Patrones de distribución de los cangrejos de agua dulce de Colombia

Abstract

The freshwater crabs of the families Trichodactylidae and Pseudothelphusidae found in Colombia have distinct habitats and altitudinal ranges. Trichodactylidae occurs between 100 and 900 m a.s.l., whereas Pseudothelphusidae inhabits elevations from 0 to 3000 m a.s.l., mainly in high Andean mountain ecosystems. In both families, species show fragmented distributions due to the extent and heterogeneity of their habitats. Geographic information was gathered from GBIF and ICN, removing duplicate coordinates and retaining only species with ≥10 records. A total of 208 records from 6 species of Trichodactylidae and 857 records from 16 species of Pseudothelphusidae were obtained. Distribution maps were created using ArcGis, and for Pseudothelphusidae, potential distribution models were also generated with the EcoNicheS package in Rstudio. For Trichodactylidae, the highest diversity was concentrated on the eastern slopes of the Eastern Cordillera, the lowlands of the Amazon, and part of the Orinoquía, associated with geological events such as the formation of the Pebas System (Miocene) and the uplift of the Eastern Cordillera. In Pseudothelphusidae, the greatest concentration occurred in the Colombian Andean region, linked to geological and migratory processes that favored their refuge in the area. These crabs play a key ecological role in freshwater ecosystems, contributing to ecological balance and serving as bioindicators of water quality. Their study is essential for guiding management and conservation plans that ensure the preservation of both the species and the ecosystems they inhabit.