BIRD-HERPETOFAUNA INTERACTIONS IN THE USUMACINTA RIVER BASIN, MEXICO

Belkis Sánchez Álvarez; Freddy Pérez Garduza; Alan Monroy Ojeda; Victor Manuel Santiago Plata; Santiago López Mondragón; Pierre Charruau

doi:10.22201/fc.25942158e.2023.01.594

Authors

Belkis Sánchez Álvarez Centro del Cambio Global y la Sustentabilidad A.C.
Freddy Pérez Garduza Centro del Cambio Global y la Sustentabilidad A.C.
Alan Monroy Ojeda
Victor Manuel Santiago Plata
Santiago López Mondragón
Pierre Charruau Centro del Cambio Global y la Sustentabilidad A.C.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22201/fc.25942158e.2023.01.594

Keywords:

Accipitridae, Adeidae, Anatidae, Bucconidae, Chelydridae, Corvidae, Crocodylidae, Dipsadidae, Emydidae, Falconidae, Hylidae, Iguanidae, Phrynosomatidae, Predation

Abstract

Interspecific interactions between vertebrates of different groups are common but also complex and of great importance for community structure. In particular, predation, considered a trophic interaction, plays a significant role in food webs structure and selective effects on prey in natural ecosystems. In this paper we provide new information on the trophic relationship between birds and herpetofauna (reptiles and amphibians) in the complex and biodiverse Usumacinta river basin, through 10 observations recorded between 2012 and 2021. The observations show interactions for feeding purposes of eight bird species, including herons (Tigrisoma mexicanum), jays (Psilorhinus morio), raptors (Caracara cheriway, Pseudastur albicollis, Harpagus bidentatus, Buteo plagiatus), puffbirds (Malacoptila panamensis), and ducks (Dendrocygna autumnalis), with snakes (Coniophanes quinquevittatus), turtles (Chelydra rossignonii, Trachemys venusta), lizards (Iguana iguana, Sceloporus serrifer), crocodiles (Crocodylus moreletii), and frogs (Smilisca baudinii).