Evaluation of the herpetofauna of the Tinalandia nature reserve.

Authors

  • Luis Muñiz University of Guayaquil
  • Jorge Ortega University of Guayaquil
  • David Almeida University of Guayaquil
  • José Franco University of Guayaquil
  • Estefanía Acosta University of Guayaquil
  • Mario Yánez Muñoz University of Guayaquil

Keywords:

tropical rainforest, herpetofauna, transects, diversity, vulnerable species

Abstract

In the present work, the herpetofauna of the Tinalandia Rainforest Reserve was evaluated. The method used was transects in seven sampling sites, 200 m long and 800m2 per site, with 40 hours of sampling/person/day. Of the total 409 observed, 84 organisms were collected, 70 amphibians grouped in 3 Orders, 13 Families and 25 Species; 14 reptiles (saurians) grouped in 6 Families with 8 species; for snakes only I family with 3 species. Amphibians are represented by 6 families of anurans: Hylidae with 4 species, representing 16%; Brachycephalidae with 3 species, 12%; Bufonidae, Leptodactilidae and Dendrobatidae with 2 species each, 8%; and, Ranidae with only one species, 4%. Reptiles are represented by 7 families: Polychrotidae with 3 species, 12%; Hoplocercidae, Gymnotalmidae, Gekkonidae, Corytophanidae, Teiidae with one species each with 4%, all representing the Order Sauria with 32%; and the Family Colubridae with 3 species, with 12% for Ophidia.The Diversity (Shannon) is 2.17 bits, which represents an ecosystem with a low value, which is the answer for the marked dominance of 4 species that represent 8 l. 70 % of the sample: Lithobates sp with pi 0.284; Hypsiboas rosemberg with Pi 0.208; Eleutherodactylus achatinus with pi O, 176; and, Hypsiboas pellucens with a pi 0.149. There is an endemism of 64% for the registered species. There are 10 new species records for the area. The most outstanding is the second record for Ecuador of the species Epipedobates espinosai. In general, the conservation status of the herpetofauna of RNT is stable, only one species recorded in a vulnerable category (VU) (Hyloxalus awa). The wetland habitat has the most abundant species.

Published

2009-11-30

Issue

Section

Artículos

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