Herpetofaunal diversity in avocado orchards and in conserved habitats in Michoacan, Mexico

The transformation of natural habitats to monocultures is a widespread phenomenon. Therefore, it is important to implement studies to evaluate the impact of this phenomenon on biodiversity of different groups, including the herpetofauna. In this study we carried out an intensive survey of amphibians and reptiles in 3 sites in avocado orchards and 3 sites in pine forest (the original vegetation in sites of avocado orchards). Additionally, since it is a widespread vegetation type in the municipality of Uruapan, Michoacan, Mexico, 3 sites of tropical dry forest were surveyed. Our results indicated that the herpetofauna in avocado orchards presented intermediate levels of diversity between pine forests and tropical dry forest. Furthermore, we found a marked species turnover among habitats, since avocado orchards only shared 23% of species with pine forest and 18% with dry tropical forest. Avocado orchards, immersed in a matrix of the original vegetation, with low levels of management and not exposed to agrochemicals showed potential to maintain several herpetofaunistic elements, including threatened species. (C) 2017 Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Instituto de Biologia.