Biodiversity in Honduras: The Environment, Flora, Bats, Medium and Large-Sized Mammals, Birds, Freshwater Fishes, and the Amphibians and Reptiles

• Published in: Global Biodiversity Vol. 4; pp. 213 - 284
• Main Authors: McCranie, James R., Castañeda, Franklin E., Estrada, Nereyda, Ferrufino, Lilian, Germer, Daniel, Matamoros, Wilfredo, Sagastume-Espinoza, Kevin O.
• Format: Book Chapter
• Language: English
• Published: United Kingdom CRC Press 2019; Apple Academic Press, Incorporated
• Edition: 1
• Subjects: Cayos Cochinos; Caiman Yacare; Tapirus Terrestris; Puma Yagouaroundi; Pecari Tajacu; Freshwater Fish Fauna; Vascular Plants; Trichechus Manatus; Chortis Block; Tropical Dry Forest; vertebrate taxonomic groups; White Lipped Peccaries; Eira Barbara; Jaguar; threats; Panthera Onca; Families Characidae; Dasypus Novemcinctus
• ISBN: 1771887508; 9781771887502
• DOI: 10.1201/9780429433634-7

Honduras is one of seven political units comprising Central America. Honduras has several floral ecosystems, among the most important of which include: Humid Tropical Forest, Low Montane Forest, Tropical Dry Forest, with the last mentioned considered one of the most threatened ecosystems because of anthropogenic activities. Bats have a long ongoing history with humans in Honduras, even though it does not begin with modern science. Medium and large terrestrial mammals are probably the most significant group of species in terms of their cinegetic and cultural value for humans. An updated list of the bird’s Honduran territory as part of their geographical distribution, including breeding residents, migrants, or only infrequent visitors. The Honduran freshwater ecosystems are dominated by fish species in families with marine affinities. Honduras is notable among all of Central America in having a high level of endemic species of amphibians and reptiles, whereas the vascular plants and other more mobile groups treated above have low levels of endemism.