BIRD BIODIVERSITY INDEXES - ANALYSIS IN A MICROPHYLL DESERT SHRUB OF COAUHILA, MEXICO

Intraspecific (alpha) and interspecific (beta) diversity for birds of desert matorral in Cuatrocienegas Basin were estimated and compared. L ogarithmic series distribution was the index that best described the p attern of intraspecific diversity. On the basis of sample rarefaction and comparison of several indices, the ''a'' index of log. series and the H'(Shannon-Weiner) are recommended However, the a of log. series i s the preferred index on the basis of criteria such as discriminant ab ility among very similar sites (in terms of diversity) and low sensiti vity to sample size effect.