Endemic Animals in Mexico

 

Mexico is one of few countries which has an  impressive biological diversity, is described as the third country with the greatest biodiversity. Only in 10% of the total number of species is in the world (we have 439 species of mammals, 705 species of reptiles, 289 species of amphibians, 35 species of marine mammals and 1061 species of birds).Of this total of fauna, 50% of the species are endemic; i.e. they  be found in another place that is not Mexico. However, they are more and more species of this type, which are in danger of extinction. Mexico has an impressive biodiversity, and as Mexicans, we must begin to take care of it as soon as possible.

Mexican llanero dog (Cynomys mexicanus)

The Mexican Prairie dog or llanero Mexican dog (Cynomys mexicanus) is not really a puppy, if not an endemic rodent from Mexico   that is in danger of extinction. In addition the IUCN considers it very rare and an unknown population trend. It is endangered as are prairie dogs on one less than 600 km2 total area; In addition, this area is highly fragmented and if that wasn't enough, is losing terrain, extent and quality of habitat at a very high speed. As a result the number of locations and subpopulations is also decreasing.

FEATURES

The name of dogs comes by the sound they emit, similar to a bark; they issued this bark when they feel threatened or when they make contact with other individuals. They are diurnal animals that construct Burrows to live and protect themselves from predators. The Burrows are tunnels that excavate and which are connected with each other.

 They come to be up to 6 meters long and 2 meters deep. They have a large social organization and form colonies (called cities) with small family units that may encompass more than 100 hectares. A family includes an adult male, 2 or 3 females, young and small. They are very social animals that tend to remain at the entrances of their burrows or in outlying grooming each other and watching and defending the boundaries of its territory during the day.

To join ties between individuals in the colony they perform actions such as anal recognition, mutual grooming, feeding and oral contacts. A curious behavior of Prairie dogs is that of the ´beso´, which consists of the contact of the open mouth of an individual (so that the incisors are visible) with the other and can operate both as a sign of threat recognition. They are small and easily recognizable aspect since they measure between 28 and 33 cm. reaching up to 1 or 1.5 kg. Its colour varies from yellowish brown and brown reddish, littered with some black hairs; the belly is lighter and the terminal part of the tail is black.

They are omnivores that feed on grasses, seeds, leaves, stems and roots above all, but during the summer they also eat grasshoppers and other insects. To live in areas with little water acquired most of the water from plants. The activity of thousands of individuals in the areas where they live prevents the tall grass to regenerate, giving rise to other smaller annual grasses and fast-growing.

These are the dogs food and also enable the visibility needed to warn of the presence of potential enemies. This mammal is also considered as, since they influence the environment and are therefore necessary since constantly mowing pastures, they change the composition of the vegetation and improve their nutritional qualities, which also benefits other animals that graze on these places. We can therefore say that increasing environmental heterogeneity and affect biological diversity. 

There are numerous studies about the influence of the llanero puppy in the structure of the vegetation: Luis Romero Perez, Guzmán Núñez Juan Antonio, Hernández Javalera Iliana Isabel and López González Juan José; Ecology of llanero dog colonies (Cynomys mexicanus) with different history of colonization. During the breeding season is frequent movement of individuals from one territory to another; After the gestation lasting from 27 to 33 days are born calves between April and may in the burrow. Calves at birth have their eyes closed and lack of hair.

They may have between two and ten calves although typically are 4. Live from 4 to 7 years. They can sit on their hind quarters, staying straight. They take this position to watch, eat or interact. Instead four legs to walk. Their predators include coyotes, red Lynx, eagles, hawks, badgers and weasels.

HABITAT AND AREA OF DISTRIBUTION

 This charming rodent is one of the Prairie dogs corresponding to this native genre in North America. It is related to squirrels, Chipmunk and marmot. This particular species is endemic to Northern and Central Mexico, as is found only in the States of Coahuila and San Luis Potosí. In the past it was also in the States of Nuevo Leon and Zacatecas.

They may also be in the Chihuahua desert.  Prairie dogs are closely associated with semi-arid areas with grasslands, characterized by xerophytic shrubs (adapted to dry environments), grasses and plants flush. The Prairies where they live are not wet, since approximate annual rainfall is between 250 and 750 mm. They also have a high rate of evaporation and annual and seasonal droughts. They live at altitudes from 1600 to 2200 meters

THREATS

 Are losing habitat due to the expansion of agriculture and livestock farms. In fact, to get rid of these rodents have come to exterminate entire colonies by poison. And it is that despite the key role that prairie dogs in grasslands, have been victims of campaigns of extermination (not only with poison, but also with traps and hunting).

 At the beginning of the 20th century they occupied 40 to 100 million hectares of grasslands in North America, but considered that they were competitors of livestock due to the grass and that could cause fractures in the legs of cows by Burrows, began a campaign of eradication.

The situation is troubling because they have lost 65% of its habitat and is considered already disappeared in Zacatecas, State which he represented 10% of their original range. San Luis de Potosí represents 25% of its original area threatened by conversion to agriculture land and water extraction which has dried many soils and grasslands.

CONSERVATION MEASURES.

 Is in Appendix I of the CITES. It is necessary to legislate to prohibit the hunting of this species unique in the world, as well as so crops are not planted in their habitats. They are necessary efforts of broadcasting and environmental education to raise awareness of its importance, even the importance that has a presence within the cattle ranches (ensures the availability of livestock feed).

 Between 2003 and 2006 were lost 30% of colonies of llanero puppy, so it took new measures for the recovery of the species. In 2006, Pronatura Noreste signed agreements of conservation with the Trinity, of the municipality of Galeana, Nuevo Leon, ejidos so it will provide 780 hectares for its protection, and San José de el Alamito, of the municipality of Saltillo, in Coahuila, so it will provide 800 hectares.

These ejidos are located in a region of grasslands, which still features Mexican llanero puppy. For the protection of the rodent, Pronatura promotes the easement, which means that you buy grazing rights and warrants to the ejidatarios a financial incentive for 15 years for the fact allocate land for conservation. The organization said that in addition to the financial incentive it would finance the acquisition of seed for planting lands that are outside the protected area.

TAXONOMY

 Kingdom: ANIMALIA

Phylum: CHORDATA  

Class: MAMMALIA

Order: RODENTIA

Family: SCIURIDAE

cientific name: Cynomys mexicanus

Author of the species: Merriam, 1892 common name: English: Mexican Prairie Dog, Mexican Prairie Marmot