DOCSLIB.ORG

The Members of the Committee Approve the Dissertation of Douglas Allen Keinath Presented on May 5, 2015

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text

Load more

To the University of Wyoming: The members of the Committee approve the dissertation of Douglas Allen Keinath presented on May 5, 2015. Matthew J. Kauffman, Co-Chairperson Daniel F. Doak, Co-Chairperson Gary P. Beauvais Jacob R. Goheen Daniel B. Tinker APPROVED: Robert O. Hall, Jr., Program in Ecology Angela L. Hild, Office of Academic Affairs Keinath, Douglas Allen. Evaluating the Vulnerability of Wyoming’s Wildlife to Habitat Disturbance, Ph.D., Program in Ecology, May 2015. 1 EVALUATING THE VULNERABILITY OF WYOMING’S WILDLIFE TO HABITAT DISTURBANCE By Douglas Allen Keinath A dissertation submitted to the University of Wyoming In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY In ECOLOGY Laramie, Wyoming May 2015 UMI Number: 3712512 All rights reserved INFORMATION TO ALL USERS The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. In the unlikely event that the author did not send a complete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. UMI 3712512 Published by ProQuest LLC (2015). Copyright in the Dissertation held by the Author. Microform Edition © ProQuest LLC. All rights reserved. This work is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code ProQuest LLC. 789 East Eisenhower Parkway P.O. Box 1346 Ann Arbor, MI 48106 - 1346 Copyright page ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS My heartfelt gratitude goes out to my wonderful wife, Richelle, who loved and supported me throughout the trying academic process. Special thanks to the Keinath pets, Daisy, Bodhi and Rio, who provided unconditional furry love on demand, helping kept me sane even when times were stressful. Thanks also to my family and the members of The Laramie Tribe for their moral support. I acknowledge my graduate committee for their thoughtful input throughout my graduate studies. Several illustrious students helped with data collection, particularly Neomi Rao, Rachel Eberius, Benjamin Oh, Zoe Aarons, Annie Munn, Leah Yandow and Hunter McFarland, and Anthony Jackson Marr. Many thanks go to all the generous authors who provided me with data from their field surveys (Appendix S2); the results of Chapter 3 would not have been possible without their efforts and great commitment to the advancement of scientific knowledge. Thanks to Ackbar Joolia (IUCN) for providing data on species geographic ranges. I would further like to acknowledge contributors to BirdLife International’s IUCN Red List assessments, from which most avian life history data were drawn. This dissertation was improved by the support and thoughtful reviews of members of a University of Wyoming science writing class. Members of the Doak Lab and Kauffman Labs provided invaluable advice and moral support, particularly my academic sister, Reilly Dibner. This work was supported by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, US Geological Survey (Wyoming Landscape Conservation Initiative), Natural Resources Conservation Service Sage Grouse Initiative, and Mayer and Morris Kaplan Family Foundation. I thank Wyoming wildlife experts for input and review of maps and models, with special thanks to Gary Beauvais, Pat Ortegon, Amanda Larson, Alex Buerkle, Jeffrey Evans, Dean Stilwell, and staff of the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the Wyoming Natural Diversity Database (WYNDD), and the Wyoming Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit. Unless specified, photos used herein are copyrighted by the photographers and are used here with permission. Photographers are as follows: house mouse, Klaus Rudloff (www.biolib.cz, [email protected], Kazakstan); Costa's Hummingbird, Jon Sullivan (public domain); wood frog, J. D. Wilson (www.discoverlife.org); southern brown bandicoot, John Chapman (www.chappo1.com); Bearded Tree-quail, Alberto Lobato (ibc.lynxeds.com); Abbott’s duiker, Andrew Bowkett (www.arkive.org); Barker's Anole, Jonathan Losos (www.anoleannals.org). All data and models referenced herein are available from the Wyoming Natural Diversity Database (http://www.uwyo.edu/wyndd/index.html); requests should reference the Assessment of Wildlife Vulnerability to Energy Development project. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................................... 1 Literature Cited ........................................................................................................................... 3 Figures ......................................................................................................................................... 5 CHAPTER ONE – Mapping the distribution of Wyoming’s Species of Greatest Conservation Need ................................................................................................................................................ 6 Abstract: . .................................................................................................................................... 6 Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 6 Methods ....................................................................................................................................... 7 Occurrence Data. ................................................................................................................................... 7 Environmental Data. ........................................................................................................................... 10 Model Generation. .............................................................................................................................. 11 Model Validation. ............................................................................................................................... 13 Results ....................................................................................................................................... 16 Discussion ................................................................................................................................. 17 Literature Cited ......................................................................................................................... 19 Figures and Tables .................................................................................................................... 25 CHAPTER TWO – Estimating exposure of wildlife to energy development in the face of rapidly expanding production.................................................................................................................... 31 Abstract. .................................................................................................................................... 31 Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 32 Methods ..................................................................................................................................... 34 Focal Landscape. ................................................................................................................................. 34 Energy Footprint. ................................................................................................................................ 35 Species Distributions. ......................................................................................................................... 37 Estimating Exposure to Development. ................................................................................................ 39 Results ....................................................................................................................................... 40 Discussion ................................................................................................................................. 41 Literature Cited ......................................................................................................................... 45 Figures and Tables .................................................................................................................... 52 iv CHAPTER THREE – A global analysis of species sensitivity to habitat disturbance using local data ................................................................................................................................................ 60 Abstract. .................................................................................................................................... 60 Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 61 Methods ..................................................................................................................................... 64 Scope and Data. .................................................................................................................................. 64 Analysis............................................................................................................................................... 65 Results ....................................................................................................................................... 68 Discussion ................................................................................................................................
Recommended publications
  • Sex-Specific Patterns in Body Mass and Mating System in the Siberian Flying Squirrel Vesa Selonen1*, Ralf Wistbacka2 and Andrea Santangeli3

    Sex-Specific Patterns in Body Mass and Mating System in the Siberian Flying Squirrel Vesa Selonen1*, Ralf Wistbacka2 and Andrea Santangeli3

    Selonen et al. BMC Zoology (2016) 1:9 DOI 10.1186/s40850-016-0009-3 BMC Zoology RESEARCHARTICLE Open Access Sex-specific patterns in body mass and mating system in the Siberian flying squirrel Vesa Selonen1*, Ralf Wistbacka2 and Andrea Santangeli3 Abstract Background: Reproductive strategies and evolutionary pressures differ between males and females. This often results in size differences between the sexes, and also in sex-specific seasonal variation in body mass. Seasonal variation in body mass is also affected by other factors, such as weather. Studies on sex-specific body mass patterns may contribute to better understand the mating system of a species. Here we quantify patterns underlying sex-specific body mass variation using a long-term dataset on body mass in the Siberian flying squirrel, Pteromys volans. Results: We show that female flying squirrels were larger than males based on body mass and other body measures. Males had lowest body mass after the breeding season, whereas female body mass was more constant between seasons, when the pregnancy period was excluded. Male body mass did not increase before the mating season, despite the general pattern that males with higher body mass are usually dominant in squirrel species. Seasonal body mass variation was linked to weather factors, but this relationship was not straightforward to interpret, and did not clearly affect the trend in body mass observed over the 22 years of study. Conclusions: Our study supports the view that arboreal squirrels often deviate from the general pattern found in mammals for larger males than females. The mating system seems to be the main driver of sex-specific seasonal body mass variation in flying squirrels, and conflicting selective pressure may occur for males to have low body mass to facilitate gliding versus high body mass to facilitate dominance.
  • Florida State University Libraries

    Florida State University Libraries

    )ORULGD6WDWH8QLYHUVLW\/LEUDULHV 2018 Using a Call-Response Occupancy Survey with Brown-headed Nuthatches (Sitta pusilla) to Evaluate the Biological Species Concept Heather Levy Follow this and additional works at DigiNole: FSU's Digital Repository. For more information, please contact [email protected] THE FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCES USING A CALL-REPONSE OCCUPANCY SURVEY WITH BROWN-HEADED NUTHATCHES (SITTA PUSILLA) TO EVALUATE THE BIOLOGICAL SPECIES CONCEPT By HEATHER LEVY A Thesis submitted to the Department of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences in partial fulfillment of the requirements for graduation with Honors in the Major Degree Awarded: Spring 2018 ! Heather Levy FSU EAOS Honors Thesis Using a Call-Response Occupancy Survey with Brown-headed Nuthatches (Sitta pusilla) to Evaluate the Biological Species Concept Abstract The status of the endangered Bahama Nuthatch (Sitta insularis) as an independent species is being debated. The Bahama Nuthatch currently is listed as a subspecies of the Brown-headed Nuthatch (Sitta pusilla), even though the two differ in morphology, song, genetic characteristics, and range. According to the biological species concept, if two populations of the same species are unable to vocally recognize one another, then the two populations would not be able to interbreed, inferring two distinct species. Birds generally react more aggressively to vocalizations of conspecifics, or of the same species, than those of non-predatory heterospecifics, or of a different species, because two members of one species are in closer competition for mates, resources, and territories. In this study, I used a call-response occupancy survey at St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge to determine if using playback increased detection probabilities of Brown-headed Nuthatches.
  • Xenosaurus Tzacualtipantecus. the Zacualtipán Knob-Scaled Lizard Is Endemic to the Sierra Madre Oriental of Eastern Mexico

    Xenosaurus Tzacualtipantecus. the Zacualtipán Knob-Scaled Lizard Is Endemic to the Sierra Madre Oriental of Eastern Mexico

    Xenosaurus tzacualtipantecus. The Zacualtipán knob-scaled lizard is endemic to the Sierra Madre Oriental of eastern Mexico. This medium-large lizard (female holotype measures 188 mm in total length) is known only from the vicinity of the type locality in eastern Hidalgo, at an elevation of 1,900 m in pine-oak forest, and a nearby locality at 2,000 m in northern Veracruz (Woolrich- Piña and Smith 2012). Xenosaurus tzacualtipantecus is thought to belong to the northern clade of the genus, which also contains X. newmanorum and X. platyceps (Bhullar 2011). As with its congeners, X. tzacualtipantecus is an inhabitant of crevices in limestone rocks. This species consumes beetles and lepidopteran larvae and gives birth to living young. The habitat of this lizard in the vicinity of the type locality is being deforested, and people in nearby towns have created an open garbage dump in this area. We determined its EVS as 17, in the middle of the high vulnerability category (see text for explanation), and its status by the IUCN and SEMAR- NAT presently are undetermined. This newly described endemic species is one of nine known species in the monogeneric family Xenosauridae, which is endemic to northern Mesoamerica (Mexico from Tamaulipas to Chiapas and into the montane portions of Alta Verapaz, Guatemala). All but one of these nine species is endemic to Mexico. Photo by Christian Berriozabal-Islas. amphibian-reptile-conservation.org 01 June 2013 | Volume 7 | Number 1 | e61 Copyright: © 2013 Wilson et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Com- mons Attribution–NonCommercial–NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License, which permits unrestricted use for non-com- Amphibian & Reptile Conservation 7(1): 1–47.
  • Mountain Plover Responses to Plague in Montana Stephen J

    Mountain Plover Responses to Plague in Montana Stephen J

    Natural Resource Ecology and Management Natural Resource Ecology and Management Publications 2-2010 Mountain Plover Responses to Plague in Montana Stephen J. Dinsmore Iowa State University, [email protected] Mark D. Smith Auburn University Main Campus Follow this and additional works at: http://lib.dr.iastate.edu/nrem_pubs Part of the Animal Diseases Commons, Natural Resources Management and Policy Commons, and the Ornithology Commons The ompc lete bibliographic information for this item can be found at http://lib.dr.iastate.edu/ nrem_pubs/35. For information on how to cite this item, please visit http://lib.dr.iastate.edu/ howtocite.html. This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Natural Resource Ecology and Management at Iowa State University Digital Repository. It has been accepted for inclusion in Natural Resource Ecology and Management Publications by an authorized administrator of Iowa State University Digital Repository. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Mountain Plover Responses to Plague in Montana Abstract Plague is a bacterial (Yersinia pestis) disease that causes epizootic die-offs in black-tailed prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) populations in the North American Great Plains. Through their grazing and burrowing, prairie dogs modify vegetation and landscape structure on their colonies in ways that affect other grassland species. Plague epizootics on prairie dog colonies can have indirect effects on species associated with colonies. The mountain plover (Charadrius montanus) preferentially nests on black-tailed prairie dog colonies and is thus negatively impacted by the loss of prairie dogs. We studied the effects of plague and colony spatial characteristics on the occupancy of 81 prairie dog colonies by nesting plovers in Phillips County, Montana, during a 13-year period (1995–2007).
  • Using Structured Decision Making to Prioritize Species Assemblages for Conservation T ⁎ Adam W

    Using Structured Decision Making to Prioritize Species Assemblages for Conservation T ⁎ Adam W

    Journal for Nature Conservation 45 (2018) 48–57 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Journal for Nature Conservation journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/jnc Using Structured Decision Making to prioritize species assemblages for conservation T ⁎ Adam W. Greena, , Maureen D. Corrella, T. Luke Georgea, Ian Davidsonb, Seth Gallagherc, Chris Westc, Annamarie Lopatab, Daniel Caseyd, Kevin Ellisone, David C. Pavlacky Jr.a, Laura Quattrinia, Allison E. Shawa, Erin H. Strassera, Tammy VerCauterena, Arvind O. Panjabia a Bird Conservancy of the Rockies, 230 Cherry St., Suite 150, Fort Collins, CO, 80521, USA b National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, 1133 15th St NW #1100, Washington, DC, 20005, USA c National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, 44 Cook St, Suite 100, Denver, CO, 80206, USA d Northern Great Plains Joint Venture, 3302 4th Ave. N, Billings, MT, 59101, USA e World Wildlife Fund, Northern Great Plains Program, 13 S. Willson Ave., Bozeman, MT, 59715, USA ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT Keywords: Species prioritization efforts are a common strategy implemented to efficiently and effectively apply con- Conservation planning servation efforts and allocate resources to address global declines in biodiversity. These structured processes help Grasslands identify species that best represent the entire species community; however, these methods are often subjective Priority species and focus on a limited number of species characteristics. We developed an objective, transparent approach using Prioritization a Structured Decision Making (SDM) framework to identify a group of grassland bird species on which to focus Structured decision making conservation efforts that considers biological, social, and logistical criteria in the Northern Great Plains of North America. The process quantified these criteria to ensure representation of a variety of species and habitats and included the relative value of each criterion to the working group.
  • A Checklist and Distribution Maps of the Amphibians and Reptiles of South Dakota

    A Checklist and Distribution Maps of the Amphibians and Reptiles of South Dakota

    University of Nebraska - Lincoln DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln Transactions of the Nebraska Academy of Sciences and Affiliated Societies Nebraska Academy of Sciences 2000 A Checklist and Distribution Maps of the Amphibians and Reptiles of South Dakota Royce E. Ballinger University of Nebraska - Lincoln, [email protected] Justin W. Meeker University of Nebraska-Lincoln Marcus Thies University of Nebraska-Lincoln Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/tnas Part of the Life Sciences Commons Ballinger, Royce E.; Meeker, Justin W.; and Thies, Marcus, "A Checklist and Distribution Maps of the Amphibians and Reptiles of South Dakota" (2000). Transactions of the Nebraska Academy of Sciences and Affiliated Societies. 49. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/tnas/49 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Nebraska Academy of Sciences at DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. It has been accepted for inclusion in Transactions of the Nebraska Academy of Sciences and Affiliated Societiesy b an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. 2000. Transactions of the Nebraska Academy of Sciences, 26: 29-46 A CHECKLIST AND DISTRIBUTION MAPS OF THE AMPmBIANS AND REPTILES OF SOUTH DAKOTA Royce E. Ballinger, Justin W. Meeker, and Marcus Thies School of Biological Sciences University of Nebraska-Lincoln Lincoln, Nebraska 68588-0118 rballinger1 @ unl.edu lent treatise on the distribution and ecology of the ABSTRACT turtles of the state in an unpublished dissertation. Fourteen species of amphibians and 30 species of reptiles Several other authors (Dunlap 1963, 1967, O'Roke 1926, are documented from South Dakota, based on the examina­ Peterson 1974, Smith 1963a, 1963b, 1966, Underhill tion of 7,361 museum specimen records.
  • PPCO Twist System

    PPCO Twist System

    A Brown-headed Nuthatch brings food to the nest. Color-coded leg bands enable the authors and their colleagues to discern the curious and potentially complex relationships among the various individuals at Tall Timbers Research Station on the Florida–Georgia line. Photo by © Tara Tanaka. photos by Tara Tanaka Tallahassee, Florida [email protected] 46 BIRDING • FEBRUARY 2016 arblers are gorgeous, jays boisterous, and sparrows elusive, Wbut words like “cute” and “adorable” come to mind when the conversation shifts to Brown-headed Nuthatches. The word “cute” doesn’t appear in the scientifc literature regularly, but science may help to explain its frequent association with nuthatch- es. The large heads and small bodies nuthatches possess have propor- tions similar to those found on young children. Psychologists have found that these proportions conjure up “innate attractive” respons- es among adult humans even when the proportions fall on strange objects (Little 2012). This range-restricted nuthatch associated with southeastern pine- woods has undergone steep declines in recent decades and is listed as a species of special concern in most states in which it breeds (Cox and Widener 2008). The population restricted to Grand Bahama Island appears to be critically endangered (Hayes et al. 2004). Add to these concerns some intriguing biology that includes helpers at the nest, communal winter roosts, seed caching, social grooming, and the use of tools, and you have some scintillating science all bound up in one “cute” and “adorable” package. James
  • Merging Science and Management in a Rapidly Changing World: Biodiversity and Management of the Madrean (Q

    Merging Science and Management in a Rapidly Changing World: Biodiversity and Management of the Madrean (Q

    Preliminary Assessment of Species Richness and Avian Community Dynamics in the Madrean Sky Islands, Arizona Jamie S. Sanderlin, William M. Block, Joseph L. Ganey, and Jose M. Iniguez U.S. Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Flagstaff, Arizona Abstract—The Sky Island mountain ranges of southeastern Arizona contain a unique and rich avifaunal community, including many Neotropical migratory species whose northern breeding range extends to these mountains along with many species typical of similar habitats throughout western North America. Understand- ing ecological factors that influence species richness and biological diversity of both resident and migratory species is important for conservation of this unique bird assemblage. We used a 5-year data set to evaluate avian species distribution across montane habitat types within the Santa Rita, Santa Catalina, Huachuca, Chiricahua, and Pinaleño Mountains. Using point-count data from spring-summer breeding seasons, we de- scribe avian diversity and community dynamics. We use a Bayesian hierarchical model to describe occupancy as a function of vegetative cover type and mountain range latitude, and detection probability as a function of species heterogeneity and sampling effort. By identifying important habitat correlates for avian species, these results can help guide management decisions to minimize loss of key habitats and guide restoration efforts in response to disturbance events in the Madrean Archipelago. Introduction We studied occupancy and cover type associations of forest birds across montane vegetative cover types in the Santa Rita, Santa The Sky Island mountain ranges of southeastern Arizona, USA, Catalina, Huachuca, Chiricahua, and Pinaleño Mountains of south- contain a unique and rich avifaunal community.
  • Controlled Animals

    Controlled Animals

    Environment and Sustainable Resource Development Fish and Wildlife Policy Division Controlled Animals Wildlife Regulation, Schedule 5, Part 1-4: Controlled Animals Subject to the Wildlife Act, a person must not be in possession of a wildlife or controlled animal unless authorized by a permit to do so, the animal was lawfully acquired, was lawfully exported from a jurisdiction outside of Alberta and was lawfully imported into Alberta. NOTES: 1 Animals listed in this Schedule, as a general rule, are described in the left hand column by reference to common or descriptive names and in the right hand column by reference to scientific names. But, in the event of any conflict as to the kind of animals that are listed, a scientific name in the right hand column prevails over the corresponding common or descriptive name in the left hand column. 2 Also included in this Schedule is any animal that is the hybrid offspring resulting from the crossing, whether before or after the commencement of this Schedule, of 2 animals at least one of which is or was an animal of a kind that is a controlled animal by virtue of this Schedule. 3 This Schedule excludes all wildlife animals, and therefore if a wildlife animal would, but for this Note, be included in this Schedule, it is hereby excluded from being a controlled animal. Part 1 Mammals (Class Mammalia) 1. AMERICAN OPOSSUMS (Family Didelphidae) Virginia Opossum Didelphis virginiana 2. SHREWS (Family Soricidae) Long-tailed Shrews Genus Sorex Arboreal Brown-toothed Shrew Episoriculus macrurus North American Least Shrew Cryptotis parva Old World Water Shrews Genus Neomys Ussuri White-toothed Shrew Crocidura lasiura Greater White-toothed Shrew Crocidura russula Siberian Shrew Crocidura sibirica Piebald Shrew Diplomesodon pulchellum 3.
  • L O U I S I a N A

    L O U I S I a N A

    L O U I S I A N A SPARROWS L O U I S I A N A SPARROWS Written by Bill Fontenot and Richard DeMay Photography by Greg Lavaty and Richard DeMay Designed and Illustrated by Diane K. Baker What is a Sparrow? Generally, sparrows are characterized as New World sparrows belong to the bird small, gray or brown-streaked, conical-billed family Emberizidae. Here in North America, birds that live on or near the ground. The sparrows are divided into 13 genera, which also cryptic blend of gray, white, black, and brown includes the towhees (genus Pipilo), longspurs hues which comprise a typical sparrow’s color (genus Calcarius), juncos (genus Junco), and pattern is the result of tens of thousands of Lark Bunting (genus Calamospiza) – all of sparrow generations living in grassland and which are technically sparrows. Emberizidae is brushland habitats. The triangular or cone- a large family, containing well over 300 species shaped bills inherent to most all sparrow species are perfectly adapted for a life of granivory – of crushing and husking seeds. “Of Louisiana’s 33 recorded sparrows, Sparrows possess well-developed claws on their toes, the evolutionary result of so much time spent on the ground, scratching for seeds only seven species breed here...” through leaf litter and other duff. Additionally, worldwide, 50 of which occur in the United most species incorporate a substantial amount States on a regular basis, and 33 of which have of insect, spider, snail, and other invertebrate been recorded for Louisiana. food items into their diets, especially during Of Louisiana’s 33 recorded sparrows, Opposite page: Bachman Sparrow the spring and summer months.
  • Mountain Plover Questions and Answers February 1999

    Mountain Plover Questions and Answers February 1999

    Mountain Plover Questions and Answers February 1999 1. What does the recent proposal to list the mountain plover as a threatened species mean? The proposal means that the Fish and Wildlife Service, after thoroughly examining the best scientific information available, believes that the mountain plover is likely to become endangered in the foreseeable future throughout all or a significant portion of its range unless actions are taken now to reverse the decline in population. While there is not an immediate threat of extinction, several factors were identified that may have caused the decline, and which are likely to continue in the future. Unless these problems are solved, the mountain plover is likely to disappear at some currently occupied sites, which could increase the likelihood of extinction throughout its range. 2. What is the difference between a threatened and an endangered species listing? By definition, an endangered species is one that is in immediate danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range; a threatened species is one that is likely to become endangered within the foreseeable future throughout all or a portion of its range. Protections under the Act are generally the same for threatened and endangered species. However, for threatened species, special rules can be developed which allow for greater flexibility in land use. 3. Why is the mountain plover important? Like canaries in coal mines, the mountain plover and other native species are indicators of the health of native prairies. The decline of the mountain plover and its habitat is an early warning that the replacement of many native grasslands with urban development, as well as some specific grazing and farming practices, are hindering the survival of the short-grass prairie.
  • Review Article Distribution and Conservation Status of Amphibian

    Review Article Distribution and Conservation Status of Amphibian

    Mongabay.com Open Access Journal - Tropical Conservation Science Vol.7 (1):1-25 2014 Review Article Distribution and conservation status of amphibian and reptile species in the Lacandona rainforest, Mexico: an update after 20 years of research Omar Hernández-Ordóñez1, 2, *, Miguel Martínez-Ramos2, Víctor Arroyo-Rodríguez2, Adriana González-Hernández3, Arturo González-Zamora4, Diego A. Zárate2 and, Víctor Hugo Reynoso3 1Posgrado en Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México; Av. Universidad 3000, C.P. 04360, Coyoacán, Mexico City, Mexico. 2 Centro de Investigaciones en Ecosistemas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Antigua Carretera a Pátzcuaro No. 8701, Ex Hacienda de San José de la Huerta, 58190 Morelia, Michoacán, Mexico. 3Departamento de Zoología, Instituto de Biología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 04510, Mexico City, Mexico. 4División de Posgrado, Instituto de Ecología A.C. Km. 2.5 Camino antiguo a Coatepec No. 351, Xalapa 91070, Veracruz, Mexico. * Corresponding author: Omar Hernández Ordóñez, email: [email protected] Abstract Mexico has one of the richest tropical forests, but is also one of the most deforested in Mesoamerica. Species lists updates and accurate information on the geographic distribution of species are necessary for baseline studies in ecology and conservation of these sites. Here, we present an updated list of the diversity of amphibians and reptiles in the Lacandona region, and actualized information on their distribution and conservation status. Although some studies have discussed the amphibians and reptiles of the Lacandona, most herpetological lists came from the northern part of the region, and there are no confirmed records for many of the species assumed to live in the region.