Urban–wild Interface diversity: A comprehensive checklist of herpetofauna of Guayaquil, Ecuador

Urban–wild Interface diversity: A comprehensive checklist of herpetofauna of Guayaquil, Ecuador | Authorea try { document.documentElement.classList.add('js'); } catch (e) { } var _gaq = _gaq || []; _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'G-8VDV14Y67G']); _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); (function() { var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s); })(); Skip to main content Preprints Collections Wiley Open Research IET Open Research Ecological Society of Japan All Collections About About Authorea FAQs Contact Us Quick Search anywhere Search for preprint articles, keywords, etc. Search Search ADVANCED SEARCH SCROLL Ecology and Evolution This is a preprint and has not been peer reviewed. Data may be preliminary. 21 January 2026 V1 Latest version Share on Urban–wild Interface diversity: A comprehensive checklist of herpetofauna of Guayaquil, Ecuador Authors : Keyko Cruz-García , Natalia Zapata-Salvatierra 0000-0002-1995-2496 , Andrea E. Narvaez , and Julian Perez-Correa 0000-0002-9205-5396 [email protected] Authors Info & Affiliations https://doi.org/10.22541/au.176902577.71280087/v1 Published Ecology and Evolution Version of record Peer review timeline 174 views 80 downloads Contents Abstract Supplementary Material Information & Authors Metrics & Citations View Options References Figures Tables Media Share Abstract Biodiversity in urban environments is often underestimated, especially in tropical regions such as Ecuador. This study provides the most comprehensive inventory of amphibians and reptiles recorded in the remnant forests and urban gardens of Guayaquil, the largest and most industrially developed city in Ecuador. Located on the Pacific coast and close to two important biodiversity hotspots (the Tropical Andes and Tumbes–Chocó–Magdalena), Guayaquil has experienced significant urban expansion, fragmenting its unique ecosystems, such as tropical dry forests and mangroves. Our research combines over 16 years (2008–2024) of field monitoring efforts, museum specimens, and literature review, documenting 65 species (21 amphibians, 44 reptiles). This inventory includes introduced species, resilient taxa that are adapted to urban environments, and sensitive species that are affected by urban pressure. Notably, species such as Hemidactylus frenatus , Anolis sagrei , and Aquarana catesbeiana thrive in these modified landscapes, displaying ecological plasticity, whereas highly sensitive species, including Alopoglossus festae and Lepidoblepharis buchwaldi , are restricted to less disturbed areas. The study also highlights the presence of rare species with little previous documentation, such as Atractus microrhynchus , Caecilia tenuissima , Chironius flavopictus , and Drymobius rhombifer . In addition, expansions in the known distributions of several species in the Guayaquil area were recorded, including Caiman crocodilus and Clelia clelia , which emphasizes the ecological relevance of this region. This study highlights the importance of continuous monitoring and ecological studies to support urban biodiversity conservation, emphasizing that Guayaquil’s natural areas are essential refuges for herpetofauna amid urban expansion. Supplementary Material File (ms_checklistgye_final.docx) Download 79.03 KB File (table 1.docx) Download 16.36 KB File (table 2.docx) Download 14.28 KB File (table 3.docx) Download 16.40 KB File (table 4.docx) Download 22.10 KB Information & Authors Information Version history V1 Version 1 21 January 2026 Peer review timeline Published Ecology and Evolution Version of Record 6 May 2026 Published Copyright This work is licensed under a Non Exclusive No Reuse License. Collection Ecology and Evolution Keywords description ecosystem ecosystem ecology terrestrial vertebrate Authors Affiliations Keyko Cruz-García Universidad San Francisco de Quito View all articles by this author Natalia Zapata-Salvatierra 0000-0002-1995-2496 Universidad de Guayaquil Facultad de Ciencias Naturales View all articles by this author Andrea E. Narvaez Universidad de Especialidades Espiritu Santo View all articles by this author Julian Perez-Correa 0000-0002-9205-5396 [email protected] Escuela Superior Politecnica del Litoral View all articles by this author Metrics & Citations Metrics Article Usage 174 views 80 downloads .FvxKWukQNSOunydq8rnd { width: 100px; } Citations Download citation Keyko Cruz-García, Natalia Zapata-Salvatierra, Andrea E. Narvaez, et al. Urban–wild Interface diversity: A comprehensive checklist of herpetofauna of Guayaquil, Ecuador. Authorea . 21 January 2026. DOI: https://doi.org/10.22541/au.176902577.71280087/v1 If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download. For more information or tips please see 'Downloading to a citation manager' in the Help menu . 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