Biota Colombiana (Jul 2014)
Anfibios y reptiles de la región centro-sur del departamento de Caldas, Colombia
Abstract
Based on specimens housed in a scientific collection, besides literature and field observations, we present an updated list of the herpetofauna of the south-central region of Caldas, Colombia. The composition of anurans, lizards and snakes was compared with other Colombian assemblages. In addition, all species were categorized according to the extent of its distribution range. A total of 36 amphibians (35 anurans and one salamander) and 38 reptiles (15 lizards, 22 snakes and one turtle) are currently known for the south-central region of Caldas. Comparisons of the amphibians and reptiles assemblages showed low and moderate values (Coefficient of biogeographic resemblance, range = 0,018–0,440; X̅ = 0,152), indicating that about frogs, lizards, snakes, and overall herpetofauna, the south-central region of Caldas is more akin to the Yotoco Forestal Reserve (0.326, 0.421, 0.585, 0.440, respectively). Regarding geographical distribution patterns, six species (8.1%) are endemic to the Northern region of the Cordillera Central, 40 species (54%) correspond to elements of an Andean-tropical fauna, 14 species (18.9%) are distributed from Central America to the Andes, and eight species (10.8%) have a wide distribution throughout the continent.
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