Geographic distribution and habitat use of Lepidoblepharis miyatai (Squamata: Sphaerodactylidae), with comments on the taxonomic status of the genus in northern Colombia

Authors

  • Andrés Camilo Montes-Correa Universidad del Magdalena, Flora y Ecosistemas Estratégicos Neotropicales (MIKU), Grupo de Investigación en Manejo y Conservación de Fauna
  • Juan David Jiménez-Bolaño Universidad del Magdalena, Flora y Ecosistemas Estratégicos Neotropicales (MIKU), Grupo de Investigación en Manejo y Conservación de Fauna
  • Guido Fabián Medina-Rangel Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Instituto de Ciencias Naturales, Reptiles-Grupo de Biodiversidad y Conservación Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Instituto de Ciencias Naturales, Grupo de Biodiversidad y Sistemática Molecular
  • Gilson A. Rivas Universidad del Zulia, Facultad Experimental de Ciencias, Museo de Biología
  • Hernán D. Granda-Rodríguez Universidad de Chile, Facultad de Ciencias Forestales y de la Conservación de la Naturaleza, Programa de Postgrado en Áreas Silvestres y Conservación de la Naturaleza
  • Liliana P. Saboyá-Acosta Universidad del Magdalena, Flora y Ecosistemas Estratégicos Neotropicales (MIKU), Grupo de Investigación en Manejo y Conservación de Fauna Pontifcia Universidad Javeriana, Facultad de Estudios Ambientales y Rurales, Programa de Doctorado en Estudios Ambientales y Rurales
  • Juan Manuel Renjifo Universidad del Magdalena, Flora y Ecosistemas Estratégicos Neotropicales (MIKU), Grupo de Investigación en Manejo y Conservación de Fauna

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.11606/issn.2316-9079.v17i1p61-72

Keywords:

conservation, Gekkota, Lepidoblepharis sanctaemartae, Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, substrate use, Tayrona National Park, tropical dry forest.

Abstract

Geographic distribution and habitat use of Lepidoblepharis miyatai (Squamata: Sphaerodactylidae), with comments on the taxonomic status of the genus in northern Colombia. We present some ecological and biogeographic data on Lepidoblepharis miyatai, a small and endangered gecko endemic to the northwestern foothills of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta (SNSM), 31 years after its description. Based on museum specimens and feld observations, we recorded four new localities with confrmed presence of L. miyatai. We calculated the extent of occurrence and altitudinal distribution of this species reaching 21.3 km2 and from sea level to 360 m respectively. Lepidoblepharis miyatai inhabits plant formations of scrub thorn and tropical deciduous forest. Based on microhabitat data obtained from 88 individuals observed in “Las Tinajas Village” we can state a differential use of three substrates with predominant use of leaf-litter. We consider L. miyatai an endemic species of the northwestern sector of the SNSM with a distribution range limited to the south-west by the occurrence of L. sanctaemartae, and towards the east by a thus far undetermined Lepidoblepharis species (here called Lepidoblepharis cf. sanctaemartae). We do not register sympatry of L. miyatai with any other congener. Accordingly, we consider that the recent records of this species in the southeast sector of SNSM are erroneous, given that the specimens cited as L. miyatai of this zone correspond to Lepidoblepharis cf. sanctaemartae. Finally, a reevaluation of the conservation status of L. miyatai is needed, including precise information of its distribution.

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Published

2018-06-26

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Articles

How to Cite

Geographic distribution and habitat use of Lepidoblepharis miyatai (Squamata: Sphaerodactylidae), with comments on the taxonomic status of the genus in northern Colombia. (2018). Phyllomedusa: Journal of Herpetology, 17(1), 61-72. https://doi.org/10.11606/issn.2316-9079.v17i1p61-72