Impact of Hurricane Dean (2007) on Game Species of the Selva Maya, Mexico
We assessed the effects of a high-intensity hurricane on the abundance of nine game species in the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. We sampled 370 km of linear transects in the 3 yr before the hurricane (i.e., 2003-2005), and 315 km in 3 yr after the hurricane (2008-2010). Relative track abundances of all species declined by two-thirds of their prehurricane values. Abundances of Central American agouti Dasyprocta punctata, white-tailed deer Odocoileus virginianus, paca Cuniculus paca, and Great Curassow Crax rubra declined significantly after the hurricane swept the area. Relative track abundances showed a negative, but nonsignificant trend for Ocellated Turkey Meleagris ocellata, white-nosed coati Nasua narica, brocket deer Mazama sp., and collared peccary Pecari tajacu. Only nine-banded armadillo Dasypus novemcinctus showed a significant increase in abundance. Strictly frugivore and habitat specialist species were more affected than omnivores and habitat generalist species. These latter characteristics, or their combination, seemed advantageous to withstand the stress of habitat disturbance. The trend of posthurricane recovery was incipient for affected species, and it was significant for five species after the impact. Overall, most frugivores and habitat specialists did not reach their prehurricane relative track abundances, and Great Curassow showed no recovery trend. The future expectation of increased frequency and intensity of hurricanes might have severe effects on such species.
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Texto biblioteca |
| Language: | eng |
| Subjects: | Huracán Dean, 2007, Animales de caza, Daños y perjuicios, Artfrosur, |
| Online Access: | http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1744-7429.2011.00819.x/abstract |
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