The Mexican giant cardon (Pachycereus pringlei) interactions with wildlife on the Baja California peninsula, Mexico

The Mexican giant cardon (Pachycereus pringlei (S.Watson) Britton & Rose) is an endemic species of the Sonoran Desert; these immense cacti serve as reservoirs of water and nutrients and provide food and shelter for a large diversity of wildlife. The objectives of the study were to identify t...

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Detalhes bibliográficos
Autores: Delgado-Fernández, Mariana, Escobar Flores, Jonathan Gabriel, Franklin, Kim
Formato: artículo
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:2017
País:México
Recursos:UNIVERSIDAD DE GUANAJUATO
Repositorio:Acta Universitaria
Idioma:español
OAI Identifier:oai:www.actauniversitaria.ugto.mx:article/1274
Acesso em linha:https://www.actauniversitaria.ugto.mx/index.php/acta/article/view/1274
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palavra-chave:Cardon
camera trap
keystone species
plant-animal interaction
Sonoran Desert.
Cardón
cámara trampa
Desierto Sonorense
especie clave
interacción planta-animal.
Ecología
Taxonomía
Descrição
Resumo:The Mexican giant cardon (Pachycereus pringlei (S.Watson) Britton & Rose) is an endemic species of the Sonoran Desert; these immense cacti serve as reservoirs of water and nutrients and provide food and shelter for a large diversity of wildlife. The objectives of the study were to identify the number of species that currently interact with cardonsand determine how they take advantage of the cactus. Camera traps were placed near cardon flowers and fruits. Animal species engaged in interactions with the plant were photographed  and a literature review was also undertaken to enhance the interactions database. 61 species that interact with cardons were found, 25 of which had not previously been reported. 83 total interactions were recorded , 45% of which occurred in the flowering and fruiting season. This large number of interactions suggests that the Mexican giant cardon is a keystone species for the Sonoran Desert and should be considered for land management and conservation planning within this region.