Crocodylus rhombifer

Taxonomy

Assessment Information

Geographic Range

Population

Habitat and Ecology

Threats

Conservation Actions

Taxonomy [top]

Kingdom	Phylum	Class	Order	Family
ANIMALIA	CHORDATA	REPTILIA	CROCODYLIA	CROCODYLIDAE

Scientific Name:

Crocodylus rhombifer

Species Authority:

Cuvier, 1807

Common Name/s:

English	–	Cuban Crocodile
French	–	Crocodile De Cuba
Spanish	–	Cocodrilo De Cuba

Taxonomic Notes:

There is strong evidence, based on morphology and genetic analyses, that widespread hybridization is taking place with Crocodylus acutus in the Zapata Swamp (Targarona et al. pers. comm.).

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:

Critically Endangered A2cde ver 3.1

Year Assessed:

2008

Assessor/s

Targarona, R.R., Soberón, R.R., Cotayo, L., Tabet, M.A. and Thorbjarnarson, J. (IUCN Crocodile Specialist Group)

Evaluator/s:

Collen, B. and Ram, M. (Sampled Red List Index Coordinating Team)

Justification:
Crocodylus rhombifer has been assessed as Critically Endangered. A decline greater than 80% in the population over the last three generations has been inferred due to the decline in habitat quality, exploitation, and effects of hybridisation. Illicit hunting of crocodiles for meat has rapidly increased causing the resultant population decline. It is also highly likely that the percentage of hybrids in the population has increased. Therefore the risk of extinction has increased since the previous Red List assessment. There are conservation measures in place, however further actions are required to reduce the illegal hunting that occurs within this species' range.

History:

1996	–	Endangered (Baillie and Groombridge 1996)
1994	–	Endangered (Groombridge 1994)
1990	–	Endangered (IUCN 1990)
1988	–	Endangered (IUCN Conservation Monitoring Centre 1988)
1986	–	Endangered (IUCN Conservation Monitoring Centre 1986)
1982	–	Endangered (Groombridge 1982)

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	This species is no longer found in most of its historic range and is currently restricted to two relatively small areas in Cuba. Its principal distribution is in the Zapata Swamp, where it occupies an area of 360 km². In the Lanier Swamp on the Isle of Youth its present distribution is 35 km².
Countries:	Native: Cuba

Population [top]

Population:	The only population estimate available is from a study by Ramos et al. (1996). Based on this study the population of crocodiles in the Zapata Swamp is 3,000-5,000 individuals. The number in the Lanier Swamp has not been evaluated but is known to be much smaller than that in the Zapata Swamp. The total population size is likely to be 4,000 (Targarona et al. pers. comm.).

Population:

The only population estimate available is from a study by Ramos et al. (1996). Based on this study the population of crocodiles in the Zapata Swamp is 3,000-5,000 individuals. The number in the Lanier Swamp has not been evaluated but is known to be much smaller than that in the Zapata Swamp. The total population size is likely to be 4,000 (Targarona et al. pers. comm.).

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	The Cuban crocodile is a medium-sized crocodile found in freshwater marsh and inundated shrublands where it preys to a large degree on small mammals, particularly the native hutias (Capromys spp) and freshwater turtles (Trachemys decussata). Females make mound-type nests at the beginning of the annual rainy season (May-June) and lay 20-40 eggs.
Systems:	Terrestrial; Freshwater

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	There are two main threats: illicit hunting and hybridization with native American crocodiles. Hunting increased substantially from the 1990s to the present and is principally for the sale of meat to private restaurants serving the tourist industry or for local consumption. Hybridization has long been suspected but poorly understood. Recent genetic studies provide preliminary evidence that extensive hybridization is taking place in the wild. A captive population is present in two areas (in the Zapata Swamp and in the Lanier Swamp) but hybrid animals are strongly suspected in these populations as well. Neither of these threats has been resolved.

Major Threat(s):

There are two main threats: illicit hunting and hybridization with native American crocodiles. Hunting increased substantially from the 1990s to the present and is principally for the sale of meat to private restaurants serving the tourist industry or for local consumption. Hybridization has long been suspected but poorly understood. Recent genetic studies provide preliminary evidence that extensive hybridization is taking place in the wild. A captive population is present in two areas (in the Zapata Swamp and in the Lanier Swamp) but hybrid animals are strongly suspected in these populations as well. Neither of these threats has been resolved.

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	This species is listed under Appendix I of CITES. There are also direct conservation measures, including captive breeding programmes, reintroductions and protected areas. Illegal hunting continues to occur, therefore further harvest management is required to reduce the rate of population decline currently occurring. Further research and monitoring of the population, taxonomy, harvest levels, and threats to this species should be carried out.

Conservation Actions:

This species is listed under Appendix I of CITES. There are also direct conservation measures, including captive breeding programmes, reintroductions and protected areas. Illegal hunting continues to occur, therefore further harvest management is required to reduce the rate of population decline currently occurring. Further research and monitoring of the population, taxonomy, harvest levels, and threats to this species should be carried out.

Citation:	Targarona, R.R., Soberón, R.R., Cotayo, L., Tabet, M.A. and Thorbjarnarson, J. 2008. Crocodylus rhombifer. In: IUCN 2008. 2008 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 06 January 2009.
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