New contributions to the knowledge of birds in Tumbesian region; conservation implications of the Dry Forest Biosphere Reserve, Zapotillo, Ecuador [Nuevos aportes al conocimiento de avifauna en la región Tumbesina; implicaciones para la conservación de la Reserva de Biosfera del Bosque Seco, Zapotillo, Ecuador]

Abstract

Tumbesian region is considered one of the most important global areas for both threatened and endemic species. Species richness for birds has been well documented; however, detailed information is still lacking hindering effective conservation actions. This is the case of species local distribution, thus for many locations in the Tumbesian region an adequate systematization and information availability is still lacking. Accordingly researchers, decision makers or the general public can't access to this information. In this paper, we present a compilation on bird richness within canton Zapotillo, located southwest of the province of Loja in southern Ecuador. Zapotillo is part of the recently declared "Dry Forest" Biosphere Reserve. This compilation includes information generated by different studies since 2001, and also incorporates the results of an inventory using mist nets and a collection of audible and visual records performed in 2014-2015 across nine localities in the area. We registered 156 bird species, including 43 endemic to the Tumbesian region, 23 migratory species and five globally threatened species. In addition, we propose expanding geographic distribution for four Ecuadorian bird species. Taken together our results and previous literature, the total number of birds registered for Zapotillo reaches 184 species, of which 49 are endemic to the Tumbesian region, 25 are migratory species, and 11 are globally threatened. Despite the Zapotillo Canton barely represents 2% of dry forest cover in Ecuador it embraces 75% of avian biodiversity and 83% of the endemic birds of the Ecuadorian Tumbesian region.