Potential niche model of Gopherus flavomarginatus burrows in the Reserva de la Biosfera de Mapimí

Abstract

Bolsón tortoises, Gopherus flavomarginatus, spend much of their lives in burrows. Understanding the habitatcharacteristics where they construct their burrow shelters is necessary to develop potential niche models identifyingconstraints that may influence the distribution of this species. We analyzed dispersion pattern, density, elevation,soil, vegetation, slope, and the aspect of 151 registered G. flavomarginatus burrows at the Reserva de la Biosfera deMapimí. Potential burrow niche models were developed with Maxent and ArcMap software. There were 2 large areasof high probability for burrows, 1 located west and the other to the east of the reserve. The models developed in thisstudy showed that G. flavomarginatus populations tended to build their burrows in areas bordering the large pluvialdeposition extents and have a clustered distribution along the Reserve. Models generated in this study should workto identify critical habitat areas required for G. flavomarginatus to construct burrows. The proper management andconservation of these areas will directly benefit the conservation of this species.