DIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION STATUS OF REPTILES ASSOCIATED WITH TWO RIPARIAN ECOSYSTEMS OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF HUIMANGUILLO, TABASCO, MEXICO

Abstract

Background. Riparian environments offer microhabitats that can serve as development sites and pathways for various reptile species, however, these species are threatened by habitat loss, illegal trafficking, use and persecution by the man, among others. Objective. To analyze the diversity and conservation status of the reptile community associated with two riparian ecosystems in the state of Tabasco. Methodology. The study was carried out on the banks of the stream of the Villa de Guadalupe ejido located within the Agua Selva Ecotourism complex in the municipality of Huimanguillo, Tabasco, Mexico. For the registration of individuals, ten band transects were established on the margins of the stream 100 m long by 10 m wide, separated by 25 m between them, five transects located in primary vegetation (VP) and five in secondary vegetation (VS), which were sampled monthly during a year with the method of visual encounters (VES), conducting day and night tours. Results. A total of 391 individuals of 25 species were recorded, of which 13 were lizards and 12 were snakes. The species Tantilla rubra, Geophis carinosus and Lepidophyma tuxtlae are new records for the state of Tabasco. The diversity index (1D) showed that the lizards were more diverse in VP than in VS (5.16 and 3.59), contrasting with snakes that were more diverse in VS than in VP (6.15 and 4.41). In addition, it was determined that 36% of reptiles are within some category of protection according to NOM-05SEMARNAT-2010 and 92% in categories of the IUCN and EVS. Implications. The results of this research highlight the importance of riparian ecosystems in the protection and maintenance of reptiles, in the same way it is suggested to use the EVS as a complementary method to evaluate the conservation status of species and enrich the information provided by NOM 059-SEMARNAT-2010 and the IUCN.