Data from: Disparity in taxonomic and functional diversity of amphibians and reptiles in a tropical region of central Mexico

Currently, land conversion for cultivation, livestock raising, and
plantations (i.e., land-use change) is a significant threat to global
biodiversity, especially in tropical forests. Hence, this study analyzes
the differences in taxonomic and functional alpha and beta diversities of
amphibians and reptiles among three land-uses (montane cloud forest,
rainforest, and pastures) in central Mexico. Hill numbers were used to
calculate both alpha taxonomic and functional diversity, while beta
taxonomic and functional diversity were calculated considering their
turnover and nestedness components; in addition, we identify functional
groups for each taxa. Amphibian taxonomic and functional diversity was
similar among land-uses, whereas reptile taxonomic and functional
diversity was higher in forests than in pastures. We found high beta
taxonomic diversity of herpetofauna among all land-uses, where turnover
was the predominant component. However, beta functional diversity was low
and functional nestedness predominated in most cases. Likewise, the
abundance of reptile and amphibian functional groups differed among
land-use types. We suggest that species ecological resilience, homogeneous
species distribution, and environmental filters may explain these
taxonomic and functional diversity patterns of herpetofauna. Finally,
researchers are encouraged to consistently document and publish
morphological, reproductive, behavioral, and ecological data on tropical
amphibians and reptiles to support current and future studies on the
functional diversity of herpetofauna.