Lowland riparian herpetofaunas: the San Pedro River in southeastern Arizona

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  • Authors: Rosen, Philip C.
  • Publication Year: 2005
  • Publication Series: Proceedings (P)
  • Source: In: Gottfried, Gerald J.; Gebow, Brooke S.; Eskew, Lane G.; Edminster, Carleton B., comps. Connecting mountain islands and desert seas: biodiversity and management of the Madrean Archipelago II. Proc. RMRS-P-36. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station: 106-111

Abstract

Previous work has shown that southeastern Arizona has a characteristic, high diversity lowland riparian herpetofauna with 62-68 or more species along major stream corridors, and 46-54 species in shorter reaches within single biomes, based on intensive fieldwork and museum record surveys. The San Pedro River supports this characteristic herpetofauna, at least some of which still occurs in the lower basin within the Sonoran Desert. It has about 64 species (55 vouchered to date), with 48-53 species within each of three somewhat ecologically homogeneous portions of the basin. This assemblage is more similar to other lowland herpetofaunas than to an example of a canyon riparian herpetofauna. Most of the characteristic riparian species are not known to be abundant along the San Pedro, and some expected species are apparently absent, suggesting that the herpetofauna may have not yet recovered from the history of grassland, cienega, and bottomland degradation.

  • Citation: Rosen, Philip C. 2005. Lowland riparian herpetofaunas: the San Pedro River in southeastern Arizona. In: Gottfried, Gerald J.; Gebow, Brooke S.; Eskew, Lane G.; Edminster, Carleton B., comps. Connecting mountain islands and desert seas: biodiversity and management of the Madrean Archipelago II. Proc. RMRS-P-36. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station: 106-111
  • Keywords: herpetofauna, species richness, diversity, riparian areas, Arizona
  • Posted Date: June 8, 2006
  • Modified Date: August 22, 2006

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