A checklist of the mammals (Mammalia) of Chihuahua, Mexico

By

López-González Celia
García-Mendoza, Diego F.

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2012-11-1

Original Publication

Check list : journal of species lists and distribution

Volume

8

Series / Issue

Issue: 6

Pages

1122--1133

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

[São Paulo, Brazil] Luís Felipe Toledo 2005-

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.15560/8.6.1122

 

Abstract

An updated list of the mammals of Chihuahua state, Mexico was assembled from the literature and from museum specimens. We documented 133 species (15 endemic to Mexico and 11 new for Chihuahua), representing 25 families, 75 genera, and 27.4% of the Mexican terrestrial mammalian fauna. Four species are probably extirpated from the state. Four major ecoregions have been defined for Chihuahua: Arid, Valleys, Sierra, and Quebradas. Species richness was the highest in Valleys, and consisted mostly of species with Nearctic affinities. In contrast, Quebradas were the least species-rich, but included mostly Neotropical species that occur only in this ecoregion of Chihuahua. Despite the fact that Chihuahua harbors considerable biodiversity and unique Mexican biomes, conservation efforts are insufficient. The current rate of anthropogenic modification in the state requires a comprehensive strategy if Chihuahua’s biodiversity is to be preserved.