Distribution and conservation of lizards in the Vizcaino Biosphere Reserve, Baja California Sur, Mexico

摘要

Lizard distribution is described for the Vizcaino Biosphere Reserve in the northern extreme of Baja California Sur. in central Baja California. The 20 species found include 74% of all the Baja California Sur lizards, excluding insular endemics. Five species are widely distributed throughout the Reserve. Four species are restricted to sandy soils (coarse and dunes) and open spaces, Se en species are restricted to rocky areas in the Sierras. Two species are included in the CITES list and 11 in the Official Mexican Norm (NOM 059-94) in some conservation category. This Reserve contains livestock (cows and goats), whose increasing numbers and grazing areas are often unrestricted. This disturbance is a potential threat for some species, especially those with restricted distributions in the eastern sierras where there are large numbers of goats.