Abstract

The Atlas of Mammals of Portugal compiles the most up-to-date and finest-resolution distribution database of Portuguese terrestrial and marine mammals (except bats) across the country (mainland and islands) and its Exclusive Economic Zone. The inclusion of marine mammals, which are often left out of mammal atlases, is of particular relevance in this work, especially given the large extent of the Exclusive Economic Zone of Portugal, which covers a substantial portion of the Eastern North Atlantic. This atlas was developed as part of a research project on vertebrate biogeography in the Iberian Peninsula and Western Europe, and it resulted from a combination of efforts of numerous individuals and entities. Its preparation consisted in the compilation of an unprecedented volume of mammal occurrence records in our country, whose subsequent selection was based on rigorous methods and validation procedures, according to international standards. In this article, we present a brief description of the background that motivated the elaboration of this atlas, the methodology used, the main results of this work, and its limitations. The Atlas of Mammals of Portugal has great potential to become an essential tool for better evaluation of the conservation status of mammal species in Portugal and, consequently, for improving their conservation and management in this country. We also make a call for additional contributions of mammal occurrence data, which can be included in subsequent editions of the Atlas.