Keywords
Biodiversity inventory
Neotropic
Species richness
How to Cite
Accepted 2026-01-09
Published 2026-06-25
Abstract
This study updates the checklist of wild mammals of the Department of Risaralda, Colombia, based on a review of scientific literature, biological collections, photographic records and citizen science. Taxonomic corrections, omissions, and nomenclatural updates are incorporated. More than 250 new municipal distribution records are reported, bringing the total to 159 species distributed across 12 orders and 36 families. 12 species are endemic to Colombia, and 16 are listed under a threat category, mainly medium- and large-bodied forest-associated mammals. The highest species richness is concentrated in the forests of the western slope of the Cordillera Occidental, whereas municipalities such as La Virginia, Balboa, and Apía exhibit significant information gaps. These findings position Risaralda as a key region for mammal diversity in the Colombian Andes and provide a solid basis for future research and conservation strategies.
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