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Distribution of Snake Species in Puerto Rico using Instruments of Citizen Science

Undergraduate #69
Discipline: Ecology Environmental and Earth Sciences
Subcategory: Ecology
Session: 3
Room: Park Tower 8212

Maria Alejandra Chardon Suarez - University of Puerto Rico - Rio Piedras Campus
Co-Author(s): Adolfo Rodriguez, University of Puerto Rico - Rio Piedras Campus, San Juan, P.R.; Alberto M. Sabat, University of Puerto Rico - Rio Piedras Campus, San Juan, P.R.



The advances in technology and social media networks has allowed the creation of information sources in which scientific citizens make contributions to research. The data used for this investigation was presented in social media networks and pages of sighting reports of wildlife to determine current distribution data, patterns of reproduction, habitat determination, and diet, among other aspects of the biology of various snake species in Puerto Rico. The publications, which collect a 13-year span, were obtained using keywords and the following data was included: publication dates, municipality of the sighting, snake activity, physical condition, and injuries. The data was processed using a Macro in Microsoft Excel and maps of the distribution of the species across the Island were generated. It was found that the snakes with greater distribution in Puerto Rico were: Borikenophis portoricensis (native), Chilobothrus inornatus (endemic) and Boa constrictor (invasive). In terms of regions, 51% of the specimens of B. portoricensis were observed within the northern region of the Island, a 35% of the C. inornatus were also distributed within the northern region, and 70% of the B. constrictor were distributed throughout the western region. The neonate specimens were mostly observed within the rainy season (May-December) which could be a result of resource availability. The species with higher mortality rate on the roads was B. constrictor, being indicative that they prefer these areas to move and thermoregulate. These sources of information are of great benefit for the knowledge of these species, environmental education, conservation and documentation of species.

Funder Acknowledgement(s): Puerto Rico Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (PR-LSAMP)

Faculty Advisor: Alberto M. Sabat, amsabat@gmail.com

Role: I conducted all the activities for this research project. Within these activities are included: obtaining observation reports for the studied species, obtaining data about the biology of each species, establishing an analysis of the obtained data and interpreting results. I currently continue to obtain data about other snake species in Puerto Rico to include in my project.

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This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF) under Grant No. DUE-1930047. Any opinions, findings, interpretations, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of its authors and do not represent the views of the AAAS Board of Directors, the Council of AAAS, AAAS’ membership or the National Science Foundation.

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