Tucson Herpetological Society: Rafael Lara – Thornscrub Tortoises

We explored the thermal ecology and environmental challenges faced by the Gopherus evgoodei tortoise species in its habitat in southern Sonora, Mexico.

Firstly, we assessed the thermal quality of G. evgoodei‘s primary habitat, the tropical dry forest (TDF), and analyzed how habitat modification due to buffelgrass invasion could disrupt the available thermal landscape. We found that intact microhabitats within the TDF offer G. evgoodei a high thermal quality, while habitats altered by buffelgrass exhibit higher operative temperatures, even exceeding their thermal requirements by up to 25°C. Furthermore, we developed a mechanistic model of thermal constraints for this tortoise at both micro and macroclimatic scales, assessing how these limitations might affect their activity. Our results suggest that climate change could significantly increase the vulnerability of this species. These findings carry important implications for the conservation of this Mexican endemic tortoise.

You can also attend virtually at this link: https://arizona.zoom.us/j/82378847785