The Amphibians and Reptiles of Sinaloa, Mexico - Smithsonian ...

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50 UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS PUBLS., MUS. NAT. HIST. I I I I I 400 350 E - 300 1 t a u a: a. 250 " 200 " ' CHOIX * * BADIRAGUATO + —+ PANUCO o 5 150 UJ 5 100 50 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 MEAN MONTHLY TEMPERATURE (*C.) FIG, 6. Temperature-moisture climograph comparing the three highland localities in northern (Choix), central (Badiraguato), and southern (Pairuco) Sinaloa, Mexico. Each point represents a month, proceeding counter-clockwise from January (J). is noteworthy however that the first half of the year is nearly as dry in the southern highlands at Panuco as it is in the northern lowlands at Ahome. The distribution of rainfall is related to wind direction and ocean temperatures. The northern winds originate in the desert regions of Sonora and Baja California and carry little moisture. The southern winds carry moisture-laden clouds from the Pacific Ocean north into the Gulf. The mountainous terrain of Baja California prevents westerly winds off the Pacific Ocean from carrying rain into central Sinaloa and exerts a rain shadow effect on the northern portion of
AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES OF SINALOA, MEXICO 51 the state. A comparison of wind-direction, seasonal rains, and migratory low pressure systems over western Mexico indicates that northerly winds are associated with low pressure to the east and southerly winds are associated with low pressure to the northwest. The beginning of the rainy season coincides with the appearance of southerly winds that carry moist air into the Gulf of California and showers to the coastal lowlands. Although rain-laden clouds are carried overland by southerly onshore winds during July through September, the relief of the coastal plain is such that storm clouds do not release their rain until a slight increase in elevation is encountered. The coastal plain of Sinaloa is flat, and rain clouds often pass over without dropping moisture—for example, in central Sinaloa at Guamuchil and Badiraguato (Fig, 3). This contributes to the xeric conditions on the coastal plain as compared to the foothills, and is reflected in the composition of the flora and fauna. Vegetation The physiographic and climatic conditions in Sinaloa are reflected in the composition of the natural vegetation and together with it provide habitat for a rich and diverse amphibian and reptile fauna. The nature of the transition between the northern temperate and the southern tropical environments is gradual but clearly evident in a comparison of the xeric thorn woodland vegetation of the arid northern lowlands to the deciduous semiarid forest vegetation characterise of the more mesic southern lowlands, or in a comparison of the pine forests of the northern highlands to the subtropical and tropical dry forests found at middle elevations in the southern portions of the state. The vegetation of northwestern Mexico, especially Sinaloa, has been studied by only a few workers. Brand (1936) summarized previous work and listed the more important references. Accordingly, a historic sketch prior to 1936 need not be repeated here. Brand recognized three different associations on the coastal plain as expressions of temperature and precipitation and a fourth association along the eastern border of the state. Shreve (1937) described the vegetation of the lowlands of Sinaloa and discussed the thorn forest with special reference to profile, density, foliation, stratification, and components. The vegetation of the Rio Mayo Valley, Sonora, was thoroughly studied by Gentry (1942), He recognized four major divisions: thorn forest from sea level to about 600 meters; short-tree forest in
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PLATE 1 Fie. 1. Tropical Thorn Wood
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PLATE 8 Fit:. 1. Subtropical Dry Fo
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