ABUNDANCE, CHARACTERIZATION AND HABITAT PREDICTION FOR GREEN IGUANA (Iguana iguana L. 1758) AT LA MANCHA RESERVE, VERACRUZ, MEXICO

A study was conducted to estimate the abundance of green iguana ( Iguana iguana ), to characterize and to predict appropriated habitat at the reserve of La Mancha in Veracruz, Mexico. The abundance density was estimated by linear transects, the characterization of the habitat was realized by quadrants in the sites where iguanas were observed. The model for habitat prediction was developed with variables of vegetation, ground, slope and saturation of humidity. In order to characterize the habitat were recorded height, density, relative frequency, basal and aerial cover of the vegetal species. The variables registered to evaluate the habitat for nesting stage were the ground type and slope. The index of habitat prediction was obtained through variables of nesting, cover and water. The population density estimated was 0.68 iguana per ha. The optimal habitat for iguana includes mangrove areas, easily flooded low forest evergreen and the median forest sub evergreen. The optimal habitat for nesting represented 0.22% of the reserve. It is concluded that 5.05% of the habitat in the studied area are optimal for the development of green iguana and that the population density if the specie is low.