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Special issue: introduction
Research on ecology, conservation and
management of wild ungulates in Mexico
Sonia Gallina
1
and Salvador Mandujano
1
1
DepartamentodeBiodiversidadyEcologíaAnimal,InstitutodeEcologíaA.C.,km.2.5Carret.Ant.
CoatepecNo.351,CongregacióndelHaya,Xalapa91070,Ver.México.E‐mail:
<sonia.gallina@inecol.edu.mx
>;<salvador.mandujano@inecol.edu.mx>
Received: Received 6 February 2009; Accepted 15 February 2009, Published: 25 May, 2009
Copyright: © Sonia Gallina and Salvador Mandujano. This is an open access paper. We use the
Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 license http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
- The license
permits any user to download, print out, extract, archive, and distribute the article, so long as
appropriate credit is given to the authors and source of the work. The license ensures that the
published article will be as widely available as possible and that the article can be included in any
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property of individual works, not necessarily journals or publishers.
Cite this paper as: Galllina, S. and Mandujano, S. 2009. Research on ecology, conservation and
management of ungulates in Mexico. Tropical Conservation Science Vol. 2 (2):116-127. Available
online: www.tropicalconservationscience.org
Abstract
This special issue of Tropical Conservation Science provides a synopsis of nine of the eleven
presentations on ungulates presented at the Symposium on Ecology and Conservation of Ungulates
in Mexico during the Mexican Congress of Ecology held in November 2008 in Merida, Yucatan. Of the
eleven species of wild ungulates in Mexico (Baird´s tapir Tapirus bairdii, pronghorn antelope
Antilocapra americana, American bison Bison bison, bighorn sheep Ovis canadensis, elk Cervus
canadensis, red brocket deer Mazama temama, Yucatan brown brocket Mazama pandora, mule deer
Odocoileus hemionus, white-tailed deer Odocoileus virginianus, white-lipped peccary Tayassu pecari
and collared peccary Pecari tajacu), studies which concern four of these species are presented:
Baird’s tapir and the white lipped peccary, which are tropical species in danger of extinction; the
bighorn sheep, of high value for hunting in the north-west; and the white-tailed deer, the most
studied ungulate in Mexico due to its wide distribution in the country and high hunting and cultural
value. In addition, two studies of exotic species, wild boar (Sus scrofa) and red deer (Cervus
elaphus), are presented. Issues addressed in these studies are: population estimates, habitat use,
evaluation of UMA (Spanish acronym for ‘Wildlife Conservation, Management and Sustainable
Utilization Units’) and ANP (Spanish acronym for ‘Natural Protected Areas’) to sustain minimum
viable populations, and the effect of alien species in protected areas and UMA, all of which allow an
insight into ungulate conservation and management within the country.
Key words: wild ungulates, research needs, conservation, species extinction, Mexico.
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Introduction
Ungulates include the majority of large herbivores on the planet [1]. With the exception of
Antarctica, they are found in nearly all biomes and zoogeographical regions, with human
intervention allowing many species to expand their original geographical boundaries. The
actual number of species varies from author to author because the concept of species is
flexible and is constantly changing depending on the results of genetic and taxonomic
research. The most widely accepted list is that published by Wilson and Reeder [2]. In
general, the Smithsonian Institute recognizes 257 species of modern ungulates. Of these,
at least five species have gone extinct in the last 300 years due to anthropogenic
pressures, and many other species are of critical conservation concern [1].
There are 34 species of ungulates in The Americas (hereinafter America), which represents
13.2% of the ungulate species worldwide (Appendix 1). Of these 34 species, 91% belong
to the order Artiodactyla and the remainder to Perissodactyla. Cervidae is one of the most
represented families within the order Artiodactyla. This family includes 19 species which
correspond to 55.9% of American ungulates. Mazama is the most diverse cervid genus in
South America, represented by seven species [3,4], however, it is also one of the least
known. The families Antilocapridae and Tayassuidae are endemic to America and are
represented by one and three species respectively. Other families are the Camelidae and
Tapiridae. In America, these are represented by two of the four species found worldwide
and three of the four species found worldwide, respectively. Another notable aspect of
American ungulates is the near absence of the Bovidae, the most species diverse ungulate
family (137 species, most of which are found in Africa and Asia [2]). This family is
represented in America by five species, which are confined to North America. Of the 34
species of American ungulates, 10 species are restricted to the Nearctic zoogeographic
region, while 22 species inhabit the Neotropical region. The remaining two species, with
the largest geographical distribution in America are the white-tailed deer (Odocoileus
virginianus) and collared peccary (Pecari tajacu), which inhabit very different vegetation
types in the Nearctic and Neotropics [5,6].
Molecular dating suggests that the family Cervidae originated and radiated in central Asia
during the Late Miocene, and that Odocoileini dispersed to North America during the
Miocene/Pliocene boundary, and underwent an adaptive radiation in South America after
their Pliocene dispersal across the Isthmus of Panama [7]. According to the systematic
relationships and evolutionary history of Neotropical deer, at least eight ancestral forms of
deer invaded South America during the late Pliocene (2.5–3 MYA), and members of the
red brockets had an independent early explosive diversification soon after their ancestor
arrived there, giving rise to a number of morphologically cryptic species. Deer endemic to
the New World fall in two biogeographic lineages: the first one groups Odocoileus and
Mazama americana is distributed in North, Central, and South America, whereas the
second one is composed of South American species only and includes Mazama
gouazoubira. This implies that the genus Mazama is not a valid taxon [3]. Genetic analysis
revealed high levels of molecular and cytogenetic divergence between groups of
morphologically similar species of brockets (Mazama), and suggest a polyphyletic origin.
In particular, Mazama americana showed a striking relationship with several sequences of
Odocoileus i
n contrast to that expected, since this M. americana (now M. temama)
haplotype, from a Mexican origin, was not associated with several Bolivian Mazama
sequences analyzed. This could put forward that this genera is not monophyletic. On the
other hand, these Bolivian Mazama formed a clade with Pudu puda and Ozotoceros
bezoarticus. Likely, an Odocoileus virginianus sequence from the Central area of Colombia
showed a more strong relationship with a North American O. heminonus sequence than
with the other O. virginianus sequences of Colombian origin as well. This could be
explained by means of various different hypotheses. The first is the existence of common
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ancestral haplotypes between both species. Another one is the reiterative hybridization
among both Odocoileus species before the migration of O. virginianus from North America
to South America [8].
Ungulates in Mexico
Eleven ungulate species are found in Mexico (one Perissodactyl species and ten
Artiodactyls species) [9-19], which correspond to 32.4% and 4.3% of ungulate species in
America and worldwide, respectively. The Perissodactyl species is the Baird’s tapir Tapirus
bairdii (Gill, 1865), and the Artiodactyl species are: one species of Antilocapridae, the
pronghorn antelope Antilocapra americana (Ord, 1815); two species of Bovidae, the
American bison Bison bison (Linnaeus, 1758) and the bighorn sheep Ovis canadensis
(Shaw, 1804); five species of Cervidae, elk Cervus canadensis (Erxleben, 1777), the red
brocket Mazama temama (Kerr, 1792), the Yucatan brown brocket Mazama pandora
(Merriam, 1901), the mule deer Odocoileus hemionus (Rafinesque, 1817), and the white-
tailed deer Odocoileus virginianus (Zimmermann, 1780); and two species of Tayassuidae,
the white lipped peccary Tayassu pecari (Link, 1795) and the collared peccary Pecari
tajacu (Linnaeus, 1758).
Baird’s tapir Tapirus bairdii (photo Eduardo Naranjo), Pronghorn antelope Antilocapra
americana (photo Sonia Gallina), American bison Bison bison (photo Sonia Gallina),
Bighorn sheep Ovis canadensis (photo Sergio Alvarez-Cárdenas).
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It is worthy of note that at in all States of Mexico, at least one species of ungulate is found
[5]. For example, five species (pronghorn antelope, bison, bighorn sheep, elk and mule
deer) inhabit the Nearctic region, four species (tapir, red brocket, Yucatan brown brocket
and white lipped peccary) inhabit the Neotropical region, and the remaining two species,
with the widest geographical and ecological distribution (white-tailed deer and collared
peccary), are found throughout almost the country. However, the areas of distribution of
Mexican ungulates have declined markedly and local populations have been eradicated in
some localities. The main causes are uncontrolled hunting, and the loss and
fragmentation of habitat [4]. This has led to the extinction of species like the American
bison and elk in Mexico [11,13], although populations of these have been reintroduced.
Meanwhile, species such as the tapir, bighorn sheep, white lipped peccary and pronghorn
antelope are considered in danger of extinction [9,10,12,18]. With regard to brocket deer,
there is insufficient information to discern their conservation status [14,15]. The deer
genus Odocoileus and collared peccary are not regarded as endangered and their
exploitation is possible under certain restrictions and within the framework of UMA
(Spanish acronym for ‘Wildlife Conservation, Management and Sustainable Utilization
Units’) [17,19]. While the number of studies with these species has increased notably
throughout the country in recent years, there are still significant gaps in our knowledge
[4,20,21].
Wapiti or elk Cervus canadensis (photo Sonia Gallina), Red brocket deer Mazama temama
(photo Rafael Reyna), Yucatan brocket deer Mazama pandora (photo Rosa María González
Marín), Mule deer Odocoileus hemionus (photo Carlos López González).
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Purpose of special issue
In November 2008 the Symposium on Ecology and Conservation of Ungulates in Mexico
was organized during the Mexican Congress of Ecology in Merida, Yucatan. The aim was
to bring together researchers who are working on different groups of ungulates in the
country in order to share recently gained knowledge and to define both the issues of
conservation affecting the different species, and the strategies necessary to address these
issues. During the event, there were eleven presentations concerning seven of the eleven
species of ungulates in Mexico, in addition to two presentations on wild boar and red deer.
As a result of this event, nine of the eleven presentations are extensively presented in this
special issue of the journal Tropical Conservation Science. These studies, carried out in
different parts of the country, address topical issues and allow readers interested in
conservation and management insight into the status of this important group of mammals
in Mexico.
Implications for conservation
Based on the results of these studies, the implications for conservation differ in some
aspects and agree in others, depending on the species in question. In the case of
endangered species such as Baird’s tapir and the white lipped peccary, Naranjo [22] and
Reyna-Hurtado [23] suggest that it is crucial to maintain areas of habitat as large as
possible, avoid fragmentation, increase connectivity between these areas, make plans for
land use involving surrounding communities, and implement actions to reduce the hunting
of these species. As for the bighorn sheep, which is a vulnerable species with permitted
exploitation in special cases, Alvarez-Cardenas et al. [24] emphasize the importance of
intermountain movement of individuals looking for suitable areas for breeding, rearing of
young, feeding, water and genetic exchange, and therefore it is important to maintain and
White-tailed deer Odocoileus
virginianus (photo Alberto González
Gallina), White-lipped peccary
Tayassu pecari (photo Alberto
González Romero) and Collared
peccary Pecari tajacu (photo Alberto
González Romero).
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restore habitat structural elements to enhance the connectivity between isolated
populations.
Regarding the white-tailed deer, Sanchez-Rojas et al. [25] emphasize the importance of
UMA as a complementary strategy for the conservation and sustainable use of this species
in forested areas in the center of the country. Delfin-Alfonso et al. [26] propose a model
for habitat assessment using geographic information systems in order to identify areas of
conservation, management and reintroduction of white-tailed deer in central Veracruz.
This model is also a methodological proposal to assess habitat in other regions of the
country with similar characteristics. On the other hand, Coronel-Arellano et al. [27]
propose to use the standardized vegetation index as a predictive variable of the density of
white-tailed deer in temperate habitat sites, and emphasize the importance of this
procedure as a potential tool for other areas focusing on the conservation and
reintroduction of large carnivores, for which the deer are prey. The work of Mandujano
and Gonzalez-Zamora [28] shows that most UMA do not have the critical size to support
minimum viable populations (MVP) of white-tailed deer, while the Biosphere Reserves,
Areas of Protection of Natural Resources, and Protected Areas of Flora and Fauna, are the
ANP (Spanish acronym for ‘Natural Protected Areas’) which could potentially support the
MVP of this species. They suggest a system of conservation at a regional level in which
ANP and UMA are incorporated, assuming source-sink and archipelago reserve models,
where connectivity can have an important role in the movement of individuals between
populations.
Gallina and Escobedo-Morales [29] suggest connecting UMAs to preserve regional
biodiversity and maintain the viability of wildlife populations. The introduction of exotic
species, such as red deer, is an important alternative at production level but has not
contributed to the conservation of native species and in many cases may have serious
negative consequences. Therefore, strict control of these exotic species is necessary, as
the encouragement of the use and conservation of native wildlife and the revision of the
main conservation objectives of UMA. Finally, Breceda et al. [30] report on wild boar, an
exotic species, and emphasize the potential impacts this animal may have on native
species of ungulates, as they may compete for food and space and cause changes in
habitat and the regeneration processes of endemic plants. Moreover, they constitute a
potential threat to the biodiversity of Biosphere Reserves, which contain a significant
number of endemic species. For these reasons continuous population control is necessary.
Species and research topics not included in this special number
In Mexico, the bison is under special protection and the only wild population is found in a
region that is under evaluation to be protected as a reserve [31]. The pronghorn antelope
is an endangered species in our country but there are some stable populations in different
localities [32]. Mule deer is not an endangered species but some subspecies (O. h.
cerrocensis, O. h. peninsulae y O. h. sheldoni) have severe conservation problems [16].
There are population studies in Durango and Baja California [33-35]. The brocket deer
species are not in danger but are considered fragile [14,15], there are some studies in the
southeast states as Campeche, Quintana Roo, Chiapas and Tabasco [36-38]. Nevertheless
there is a need to do more efforts in order to increase the knowledge of these species
including their systematic, because the phylogenetic origin is not yet clear [3,7,8]. The
other species not treated in this special number is the collared peccary, with a widest
geographical distribution and exploited in Mexico, but with very few ecological studies
[39]. Most of the information we have, has been obtained as a prey in studies related with
felids [40-42].
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Some topics about management and conservation of ungulates that need research efforts
in a short time are:
Analyze the use and sustainable hunting of ungulates in indigenous communities
in areas with high and low hunting pressure [38,43].
Assessing the effectiveness of the UMA for conservation and sustainable use of
ungulates [44,45]. In particular, in tropical forest there is a need to look for
different management strategies [46,47].
Studies on fragmentation, sink-source models and metapopulations from a
landscape perspective [48,49].
Know about the role of ungulates in tropical habitats as structural agents on
vegetation and the consequences of their absence [50].
Genetic and distribution studies of white-tailed deer [51], mule deer [S. Ayala,
personal communication] and brocket deer subspecies [3,7,8].
Analyze the relationship about human population growing, agriculture
technology, cattle ranching, habitat transformation and their effect on
distribution areas of ungulate populations [52-54].
Acknowledgments
We gratefully acknowledge the Mexican Ecological Society for allowing the organization of
the Symposium on Ecology and Conservation of Ungulates in Mexico. Many thanks also go
to Alejandro Estrada, editor of the journal Tropical Conservation Science, for his patience
and interest in this special edition. Finally, thanks go to all the reviewers who kindly
reviewed and helped improved each of the papers in this special issue.
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Appendix 1. Wild ungulates living in the American continent, according to Wilson and
Reeder [2]. * Indicates species in Mexico.
Orden Perissodactyla Owen, 1848
Familia Tapiridae Gray, 1821
Tapirus Brisson, 1762
1. * Tapirus bairdii (Gill, 1865) Baird's tapir, Central American tapir
2. Tapirus pinchaque (Roulin, 1829) Mountain tapir
3. Tapirus terrestris (Linnaeus, 1758) South America tapir, Brazilian tapir,
lowland tapir
Orden Artiodactyla Owen, 1848
Familia Tayassuidae Palmer, 1897
Catagonus Ameghino, 1904
4. Catagonus wagneri (Rusconi, 1930) Chacoan peccary
Pecari Reinchenbach, 1835
5. * Pecari tajacu (Linnaeus, 1758) Collared peccary, javelina
Tayassu G. Fisher [von Waldheim], 1814
6. * Tayassu pecari G. Fisher [von Waldheim], 1814 White-lipped peccary
Familia Camelidae Gray, 1821
Lama G. Cuvier, 1800
7. Lama glama (Linnaeus, 1758) Llama, guanaco
Vicugna Lesson, 1842
8. Vicugna vicugna (Molina, 1782) Vicuña
Familia Cervidae Goldfuss, 1820
Subfamilia Capreolinae Brookes, 1828
Alces Gray, 1821
9. Alces americanus (Clinton, 1822) American moose
Blastocerus Wagner, 1844
10. Blastocerus dichotomus (Illiger, 1815) Marsh deer
Hippocamelus Leuckart, 1816
11. Hippocamelus antisensis (d’Orbigny, 1834) Peruvian guemal, taruca
12. Hippocamelus bisulcus (Molina, 1782) Patagonian huemul, South Andean
huemul
Mazama Rafinesque, 1817
13. Mazama americana (Erxleben, 1777) South American Red brocket
14. Mazama bororo Duarte, 1996 Sao Paulo Bororo, small red brocket
15. Mazama bricenii Thomas, 1908 Merida Brocket, Grey dwarf brocket
16. Mazama chunyi Hershkovitz, 1959, Dwarf brocket
17. Mazama gouazoubira G. Fisher [von Waldheim], 1814, Brown brocket
18. Mazama nana (Hensel, 1872) Lesser brocket
19. * Mazama pandora Merriam, 1901 Yucatan brown brocket
20. Mazama rufina (Pucheran, 1851) Ecuator, Little red brocket
21. * Mazama temama (Kerr, 1792) Central American, Mexican red brocket
Odocoileus Rafinesque, 1832
22. * Odocoileus hemionus (Rafinesque, 1817) Mule deer
23. * Odocoileus virginianus (Zimmermann, 1780) White-tailed deer
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Ozotoceros Ameghino, 1891
Ozotoceros bezoarticus (Linnaeus, 1758) Pampas deer
Pudu Gray, 1852
25. Pudu mephistophiles (de Winton, 1896) Northern pudu
26. Pudu puda (Molina, 1782) Southern pudu
Rangifer C. H. Smith, 1872
27. Rangifer tarandus (Linnaeus, 1758) Caribou, reindeer
Subfamilia Cervinae Goldfuss, 1820
Cervus Linnaeus, 1758
28. * Cervus elaphus† Linnaeus, 1758 Red deer, wapiti, American elk
Familia Antilocapridae Gray, 1866
Antilocapra Ord, 1818
29. * Antilocapra americana (Ord, 1815) Pronghorn
Familia Bovidae Gray, 1821
Subfamilia Bovinae Gray, 1821
Bison H. Smith, 1827
30. * Bison bison (Linnaeus, 1758) American bison
Subfamilia Caprinae Gray, 1821
Oreamnos Rafinesque, 1817
31. Oreamnos americanus (de Blainville, 1816) Rocky Mountain goat
Ovibos de Blainville, 1816
32. Ovibos moschatus (Zimmermann, 1780) Muskox
Ovis Linnaeus, 1758
33. * Ovis canadensis Shaw, 1804 Bighorn sheep
34. Ovis dalli Nelson, 1884 Dall's sheep
† Cervus canadensis (Erxleben, 1777) according to other authors. For a discussion in this
aspect, see Gallina and Escobedo-Morales [29] in this number.
Reproduction of artistic painting “Deer”. Mixed
technique on canvas, 110 x 90 cm, by Salvador
Mandujano Rodríguez, 2007.
