Jorge Palacio-Núñez

Food Habits of Jaguar and Puma in a Protected Area and Adjacent Fragmented Landscape of Northeastern Mexico

ABSTRACT: We analyzed the food habits of the jaguar (Panthera onca) and puma (Puma concolor) in a protected area surrounded by a fragmented landscape in northeastern Mexico. We estimated relative biomass of each prey species consumed; by analysis of 43 and 22 scat samples of jaguar and puma collected during 2010–2012. The diet of both felids was comprised mainly of wild artiodactyls; the collared peccary contributed 35.2% to the biomass of jaguar diets and white-tailed deer contributed 51.9% to puma diets. Diet composition of both felids showed moderate overlap (Pianka index = 0.57; Morisita index = 0.58), but use of the primary prey differed between species (P < 0.001). The diet of both felids included almost exclusively wild species, suggesting the presence of a good prey base that allows the coexistence of jaguars and pumas. Despite its small size and surrounding fragmentation, the Biosphere Reserve Sierra del Abra-Tanchipa is still an important refuge for large felids and their prey in northeastern Mexico.

Potentially toxic minerals in environmental liabilities in Noria de Ángeles, Zacatecas

Introduction: Sites polluted by mining activity represent a risk to human health. Objective: To determine the concentration of toxic minerals (Hg, Pb, Cd and As) in two environmental liabilities (ELs) in Noria de Ángeles, Zacatecas. Materials and methods: Soil samples from two ELs and a reference site were taken based on NMX-AA-132-SCFI-2006; in addition, a spring and waterbodies adjacent to or on the ELs were sampled, in accordance with NOM-230-SSA1-2002. Toxic elements in soil and water were analyzed in accordance with NOM-147-SEMARNAT/SSA1-2004 and NOM-127-SSA1-1994, respectively. The concentrations of elements in the soil were subjected to an analysis of variance and Tukey’s range test (P < 0.05). Results and discussion: The Hg concentration was higher (P < 0.05) in the ELs than in the reference site, but it did not exceed the maximum permissible limits (MPL) established by the standards. The Cd and As in the soil of the ELs and reference site exceeded the MPL, and the Pb only in the ELs. It is deduced that the As has a mainly geological origin, since its content in the reference site was higher than the recent EL. In the waterbodies, the Pb, Hg, Cd and As concentrations were much higher than the MPL. Conclusion: The Pb, Cd and As in the ELs, and the Pb, Cd, Hg and As in the waterbodies pose a risk to the health of the residents of Noria de Ángeles, Zacatecas.