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bioRxiv · 10.1101/2025.01.10.632384

Impacts of Habitat Transformation on Amphibian and Reptile Communities in a Heterogeneous Andean Landscape

Falcon-Espitia, N.·Rios-Orjuela, J. C.·Perez-Rojas, S.·Plazas-Cardona, D.·Arias-Escobar, A.
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Abstract

Land-use change is a major driver of biodiversity loss in tropical montane ecosystems, yet its effects on herpetofaunal community structure remain insufficiently understood at local scales. We evaluated patterns of diversity and community structure of amphibians and reptiles across a gradient of habitat transformation in southwestern Cundinamarca, Colombia. Field surveys conducted between 2015 and 2022 using visual encounter surveys recorded 57 species and 608 individuals. Forest habitats supported the highest species richness and diversity, whereas coffee crops and open areas exhibited reduced richness and simplified assemblages. Rank-abundance patterns revealed greater dominance in open habitats and higher evenness in forests, consistent with environmental filtering processes. Amphibians were more strongly associated with forest environments, whereas reptiles showed broader habitat tolerance and higher representation in disturbed habitats. In addition, we compiled a comprehensive regional inventory based on field data, biological collections, and biodiversity databases, documenting 86 species of herpetofauna. Overall, our results show patterns consistent with environmental filtering, where habitat transformation is associated with increased dominance of generalist species and simplified community structure. These findings highlight the importance of conserving forest remnants and maintaining heterogeneous landscapes to support herpetofaunal diversity in the Colombian Andes.

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Falcon-Espitia, N., Rios-Orjuela, J. C., Perez-Rojas, S., Plazas-Cardona, D., Arias-Escobar, A.. 2025-01-13. Impacts of Habitat Transformation on Amphibian and Reptile Communities in a Heterogeneous Andean Landscape. https://doi.org/10.1101/2025.01.10.632384

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