Study of the diversity of medium and large terrestrial mammals through biological monitoring in the core zone of the Montaña de Comayagua National Park (PANACOMA), Honduras

Abstract

The study was conducted within the communities of Rio Blanco in the El Agrillal micro-watershed and in the community of El Horno in the Agua Escondida sector, located in the core zone of the Montaña de Comayagua National Park (PANACOMA). The objective was to identify and evaluate the diversity and distribution of medium and large terrestrial mammals at three altitudinal levels. Ten species belonging to nine families and five orders were recorded, including species such as Odocoileus virginianus, Leopardus wiedii, Nasua narica, Pecari tajacu, and Cuniculus paca, categorized as Vulnerable (VU) by the IUCN at the national level. The Shannon H=1.753 and Simpson 1-D=0.7867 indices reflect greater and more balanced diversity, with a slight dominance of species such as Odocoileus virginianus (37.50%), Nasua narica (25%), and Cuniculus paca (11.11%), which are relatively more abundant and species-rich at an altitude of 2,249 meters above sea level. These areas should be prioritized for the preservation of threatened fauna.