Panthera leo atrox (Mammalia: Carnivora: Felidae) in Chiapas, Mexico (original) (raw)
Related papers
Fossil Record, 2016
Panthera atrox was a common large-sized cat in North America during the late Pleistocene. An isolated lower canine and a fifth metacarpal bone referable to this species were recovered from fluvial Quaternary deposits that outcrop in southeastern Hidalgo, central Mexico. Associated fossil material belonging to Bison indicates a Rancholabrean North American Land Mammal Age; the age assignment is corroborated by the presence of P. atrox. A comparative study with selected specimens of Panthera and Smilodon indicates that the Hidalgoan sample shares the following diagnostic features with P. atrox: a large, robust, and non-strongly curved lower canine; a large and relatively slender fifth metacarpal with a well-developed projection on the palmar side at the proximal end, narrow articulating surface for the unciform; a narrow notch on the articulating surface for the fourth metacarpal; and a diaphysis that at the middle is oval in cross section. The record supplements the evidence of P. atrox in central Mexico and represents the first reported occurrence of this cat species in the state of Hidalgo. By the same token, the known geographic distribution of P. atrox in the Mexican territory suggests that it was relatively common in temperate areas of central Mexico between 19 and 24 • N at an altitudinal range from 1500 to 2250 m a.s.l. The large size (mean body mass of 300 kg) and hypercarnivorous adaptations of the American lion suggest it was the top predator of the mammalian community recorded at southeastern Hidalgo, displacing other members of the carnivore guild at the mesopredator level, such as the dire wolf (Canis dirus), which has been also reported in the area. The high diversity of large herbivores recorded at southeastern Hidalgo, which in turn could represent potential prey of P. atrox, suggests that some areas that now are part of central Mexico were suitable hunting sites for this large-sized cat. A review of the Pleistocene record of Felidae from Mexico revealed that it encompasses 87.5 and 73.3 % of generic and specific diversity known for North America, respectively, including seven genera (Felis, Miracinonyx, Panthera, Puma, Lynx, Leopardus, and Smilodon) and 11 species (Felis rexroadensis, Miracinonyx inexpectatus, Panthera atrox, Panthera onca, Puma concolor, Puma yagouaroundi, Lynx rufus, Leopardus pardalis, Leopardus wiedii, Smilodon fatalis, and Smilodon gracilis). The majority of these taxa have been reported from numerous late Pleistocene localities; in particular, Panthera atrox was relatively common and widely distributed across the Mexican territory.
Panthera atrox was a common large-sized cat in North America during the late Pleistocene. An isolated lower canine and a fifth metacarpal bone referable to this species were recovered from fluvial Quaternary deposits that outcrop in southeastern Hidalgo, central Mexico. Associated fossil material belonging to Bison indicates a Rancholabrean North American Land Mammal Age; the age assignment is corroborated by the presence of P. atrox. A comparative study with selected specimens of Panthera and Smilodon indicates that the Hidalgoan sample shares the following diagnostic features with P. atrox: a large, robust, and non-strongly curved lower canine; a large and relatively slender fifth metacarpal with a well-developed projection on the palmar side at the proximal end, narrow articulating surface for the unciform; a narrow notch on the articulating surface for the fourth metacarpal; and a diaphysis that at the middle is oval in cross section. The record supplements the evidence of P. atrox in central Mexico and represents the first reported occurrence of this cat species in the state of Hidalgo. By the same token, the known geographic distribution of P. atrox in the Mexican territory suggests that it was relatively common in temperate areas of central Mexico between 19 and 24 • N at an altitudinal range from 1500 to 2250 m a.s.l. The large size (mean body mass of 300 kg) and hypercarnivorous adaptations of the American lion suggest it was the top predator of the mammalian community recorded at southeastern Hi-dalgo, displacing other members of the carnivore guild at the mesopredator level, such as the dire wolf (Canis dirus), which has been also reported in the area. The high diversity of large herbivores recorded at southeastern Hidalgo, which in turn could represent potential prey of P. atrox, suggests that some areas that now are part of central Mexico were suitable hunting sites for this large-sized cat. A review of the Pleistocene record of Felidae from Mex-ico revealed that it encompasses 87.5 and 73.3 % of generic and specific diversity known for North America,
FIRST RECORD OF JAGUAR (PANTHERA ONCA) FROM THE STATE OF HIDALGO, MÉXICO
We documented the first record of jaguar (Panthera onca) in the state of Hidalgo, México. With this record, the gap in the distribution of jaguar between San Luis Potosí and northwestern Puebla is reduced. In July 2013, we found 2 tracks on a trail in a pine-oak forest, and in October, we photographed a jaguar in an oak forest. Both sites are located within the Parque Nacional Los Mármoles in Sierra Gorda of Hidalgo. These records represent the first evidence of the presence of jaguar in Hidalgo, which is among the few states where all 6 species of felids that inhabit México occur.
Jaguar (Panthera onca) in the State of Mexico
The Southwestern Naturalist, 2008
We document the jaguar (Panthera onca) in the Sierra Nanchititla (state of Mexico) in pine-oak forest. During October 2002-December 2004, we determined presence of jaguars using three methods: we conducted interviews in local communities, collected scats, and installed automatedcamera detection systems. Although no jaguar was mentioned in 86 interviews, 3 photographs of a male were obtained, and 10 of 132 scats were attributed to P. onca. This represents the first record of P. onca in central Mexico within the Balsas River macro-basin. RESUMEN-Documentamos la presencia de jaguar (Panthera onca) en la Sierra Nanchititla (estado de México) en bosque de pino-encino. De octubre 2002 a diciembre 2004, evaluamos la presencia del jaguar usando tres métodos: condujimos entrevistas en comunidades locales, colectamos excrementos, e instalamos sistemas automáticos de detecció n fotográfica. Aunque en 86 entrevistas no se mencionaron jaguares, obtuvimos 3 fotografías de un macho y 10 de 132 excrementos fueron atribuibles a P. onca. Este representa el primer registro de P. onca en el centro de México dentro de la macrocuenca del río Balsas.
Papers on Geology, Vertebrate Paleontology, and Biostratigraphy in Honor of Michael O. Woodburne, 2010
Osteologic and dental morphometrics of Panthera atrox remains from Rancho La Brea, southern California, and from Natural Trap Cave, Wyoming, are used to examine the size, sexual dimorphism and ontogenetic age of P. atrox. Individual pits at Rancho La Brea range in age from about 30 to 11 kyr BP, and the Natural Trap Cave assemblage is ca. 24 kyr. We present dimensions for an associated P. atrox skeleton from Natural Trap Cave and measurements for previously undescribed material from Natural Trap Cave and Rancho La Brea. Overall tooth size and size of the attrition wear facet on the lower carnassial are used to identify the sex and age of 34 individual P. atrox from Rancho La Brea. Dimensions and epiphyseal fusion allow sorting of the postcranial elements by sex and age. We find that taphonomic entrapment bias of P. atrox at Rancho La Brea and Natural Trap Cave varied by sex. Entrapment bias also varied by ontogenetic age and was different for males and females. Male/female ratios, limb proportions, and an assessment of the ontogenetic dispersal age of juvenile specimens are used to demonstrate pride behavior in P. atrox. Panthera atrox was highly cursorial with longer limb elements relative to skull length than in P. leo.
Historical Biology, 2018
Here we describe a new species of a Pleistocene felid based on the distal third of a right humerus from the submerged El Pit cenote (sinkhole) near Tulum in Quintana Roo, Mexico. The new taxon, Panthera balamoides sp. nov., is characterized by a large entepicondylar foramen, a gracile and straight humeral shaft with a prominent supracondylar ridge with a small depression on the lateral epicondyle and a distal articular surface located medially with respect to the long axis of the shaft. Two felid clavicles from the same locality have been assigned to Panthera atrox, while a humerus fragment from the Kim Ha cave near Tulum likely corresponds to Smilodon gracilis. Panthera balamoides lines up with other likely endemic mammals in the region, which suggest that at least northern Quintana Roo, if not the entire Yucatán peninsula, may have been ecologically isolated during the Pleistocene, due to the repeated expansion of grassland.
The Jaguar (Panthera onca) in San Luis Potosí, Mexico
The Southwestern Naturalist, 2010
Geographic range of the jaguar (Panthera onca) in Mexico has decreased due to illegal hunting, loss of prey, and loss of habitat. No survey of jaguars has been conducted in San Luis Potosí since 1953, despite potentially suitable habitat in the Sierra Madre Oriental. During May 2006-March 2008, we conducted 22 field surveys, including interviews of local officials, residents, landowners, and hunters from 42 communities, and searched for tracks near each location where jaguars were reported in the Huasteca Region of the Sierra Madre Oriental of San Luis Potosí. We obtained 34 records of jaguars, 28 considered as recent records comprising $12 individuals and 6 historic records. Jaguars were recorded in oak forest (31.1% of records), tropical deciduous forest (28.1%), cloud forest (12.5%), tropical forest (12.5%), piedmont scrub (9.4%), pine-oak forest (3.1%), and along a border between a sugar cane plantation and tropical forest (3.1%). Locations were 150-2,400 m in elevation. We documented presence of diverse prey and four other species of felids. We generated a distribution map for jaguars and estimated loss of forests for 1970-2000. Geographical distribution of jaguars in San Luis Potosí extends north (22u309N) to the municipality of El Naranjo, south (21u249N) to the municipality of Xilitla, east (98u549W) to the municipality of Ciudad Valles, and west (99u349W) to the municipality of Rayó n. The distribution comprises the subprovince of the Gran Sierra Plegada, Carso Huasteco, and Sierra del Abra Tanchipa of the Sierra Madre Oriental. Given the number of records and quality of remaining habitat, the Sierra Madre Oriental in San Luis Potosí should be considered as a high priority for long-term conservation of jaguars in Mexico.