Distribution model and conservation status of Lorenz Müller’s tree iguana Liolaemus lorenzmuelleri in relation to mining concessions in Chile

Abstract

Liolaemus lorenzmuelleri, endemic to Chile, occurs between the Los Helados lagoon and the La Laguna reservoir, from 2300 to 4000 meters above sea level. The Red List of Threatened Species of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classifies L. lorenzmuelleri as Endangered, while the Chilean state classifies it as Vulnerable. Differing and non-comprehensive conceptualizations of the geographic distribution of this species contribute to this classification discrepancy. However, in both classifications the main threat was habitat destruction due to mining activity. Given the uncertain distribution of this species and the ongoing growth of mining production in Chile, relevant locality data was exhaustively reviewed to develop a model of potential distribution using MaxEnt, which was then superimposed on a map of mining concessions in Chile to assess the threat severity. The distribution model encompassed an area of 16 919 km2 between 1750 and 4250 m height, and strongly depended on elevation and mean temperature of wettest quarter. Superposition of the model with mining concessions reduced the potential distribution of L. lorenzmuelleri to 9952 km2 and resulted in extensive fragmentation. Despite this fragmentation scenario and the documented presence of the species in active mining concessions, this work indicates that L. lorenzmuelleri should be re-classified as Vulnerable B1ab(i)+B1ab(ii)+B1ab(iii) by the IUCN, thus establishing logical consistency between this listing and that of the Chilean government. It is necessary to prioritize a conservation plan for L. lorenzmuelleri.