Disparity in Taxonomic and Functional Diversity of Amphibians and Reptiles in a Tropical Region of Central Mexico

Abstract

Currently, land conversion for cultivation, livestock raising, and plantations (i.e., land-use change) is a significant threat to global biodiversity, especially in tropical forests. Hence, this study analyzes the differences in taxonomic and functional alpha and beta diversities of amphibians and reptiles among three land-uses (montane cloud forest, rainforest, and pastures) in central Mexico. Hill numbers were used to calculate both alpha taxonomic and functional diversity, while beta taxonomic and functional diversity were calculated considering their turnover and nestedness components; in addition, we identify functional groups for each taxa. Amphibian taxonomic and functional diversity was similar among land-uses, whereas reptile taxonomic and functional diversity was higher in forests than in pastures. We found high beta taxonomic diversity of herpetofauna among all land-uses, where turnover was the predominant component. However, beta functional diversity was low and functional nestedness predominated in most cases. Likewise, the abundance of reptile and amphibian functional groups differed among land-use types. We suggest that species ecological resilience, homogeneous species distribution, and environmental filters may explain these taxonomic and functional diversity patterns of herpetofauna. Finally, researchers are encouraged to consistently document and publish morphological, reproductive, behavioral, and ecological data on tropical amphibians and reptiles to support current and future studies on the functional diversity of herpetofauna.