Abstract

QUINTERO-VALLEJO, Daniel Eusebio  and  OCHOA-OCHOA, Leticia Margarita. Priorization and distribution of amphibians in protected areas of Mexico. Rev. Mex. Biodiv. [online]. 2022, vol.93, e933939.  Epub Jan 23, 2023. ISSN 2007-8706.  https://doi.org/10.22201/ib.20078706e.2022.93.3939.

In Mexico, one of the main mechanisms to preserve biodiversity are protected areas (PA). However, in order to implement effective conservation actions, it is essential to know which species are in the PAs (governmental and private), and to which risk category they belong. Using the distribution ranges and categorization of the IUCN, NOM-059 and the vegetation and land use layer, we present a priorization of the Mexican amphibians. We propose 5 categories so that species can be constantly re-evaluated determining their priority: 1) species that are not in any PA and that have 100% of their distribution range modified; 2) species that are not in any PA, and that have between 70 and 99% of their distribution range modified; 3) microendemic species that are not in any PA regardless of the amount of their distribution range modified; 4) microendemic species that are in an PA and that have between 70 and 99% their distribution range modified; and finally 5) species that are not in any PA regardless of the amount of modified area. We found 15 species with 100% of their distribution area anthropized or modified, only 2 of them are not microendemic (Bolitoglossa flaviventris and Craugastor montanus), and 97 more species in some priority category according to the proposed classification. Therefore, it is essential to generate specific actions for their protection, in addition to making constant evaluations to establish effective conservation actions.

Keywords : Governmental PA; Private PA; Microendemic species; Risk category.