Análisis del estado de conocimiento sobre la distribución, ecología y conservación del género Paleosuchus (Gray, 1862)en Suramérica

Abstract

The species of the genus Paleosuchus: P. palpebrosus and P.trigonatus, are characterized by being the smallest crocodylians with sizes up to 2 meters and by their unique ecological aspects. They have a wide distribution in South America in countries such as Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, French Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Venezuela and Trinidad and Tobago. Despite the extensive distribution of the genus, the places where it lives are restricted, making its study difficult and the existing information is basic or nothing is known. Considering the above, an analysis of the state of knowledge on the distribution, ecology and conservation of the genus Paleosuchus in South America was carried out, making an evaluation of current knowledge in order to define the gaps and research priorities on the genus. For this, a bibliographic search was carried out in different databases and biological information systems, the documents found were organized and analyzed and distribution maps of the two species were also made taking into account georeferenced records. A total of 162 documents were obtained, which were compiled in 5 themes: generalities, distribution, ecology, conservation and genetics. As main results, most of the studies are on distribution and ecology. Brazil is the country where more research has been carried out on gender, in the rest of the countries where information is distributed it is scarce and there is not enough data; Regarding its conservation, information from Brazil is generalized and the other areas where it is distributed are not taken into account; Likewise, recent genetic studies of populations in some countries suggest that the genus encompasses several evolutionary lineages; however, these studies are not determinative as they do not include all the populations in its range of distribution. It is necessary to make the respective genetic evaluations of the populations in all the countries where it is distributed to define its conservation status. Studies should be prioritized in terms of population monitoring and ecological evaluations throughout their distribution range.