AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES ASSOCIATED WITH THE PRAIRIE DOG GRASSLANDS ECOSYSTEM AND SURROUNDING AREAS AT THE JANOS CASAS GRANDES COMPLEX, NORTHWESTERN CHIHUAHUA, MEXICO

摘要

Prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus) are considered a keystone species that forms extensive colonies in the grasslands of western and central North America. These colonies are characterized by high diversity of associated vertebrates. The largest colonies in North America are located in the Janos region, northwestern Chihuahua, Mexico. In this study we present an inventory of the amphibians and reptiles inhabiting at prairie dog grasslands and surrounding mesquite surrounding ill the,Janos region. Methods to assess the herpetofauna included the use of a combined system of pitfall traps and visual encounter surveys (VES). WC found 9 species of amphibians and 35 of reptiles. Of those species, 28 were closely related to prairic dog colonies, and 18 were exclusively recorded in this habitat. Additionally, 13 species, were restricted to the mesquite scrubland. The Janos amphibian ami reptile communities, are Of conservation concern. because 16 of the included species (1 amphibian and 15 reptiles) are considered at some risk of extinction. The diversity of amphibians and reptiles in the Janos region is clearly high in comparison with other grasslands. Our rents strongly support the assumption that prairie dog grasslands are important for maintaining the mammal and avian diversity ill the ecosystems of the Chihuahuan desert.