Diversity and Temporal Frequency of Records of the Herpetofauna of the Equatorial Seasonally Dry Tropical Forest in the Rural Community of Lucarqui, Piura, Northwestern Peru

Soto Quispe J.C.; Ugaz Cherre A.F.; Llompart Navarro A.E.; Saldaña Ugaz I.S.; Marchena Dioses J.M.; Montero Silva M.A.; García R.B. · Nature Environment and Pollution Technology (2025) · DOI: 10.46488/nept.2025.v24i02.d1693

Resumen

Reptile and amphibian species in the Equatorial BTES face threats such as fragmentation, habitat loss, and climate change. Between 2019 and 2021, the richness and abundance of herpetofauna species was evaluated in the Lucarqui peasant community in Piura, northwest Peru. The objective of this research is to provide a preliminary list of species and understand their temporal frequency patterns. The study area was divided into specific zones: with anthropogenic activity, “crops” and “population centers”, where incidental catches and visual surveys were carried out, and without anthropogenic activity, “forests” and “ravines”, where transects of variable length and fixed width (2 m), the biological data obtained were analyzed with the iNEXT statistical tool, and a standardized methodology was provided for the calculation of the temporal frequency of recordings (FRT). The study identified 26 species: 7 amphibians and 19 reptiles. Amphibians dominated in abundance, while reptiles were rare. 85.71% (6) of amphibians and 47.36% (9) of registered reptiles are restricted to the Equatorial BTES. FRT patterns varied by habitat and time. These, along with wealth and abundance, were altered and reduced in areas influenced by human activity, crops, and population centers. It was found that there were still more species to be reported, especially reptiles. The study highlights the richness and vulnerability of the herpetofauna in the Equatorial BTES, reaffirming the urgent need for conservation strategies and continued research to ensure the protection and deep understanding of this valuable, fragile ecosystem. Copyright:

Instituciones: Universidad Nacional de Piura