Study on the Status of Reptile Diversity in Beihai Wetland Nature Reserve, Tengchong County, Yunnan Province

PurposeThe status of reptile biodiversity was investigated in Beihai Wetland Provincial Nature Reserve in Tengchong County, Yunnan Province, which helps to fill the gaps in a systematic reptile survey of Beihai Wetland and provide some advice for wetland protection.

MethodsIn May, July and August of 2019, and in May, June and September of 2020, the survey was conducted mainly by the method of transect lines, supplemented by interviews and random monitoring. Intergeneric diversity (G)-interfamily diversity (F) index and average faunal resemblance were used for data analysis.

ResultsDuring the field survey, 20 species of reptiles were recorded, belonging to one order, seven families, and 16 genera. Four species from the present survey were new records for Beihai Wetland, including Lycodon gongshan, Lycodon septentrionalis, Pareas nigriceps and Azemiops feae. The G index of reptiles was 2.718, the F index of reptiles was 4.795, and the G-F index of reptiles was 0.433. Besides, the result of average faunal resemblance suggested that the Beihai Wetland was close related to the surrouding counties in total.

ConclusionThe diversity within and among genus of Beihai Wetland reptile is low, but the diversity within and among families ofBeihai Wetland reptile is high. Road mortality, habitat destruction, environmental pollution andspecies invasion are the threatening factors to native reptiles. It is necessary that multiple departments work together to protect reptiles.