Papers by Jesus Castillo
The Santa María Amajac paleolake is located in the central portion of Hidalgo, Mexico. Twenty-sev... more The Santa María Amajac paleolake is located in the central portion of Hidalgo, Mexico. Twenty-seven
fossil taxa of aquatic and terrestrial plants, gastropods, ostracods, amphibians, and mammals identified previously
in the area of the paleolake were selected and their distribution in America during the Late Pliocene- Pleistocene
was analyzed using the panbiogeographic method. As a result of the overlap of 27 individual tracks, 5 generalized
tracks were obtained: I) Western North American, II) Central North American, III) Eastern North American, IV)
Mesoamerican, and V) South American. The generalized tracks are consistent with previous proposals for extant
gymnosperms, amphibians, sauropsids, birds, mammals, aquatic plants, insects, beetles, and nematodes, suggesting
that distribution patterns have prevailed since the late Pliocene (Blancan). Four biogeographic nodes were identified,
2 situated in North America, in California and Colorado, the third located in the Santa María Amajac area in central
Mexico, and the fourth located in Central America.
We provide a revieew of fossil snakes
We list species dedicated to Darwin
2016ResumenSe estudiaron la riqueza y la distribución de los anfibios y saurópsidos no aves de la... more 2016ResumenSe estudiaron la riqueza y la distribución de los anfibios y saurópsidos no aves de las 2 ecorregiones áridas de Hidalgo. Para ello, se realizó unlistado taxonómico con información bibliográfica y de campo, se analizó la complementariedad entre ecorregiones y se comparó la composiciónde especies contra 5 zonas áridas de México. Además, se analizaron los atributos de historia natural de las especies, el estatus de conservación y elendemismo. Se registran 82 especies: 20 anfibios y 62 saurópsidos no aves. La ecorregión matorral central mexicano presentó la mayor riqueza con65 especies: 29 exclusivas y 36 compartidas con la ecorregión matorral de la meseta central. Se registraron 62 especies en el matorral xerófilo, 2 enel bosque tropical caducifolio y 18 en ambos tipos de vegetación. La complementariedad entre ecorregiones fue de 55 para anfibios y 32.07 parasaurópsidos no aves. La mayor similitud (52.4) se presentó con la zona árida de Querétaro. La mayoría de las especies son terrestres, insectívoras yovíparas. Se registraron más anfibios nocturnos y más saurópsidos no aves diurnos. Finalmente, 18 especies se encuentran bajo protección especial,16 amenazadas y 44 son endémicas de México.Derechos Reservados © 2015 Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Instituto de Biología. Este es un artículo de acceso abierto distribuidobajo los términos de la Licencia Creative Commons CC BY-NC-ND 4.0.Palabras clave: Anfibios; Saurópsidos no aves; Ecorregión árida; Listado taxonómico; Historia naturalAbstractWe studied richness and distribution of amphibians and non-avian sauropsids from the 2 arid ecoregions of Hidalgo. A taxonomic list withbibliographical and field information was used, complementarity among ecoregions was analyzed and the composition of species against 5 aridregions of Mexico was compared. In addition, we discussed natural history attributes of species, their conservation status, and endemism. Wereport 82 species (20 amphibian and 62 non-avian sauropsids). The eco-region Central Mexican Shrub showed the greatest richness (65 species;29 unique and 36 shared with the Central Plateau Shrub eco-region). We found 62 species distributed only in xeric shrub, 2 in deciduous tropicalforest and 18 in both types of vegetation. The complementarity between ecoregions was 55 for amphibians and 32.07 for non-avian sauropsids.The greater similarity (52.4) was found with the arid zone of Querétaro. Most species are terrestrial, insectivores, and oviparous. There were morenocturnal amphibians and more diurnal non-avian sauropsids registered. Finally, 18 species are under special protection, 16 threatened and 44 areendemic to Mexico.
Evaluation of PAE and AE for identifying generalized tracks using snakes in Hidalgo, Mexico. One ... more Evaluation of PAE and AE for identifying generalized tracks using snakes in Hidalgo, Mexico. One of the most important concepts in Panbiogeography is the generalized track, which represents an ancestral biota fragmented by geological events that can be recovered through several methods, including Parsimony analysis of endemicity (PAE) and endemicity analysis (EA). PAE has been frequently used to identify generalized tracks, while EA is primarily designed to find areas of endemicity, but has been recently proposed for identifying generalized tracks as well. In this study we evaluated these methods to find generalized tracks using the distribution of the 84 snake species of Hidalgo. PAE found one generalized track from three individual tracks (Agkistrodon taylori, Crotalus totonacus and Pliocercus elapoides), supported by 89 % of Bootstrap, and EA identified two generalized tracks, with endemicity index values of 2.71-2.96 and 2.84-3.09, respectively. Those areas were transformed to generalized tracks. The first generalized track was retrieved from three individual tracks (Micrurus bernadi, Rhadinaea marcellae and R. quinquelineata), and the second was recovered from two individual tracks (Geophis mutitorques and Thamnophis sumichrasti). These generalized tracks can be considered a unique distribution pattern, because they resembled each other and agreed in shape. When comparing both methods, we noted that both are useful for identifying generalized tracks, and although they can be used independently , we suggest their complementary use. Nevertheless, to obtain accurate results, it is useful to consider theoretical bases of both methods, along with an appropriate choice of the size of the area. Results using small-grid size in EA are ideal for searching biogeographical patterns within geopolitical limits. Furthermore, they can be used for conservation proposals at state level where endemic species become irreplaceable, and where losing them would imply the extinction of unique lineages. Rev. Biol. Trop. 64 (4): 000-000. Epub 2016 December 01.
Quantifying differences in species composition among communities provides important information r... more Quantifying differences in species composition among communities provides important information related to the distribution, conservation and management of biodiversity, especially when two components are recognized: dissimilarity due to turnover, and dissimilarity due to richness differences. The ecoregions in central Mexico, within the Mexican Transition Zone, have outstanding environmental heterogeneity and harbor huge biological richness, besides differences in the origin of the biota. Therefore, biodiversity studies in this area require the use of complementary measures to achieve appropriate information that may help in the design of conservation strategies. In this work we analyze the dissimilarity of terrestrial vertebrates, and the components of turnover and richness differences, among six ecoregions in the state of Hidalgo, central Mexico. We follow two approaches: one based on species level dissimilarity, and the second on taxonomic dissimilarity. We used databases from the project " Biodiversity in the state of Hidalgo ". Our results indicate that species dissimilarity is higher than taxonomic dissimilarity, and that turnover contributes more than richness differences, both for species and taxonomic total dissimilarity. Moreover, total dis-similarity, turnover dissimilarity and the dissimilarity due to richness differences were positively related in the four vertebrate groups. Reptiles had the highest values of dissimilarity, followed by mammals, amphibians and birds. For reptiles, birds, and mammals, species turnover was the most important component, while richness differences had a higher contribution for amphibians. The highest values of dissimilarity occurred between environmentally contrasting ecoregions (i.e., tropical and temperate forests), which suggests that environmental heterogeneity and differences in the origin of biotas are key factors driving beta diversity of terrestrial vertebrates among ecoregions in this complex area.
Quantifying differences in species composition among communities provides important information r... more Quantifying differences in species composition among communities provides important information related to the distribution, conservation and management of biodiversity, especially when two components are recognized: dissimilarity due to turnover, and dissimilarity due to richness differences. The ecoregions in central Mexico, within the Mexican Transition Zone, have outstanding environmental heterogeneity and harbor huge biological richness, besides differences in the origin of the biota. Therefore, biodiversity studies in this area require the use of complementary measures to achieve appropriate information that may help in the design of conservation strategies. In this work we analyze the dissimilarity of terrestrial vertebrates, and the components of turnover and richness differences, among six ecoregions in the state of Hidalgo, central Mexico. We follow two approaches: one based on species level dissimilarity, and the second on taxonomic dissimilarity. We used databases from the project “Biodiversity in the state of Hidalgo”. Our results indicate that species dissimilarity is higher than taxonomic dissimilarity, and that turnover contributes more than richness differences, both for species and taxonomic total dissimilarity. Moreover, total dissimilarity, turnover dissimilarity and the dissimilarity due to richness differences were positively related in the four vertebrate groups. Reptiles had the highest values of dissimilarity, followed by mammals, amphibians and birds. For reptiles, birds, and mammals, species turnover was the most important component, while richness differences had a higher contribution for amphibians. The highest values of dissimilarity occurred between environmentally contrasting ecoregions (i.e., tropical and temperate forests), which suggests that environmental heterogeneity and differences in the origin of biotas are key factors driving beta diversity of terrestrial vertebrates among ecoregions in this complex area.
The didelphimorphs in Mexico are found all over the country except for the Baja California Penins... more The didelphimorphs in Mexico are found all over the country except for the Baja California Peninsula. The aim of this study was to use 3 methods to assess the phylogenetic diversity of the species Marmosa mexicana, Tlacuatzin canescens, Caluromys derbianus, Chironectes minimus, Didelphis marsupialis, Didelphis virginiana, Metachirus nudicaudatus, and Philander opossum, and to determine the potential conservation areas for these mammals. Phylogenetic information was included to measure the taxonomic weighting, taxonomic dispersion, and taxonomic distinctness within the Mexican biogeographic provinces. In addition, a gap analysis was performed to show which protected areas contain the didelphimorphs listed under a conservation category. Considering phylogenetic diversity with the former analysis, results indicate that the biogeographic provinces most important for conservation of didelphimorphs are the Gulf of Mexico, the Pacific Coast, and Oaxaca, although Soconusco and Sierra Madre del Sur also have to be considered. We also observed that not all of the richest sites corresponded with current protected areas. This study is important because it employed different conservation approaches based on phylogenetic measures and was focused on Mexican marsupials, of which 1 species is endemic and 2 are of conservation concern.
REVISTA MEXICANA DE BIODIVERSIDAD
The didelphimorphs in Mexico are found all over the country except for the Baja California Penins... more The didelphimorphs in Mexico are found all over the country except for the Baja California Peninsula. The aim of this study was to use 3 methods to assess the phylogenetic diversity of the species Marmosa mexicana, Tlacuatzin canescens, Caluromys derbianus, Chironectes minimus, Didelphis marsupialis, Didelphis virginiana, Metachirus nudicaudatus, and Philander opossum, and to determine the potential conservation areas for these mammals. Phylogenetic information was included to measure the taxonomic weighting, taxonomic dispersion, and taxonomic distinctness within the Mexican biogeographic provinces. In addition, a gap analysis was performed to show which protected areas contain the didelphimorphs listed under a conservation category. Considering phylogenetic diversity with the former analysis, results indicate that the biogeographic provinces most important for conservation of didelphimorphs are the Gulf of Mexico, the Paciic Coast, and Oaxaca, although Soconusco and Sierra Madre del Sur also have to be considered. We also observed that not all of the richest sites corresponded with current protected areas. This study is important because it employed different conservation approaches based on phylogenetic measures and was focused on Mexican marsupials, of which 1 species is endemic and 2 are of conservation concern.
Ameghiniana, 2015
The small-sized Astrohippus stockii was a one-toed horse restricted to the latest Hemphillian (Hh... more The small-sized Astrohippus stockii was a one-toed horse restricted to the latest Hemphillian (Hh4) . Although this species is relatively common in fossiliferous localities of the United States and Mexico, much remains to be known regarding to its feeding ecology. We applied a multidisciplinary approach to reconstruct the dietary behavior of A. stockii based on a sample from Arroyo La Carreta locality, latest Hemphillian of Guanajuato, central Mexico. Carbon isotope and meso-and microwear analyses were conducted. The δ 13 C isotope data indicate a diet consisting of both C3/C4 plants with a preference for C4 plants (average δ 13 C of -1.9‰ ± 1.3‰ [SD]), whereas the micro-(high number of scratches and a low number of pits) and mesowear (round to blunt cusps and low relief) signatures implied processing of abrasive sources (biogenic and abiogenic). The information about the feeding ecology of A. stockii from Guanajuato, Chihuahua, Florida and Texas showed that this North American horse had broad feeding habits, ranging from almost exclusive grazing to browsing. The dietary flexibility in this horse species is probably related to local environmental conditions, suggesting an adaptable dietary regime across its geographic distribution. This is the first study that uses three of the most widely applied analyses to reconstruct the feeding ecology of a Mexican fossil ungulate species. pequeño Astrohippus stockii tuvo una distribución geocronológica restringida a finales del Henfiliano Tardío (Hh4) NALMA (5,8-4,6 Ma). Aunque esta especie es relativamente común en localidades fosilíferas de los Estados Unidos y México, poco se sabe acerca de su ecología alimentaria. En el presente estudio se implementó una aproximación multidisciplinar para reconstruir el hábito alimentario de A. stockii basada en una muestra procedente de la localidad de finales del Henfiliano tardío conocida como Arroyo La Carreta, Guanajuato, centro de México. Se aplicó un análisis de isótopos estables de carbono y evaluación de patrones de desgaste dental a nivel microscópico (microdesgaste) y macroscópico (mesodesgaste). Los datos del isótopo δ 13 C indican una dieta consistente en plantas C3 y C4 con preferencia por plantas C4 (valor promedio de δ 13 C de -1,9‰ ± 1,3‰ [SD]), mientras que los patrones de microdesgaste (número elevado de rasguños y número bajo de fosas) y mesodesgaste (cúspides redondeadas a romas y relieve bajo) indican el procesamiento de elementos abrasivos (biogénicos y abiogénicos). La información acerca de la ecología alimentaria de A. stockii de Guanajuato, Chihuahua, Florida y Texas muestra que este équido de América del Norte tuvo un hábito alimentario amplio, desde ser pacedor a ser ramoneador. La flexibilidad dietaria observada estuvo probablemente relacionada a las condiciones ambientales locales del sitio que estuvo habitando, lo cual a su vez sugiere un régimen alimentario adaptable a través de su distribución geográfica. Este es el primer estudio en el que se reconstruye la ecología alimentaria de una especie de ungulado fósil de México, a partir de la implementación del análisis de isótopos estables de carbono y evaluación de patrones de desgaste dental. Palabras clave. Isótopos estables. Microdesgaste. Mesodesgaste. Caballos. Plioceno. Centro de México. AMEGHINIANA -2015 -Volume 52 (4): xx -xx ARTICLES ISSN 0002-7014
Acta zoológica …, 2010
... Alberto ROJAS–MARTÍNEZ 1 * , Olivia NOGUERA–COBOS 1 y Jesús Martín CASTILLO–CERÓN 2. ... como... more ... Alberto ROJAS–MARTÍNEZ 1 * , Olivia NOGUERA–COBOS 1 y Jesús Martín CASTILLO–CERÓN 2. ... como las inclemencias climáticas, algunas enfermedades y otras asociadas con las actividades humanas han sido identificadas (Guillette & Kimbrough 1970; Tuttle & Stevenson ...
The didelphimorphs in Mexico are found all over the country except for the Baja California Penins... more The didelphimorphs in Mexico are found all over the country except for the Baja California Peninsula. The aim of this study was to use 3 methods to assess the phylogenetic diversity of the species Marmosa mexicana, Tlacuatzin canescens, Caluromys derbianus, Chironectes minimus, Didelphis marsupialis, Didelphis virginiana, Metachirus nudicaudatus, and Philander opossum, and to determine the potential conservation areas for these mammals. Phylogenetic information was included to measure the taxonomic weighting, taxonomic dispersion, and taxonomic distinctness within the Mexican biogeographic provinces. In addition, a gap analysis was performed to show which protected areas contain the didelphimorphs listed under a conservation category. Considering phylogenetic diversity with the former analysis, results indicate that the biogeographic provinces most important for conservation of didelphimorphs are the Gulf of Mexico, the Pacific Coast, and Oaxaca, although Soconusco and Sierra Madre del Sur also have to be considered. We also observed that not all of the richest sites corresponded with current protected areas. This study is important because it employed different conservation approaches based on phylogenetic measures and was focused on Mexican marsupials, of which 1 species is endemic and 2 are of conservation concern.
The Santa María Amajac paleolake is located in the central portion of Hidalgo, Mexico. Twenty-sev... more The Santa María Amajac paleolake is located in the central portion of Hidalgo, Mexico. Twenty-seven fossil taxa of aquatic and terrestrial plants, gastropods, ostracods, amphibians, and mammals identified previously in the area of the paleolake were selected and their distribution in America during the Late Pliocene- Pleistocene was analyzed using the panbiogeographic method. As a result of the overlap of 27 individual tracks, 5 generalized tracks were obtained: I) Western North American, II) Central North American, III) Eastern North American, IV) Mesoamerican, and V) South American. The generalized tracks are consistent with previous proposals for extant gymnosperms, amphibians, sauropsids, birds, mammals, aquatic plants, insects, beetles, and nematodes, suggesting that distribution patterns have prevailed since the late Pliocene (Blancan). Four biogeographic nodes were identified, 2 situated in North America, in California and Colorado, the third located in the Santa María Amajac area in central Mexico, and the fourth located in Central America.
Books by Jesus Castillo
Publicaciones by Jesus Castillo
Quantifying differences in species composition among communities provides important information r... more Quantifying differences in species composition among communities provides important information related to the distribution, conservation and management of biodiversity, especially when two components are recognized: dissimilarity due to turnover, and dissimilarity due to richness differences. The ecoregions in central Mexico, within the Mexican Transition Zone, have outstanding environmental heterogeneity and harbor huge biological richness, besides differences in the origin of the biota. Therefore, biodiversity studies in this area require the use of complementary measures to achieve appropriate information that may help in the design of conservation strategies. In this work we analyze the dissimilarity of terrestrial vertebrates, and the components of turnover and richness differences, among six ecoregions in the state of Hidalgo, central Mexico. We follow two approaches: one based on species level dissimilarity, and the second on taxonomic dissimilarity. We used databases from the project “Biodiversity in the state of Hidalgo”. Our results indicate that species dissimilarity is higher than taxonomic dissimilarity, and that turnover contributes more than richness differences, both for species and taxonomic total dissimilarity. Moreover, total dissimilarity, turnover dissimilarity and the dissimilarity due to richness differences were positively related in the four vertebrate groups. Reptiles had the highest values of dissimilarity, followed by mammals, amphibians and birds. For reptiles, birds, and mammals, species turnover was the most important component, while richness differences had a higher contribution for amphibians. The highest values of dissimilarity occurred between environmentally contrasting ecoregions (i.e., tropical and temperate forests), which suggests that environmental heterogeneity and differences in the origin of biotas are key factors driving beta diversity of terrestrial vertebrates among ecoregions in this complex area.
Uploads
Papers by Jesus Castillo
fossil taxa of aquatic and terrestrial plants, gastropods, ostracods, amphibians, and mammals identified previously
in the area of the paleolake were selected and their distribution in America during the Late Pliocene- Pleistocene
was analyzed using the panbiogeographic method. As a result of the overlap of 27 individual tracks, 5 generalized
tracks were obtained: I) Western North American, II) Central North American, III) Eastern North American, IV)
Mesoamerican, and V) South American. The generalized tracks are consistent with previous proposals for extant
gymnosperms, amphibians, sauropsids, birds, mammals, aquatic plants, insects, beetles, and nematodes, suggesting
that distribution patterns have prevailed since the late Pliocene (Blancan). Four biogeographic nodes were identified,
2 situated in North America, in California and Colorado, the third located in the Santa María Amajac area in central
Mexico, and the fourth located in Central America.
Books by Jesus Castillo
Publicaciones by Jesus Castillo
fossil taxa of aquatic and terrestrial plants, gastropods, ostracods, amphibians, and mammals identified previously
in the area of the paleolake were selected and their distribution in America during the Late Pliocene- Pleistocene
was analyzed using the panbiogeographic method. As a result of the overlap of 27 individual tracks, 5 generalized
tracks were obtained: I) Western North American, II) Central North American, III) Eastern North American, IV)
Mesoamerican, and V) South American. The generalized tracks are consistent with previous proposals for extant
gymnosperms, amphibians, sauropsids, birds, mammals, aquatic plants, insects, beetles, and nematodes, suggesting
that distribution patterns have prevailed since the late Pliocene (Blancan). Four biogeographic nodes were identified,
2 situated in North America, in California and Colorado, the third located in the Santa María Amajac area in central
Mexico, and the fourth located in Central America.