Geographical distribution and potential geographical range of the Red Skink Scincella assata (Cope, 1864) (Squamata, Scincidae) in El Salvador

Abstract

Scincella assata (Cope, 1864) is known from eight departments from El Salvador. Based on recent fieldwork and research in scientific collections and databases, we report 12 new records of S. assata from the country, bringing the total number of verified occurrences to 40. Scincella assata is recorded for first time in the departments of Morazan and Usulatán. Additionally, we conducted potential distribution modeling of S. assata. Results from the distribution modeling suggest the presence of this species in all 14 departments of El Salvador, four of which currently lack verified records.

Keywords

• Deciduous forest
• maximum entropy
• pine-oak forest