Distribution and Conservation Status of Amphibian and Reptile Species in the Lacandona Rainforest, Mexico: an Update after 20 Years of Research

A comprehensive update reveals that the Lacandona Rainforest, part of Mexico's UNESCO World Heritage Site, hosts 124 species of amphibians and reptiles, with nine amphibians and two reptiles endemic to the Mayan forest. The study, spanning 20 years of research from 2007 to 2013, highlights that four amphibians and three reptiles are potentially restricted to the Montes Azules Biosphere Reserve, making them highly vulnerable to habitat loss. Notably, only about 60% of the herpetofauna species in Lacandona overlap with neighboring tropical forests, underscoring its unique biodiversity. While seven species (10.1%) are listed as at risk by the IUCN, deforestation poses significant threats, adding uncertainty to their long-term survival.

Hernández-Ordóñez, O., Martínez-Ramos, M., Arroyo-Rodríguez, V., González-Hernández, A., González-Zamora, A., Zárate, D. A., & Reynoso, V. H. (2014). Distribution and Conservation Status of Amphibian and Reptile Species in the Lacandona Rainforest, Mexico: an Update after 20 Years of Research. Tropical Conservation Science, 7(1), 1–25. https://doi.org/10.1177/194008291400700101