Sergio A. Balaguera-Reina, Ph.D.

Position and Affiliation

Research Assistant Scientist, UF/IFAS Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center, Davie, FL. Affiliate Faculty, Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL

Areas of Interest

Sergio is interested in understanding how ecological processes are influenced by spatiotemporal attributes and how those affect phylogeographic relationships among species in an anthropogenic world. He uses a combination of methods and technologies derived from fields such as ecology, molecular biology, systematics, conservation biology, and geosciences, to get an integrative view of effects, causes, and patterns. Sergio have been involved in several research projects related with population and community ecology, conservation biology, and ecological modeling across marine and continental systems, using mainly crocodylians as study objects. His current research is focused on understanding the structural and functional roles these species play in aquatic and coastal systems, their phylogeographic relationships, and the effect of those in current and future distribution patterns.

Education

Ph.D. Biological Sciences. Texas Tech University, TX, United States. May 2018.

GradCert. Geographic Information Science and Technology. Texas Tech University, TX, United States. May 2018.

BSc. Marine Biology. Jorge Tadeo Lozano University, Bogotá, Colombia. August 2007.

Project Involvement

As quantitative ecologist and database manager, Sergio is currently involved in all projects handled by the CrocDocs (crocodylian and invasive species research and monitoring programs). He is also leading and collaborating in several projects on ecology and phylogeography of crocodylians in South and Central America.

Publications

Balaguera-Reina, S.A., B.M. Mason, L.A. Brandt, N.D. Hernandez, B. L. Daykin, K. R. McCaffrey, S. T. Godfrey, F.J. Mazzotti. 2024. Ecological implications of allometric relationships in American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis). Scientific Reports. 14, 6140.

Mason, B.M., S.A. Balaguera-Reina, A. Benjamin, F.J. Mazzotti, H.H. Hochmair. 2024. When to Target Control Efforts Using novel GPS telemetry to quantify drivers of invasive Argentine black and white tegu (Salvator merianae) movement. Biological Invasions.

Briggs-Gonzalez, V.S., A. Godahewa, S.A. Balaguera-Reina, J. Dixon, F.J. Mazzotti. 2024. American Crocodile nesting in sediment-nourished habitats on Crocodile Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Florida. Amphibia-Reptilia.

Godfrey, S.T., S.A. J. McNichols, S.A. Balaguera-Reina, F.J. Mazzotti. CROCODYLUS ACUTUS (American crocodile). REPRODUCTION. Herpetological Review. 54(3): 461.

Bonilla-Liberato, E.D., R. Otero Macea, C. Pinzón-Barrera, N. Farfán-Ardila, S.A. Balaguera-Reina. LEPTODEIRA ASHMEADII (False Mapana). DIET. Herpetological Review. 54(3): 486-487.

Balaguera-Reina, S.A., L.A. Brandt, N.D. Hernandez, B.M. Mason, C.D. Smith, F.J. Mazzotti. 2023. Body condition as a descriptor of American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) health status in the Greater Everglades. PLos ONE. 18(11): e0295357.

Parks, A.J. S.T. Godfrey, B.A. Gross, S.A. Balaguera-Reina, N.G. Smith, F.J. Mazzotti, L.D. Densmore. 2023. Not one but two: Examining the genetic origin and characterization of the non-native spectacled caiman (Caiman crocodilus) in Florida. Biological invasions.

Vargas-Ramirez, M., Forero-Medina, G., Moreno-Torres, C., Balaguera-Reina, S.A. 2023. Reintroduction of adult Orinoco crocodiles: a crucial step towards the species recovery. Oryx 57(5): 557-558.

Bonilla-Liberato, E.D., C. Pinzón-Barrera, S.A. Balaguera-Reina. 2023. OXYBELIS AENEUS (Brown Vine Snake). DIET. Herpetological Review. 54(2): 317-318.

Moncada-Jimenez, J.F., F. Hernandez-Gonzalez, C.F. Prada Quiroga, L.M. García-Calderón, Yessy García, E. Hernandez, A. Lopez, A. Argel, J.M. Polo, N. Farfán-Ardila, S.A. Balaguera-Reina. 2023. Phylogeography of the American crocodile, Crocodylus acutus (Crocodylia: Crocodylidae) in Colombia: A conservation perspective. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society. 140:606-620.

Godfrey S.T., S.A. Balaguera-Reina, E.F. Metzger III, M.R. Rochford, M.A. Squires, E.V. Gati, A. Godahewa, F.J. Mazzotti. 2023. What is the Potential for Extirpating Spectacled Caiman from Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan Projects in South Florida? Management of biological invasions. 14(3): 403 – 419.

Jiménez-Alonso, G., S.A. Balaguera-Reina, M. Hoyos, C. Ibáñez, S.M. Hernández-Rangel, C.M. del Valle-Useche, J.F Moncada, P. Bloor. 2023. Phylogenetic and phylogeographic insights on the Trans–Andean spectacled caiman populations in Colombia. Marine and Freshwater research.

McCaffrey K.R., S.A. Balaguera-Reina, B.G. Falk, E.V. Gati, J.M. Cole, F.J. Mazzotti. 2023. How to estimate body condition in large lizards? Argentine black and white tegu (Salvator merianae, Duméril and Bibron, 1839) as a case study. Plos One 8(2): e0282093.

Bertone, S., A. Godahewa, S.A. Balaguera-Reina, V. Briggs-Gonzalez, and F.J, Mazzotti. 2023. First successful nest for an American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus) population on the West coast of Florida, United States. Oryx, 57(3): 389-391.

Bonilla-Liberato D., N. Farfán-Ardila, S.A. Balaguera-Reina. 2023. Aestivation of the spectacled caiman Caiman crocodilus in Colombia. Herpetological bulletin. 163: 42 – 43.

Montaña-Lozano P., S.A. Balaguera-Reina, C.F. Prada Quiroga. 2023. Comparative analysis of codon usage of mitochondrial genomes provides evolutionary insights into reptiles. Gene 851:146999.

Balaguera-Reina S.A., N.D. Jennings, S.T. Godfrey, L. Brandt, B. Daykin, M.A. Squires, F.J. Mazzotti. 2022. Hematology and Biochemistry Reference Intervals for American Crocodiles (Crocodylus acutus) in South Florida.

Balaguera-Reina S.A., and F.J. Mazzotti. 2022. Belly up or belly down: Effect of body position on snout vent length and total length measurements in American crocodiles (Crocodylus acutus). Amphibia-Reptilia 43: 443-448.

Balaguera-Reina S.A., M. Angulo-Bedoya, J.F. Moncada-Jimenez, M. Webster, I.J. Roberto, and F.J. Mazzotti. 2022. Update: Assessing the evolutionary trajectory of the Apaporis caiman (Caiman crocodilus apaporiensis, Medem 1955) via mitochondrial molecular markers. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society. 137, 700–710.

Mazzotti F.J., S.A. Balaguera-Reina, L. Brandt, V. Briggs-González, M. Cherkiss, S. Farris, and A. Godahewa. 2022. Natural and anthropogenic factors affecting nesting of the American crocodile in Florida, USA. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution 10.

Rodríguez-Cordero A.L., S.A. Balaguera-Reina, J.C. Morales-Franco, L.D. Densmore. 2022. Predicting habitat suitability of Caiman yacare and assessing the role of protected areas under current and future climate and deforestation models. Climate Risk Management.

Webb, G.J.W., C. Manolis, M.L. Brien, S.A. Balaguera-Reina, S. Isberg. 2021. Crocodylus porosus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2021.

Rainwater, T.R., S.G. Platt, P. Charruau, S.A. Balaguera-Reina, L. Sigler, J.R. Cedeño-Vázquez, J.B. Thorbjarnarson. 2021. Crocodylus acutus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2021.

Díaz-Moreno D., F. Hernández-Gonzalez, J.F. Moncada-Jimenez, C. Mora, C. Prada, G. Jiménez-Alonso, S.A. Balaguera-Reina. 2021. Molecular characterization of the spectacled caiman (Caiman crocodilus) in the upper Magdalena River basin, Colombia: Demographic and phylogeographic insights. Systematics and Biodiversity.

Balaguera-Reina S.A., J.D. Konvalina, R.S. Mohammed, B. Gross, R. Vazquez, J.F. Moncada, S. Ali, E.A. Hoffman, L.D. Densmore. 2021. From the river to the ocean: mitochondrial DNA analyses provide evidence of spectacled caimans (Caiman crocodilus Linnaeus 1758) mainland-insular dispersal. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society. 10.1093/biolinnean/blab094

Balaguera-Reina, S.A., A. Vargas-Castillo, L.D. Densmore. 2021. Population ecology of the spectacled caiman (Caiman crocodilus) in the Apaporis River middle basin. Ecosphere. 10.1002/ecs2.3532.

Franco Pérez, L.M., P.A. Hincapié-Usma, C.A. Restrepo, S.A. Balaguera-Reina, and G. Guevara. 2020. Distribution and habitat use intensity of the Neotropical Otter (Lontra longicaudis Olfers, 1818) in a Colombian hydroelectric dam. Revista de Biología Tropical. 68(Suppl. 2): S177-S189 10.15517/RBT.V68IS2.44348

Balaguera-Reina, S.A., C. Pinzón-Barrera, N. Farfán-Ardila, D. Vargas-Ortega, L.D. Densmore. 2020. Individual identification patterns as a monitoring strategy for American crocodiles: Tayrona National Natural Park as a study case. Amphibia-Reptilia. 41(2021): 73-80 10.1163/15685381-bja10033.

Balaguera-Reina, S.A., J.F. Moncada-Jimenez, C.F. Prada-Quiroga, F. Hernandez-Gonzalez, N.W. Bolaños-Cubillos, N. Farfán-Ardila, L.M. Garcia-Calderón, L.D. Densmore. 2020. Tracking a voyager: mitochondrial DNA analyses reveal mainland-insular dispersal of an American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus) across the Caribbean. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society. 131(3):647-655 10.1093/biolinnean/blaa121.

Balaguera-Reina, S.A., M Vargas-Ramírez, N. Ordóñez-Garza, F. Hernández-González1, L.D. Densmore III. 2020. Unveiling the mystery: Assessing the evolutionary trajectory of the Apaporis caiman population (Caiman crocodilus apaporiensis, Medem 1955) via mitochondrial molecular makers. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society. 131(1):163-171. 10.1093/biolinnean/blaa096

Rodríguez-Cordero, A.L., S.A. Balaguera-Reina, and L.D. Densomore III. 2019. Regional conservation priorities for crocodylians in Bolivia. Journal for Nature Conservation. 51: 10.1016/j.jnc.2019.125753

Balaguera-Reina, S.A. 2019. Rediscovering the Apaporis caiman (Caiman crocodilus apaporiensis): Notes from a long-waited expedition. Journal of Herpetology. 53(4):310-315

Balaguera-Reina, S.A. and A. Velasco. 2019. Caiman crocodilus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: e.T46584A3009688.

Balaguera-Reina, S.A., S. Bustillo, D. A. Zárrate-Charry, F. Charry, A. Cepeda-Mercado, and J. F. González-Maya. 2019. Conservation Status and Distribution Based on a Species Distribution Model of the Endemic Yellow-striped Poison Frog, Dendrobates truncatus (Cope, 1861), in Colombia. Herpetological Review 50(1):52-57.

Balaguera-Reina, S.A., A. Espinosa-Blanco, R. Antelo, M. Morales-Betancourt and A. Seijas. 2018. Crocodylus intermedius. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018: e.T5661A3044743.

Balaguera-Reina S.A., M. Venegas-Anaya, B. Rivera-Rivera, D. A. Morales Ramírez, and L. D. Densmore. 2018. How to estimate population size in crocodylians? Population ecology of American crocodiles in Coiba Island as study case. Ecosphere 9(10):e02474.10.1002/ecs2.2474

Balaguera-Reina, S.A., M. Venegas-Anaya, V. Beltrán-López, A. Cristancho, and L. D. Densmore III 2018. Food habits and ontogenetic dietary partitioning of American crocodiles in a tropical Pacific Island in Central America. Ecosphere 9(9):e02393. 10.1002/ecs2.2393

Balaguera-Reina S.A. and N. Farfán-Ardila. 2018. Are we ready for successful apex predator conservation in Colombia? Human-Crocodylian interactions as a study case. Herpetological review 49(1):5-12.

Balaguera Reina S.A., M. Venegas-Anaya, B. Rivera-Rivera, L.D. Densmore III. 2017. Scute Patterns as an Individual Identification Tool in an American Crocodile (Crocodylus acutus) Population on Coiba Island, Panama. Journal of Herpetology 51(4):523-531.

Balaguera-Reina S.A., A.S. Espinosa-Blanco, M.A. Morales-Betancourt, A.E. Seijas, C.A. Lasso, R. Antelo, L.D. Densmore III. 2017. Conservation Status and Regional Habitat Priorities for the Orinoco Crocodile: Past, Present, and Future. PLoS ONE. 12(2): e0172439.

Balaguera-Reina S.A., M. Venegas-Anaya, A. Sánchez, I. Arbeláez, H.A. Lessios, L.D. Densmore III. 2016. Spatial Ecology of the American Crocodile in a Tropical Pacific Island in Central America. PLoS ONE 11(6): e.0157152.

Balaguera-Reina S.A., M. Venegas-Anaya, O.I. Sanjur, H.A. Lessios, Ll. Densmore. 2015. Reproductive ecology and hatchlings' growth rates of American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus) on Coiba island, Panama. South American Journal of Herpetology 10(1):10-22.

Venegas-Anaya, M., A. Escobedo-Galván, S.A. Balaguera-Reina, F. Lowrance, O. I. Sanjur, L.D. Densmore III. 2015. Population Ecology of American Crocodile (Crocodylus acutus) in Coiba National Park, Panama. Journal of Herpetology 49(3):349-357.

Balaguera-Reina S.A., M. Venegas-Anaya, Ll. Densmore. 2015. The biology and conservation status of the American crocodile in Colombia. Journal of Herpetology 49(2):200-206.

Venegas-Anaya, M., A. Escobedo-Galván, S.A. Balaguera-Reina, F. Lowrance, O. I. Sanjur, L.D. Densmore III. 2015. Population Ecology of American Crocodile (Crocodylus acutus) in Coiba National Park, Panama. Journal of Herpetology 49(3):349-357.

Balaguera-Reina S.A., M. Venegas-Anaya, Ll. Densmore. 2015. The biology and conservation status of the American crocodile in Colombia. Journal of Herpetology 49(2):200-206.

Balaguera-Reina, S.A. and L.D. Densmore, III. 2014. Legislation and conservation efforts concerning crocodiles in Colombia: a historical review. Herpetological Review 45(4):638-642.

Balaguera-Reina, S.A. 2012. Ethno-zoological relationships, habitat and population structure of Caiman crocodilus fuscus at Zapatosa and Costilla swamps, Cesar Department, Colombia. Herpetotropicos: Tropical Amphibians & Reptiles 8 (1-2):5-12.

Cruz-Rodríguez C., L. Larrotta, J.F. González-Maya, D. Zárrate-Charry, A. Cepeda, S.A. Balaguera-Reina, C. Ange-Jaramillo, A. Zamora, C. Castaño-Uribe. 2011. New records for the northern naked-tailed Armadillo Cabassous centralis (Cingulata: Dasypodidae) in 11 tropical dry forests of the department of Sucre, Colombian Caribbean. Revista Mexicana de Mastozoología 15:39-45.

González-Maya J.F., A. Cepeda, J. Belant, D. Zárrate-Charry, S.A. Balaguera-Reina, A. Rodríguez-Bolaños. 2011. Research priorities for the small carnivores of Colombia. Small Carnivore Conservation 44:7-13.

González-Maya J.F., M. González, D. Zárrate-Charry, F. Charry, A. Cepeda, S.A. Balaguera-Reina. 2011. A new population record and conservation assessment of the Santa Marta Poison Arrow Frog Colostethus ruthveni Kaplan 1997 (Anura, Dendrobatidae) from Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Colombia (South America). Journal of Threatened Taxa 3(3):1633-1636.

Balaguera-Reina S.A., J. Barbosa-Cabanzo, Y. Moná-Sanabria, N. Farias-Cutidor, D. Caicedo-Herrera, R. Martínez-Palacios, J.F. González-Maya. 2010. Estado poblacional de Caiman crocodilus en la cuenca baja y media del río Atrato, departamento de Chocó, Colombia (population status of Caiman crocodilus in the lower and middle basin of the Atrato River, Choco department, Colombia). Revista Latinoamericana de Conservación (Latin American journal of Conservation) 1(2):131-135.

González-Maya J.F, A. Cepeda, D. Zárrate-Charry, S.A. Balaguera-Reina, A. Escobedo-Galván, S. Wyatt, B. Arroyo-Peña, J. Schipper, J. Belant, M. González, B. Polidoro. 2010. Revistas científicas para la conservación en Latinoamérica: una necesidad, un compromiso y una oportunidad para la region (scientific jounals and conservation in Latin America: necessity, commitment, and oportunities for the region). Revista Latinoamericana de Conservación (Latin American journal of Conservation) 1(1):5-8.

Balaguera-Reina, S.A. and J.F. González-Maya. 2010. Percepciones, conocimiento y relaciones entre los Crocodylia y dos poblaciones humanas de la Vía Parque Isla de Salamanca (Caribe colombiano) (perceptions, knowledge, and interactions between crocodylians and two human communities in the Salamanca Island Road Park). Revista Latinoamericana de Conservación (Latin American journal of Conservation) 1(1):53-63.

González-Maya J.F., D. Zárrate-Charry, A. Hernández-Arévalo, A. Cepeda, S.A. Balaguera-Reina, C. Castaño-Uribe, C. Ange. 2010. Traditional uses of wild felids in the Caribbean region of Colombia: ¿new threats for conservation? Revista Latinoamericana de Conservación (Latin American journal of Conservation) 1(1): 64-69.

Balaguera-Reina S.A., J.F. González-Maya, A. Acero. 2010. Fauna nocturna asociada a los manglares y otros humedales en el Vía Parque Isla de Salamanca, departamento de Magdalena, Caribe colombiano (nocturnal fauna associate to mangroves and other wetlands in the Salamanca Island Road Park). Boletín De Investigaciones Marinas Y Costeras (Marine and coastal research bulletin) 39(1):191-199.

Zarrate-Charry D., L. Laverde, S.A. Balaguera-Reina, J.F. González-Maya, F. Trujillo. 2009. Rescate y manejo de fauna silvestre ex situ en Colombia: Estudio de caso de un jaguar 12 (Panthera onca) en la Orinoquía Colombiana (management of ex situ wildlife in Colombia: Jaguar as a study case). CES Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia Journal 4(1):81-89.

Balaguera-Reina, S.A., A. Cepeda, D. Zarrate-Charry, J.F. González-Maya. 2009. Knowledge status of the Mountain Coati, Nasuella olivacea (Carnivora: Procyonidae), in Colombia and Extent of Occurrence in Northern Andes. Small Carnivore Conservation 41:35-40.

Balaguera-Reina, S.A. and J.F. González-Maya. 2009. Population structure, abundance, distribution, and habitat use of Caiman crocodilus fuscus (Cope, 1868) in the Via Parque Isla de Salamanca, Colombian Caribbean. Revista de Biología Marina y Oceanografía 44(1):145-152.

Balaguera-Reina, S.A. and J.F. González-Maya. 2008. Population structure, density, and habitat of Crocodylus acutus Cuvier 1807 in the Via Parque Isla de Salamanca, Magadalena department, Colombia. Herpetotropicos: Tropical Amphibians & Reptiles 4(2):59-63.

Balaguera-Reina, S.A. and J.F. González-Maya. 2008. Occasional jaguar hunting for subsistence in Colombian Chocó. CatNews 48:5.