Sistema Regional de Información
en línea para Revistas Científicas de América Latina,
el Caribe, España y Portugal

Feeding habits of the bobcat (Lynx rufus) in two different localities of Mexico were studied by the analysis of 197 and 922 scats. Lagomorphs, and rodents were the more important prey items in both places. At El Plomito, state of Sonora, we found 18 different prey species, and the most important were Sylvilagus audubonii (35.5%), Lepus sp. (31.5%), Neotoma albigula (14.0%), Odocoileus sp. (2.9%), and Spermophilus variegatus (1.7%), while in El Ajusco, central Mexico, we found 28 prey species, and the most important were Sylvilagus floridanus (41.6%), Sylvilagus cunicularius ((15.4%), Romerolagus diazi (12.3%), Cratogeomys merriami (5.1%), and Sciurus aureogaster (4.9%). Our results support the theory that the bobcat, like other lynxes, is specialized to prey on rabbits and hares. s.

In a zone of tropical rain forest of the Colombian amazonic region a study on the south american beetle Sulcophaneus leander was carried out, using pitfall sampling methods and ad libitum observations of the captured specimens. The beetle presents strictly coprophagic feeding habits and its presence is restricted to river beaches, being the only species found there in abundance; it uses dung from different animals (mammals and reptiles) and its flight activity shows two peaks along the day: one at dawn and one at dusk. The sand and dung remotion activity was visible through the night, early in the morning and the late evening. The construction of poorly curved alimentary galleries was observed below the excrement samples, reaching an approximate length of half a meter. The present study gives some information of the geographical distribution of this species, based on collections from different localities.

From 1987 to 2000, great embryo and hatchling mortality (>70%) of sea turtles (Lepidochelys) has been reported in the nesting beach La Escobilla, Oaxaca, México. The embryo death in this beach was attributed by some authors mainly to the egg predation by a beetle belonging to the family Trogidae. Taxonomic examination confirmed that the beetle at La Escobilla was Omorgus suberosus Fabricius. This species has been also reported in some other nesting beaches of the Pacific, but in none of the Atlantic Ocean. The present paper, based on the literature published about both Omorgus and marine turtles (Lepidochelys), describes the interaction between Omorgus and sea turtles, and discusses the predatory role of Omorgus suberosus. Based in our research, there was insufficient evidence to point O. suberosus as a predator especialist in turtle eggs; the beetle seems to be a highly efficient and facultative necrophagous- saprophagous organism.

The finding of three new Cuban earthworm species, made it neccesary to describe Cubadrilus gen.nov. in order to include these species and former Cuban Zapatadrilus species. A parsimony phylogenetic analysis (PAUP, v. 3.1.1.) of the genera Cubadrilus, Zapatadrilus, Trigaster, Borgesia and Neotrigaster supported this arrangement, and pointed out the following synapomorphies of Cubadrilus gen. nov: spermathecal duct elongated and joined to anterior septum, half-ring shaped spermathecal diverticula and ventral bifid oesophagous invaginations. The new genus Cubadrilus is considered an intermediate taxon between the mexican Zapatadrilus and the other genera of the Greater Antilles. On the basis of recent interpretations of the geologic history of Cuba, it is proposed that the ancestors of Cubadrilus dispersed from Southern North America during the tertiary.

Distributional data of 424 species of Mexican mammals are described, with information obtained from two databases, containing 56,859 records of specimens housed in biological collections as from records from literature. The number of records of specimens, number of collection sites, and the species richness, were represented in maps by geometric classes, for the 32 Mexican States, a system of 47 ecoregions, and grids of half and one grade of latitude-longitude. The largest number of records and collection sites is concentrated at the center of the country, while the areas with more collecting gaps are the Baja California and Yucatan peninsulas, as well as the north, especially the Mexican Plateau. As for the number of species, the richest areas are located in the center of the country, in Chiapas, and in two fringes along the oriental and western coasts. The estimated species number for the country with Chao2, is approximately 450 species.

It presents a taxonomic revision of the genus Cavia for Colombia. The general characteristics of the genus are given and a key for the identification of the species, based on skull characters and geographic distribution is presented and illustrated.

Eleven species and eight genera of Aleyrodidae were determined in central and southern zones of Tamaulipas. Five species are new records for Tamaulipas.

The subject of this work is a study of the mean abundance, prevalence and preference of Amblyopinodes gahani gahani in different sexes and species of Sigmodontinae in each season of the year. The rodents examined belong to four species and were sampled monthly from March 1990 to December 1991. A total of 344 specimens of Amblyopinodes gahani gahani were collected upon them. On Oxymycterus rufus (Fischer), the hocicudo común (N= 81 specimens), mean abundance (MA) was = 2.38, prevalence (P)= 71.60% and specific index (SI)= 127.27. On Scapteromys aquaticus Thomas, the rata acuática (N= 64), MA= 2.33, P= 62.50% and SI= 124.60. On O. flavescens (Waterhouse), the colilargo chico (N= 39), MA= 0.05, P= 5.13% and SI= 2.67. No Staphylinidae were collected on Akodon azarae (Fischer), the ratón de azara (N= 22). Only the Amblyopinodes gahani gahani - O. rufus association was significant and positive (X²:30.35 (gl=1); p<0.05; Cab = 0.34 ± 0.06). No difference was detected between male and female rodents (O. rufus, U= 730.00, p=0,41; N= 1.94; and S. aquaticus, U= 508.00, p= 0,97; N= 0.85). Between the different seasons of the year, O. rufus: H = 5.05, p>0.05 n.s.; and S. aquaticus: H = 17.43, p<0.05. The results support the recognition of O. rufus as the rodent species which guarantees the permanence of Amblyopinodes gahani gahani in the study area. Meanwhile S. aquaticus is an alternative resource.

The species Frankliniella fusca (Hinds) is reviewed for Mexico, together with the description of two related also Mexican new species, all integrated in a species assemblage. Frankliniella pallida (Uzel) from Europe, is also reviewed, together with the description of three related Mexican new species, all forming a species assemblage. Frankliniella hemerocallis J.C.Crawford, Frankliniella schultzei (Trybom) and a New Mexican species, are also considered as a species assemblage. The adults of the three specific assemblages studied herein, lack a posteromarginal comb in tergite VIII. In the case of the F. fusca, F. pallida and F. schultzei species assemblages, the morphologic and color characters are discussed, as well as their probable relationships with other assemblages within the "Intonsa Group". Illustrations of the head, antennae, thorax and abdomen of each species, are included.

Lestrimelitta niitkib is the only cleptobiotic stingless bee species reported for the Yucatán Peninsula. Very little is known about its biology and host range although it is recognised that its role may be crucial in the ecology of stingless bee populations. In this note we present preliminary information on the nest characteristics of this species, its host range and behaviour during nest raids.