Witnessing the Colonization of a Biodiversity Stronghold by Coyotes Using Local People’s Knowledge

Background/Research Aims: The range of the coyote ( Canis latrans ) has expanded towards southeastern Mexico, including the Calakmul biodiversity hotspot, making a fine-scale understanding of this colonization essential. This study approaches coyote colonization as a socioecological process, integrating patterns of species colonization with local ecological knowledge (LEK). Here, we aimed to assess (1) the spatio-temporal dynamics of coyote colonization in Calakmul, and (2) the characteristics of LEK about coyotes in the region. Methods: We conducted two large-scale surveys. One documented direct experience with coyotes (e.g. sightings, predation), involving 272 participants from 30 communities. The other documented LEK among 461 participants from 17 communities with and without coyotes present. Results: In the first survey, participants reported 365 dated coyote-related experiences, which we grouped into four 10-year periods, from 1984 to 2023. These data suggested a colonization process that accelerated, especially during the last decade. In the second survey, 88% of participants reported knowing about coyotes, independently of the species’ colonization status in their community. Notably, 38% of participants acquired their knowledge outside of Calakmul, primarily through migration, highlighting the translocal nature of their knowledge. Our findings suggest that coyote colonization and LEK development progressed in parallel, though not always synchronously, across space and time. Conclusion: This socioecological study contributes to a better understanding of coyote colonization in a forested tropical landscape. LEK allowed us to document the nonlinear pattern of coyote range expansion in the Calakmul region. The study also demonstrated that LEK is not static, but instead reflects ongoing social and ecological changes. Implications for Conservation: Early detection of coyotes is essential for understanding their interactions with ecosystems and human activities, and for managing the species. As a first step, we recommend that the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve collaborate with local communities to develop a community-based monitoring strategy.