Resumo

BOTERO-BOTERO, Álvaro et al. EXTENSION OF PRESENCE AND AREA OF OCCUPATION OF NEOTROPICAL OTTER (Lontra longicaudis) IN LA VIEJA RIVER BASIN,HIGH CAUCA, COLOMBIA. Bol. Cient. Mus. Hist. Nat. Univ. Caldas [online]. 2016, vol.20, n.1, pp.101-115. ISSN 0123-3068.  https://doi.org/10.17151/bccm.2016.20.1.8.

From August 2006 to August 2007 the distribution of the Neotropical otter in the middle basin of La Vieja River was evaluated. The extent of occurrence was determined using surveys and the actual area of occupation was obtained through field visits. Decades ago otters had a continuous distribution in the rivers of the basin from,950 to2,432 meters above sea level with an extention area of occurrence of 4,895 ha. Otters currently have continuous distribution only along the main channel of La Vieja River, and their population is fragmented in the Quindío, Barragán, Espejo, Roble and Barbas rivers with an occupation area of 2,569 ha which corresponds to 52,4% of the original extent of occurrence. In addition, there is a decrease in its elevational distribution by 901 m. This decrease is probably due to decrease in the habitat because of human related factors such as waterway pollution, deforestation of river banks, mining of sand from the riverbed, and fishing with dynamite and poisonous plants such as barbasco.

Palavras-chave : La Vieja River; Lontra longicaudis; geographic distribution; habitat degradation; water pollution.

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