Regresar

Alteration effects of ornamental whitewashing of rocks on the soil properties and body condition of fossorial amphisbaenians that live under them

Abstract:

The ecology and conservation state of fossorial herpetofauna is poorly understood but they may be at particular risk from soil disturbance. However, their low conspicuousness may lead conservationist researchers and managers to overlook potential problems. Amphisbaenians are a group of fossorial reptiles but, because of their secretive habits, there are few data on their ecology and potential conservation problems. Here, we examined the effects of an anthropogenic factors (alteration of rocks by whitewashing), which affects chemical properties of the soil, on body condition of fossorial Trogonophis wiegmanni amphisbaenians. Results indicated that the increased amounts of inorganic carbonates under whitewashed rocks may negatively affect the body condition of amphisbaenians, their fitness, and the health of the populations. We suggest potential management actions to solve this problem and emphasize the need for periodic surveys of subterranean herpetofauna to prevent future conservation problems.