Mammals in Petroglyphs of the Mascota Valley, Mexico

• Published in: Mammalogy Notes
• Main Authors: Cupul-Magaña, Fabio G., Mountjoy, Joseph B.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: Spanish
• Published: Sociedad Colombiana de Mastozoología (SCMas) 2022
• Subjects: Canidae; Cervidae; Dasypodidae; Felidae; Procyonidae; Perro; Canis lupus
• Online Access: https://mammalogynotes.org/ojs/index.php/mn/article/view/308; https://doi.org/10.47603/mano.v8n1.308

The Mascota Valley is a region in central-western Mexico where 4,042 individual petroglyphs have been registered, of which approximately 305 have been generically named "animals". The glyphs date from 1 to 1,160 AD. Thirty-eight zoomorphic petroglyphs were selected to, based on their morphological features, identify the mammal species represented. At least, six species were inventoried: white-nosed coatiNasua narica, white-tailed deerOdocoileus virginianus, feline footprints (pumaPuma concoloror jaguarPanthera oncafootprints), coyoteCanis latrans, domestic dogCanis lupus familiaris, gray foxUrocyon cinereoargenteus, and nine-banded armadilloDasypus novemcinctus. The ethnographic significance of mammals represented in Mascota valley rock art is commented on (preys ítems, deities, as a part of rites). Likewise, some petroglyphs probably represent specific events of behavior and the natural history of mammals of the region. El valle de Mascota es una región del centro occidente de México, donde se han registrado 4.042 petroglifos individuales, de los que aproximadamente 305 han sido denominados genéricamente como “animales”. Los glifos datan del año 1 al 1.600 d.C. Se seleccionaron 38 petroglifos zoomorfos para, con base en sus características morfológicas, identificar las especies de mamíferos representadas. Se inventariaron al menos seis especies: coatí Nasua narica, venado cola blanca Odocoileus virginianus, felino (huellas de puma Puma concolor o jaguar Panthera onca), coyote Canis latrans, perro doméstico Canis lupus familiaris, zorra gris Urocyon cinereoargenteus y armadillo de nueve bandas Dasypus novemcinctus. Se comenta el significado etnográfico de los mamíferos representados en el arte rupestre del valle de Mascota (presas, deidades, como parte de ritos). Asimismo, algunos petroglifos probablemente representen eventos específicos de comportamiento e historia natural de los mamíferos de la región.