Potential distribution of the Long-tailed Rattlesnake, Crotalus stejnegeri Dunn 1919 (Squamata: Viperidae): A rare and under-sampled species

Abstract

This study employed the MaxEnt algorithm to assess the potential distribution of the Long-tailed
Rattlesnake (Crotalus stejnegeri), a threatened species endemic to Mexico. The results demonstrate a high reliability of
the model, achieving an AUC of 0.879. They highlight a potential distribution concentrated in habitats characterized
by tropical dry forest in the foothills of the Sierra Madre Occidental, primarily in south-central Sinaloa, southwestern
Durango, and northern Nayarit. Temperature during the driest quarter and the seasonality of precipitation were identified
as determining factors of habitat suitability, whereas the low suitability in Chihuahua suggests a tropical affinity of
the species. Variability in precipitation during the coolest quarter emphasizes the importance of expanding the number
of occurrence records for the species by means of further field surveys within its known and potential range. These
findings provide valuable information for conservation efforts and identify key areas for future research.