An ecological analysis of the herpetofauna of a Cloud Forest community in the El Cielo Biosphere Reserve, Tamaulipas, Mexico /
aspects the ecology of the amphibians and reptiles in a portion of the Cloud Forest community in the El Cielo Biosphere Reserve in Tamaulipas, Mexico. Spatial and temporal distribution of 35 herpetofaunal species were recorded in a l3-month period. Monthly variation in relative abundance and specie...
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| Format: | Thesis Book |
| Language: | English |
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[Place of publication not identified] :
[publisher not identified] ;
1998.
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| Online Access: | http://proxy.library.tamu.edu/login?url=http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=737704181&sid=1&Fmt=2&clientId=2945&RQT=309&VName=PQD |
| Summary: | aspects the ecology of the amphibians and reptiles in a portion of the Cloud Forest community in the El Cielo Biosphere Reserve in Tamaulipas, Mexico. Spatial and temporal distribution of 35 herpetofaunal species were recorded in a l3-month period. Monthly variation in relative abundance and species diversity was determined along a transect within the Cloud Forest, and its contiguous habitats. Local and seasonal variation of some environmental factors, such as temperature, precipitation and relative humidity, had differential effect on the herpetofauna. significant variation in the number individuals taxonomic composition was found among selected sites the study area. On the other hand, rainfall and temperature have a significant effect on monthly species diversity, but not on the total number of individuals per month. The diet of 26 species was determined. All these taxa exhibited carnivorous habits, except for the juveniles hylid frog Hyla miotympanum. Nineteen prey taxa (Order) were recorded on the diet of the herpetofauna. Amphibians lizards tend to be generalists, while snakes show preferences by particular species or prey groups. The partitioning of food resources in this herpetological community apparently occurs in terms of seasonality, adaptive zones, and prey preferences. The analysis of amphibians and reptiles of this area revealed that breeding is annual most species, while some other species occur as many times as the environmental conditions allow. Reproduction in amphibians, in general, is more dependent on water availability than reptiles, and showed a wider variation in egg numbers. In the case of reptiles, there is a direct relationship between altitude and viviparity, although two exceptions were found for this pattern. Unbalanced sex ratios were found in some species, although no evidences of parthenogenetic populations exist in the area. |
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| Item Description: | Vita. "Major Subject: Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences". |
| Physical Description: | x, 112 leaves : illustrations ; 28 cm. Issued also on microfiche from University Microfilm Inc. |
| Bibliography: | Includes bibliographical references: pages 101-111. |