Taxonomy, Diversity, and Abundance of the Genera Liolaemus and Proctoporus (Reptilia: Squamata) in the Area of Influence of the PERU LNG Pipeline
Taxonomy, Diversity, and Abundance of the Genera Liolaemus and Proctoporus (Reptilia: Squamata) in the Area of Influence of the PERU LNG Pipeline Roberto C. Gutiérrez*, Juan C. Chaparro, Meylin Y. Vásquez, Aarón J. Quiroz, and Robert P. Langstroth ABSTRACT. Liolaemus and Proctoporus lizards present information on the taxonomy of Liolaemus are among the most abundant vertebrates in the and Proctoporus, provide brief descriptions of the high Andean ecosystem. Reduced dispersal abili- morphospecies, and give a field identification key for ties, restriction to specific habitats, and sensitivity all the lizards found in the PERU LNG gas pipeline to postdisturbance habitat modifications make these area of influence. genera good indicators to detect anthropogenic ac- tivities. We determine the distribution and abundance KEY WORDS. Liolaemus, Proctoporus, Squamata, of Liolaemus and Proctoporus lizards in the area of PERU LNG pipeline, habitat use, indicator, taxonomy. influence of the PERU LNG pipeline, and charac- terize their habitat use over three sampling periods: austral winter (June–July 2010), late austral spring Introduction (November–December 2010), and austral autumn (April–May 2011). The study included 15 locations Lizards of the genera Liolaemus (Squamata: Li- distributed across seven ecological landscape units olaemidae) and Proctoporus (Squamata: Gymnoph- (1–4, 6, 9, and 10) and three vegetation formations: thalmidae) are among the most abundant vertebrates degraded montane forest, puna sward- forming grass- in the high Andean ecosystem (Sinsch, 1986). Re- land, and puna tussock grassland. The sampling de- duced dispersal abilities (Lannoo, 1998), restriction sign includes two standard methodologies, parcels to specific habitats, and sensitivity to postdisturbance and visual encounter survey (VES) transects, all of habitat modifications make many genera of the order which were georeferenced.
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