Nuevos registros colombianos y modelamiento de nicho ecológico de Phimophis guianensis (Serpentes: Dipsadidae)

Abstract

The snake Phimophis guianensis occurs in seven Central and South American countries. However, our understanding of its distribution and natural history remains limited, especially in Colombia. To bridge this knowledge gap, we compiled locality records from Colombia and created the first-ever ecological niche model for the species throughout its entire range. Our review of the published literature, museum collections, digital platforms, and personal fieldwork increased the number of known localities for P. guianensis in Colombia to 102. This dataset substantiated range extensions of over 150 km to the north, south, and west, and the first records from nine Colombian departments. The species’ locality-level distribution is patchy and complex in Colombia, but it remains unclear whether this is attributable to insufficient sampling effort. The Maxent ecological niche model and GIS analysis revealed that although P. guianensis has a strong affinity for hot and dry climates, some localities also exist in humid climates. The species also commonly persists in highly human-modified areas, which together with its broad distribution leads us to affirm its current listing as Least Concern on the Red List of Threatened Species of the International Union for Conservation of Nature. However, we highlight the need for further research on population connectivity and abundance in P. guianensis to inform local conservation measures.