Fauna

El Triunfo Biosphere Reserve (REBITRI) is considered one of the Protected Natural Areas with more species of terrestrial vertebrates. These species represent the 24% at a national level and 47% statewide (Altamirano González-Ortega, 2007).

 

Invertebrates have been the less-studied group in the Reserve. In the Sierra Madre of Chiapas, 588 species of butterflies (Lepidoptera) have been registered, which correspond to 49% of those known in Chiapas (De la Maza y De la Maza, 1993).

 

With regard to aquatic vertebrates, there are six species of fishes belonging to the families Characidae, Cyprinodontidae, Cichlidae and Poeciliidae (Lozano & Contreras, 1987).

 

El Triunfo is home of 548 species of terrestrial vertebrates: 14 species of amphibians, 41 of reptiles, 381 of birds and 112 mammals which corresponds to 20% of all known mammals in the state of Chiapas. There are 18 endemic species, 11 to México, four endemic to Chiapas and three to the Sierra Madre (Espinoza et al., 1996). Among the endemic species of Chiapas, the Xolocalca Bromeliad Salamander (Dendrotriton xolocalcae) and the giant wren (Campylorhynchus chiapensis) stand out and live in the Reserve.

 

The National Committee for the North American Bird Conservation Initiative (NABCI-ICAAN) considers the REBITRI as one of the Important Bird Areas (IBA or AICA for its acronym in Spanish) because of the 49 priority and endemic species that live there (Endemic Bird Area, EBA-018).

 

The National Commission for Knowledge and Use of Biodiversity (CONABIO) has registered 360 species of birds in the Reserve, which correspond to 35% of birds recorded in Mexico, making it one of the Important Bird Areas nationally. Of these species, 80 are endangered (NOM-ECOL-059-2001) (Altamirano González-Ortega, 2007). Three of these are native to the highlands of Chiapas and Guatemala. There are also 13 species with a distribution range restricted to the upper parts of northern Central America, and one endemic to the coast of Chiapas. In addition, El Triunfo is refuge for 75 neotropical migratory birds.

 

This protected area concentrates a considerable range of distribution of Azure-rumped Tanager (Tangara cabanisi), and high populations of Horned Guan (Oreophasis derbianus), which are in danger of extinction. The Quetzal (Pharomachrus moccino), which is also endangered lives here, as well as other 13 species with restricted distribution. The Reserve also has the highest number of migratory birds throughout the Americas; also is considered an important area for the 36 priority species that spend the winter here. According to the project "Conservation and Habitat Management of Birds from El Triunfo Biosphere Reserve" 5,570 birds were registered in 2005 (Altamirano González-Ortega, 2007).

 

There are 106 species of birds for conservation interest, representing 26.9% of all birds recorded in the Reserve. There are also 13 sites with importance species for conservation, specifically on the Core Zone I El Triunfo and other important species are found in areas surrounding it (Altamirano González-Ortega, 2007).

 

According to the NOM-059-SEMARNAT 2001, in the Reserve there are 198 species in a risk category: seven amphibians, 14 reptiles, 103 birds and six mammals.

For all the above, El Triunfo Biosphere Reserve is a very important zone that needs to be conserved.