Conservation oriented activities of the research team have resulted in significant accumulation of information on the natural history, ecology, behavior and conservation status of the many mammal, bird and dung beetle species that have been the subject of investigations. Tangible results of such efforts are a total of 49 scientific publications produced between 2001 and 2005, including research articles in scientific journals, chapters in books, and books. While the majority of the information has been published in English, an effort has also been made to also publish some of it in Spanish.

During 2005, significant progress was made; gathering information on aspects of the ecology, behavior and conservation of populations of primates (howler and spider monkeys) as well as populations of bats and birds and of other mammals in Los Tuxtlas and in other sites in southeast Mexico. Regular monitoring populations of these animal groups at sites harboring different types of tropical forests will allow us to assess the consistency of responses by species assemblage to habitat fragmentation caused by human activities. At the same time, such efforts are providing new information on the current distribution, location and state of conservation of the animal populations of interest.

Equally important in the research activities supported by the SNF has been the training of local university students through their participation in the field projects and in the development of their undergraduate or graduate (M. Sci.) theses.

Each year, between 8-10 undergraduate and graduate students of biology are recruited for participation in these field projects. The support provided involves room, board and local transportation for the duration of their thesis field projects. Each of the projects focus on a specific aspect within our general program of research. Topics of thesis have ranged from basic population surveys, to basic ecological research (e.g. feeding ecology, seed dispersal), to population genetics using molecular techniques. It is important to mention that 90% of the students come from universities found in the southeastern states of Mexico. Many of the students have continued studying toward a higher degree or have joined educational or governmental environmental institutions as teachers or technicians in their natal states in southern Mexico.

For more information: http://www.primatesmx.com/inicioengl.htm