Natural history and conservation of selected Mexican pitviper species
Sigala Rodriguez, J. Jesus
Carbajal-Marquez, Ruben Alonso
Encarnacion-Luevano, Alondra
Zoological Collection
Universidad Autónoma de Aguascalientes
Aguascalientes, Mexico
With 74 pitviper species in 10 genera, Mexico is the country with the largest pitviper diversity in the world, containing about a fifth of the recognized species globally. About half of those species are endemic to Mexico, and this makes it a paradise to study this family of snakes. Despite this striking diversity, there are many voids in the knowledge of natural history and conservation status for many species. On recent years we have worked on the natural history (e.g., diet, activity patterns, life history, distribution) and morphology of several species of rattlesnakes belonging to the groups of C. atrox, C. durissus, C. intermedius, C. stejnegeri, C. triseriatus, and we continue to work with other viperids, including species in the genera Agkistrodon, Bothriechis, Cerrophidion, Metlapilcoatlus, Mixcoatlus, and Ophryacus, resulting in the publication of scientific articles and short communications. To achieve this, we carry out a strong effort in field surveys, review specimens in scientific collections and collaborate with other colleagues. Taking advantage of the diversity of rare, endemic and restricted distribution viper species in Mexico, we complement field work with macro-scale analysis about environmental preferences and vulnerability to climate change for selected species, particularly in the genera Crotalus, Metlapilcoatlus, Mixcoatlus and Ophryacus. We estimated potential distribution using Ecological Niche Modeling and projections to the future and discovered that precipitation and temperature have a different impact on each species, with most cases featuring an important decrease on potential distribution areas. Finally, with the Global Reptile Assessment underway, we also hope to help to assess or reassess all the Mexican viper species soon to update its conservation status in the IUCN Red List.