Data for influence of avocado orchard landscapes on amphibians and reptiles in the trans-Mexican volcanic belt

This database was used to evaluate the response of the local herpetofauna to conversion of POF to avocado orchards (AO) in the trans-Mexican volcanic belt in Western Mexico (Michoacán state). We also explored the effects of forest cover on species that differ in their levels of habitat specialization. In the avocado belt in Michoacan, we sampled 12 sites representing a gradient of AO embedded in native POF to evaluate the variation in structure of local assemblages of amphibians and reptiles. Reduction of POF cover negatively affected specialist frog and snake species, but this relationship varied among buffers around sampling sites. Generalist species of amphibians and lizards showed increased abundances and richness in sites with low POF cover, whereas snake richness and abundance were higher in sites with high POF cover. Our study suggests that POF conversion to AO is a driver favoring the persistence and success of generalist but not specialist herpetofauna species. Therefore, to conserve the diversity of amphibians and reptiles in these agroecosystems, it is important to ensure high proportion of POF patches.