First photographic record of Leopardus pardalis (Mammalia: Felidae) in Nichupté Lagoon, Quintana Roo, Mexico

Authors

  • Patricia Cruz-Hernández Biota Corporativo Ambiental, Crisantemos 118, 86179, Blancas mariposas, Villahermosa Tabasco, México.
  • Manuel Alberto Hernández-May Instituto Superior Hidalgo. Calle Cerrada de Juárez, 327 Col. Centro, C.P. 86706 Macuspana, Tabasco, México; Gestión y Asesoría Jurídico Ambiental S.A de C.V. Av. José Pagés Llergo 124, Lago ilusiones, 86040, Villahermosa, Tabasco, México
  • Aldo J Martínez-Sánchez Dirección General de Carreteras, Secretaría de Infraestructura, Comunicaciones y Transportes, Av. Insurgentes Col. Noche buena, 1089, 03720, Ciudad de México, México
  • Carlos Manuel Villar-Bedian Gestión y Asesoría Jurídico Ambiental S.A de C.V. Av. José Pagés Llergo 124, Lago ilusiones, 86040, Villahermosa, Tabasco, México
  • José Antonio Nungaray-Núñez Ingeniería, Consultoría Obras y Proyectos S.A de C.V. Margaritas 233, Blancas Mariposas 86179, Villahermosa, Tabasco, México
  • Juan Francisco García-Leyva Biota Corporativo Ambiental, Crisantemos 118, 86179, Blancas mariposas, Villahermosa Tabasco, México
  • Carlos Antonio Cárdenas-De la Rosa Biota Corporativo Ambiental, Crisantemos 118, 86179, Blancas mariposas, Villahermosa Tabasco, México
  • Héctor Hernández-Maruri Gestión y Asesoría Jurídico Ambiental S.A de C.V. Av. José Pagés Llergo 124, Lago ilusiones, 86040, Villahermosa, Tabasco, México

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.12933/therya_notes-25-226

Keywords:

Camera trap, conservation area, endangered species, feline, new record, ocelot

Abstract

The ocelot (Leopardus pardalis) is one of six species of felines found in Mexico. According to NOM-059-SEMARNAT-2010, it is currently endangered in the country. The objective of this study was to document the presence of ocelots in the Nichupté mangrove protected natural area in Quintana Roo, Mexico. From March to November 2024, 16 camera traps were used for faunal sampling in this ecosystem for 275 days and 6,600 hours. From May to July 2025, daytime surveys were conducted for 65 days and 455 hours. Independent photographs and videos of several species of fauna were obtained. However, the ocelot was observed in only one photograph and in a single footprint on one day. This is the first documented instance of ocelots in the Nichupté mangrove ecosystem, which is of high biological and ecological importance. Furthermore, the presence of this species suggests that the ecosystem is healthy, as the ocelot is mainly associated with its food sources, such as rodents and birds.

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Published

2026-02-11

How to Cite

Cruz-Hernández, P., Hernández-May, M. A., Martínez-Sánchez, A. J., Villar-Bedian, C. M., Nungaray-Núñez, J. A., García-Leyva, J. F., … Hernández-Maruri, H. (2026). First photographic record of Leopardus pardalis (Mammalia: Felidae) in Nichupté Lagoon, Quintana Roo, Mexico. Therya Notes, 7(1), 20–24. https://doi.org/10.12933/therya_notes-25-226

Issue

Vol. 7 (2026): Número 1

Section

Notes

License

Copyright (c) 2026 Therya Notes

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