Range: Belize, Guatemala, Mexico
| Common names: Morelet’s crocodile, alligator
(Belize), Cocodrilo de pantano (Mexico)
Range: Belize, Guatemala, Mexico |
|
CITES: Appendix I
CSG Action Plan:
Availability of Survey Data – Poor
Need for Wild Population Recovery – Moderate
Potential for Sustainable Management – Moderate
New IUCN Categories 1995: DD Data Deficient (Re-analysis
at a CSG workshop in 1996 suggested a LRcd
Lower Risk, conservation dependent category, Ross
1996.)
Principal threats: Habitat destruction, illegal hunting.
Ecology and natural history
The Morelet’s crocodile is a relatively little known species
from the Atlantic coast of Mexico and northern Central
America. This species was confused with C. rhombifer and
C. acutus until it was shown to be a distinct species by
Schmidt (1924). It is a moderately small species, today
rarely exceeding 3m in length and has a relatively broad
snout. The habitat of C. moreletii is primarily that of
freshwater habitats, particularly marshes, swamps, ponds
and lagoons, but in some areas this species can be found in
brackish water areas. Throughout the southern portion of
its range, this species overlaps with C. acutus, but the
habitat relationship between these two species is not
completely known. A good general account of many
aspects of the behavior and ecology of this species was
given by Alvarez del Toro (1974).
Morelet’s crocodile is the only New World crocodile
that is exclusively a mound-nesting species. Normally, a
clutch consists of 20–40 eggs, and oviposition occurs in
Chiapas in April–June before the annual rainy season
(Perez-Higareda 1980). Observations on captive animals
reveal that females will respond to hatchling vocalizations
and open the nests, and will also defend hatchlings against
larger juveniles or subadult conspecifics (Hunt 1975, 1977).
Conservation and status
Populations of Morelet’s crocodile were greatly reduced
in many areas due to uncontrolled hide hunting, which
took place principally in the 1940s and 1950s. A limited
amount of basic survey work is available over the range
of the species in Mexico (Powell 1973, Campbell 1972b,
Perez-Higareda 1980) and Belize (Abercrombie et al.
1980). Detailed surveys in Guatemala are lacking,
although the species is reported to be reasonably
common in the Peten area. More recent survey data
available from Belize suggest some reduction of
populations near human centers of population
(Abercrombie et al. 1982) although the species is said to
remain quite common in remote areas. Surveys at Cox
lagoon 1990–1994 (Hunt and Tamarak 1992, Hunt
et al. 1994), show a stable population of 18–45 non-hatchlings.
Morelet’s crocodile is sympatric with
C. acutus and extends its range into brackish habitats in
the lagoons of northeastern Belize (Ouboter 1992,
Meerman 1992), where several localities with small
numbers of individuals are reported. A study of the
biology of crocodiles, including C. moreletii, in Belize is
underway (Platt 1994a, Platt and Montanucci 1993).
Status in the south of Belize is unknown. Recent
information on the status of the species in Mexico and
Guatemala is lacking apart from incidental records
(e.g. Sigler and Gonzalez 1994, Sigler 1994). Anecdotal
reports suggest the species remains widely distributed
in the Mexican states of Tabasco, Chiapas, Yucatan
and Quintana Roo although it may be diminishing,
largely due to habitat destruction and loss. Several
populations have been established on the Pacific coast
of Mexico by escapes from farms and deliberate
introduction. The effect on local populations of
C. acutus is of concern. The situation in the interior of
Peten in Guatemala remains poorly known. There is
inadequate quantitative information to judge the status
of this species throughout the bulk of its range.
Populations of C. moreletii are considered to be depleted
in all three countries within the species’ distribution.
However, in some areas, such as the Centla Biosphere
Reserve, Lacandon forest and the Sian Kaán Biosphere
Preserve in Mexico, and in Belize, healthy populations
exist. Although wild populations are protected in all three
countries, some movement toward the development of
sustainable management has been made. In Mexico, a
number of commercial farming operations have started,
including one in Sinaloa on the Pacific coast, outside the
species’ natural range. Interest has been expressed both in
Belize and Guatemala in initiating sustainable management
programs as well. An application to register a captive
breeding facility in Sinaloa for international trade was
approved in 1996 by the CITES Secretariat.
Priority projects
High priority
Surveys of status and distribution in Guatemala: Little
is known about this species in Guatemala, where,
however, interest is developing in its commercial
management. Status surveys and ecological studies need
to be completed.
Surveys of status and distribution in Mexico: In view of the increasing interest in sustainable use and captive breeding of this species in Mexico, assessment of its current status and development of effective management and conservation are urgently needed. Little is known about populations along the Gulf of Mexico. In addition to expanded surveys, ecological work in the Sian Kaán Biosphere reserve should be continued, and a management plan developed for the species.
Moderate priority
Development of a management plan for Belize: Ongoing work by Howard Hunt and colleagues in Cox Lagoon, and by Steve Platt throughout Belize are providing baseline information on distribution and status. A population monitoring project and long-term ecological studies need to be implemented.
Morelet’s crocodile, Crocodylus moreletii. Photo by
P. Ross