Herpetofauna inside and outside from a natural protected area: The case of Reserva Estatal de la Biósfera Sierra San Juan, Nayarit, Mexico

Published source details Luja V.H., López J.A., Cruz-Elizalde R. & Ramírez-Bautista A. (2017) Herpetofauna inside and outside from a natural protected area: The case of Reserva Estatal de la Biósfera Sierra San Juan, Nayarit, Mexico. Nature Conservation, 21, 15-38.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Protect habitat: All reptiles (excluding sea turtles) Action Link

Protect habitat: All reptiles (excluding sea turtles)

A site comparison study in 2012–2015 in semi-deciduous tropical forest and cultivated land in Nayarit, Mexico (Luja et al. 2017) found that inside a protected area the numbers of lizards counted was higher, but snakes and turtles lower than outside the protected area, and the number of species found was similar for lizards and turtles, but lower inside the protected area for snakes. Results were not statistically tested. Eleven lizard species were found both inside and outside of the protected area, and more individual lizards were counted inside (937 individuals) than outside (834 individuals) the protected area. Less snake species and less individual snakes were counted inside the protected area (species: 14; individuals: 30) compared to outside of it (species: 20; individuals: 64). Two turtle species were found both inside and outside of the protected area, but less individual turtles were counted inside (4 individuals) than outside (8 individuals) of the protected area. Reptiles were surveyed inside and outside of a natural protected area using visual encounter surveys on 39 occasions in June 2012–August 2015 (760 survey hours both inside and outside the park).

(Summarised by: Katie Sainsbury)