ABSTRACT This study aims to conduct a cytogenetic analysis on four South American feline species: the jaguar (Panthera onca), the puma (Puma concolor), the ocelot (Leopardus wiedii), and the domestic cat (Felis catus). We discovered that the jaguar and the puma mainly differ in their fundamental number of chromosomes. Furthermore, we observed a morphological difference in a pair of chromosomes between the jaguar and the domestic cat. This suggests that, over the course of evolution, there was a pericentric inversion in a pair of B4 group chromosomes, leading them to become part of the A group in the jaguar. When analyzing the puma, we noticed the presence of a fourth pair of chromosomes in the E group, along with a deletion in the F group. Additionally, we observed the presence of an additional pair of chromosomes in the C group in the ocelot. Another interesting aspect of the study was the location of nucleolar organizer regions (NORs) on the chromosomes. To elucidate the origin of other chromosome pairs, we employed chromosomal banding techniques, allowing us to better understand the evolution of the C3 pair in the Leopardus genus and the E4 pair in the Puma genus. species Panthera onca, onca , onca) concolor, concolor concolor) wiedii, wiedii wiedii) Felis catus. catus . catus) Furthermore B Additionally NORs (NORs pairs techniques

RESUMO Este estudo tem como objetivo realizar uma análise citogenética em quatro espécies de felinos sul-americanos: a onça-pintada (Panthera onca), a suçuarana (Puma concolor), o gato-do-mato-pequeno (Leopardus wiedii) e o gato doméstico (Felis catus). Descobriu-se que a onça-pintada e a suçuarana diferem principalmente em seu número fundamental de cromossomos. Além disso, notou-se uma diferença morfológica em um par de cromossomos entre a onça-pintada e o gato doméstico. Isso nos sugere que, ao longo da evolução, houve uma inversão pericêntrica em um par de cromossomos do grupo B4, que passou a fazer parte do grupo A na onça-pintada. Quando se analisou a suçuarana, observou-se a presença de um quarto par de cromossomos no grupo E, juntamente com uma deleção no grupo F. Isso sugere que, ao longo de sua evolução, a suçuarana também passou por uma inversão pericêntrica. A principal diferença entre o gato-do-mato-pequeno e o gato doméstico reside na ausência de cromossomos no grupo F devido à fusão de dois pares de cromossomos telocêntricos. Além disso, notou-se a presença de um par adicional de cromossomos no grupo C no gato-do-mato-pequeno. Outro aspecto interessante do estudo foi a localização das regiões organizadoras nucleolares (NOR) nos cromossomos. Descobriu-se que, tanto na onça-pintada quanto na suçuarana, as NORs estão localizadas no braço curto do par de cromossomos E1. Para elucidar a origem de outros pares de cromossomos, foram empregadas técnicas de bandamento cromossômico, o que permitiu entender melhor a evolução do par C3 no gênero Leopardus e do par E4 no gênero Puma. sulamericanos sul americanos sul-americanos onçapintada onça pintada Panthera onca, onca , onca) Puma concolor, concolor concolor) gatodomatopequeno mato pequeno wiedii Felis catus. catus . catus) Descobriuse Descobriu disso notouse notou B4 B onçapintada. pintada. observouse observou E telocêntricos gatodomatopequeno. pequeno. NOR (NOR E1 cromossômico

Resumen Introducción: Actualmente, la biodiversidad está administrada principalmente por áreas protegidas, pero la proximidad con las actividades humanas genera conflictos, los cuales están poco estudiados en los trópicos. Objetivo: Estimar el conflicto entre humanos y vida silvestre en la zona de amortiguamiento de la Reserva Biológica Alberto Manuel Brenes, San Ramón, Costa Rica. Métodos: Entrevistamos a los propietarios o administradores de 59 fincas. Resultados: Registramos 540 incidentes, en su mayoría con mamíferos (N=479); los coyotes (Canis latrans) mataron 1 074 animales en 183 ataques en 12 granjas. También registramos conflictos con jaguar, Panthera onca, puma, Puma concolor, ocelote, Leopardus pardalis y tigrillo, Leopardus wiedii, que depredaron 261 animales domésticos. También se reportaron otros mamíferos y serpientes, especialmente la terciopelo, Bothrops asper. En seis ocasiones, los hechos se produjeron a más de 500m de una vivienda; sin embargo, la mayoría estaban a 0-25m de una casa (media 398m). Los campesinos han sacrificado pumas, coyotes, mapaches y serpientes y no hubo un control coordinado de instituciones, ONG y comunidades. Conclusión: Los coyotes son los animales salvajes más comúnmente involucrados y se necesita un esfuerzo coordinado que incluya tanto a las organizaciones como a las comunidades.

Abstract Introduction: Currently, biodiversity is mainly managed by protected areas, but proximity with human activities results in conflicts, which are poorly studied in the tropics. Objective: To estimate human-wildlife conflict in the buffer zone of the Alberto Manuel Brenes Biological Reserve, San Ramón, Costa Rica. Methods: We interviewed the owners or managers of 59 farms. Results: We recorded 540 incidents, mostly with mammals (N=479); coyotes (Canis latrans) killed 1 074 animals in 183 attacks at 12 farms. We also recorded conflicts with jaguar, Panthera onca, puma, Puma concolor, ocelot, Leopardus pardalis, and margay, Leopardus wiedii, which preyed on 261 domestic animals. Other mammals and snakes were also reported, especially the Fer-de-lance, Bothrops asper. In six occasions, the incidents took place over 500m from a house; however, most were 0-25m from a house (mean 398m). The farmers have sacrificed pumas, coyotes, raccoons and snakes and there was not a coordinated control effort from institutions, NGOs and communities. Conclusion: Coyotes are the most common wild animals involved and there is need for a coordinated effort that includes both organizations and communities.

Abstract A complete genome of the first anellovirus infecting the wild felid Leopardus pardalis (ocelot) and a partial genome were assembled and annotated through high-throughput sequencing protocols followed by Sanger sequencing validation. The full-length virus obtained comprises 2,003 bp, while the partial genome comprises 1,224 bp. Phylogenetic analysis grouped these two sequences in two distinct clusters related to previously described Felidae anelloviruses. The ORF1 of the partial genome was identified as a new species provisionally called Torque teno ocelot virus, with 53.6% identity with its sister lineage. The complete genome was inferred as a new representative of the Torque teno felid virus 3 species, with 73.28% identity to the closest reference. This study expands known virus diversity and the host span of anelloviruses. (ocelot highthroughput high throughput validation fulllength full length 2003 2 003 2,00 bp 1224 1 224 1,22 anelloviruses ORF 536 53 6 53.6 lineage 7328 73 28 73.28 reference 200 00 2,0 122 22 1,2 5 53. 732 7 73.2 20 0 2, 12 1, 73.

Abstract Our group isolated Salmonella enterica serovar Albany from food and feces of wildcaptive carnivores in a zoo from northwestern Mexico. This serovar was also associated with thedeath of an ocelot (Leopardus pardalis) in the same zoo. Another group associated S. Albanywith the death of a human patient. It is due to this zoonotic potential that the in vivo study of thehost-S. Albany relationship is critical. The recombinant S. Albany-Ovalbumin (rSAO) strain wasused to analyze a murine oral infection and its specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) response.Our results have shown for the first time that rSAO establishes a systemic infection and evokesepitope-specific lysis with a Th1-like cytokine profile in vivo.

Resumen Salmonella entérica serovar Albany fue aislada por nuestro grupo de investigación de alimentos contaminados y de heces de animales carnívoros en cautiverio en un zoológico del noroeste de México; posteriormente, se logró asociar a este serovar con la muerte de un ocelote (Leopardus pardalis), dentro de este mismo zoológico. Otro grupo de investigación asoció a este serovar con la muerte de un paciente. Es debido a este potencial zoonótico que el estudio in vivo de la relación hospedero-S. Albany es crítico. La cepa recombinante S. Albany-Ovoalbúmina (rSAO) fue utilizada para analizar la infección múrida, al igual que la respuesta inmune celular citotóxica específica. Nuestros resultados demuestran, por primera vez, que rSAO establece una infección sistémica y evoca lisis epítopo-específica con un perfil de citocinas tipo Th1 in vivo.

RESUMO O adenocarcinoma pulmonar é uma neoplasia epitelial maligna originada do epitélio respiratório das vias aéreas inferiores e do parênquima alveolar. É uma neoplasia raramente descrita em felinos selvagens, sem nenhum relato em jaguatiricas. Em gatos domésticos, é uma neoplasia muito agressiva, com alta taxa de metástase, e geralmente evolui para o óbito do paciente. O presente relato objetiva descrever um adenocarcinoma pulmonar em uma jaguatirica (Leopardus pardalis) senil de cativeiro, com detalhada caracterização morfológica e imunofenotípica, evidenciando o fenômeno de transição epitelial-mesenquial (TEM) em um carcinoma altamente metastático, uma característica importante, com escassos relatos na medicina veterinária, mesmo em gatos domésticos.

ABSTRACT Pulmonary adenocarcinoma is a malignant epithelial neoplasia that usually arises from conducting airways or alveolar parenchyma. It has rarely been described in wild felids, with no previous reports in ocelots. In domestic cats it is a very aggressive neoplasm with a high metastatic rate that usually evolves to death. This report aimed to describe a pulmonary adenocarcinoma in a captive and senile ocelot (Leopardus pardalis), with a thorough morphologic and immunophenotypically characterization, evidencing the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) phenomenon in a high metastatic carcinoma, an important feature rarely described in veterinary medicine, even in domestic cats.

Abstract Leopardus pardalis, one of the eight species of the family Felidae found in Peru, is the second largest spotted feline in South America and can be found in a wide variety of habitats, such as tropical rainforests, swamps, thorny bushes areas, among others. This work reports the first photographic record, using a camera trap, of an adult male Leopardus pardalis in the Sauce Grande Sector of the El Angolo Game Reserve, Piura, Peru, confirming the presence of this species within that protected natural area.

Resumen Leopardus pardalis, una de las ocho especies de la familia Felidae que se encuentran en el Perú, es el segundo felino manchado más grande de Sudamérica y se le puede encontrar en una gran variedad de hábitats, como bosques húmedos tropicales, pantanos, zonas matorrales espinosos, entre otros. Este trabajo reporta el primer registro fotográfico, usando cámaras trampa, de un L. pardalis (macho adulto) en el Sector Sauce Grande del Coto de Caza El Angolo, Piura, Perú, confirmándose la presencia de esta especie en esa área natural protegida.

Abstract When the top predators such as the jaguar and the puma have disappeared or their numbers have decreased, an increase in the populations of mesopredators such as the ocelot is common, which in turn causes a decrease in the predator species of smaller size, or a modification of their activity patterns, a phenomenon known as the “pardalis effect”. It has not been documented how common this phenomenon is or its variations. The objective of this study is to characterize the pardalis effect and its variation in a cloud forest, a pine forest and an anthropized area, and the effect of human activities on it in Oaxaca, southeastern Mexico. Abundance was estimated and the activity patterns of the feline species were characterized by photo-trapping. Two hundred seventy independent photographic records of 5 feline species were obtained. Density for all species differed significantly between types of vegetation cover. No significant differences were found among seasons or among types of vegetation cover for the top predators and the ocelot, but among types of plant cover for felines of smaller size. The pardalis effect was only observed in the anthropized area.

Resumen Cuando los depredadores tope como el jaguar y el puma han desaparecido o disminuido su número, es común un aumento de las poblaciones de mesodepredadores, como el ocelote. Esto a su vez provoca una disminución poblacional de especies depredadoras de talla más pequeña, o una modificación de sus patrones de actividad, fenómeno conocido como “efecto pardalis”. No se ha documentado que tan común es este fenómeno ni sus variaciones. El objetivo de este estudio es caracterizar el efecto pardalis y su variación en un bosque mesófilo de montaña, un bosque de pino y una zona antropizada, así como el efecto de las actividades humanas sobre él en Oaxaca, sureste de México. Se estimó la abundancia y se caracterizaron los patrones de actividad de las especies de felinos por medio de fototrampeo. Se obtuvieron 270 registros fotográficos independientes de 5 especies de felinos. La densidad para todas las especies difirió significativamente entre tipos de cobertura vegetal. No se encontraron diferencias significativas entre temporadas ni entre tipos de cobertura vegetal para los depredadores tope y el ocelote, pero sí entre tipos de cobertura vegetal para los felinos de talla menor. El efecto pardalis solamente se observó en la zona antropizada.

Abstract: The ocelot is one of the six species of felids distributed in Mexico. This species is threatened with extinction and thus protected by the Mexican government. Knowledge about the environmental factors that affect its presence is a crucial step in identifying key areas and designing strategies for the conservation of this species. The aim of this study was to document the presence of the ocelot to determine its potential distribution and identify important conservation areas in the southern Sierra Madre Oriental and Sierra Negra of Puebla (as part of the northern Sierra Madre del Sur). We conducted camera-trap surveys from October 2013 through January 2014, placing 63 camera-trap stations distributed in both areas. The overall sampling effort was 2,381 trap-days. The presence of the ocelot was recorded in the Sierra del Abra-Tanchipa Biosphere Reserve, in San Luis Potosi and Sierra Negra in Puebla. An estimated 78 % of the study sites hold suitable environmental conditions for the potential presence of ocelots. The variables that jointly accounted for 65 % of the potential distribution were related to precipitation, namely precipitation of the driest trimester, of the wettest month, and of the warmest trimester. Our potential distribution models suggest the existence of priority regions for ocelot conservation. This research updates the present status of the ocelot in the Sierra Madre Oriental and Sierra Negra in Puebla, sites that have been subject to high habitat encroachment by human settlements.

Resumen: El ocelote es una de las seis especies de felinos que se distribuyen en México. Está especie se encuentra amenazada y por tanto protegida por el gobierno mexicano. El conocimiento sobre qué factores ambientales afectan su presencia es un paso crucial en el diseño o la propuesta de áreas de conservación para las especies. El objetivo de este trabajo fue documentar la presencia del ocelote para generar una distribución potencial e identificar sitios para su conservación en el sur de la Sierra Madre Oriental y Sierra Negra de Puebla (que es parte del norte de la Sierra Madre del Sur). Para ello, se realizó un muestreo con 63 estaciones de foto-trampeo distribuidas en ambas áreas entre octubre de 2013 y enero de 2014. En total, realizamos un esfuerzo de muestreo de 2,381 días/trampa. La presencia del ocelote se registró en la Reserva de la Biosfera Sierra del Abra-Tanchipa en San Luis Potosí y Sierra Negra en Puebla. Estimamos que el 78 % del área de estudio tiene condiciones ambientales adecuadas para la presencia potencial del ocelote. Las variables que tuvieron una contribución acumulada del 65 % para explicar su distribución potencial estuvieron relacionas con la precipitación y fueron tres: precipitación del trimestre más seco, del mes más lluvioso y del trimestre más cálido. Los modelos de distribución sugieren la existencia de sitios prioritarios para la conservación de ocelotes. Este trabajo representa un avance fundamental en la situación actual del ocelote y su área de distribución en la Sierra Madre Oriental y Sierra Negra en Puebla, sitios que han estado sujetos a presiones humanas.

Abstract The Ocelot (Leopardus pardalis) is the largest species of this genus, despite having broad distribution in the Americas; it is included in the main list of endangered species. Their conservation is widely studied, but there is a lack of studies about their morphology. In order to contribute to the knowledge of its reproductive system, five male and female ocelots were examined macro- and microscopically by histological techniques. Macroscopic analysis of the male reproductive system revealed presence of prostate and bulbourethral gland located caudally to the urinary bladder and a penis with small spicules. Microscopically, the testes were encased by the tunica albuginea and divided it into lobules with 5-10 tubules per lobe. In females, macroscopic analysis demonstrated two ovaries position dorsally in the sublumbar region and caudal to the kidneys. The bicornuate uterus is composed by uterine horns (12 to 14 cm in length), which travels from the ovaries in a caudal direction to form a small uterine body (4 cm in length). The ovary analysis revealed, in longitudinal section, medullary region composed of loose connective tissue, a stroma rich in blood vessels, and an external parenchymal region surrounded by a tunica albuginea. The results of the study confirmed the similarity between ocelot's reproductive system as domestic cat's ones and showing for the first time the complete morphological tool to highlight these organs and tissue in this male and female endangered wild felid specie. The present study open venue for other researchers to consider morphological and preservationist features and aimed to help at long-term conservation of wild felines.

The Ocelot, Leopardus pardalis is a carnivore with wide distribution in South America. In Ecuador, most of the records come from lowland tropical forests and foothills of the Andes (<900 m at sea level), where this species has a variety of prey, particularly small mammals. However, in the high Andean regions, neither their occurrence nor their diet is known. On November 8, 2016 an adult male of L. pardalis was collected dead in the Usho locality, province of Cañar; the record is located in the high-Andean region in south of Ecuador at 2818 meters to sea level. During the evaluation of the specimen, several digested barbs were found and these were associated with the species of short-tailed porcupine, Coendou rufescens. This record shows that L. pardalis occurs at least seasonally in the high-Andean region of Ecuador; It also shows predation on the high-Andean species in their eating habits.

El Ocelote, Leopardus pardalis es un carnívoro con amplia distribución en América del sur. En Ecuador, los registros se concentran en bosques tropicales de tierras bajas y en estribaciones de los Andes (< 900 m de elevación), en donde disponen de una variedad de preseas, particularmente de pequeños mamíferos. Sin embargo, en las regiones alto-Andinas no se conoce sobre su presencia ni tampoco sobre su dieta. El 8 de noviembre de 2016 un macho adulto de L. pardalis que fue colectado muerto en la localidad de Usho, provincia del Cañar; el registro está localizado en la región alto-Andina al sur del Ecuador a 2818 m de elevación. Durante la evaluación del espécimen se encontraron varias púas digeridas y asociadas a la especie de Puerco espín de cola corta, Coendou rufescens. Este registro demuestra que L. pardalis ocurre al menos estacionalmente en la región alto-Andina del Ecuador; además demuestra la predación de especies alto-Andinas dentro de sus hábitos alimenticios.

RESUMO Leopardus pardalis é uma das espécies de felinos neotropicais mais estudadas em seus aspectos ecológicos, porém informações de questões morfofisiológicas do trato digestório não são encontradas na literatura. Visando contribuir com tais informações, o objetivo deste artigo foi caracterizar a morfologia do estômago dessa espécie. Nesta pesquisa, foram utilizados cinco exemplares adultos, coletados após óbito por atropelamento ou doados pelo IBAMA ao Laboratório de Zoologia e Morfologia Animal da Universidade do Estado de Mato Grosso - Alta Floresta. Os animais foram fixados com solução aquosa de formaldeído a 10%, dissecados por meio de técnicas anatômicas. Além dos estudos anatômicos, também foram coletados tecidos para microscopia. As análises macroscópicas revelaram que o estômago era do tipo unicavitário, com presença de pequena e grande curvatura, localizado no antímero esquerdo e constituído pelas regiões características do órgão. Em seus aspectos microscópicos, mostrou-se formado pelas quatro túnicas usuais do tubo digestório: túnica mucosa, submucosa, muscular e serosa, cada uma com as particularidades características de cada região, principalmente na túnica mucosa. O estômago de L. pardalis revelou uma morfologia semelhante às espécies domésticas e selvagens, com particularidades histomorfológicas na região pilórica. Esse padrão pode estar relacionado a adaptações evolutivas no processo digestivo dessa espécie.

ABSTRACT The species Leopardus pardalis is one of the species of neotropical felines more studied in its ecological aspects, however, information of morphophysiological questions of the digestive tract are not found in the literature. Aiming to contribute with such information, the objective of this work was to characterize the morphology of the stomach of this species. Five adult specimens, collected after death by trampling, or donated by IBAMA to the Laboratory of Zoology and Animal Morphology of the University of the State of Mato Grosso - Alta Floresta, were used in this research. The animals were fixed with aqueous solution of formaldehyde 10%, dissected through the basic techniques and instruments of anatomy, and later the material was collected for microscopy. The macroscopic analysis revealed that the stomach was of the unicavitary type, with small and great curvature, located in the left antimer and constituted by the characteristic regions of the organ. In its microscopic aspects it was formed by the four usual tunics of the digestive tube: tunica mucosa, submucosa, muscular and serosa, each one with the peculiarities characteristic of each region, mainly in the tunica mucosa. The stomach of L. pardalis revealed similar morphology to the domestic and wild species, with small histomorphological peculiarities in the pyloric region, which may be related to evolutionary adaptations in the digestive process of this species.

Resumen Varias de las especies silvestres de la familia Felidae se encuentran en riesgo y el tamaño poblacional es uno de los parámetros ecológicos más importantes para determinar acciones efectivas de conservación. El tamaño poblacional está determinado por diferentes factores, tanto bióticos como abióticos, que en conjunto satisfacen los requerimientos de los individuos para sobrevivir y reproducirse, permitiendo la permanencia de las especies a través del tiempo. Debido a que el tamaño poblacional de una especie no es homogéneo a lo largo de su distribución, se han formulado varias hipótesis para explicar sus variaciones. Una propuesta considera que las poblaciones más grandes se ubican en las regiones con mayor idoneidad ambiental y el número de individuos decrece hacia las menos favorables. Otra hipótesis considera que el tamaño poblacional está relacionado con la estructura interna del nicho ecológico, en donde las poblaciones más grandes están ubicadas en el centroide del nicho y el tamaño declina conforme aumenta la distancia a éste. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la relación de la abundancia poblacional con la idoneidad ambiental y el nicho ecológico en cuatro especies de felinos silvestres de América. La densidad de Lynx rufus (lince) se correlacionó positivamente con el índice de idoneidad ambiental, la mayor densidad de Panthera onca (jaguar) se ubicó en regiones cercanas al centroide del nicho, mientras que las densidades poblacionales de Leopardus pardalis (ocelote) y de Puma concolor (puma) no se ajustaron a las predicciones de ninguna de las dos hipótesis. La relación entre densidad de felinos con las características ambientales puede ser especie-específica y no seguir un patrón generalizado.

Abstract Several wild species of the family Felidae are at risk, and population size is one of the most important ecological parameters to determine conservation actions. Population size is influenced by different biotic and abiotic factors that satisfy the requirements of the species to survive and reproduce, allowing the permanence of the species through time. Because population size is not homogeneous throughout the distribution, there are several hypotheses to explain their variations. One proposal considers that more abundant populations are located in regions with environmentally suitability, and population size decreases towards the less favorable ones. Another hypothesis considers that the population size is related to the internal structure of the ecological niche, where the largest populations are located in the centroid of the niche, and the size declines as the distance to this centroid increase. The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between population abundance, environmental suitability and ecological niche in four wild felids species of America. The density of Lynx rufus (bobcat) was correlated positively with the environmental suitability index, the highest density of Panthera onca (jaguar) was located in regions near the centroid of the niche, while the population densities of Leopardus pardalis (ocelot) and Puma concolor (cougar) did not conform to the predictions of either of the two hypotheses. The relationship between feline density and environmental characteristics was species-specific, with no general pattern.

Abstract: In Mexico, the tropical rain forest and the mesophilic mountain forest have been eliminated and fragmented, and in these ecosystems is where the ocelot (Leopardus pardalis), a species considered in danger of extinction in Mexico, lives. The objective of this work was to determine the changes in land use, fragmentation of primary vegetation and its effects on the ocelot, in a key area for the connectivity of their populations. To carry out this work, the rates of change in vegetation and land use were calculated, and a fragmentation analysis was carried out. For the registration of ocelots, trap cameras were placed in an area of 110 km2. The results showed a change rate of -2.63 and -2.29 for the tropical rain forest and the mountain mesophilic forest, respectively. Ocelot observations occurred inside or very close (1.6 km) to areas with a connectivity value > 10 %. The size of the habitat fragments was small: 0.85 ha for mountain mesophilic forest and 1.04 ha for tropical rain forest; and the connectivity between them was <30 %. These results reflect the need to keep landscape connectivity for the conservation of L. pardalis populations.

Resumen: En México la selva alta perennifolia y el bosque mesófilo de montaña han sido eliminados y fragmentados, en estos ecosistemas habita el ocelote (Leopardus pardalis), una especie considerada en peligro de extinción en México. El objetivo del presente trabajo fue determinar los cambios de uso del suelo, fragmentación de la vegetación primaria y sus efectos sobre el ocelote, en una zona clave para la conectividad de sus poblaciones. Para llevar a cabo el trabajo, se calcularon las tasas de cambio de vegetación y uso del suelo, además se realizó un análisis de fragmentación. Para el registro de ocelotes, se colocaron cámaras trampa en un área de 110 km2. Los resultados mostraron una tasa de cambio de -2.63 y -2.29 para la selva alta perennifolia y el bosque mesófilo de montaña, respectivamente. Las observaciones de ocelote ocurrieron en el interior o muy cercanas (1.6 km) a zonas con valor de conectividad mayor a 10 %. El tamaño de los fragmentos de hábitat fue pequeño: 0.85 ha para bosque mesófilo de montaña y 1.04 ha en selva alta perennifolia; y la conectividad entre ellos fue de <30 %. Estos resultados reflejan la necesidad de mantener la conectividad del paisaje para la conservación de las poblaciones de L. pardalis.

ABSTRACT: Knowledge of species that are distributed in areas with forest management is essential to understand the negative and positive impacts of this activity on the conservation of species considered for protection by the Mexican government through NOM-059-SEMARNAT-2010, such as the jaguar (Panthera onca). The objective was to identify the species and sex of sympatric felines present in the Los Ocotones forest use area (LOSOCO), located 36 km from Cintalapa, Chiapas. Thirty-three fecal samples were collected and analyzed to identify individual genetic profiles. Two male pumas, a female puma, a male jaguar, a female ocelot/tigrillo and a male puma/jaguarundi were identified. The genetic analysis provided relevant information on the role played by the area in hosting priority feline species for conservation purposes. It is necessary to strengthen protection actions that help ensure their permanence in the region.

RESUMEN: El conocimiento de las especies que se distribuyen en zonas con manejo forestal es fundamental para comprender los impactos negativos y positivos de esta actividad en la conservación de especies consideradas en protección por el gobierno mexicano a través de la NOM-059-SEMARNAT-2010, como es el caso del jaguar (Panthera onca). El objetivo fue identificar especies y sexo de felinos simpátricos presentes en el área de aprovechamiento forestal Los Ocotones (LOSOCO), ubicada a 36 km de Cintalapa, Chiapas. Se colectaron 33 muestras fecales y se analizaron para identificar perfiles genéticos individuales. Se identificaron dos pumas machos, un puma hembra, un jaguar macho, un ocelote/tigrillo hembra y un puma/leoncillo macho. El análisis genético aportó información relevante sobre el papel que juega la zona por albergar especies de felinos prioritarias para su conservación. Se requiere fortalecer las acciones de protección que ayuden a garantizar su permanencia en la región.

Resumen La segregación de los patrones de actividad diaria es considerado un importante mecanismo para la coexistencia de especies competidoras. En este estudio, evaluamos si existía separación temporal entre el jaguar (Panthera onca), puma (Puma concolor) y ocelote (Leopardus pardalis), y si sus patrones de actividad se relacionaban con los de sus presas potenciales. Utilizamos registros de cámaras trampa para estimar los patrones de actividad de los felinos y sus presas. Usamos el coeficiente de traslape (Δ; de 0 a 1) para cuantificar las interacciones temporales entre depredadores y presas y calculamos los intervalos de confianza mediante bootstrapping. Observamos un fuerte traslape temporal (Δ= 0.63-0.82) entre los felinos tanto en el bosque seco como en el lluvioso. La mayor segregación temporal ocurrió entre los competidores más cercanos (jaguar y puma, puma y ocelote). El jaguar y el puma tuvieron un fuerte traslape con las presas medianas y grandes, mientras que el ocelote se traslapó con presas más pequeñas. Los altos coeficientes de traslape entre los felinos sugieren que la segregación temporal no es el mecanismo principal de coexistencia en estos sitios. Sin embargo, pequeñas diferencias en los patrones de actividad (e.g. picos de actividad desfasados) podrían contribuir a su coexistencia en ambientes tropicales.

Abstract Segregation of daily activity patterns is considered an important mechanism facilitating the coexistance of competing species. Here, we evaluated if temporal separation existed among jaguar (Panthera onca), puma (Puma concolor) and ocelot (Leopardus pardalis) and if their activity patterns were related to that of a particular prey. We used camera trap records to estimate the activity schedules of these predators and their prey. We used the coefficient of overlapping (Δ; ranging from 0 to 1) to quantify the temporal interactions between predators and prey, and calculated confidence intervals from bootstrap samples. Strong temporal overlap occurred among the three felids (Δ = 0.63 - 0.82) in both dry and rainforests. However, a greater temporal separation was observed between the closest competitors (jaguar and puma, puma and ocelot). Jaguar and puma had a strong temporal overlap with medium and large-sized prey, while ocelots’ activity matched that of smallsized prey. High overlapping coefficients among the felids suggest that temporal segregation is not the main mechanism facilitating their coexistence in these areas. However, fine-scale or spatiotemporal differences in their activity patterns might contribute to their coexistence in tropical environments.