Papers by Daniel Cruz-Sáenz
DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals), Mar 1, 2012
Revista Mexicana de Biodiversidad
The relative allocation of energy organisms devote to reproductive processes (aka reproductive ef... more The relative allocation of energy organisms devote to reproductive processes (aka reproductive effort) constitutes a central topic in life history theory. We document some aspects of the reproductive ecology and investment of 2 viviparous skinks of the genus Plestiodon from Mexico: an undescribed species previously assigned to P. brevirostris(Plestiodon sp., La Malinche, Tlaxcala, 2,700-3,000 m) and P. dugesii (2 populations, Mazamitla and Tapalpa, Jalisco; 2,400-2,500 m). We used relative litter mass (RLM) as a measure of reproductive effort and calculated a body condition index (BCI) as a proxy of the energy status of non-pregnant females, post-parturient females, and neonates. There were no differences in any of the reproductive characteristics between the 2 populations of P. dugesii. Both species lacked sexual size dimorphism, and female body size did not influence RLM, litter size nor litter mass. However, female BCI influenced RLM and, in P. dugesii, a larger litter size corre...
Revista Latinoamericana de Herpetología
Cope's Largescale Spiny Lizards (Sceloporus utiformis) are endemic to the Pacific slope of Me... more Cope's Largescale Spiny Lizards (Sceloporus utiformis) are endemic to the Pacific slope of Mexico. They are oviparous and are known to inhabit tropical and temperate forests from sea level to 1,800 m a.s.l. Here, we expand this range based on the finding, in May 2022, of two individuals of S. utiformis in the southeastern portion of the Sierra de Manantlán, at 2154 m elevation. We also provide data on morphometry and field body and microhabitat temperatures of these organisms. A previous study conducted at the same locality almost three decades ago found the species to be present at much lower elevations, so we hypothesize that this could be a case of upward range shifting due to climate change. Moreover, as few oviparous members of the genus Sceloporus occur above 2,000 m elevation, this record triggers many questions about the ecological implications of oviparity along elevation gradients.
Revista Mexicana De Biodiversidad, May 3, 2014
Geographic Information Systems technology was used to analyze the distribution and species richne... more Geographic Information Systems technology was used to analyze the distribution and species richness of the reptiles of the state of Jalisco, and its association with vegetation types, physiographic provinces, altitude, climate and herpetological provinces. Data were obtained from voucher specimens deposited in 10 national and international zoological collections, comprising 2552 catalogued specimens. We found that there are 151 species of reptiles for the state of Jalisco. The analysis demonstrated a need for stronger efforts in sampling the eastern and northern regions of the state. Resumen Utilizando los sistemas de información geográfica como herramienta se realizo el análisis de la distribución y la riqueza de las especies de reptiles para el estado de Jalisco, con relación a tipos de vegetación, provincias fisiográficas, altitud, clima y provincias herpetológicas. Este se efectuó a partir de registros obtenidos de colecciones zoológicas que tuvieran ejemplares colectados en el estado. Se obtuvo un total de 2552 registros de 10 colecciones nacionales y extrajeras. Encontramos que en Jalisco se presentan 151 especies de reptiles. El análisis dejo ver que hace falta realizar un esfuerzo importante en muestrear la región Este y Norte del estado.
Revista Mexicana de Biodiversidad, 2012
Xantusia sanchezi is an endangered species that is endemic to Mexico and is known only from the s... more Xantusia sanchezi is an endangered species that is endemic to Mexico and is known only from the states of Jalisco and Zacatecas. We studied a population from a locality known as Huaxtla, in the municipality of Zapopan in the state of Jalisco. Sampling was conducted over a period of 7 months in an area of 1.5 hectares of grassland and oak forest with boulders. Collected data included: body measurements (total length, snout-vent length, tail length, head length, head width, head height, femur length, and femoral pores), sex, weight, habitat and average temperature and humidity. Habitat characterization was made using a coverage analysis. A total of 29 individuals were captured with 7 re-captures. This work provides the first data on the biology and ecology of this species, which is known in Jalisco from only a small area under tremendous threat due to urban development.<br>Se realizó el estudio de una población de Xantusia sanchezi, una lagartija endémica de México y en peligro ...
Check List, 2015
We report the first records of two species of snake in the state of Jalisco, Mexico. We recorded ... more We report the first records of two species of snake in the state of Jalisco, Mexico. We recorded one specimen of Tantilla cascadae and two of Tantilla ceboruca, the former known only from its type locality. These findings extend the known geographical distribution of T. cascadae 121 km westward from Michoacán, its type locality. Also, it extends the known geographical distribution of T. ceboruca 41 km eastward from its type locality and 185 km northwest from its second record in the state of Colima.
Revista Mexicana de Biodiversidad, 2012
Xantusia sanchezi is an endangered species that is endemic to Mexico and is known only from the s... more Xantusia sanchezi is an endangered species that is endemic to Mexico and is known only from the states of Jalisco and Zacatecas.We studied a population from a locality known as Huaxtla, in the municipality of Zapopan in the state of Jalisco. Sampling was conducted over a period of 7 months in an area of 1.5 hectares of grassland and oak forest with boulders. Collected data included: body measurements (total length, snout-vent length, tail length, head length, head width, head height, femur length, and femoral pores), sex, weight, habitat and average temperature and humidity. Habitat characterization was made using a coverage analysis. A total of 29 individuals were captured with 7 re-captures. This work provides the first data on the biology and ecology of this species, which is known in Jalisco from only a small area under tremendous threat due to urban development.
There are 14 species recognized in the North American genus Xantusia. Six of these occur in Mexic... more There are 14 species recognized in the North American genus Xantusia. Six of these occur in Mexico. Two species of the genus, X. bolsonae and X. sanchezi, are categorized by the Mexican government as “at risk of extinction” (SEMARNAT, 2002). Little is known about the biology, ecology, and the current status of the disjunct populations of these two species. Sanchez’s night lizard, Xantusia sanchezi, is the southernmost species and is known from southern Zacatecas and central Jalisco. This species was described by Bezy and FloresVillela (1999) from the locality of Moyahua, Zacatecas. While conducting a population ecology study of X. sanchezi, we surveyed the other herpetofauna at the sampling site. We found a total of 24 sympatric species. We categorized nine of these as possible predator species of X. sanchezi based on documented saurophagy.
of two genera: Micrurus and Micruroides (Campbell and Lamar, 2004). Micruroides is a monotypic ge... more of two genera: Micrurus and Micruroides (Campbell and Lamar, 2004). Micruroides is a monotypic genus that differs from the other New World coralsnakes in having a single pair of gular shields, separated prefrontal bones, a red ring that follows the pale nuchal ring, and the presence of solid maxillary teeth situated posterior to the fangs (Roze, 1974; Campbell and Lamar, 2004; Meik et al., 2007). The Sonoran Coralsnake, Micruroides euryxanthus (Kennicott, 1860), is the only species in the genus, and is distributed in Arizona and New Mexico, in the southwestern United States, southward into northwestern and western México, in the Mexican states of Chihuahua, Sonora, Sinaloa, Nayarit, and Jalisco (Roze, 1974; Campbell and Lamar, 2004; WoolrichPiña et al., 2016, Bezy et al., 2017; Cruz-Sáenz et al., 2017; Ahumada-Carrillo et al., 2018). Three subspecies are currently known on the basis of lepidosis and colour pattern (Campbell and Lamar, 2004): M. euryxanthus euryxanthus Kennicott, 186...
During the course of a survey conducted in the municipality of Aguililla in the state of Michoaca... more During the course of a survey conducted in the municipality of Aguililla in the state of Michoacan, Mexico, we observed a Mexican leaf frog (Agalychnis dacnicolor) prey upon a tarantula (Bonnetina sp.). Predator-prey interactions between various spider and frog species have been documented many times --a phenomenon that day by day grows as more researchers are out in the field.
Huitzil, Revista Mexicana de Ornitología, Oct 21, 2017
Reportamos cinco especies de aves para el estado de Zacatecas, México: Ortalis poliocephala (chac... more Reportamos cinco especies de aves para el estado de Zacatecas, México: Ortalis poliocephala (chachalaca pálida), Progne sina loae (golondrina sinaloense), Peucaea carpalis (zacatonero ala rufa), Melospiza melodia (gorrión cantor) y Cyanocompsa parellina (colorín azul negro). Ortalis poliocephala es también un primer registro para la región biogeográfica Sierra Madre Occidental. Estos registros son relevantes ecológicamente ya que extienden la distribución conocida de estas especies y sugieren que la región sur de Zacatecas pudiera ser más diversa de lo que se supone.
Revista Latinoamericana de Herpetología
We document two new localities for Gerrhonotus liocephalus for the state of Jalisco. These record... more We document two new localities for Gerrhonotus liocephalus for the state of Jalisco. These records are far from the coastline where the rest of the distribution of this species in Jalisco has been documented. Both records represent latitudinal and altitudinal distributional extensions. The first record is in the municipality of Talpa de Allende and the second in the municipality of Lagos de Moreno. Resumen Aquí documentamos dos nuevas localidades para Gerrhonotus liocephalus para el estado de Jalisco. Estos registros son lejos de la costa donde el resto de la distribución de esta especie en Jalisco se ha documentado. Ambos registros representan extensiones de distribución latitudinales y altitudinales. El primer registro es en el municipio de Talpa de Allende y el segundo en el municipio de Lagos de Moreno.
Herpetofaunal road mortality in the municipality of Cuauhtémoc, Colima, Mexico Roads are recurren... more Herpetofaunal road mortality in the municipality of Cuauhtémoc, Colima, Mexico Roads are recurrent avenues used for the transportation of people and supplies, and vehicular traffic has been well documented as an important agent in reducing populations of amphibians and reptiles. Road mortality can contribute to local and regional declines in herpetofaunal populations, especially during peak periods when animals tend to cross roads (Lazcano et al., 2009, 2017). Coelho et al. (2012) noted road mortality as one of the principal causes of amphibian population decline worldwide. In addition to habitat fragmentation due to logging, farming, and urbanization, vehicular traffic is responsible for a high degree of vertebrate mortality. Most road-builders do not attempt to prevent or ameliorate the environmental impact of their construction, and in many cases concrete barriers between lanes prevent animals from crossing roads. Although roads should be constructed with passages that allow animals to cross these structures safely, such practices often are not considered because of their cost and the disruption it would cause to the flow of traffic. In this note, we document road mortality in amphibians and reptiles in the state of Colima. Study Methods We conducted daily surveys during two time periods: from 6 June to 11 December 2014, and from 24 April 2015 to 29 November 2016. The section of road in this study is located in the eastern part of Colima, in the municipality of Cuauhtémoc, between Cuauhtémoc and Buenavista. The section of the road we surveyed is approximately 8.5 km long. We conducted the surveys early in the morning and during the afternoon, by driving and recording the individuals found dead on the road (DOR) that had been killed by vehicular traffic. We recorded the data for every individual found, including the species identification, date, and location.
We document for the first time predation on Rhinella horribilis (cane toad / sapo gigante)
by Lep... more We document for the first time predation on Rhinella horribilis (cane toad / sapo gigante)
by Leptodeira maculata (southern cat-eyed snake / escombrera del suroeste Mexicana) and
by Caracara cheriway (northern caracara / quebranta huesos). On 1 November 2016, at
08:16 h, we observed a Leptodeira maculata consuming Rhinella horribilis without
regurgitation after consumption. The locality is strongly disturbed deciduous medium
tropical forest. On 17 November 2016 at 10:11 h we observed a Caracara cheriway preying
on a Rhinella horribilis. The bird was perched on a Guazuma ulmifolia (cuaulote). Both
events took place at Buena Vista in the municipality of Cuauhtémoc, Colima, Mexico.
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Papers by Daniel Cruz-Sáenz
by Leptodeira maculata (southern cat-eyed snake / escombrera del suroeste Mexicana) and
by Caracara cheriway (northern caracara / quebranta huesos). On 1 November 2016, at
08:16 h, we observed a Leptodeira maculata consuming Rhinella horribilis without
regurgitation after consumption. The locality is strongly disturbed deciduous medium
tropical forest. On 17 November 2016 at 10:11 h we observed a Caracara cheriway preying
on a Rhinella horribilis. The bird was perched on a Guazuma ulmifolia (cuaulote). Both
events took place at Buena Vista in the municipality of Cuauhtémoc, Colima, Mexico.
by Leptodeira maculata (southern cat-eyed snake / escombrera del suroeste Mexicana) and
by Caracara cheriway (northern caracara / quebranta huesos). On 1 November 2016, at
08:16 h, we observed a Leptodeira maculata consuming Rhinella horribilis without
regurgitation after consumption. The locality is strongly disturbed deciduous medium
tropical forest. On 17 November 2016 at 10:11 h we observed a Caracara cheriway preying
on a Rhinella horribilis. The bird was perched on a Guazuma ulmifolia (cuaulote). Both
events took place at Buena Vista in the municipality of Cuauhtémoc, Colima, Mexico.