Aversive hunting and sight frequency ecology of Beaded lizards (Squamata: Helodermatidae)

Abstract

Hunting is one of the main threats to biodiversity due to its synergistic effect with other anthropogenic activities. Aversive hunting is a radical measure aimed at species considered threats to human health or goods. This practice has proved high impacts on wildlife. We quantified sighting and hunting of Beaded lizards and analyzed its relation with habitat disturbance through semi-structured interviews in seven localities. Sighting and hunting relation with habitat was analyzed individually using correlation tests and globally using discriminant function analysis. Hunting frequency is closed to 50% and justified on the potential direct threat of these species. Habitat structure explained sighting frequency but not hunting. Our study exposes that impact on Beaded lizards due to aversive hunting is high and that an education plan is required to decrease it; we also show the importance of habitat structure for the conservation of Beaded lizards.

Keywords

• Conservation
• Habitat disturbances
• Human–wildlife conflict