Annotated checklist on non-avian reptiles of Puerto Wilches, middle Magdalena River basin, Colombia

In this study, we present the composition of non-avian reptiles recorded in the area of influence of pilot fracking projects in the municipality of Puerto Wilches, Department of Santander, Colombia. Between 2021 and 2022, 362 person-hours of sampling were conducted through 120 diurnal and nocturnal transects distributed across different habitats. A total of 50 species belonging to the orders Crocodylia, Squamata, and Testudines were recorded, and, when possible, morphometric and natural history information was provided for each species. We highlight the discovery of two potentially undescribed species (Atractus sp. and Lepidoblepharis sp.), as well as new information on endemic species (Dryophilax gambotensis, Helicops danieli, Micrurus camilae) and poorly known species (Alopoglossus festae, Enuliophis sclateri, Sphaerodactylus lineolatus). These results underscore the need to implement conservation measures in light of the risk of population declines due to locally identified threats.