IUCN / SSC Cat Specialist Group - Digital Cat Library |
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| Petracca, L.S.; Ramirez-Bravo, O.E.; Hernandez-Santin, L. | |
| Occupancy estimation of jaguar Panthera onca to assess the value of east-central Mexico as a jaguar corridor | |
| 2013 Oryx: 1-8 | |
The use of wildlife corridors to maintain landscape connectivity has become increasingly relevant to the conservation of wide-ranging species, including the jaguar _Panthera onca_. Jaguars are particularly threatened in Mexico, where corridor linkages are tenuous as a result of habitat fragmentation. Our study assessed a section of potential corridor south of the Sierra Madre Oriental in eastern Mexico. We conducted 245 interviews with local inhabitants in 140 36-km2 sampling units over a 5-month period and compiled detection histories for jaguars and five prey species: collared peccary _Pecari tajacu_, red brocket deer _Mazama americana_, white-tailed deer _Odocoileus virginianus_, spotted paca _Agouti paca_, and nine-banded armadillo _Dasypus novemcinctus_. These detection histories were then analysed using site occupancy modelling. Each sampling unit was assigned a probability of habitat use based on (1) the two smaller prey species (paca and armadillo) and (2) at least two of the larger prey species (collared peccary and two deer species) using habitat in that unit. This probability estimate was considered a proxy for the prey base of each sampling unit and therefore the unit's suitability as a jaguar corridor. Although the prey base in some areas appears adequate to support a jaguar population, large-scale development projects and the paucity of jaguar sign are major obstacles to this region's potential as a jaguar corridor. Our results suggest that the eastern coast of Mexico may not be a priority area for range-wide jaguar conservation. |
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