Nevado de Toluca: habitat for Romerolagus diazi?

Abstract

The volcano rabbit (Romerolagus diazi), also known as teporingo or zacatuche, is a small rabbit that is endemic to Mexico. In this study we characterized its potential habitat in the Area of Protection of Flora, and Fauna Nevado de Toluca, Mexico. Between April 2016 and November 2017, we sampled 1,807 units to determine the presence of this species using indirect evidence. We found dung pellets that could be attributed to R. diazi in 41 (2.27 %) of the sampled units. In 10 % of these units, we set up camera traps to confirm the presence of the species. Sites with presumed R. diazi pellets were characterised by rocky terrain, with Pinus hartwegii as the dominant tree species, and Festuca tolucensis as the dominant grass. Overall herbaceous cover was over 70 %. Sites observed to have a negative effect on the presence of the pellets were areas with livestock grazing and induced burning. The results of camera trapping did not reveal the presence of R. diazi in Nevado de Toluca.

The House Is Burning: Assessment of Habitat Loss Due to Wildfires in Central Mexico

“…Observations of this species in natural areas have considerably reduced since 1987, and it has not been found in the Nevado de Toluca [93] in recent years. Specifically, wildfires have been considered as one of the main causes of habitat fragmentation for this mammal, limiting its distribution area [60,94]. R. diazi (volcano rabbit) habitat has been gradually destroyed by changes in land use and wildfires, but the main problem is that it is a habitat specialist whose survival depends on the presence of grasslands; therefore, moving to different habitat type [95] is not possible for the species.…”

“…These conditions generate a high heterogeneity that has favored the evolution and persistence of an important biological diversity. It is represented by 125 native species of mammals, grouped in eight orders, comprising 26% of the terrestrial mammals in the country [60]. Amphibians are represented by the orders Caudata (salamanders and axolotls) and Salientia (frogs), with 17 and 34 species, respectively (12.4% and 14.3% of the national total), 5 of which are endemic and 25 are considered as threatened.…”