Distribución, abundancia y hábitat de la nutria de río Neotropical (Lontra longicaudis) en la cuenca del río Guaroco, Alto Magdalena, Colombia

Abstract

Although the Neotropical otter Lontra longicaudis has a wide distribution in the American continent and in Colombia, there are few studies on the ecology particularly at Andean enclaves. Objective : We evaluated the distribution, relative abundance, and habitat of the Neotropical otter ( L. longicaudis ) during the dry season (July 2012) at the tributaries of the Guaroco river basin, in the Andean arid region of La Tatacoa, Colombia. Methodology : We evaluate 23.6 km (360 man/hours) of rivers and streams, searching for evidence of the presence of the otter; each sample of the presence was mapped. Results : The presence if L. longicudis was confirmed during the dry season at the Guaroco river (relative abundance of the 9.79 feces /km) and La Nutria Creek (2.54 feces/km). The presence of the species was associated with riparian vegetation (escape cover), and characterized by the presence the larger rock and Tree trunks long. Conclusion : In the area, activities such as hunting, and degradation of aquatic and riparian habitats are endangering the permanence of the species, we recommend in increase conservation on these rivers, that constitute shelter for the otter during season dry al the Tatacoa enclave; which is why it being advisable to increase the e orts to conserve these rivers as they constitute shelter for the otter in the dry Tatacoa enclave during low rain season.