Mexico Herpetology

Welcome to Mexico-Herps.com!

triprion — Tue, 21 Feb 2006 21:36:36 +0000

WEBSITE UNDER CONSTRUCTION
I’m glad you found your way to my website! It is the first comprehensive introduction to the herpetofauna of Mexico anywhere (yes, anywhere!). I’m still trying to figure out what kind of format I want to stick with, so please don’t be put off by the “un-professional” appearance of the site. I am constantly working on updating the photos, maps, and any information contained within this site to be as accurate as possible in the ever-changing world of Mexican Herpetology. If you see something missing or in error please feel free to e-mail me and bring it to my attention!

The taxonomy contained within might not mirror that you are used to, or even comply with what is generally accepted at this point in time; I have my opinions on certain subjects and will almost always explain my reasons for “changing” name combinations within the species’ accounts. Also, for accounts that do not include photographs I have inserted a simple “(NP)” after the scientific name of the taxa in question. This will hopefully become less common as I “fill in the blanks” every trip down south! NAVIGATION NOTE: When you select a Genus (Sceloporus for example), a list of species’ names will appear. Click on a name for the species account; above and below the species’ names in small font is the word “Previous” or “Next” - “Previous” takes you to the next group of species names for that Genus (alphabetical order), at which point “Next” will take you back. I know it’s backwards, and I’m going to figure out a way to navigate in a more sensible fashion, please give me time.

I guess I should quickly introduce myself: my name is Timothy Burkhardt. I’m 29 years old and have been an extremely avid amateur herpetologist since I was old enough to stand on two legs. At age 13 I decided that being the first person to see every species and subspecies of reptile and amphibian in the United States would be a pretty cool goal. At this point all I had to go by was my little green Audubon Guide to North American reptiles and amphibs and an insatiable thirst for new information and outdoor experience.
At age 14 I had acquired two new field guides: Robert C. Stebbins’ book on the west and the Conant & Collins book on the eastern portions of the United States. I spent countless hours reading these and other wonderful books such as Wright & Wright’s “Handbook of Frogs and Toads” (of North America), and Karl Kauffeld’s inspirational “Snakes and Snake Hunting”. For Christmas that year I asked for Smith & Smith’s “Synopsis of the Herpetofauna of Mexico: Vol. VI: Testudines” (Turtles). At that point I became fascinated with the reptiles and amphibians of Mexico.
Even though I lived a mere 20 miles from the border, Mexico seemed distant and mystical - a land full of amazing new species I had only seen at the San Diego Zoo or in old black and white photos in my books. My parents, who were so amazingly supportive of my interest in herpetology, would drive me all around San Diego and Imperial Counties and even to Arizona but they drew the line at visiting Mexico. Throughout my teen years I tried and tried to find someone in the San Diego Herpetological Society or San Diego Natural History Museum who would take me down with them, but everyone I talked to was afraid to go down themselves, letalone with their personal vehicle.
Long story short, in December of 2001 I finally made my first trip south of the border in the form of a quick trip to northern Baja California. Even though we spent only a few days there, I soon realized I was hooked. Beginning in June, 2002 I began taking longer trips generally several weeks in duration to different regions in Mexico, progressing farther south each time. During these trips I took few photos, and what I did photograph I did so very poorly. It wasn’t until 2004 that I bought myself a digital camera and really began trying to take quality pictures that I could share with my fellow herp enthusiasts.
Starting in 2003 I began dedicating the vast majority of my money and time to learning about the herps of Mexico. My herping adventures in the USA came to a virtual standstill and it became “all about south of the ‘ol border!” In 2003 and 2005 my friends and I discovered two new species of chirping frogs (Syrrhophus) in Mexico; we have yet to describe these but are working on that at this point in time.

I hope you enjoy checking out my photos and reading about my experiences in the field. Please check back often for updates. If you are interested in purchasing photographs please e-mail me at Triprionco@aol.com and I will be happy to discuss it with you. Thank you and enjoy! Sincerely,
Tim

WEBSITE UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Political Map of the Country of Mexico

Agalychnis moreleti

triprion — Tue, 21 Feb 2006 21:34:12 +0000

Adult Male, 4,500′, Oaxaca, Mexico

Adult Male, 4,500′, Oaxaca, Mexico

Inactive Adult Male, 4,500′, Oaxaca, Mexico

MORELET’S LEAF FROG
Agalychnis moreletii - Dumeril 1853

IDENTIFICATION:

DISTRIBUTION:
Historically, Agalychnis moreletii is found in several widely-disjunct regions of southern Mexico; In Puebla it is known from the Sierra Norte, in Veracruz from Cuautlapan and the Los Tuxtlas region, in Oaxaca from the Sierra Juarez and Sierra Miahuatlan, from Chiapas in the Sierra Madre de Chiapas and Tapilula/Pueblo Nuevo Solistahuacan, and in the Sierra Madre del Sur of Guerrero. Elevational distribution from 300-1500 m.

HABITAT:

Tropical Montane Habitat, 4,500′, Oaxaca, Mexico

Man-Made Oviposition Site, 4,500′, Oaxaca, Mexico

NATURAL HISTORY:

TAXONOMY:

TYPE:
Described as Hyla moreletii by Dumeril (1853). Syntypes: MNHNP 428. Type locality: “Vera-Paz”, Guatemala; corrected to “Coban in [Departamento Alta] Vera Paz, Guatemala” by Kellogg (1932).

PERSONAL NOTES:
On the night of July 8, 2005 I had the good fortune to discover this species calling from around an old well near Vista Hermosa, Sierra Juarez, Oaxaca. Three males were giving half-hearted vocalizations while perched on cattails about 3-4′ above the water. One Smilisca cyanosticta was also calling from a floating position in the well. On a forested slope nearby, what I believe to be Anotheca spinosa called sporadically. There was no rain on this evening.
Also of note was the fact that the well was full of nearly transformed, as well as 50% grown Agalychnis tadpoles. This indicates that A. moreleti has a lengthy breeding season.

CONSERVATION STATUS:
IUCN Red List status for this species is “Critically Endangered” due to a projected population decline of 80% over the next ten years due to habitat loss and infection with the Chytrid fungus; surveyors in the states of Guerrero, Oaxaca and Chiapas, Mexico reported this species extirpated from all sites they visited. (In July, 2005 I found an extant breeding population in the Sierra Juarez of Oaxaca - photographed above).

REFERENCES:
Faivovich, J., C. F. B. Haddad, P. C. A. Garcia, D. R. Frost, J. A. Campbell, and W. C. Wheeler. 2005. Systematic review of the frog family Hylidae, with special reference to Hylinae: phylogenetic analysis and taxonomic revision. Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History 294:1-240.
Lips, K. R., J. R. Mendelson 3rd, A. Muñoz-Alonso, L. Canseco-Márquez and D. G. Mulcahy. 2004. Amphibian population declines in montane southern Mexico: resurveys of historical localities. Biological Conservation 119(2004):555-564.

Eleutherodactylus decoratus purpurus

triprion — Tue, 21 Feb 2006 21:33:10 +0000

Adult, 4,800′, Tamaulipas, Mexico

Adult, in situ 5′ Above Ground, 4,800′, Tamaulipas, Mexico

PURPLE ADORNED ROBBER FROG
Eleutherodactylus decoratus - Taylor 1943
Eleutherodactylus decoratus purpurus - Lynch 1973

IDENTIFICATION:

DISTRIBUTION:
The purple adorned robber frog is known only from the cloud forest region of the Rancho del Cielo Biosphere Preserve, in the Sierra de Guadalupe of south-central Tamaulipas, Mexico. It may also be found near El Chihue, Tamaulipas in a small area of remnant cloud forest but this has yet to be verified.

HABITAT:
E. d. purpurus appears to be found only within cave rich (karstic) cloud forest - both virgin and slightly altered by local inhabitants. They are most often found within the region’s caves, sinkholes and moss-covered boulder jumbles, but may also occasionally be found beneath logs and rocks on the forest floor as they travel from site to site.

Cloud Forest Limestone Karst Region, 4,800′, Tamaulipas, Mexico

NATURAL HISTORY:

TAXONOMY:
In the Eleutherodactylus alfredi group as defined by Lynch and Duellman (1997).

TYPE:
Described as Eleutherodactylus decoratus purpurus by Lynch (1967). Holotype: UMMZ 102496. Type locality: “a cave near Rancho del Cielo, 5 km. NW Gomez Farias, Tamaulipas, México, 3500 feet elev.”

PERSONAL NOTES:
I have seen the subspecies purpurus only once. In August, 2004 I found the above photographed individual in a small cave near San Jose, in the Rancho del Cielo Biosphere Preserve. It was perched motionless in a small alcove on the cave’s ceiling - a remarkably precarious situation considering the frog must have climbed upside-down along the horizontal ceiling for 5-6′ to get where it was! One look at the well-expanded toe-tips of this species made the scenario believable.

CONSERVATION STATUS:
IUCN Red List status for this species is currently “Vulnerable” due to the continued degradation and transformation of it’s cloud forest habitat, and highly fragmented distribution. Mexico protects E. decoratus under the “Special Protection” category.

REFERENCES:
Campbell, J. A., W. W. Lamar, and D. M. Hillis. 1989. A New Species of Diminutive Eleutherodactylus (Leptodactylidae) from Oaxaca, Mexico. Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington 102:491-499.
Canseco-Márquez, L. and E. N. Smith. 2004. A Diminutive Species of Eleutherodactylus (Anura: Leptodactylidae), of the alfredi Group, from the Sierra Negra of Puebla, Mexico. Herpetologica 60(3):358-363.

Crotalus willardi obscurus

triprion — Mon, 20 Feb 2006 21:36:36 +0000

Adult, 6,000′, Hidalgo County, New Mexico

Adult, 6,000′, Hidalgo County, New Mexico

Close-Up of Head

Close-Up of Head

ANIMAS RIDGE-NOSED RATTLESNAKE
Crotalus willardi - Meek 1905
Crotalus willardi obscurus - Harris 1974

IDENTIFICATION:

DISTRIBUTION:
In Mexico, this rattlesnake is found only in the Sierra San Luis of Sonora and Chihuahua; it also occurs in the United States in the Animas and Peloncillo Mountains.

HABITAT:

Madrean Woodland Habitat, 6,000′, Hidalgo County, New Mexico

NATURAL HISTORY:

TAXONOMY:

TYPE:

PERSONAL NOTES:
I am extremely fortunate to have seen this snake once, in the Peloncillo Mountains of Hidalgo County, New Mexico. In August, 2005 two friends and I made a spur of the moment trip to this range on the slight chance we would see an obscurus, and obviously it worked out well for us! It took us a mere 45 minutes of poking around to locate this beautiful adult snake. Other species found the same day in this area were Sceloporus virgatus, Urosaurus ornatus, Trimorphodon biscutatus lambda, and Crotalus molossus molossus.

CONSERVATION STATUS:
In the United States, this snake is strictly protected on a federal level. Populations in both the United States and Mexico are stable, and it appears that there is no immediate concern as to the existance of this snake in the wild. It’s limited geographic distribution and supposed threat of rampant collection are the reasons for obscurus to be protected in the U.S.

REFERENCES:
Campbell, J. A. and W. W. Lamar. 2004. The Venomous Reptiles of the Western Hemisphere. Cornell Univ. Press, Ithaca, New York, 870 pp.

Crotaphytus dickersonae

triprion — Mon, 20 Feb 2006 21:35:44 +0000

Adult male, 200′, Sonora, Mexico

Adult male, 200′, Sonora, Mexico

Adult male, 200′, Sonora, Mexico

Adult male, 200′, Sonora, Mexico

Venter of adult male, 200′, Sonora, Mexico

Female showing gravid coloration, 200′, Sonora, Mexico

Subadult male, 200′, Sonora, Mexico

Juvenile male, 200′, Sonora, Mexico

DICKERSON’S COLLARED LIZARD
Crotaphytus dickersonae - Schmidt 1922

IDENTIFICATION:

DISTRIBUTION:
This colorful species is found only in a narrow band of rocky hills along the coast of Sonora, Mexico from the town of El Desemboque south to Bahia Kino Nuevo; it is also found on Isla Tiburon in the Gulf of California. They are found from near sea level to the highest peaks of these hills, which are just a few hundred meters in elevation.

HABITAT:
This lizard inhabits Sonoran upland and rocky coastal desert sites. It is most common on the low-mid rocky slopes of ridges and hills.

Habitat, 200′, Sonora, Mexico

NATURAL HISTORY:
This species is saxicolous and is most often observed perched on rocks and rock outcrops. Male and female Crotaphytus dickersonae display their breeding coloration in April, and females are thought to lay their eggs in May and June. Smaller lizards are a large part of the diet of Crotaphytus dickersonae. This species will bask during the heat of the day in temperatures that are too extreme for other lizards. When frightened, collared lizards have the ability to run on their hind legs (bipedal motion) for short distances.

TAXONOMY:
In the Crotaphytus collaris species group, its closest relatives are C. collaris and C. nebrius.

TYPE:
Described as Crotaphytus dickersonae by K. P. Schmidt (1922). Holotype: USNM 64451. Type locality: Tiburon Island, Sonora, Mexico.

PERSONAL NOTES:
I found C. dickersonae in 2004 and 2005 at the same locality in coastal Sonora, Mexico. Males seemed to outnumber females by a large margin, but this may have been due to the activity patterns of the sexes. Males basked on open boulders and were ubiquitous due to their gawdy coloration, while the few females we found were often flushed from terrestrial locations beneath large bushes and cactus patches. Other species of reptiles I observed here are: Dipsosaurus dorsalis sonoriensis, Aspidoscelis tigris ssp., Salvadora hexalepis hexalepis, and Masticophis bilineatus.

CONSERVATION STATUS:
This species is abundant and needs no special protection.

REFERENCES:

Tomodactylus syristes

triprion — Mon, 20 Feb 2006 21:34:33 +0000

Adult, 3,500′, Oaxaca, Mexico

Adult showing thigh coloration, 3,500′, Oaxaca, Mexico

MIAHUATLAN (PIPING) PEEPING FROG
Tomodactylus syristes - Hoyt 1965

IDENTIFICATION:

DISTRIBUTION:
T. syristes is known to occur only on the Pacific slopes of the Sierra Miahuatlán and Sierra Mixteca Alta at moderate elevations.

HABITAT:

Cloud Forest of the Sierra Madre del Sur, 2,000′, Oaxaca, Mexico

NATURAL HISTORY:

TAXONOMY:
The genus Tomodactylus was recently synonomized with Eleutherodactylus; however, I believe that Tomodactylus should be retained to represent this distinct group of frogs.

TYPE:
Described as Tomodactylus syristes by Hoyt (1965). Holotype: UMMZ 124004. Type locality: “on the Pacific slopes of the Sierra de Miahuatlan . . . . 66.7 km (by road) N of Pochutla, Oaxaca, Mexico”.

PERSONAL NOTES:
I encountered this species during July, 2005 in the Sierra Madre del Sur above Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca. During a rainless night, dozens of calling individuals were heard along a 7 mile stretch of rural highway. Most were vocalizing from high perches in pine trees and would have been extremely difficult to capture; in the course of climbing a vertical roadcut to try for a calling frog, I happened upon the above-photographed female in the tall grass I was using to ascend the dangerous slope.
Of possible interest is the fact that there was approximately 1 mile of highway where no Tomodactylus or Syrrhophus were vocalizing on this evening - lower than T. syristes and above S. pipilans.

CONSERVATION STATUS:
IUCN Red List status for this species is currently “Endangered” due to it’s small geographic distribution and the continued deforestation associated with the forests it exclusively inhabits. Mexico’s law lists this species under “Special Protection”. Whether or not this species can exist in logged regions has yet to be determined, but it seems that virgin forest is not necessary to it’s survival.

REFERENCES:

Bufo cavifrons

triprion — Mon, 20 Feb 2006 21:34:27 +0000

Metamorph, 295′, Veracruz, Mexico

Venter

TUXTLAN TOAD
Bufo cavifrons - Firschein 1950

IDENTIFICATION:

DISTRIBUTION:
Bufo cavifrons is endemic to the isolated Sierra de los Tuxtlas region (including Volcan Santa Marta) of Veracruz, Mexico. Here, it occurs at elevations of 75-1600m.

HABITAT:

Rain Forest Habitat, 295′, Sierra de los Tuxtlas, Veracruz, Mexico

Oviposition Site, 320′, Sierra de los Tuxtlas, Veracruz, Mexico

NATURAL HISTORY:
Bufo cavifrons is a stream-breeding, forest dwelling species that does not generally thrive where native forest has been cleared. It generally occurs in Tropical Rainforest and Tropical Deciduous Forest environments. Breeding takes place mainly in the dry season but may occur to some degree year-round.

TAXONOMY:
In the Bufo valliceps group of Martin (1972).

TYPE:
Described as Bufo cavifrons by Firschein (1950). Holotype: UIMNH 8741. Type locality: “500 feet below peak of Volcán San Martín, San Andrés Tuxtla, Veracruz, Mexico”.

PERSONAL NOTES:
In late June, 2005 I encountered a large number of recently metamorphosed Bufo cavifrons along a stream adjacent to the UNAM Biological Research Station in the Sierra de los Tuxtlas, Veracruz. They were abundant along the shaded, rocky streamcourse and never more than a few feet from the waters’ edge. Young Eleutherodactylus vulcani were found here in similar numbers.

CONSERVATION STATUS:
IUCN Red List Status for Bufo cavifrons is currently listed as “Endangered” due to a highly fragmented and decreasing population, as well as continued habitat destruction within it’s small natural range.

REFERENCES:

Phyllodactylus delcampoi

triprion — Mon, 20 Feb 2006 21:34:13 +0000

Adult, Dark Individual, 800′, Guerrero, Mexico

Adult, Light Individual, 800′, Guerrero, Mexico

GUERRERO LEAF-TOED GECKO
Phyllodactylus delcampoi - Mosauer 1936

IDENTIFICATION:

DISTRIBUTION:

HABITAT:

Upland Habitat, 800′, Guerrero, Mexico

Microhabitat, 800′, Guerrero, Mexico

Microhabitat, 800′, Guerrero, Mexico

NATURAL HISTORY:

TAXONOMY:

TYPE:

PERSONAL NOTES:

REFERENCES:

Geophis semidoliatus

triprion — Mon, 20 Feb 2006 20:30:39 +0000

Adult, 200′, Veracruz, Mexico

Adult and Neonates, 200′, Veracruz, Mexico

CORAL EARTH SNAKE
Geophis semidoliatus - Dumeril, Bibron & Dumeril 1854

IDENTIFICATION:

DISTRIBUTION:

HABITAT:

Banana Grove Habitat, 200′, Veracruz, Mexico

NATURAL HISTORY:

TAXONOMY:

TYPE:

PERSONAL NOTES:

REFERENCES:

Phrynosoma coronatum

triprion — Fri, 17 Feb 2006 17:58:10 +0000

Adult, 50′, Baja California Sur, Mexico

Venter

BAJA CALIFORNIA HORNED LIZARD
Phrynosoma coronatum - Blainville 1835

IDENTIFICATION:

DISTRIBUTION:

HABITAT:

Tropical Thornscrub habitat, 1000′, Baja California Sur, Mexico

Sandy Arroyo microhabitat, 1000′, Baja California Sur, Mexico

NATURAL HISTORY:

TAXONOMY:

TYPE:

PERSONAL NOTES:
In June, 2002 with the help of Victor Velasquez, Gary Nafis and I happened upon this lizard while digging for Bipes biporus on the outskirts of La Paz. It was sleeping just beneath the surface of a sandy substrate at the base of a large bush. Luckily, it managed to avoid being severed in half by our shovels’ blade.

CONSERVATION STATUS:
This species is currently not threatened, and it appears this status will not change in the near future.

REFERENCES: