Contributions to the zoogeography of Colombia the distribution of reptiles (Testudinata, Crocodylia, Lacertilia and Serpentes)

Abstract

Colombia should be considered as the center of fundamental studies of zoogeographical problems in South America. Because of its geographical location, Colombia occupies a key position, vertically forming a “bridge” between Central America and equatorial South America, i.e., the extensive regions commonly called the PanAmazonian area, which encompasses the Amazon and Orinoco basins. From the ecological point of view, Colombia has a large number of different biotopes, environmental zones, ranging from arid or semi-arid to tropical rainforest, and from tropical or subtropical savannahs to the highest mountains.