Spatial distribution and ecological aspects of Neostrengeria macropa (Decapoda: Pseudothelphusidae) in the Bogotá Savanna, Colombia

Abstract

Pseudothelphusids are part of the aquatic ecosystems' fauna in Central and South America. They have a marked endemism, making relevant to know their distribution and ecology. Neostregeria macropa is a crab endemic to the Bogotá Savanna, vulnerable and endangered. That is why the potential distribution and ecological aspects were established and evaluated, through ecological niche modeling using the species presence data, Word-Clim environmental variables, and the MaxEnt, R, and Arcmap 10.1 programs. To elucidate some aspects of the niche, the population structure throughout the year was characterized. New locations of N. macropa predicted by the model are recorded, finding that altitude, precipitation in October, January, February, March and June, and mean annual minimum temperature, are the variables that explain the model. The data obtained also reveal that this species has population stability, seasonality, with a predominance of crabs in lentic bodies of water with the presence of silt, rocks and plant cover, with a non-uniform distribution; preferring high dissolved oxygen levels (6.9-7.5 mg/l), and temperature between 12-14 °C. This work shows aspects of the biology of N. macropa crab that could be useful for its conservation.