therya-5_2
therya-5_2
therya-5_2
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The rodents from Jalisco, Mexico:<br />
identification key<br />
THERYA, agosto, 2014<br />
Vol.5(2): 633-678<br />
DOI: 10.12933/<strong>therya</strong>-14-212<br />
Los roedores de Jalisco, México:<br />
clave de determinación<br />
Edgar G. Godinez 1, 2* y Sergio Guerrero 2<br />
Introduction: The state of Jalisco with only 4.0 % of the national area holds about 27.0 % (64 spp) of all<br />
rodent species described for Mexico. This knowledge of the richness of rodents from Jalisco is clearly known<br />
and refers only to the publications cited the presence of a taxon inside the state border. Therefore, this<br />
paper aims to propose an illustrated key to facilitate any interested person a tool that allows them to easily<br />
recognize rodent species inhabiting the state of Jalisco. It also represents an effort that seeks to contribute to<br />
a better understanding of morphological variation that is so difficult to appreciate in this group of vertebrates.<br />
Methods: The key to the identification of rodents of Jalisco was integrated based on the compilation and<br />
analysis of bibliographic information, and review of museum specimens deposited in the mammal collection<br />
of the Centro de Estudios en Zoología, Universidad de Guadalajara (CZUG). We consider first the original<br />
literature where these taxa are described, and ensure the correct identification of the members of the rodents<br />
were considered diagnostic characters allowing species easily recognize. With the purpose of facilitating<br />
the understanding and accessibility of the key to any interested and not just specialists, have been included<br />
illustrations that accompany the text in almost all expressions of character states.<br />
Results: The diversity of rodents of Jalisco consists of 64 species, which fall under 30 genera and five families.<br />
As a result they, the rodents are the second most diverse group of mammals in the state, behind only the<br />
order Chiroptera (73 spp.). Of all species, 18 (28.0 %) are monotypic and 46 (72.0 %) polytypic. In relation<br />
to the endemic species, six genera and 29 species are endemic to Mexico. The family that had the greatest<br />
number of species was Cricetidae (40 spp) that contains about 62.5 % of all rodent species considered for<br />
the state. The families Sciuridae and Heteromyidae have eight species each (25.0 %), Geomyidae five (8%)<br />
and Muridae have only three species (4.5 %). In relation to protected species by the Mexican government,<br />
four and one subspecies are subject to special protection, and emphasizes Xenomys nelsoni which is within<br />
the category of threatened.<br />
Discussion and conclusions: The state of Jalisco has considerable richness and concentration of endemic<br />
species of rodents; this is basically due to its geographical location in the transition zone between the<br />
Nearctic and Neotropical region, and a series of topographic and climatic factors. Comparing the total<br />
number of species (64) recorded in Jalisco with other regions such as Chiapas (48 spp.) and Oaxaca (56<br />
spp.) suggests that diversity of rodents Jalisco is high. It should be considered an important Jalisco western<br />
Mexico area, not only for biodiversity and many endemic species which houses, but also to promote the<br />
conservation of its biological richness.<br />
Resumen<br />
Key words: illustrated key, Jalisco, mammals, Mexico, morphology, rodents.<br />
El estado de Jalisco con solo el 4.0 % (78,588 km²) de la superficie nacional, sostiene<br />
cerca del 28.0 % (64 spp) de todas las especies de roedores registradas para México<br />
(232 spp). Esta riqueza de roedores es claramente conocida y se remite solo a las<br />
1<br />
Departamento de Zoología, Instituto de Biología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. Distrito Federal, México<br />
E-mail: eggodinez@gmail.com (EGG).<br />
2<br />
Centro de Estudios en Zoología, Universidad de Guadalajara. Guadalajara, Jalisco, México, CP 44101. E-mail:<br />
sergioguerrerovazquez@gmail.com (SG).<br />
*<br />
Corresponding author