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Global diversity of crocodiles (Crocodilia, Reptilia) in freshwater

  • Freshwater Animal Diversity Assessment
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Abstract

Living crocodilians include the 24 species of alligators, caimans, crocodiles and gharials. These large semi-aquatic ambush predators are ubiquitous in freshwater ecosystems throughout the world’s tropics and warm temperate regions. Extant crocodilian diversity is low, but the group has a rich fossil record in every continental deposit. Most populations suffered from over-hunting and habitat loss during the twentieth century and even though some species remain critically endangered others are real success stories in conservation biology and have become important economic resources.

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Correspondence to Samuel Martin.

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Guest editors: E. V. Balian, C. Lévêque, H. Segers & K. Martens

Freshwater Animal Diversity Assessment

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Martin, S. Global diversity of crocodiles (Crocodilia, Reptilia) in freshwater. Hydrobiologia 595, 587–591 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-007-9030-4

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