Mammalogy Notes

Surprise, Surprise…The continued value of Natural History in contemporary Biology

John L. Koprowski — 2025-06-18

Observation and natural history studies remain important to advancements in science. The value of technology in biological, ecological, and conservation science is indisputable. From molecular and biochemical methods to high-resolution micro- and macroimagery to global positioning technologies to high-performance computing and applications of artificial intelligence, the ways that we do science have significantly changed in scope and scale to the benefit of science, society, biodiversity and our wild places. Natural history approaches, broadly described, remain at the heart of scientific endeavor, where we must initiate our investigations with observations using new technologies and pursue them through new analytical approaches by the application of new tools. I write not only to remind us of the importance of such approaches but also to advocate for the continued teaching of skills in observation, exploration and discovery that yield novel insights and perspectives.

First record of Dicotyles tajacu (Linnaeus, 1758) in Puracé National Natural Park, Colombia

Gustavo Adolfo Pisso-Florez — 2025-06-16

Dicotyles tajacu (Artiodactyla: Tayassuidae) is one of the two species of pecaries present in Colombia, where it inhabits all continental natural regions across an altitudinal range from sea level up to 2,800 m. Juveniles of the species are occasionally kept in semi-captive conditions in rural areas of the country. In this report, we document the presence of an individual D. tajacu on the western zone of Puracé National Park, within a high Andean Forest ecosystem in the department of Cauca, Colombia. This gregarious species was observed alone on March 17, 2025, along the national road connecting Paletará (Cauca) and Isnos (Huila), where the animal was seen walking without signs of alarm and exhibited confident behavior in the presence of humans. The ecological aspects of this species, its known distribution, and the absence of previous records in the area suggest a case of incidental release or escape from captivity. This finding highlights potential threats associated with road traffic through protected areas, where unregulated releases may occur, with implications for the health, behavior, and conservation of native species.

New records of Cabassous centralis (Miller, 1899) in Northwestern Honduras

Wilson Noel Gómez-Corea — 2025-07-28

Cabassous centralis is a nocturnal and cryptic species of the order Cingulata, with scarce information. In Honduras, it has been primarily documented in the central and northern regions, as well as on the Atlantic coast. Through casual records in the tropical dry forest, we confirmed its presence in Copán and extended it to Santa Bárbara. With photo captures in the low montane rainforest, we incorporated the Opalaca Biological Reserve in the protected areas of its occurrence. We updated its elevation to 2.078 masl. Participatory biological monitoring is essential for their conservation, including new sites with ecological potential and implementing actions to mitigate habitat loss.

First record of Thyroptera lavali Pine 1993, in the Colombian Orinoquia

Katherine Pérez-Gómez — 2025-08-02

The LaVal’s disk-winged bat, Thyroptera lavali Pine, 1993 (Chiroptera, Thyropteridae), is considered a rare species throughout its distribution in South America, with only 11 known localities across Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela. This note reports the first record of T. lavali in the Colombian Orinoquia region and the second record for the country. The individual was captured using mist nets in a savanna ecosystem, 593.51 km north of the previously recorder locality in the Colombian Amazon region. This new record is particularly significant due to the limited knowledge available on the species.

New report of Ocepto (Leopardus pardalis, Linnaeus, 1758) on the metropolitan area of Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico

Javier F. Santos — 2025-08-05

A new photographic record of Ocelot (Leopardus pardalis, Linnaeus, 1758) is reported using camera traps, a species with scarce data for the state of Nuevo León, Mexico. The record was obtained in the peripheral area of the city of Monterrey (second largest city in Mexico) within the limits of the State Protected Natural Area, La Estanzuela Natural Park. The type of vegetation in the area corresponds to xerophilous scrub, a plant community that is under anthropogenic pressure due to its proximity to the urban area. This note highlights the importance of preserving ecosystems in a good state of conservation close to large urban areas. At the same time, it shows that species that were previously conservation indicators have begun to adapt to sites with high anthropogenic impact.

First record of Leopardus geoffroyi (Carnivora: Felidae) in the San Pedro mountain range of Cochabamba, Bolivia.

Katerin Tito — 2025-09-10

The Geoffroy's Cat (Leopardus geoffroyi) is a small South American feline that inhabits several countries, including Bolivia. Although classified as Least Concern (LC) by the IUCN, in Bolivia it is considered Near Threatened, mainly due to illegal trade of its fur, habitat loss and human-wildlife conflicts. Here we present the first distribution record for the species in the dry inter-Andean valleys of Cochabamba, more specifically in the San Pedro mountain range, a green area within the metropolitan area of the city of Cochabamba. This area is under enormous anthropic pressure, but still has well-preserved native vegetation. This record was obtained through camera traps as part of a survey project of medium and small terrestrial mammals. In addition, some direct threats to the species were evidenced, such as the presence of domestic cats, dogs, sheep and goats. Despite the high anthropogenic pressure and the proximity to tourist areas, the area has potential for the conservation of the Geoffroy’s Cat and other wildlife species. These records highlight the importance of protecting fragments of native vegetation and the need to expand conservation actions in this and other nearby areas.

Barbed wire fence as a threat to the Indian Giant Flying Squirrel in Udhagamandalam, The Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu, India

Rishi Kesavan — 2025-06-16

This study reports an incident involving the Indian Giant Flying Squirrel (Petaurista philippensis) fatally trapped in barbed wire fencing, emphasizing the dangers posed by such human-made structures to arboreal wildlife. Additionally, the study highlights observations of this species at mid elevations in Ooty, shedding light on its ecological preferences and distribution. The findings underscore the need for wildlife-friendly fencing alternatives and conservation measures to mitigate threats in biodiversity-rich regions like Udhagamandalam.

Predation of Nasuella olivacea (Carnivora: Procyonidae) by Tremarctos ornatus (Carnivora: Ursidae) and Canis lupus familiaris (Carnivora: Canidae), in Chingaza Park, Colombia

Fredy Yhamit García Pulido — 2025-06-19

Mountain coati (Nasuella olivacea) is a species of great importance to Andean ecosystems because it disperses seeds and helps to control populations of invertebrates and small vertebrates. Similarly, N. olivacea can be part of the diet of large mammals such as the Andean bear (Tremarctos ornatus) and the Puma (Puma concolor). However, the presence of Domestic dogs (Canis lupus familiaris), categorized as loose dogs, stray dogs, and feral dogs, can impact the population dynamics of wildlife and the ecological processes of forests and páramos. In this note, we report on the first consumption of Mountain coati by Andean bears and domestic dogs in Chingaza National Natural Park, Colombia.

New records of Oedipomidas leucopus (Primates: Callitrichidae) in peri-urban areas of the municipality of Copacabana (Antioquia)

Julio Cesar Montoya Osorio — 2025-09-29

The presence of Oedipomidas leucopus is documented in two areas of Copacabana, Antioquia (Colombia), each with different conservation conditions. The first record involved two individuals detected by camera traps in La Loma de los Duque (Machado neighborhood), a peri-urban area with significant landscape transformation and the presence of community feeding sites used by local wildlife. The second record comes from Sabaneta village, a mountainous rural area with fragments of Andean forest, where three individuals were recorded in trees during community surveys resulting from a local awareness-raising process about wildlife conservation. Both findings highlight the importance of community-based monitoring and confirm the species’ persistence in human-modified landscapes, emphasizing the urgent need to implement local conservation strategies in response to habitat loss and wildlife trafficking.

First record of a Tamandua tetradactyla with a chromatic anomaly in a periurban wetland, Mburucuyá, Corrientes, Argentina

Verónica L. Romero — 2025-09-29

Mammalian coloration has key biological functions such as camouflage and communication. Chromatic anomalies are rare genetic conditions which are increasingly reported in wild mammals due to advances in camera-trap technology and citizen science. We report the first documented case of albinism in Tamandua tetradactyla in Argentina, recorded in Mburucuyá, Corrientes Province. This represents the fourth such record in South America, including Ecuador, Brazil and Paraguay. The individual was photographed by a local citizen in a periurban area. Despite potential disadvantages of albinism, such as increased vulnerability to predation and radiation, previous cases suggest that the nocturnal and cryptic behavior of T. tetradactyla may mitigate these effects. This finding enriches knowledge of chromatic variation within Xenarthra and highlights the importance of community engagement in biodiversity monitoring. Future studies will improve understanding the population dynamics and conservation status of T. tetradactyla in northeastern Argentina.

First record of scavenging on Lycalopex gymnocercus (Carnivora: Canidae) by Conepatus chinga (Carnivora: Mephitidae) in the Partido de Patagones, Argentina

Tobías Ezequiel Puebla Fortunato — 2025-11-08

Scavengers play a crucial ecological role by consuming carcasses, a vital energy resource that is unevenly distributed throughout the environment. In north-eastern Patagonian Argentina, several native mammal species act as facultative scavengers, among them the skunk (Conepatus chinga). Its scavenging behaviour has been scarcely documented, as it mainly feeds on invertebrates. We report for the first time the direct observation of a C. chinga individual feeding on the carcass of a grey fox (Lycalopex gymnocercus), apparently injured and run over, on a rural road in Patagones County (Buenos Aires). The interaction, photographed in situ, took place in agroecosystems characterised by extensive agriculture, livestock farming, and a marked reduction of native forest, during a prolonged drought. The behaviour included feeding, concealment of the carcass, and marking with urine. This likely suggests greater reliance on carrion resources in response to food shortages, particularly during the species’ reproductive period. The importance of this finding lies in documenting, for the first time, the consumption of a member of the same scavenger guild by C. chinga, a behavior not previously reported. This opens questions regarding its role in altered environments and highlights the need to study trophic adaptations in landscapes transformed by human activity.

Records of non-flying mammals in cocoa plantations at the Mesoamerican Biological Corridor, Mexico

Saúl Sánchez-Soto — 2025-07-28

From February to October 2024, we recorded non-volant mammals in four cacao (Theobroma cacao) plantations in the Mesoamerican Biological Corridor, Tabasco, Mexico. We used direct observation, track recording, and camera trapping techniques. We recorded 22 species grouped in 15 families and eight orders. Eight species were classified in some threat category. These plantations improve the presence of non-flying wild mammals in degraded landscapes, so they can be used to provide connectivity, food, and shelter.

etween Urban and Rural: Non-Volant Mammals on a University Campus in the Colombian Piedmont

Francisco Sanchez — 2025-08-04

The main urban settlements in the Colombian Orinoco region are on the Andean foothills; there, forests are threatened ecosystems and we know little about the mammal species that inhabit them. We proposed to answer two questions: what species of mammals are present in a piedmont forest remnant (~3 ha) in a university campus neighboring an area with a continuous urban matrix, and what is the species richness there? We recorded 11 species of native mammals on campus. The comparison of the composition with another campus in the Andean foothills suggests that there is a particular group of mammals that tolerate being near a city, and that the area covered by trees favors species richness. Future studies must investigate the particular characteristics of the urban areas in the Orinoco region that explain the composition and richness of native mammals.

Noteworthy records and distribution of the Southern Spotted Skunk (Spilogale angustifrons Howell, 1902) in the State of Guerrero, Mexico

Rodolfo Rodríguez Ruiz — 2025-08-04

Spilogale angustifrons is the third smallest carnivore in Mexico. Nationally, the species is not classified under any risk category, while internationally it is considered Least Concern; however, little is known about its local distribution in the country. This study aimed to document new localities and predict the potential distribution of S. angustifrons in Guerrero, Mexico. Presence records were obtained through camera trapping in the state, a review of national scientific literature, searches in national and international scientific collection databases, and citizen science sources. Using these records and a set of environmental variables, a species distribution model (SDM) for S. angustifrons in Guerrero was generated using the MaxEnt algorithm, and the most influential variables were identified. Camera trapping yielded 17 independent records across two localities. Additionally, 13 records were compiled for Guerrero from scientific literature (n = 1), museum collections (n = 6), and citizen science (n = 6). The predicted potential distribution covered 19,390 km², with the Balsas Depression biogeographic province containing the largest suitable area (63.78%). Variable analysis indicated that the species prefers warm regions (>10°C) with moderate mean precipitation (<1,500 mm). The model outputs will help identify priority conservation areas and potential anthropogenic threats to its distribution. Furthermore, new localities in Guerrero were documented, improving our understanding of the species' distribution patterns in the state.

Use of artificial nests to assess the potential impact of wild pigs (Sus scrofa) on ground-nesting bird species in Samborombón Bay (Argentina)

Bruno N. Carpinetti — 2025-08-13

Predation is the main cause of nest failure for many bird species, especially those that nest on the ground. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of wild pigs in the predation of artificial ground nests in Bahía Samborombón (Buenos Aires, Argentina) during the 2021 nesting season, using camera traps. A total of 174 independent records of six species were obtained, among which Sus scrofa, Lycalopex gymnocercus, and Caracara plancus were recorded preying on the nests. The first two species were characterized by nest predation, mainly during twilight or nighttime hours. The wild pig showed more nocturnal activity, with two activity peaks recorded: one between 02:00 and 03:00. In contrast, the pampas fox showed a predation activity peak on artificial nests at dusk. This was an initial experiment, confirming the predation of ground-nesting bird nests by two mammals: one native, the pampas fox, and one exotic, the wild pig.

Distribution and natural history of an onverlooked mammal, Neogale frenata (Mustelidae, Carnivora) in Honduras

Manfredo Alejandro Turcios Casco — 2025-09-10

Neogale frenata, the long-tailed weasel, has the widest distribution of any mustelid in the Western Hemisphere; however, it remains poorly known in Central America. This study confirms the presence of N. frenata in three protected areas of Honduras: El Chile Biological Reserve, Misoco Biological Reserve, and La Tigra National Park. Our research involved the use of camera traps and an occasional capture using a Sherman trap, resulting in both photographic and physical evidence of the species in La Tigra National Park. Based on our review, the distribution of the weasel has been updated, confirming its presence in eight departments of Honduras. Although it may be a species with an underestimated distribution due to the difficulty of identifying and capturing it through various methodologies, it could be widely distributed throughout the country. The photographs presented here constitute the first scientific evidence of the species in Honduras.

Rapid acoustic inventory of insectivorous bats (Chiroptera) on the campus of Unitrópico University, Yopal, Casanare, Colombia

Yuli Fernanda Tique-Bernal — 2025-06-16

The use of ultrasound detectors has become a key complementary tool for bat monitoring in Colombia. In this study, an Echo Meter Touch 2 acoustic detector was used to record the species of insectivorous bats present on the campus of the Universidad del Tropico Americano. Through the analysis of the recordings, two families and five genera were identified. This exercise highlights the usefulness of acoustic tools, such as detectors that connect to mobile devices, for monitoring and understanding bats that live mainly in urban areas, promoting citizen science and raising awareness about the importance of these mammals.

Loud music and insectivorous aereal bats: changes in their echolocation signals

Bayron Andres Daza Leon — 2025-11-07

The ecology of aerial-insectivorous bats depends on echolocation. In the Neotropics, open-air concerts in rural or natural areas generate noise pollution, which may negatively impact bats. We propose that bats change their echolocation signals when exposed to the loud music played at these events. We evaluated this idea by recording aerial-insectivorous bats in a wetland, within a nature reserve in the Colombian highlands, while they were exposed to a mix of songs typical of the region's festivals and when there was no music. We found that both spectral and temporal characteristics of the echolocation pulses of a vespertilionid bat changed when exposed to the music. This suggests that, due to anthropogenic noise, bats must adjust their echolocation signals to continue foraging at a site and that music festivals are a source of acoustic disturbance with a detrimental impact on them.

Armadillos of the Eastern Plains of Colombia

Diego J. Lizcano — 2025-07-01

The book is structured in 11 lavishly illustrated chapters, with excellent photographs, that present biological aspects of armadillos, including their evolutionary history as part of the ancient Xenarthra group, unique to the Americas. Their ecological importance is then highlighted, highlighting their role as ecosystem engineers and even as a food source for human communities in the Eastern Plains. The book then delves into the importance of armadillos, detailing their ecological functions, as soil aerators and their important role in pest control, as well as their cultural significance in the Orinoquia region, reflected in local traditions and art. A significant portion of the text is dedicated to the secret life of armadillos, covering their species diversity, physical characteristics, behaviors such as burrowing and swimming, as well as their reproductive biology. Furthermore, the book examines how armadillos are studied through scientific research and how community monitoring initiatives are carried out.

Illustrated Guide to the Mammals of Colombia

Diego J. Lizcano — 2025-10-27

Pérez-Gómez K, Fernández-Rodríguez RC, and N. Moreno-Niño (2025). Illustrated Guide to the Mammals of Colombia. First Edition. McMullan Birding & Publishers S.A.S, Cali, Colombia. 324 pp. ISBN 978-628-95930-9-9
We are delighted to celebrate the publication of the illustrated guide to the mammals of Colombia (Pérez-Gómez et al. 2025). The publication of this book undoubtedly contributes to the knowledge of the great diversity of mammals in Colombia and has the potential to pave the way for promoting mammal-watching tourism in the country, as has happened with the publication of the multiple bird guides to Colombia (e.g., Hilty 2021; Ayerbe-Quiñones 2022). Such a book brings together previous national efforts on guidebooks for mammals in general (Morales-Jiménez et al. 2004), or for specific groups in Colombia, such as primates (Defler 2004), bats (Muñoz Arango 2001), carnivores (Suárez-Castro & Ramírez-Chaves 2015), aquatic mammals (Flórez González et al. 2004), and marsupials and eulipotiphlids (Cuartas-Calle & Muñoz Arango 2003). It also complements the efforts of the mammal track and footprint books of Colombia (Navarro & Muñoz 2000; Navarro P. et al. 2021) and the Red Book of Mammals of Colombia (Rodríguez-Mahecha et al. 2006).