Reptile Conservation Research Articles

Short-term responses of terrestrial skinks to habitat enhancement in a pest-invaded landscape on mainland New Zealand

ABSTRACT Habitat loss is a key threat to reptiles; therefore, habitat restoration should be an effective means of reptile conservation. However, there is scant evidence that such interventions provide population-level benefits, particularly where native reptiles are also threatened by invasive predators. We conducted a before-after-control-impact habitat enhancement experiment on skinks (Oligosoma polychroma and O. aeneum) in a predator-invaded area of mainland New Zealand. Pre-enhancement lizard monitoring was conducted in 12 plots for six months. Native plants were added to six ‘enhancement’ plots in months 8-10, minor gap infill planting was conducted in months 10-13, and rock piles were constructed in months 13-15. Post-enhancement monitoring was carried out at 12 and 23 months. Apparent survival of O. polychroma increased significantly in response to enhancement, but this did not result in increased abundance within the 23-month monitoring timeframe. Enhancement did not affect any of the measured population parameters of O. aeneum. Therefore, adding rocks and native vegetation to sites may be a suitable intervention for improving survival or reducing emigration of O. polychroma without affecting co-occurring lizard species.

Habitat use and distribution of nile monitors (Varanus niloticus) in a mosaic of land use types and human population densities in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

ContextGlobally, with the continuous increase in human populations, unprecedented changes in land use are taking place. Little is known about how African reptiles respond to this rapid land use change.ObjectivesWe used sightings to establish if Nile monitors (Varanus niloticus) are persisting in a mosaic of human population densities and land use types in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa.MethodsWe collected sighting data throughout KwaZulu-Natal between April 2022 and July 2023, using three main methods, namely urban sightings obtained from reptile relocation groups and collaborations with reptile relocators; sightings obtained from personal encounters and citizen scientist observations using social media,s posters, newspaper articles and interviews; and sightings from iNaturalist observations.ResultsWe obtained and used 419 sightings and then identified two hotspot areas in the province on which we chose to focus. Site A was dominated by natural habitat, and anthropogenic land use types dominated site B. We found a significant relative selection strength for most tested land covers over anthropogenic cover in site A, whereas most were insignificant in site B. Our results suggest that the use of anthropogenic land use types by Nile monitors in KwaZulu-Natal may be driven by habitat transformation and loss. Nile monitors were found persisting in urban mosaic landscapes and, when compared with available cover, were found in increasingly wooded (natural and urban vegetation) areas with increased human populations. Furthermore, they used small anthropogenic water bodies (e.g., swimming pools and storm drains), making them less reliant on rivers in urban environments. Their population demographics were similar in low and high human population density, but there appeared to be a skew towards smaller and younger individuals in medium human population density areas. Reproduction was occurring successfully in urban environments, but the detection of larger monitors by potential wild and domestic predators and negative human interactions pose risks. Our study outlined the importance of natural and managed (e.g., gardens, parks, golf courses) green spaces in urban mosaic landscapes for wildlife persistence, specifically Nile monitors, and supporting human well-being as well as reptile conservation. There is an overall need for more research on this highly exploited yet understudied reptilian urban adapter.

Guiding Aquatic Reptile (Chelonian and Crocodylian) Conservation in the Face of Growing Light Pollution: Lessons From Experience

ABSTRACTLife on earth has evolved in response to the spatial, temporal, and spectral properties of natural light. However, with the advent of electricity and artificial lighting, the planet's nocturnal light environment has changed dramatically. This changing light environment is accompanied by altered behaviors in wild organisms, often resulting in drastic impacts on their fitness and population dynamics. Such effects have been demonstrated in a wide range of organisms, from plants to animals. However, there is a gap in our knowledge regarding freshwater reptiles. While extensive studies on sea turtles show alarming impacts of light pollution on their survival and recruitment, little is known about the effects on their freshwater counterparts and other aquatic reptiles, particularly crocodylians. Yet, these species face high extinction risk from anthropogenic stressors. The current lack of knowledge of their responses to the growing global pervasiveness of light pollution is a barrier to their effective conservation. Moreover, their responses could translate into ecosystem‐level alterations through top‐down effects, as have been observed for other species. Here, we synthesize the existing knowledge of the responses of aquatic reptiles, particularly freshwater crocodiles and turtles, to light pollution and discuss existing mitigation strategies to safeguard these species against the new threat. Knowledge gaps and existing mitigation strategies need to be addressed to promote species conservation in the face of the novel stressor, including in developing countries.

Lost lizards: The importance of targeted surveys in filling knowledge gaps for reptile conservation in South Africa

Reptiles are the most species-rich tetrapod group, with more than 20 % considered to be of conservation concern. South Africa is home to 402 terrestrial reptile species, over half of which are endemic, with new species regularly described. Although South Africa is relatively well-sampled for reptiles, knowledge gaps still exist. Here, we highlight the importance of species-specific targeted field surveys to improve knowledge on poorly known or seldom recorded species to provide a more accurate assessment of extinction risk. Two study regions were chosen in South Africa (Limpopo province and Western Cape province) where (as of 2018) at least one Extinct (Tetradactylus eastwoodae) and two Data Deficient (Lygodactylus methueni, Nucras aurantiaca) species were last recorded. In Limpopo province, 163 new reptile occurrence records were obtained for 40 species and the Western Cape survey yielded 245 new reptile occurrence records for 34 species. As a result of our surveys, Lygodactylus methueni has been uplisted from Data Deficient to Endangered and, following our rediscovery of Nucras aurantiaca, we motivate for the species to be classified as Endangered according to the Red List criteria. In light of the success of these targeted surveys, we further compile and discuss an inventory of ’lost’ reptile species within South Africa (those not recorded for >10 years). The importance of evaluating Data Deficient species should not be underestimated, as in South Africa they fall outside of protective legislation. This study demonstrates the role targeted surveys can play in filling these knowledge gaps, how they help to inform land-use decision making and ultimately enhance the conservation status of reptiles.

Precipitation and temperature primarily determine the reptile distributions in China

Reptiles make up one‐third of tetrapods, however they are often omitted from global conservation analyses. Understanding the determinants of reptile distribution is the foundation for reptile conservation research. We assembled a dataset on the distribution of 231 reptile species (nearly 50% of recorded species in China). We then investigated the association of species range filling (the proportion of observed ranges compared to species potential climate distributions) with climate, range size, topography and human activity, using three regression methods. At the species level, we found the most primary factors influencing the recent distribution pattern of reptiles across China were the mean annual precipitation (MAP) and the mean annual temperature (MAT). In contrast, human activity came in last. Similarly, at a spatial level, MAP and MAT were still the most important factors. Geographically, the south and east of China support the highest reptile diversity, partially due to high precipitation. Contrary to the prevailing notion that reptile distributions are primarily shaped by human activities, our study re‐emphasizes the importance of climate in determining reptile distribution. It accentuates the necessity of integrating climate variables into future animal conservation strategies in China. Our findings also offer valuable insights for informing conservation practices, including the site planning of natural reserves and national parks, as well as monitoring of environmental factors in protected areas.

Management of bushrocks in agricultural landscapes for reptile conservation

ABSTRACT Bushrocks provide critical habitat for reptiles and are a common feature in agricultural landscapes. Recent advances in soil amelioration practices have triggered a resurgence in the large-scale removal of bushrock from commodity production regions. Rock removal practices have substantial impacts on biodiversity, particularly for range-restricted and rock-dependent reptile species. We discuss findings from several observational studies and natural experiments on the ecological role of bushrocks in agricultural landscapes to inform land management and restoration practices. We found that bushrocks were critical as overwintering retreats, and reptiles preferred higher elevation areas with minimal canopy cover. We found reptiles rapidly responded to bushrock restoration, with increases in abundance and richness of reptiles in rock addition plots compared to controls. Our research highlights the importance of bushrock habitat, and the removal of such habitat may have far-reaching consequences. Conservation of reptiles in agricultural landscapes requires appropriate management and retention of bushrock. We urge for greater protection of existing bushrock habitats and consideration of rock as a restoration tool to improve conservation outcomes for reptiles in agricultural landscapes.

Updated geographic distributions for Texas reptiles

As is the case for many taxa in the Anthropocene, reptile conservation is challenged by an assortment of human-mediated factors. Distributional data for reptile species can be highly useful for informing conservation action. For example, species occurrence data can be used to model suitable habitat as well as quantify contraction, expansion, or shift in the distribution of a species. Texas, USA has a rich reptile fauna including one crocodilian, 32 testudine, 55 lacertilian, and 82 serpent species. However, literature pertaining to the distribution of these species has not been synthesized for over a decade. The goals of our study were to visually summarize all published distributional data for reptile species in the state with updated distribution maps; to tabulate all novel and historic distribution data that is absent from the last statewide synthesis; and to characterize any taxonomic, geographic, or temporal trends of distribution record reporting that have occurred in the state over the last decade. We discovered a total of 659 records that supplement the maps provided in the last statewide synthesis, 40% of which were found in published materials that predate that synthesis. Regarding distributional records published over the last decade, there was no apparent temporal trend – record reporting across years appeared to be stochastic. The number of records published for reptile families generally followed patterns of species richness, although several families had fewer or more records than would be expected. These results might be due to several factors including species biology, variable rates of potential range spread or contraction, and variable research attention (historically and contemporarily). Spatially, we found hot spots of record reporting in the southern, western, and northern portions of the state. We suspect these represent either a contemporary geographic bias of research attention, historically poor range characterization for reptile species occupying these regions, or a combination of both. We also found cold spots of record reporting in the northwestern portion of the Panhandle. These are likely due to natural patterns of reptile diversity as well as geographically biased research attention. Future work to be conducted on reptile distributions in Texas should include a thorough synthesis and revisiting of the voucher specimen data associated with these records.

The relative contributions of habitat area, configuration, and vegetative diversity on snake and lizard presence in agricultural landscapes

AbstractNearly one in five reptile species is at risk of extinction. Changes in habitat area, its configuration, and vegetation diversity could affect habitat use, but their relative importance is understudied. We assessed how these factors affected reptile presence in agricultural landscapes figure in Iowa, United States, using 695 cover boards visited 16,441 times in 2015–2020. Species‐wise encounter rates ranged 0.0001–0.012. Eight of 11 species and 54.2% of individuals were species of greatest conservation need. Habitat area, configuration, and vegetation diversity influenced reptile presence similarly. Mean patch occupancy was 0.18 for common garter snake (CG, Thamnophis sirtalis) and 0.45 for all snakes (AS). Naïve presence was explained by effort (odds ratio [OR]AS = 1.83, ORCG = 1.79), vegetation diversity (ORAS = 1.28, ORCG = 1.28), woody cover (ORAS = 1.24, ORCG = 1.41), and patch size (ORAS = 1.30). Large patch prairies were more likely to contain snakes than other conservation practices (encounter = 0.291), and more likely to contain CG (0.098) than prairie contour strips (0.031), waterways (0.018), grass contour strips (0.016), or terraces (0.015). While we documented low overall reptile presence, their higher presence in large prairie patches underscores the importance of core nature reserves for reptile conservation.

Champhibians, a citizen science programme for schools: a project introduction and case study from Malls Mire Local Nature Reserve in Glasgow, Scotland

Champhibians, the “champions of amphibians,” a pond adoption project instigated by Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (ARC), provides an interesting case-study of a citizen science project that was specifically designed for schools. This paper highlights the main aims and benefits of the project by showcasing one of the pilot schools that has participated in the project and adopted a pond at the Malls Mire Local Nature Reserve (LNR) in Glasgow, Scotland. The benefits of this project stem from its links to the school curriculum as well as the connection it establishes between schools, the ARC Trust and managers of local community greenspaces. The importance of outdoor education has long been recognised for benefitting children’s mental health and well-being as well as their relationship with nature. It can help to incorporate several of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) into the curriculum, such as life below water, climate action and life on land, while at the same time providing valuable data for land managers through its citizen science approach.

Frog and reptile conservation through the lens of South Africa’s nature-based cultural practices

ABSTRACT Ethnoherpetology improves our understanding of the conservation implications of nature-based cultural practices through investigations of the influence of traditional culture on frog and reptile species (herptiles). Improved understanding of the implications of human activities on these taxa is especially important as herptiles are experiencing global population declines. Furthermore, improved understanding of nature-based cultural practices can better inform conservation planning that includes cultural practices as defined by South African legislation. The herptile-based cultural practices recorded from a sample of 275 online questionnaire respondents and 68 publications show some cultural practices to compel or inspire protection of herptiles. Conversely, other practices were found to pose a conservation risk as they either involve killing herptile species or they perpetuate negative perceptions towards them. Leveraging protective cultural practices as a conservation tool and mitigating culture-motivated threats requires integrating cultural aspects into modern law. Such an integrative approach is possible under South African legislation’s provisions for socially inclusive conservation planning and recognition of customary law. Integrative conservation approaches are also in line with international policy such as the Kunming-Montreal global biodiversity framework. In addition to an inventory of herptile-based cultural practices, the study also assesses their feasibility as conservation tools. Furthermore, this study highlights a need for quantification of their conservation implications (both positive and negative) and aligning protective traditional cultural practices with modern means of law enforcement.

The Virtual Museum: an African biodiversity database holding more than two million records

This paper describes the history of the Virtual Museum, originally developed in 2005 for the Southern African Reptile Conservation Assessment (SARCA), which was sponsored by the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI). The Virtual Museum grew to have 17 sections and the associated database, in 2023, contained 2.2 million biodiversity records from Africa. We summarize the major outputs of this initiative, and discuss potential future uses of the database.

Assessment of the threat status of reptile species from Vietnam - Implementation of the One Plan Approach to Conservation

Since the world is currently in the midst of a major biodiversity crisis, scientists have assigned high conservation priority to 36 biodiversity hotspots around the world. As part of one of the leading hotspots in terms of species richness and local endemism, Vietnam is considered a country with high conservation priority. The reptile fauna of Vietnam is known for its high level of diversity and an outstanding number of endemic species. Vietnamese reptiles are highly threatened due to habitat loss and overharvesting for domestic and international trade, traditional medicine and food, making them a group of great conservation concern. As a baseline for improved reptile conservation in Vietnam, we conducted a conservation assessment of Vietnamese reptile species by evaluating data from a variety of sources. Our study results show that approximately 32.9% (n = 159) of the total reptile species (n = 484) present in Vietnam are endemic to the country, of which more than half are only known from their type locality and about one-third restricted to a particular subregion, making the species particularly vulnerable to threats. Furthermore, 33.5% (n = 53) of 158 endemic taxa included in the protected area analysis have not yet been recorded from any protected area. Among all 418 Vietnamese reptile species listed on the IUCN Red List, 17.7% (n = 74) are threatened with extinction, 46.0% (n = 34) of the total 74 threatened species are endemic to Vietnam. The fact that 135 species are either listed as DD or have not yet been evaluated by the IUCN highlights the urgency of further research. Moreover, only very few species are protected by national or international legislation, and further assessments are needed to protect reptiles of particular concern. A Zoological Information Management System (ZIMS) analysis revealed that 22.5% (n = 109) of all reptiles occurring in Vietnam and only 6.3% (n = 10) of the endemic Vietnamese reptiles are currently kept in zoos worldwide. Although 60.8% (n = 45) of the threatened reptiles (n = 74) from Vietnam are currently held in zoos, only 23.5 (n = 8) of the endemic threatened species (n = 34) are held there. Following the IUCNCPSG`s One Plan Approach to Conservation, it is therefore recommended to increase the number of threatened and endemic species in breeding stations and zoos to maintain assurance populations, suitable for restocking measures. Despite ongoing efforts in Vietnam, further conservation measures are required. We therefore also identify areas of highest reptile diversity and with the largest number of threatened species and provide a list of 50 most threatened species (10% of total species) as a guide for further research and conservation action in Vietnam.

Reversing habitat loss: An experimental test of the interactive effects of grazing exclusion and surface rock restoration on reptile conservation

Abstract Restoring structural elements of habitats and understanding how restoration interacts with environmental factors such as grazing management can be crucial for improving conservation outcomes in agricultural landscapes. Surface rock is a structural habitat type that is critical for a range of reptile species; yet, it is often poorly managed and protected. Using a Before/After, Control/Impact (BACI) design, we experimentally quantified the response of reptiles to surface rock restoration in an agricultural landscape, and tested whether its effects interacted with livestock grazing treatments to influence various reptile diversity measures. To implement our crossed factorial design, we added approximately 50 tonnes of rock and 1 km of grazing exclusion fencing across 10 sites in south‐eastern Australia. We found increases in the number of total reptile captures, total individuals and species richness when comparing rock addition plots to non‐rock plots. There was no significant overall grazing exclusion effect or interactive effect of grazing and rock treatment on reptile measures. Synthesis and applications. Our study provides experimental evidence that surface rock addition is an effective restoration method for reptiles in agricultural landscapes. We recommend that the addition of surface rock is prioritised as a restoration tool for reptiles, and that existing surface rock areas are protected from clearing.

Factors affecting overwintering retreat-site selection in reptiles in an agricultural landscape

ContextUnderstanding what characteristics influence retreat-site selection by fauna is critical for both habitat management and species conservation. Despite the documented ecological values of surface rocks, there is limited knowledge of the attributes of surface rock that contribute to their use in agricultural landscapes or during winter months when reptiles are brumating, activity patterns are reduced, and sheltering individuals are most vulnerable to disturbance.ObjectivesWe surveyed reptiles sheltering beneath surface rocks in grazing farms in south-eastern Australia to address two questions: (i) What landscape factors influence the occurrence of reptiles over austral winter? (ii) What physical and thermal factors influence retreat-site selection?MethodsWe surveyed 14 sites, with three plots per site, stratified across a gradient of canopy cover. We measured landscape attributes of surveyed sites and thermal and physical characteristics of individual surface rocks to quantify relationships between the occurrence of reptiles in the landscape and the properties of retreats selected.ResultsWe found that relatively small patches of surface rock can support high reptile numbers, with density estimates up to of 208 individuals per hectare. Reptile abundance was positively associated with increased elevation and limited canopy cover. Reptiles selected smaller rocks with high surface area to volume ratio, were minimally embedded in the soil, and rocks supporting few invertebrates.ConclusionsConserving cryptozoic reptiles in agricultural landscapes can be enhanced through the appropriate management and retention of surface rock. We discuss implications for reptile conservation and surface rock management in agricultural landscapes.

Potential effects of future climate change on global reptile distributions and diversity

AbstractAimUntil recently, complete information on global reptile distributions has not been widely available. Here, we provide the first comprehensive climate impact assessment for reptiles on a global scale.LocationGlobal, excluding Antarctica.Time period1995, 2050 and 2080.Major taxa studiedReptiles.MethodsWe modelled the distribution of 6296 reptile species and assessed potential global and realm‐specific changes in species richness, the change in global species richness across climate space, and species‐specific changes in range extent, overlap and position under future climate change. To assess the future climatic impact on 3768 range‐restricted species, which could not be modelled, we compared the future change in climatic conditions between both modelled and non‐modelled species.ResultsReptile richness was projected to decline significantly over time, globally but also for most zoogeographical realms, with the greatest decreases in Brazil, Australia and South Africa. Species richness was highest in warm and moist regions, with these regions being projected to shift further towards climate extremes in the future. Range extents were projected to decline considerably in the future, with a low overlap between current and future ranges. Shifts in range centroids differed among realms and taxa, with a dominant global poleward shift. Non‐modelled species were significantly stronger affected by projected climatic changes than modelled species.Main conclusionsWith ongoing future climate change, reptile richness is likely to decrease significantly across most parts of the world. This effect, in addition to considerable impacts on species range extent, overlap and position, was visible across lizards, snakes and turtles alike. Together with other anthropogenic impacts, such as habitat loss and harvesting of species, this is a cause for concern. Given the historical lack of global reptile distributions, this calls for a re‐assessment of global reptile conservation efforts, with a specific focus on anticipated future climate change.

Done but not dusted: Reflections on the first global reptile assessment and priorities for the second

The IUCN recently coordinated the first assessment of extinction risk of the world's reptile species. This monumental undertaking allows, for the first time, an examination of threats and prioritization of conservation effort, not just for reptiles, but for land vertebrates as a whole. Reptiles are now the largest class of land vertebrates in terms of species numbers. The dynamic nature of reptile taxonomy, the 18 years it took for the Global Reptile Assessment to be completed, the poor state of knowledge for many species – especially of squamates – and the evolving nature of threats, however, all highlight the need for continued monitoring of reptile species and threats. Here we review the status of reptile conservation assessments, and identify the challenges facing the next reptile assessments. We then recommend potential avenues that could facilitate efficient, accurate and timely future assessments.

Combining surface and soil environmental DNA with artificial cover objects to improve terrestrial reptile survey detection.

Reptiles are increasingly of conservation concern due to their susceptibility to habitat loss, emerging disease, and harvest in the wildlife trade. However, reptile populations are often difficult to monitor given the frequency of crypsis in their life history. This difficulty has left uncertain the conservation status of many species and the efficacy of conservation actions unknown. Environmental DNA (eDNA) surveys consistently elevate the detection rate of species they are designed to monitor, and while their use is promising for terrestrial reptile conservation, successes in developing such surveys have been sparse. We tested the degree to which inclusion of surface and soil eDNA sampling into conventional artificial-cover methods elevates the detection probability of a small, cryptic terrestrial lizard, Scincella lateralis. The eDNA sampling of cover object surfaces with paint rollers elevated per sample detection probabilities for this species 4-16 times compared with visual surveys alone. We readily detected S. lateralis eDNA under cover objects up to 2 weeks after the last visual detection, and at some cover objects where no S. lateralis were visually observed in prior months. With sufficient sampling intensity, eDNA testing of soil under cover objects produced comparable per sample detection probabilities as roller surface methods. Our results suggest that combining eDNA and cover object methods can considerably increase the detection power of reptile monitoring programs, allowing more accurate estimates of population size, detection of temporal and spatial changes in habitat use, and tracking success of restoration efforts. Further research into the deposition and decay rates of reptile eDNA under cover objects, as well as tailored protocols for different species and habitats, is needed to bring the technique into widespread use.

Factors contributing to the biodiversity value of an archaeological landscape in Jordan

Archeological landscapes are important places because they protect areas of historical importance, shape cultural and national identity, are recreational spaces, and vital sources of tourism revenue. Archaeological landscapes have the potential to assist in reptile conservation. The objective of this study was to compare the diurnal reptile richness of an archaeological site to the reptile richness of a nature reserve (treatment control for biodiversity value) and a modern olive grove (treatment control for poor biodiversity value). Our results suggest that archaeological landscapes provide valuable reptile habitat, as our archaeological site supported similar reptile richness as the natural site, with both sites having higher species richness than the modern olive tree farm. The high reptile richness and densities were the result of high potential food availability and habitat mosaic of relatively low tree density and open areas with exposed, tall, rocky ruins. Reptile richness had a negative relationship with tree density. The ruins and high food availability of the archaeological site supported higher densities of saxaphilic lizard species as the density of these species increased as mean maximum rock height and percentage of green ground vegetation cover increased. Promoting the reptile richness of archaeological sites provides another justification for the protection and visitor appreciation for archaeological sites as places of historical, cultural and biodiversity importance. Keywords: Stellagama stellio, Ptyodactylus puiseuxi, reptile richness, rock outcroppings, vegetation greenness indices

A review of applications of environmental DNA for reptile conservation and management.

Reptile populations are in decline globally, with total reptile abundance halving in the past half century, and approximately a fifth of species currently threatened with extinction. Research on reptile distributions, population trends, and trophic interactions can greatly improve the accuracy of conservation listings and planning for species recovery, but data deficiency is an impediment for many species. Environmental DNA (eDNA) can detect species and measure community diversity at diverse spatio‐temporal scales, and is especially useful for detection of elusive, cryptic, or rare species, making it potentially very valuable in herpetology. We aim to summarize the utility of eDNA as a tool for informing reptile conservation and management and discuss the benefits and limitations of this approach. A literature review was conducted to collect all studies that used eDNA and focus on reptile ecology, conservation, or management. Results of the literature search are summarized into key discussion points, and the review also draws on eDNA studies from other taxa to highlight methodological challenges and to identify future research directions. eDNA has had limited application to reptiles, relative to other vertebrate groups, and little use in regions with high species richness. eDNA techniques have been more successfully applied to aquatic reptiles than to terrestrial reptiles, and most (64%) of studies focused on aquatic habitats. Two of the four reptilian orders dominate the existing eDNA studies (56% Testudines, 49% Squamata, 5% Crocodilia, 0% Rhynchocephalia). Our review provides direction for the application of eDNA as an emerging tool in reptile ecology and conservation, especially when it can be paired with traditional monitoring approaches. Technologies associated with eDNA are rapidly advancing, and as techniques become more sensitive and accessible, we expect eDNA will be increasingly valuable for addressing key knowledge gaps for reptiles.

Lightly-harvested rustic cocoa is a valuable land cover for amphibian and reptile conservation in human-modified rainforest landscapes

AbstractThe conservation of tropical biodiversity depends not only on forest remnants, but also on anthropogenic land covers. Some shade crops are considered wildlife-friendly agroecosystems, but their conservation value is context- and taxon-dependent. Amphibians and reptiles have received less attention despite their high sensitivity to habitat disturbance. We determined the conservation value of lightly-harvested rustic cocoa plantations for herpetofauna in the Lacandona region, Mexico. We compared 12 environmental variables between habitats. Then, we compared the abundance, species number and composition of amphibian and reptile assemblages. Within each habitat, we explored the relationships between environmental variables and abundance and species number. Tree density, litter cover and litter depth were higher in cocoa. Abundance of reptiles and amphibians were higher in cocoa than forest; species number did not differ. Habitat explained some of the variation (8%) in assemblage composition. In cocoa, amphibian abundance was positively related to canopy height and the presence of a humus layer, while reptile abundance was negatively related to relative humidity. We conclude that lightly-used rustic cocoa plantations can be suitable habitat for forest herpetofauna. As long as cocoa plantations do not replace existing forest cover, they can play an important role in the design of wildlife-friendly tropical landscapes.