José L . Navarrete-Heredia | Universidad de Guadalajara (original) (raw)
Papers by José L . Navarrete-Heredia
Boletín de la Asociación Mexicana de Sistemática de Artrópodos, 2024
Zootaxa, Sep 1, 2021
The Hydrophilus (Dibolocelus) Bedel species from Mexico and adjacent areas are treated on the bas... more The Hydrophilus (Dibolocelus) Bedel species from Mexico and adjacent areas are treated on the basis of the study of 142 adult specimens and published data. Two new species are herein recognized and described: H. (D.) nucleoensis Arce-Pérez & Arriaga-Varela sp. nov. from Mexico, Guatemala and Nicaragua, H. (D.) pseudovatus Arce-Pérez & Arriaga-Varela sp. nov. from Mexico. Three already known species are re-described and their geographical distribution is updated, H. (D.) ovatus Gemminger & Harold and H. (D.) pollens Sharp and H. (D.) violaceonitens Jacquelin du Val, a species resurrected as distinct to H. (D.) smaragdinus. Hydrophylus (D.) cf. purpurascens (Régimbart) is also redescribed but their identity is questionable. The lectotype of H. (D.) pollens Sharp is designated. Within Mexico, the state with the highest known diversity is Veracruz with five species. A key to the species of Hydrophilus (Dibolocelus) from Mexico and Central America is provided.
Zootaxa, Jan 13, 2018
We present the species diversity of rove beetles (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae) collected with carri... more We present the species diversity of rove beetles (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae) collected with carrion baited traps in Quercus forests of Cerro de García, Jalisco, and provide a compilation of published species records in Quercus, Quercus-pine and pine forests in other jurisdictions of Mexico. This work includes taxonomic notes, information on species phenology, distribution, and their occurrence in Cerro de García (if applicable), and other jurisdictions of Mexico. In Cerro de García, 75 species were collected in total, of which 16 are shared with other Quercus forests in different locations, and 9 species are provided with new habitat data. The remaining individuals were only determined to morphospecies. In Mexico, there are 77 known species of rove beetles collected with carrion traps (determined to species or near species) and recorded from Quercus, Quercus-pine and pine forests. These species belong to 30 genera, 11 tribes and 10 subfamilies. This study provides biological informa...
ACTA ZOOLÓGICA MEXICANA (N.S.)
New distributional data for four species of Silphidae are recorded for the first time from Sonora... more New distributional data for four species of Silphidae are recorded for the first time from Sonora and Hidalgo. A table with the distribution by State of Mexican silphids is also provided.
ACTA ZOOLÓGICA MEXICANA (N.S.)
Se presenta una sinopsis del género Xanthopygus Kraatz, 1857 (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae) para Méx... more Se presenta una sinopsis del género Xanthopygus Kraatz, 1857 (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae) para México. De las ocho especies conocidas para México, se incluyen comentarios taxonómicos y una clave dicotómica, así como datos específicos sobre su distribución en el país y sus hábitos. Se designan los lectotipos (L) y paralectotipos (PL) para las siguientes especies: X. flohri Sharp, 1884 (L, PL) y X. morosus Sharp, 1884 (L, PL).
Zootaxa, 2007
The state of knowledge of Mexican Endomychidae is summarized. A checklist for all described speci... more The state of knowledge of Mexican Endomychidae is summarized. A checklist for all described species recorded from Mexico is presented, including comments on taxonomy, biology and distribution. 56 species are recorded (including two subspecies); Stenotarsus marginalis Arrow is recorded for the first time from Mexico. These species belong to 18 genera; Lycoperdinella Champion is recorded based on an undescribed species. 7 subfamilies are present in the Mexican fauna: Anamorphinae, Merophysiinae, Lycoperdininae, Stenotarsinae, Epipocinae, Eupsilobiinae and Pleganophorinae. Epipocus is the most diverse genus with 20 species, followed by Stenotarsus with 13. The highest diversity is known from Veracruz, where 30 (32?) species are known, followed by Chiapas with 12 (13?) species.
Zootaxa, 2011
The genus Megarthrus Curtis 1829 with about 139 species described around the world, is the larges... more The genus Megarthrus Curtis 1829 with about 139 species described around the world, is the largest of the subfamily Proteininae (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae) (Cuccodoro 2011). Megarthrus is distributed worldwide (Cuccodoro 1999) but it is apparently more diverse in the Holartic region (Navarrete-Heredia et al. 2002). However, the South American fauna is underestimated because many of the collected specimens are not yet described (Cuccodoro 2011). Newton et al. (2005) cited the genus as probable in Colombia because some species are known from Central America and northern South America, but until now, no species has been published from Colombia. Therefore, M. andinus sp. nov. represents the first record of the genus and subfamily for this country.
Zootaxa, 2004
A new Mexican species of Ceraspis LePeletier and Serville, C. jaliscoensis, from Jalisco state is... more A new Mexican species of Ceraspis LePeletier and Serville, C. jaliscoensis, from Jalisco state is described, and its male genitalia are illustrated. A key to the Mexican species of this genus and distribution maps of those species are included.
ACTA ZOOLÓGICA MEXICANA (N.S.), 2011
On September 9th, 2010, we found an individual of Lithobates neovolcanicus in a pond near to a di... more On September 9th, 2010, we found an individual of Lithobates neovolcanicus in a pond near to a disturbed pine forest from Mezcala de la Asunción, Poncitlán, Jalisco. The specimen presented two different deformities in its left forelimb and right hindlimb, polymelia and ectromelia, respectively. This is the first record of limb malformations in this endemic Mexican species.
ACTA ZOOLÓGICA MEXICANA (N.S.), 2013
A Survey to known the carrion beetles associated to corpses was done in an urban forest from Guad... more A Survey to known the carrion beetles associated to corpses was done in an urban forest from Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. A single piglet carcass was sampled. Four species were collected Dichotomius amplicollis(Harold, 1869) (Scarabaeidae), Nicrophorus olidus Matthews, 1888 (Silphidae), Omorgus rubricans Robinson, 1946, and Trox spinulosus dentibius Robinson, 1940 (Trogidae), the last one as the most abundant species (123 specimens). Highest abundance of trogids was unusual for these kinds of studies, so more fieldwork needs to be done to explain these data.
ACTA ZOOLÓGICA MEXICANA (N.S.), 2016
Se registra para la Reserva de la Biosfera Chamela-Cuixmala a Dynastes hyllus Chevrolat, 1843 y H... more Se registra para la Reserva de la Biosfera Chamela-Cuixmala a Dynastes hyllus Chevrolat, 1843 y Homophileurus luedeckei Kolbe, 1910.
Zootaxa, 2003
Philonthus yaqui sp. nov. is described based on 51 specimens collected in Yécora, Sonora, México.... more Philonthus yaqui sp. nov. is described based on 51 specimens collected in Yécora, Sonora, México. A key for recognition of this species and those close related from México and the United States is provided.
Ecología Aplicada, 2008
Resumen Se presentan los resultados de un año de estudio de individuos pertenecientes a las famil... more Resumen Se presentan los resultados de un año de estudio de individuos pertenecientes a las familias de artrópodos presentes en 21 viviendas de Puerto Vallarta, México. Con el uso de trampas adhesivas se capturaron 25 197 ejemplares. Se determinaron 122 familias en 31 órdenes. Sólo cinco familias agruparon el 76.45% de la abundancia observada y los valores más altos de los índices de infestación de viviendas a lo largo del año:
Revista De Biologia Tropical, Dec 1, 2000
Diversity and similarity of macrofungi of Sierra de Quila, Jalisco, México were analized in three... more Diversity and similarity of macrofungi of Sierra de Quila, Jalisco, México were analized in three different kinds of vegetation. Fungal diversity in the area is high. The pine-oak and cloud forests, were more diverse in their community structure than the oak forest. Similarity among the three kinds of vegetation was low, there are few species share among them; pine-oak and cloud forests show higher affinity than oak forests. This pattern of similarity is a general condition for others regions with environmental conditions similar to Sierra de Quila.
Entomological News, 2006
Three adventive Coleoptera species are recorded from Baja California, México: Sphaeridium scaraba... more Three adventive Coleoptera species are recorded from Baja California, México: Sphaeridium scarabaeoides (Linnaeus), Onthophagus taurus (Schreber) and Aphodius fimetarius (Linnaeus). Sphaeridium scarabaeoides was previously recorded in México City based ...
Zootaxa, 2015
The genus Megarthrus Curtis with about 140 species described, is the largest of the subfamily Pro... more The genus Megarthrus Curtis with about 140 species described, is the largest of the subfamily Proteininae (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae) (Cuccodoro 2011; López-García et al. 2011). It is distributed worldwide (Cuccodoro 1999) and has an amphipolar distribution, being more diverse in Holarctic region (Newton 1985). In the tropics, the ecological requirements of Megarthrus species restrict their presence to mountain areas, showing high levels of endemism, making a taxon potentially informative for biogeographic analysis (Cuccodoro 1998). In Mexico there was only one described species: Megarthrus altivagans Bernhauer, 1929, but it is known that there are several undescribed species (Navarrete-Heredia et al. 2002). Cuccodoro (2011), recognised "eleven species from Mexico, eleven species from Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama, and fifteen species from Bolivia, southern Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela". In this paper we describe a new species of Mexican Megarthrus from the State of Jalisco. Measurements are in millimeters (mm) and were abbreviated as follows: PL-length of pronotum at midline; ELlength of elytra at midline. Terms for morphological characters and definitions mainly follow Cuccodoro (2011).
Revista Mexicana de Biodiversidad, 2014
Se presenta información sobre la riqueza específica de los Staphylinidae en México. Se incluyen c... more Se presenta información sobre la riqueza específica de los Staphylinidae en México. Se incluyen comentarios breves sobre la biología de la familia, además del número de especies por subfamilia, por estados y número de especies endémicas. En este trabajo se reconoce la presencia de 1 656 especies, siendo Staphylininae la que presenta la mayor riqueza específica con 386 especies. Veracruz, Oaxaca y Chiapas permanecen como los estados con mayor número de especies, además de ser también los más importantes por el número de especies endémicas. Las obras "Genera et species staphylinorum insectorum coleopterorum familiae" y la "Biologia Centrali-Americana" son consideradas trabajos clave para el desarrollo del conocimiento de los Staphylinidae de México. Este trabajo es una actualización de la diversidad de Staphylinidae en México, tomando como punto de partida la "Guía ilustrada para los géneros de Staphylinidae (Coleoptera) de México".
Zootaxa, 2015
The male of Oxyporus bautistae Márquez and Asiain, 2006 is described based on one specimen from S... more The male of Oxyporus bautistae Márquez and Asiain, 2006 is described based on one specimen from San José del Pacífico, southern Oaxaca, Mexico. Oxyporus bautistae shares with O. mexicanus Fauvel, 1865 the bicolored color pattern in legs (black and orange). The male of O. bautistae has six black spots on tergites and the female has only two black spots; but we cannot explain whether the number of black spots represents a sexual character or individual variation.
Revista Colombiana de …, 2011
Resumen: Se presenta información sobre los coleópteros necrócolos de dos localidades del Municipi... more Resumen: Se presenta información sobre los coleópteros necrócolos de dos localidades del Municipio de Gómez Farías, Jalisco, México, considerando su abundancia, diversidad, fenología y similitud faunística. Se realizaron colectas mensuales de diciembre del 2004 a diciembre del 2005 con necrotrampas NTP-80, en San Andrés Ixtlán (Bosque Tropical Caducifolio) y El Rodeo (Bosque de Pino). Se registraron 34 familias de Coleoptera, de las cuales, Histeridae, Silphidae y Scarabaeidae estuvieron representadas por 2.533 ejemplares, pertenecientes a 22 géneros y 33 especies. La familia más abundante fue Histeridae (62,7%), mientras que Scarabaeidae fue la más diversa (15 especies). Las especies más abundantes fueron Xerosaprinus sp. 1, Oxelytrum discicolle, Nicrophorus olidus y Deltochilum scabriusculum (representando el 87,11% de la abundancia total).
Boletín de la Asociación Mexicana de Sistemática de Artrópodos, 2024
Zootaxa, Sep 1, 2021
The Hydrophilus (Dibolocelus) Bedel species from Mexico and adjacent areas are treated on the bas... more The Hydrophilus (Dibolocelus) Bedel species from Mexico and adjacent areas are treated on the basis of the study of 142 adult specimens and published data. Two new species are herein recognized and described: H. (D.) nucleoensis Arce-Pérez & Arriaga-Varela sp. nov. from Mexico, Guatemala and Nicaragua, H. (D.) pseudovatus Arce-Pérez & Arriaga-Varela sp. nov. from Mexico. Three already known species are re-described and their geographical distribution is updated, H. (D.) ovatus Gemminger & Harold and H. (D.) pollens Sharp and H. (D.) violaceonitens Jacquelin du Val, a species resurrected as distinct to H. (D.) smaragdinus. Hydrophylus (D.) cf. purpurascens (Régimbart) is also redescribed but their identity is questionable. The lectotype of H. (D.) pollens Sharp is designated. Within Mexico, the state with the highest known diversity is Veracruz with five species. A key to the species of Hydrophilus (Dibolocelus) from Mexico and Central America is provided.
Zootaxa, Jan 13, 2018
We present the species diversity of rove beetles (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae) collected with carri... more We present the species diversity of rove beetles (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae) collected with carrion baited traps in Quercus forests of Cerro de García, Jalisco, and provide a compilation of published species records in Quercus, Quercus-pine and pine forests in other jurisdictions of Mexico. This work includes taxonomic notes, information on species phenology, distribution, and their occurrence in Cerro de García (if applicable), and other jurisdictions of Mexico. In Cerro de García, 75 species were collected in total, of which 16 are shared with other Quercus forests in different locations, and 9 species are provided with new habitat data. The remaining individuals were only determined to morphospecies. In Mexico, there are 77 known species of rove beetles collected with carrion traps (determined to species or near species) and recorded from Quercus, Quercus-pine and pine forests. These species belong to 30 genera, 11 tribes and 10 subfamilies. This study provides biological informa...
ACTA ZOOLÓGICA MEXICANA (N.S.)
New distributional data for four species of Silphidae are recorded for the first time from Sonora... more New distributional data for four species of Silphidae are recorded for the first time from Sonora and Hidalgo. A table with the distribution by State of Mexican silphids is also provided.
ACTA ZOOLÓGICA MEXICANA (N.S.)
Se presenta una sinopsis del género Xanthopygus Kraatz, 1857 (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae) para Méx... more Se presenta una sinopsis del género Xanthopygus Kraatz, 1857 (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae) para México. De las ocho especies conocidas para México, se incluyen comentarios taxonómicos y una clave dicotómica, así como datos específicos sobre su distribución en el país y sus hábitos. Se designan los lectotipos (L) y paralectotipos (PL) para las siguientes especies: X. flohri Sharp, 1884 (L, PL) y X. morosus Sharp, 1884 (L, PL).
Zootaxa, 2007
The state of knowledge of Mexican Endomychidae is summarized. A checklist for all described speci... more The state of knowledge of Mexican Endomychidae is summarized. A checklist for all described species recorded from Mexico is presented, including comments on taxonomy, biology and distribution. 56 species are recorded (including two subspecies); Stenotarsus marginalis Arrow is recorded for the first time from Mexico. These species belong to 18 genera; Lycoperdinella Champion is recorded based on an undescribed species. 7 subfamilies are present in the Mexican fauna: Anamorphinae, Merophysiinae, Lycoperdininae, Stenotarsinae, Epipocinae, Eupsilobiinae and Pleganophorinae. Epipocus is the most diverse genus with 20 species, followed by Stenotarsus with 13. The highest diversity is known from Veracruz, where 30 (32?) species are known, followed by Chiapas with 12 (13?) species.
Zootaxa, 2011
The genus Megarthrus Curtis 1829 with about 139 species described around the world, is the larges... more The genus Megarthrus Curtis 1829 with about 139 species described around the world, is the largest of the subfamily Proteininae (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae) (Cuccodoro 2011). Megarthrus is distributed worldwide (Cuccodoro 1999) but it is apparently more diverse in the Holartic region (Navarrete-Heredia et al. 2002). However, the South American fauna is underestimated because many of the collected specimens are not yet described (Cuccodoro 2011). Newton et al. (2005) cited the genus as probable in Colombia because some species are known from Central America and northern South America, but until now, no species has been published from Colombia. Therefore, M. andinus sp. nov. represents the first record of the genus and subfamily for this country.
Zootaxa, 2004
A new Mexican species of Ceraspis LePeletier and Serville, C. jaliscoensis, from Jalisco state is... more A new Mexican species of Ceraspis LePeletier and Serville, C. jaliscoensis, from Jalisco state is described, and its male genitalia are illustrated. A key to the Mexican species of this genus and distribution maps of those species are included.
ACTA ZOOLÓGICA MEXICANA (N.S.), 2011
On September 9th, 2010, we found an individual of Lithobates neovolcanicus in a pond near to a di... more On September 9th, 2010, we found an individual of Lithobates neovolcanicus in a pond near to a disturbed pine forest from Mezcala de la Asunción, Poncitlán, Jalisco. The specimen presented two different deformities in its left forelimb and right hindlimb, polymelia and ectromelia, respectively. This is the first record of limb malformations in this endemic Mexican species.
ACTA ZOOLÓGICA MEXICANA (N.S.), 2013
A Survey to known the carrion beetles associated to corpses was done in an urban forest from Guad... more A Survey to known the carrion beetles associated to corpses was done in an urban forest from Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. A single piglet carcass was sampled. Four species were collected Dichotomius amplicollis(Harold, 1869) (Scarabaeidae), Nicrophorus olidus Matthews, 1888 (Silphidae), Omorgus rubricans Robinson, 1946, and Trox spinulosus dentibius Robinson, 1940 (Trogidae), the last one as the most abundant species (123 specimens). Highest abundance of trogids was unusual for these kinds of studies, so more fieldwork needs to be done to explain these data.
ACTA ZOOLÓGICA MEXICANA (N.S.), 2016
Se registra para la Reserva de la Biosfera Chamela-Cuixmala a Dynastes hyllus Chevrolat, 1843 y H... more Se registra para la Reserva de la Biosfera Chamela-Cuixmala a Dynastes hyllus Chevrolat, 1843 y Homophileurus luedeckei Kolbe, 1910.
Zootaxa, 2003
Philonthus yaqui sp. nov. is described based on 51 specimens collected in Yécora, Sonora, México.... more Philonthus yaqui sp. nov. is described based on 51 specimens collected in Yécora, Sonora, México. A key for recognition of this species and those close related from México and the United States is provided.
Ecología Aplicada, 2008
Resumen Se presentan los resultados de un año de estudio de individuos pertenecientes a las famil... more Resumen Se presentan los resultados de un año de estudio de individuos pertenecientes a las familias de artrópodos presentes en 21 viviendas de Puerto Vallarta, México. Con el uso de trampas adhesivas se capturaron 25 197 ejemplares. Se determinaron 122 familias en 31 órdenes. Sólo cinco familias agruparon el 76.45% de la abundancia observada y los valores más altos de los índices de infestación de viviendas a lo largo del año:
Revista De Biologia Tropical, Dec 1, 2000
Diversity and similarity of macrofungi of Sierra de Quila, Jalisco, México were analized in three... more Diversity and similarity of macrofungi of Sierra de Quila, Jalisco, México were analized in three different kinds of vegetation. Fungal diversity in the area is high. The pine-oak and cloud forests, were more diverse in their community structure than the oak forest. Similarity among the three kinds of vegetation was low, there are few species share among them; pine-oak and cloud forests show higher affinity than oak forests. This pattern of similarity is a general condition for others regions with environmental conditions similar to Sierra de Quila.
Entomological News, 2006
Three adventive Coleoptera species are recorded from Baja California, México: Sphaeridium scaraba... more Three adventive Coleoptera species are recorded from Baja California, México: Sphaeridium scarabaeoides (Linnaeus), Onthophagus taurus (Schreber) and Aphodius fimetarius (Linnaeus). Sphaeridium scarabaeoides was previously recorded in México City based ...
Zootaxa, 2015
The genus Megarthrus Curtis with about 140 species described, is the largest of the subfamily Pro... more The genus Megarthrus Curtis with about 140 species described, is the largest of the subfamily Proteininae (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae) (Cuccodoro 2011; López-García et al. 2011). It is distributed worldwide (Cuccodoro 1999) and has an amphipolar distribution, being more diverse in Holarctic region (Newton 1985). In the tropics, the ecological requirements of Megarthrus species restrict their presence to mountain areas, showing high levels of endemism, making a taxon potentially informative for biogeographic analysis (Cuccodoro 1998). In Mexico there was only one described species: Megarthrus altivagans Bernhauer, 1929, but it is known that there are several undescribed species (Navarrete-Heredia et al. 2002). Cuccodoro (2011), recognised "eleven species from Mexico, eleven species from Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama, and fifteen species from Bolivia, southern Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela". In this paper we describe a new species of Mexican Megarthrus from the State of Jalisco. Measurements are in millimeters (mm) and were abbreviated as follows: PL-length of pronotum at midline; ELlength of elytra at midline. Terms for morphological characters and definitions mainly follow Cuccodoro (2011).
Revista Mexicana de Biodiversidad, 2014
Se presenta información sobre la riqueza específica de los Staphylinidae en México. Se incluyen c... more Se presenta información sobre la riqueza específica de los Staphylinidae en México. Se incluyen comentarios breves sobre la biología de la familia, además del número de especies por subfamilia, por estados y número de especies endémicas. En este trabajo se reconoce la presencia de 1 656 especies, siendo Staphylininae la que presenta la mayor riqueza específica con 386 especies. Veracruz, Oaxaca y Chiapas permanecen como los estados con mayor número de especies, además de ser también los más importantes por el número de especies endémicas. Las obras "Genera et species staphylinorum insectorum coleopterorum familiae" y la "Biologia Centrali-Americana" son consideradas trabajos clave para el desarrollo del conocimiento de los Staphylinidae de México. Este trabajo es una actualización de la diversidad de Staphylinidae en México, tomando como punto de partida la "Guía ilustrada para los géneros de Staphylinidae (Coleoptera) de México".
Zootaxa, 2015
The male of Oxyporus bautistae Márquez and Asiain, 2006 is described based on one specimen from S... more The male of Oxyporus bautistae Márquez and Asiain, 2006 is described based on one specimen from San José del Pacífico, southern Oaxaca, Mexico. Oxyporus bautistae shares with O. mexicanus Fauvel, 1865 the bicolored color pattern in legs (black and orange). The male of O. bautistae has six black spots on tergites and the female has only two black spots; but we cannot explain whether the number of black spots represents a sexual character or individual variation.
Revista Colombiana de …, 2011
Resumen: Se presenta información sobre los coleópteros necrócolos de dos localidades del Municipi... more Resumen: Se presenta información sobre los coleópteros necrócolos de dos localidades del Municipio de Gómez Farías, Jalisco, México, considerando su abundancia, diversidad, fenología y similitud faunística. Se realizaron colectas mensuales de diciembre del 2004 a diciembre del 2005 con necrotrampas NTP-80, en San Andrés Ixtlán (Bosque Tropical Caducifolio) y El Rodeo (Bosque de Pino). Se registraron 34 familias de Coleoptera, de las cuales, Histeridae, Silphidae y Scarabaeidae estuvieron representadas por 2.533 ejemplares, pertenecientes a 22 géneros y 33 especies. La familia más abundante fue Histeridae (62,7%), mientras que Scarabaeidae fue la más diversa (15 especies). Las especies más abundantes fueron Xerosaprinus sp. 1, Oxelytrum discicolle, Nicrophorus olidus y Deltochilum scabriusculum (representando el 87,11% de la abundancia total).
Biodiversidad: Importancia y amenazas, 2009
Presentación Biodiversidad: importancia y amenazas, es una obra elaborada para apoyar el tema de ... more Presentación Biodiversidad: importancia y amenazas, es una obra elaborada para apoyar el tema de biodi-versidad dentro de los programas de primaria y secundaria. Contiene mucho material fotográ-fico mas que texto, con la finalidad de invitar a su lectura de una manera rápida y placentera. Iniciando con la definición de los tres niveles de biodiversidad o diversidad biológica: genético, específico y ecológico, se proporcionan además las cifras de especies de algunos grupos animales y plantas para los 17 países con mayor riqueza biológica en el mundo. Estos países, conocidos como megadiversos albergan en su territorio una riqueza excepcional. Gran parte del contenido, proporciona una síntesis de la biodiversidad mexicana. Iniciando con la fauna marina, protozoarios y hongos y culminando con los mamíferos. Los ejemplos aquí incluidos son sólo una pequeña muestra de la vasta riqueza biológica que existe en nuestro país. Por carecer de material específico, algunos grupos quedaron excluidos, por ejemplo bacterias, algas, muchos grupos de invertebrados y plantas con flores (angiospermas). En el aspecto de la importancia de la diversidad, aunque se menciona su valor en activida-des científicas, estéticas o éticas, se pone énfasis en el valor económico de la misma por ser uno de los temas que con mayor frecuencia se escucha entre personas ajenas a la biología y que sur-gen en conversaciones sobre la conservación de los recursos naturales "Si tiene utilidad vale la pena estudiarlo". Aunque éste es sólo uno de los valores intrínsecos de la biodiversidad y quizá el más palpable, se incluyen además otros ejemplos de valor científico, rescate de tradiciones o como parte de las actividades de esparcimiento humano. Hablar de las amenazas de la biodiversidad de manera sintética fue realmente un reto. La cantidad de información es muy amplia y se tuvo que hacer elección de algunos temas para incluir situaciones cotidianas: deforestación, agricultura, incendios forestales, actividades pe-cuarias, sobreexplotación y especies invasoras. Conciente de la importancia de los nombres científicos utilizados para los seres vivos, se decidió excluir esta información, considerando que el objetivo fundamental de este trabajo es evidenciar la variedad de la diversidad biológica mas que la formalidad de la nomenclatura bio-lógica. En algunos casos, los nombres comunes se utilizan en sentido amplio para referirse a un grupo de plantas o animales. Por ejemplo, se incluyen los nombres de musgos, helechos y pinos, nombres que se utilizan para muchas especies de plantas, pero que son más fáciles de ubicar que un nombre científico particular. Si la lectura de esta obra incita a la búsqueda de otro tipo de información sobre biodiversi-dad y despierta un poco de conciencia sobre la necesidad de valorar nuestros recursos natura-les, su objetivo habrá sido cubierto.