Habitat associations of the long-tailed wood-partridge (Dendrortyx macroura) in a managed coniferous forest in Michoacán, Mexico
Por:
Chávez-León G., Velázquez A., Fregoso A., Bocco G.
Publicada:
1 ene 2004
Resumen:
We examined habitat associations of the endemic long-tailed wood-partridge (Dendrortyx macroura) at the macrohabitat and microhabitat levels in a Mexican temperate forest managed for timber production. To determine what vegetation associations were used more frequently than expected, we used a map depicting the spatial distribution of eight associations and estimated relative abundances of the wood-partridge. We also measured vegetation and microhabitat variables within each association to evaluate the relationship between the wood-partridge relative abundance and these variables. The average number of long-tailed wood-partridges detected was 0.31±0.03 individuals per point count. The wood-partridge was detected in the eight sampled vegetation associations, with average relative abundance estimates ranging from 0.29±0.18 to 3.38±1.07 individuals. The highest relative abundance was found in the Pinus pseudostrobus-Ternstroemia pringlei association, which was also the association most used than expected by the wood-partridge relative to its availability. A habitat use gradient (HUG) was identified by canonical correspondence analysis (CCA), showing that altitude, canopy tree cover, litter cover, and relief correlate significantly with the distribution of six plant associations and the wood-partridge. The long-tailed wood-partridge reaches high abundances when values of those microhabitat variables are intermediate, and appears as a generalist in response to the distribution of the plant associations along the HUG. Our results suggest that in terms of relative abundance, not habitat quality, the P. pseudostrobus-T. pringlei association represents the most favorable habitat for the long-tailed wood-partridge in the study area. These results help describe the wood-partridge habitat associations for conservation purposes.
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