Articles
Reptile diversity in a Mediterranean wetlands landscape (Alto Guadalquivir region, southeastern Spain): are they affected by human impacts?
Published 2021-05-05
Keywords
- Aquatic ecosystems,
- biodiversity crisis,
- Mediterranean landscapes,
- reptiles decline
How to Cite
de Castro-Expósito, A., García-Muñoz, E., & Guerrero, F. (2021). Reptile diversity in a Mediterranean wetlands landscape (Alto Guadalquivir region, southeastern Spain): are they affected by human impacts?. Acta Herpetologica, 16(1), 27–36. https://doi.org/10.36253/a_h-9970
Abstract
This study was carried out to evaluate the diversity in reptile communities in wetland landscapes located in the Mediterranean region. For this, the status of the reptile populations linked to different Mediterranean wetlands in relation to the different types of land use established in the nearby drainage basins (500 m around the wetlands perimeter) was determined. The different types of land use were determined together with the presence/absence, abundance and size class of the different reptile species. The results showed that areas with high anthropic pressure had a lower diversity of species, as well as a less balanced community structure, that could put at risk the effective recruitment and hence the maintenance of the reptile populations in these areas. The reasons behind the decline in the reptile community are similar to those put forward for explaining the decline in amphibians in the same area.
References
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Alford, R.A., Richards S.J. (1999): Global amphibian declines: A problem in applied ecology. Ann. Rev. Ecol. Evol. Syst. 30: 133-165.
Alroy, J. (2015): Current extinction rates of reptiles and amphibians. P.N.A.S. 112: 13003-13008.
Amaral, M.J., Bicho, R.C., Carretero, M.A., Sánchez-Hernández, J.C., Faustino, A.M.R., Soares, A.M.V.M., Mann, R. (2012): The use of a lacertid lizard as a model for reptile ecotoxicology studies: part 2 – biomarkers of exposure and toxicity among pesticide exposed lizards. Chemosphere 87: 765-774.
Ashton, P.J. (2010): The demise of the Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus) as a keystone species for aquatic ecosystem conservation in South Africa: the case of the Olifants River. Aquat. Conserv. Mar. Freshw. Ecosyst. 20: 489-93.
Barnosky, A.D., Matzke, N., Tomiya, S., Wogan, G.O.U., Swartz, B., Quental, T.B., Marshall, C., McGuire, J.L., Lindsey, E.L., Maguire, K.C., Mersey, B., Ferrer, E.A. (2011): Has the Earth’s sixth mass extinction already arrived? Nature 471: 51-57.
Blaustein, A.R., Han, B.A., Relyea, R.A., Johnson, P.T.J., Buck, J.C., Gervasi, S.S., Kats, L.B. (2011): The complexity of amphibian population declines: understanding the role of cofactors in driving amphibian losses. Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci. 1223: 108-119.
Böll, S., Schmidt, B.R., Veith, M., Wagner, N., Rödder, D., Weimann, C., Kirschey, T., Lötters, S. (2013): Anuran amphibians as indicators of changes in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems following GM crop cultivation: a monitoring guideline. BioRisk 8: 39-51.
Bosch, J., González-Miras, E. (2012): Seguimiento de Alytes dickhilleni: Informe final. Monografías SARE. Asociación Herpetológica Española and Ministerio de Agricultura, Alimentación y Medio Ambiente, Madrid.
Ceacero, F., García-Muñoz, E., Pedrajas, L., Hidalgo, A., Guerrero, F. (2007): Actualización herpetológica de la provincia de Jaén. Munibe 25: 130-139.
Clarke, K.R., Warwick, R.M. (2001): Change in marine communities: an approach to statistical analysis and interpretation. PRIMER-E, Plymouth.
Crain, D.A., Guillette, Jr., L.J. (1998): Reptiles as models of contaminant-induced endocrine disruption. Anim. Reprod. Sci. 53: 77-86.
Daley, J.M., Paterson, G., Drouillard, K.G. (2014): Bioamplification as a bioaccumulation mechanism for persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in wildlife. In: Reviews of environmental contamination and toxicology, pp. 107-155. Whitacre, D.M., Ed, Springer, New York.
De Vost, J.M., Joppa, L.N., Gittleman, J.L., Stephens, P.R., Pimm S.L. (2014): Estimating the normal background rate of species extinction. Conserv. Biol. 29: 452-462.
García-Muñoz, E., Carretero, M.A. (2013): Comparative ecophysiology of two sympatric lizards. Laying the groundwork for mechanistic distribution models. Acta Herpetol. 8: 123-128.
García-Muñoz, E., Gilbert, J.D., Parra, G., Guerrero, F. (2010): Wetlands classification for amphibian conservation in Mediterranean landscapes. Biodivers. Conserv. 19: 901-911.
García-Muñoz, E., Gilbert, J.D., Parra, G., Guerrero, F. (2016): Amphibian diversity as an implement for Mediterranean wetlands conservation. J. Nat. Conserv. 33: 68-75.
García-Muñoz, E., Guerrero, F., Arechaga, G., Parra, G. (2019): Does wetland watershed land use influence amphibian larval development? A relevant effect of agriculture on biota. J. Oceanol Limnol. 37: 160-168.
Gibbons, J.W., Scott, D.S., Ryan, T.J., Buhlmann, K.A., Tuberville, T.D., Metts, B.S., Greene, J.L., Mills, T., Leiden. Y., Poppy, S., Winne, C.T. (2000): The global decline of reptiles. Déjà vu amphibians. Biosci. 50: 653-666.
Gilbert, J.D., de Vicente, I., Jiménez-Melero, R., Parra, G., Guerrero, F. (2014): Selecting priority conservation areas based on zooplankton diversity: the case of Mediterranean wetlands. Mar. Freshw. Res. 65: 857-871.
Gilbert, J.D., de Vicente, I., Ortega, F., Jiménez-Melero, R., Parra, G., Guerrero, F. (2015): A comprehensive evaluation of the crustacean assemblages in southern Iberian Mediterranean wetlands. J. Limnol. 74: 169-181.
Gilbert, J.D., de Vicente, I., Ortega, F., García-Muñoz, E., Jiménez-Melero, R., Parra, G., Guerrero, F. (2017): Linking watershed land uses and crustacean assemblages in Mediterranean wetlands. Hydrobiologia 799: 181-191.
Guerrero, F., Parra, G., Jiménez-Gómez, F., Salazar, C., Jiménez-Melero, R., Galotti, A., García-Muñoz, E., Lendínez, M.L., Ortega, F. (2006): Ecological studies in Alto Guadalquivir wetlands: a first step towards the application of conservation plans. Limnetica 25: 95-106.
Houlahan, J.E., Findlay, C.S., Schmidt, B.R., Meyer, A.H., Kuzmin, S.L. (2000): Quantitative evidence for global amphibian population declines. Nature 404: 752-755.
Hutchens, S.J., DePerno, C.S. (2009): Efficacy of sampling techniques for determining species richness estimates of reptiles and amphibians. Wildl. Biol. 15: 113-122.
Iturondobeitia, J., Caballero, A., Arroyo, J. (2004): Avances en la utilización de los ácaros oribátidos como indicadores de las condiciones edáficas. Munibe 21: 70-91.
IUCN. (2010): The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Retrieved 12 December, 2016, from www.iucnredlist.org
Kaczor, S.A., Harnett, D.C. (1990): Gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) effects on soils and vegetation in a Florida Sandhill community. Am. Midl Nat. 123: 100-111.
Kilburn, V.L., Ibáñez, R., Green D.M. (2011): Reptiles as potential vectors and hosts of the amphibian pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis in Panama. Dis. Aquat. Organ. 97: 127-134.
Lizana, M., Barbadillo, L.J. (1997): Legislación, protección y estado de conservación de los anfibios y reptiles españoles. In: Distribución y Biogeografía de los Anfibios y Reptiles en España y Portugal, pp. 477-516. Pleguezuelos, J.M., Ed, Universidad de Granada and Asociación Herpetológica Española, Granada.
Mann, R.M., Hyne, R.V., Choung, C.B., Wilson, S.P. (2009). Amphibians and agricultural chemicals: review of the risks in a complex environment. Environ. Poll. 157: 2903-2927.
Márquez, R., Lizana, M. (2002): Conservación de anfibios y reptiles en España. In: Atlas y Libro Rojo de los Anfibios y Reptiles de España, pp. 417-453. Pleguezuelos, J.M., Márquez, R., Lizana, M., Eds, Ministerio de Medio Ambiente, Madrid.
McCallum, M.L. (2007): Amphibian decline or extinction? Current declines dwarf background extinction rate. J. Herpetol. 41: 483-491.
Overmann, S.R., Krajicek, J.J. (1995): Snapping turtles (Chelydra serpentina) as biomonitors of lead contamination of the big river in Missouri’s old lead belt. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 14: 689–695.
Pimm, S.L., Jenkins, C.N., Abell, R., Brooks, T.M., Gittleman, J.L., Joppa, L.N., Raven, P.H., Roberts, C.M., Sexton J.O. (2014): The biodiversity of species and their rates of extiction, distribution, and protection. Science 344: 1246752
Pleguezuelos, J.M. (2002): Distribución y biogeografía de los anfibios y reptiles en España y Portugal. Monografías de Herpetología, 3. Universidad de Granada and Asociación Herpetológica Española, Granada.
Pleguezuelos, J.M., Márquez, R., Lizana, M. (2002): Atlas y Libro Rojo de los Anfibios y Reptiles de España. Dirección General de Conservación de la Naturaleza-Asociación Herpetólogica Española, Madrid.
Ramírez-González, A. (2005): Ecología aplicada. Diseño y análisis estadístico. Universidad de Bogotá Jorge Tadeo Lozano, Bogotá.
Rey-Zamora, P.J., Gutiérrez, J.E., Valera, F. Ruiz, C. (2017): El olivar andaluz, ¿un bosque humanizado? Aldaba 41: 113-120.
Ripple, W.J., Wolf, C., Newsome, T.M., Hoffmann, M., Wirsing, A.J., McCauley, D.J. (2017). Extinction risk is most acute for the world’s largest and smallest vertebrates. P.N.A.S. 114: 10678-10683.
Rockström, J., Steffen, W., Noone, K., Persson, A., Chapin, III F.S., Lambin, E.F., Lenton, T. M., Scheffer, M., Folke, C., Schellnhuber, H.J., Nykvist, B., de Wit, C.A., Hughes, T., van der Leeuw, S., Rodhe, H., Sörlin, S.; Snyder, P.K., Costanza, R., Svedin, U., Falkenmark, M., Karlberg, L., Corell, R.W., Fabry, V.J., Hansen, J., Walker, B., Liverman, D., Richardson, K., Crutzen, P., Foley, J.A. (2009): A safe operating space for humanity. Nature 461: 472-475.
Salvador, A., Pleguezuelos, J.M. (2002): Reptiles Españoles. Identificación, historia natural y distribución. Canseco editores, Talavera de la Reina, Toledo.
SEO - Sociedad Española de Ornitología. (2008): Retrieved 19 October, 2016, from www.aitorgaston.com/seo.php
Simpson, E. H. (1949): Measurement of diversity. Nature 163: 688.
Sparling, D.W. (2003): A review of the role of contaminants in amphibian declines. In: Handbook of ecotoxicology, pp. 1099-1128. Hoffman, D., Rattner, B.A., Cairns, J., Eds, Lewis Publishers, Boca Raton.
Sparling, D.W., Bickham, J., Cowman, D., Fellers, G.M., Lacher, T., Matson, C.W., McConnell, L. (2015): In situ effects of pesticides on amphibians in the Sierra Nevada. Ecotoxicol. 24: 262-278.
Sparling, D.W., Bishop, C.A., Pauli, B.D. Money, S. (2000): Epilogue: lessons yet to be learned. In: Ecotoxicology of amphibians and reptiles, pp. 811–822. Sparling, D.W., Linder, G., Bishop, C.A., Eds, SETAC Press, Pensacola.
Stuart, S.N., Chanson, J.S., Cox, N.A., Young, B.E., Rodrigues, A.S.L., Fischman, D.L., Waller, R.W. (2004): Status and trends of amphibian declines and extinctions worldwide. Science 306: 1783-1786.
Tejedo, M. (2003): El declive de los anfibios. La dificultad de separar las variaciones naturales del cambio global. Munibe 16: 20-43.
Trochet, A., Moulherat, S., Calvez, O., Stevens, V., Clobert, J., Schmeller, D. (2014): A database of life-history traits of European amphibians. Biodivers. Data J2: e4123.
Vera, J.A. (1994): Geología de Andalucía. Enseñanzas de la Tierra 2: 306-317.
Wright, A.J., Wardle, D.A., Callaway, R., Gaxiola, A. (2017): The overlooked role of facilitation in biodiversity experiments. TREE 32: 383-390.
Alford, R.A., Richards S.J. (1999): Global amphibian declines: A problem in applied ecology. Ann. Rev. Ecol. Evol. Syst. 30: 133-165.
Alroy, J. (2015): Current extinction rates of reptiles and amphibians. P.N.A.S. 112: 13003-13008.
Amaral, M.J., Bicho, R.C., Carretero, M.A., Sánchez-Hernández, J.C., Faustino, A.M.R., Soares, A.M.V.M., Mann, R. (2012): The use of a lacertid lizard as a model for reptile ecotoxicology studies: part 2 – biomarkers of exposure and toxicity among pesticide exposed lizards. Chemosphere 87: 765-774.
Ashton, P.J. (2010): The demise of the Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus) as a keystone species for aquatic ecosystem conservation in South Africa: the case of the Olifants River. Aquat. Conserv. Mar. Freshw. Ecosyst. 20: 489-93.
Barnosky, A.D., Matzke, N., Tomiya, S., Wogan, G.O.U., Swartz, B., Quental, T.B., Marshall, C., McGuire, J.L., Lindsey, E.L., Maguire, K.C., Mersey, B., Ferrer, E.A. (2011): Has the Earth’s sixth mass extinction already arrived? Nature 471: 51-57.
Blaustein, A.R., Han, B.A., Relyea, R.A., Johnson, P.T.J., Buck, J.C., Gervasi, S.S., Kats, L.B. (2011): The complexity of amphibian population declines: understanding the role of cofactors in driving amphibian losses. Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci. 1223: 108-119.
Böll, S., Schmidt, B.R., Veith, M., Wagner, N., Rödder, D., Weimann, C., Kirschey, T., Lötters, S. (2013): Anuran amphibians as indicators of changes in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems following GM crop cultivation: a monitoring guideline. BioRisk 8: 39-51.
Bosch, J., González-Miras, E. (2012): Seguimiento de Alytes dickhilleni: Informe final. Monografías SARE. Asociación Herpetológica Española and Ministerio de Agricultura, Alimentación y Medio Ambiente, Madrid.
Ceacero, F., García-Muñoz, E., Pedrajas, L., Hidalgo, A., Guerrero, F. (2007): Actualización herpetológica de la provincia de Jaén. Munibe 25: 130-139.
Clarke, K.R., Warwick, R.M. (2001): Change in marine communities: an approach to statistical analysis and interpretation. PRIMER-E, Plymouth.
Crain, D.A., Guillette, Jr., L.J. (1998): Reptiles as models of contaminant-induced endocrine disruption. Anim. Reprod. Sci. 53: 77-86.
Daley, J.M., Paterson, G., Drouillard, K.G. (2014): Bioamplification as a bioaccumulation mechanism for persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in wildlife. In: Reviews of environmental contamination and toxicology, pp. 107-155. Whitacre, D.M., Ed, Springer, New York.
De Vost, J.M., Joppa, L.N., Gittleman, J.L., Stephens, P.R., Pimm S.L. (2014): Estimating the normal background rate of species extinction. Conserv. Biol. 29: 452-462.
García-Muñoz, E., Carretero, M.A. (2013): Comparative ecophysiology of two sympatric lizards. Laying the groundwork for mechanistic distribution models. Acta Herpetol. 8: 123-128.
García-Muñoz, E., Gilbert, J.D., Parra, G., Guerrero, F. (2010): Wetlands classification for amphibian conservation in Mediterranean landscapes. Biodivers. Conserv. 19: 901-911.
García-Muñoz, E., Gilbert, J.D., Parra, G., Guerrero, F. (2016): Amphibian diversity as an implement for Mediterranean wetlands conservation. J. Nat. Conserv. 33: 68-75.
García-Muñoz, E., Guerrero, F., Arechaga, G., Parra, G. (2019): Does wetland watershed land use influence amphibian larval development? A relevant effect of agriculture on biota. J. Oceanol Limnol. 37: 160-168.
Gibbons, J.W., Scott, D.S., Ryan, T.J., Buhlmann, K.A., Tuberville, T.D., Metts, B.S., Greene, J.L., Mills, T., Leiden. Y., Poppy, S., Winne, C.T. (2000): The global decline of reptiles. Déjà vu amphibians. Biosci. 50: 653-666.
Gilbert, J.D., de Vicente, I., Jiménez-Melero, R., Parra, G., Guerrero, F. (2014): Selecting priority conservation areas based on zooplankton diversity: the case of Mediterranean wetlands. Mar. Freshw. Res. 65: 857-871.
Gilbert, J.D., de Vicente, I., Ortega, F., Jiménez-Melero, R., Parra, G., Guerrero, F. (2015): A comprehensive evaluation of the crustacean assemblages in southern Iberian Mediterranean wetlands. J. Limnol. 74: 169-181.
Gilbert, J.D., de Vicente, I., Ortega, F., García-Muñoz, E., Jiménez-Melero, R., Parra, G., Guerrero, F. (2017): Linking watershed land uses and crustacean assemblages in Mediterranean wetlands. Hydrobiologia 799: 181-191.
Guerrero, F., Parra, G., Jiménez-Gómez, F., Salazar, C., Jiménez-Melero, R., Galotti, A., García-Muñoz, E., Lendínez, M.L., Ortega, F. (2006): Ecological studies in Alto Guadalquivir wetlands: a first step towards the application of conservation plans. Limnetica 25: 95-106.
Houlahan, J.E., Findlay, C.S., Schmidt, B.R., Meyer, A.H., Kuzmin, S.L. (2000): Quantitative evidence for global amphibian population declines. Nature 404: 752-755.
Hutchens, S.J., DePerno, C.S. (2009): Efficacy of sampling techniques for determining species richness estimates of reptiles and amphibians. Wildl. Biol. 15: 113-122.
Iturondobeitia, J., Caballero, A., Arroyo, J. (2004): Avances en la utilización de los ácaros oribátidos como indicadores de las condiciones edáficas. Munibe 21: 70-91.
IUCN. (2010): The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Retrieved 12 December, 2016, from www.iucnredlist.org
Kaczor, S.A., Harnett, D.C. (1990): Gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) effects on soils and vegetation in a Florida Sandhill community. Am. Midl Nat. 123: 100-111.
Kilburn, V.L., Ibáñez, R., Green D.M. (2011): Reptiles as potential vectors and hosts of the amphibian pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis in Panama. Dis. Aquat. Organ. 97: 127-134.
Lizana, M., Barbadillo, L.J. (1997): Legislación, protección y estado de conservación de los anfibios y reptiles españoles. In: Distribución y Biogeografía de los Anfibios y Reptiles en España y Portugal, pp. 477-516. Pleguezuelos, J.M., Ed, Universidad de Granada and Asociación Herpetológica Española, Granada.
Mann, R.M., Hyne, R.V., Choung, C.B., Wilson, S.P. (2009). Amphibians and agricultural chemicals: review of the risks in a complex environment. Environ. Poll. 157: 2903-2927.
Márquez, R., Lizana, M. (2002): Conservación de anfibios y reptiles en España. In: Atlas y Libro Rojo de los Anfibios y Reptiles de España, pp. 417-453. Pleguezuelos, J.M., Márquez, R., Lizana, M., Eds, Ministerio de Medio Ambiente, Madrid.
McCallum, M.L. (2007): Amphibian decline or extinction? Current declines dwarf background extinction rate. J. Herpetol. 41: 483-491.
Overmann, S.R., Krajicek, J.J. (1995): Snapping turtles (Chelydra serpentina) as biomonitors of lead contamination of the big river in Missouri’s old lead belt. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 14: 689–695.
Pimm, S.L., Jenkins, C.N., Abell, R., Brooks, T.M., Gittleman, J.L., Joppa, L.N., Raven, P.H., Roberts, C.M., Sexton J.O. (2014): The biodiversity of species and their rates of extiction, distribution, and protection. Science 344: 1246752
Pleguezuelos, J.M. (2002): Distribución y biogeografía de los anfibios y reptiles en España y Portugal. Monografías de Herpetología, 3. Universidad de Granada and Asociación Herpetológica Española, Granada.
Pleguezuelos, J.M., Márquez, R., Lizana, M. (2002): Atlas y Libro Rojo de los Anfibios y Reptiles de España. Dirección General de Conservación de la Naturaleza-Asociación Herpetólogica Española, Madrid.
Ramírez-González, A. (2005): Ecología aplicada. Diseño y análisis estadístico. Universidad de Bogotá Jorge Tadeo Lozano, Bogotá.
Rey-Zamora, P.J., Gutiérrez, J.E., Valera, F. Ruiz, C. (2017): El olivar andaluz, ¿un bosque humanizado? Aldaba 41: 113-120.
Ripple, W.J., Wolf, C., Newsome, T.M., Hoffmann, M., Wirsing, A.J., McCauley, D.J. (2017). Extinction risk is most acute for the world’s largest and smallest vertebrates. P.N.A.S. 114: 10678-10683.
Rockström, J., Steffen, W., Noone, K., Persson, A., Chapin, III F.S., Lambin, E.F., Lenton, T. M., Scheffer, M., Folke, C., Schellnhuber, H.J., Nykvist, B., de Wit, C.A., Hughes, T., van der Leeuw, S., Rodhe, H., Sörlin, S.; Snyder, P.K., Costanza, R., Svedin, U., Falkenmark, M., Karlberg, L., Corell, R.W., Fabry, V.J., Hansen, J., Walker, B., Liverman, D., Richardson, K., Crutzen, P., Foley, J.A. (2009): A safe operating space for humanity. Nature 461: 472-475.
Salvador, A., Pleguezuelos, J.M. (2002): Reptiles Españoles. Identificación, historia natural y distribución. Canseco editores, Talavera de la Reina, Toledo.
SEO - Sociedad Española de Ornitología. (2008): Retrieved 19 October, 2016, from www.aitorgaston.com/seo.php
Simpson, E. H. (1949): Measurement of diversity. Nature 163: 688.
Sparling, D.W. (2003): A review of the role of contaminants in amphibian declines. In: Handbook of ecotoxicology, pp. 1099-1128. Hoffman, D., Rattner, B.A., Cairns, J., Eds, Lewis Publishers, Boca Raton.
Sparling, D.W., Bickham, J., Cowman, D., Fellers, G.M., Lacher, T., Matson, C.W., McConnell, L. (2015): In situ effects of pesticides on amphibians in the Sierra Nevada. Ecotoxicol. 24: 262-278.
Sparling, D.W., Bishop, C.A., Pauli, B.D. Money, S. (2000): Epilogue: lessons yet to be learned. In: Ecotoxicology of amphibians and reptiles, pp. 811–822. Sparling, D.W., Linder, G., Bishop, C.A., Eds, SETAC Press, Pensacola.
Stuart, S.N., Chanson, J.S., Cox, N.A., Young, B.E., Rodrigues, A.S.L., Fischman, D.L., Waller, R.W. (2004): Status and trends of amphibian declines and extinctions worldwide. Science 306: 1783-1786.
Tejedo, M. (2003): El declive de los anfibios. La dificultad de separar las variaciones naturales del cambio global. Munibe 16: 20-43.
Trochet, A., Moulherat, S., Calvez, O., Stevens, V., Clobert, J., Schmeller, D. (2014): A database of life-history traits of European amphibians. Biodivers. Data J2: e4123.
Vera, J.A. (1994): Geología de Andalucía. Enseñanzas de la Tierra 2: 306-317.
Wright, A.J., Wardle, D.A., Callaway, R., Gaxiola, A. (2017): The overlooked role of facilitation in biodiversity experiments. TREE 32: 383-390.