MPHIBIANS AND REPTILES IN ECOLOGICAL RECREATIONAL PARKS IN THE CITY OF MÉRIDA, YUCATÁN, MEXICO

Abstract

Urbanization generates a great variety of impacts to the environment that are considered among the main causes of the decrease in amphibian and reptile populations, however, green areas in and around cities cushion this impact and are considered a refuge for flora and fauna. Despite this, very few studies have focused on knowing the species that inhabit urban green areas, so the objective of this work was to characterize the richness of amphibians and reptiles in ecological recreational parks in the city of Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico. Occasional day and night visits were made in five parks within and on the outskirts of the city of Mérida, implementing inspection by visual encounters for a limited time. To complete the list of species, the iNaturalist platform was reviewed. Their distribution and their conservation status were determined according to Mexican and international regulations, and the association between localities was evaluated based on the occurrence of species. During the fieldwork, 37 species were recorded, of which 10 were amphibians and 27 were reptiles. In addition, three more species were obtained through the iNaturalist platform. Seven species were considered endemic to the Yucatan Peninsula, and six are considered non-native to this region. Nine species are included in the Official Mexican Norm NOM-059-SEMARNAT-2010 and three have a high environmental vulnerability score. An association was observed between the parks located on the periphery and the parks immersed in the city. It is important to consider green areas immersed in urban areas as habitats for amphibians and reptiles, however, it is also necessary to evaluate their effectiveness in conserving these species.