Assessing the impact of free-ranging cats (Felis silvestris catus) and dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) on wildlife in a natural urban reserve in Mexico City
Por:
Ramos-Rendon, A. Karina, Gual-Sill, Fernando, Cervantes, Fernando A., Gonzalez-Salazar, Constantino, Garcia-Morales, Rodrigo, Martinez-Meyer, Enrique
Publicada:
1 ene 2023
Ahead of Print:
1 jun 2023
Resumen:
Conservation of natural ecosystems embedded in urban contexts is a big challenge because diverse anthropogenic factors continuously impact native biodiversity and ecological processes. One such factor is the pervasive presence of free-ranging predators, especially cats (Felis silvestris catus) and dogs (Canis lupus familiaris), which may severely affect local wildlife. The “Reserva Ecológica del Pedregal de San Ángel” (REPSA), located within the main campus of the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), in southern Mexico City, is an important natural area that protects a peculiar volcanic spill ecosystem holding native and endemic biodiversity. In 2012, UNAM launched a control program of cats and dogs in REPSA that is still active. To assess the potential impact of cats and dogs on wildlife species, we used live and camera traps coupled with capture-recapture analyses to evaluate changes in the vertebrate community, particularly in the presence and abundance of two medium-size native mammals (Didelphis virginiana and Bassariscus astutus), before (2008–2009) and during (2017–2019) the control program. Results showed that the abundance of dogs decreased between the two periods, but not so the abundance of cats, whereas the native vertebrate diversity increased from the pre-control stage to the control period. Furthermore, we found a negative, non-significant relationship between the abundance of D. virginiana and that of dogs, and a positive, also non-significant relationship between the presence and abundance of B. astutus with the abundance of dogs. We conclude that the control program of free-ranging predators has been beneficial for the conservation of native vertebrates and recommend its continuation and enhancement. © 2023, The Author(s).
Filiaciones:
Ramos-Rendon, A. Karina:
Laboratorio de Análisis Espaciales, Departamento de Zoología, Instituto de Biología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, 04510, Mexico
Univ Nacl Autonoma Mexico, Dept Zool, Lab Anal Espaciales, Inst Biol, Mexico City 04510, Mexico
Gual-Sill, Fernando:
Departamento de Producción Agrícola y Animal, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Unidad Xochimilco, Mexico City, 04960, Mexico
Departamento de Etología, Fauna Silvestre y Animales de Laboratorio, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, 04510, Mexico
Dirección General de Zoológicos y Conservación de Fauna Silvestre, Secretaría del Medio Ambiente de la Ciudad de México, Mexico City, 04510, Mexico
Univ Autonoma Metropolitana, Dept Prod Agr & Anim, Unidad Xochimilco, Mexico City 04960, Mexico
Univ Nacl Autonoma Mexico, Fac Med Vet & Zootecnia, Dept Etol Fauna Silvestre & Anim Lab, Mexico City 04510, Mexico
Secretaria Medio Ambiente Ciudad Mexico, Direcc Gen Zool & Conservac Fauna Silvestre, Mexico City 04510, Mexico
Cervantes, Fernando A.:
Departamento de Zoología, Instituto de Biología, Colección Nacional de Mamíferos, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, 04510, Mexico
Univ Nacl Autonoma Mexico, Dept Zool, Inst Biol, Colecc Nacl Mamiferos, Mexico City 04510, Mexico
Gonzalez-Salazar, Constantino:
Instituto de Ciencias de la Atmósfera y Cambio Climático, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, 04510, Mexico
Univ Nacl Autonoma Mexico, Inst Ciencias Atmosfera & Cambio Climat, Mexico City 04510, Mexico
Garcia-Morales, Rodrigo:
Centro del Cambio Global y la Sustentabilidad A.C, Villahermosa, 86080, Mexico
Ctr Cambio Global & Sustentabil AC, Villahermosa 86080, Mexico
Martinez-Meyer, Enrique:
Laboratorio de Análisis Espaciales, Departamento de Zoología, Instituto de Biología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, 04510, Mexico
Univ Nacl Autonoma Mexico, Dept Zool, Lab Anal Espaciales, Inst Biol, Mexico City 04510, Mexico
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