Conservation status of rodents of the families Geomyidae and Heteromyidae of Mexico

Abstract

Mexico is considered a mammal diversity hotspot, and most conservation efforts involving mammals focus on large and charismatic species. Herein, we provide an assessment of the conservation status of species that are often overlooked in conservation programs, Mexican rodents of the families Geomyidae (pocket gophers) and Heteromyidae (pocket mice and kangaroo rats). Based on distributional maps and recent systematic studies, a taxonomic and biogeographical distributional checklist was made. The conservation lists of the International Union for Conservation of Nature and the Mexican Secretaría de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales were used to identify 8 geomyid species, and 8 species and 27 subspecies of heteromyids as endangered. Major threats to their conservation are change in land use, destruction of habitat and a lack of knowledge about their current distribution and population trends.