax sanblasianus), in the coast of Chamela, Jalisco, Mexico.

In Colima, Mexico, we conducted 8-night mark–recapture grid studies of southern pygmy mice ( Baiomys musculus (Merriam, 1892)) in January 2003–2007 in dry deciduous and tropical moist forests. For 40 000 trap-nights, 436 individuals were captured 764 times (comprising 18.6% of small mammals). The male:female ratio was 1:1.37, 82.9% were adults, 51.4% of females were pregnant or lactating, and coastal animals, on average, were heavier than those inland. Females moved farther than males. Baiomys was on 17 of 25 grids (densities 1.82–106.24 individuals/ha). Moon illumination did not affect capture or recapture probabilities, but trap-night did (overall, probability increased 1.66%/night). Grids with Baiomys had less bare ground and a more open canopy. Capture sites had more grass, less dead wood and bare ground, a more open and lower canopy, and greater distance to trees. Logistic regression indicated coastal capture sites had more forbs, grasses, and woody plants, and thicker vegetation at 1 m height with trees being relatively distant. Variables differed somewhat for northern sites, and the equation for all grids included 10 of 14 environmental variables. Baiomys frequented edge of an unimproved road traversing one grid. Baiomys musculus, widespread in Colima, exhibited preference for habitats with relatively dense ground cover and at least a partially open canopy.

SUMMARYIndividuals belonging to five families, 12 genera, and 19 different species of bats from dengue endemic areas in the Gulf and Pacific coasts of Mexico were examined by ELISA, RT–PCR, and for the presence of dengue virus (DV) NS1 protein. Nine individuals from four species were seropositive by ELISA: three insectivorous,Myotis nigricans(four positives/12 examined),Pteronotus parnellii(3/19), andNatalus stramineus(1/4), and one frugivorousArtibeus jamaicensis(1/35) (12·86% seroprevalence in positive species). DV serotype 2 was detected by RT–PCR in four samples from three species (all from the Gulf coast – rainy season): two frugivorous,A. jamaicensis(2/9), andCarollia brevicauda(1/2), and one insectivorous,M. nigricans(1/11). The latter was simultaneously positive for NS1 protein. DV RT–PCR positive animals were all antibody seronegative.M. nigricansshowed positive individuals for all three tests. This is the first evidence suggesting the presence of DV in bats from Mexico.

ResumenEl registro de murciélagos con coloración atípica se ha incrementado en los últimos años, y la terminología que se emplea para reconocer los fenotipos es confusa. Los objetivos del presente trabajo fueron: recopilar, clasificar y catalogar los casos de fenotipos atípicos para Norte y Centroamérica e islas del Caribe entre 1930 y 2014, y documentar 9 casos adicionales para México y Costa Rica. Todos los registros sumaron 317 casos de 25 especies, 17 géneros y 4 familias, provenientes de 6 países. Los ejemplares se agruparon en 4 categorías fenotípicas; la más común fue manchas blancas, con 274 registros, seguida de albino con 23, no agouti con 11 y descolorido con 4; además, 5 ejemplares tuvieron un fenotipo combinado. Los casos adicionales para México corresponden a 5 Artibeus lituratus, un Glossophaga soricina y el primer registro de Sturnira parvidens y de Nyctinomops femorosaccus. También se documentó el segundo caso para Costa Rica, Molossus sinaloae. Se desconocen las causas de la coloración atípica en los murciélagos. Se requiere de estudios genéticos y moleculares para entender su origen y el posible impacto en las poblaciones de murciélagos.AbstractThe recording of bats with atypical coloration has been increased in the last years, and the terminology to recognize the phenotypes is confusing. The objectives of this work were: to compile, classify, and catalogue the cases of atypical phenotypes in North and Central America and the Caribbean islands between 1930 and 2014, and to report 9 additional cases in Mexico and Costa Rica. We obtained 317 cases, representing 25 species, 17 genera, and 4 families from 6 countries. The specimens were classified in 4 phenotypic categories; the most common was white spotting with 274 records, followed by albino with 23, non agouti with 11, and colorless with 4; 5 specimens had a combined phenotype. The additional cases for Mexico were 5 Artibeus lituratus, one Glossophaga soricina, and the first records for Sturnira parvidens and Nyctinomops femorosaccus. We documented the second record from Costa Rica, Molossus sinaloae. The causes and consequences of this phenomenon in bats remain unknown. Genetic and molecular studies are necessaries to understand its origin and possible impacts in bat populations.

Flight speeds of Pallas's long-tongued bat (Glossophaga soricina), the Mexican funnel-eared bat (Natalus stramineus), and the gray short-tailed bat (Carollia subrufa) were measured in Colima, Mexico, during January 2006. Bats from an abandoned mine tunnel were transported to a nearby simulated flyway, where speeds were determined over a known distance. For G. soricina, average speeds for 26 males and 14 females were 4.85 and 4.80 m/s, respectively (P > 0.05), which are similar to those reported by other investigators. Averages for N. stramineus were 2.84 m/s for 40 males and 2.39 m/s for 23 females, values that were statistically different (P < 0.05) despite the fact that body masses for the sexes were similar. For C. subrufa, three males and three females averaged 3.67 and 3.52 m/s, respectively. Speeds were unrelated to body mass for any of the species. Speeds for N. stramineus and C. subrufa are the first reported, whereas those for G. soricina are the first recorded under near-field conditions.

Flight speeds of adult common vampire bats (Desmodus rotundus) were investigated in Colima, Mexico, during 2005. Individuals were captured in a small abandoned irrigation tunnel and transported to a nearby flyway (simulated cave passage) constructed in forested habitat. Using stopwatches, rates of travel were measured over a known distance. Males averaged 13.82 km/h (range 9.6 to 27.3 km/h; n = 18) and females 13.36 km/h (range 7.2 to 23.4 km/h; n = 29). Flight speeds of males and females were not significantly different. Contrary to some previous studies, no significant correlation was found between length of forearm and flight speed. Our findings provide the first report of flight speeds for D. rotundus.

The population dynamics of Peromyscus levipes were studied in a deciduous forest in southeastern Morelos, Mexico. This study was performed at 2 sites, one having relatively little disturbance (low-disturbance site) and the other having extensive disturbance (high-disturbance site). Sampling was conducted from February 1991 through March 1992. At the low-disturbance site, the density in February 1991 was 39 individuals/ha. Although population size fluctuated temporally, it generally declined throughout the study until March 1992 (16 individuals/ha). Sex ratios of the populations were not significantly different. The reproductive pattern exhibited by P. levipes in the low-disturbance site was seasonally polyestrous. In the high-disturbance site, we caught only 6 individuals.

Flight speeds of Davy's naked-backed bat (Pteronotus davyi), Wagner's mustached bat (P. personatus), Parnell's mustached bat (P. parnellii), and Peter's leaf-chinned bat (Mormoops megalophylla) were studied in Colima, Mexico, during January 2000. Bats were assessed in a simulated cave passage cleared in a dense thorn forest. Rates of travel over a known distance were measured using stopwatches. Individual flight speeds varied from 7.4 (female P. davyi) to 30.6 km/h (male M. megalophylla); mean flight speeds ranged from 11.3 (male P. davyi) to 19.1 km/h (female P. parnellii). There was a positive correlation between mean forearm length and mean flight speed. Larger bats flew faster than smaller ones. Results of this investigation provide the first report of flight speed for female P. davyi (13.1 km/h) and extend our knowledge concerning the flight speeds of other taxa studied.

The original descriptions of the bats Sturnira lilium lilium and S. l. parvidens are general and fragmented. Therefore, we provide standardized redescriptions of the type specimens, as well as external and cranial measurements, to clarify differences between the types and to provide information that will allow for better recognition of specimens of S. l. parvidens and S. l. lilium. The skulls of both type specimens are partially broken and incomplete. In S. l. parvidens the skull and braincase are smaller than in S. l. lilium, and the inner upper incisors are bilobed with the internal lobule larger, while in S. l. lilium the upper incisors are pointed with a single lobe. The measurements of the forearm, tibia, maxillary toothrow, greatest breadth across the upper molars, least postorbital breadth, and greatest breadth across the canines are smaller in the specimen of S. l. parvidens.

Aim To investigate the relationship between chiropteran species distributions and four fundamental environmental factors — temperature, precipitation, soil and vegetation — and to construct a species richness prediction map based on the environmental factors. Location The state of Michoacan, Mexico. Methods Bat specimens collected during a 2-year project were combined with museum specimens to form a dataset of over 3200 entries pertaining to 71 species of bats. Coordinates of the collection localities were recorded with GPS receivers or determined from maps. ArcView GIS was used to characterize the distribution of the species relative to the four environmental factors by projecting coordinates of the collection sites onto digitized maps of those factors. Correspondence analysis (CA) was used to evaluate the relationship between species distributions and the environmental factors. Results The CA results indicated that the order of importance of these factors is (from highest to lowest): temperature, vegetation, precipitation and soil. A predicted distribution map was constructed for each species of bat, based on the result of the CA analysis, using correspondences of each species to climate, vegetation and precipitation. Soil types were excluded from the prediction model because soil type does not appear to carry high predictive value for bat species in Michoacan. Distribution maps of the 71 bat species were then overlaid to generate a map of bat species richness for the state of Michoacan. Main conclusions Neither family membership nor feeding guild affiliation appear to play important roles in chiropteran species distributions in Michoacan. The bat species richness prediction map will be a useful tool for conservation works in the region.

Information on geographic distribution, habitat, measurements, and reproductive condition of five species of mammals from Guerrero, Mexico, is provided. Two species are new records for the State (Nyctinomops femorosaccus and Sigmodon leucotis), one is the second record (Spermophilus variegatus variegatus), one is the third record (Nyctinomops macrotis), and one is the fourth record (Herpailurus yagouaroundi tolteca).

Lynx rufus, Puma concolor, Puma yagouaroundi, Leopardus pardalis, Leopardus wiedii, Panthera onca, distribución.

Se reportan ácaros ectoparásitos en roedores colectados durante un estudio ecológico en Playa de Oro, en el estado de Colima, México. Los roedores revisados fueron: Heteromys pictus, Heteromys spectabilis, Baiomys musculus, Nyctomys sumichrasti, Oryzomys couesi, Oryzomys melanotis, Osgoodomys banderanus, Reithrodontomys fulvescens y Sigmodon mascotensis. Se registra la presencia de varias especies de ácaros de las familias Laelapidae, Macronyssidae, Listrophoridae y Myocoptidae en nuevos huéspedes y de algunas más se amplía su distribución. Se registra por primera vez para México a Lepidoglyphus hylandi, Laelaps oryzomydis y Prolistrophorus bakeri.

Peromyscus perfulvus Osgood, 1945, is a medium-sized rodent with the English name of tawny deermouse. It is 1 of 56 species in the genus Peromyscus and has upperparts of bright cinnamon rufous along with creamy white underparts. This Mexican endemic is distributed from coastal lowlands of Jalisco and Colima to the interior of Michoacan, northernmost Guerrero, and the southwestern corner of the state of Mexico. The species is highly arboreal and inhabits tropical deciduous forest, semideciduous forest, and thorn scrub. Given its small geographic range coupled with microhabitat preferences and the fact that relevant habitats increasingly have been altered, P. perfulvus should be considered to be of conservation concern.

Se aporta información sobre la distribución, hábitat, medidas y condición reproductiva de nueve especies de murciélagos del estado de Guerrero, México. Cuatro especies representan el segundo registro para el estado (Choeroniscus godmani, Myotis auriculus apache, Myotis thysanodes aztecus y Nyctinomops femorosaccus), tres representan el tercer registro (Musonycteris harrisoni, Chiroderma salvini scopaeum y Enchisthenes hartii), y dos son el cuarto registro (Hylonycteris underwoodi minor y Myotis californicus mexicanus).

To investigate if non-hematophagous bats play a role in outbreaks of rabies and blue eye disease (LPMV), we studied the seroprevalence against both agents in several species of non-hematophagous bats on the sub-tropical Pacific coast of the state of Colima, Mexico. The survey covered a predominantly agricultural area (disturbed), and an area dominated by semideciduous dry forest (undisturbed). A total of 151 non-hematophagous bats of 16 species were captured from the two areas. Fifty-six (37%) had antirabic antibodies (Ab) while 87 (58%) did not and 8 samples (5%) had to be discarded because of hemolysis. A much lower (P

The mammals from four areas of Southeastern Mexico were examined to compare the species diversity in areas characterized by various degrees of disturbance caused by human activities such as felling of trees, cattle grazing, and agriculture. We examined 458 specimens from 52 species in the four study areas. Carlos A. Madrazo was the site with more species richness (n= 41) and also has the less disturbed vegetation, followed by Agua Dulce (n= 37) that presents some orchards that had changed the natural vegetation, and Jalapita (n= 28) and El Espino (n= 14), the areas with the most alteration in their vegetation. The differences found in the distribution of the species in the four areas indicate that most species prefer to inhabit the less disturbed areas with favorable conditions for their survival, suggesting that disturbance reduced the number of species in the studied zones. In Southeastern Mexico, Tabasco and Veracruz are among the states with the most disturbed areas in which the original vegetation has been substituted by grass. It is imperative that the authorities responsible for the conservation of species and use of the land implement a plan to educate local people on the sustainable use of natural resources so their protection and management can be achieved.

The hantavirus nucleocapsid (N) protein is an important immunogen that stimulates a strong and cross-reactive immune response in humans and rodents. A large proportion of the response to N protein has been found to target its N-terminus. However, the exact nature of this bias towards the N-terminus is not yet fully understood. We characterized six monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against the N protein of Montano virus (MTNV), a Mexican hantavirus. Five of these mAbs recognized eight American hantaviruses and six European and Asian hantaviruses, but not the Soricomorpha-borne Thottapalayam hantavirus. The N protein-reactive binding regions of the five mAbs were mapped to discontinuous epitopes within the N-terminal 13–51 amino acid residues, while a single serotype-specific mAb was mapped to residues 1–25 and 49–75. Our findings suggest that discontinuous epitopes at the N-terminus are conserved, at least in rodent-borne hantaviruses, and that they contribute considerably to N protein cross-reactivity.