Status of black-tailed prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) in Sonora, Mexico
Authors: | Reyna A. Castillo-Gamez, Rafael Arenas-Wong, Luis Castillo-Quijada, Verónica Coronado-Peraza, Abigail Enríquez-Munguia, Mirna Federico-Ortega, Alejandra García-Urrutia, Alba Lozano-Gámez, Romeo Méndez-Estrella, Laura Ochoa-Figueroa, J. R. Romo-León, Guy Kruse-Llergo, Iván Parra-Salazar |
Year: | 2005 |
Type: | Proceedings |
Station: | Rocky Mountain Research Station |
Source: | Gottfried, Gerald J.; Gebow, Brooke S.; Eskew, Lane G.; Edminster, Carleton B., comps. Connecting mountain islands and desert seas: biodiversity and management of the Madrean Archipelago II. Proc. RMRS-P-36. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station: 511-514 |
Abstract
Prairie dog is a keystone species throughout the habitat where it occurs, but its populations have declined about 98% in the last century. This species has been considered of international importance for the United States of America, Canada, and Mexico.Only two populations are recorded for Mexico, and the westernmost (isolated by Sierra Madre Occidental from the other) remains basically unknown, in the Upper San Pedro River Watershed in Mexico. This species has been eradicated from Arizona. The closest population is hundreds of kilometers away, in New Mexico.
Since July 2003, we have been working collecting basic information that is needed for this species conservation: actual distribution, population parameters, habitat, and threats. Methodology being used is standardized to those underway in other places. Geographic Information Systems and Remote Sensing are being used as tools in range, habitat, and threats analysis. This project is in progress and final results are expected to be ready by November 2004.