Abstract

MACIP-RIOS, Rodrigo; LOPEZ-ALCAIDE, Saúl  and  MUNOZ-ALONSO, Antonio. Abundance, habitat, microhabitat use, and time of activity of Ameiva undulata (Squamata: Teidae) in a fragmented landscape in the Chiapas Soconusco. Rev. Mex. Biodiv. [online]. 2013, vol.84, n.2, pp.622-629. ISSN 2007-8706.  https://doi.org/10.7550/rmb.31752.

The transformation of complex native habitats through simpler and managed habitats like crops or grasslands implies a direct effect on species abundance. Agrosystems like diversified shade coffee crops (commonly named rustic cafetales) have been described as suitable habitats or refuge for many vertebrate species, which enhance or increase abundance of some vertebrate species. From November 2000 to April 2002 we evaluated monthly abundance, habitat use, microhabitat use, and time of activity along the day in the teiid lizard Ameiva undulata. The study was conducted in a landscape composed by coffee crops, gallery forests, and native forest in the Chiapas Soconusco. The highest record of abundance by month was recorded in February. Most lizards were observed in diversified shade coffee crops, associated to leaf litter. Along the day, the highest activity reported was from 11:00 to 12:00 h, followed by an activity decline through 18:00 h. Our results indicated that A. undulata showed higher abundance in habitats with middle sun radiation and middle perturbation and is poor represented in native habitats like cloud forest and rain forest, or in the more disturbed habitats like grasslands.

Keywords : diversified coffee crops; leaf-litter; abundance; Mexico.

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