POTENTIAL DISTRIBUTION OF ASPIDOSCELIS GULARIS (SQUAMATA: TEIIDAE) COMPLEX IN MEXICO

The distribution of Aspidoscelis gularis complex in Mexico has been difficult to model due to taxonomic problems facing its members; and because, published models exclude typical areas where taxa have been reported. The goal of this study was to update the information on the distribution of A. gularis complex and suggest a model applicable to species groups considered "complex", as well as to any taxonomic level. The generated information allowed developing a distribution model through Mahalanobis-typicality algorithm in IDRISI Taiga, validated using the area under the curve (AUC), with value of 0.932. The modeled distribution spanned in the states belonging to the Mexican Plateau. It was found that the taxa of the complex were associated with the Mexican Plateau's vegetation, classified as Chihuahuan desert. The vegetation was composed mainly by xeric scrub and grasslands, suggesting a factor that limits their distribution in northern and central Mexico, as it happens similar to other groups of reptiles.