Status and Conservation of the American Crocodile (Crocodylus acutus) in Banco Chinchorro Biosphere Reserve, Quintana Roo, Mexico

摘要

The American Crocodile (Crocodylus acutus) is one of the most widely distributed crocodilian species in Latin America, ranging from the United States to northern South America, including the Caribbean (Ross 1998). However, C. acutus populations have declined throughout much of its range because of past over-exploitation, continued illegal hunting, and habitat destruction (Ross 1998; Thorbjarnarson 1989). As a result, the species is considered vulnerable by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN), listed on Appendix I of the Convention on Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES) (Ross 1998). Furthermore, this species is listed as subjected to Special Protection in the Endangered Species list of the Norma Oficial- Mexicana (NOM-059-ECOL-2000), the Mexican law for the protected species and subspecies of flora and fauna (Diario Oficial de la Federacion 2000).