DISTRIBUIÇÃO GEOGRÁFICA DE SERPENTES AMEAÇADAS E COM DADOS INSUFICIENTES DO CERRADO EM CENÁRIOS DE MUDANÇA CLIMÁTICA: LACUNA WALLACEANA E CONSERVAÇÃO

Abstract

The Cerrado undergoes intensive anthropogenic changes, subsidized by new technologies. This exploitation may be associated with a decrease in biodiversity, including snakes. Currently, more than 200 species of snakes are known for the Cerrado and relatively little is known about the natural history of most of these species. Thus, it is emphasized the importance of studies aimed at expanding the knowledge of the geographic distribution of species, especially of little-known species or under some degree of threat. The study covered making predictions based on ecological niche models, taking into account species occurrence data and climatic variables, regarding the potential distribution of snake species in the present and in the future, as well as the current potential areas, complemented by in situ verification through active search and occasional meetings. The impact of climate change on the distribution of species for 2070 was analyzed and the representativeness of the Cerrado conservation units was determined as to the contribution to the survival of the species for the present and the future.