Presence of Neotropical otter, Lontra longicaudis annectens, on Champotón River Banks, Campeche

Abstract

Given the extensive territory inhabited by the Neotropical otter, in addition to knowing the ecological importance of this species, one annual monitoring was carried out along the Champotón River banks after 22 years of the only documented record in the study area.  The aim was to confirm the presence of the Neotropical otter, Lontra longicaudis annectens.  We navigated 30 km of the Champotón River aboard a vessel during 3 climatic seasons (“nortes” of 2019; dry and rainy seasons of 2020).  Direct and indirect evidences of the presence of otters were recorded and properly georeferenced.  Additionally, the water temperature and salinity in these sites were recorded.  The recorded temperature was 30 ºC ± 3 °C, and salinity ranged between 0 ppm and 8 ppm.  A total of 33 indirect evidences were recorded, including feeders and feces: 22 in the “nortes” season (2019), 5 in the dry season, and 6 in the rainy season (2020), plus one sighting in the 2019 “nortes” season.  The indirect evidences analyzed confirmed the otter feeding habits based on the local crustaceans and fishes.  The environmental and feeding conditions, in addition to the Champotón River flora and fauna, were favorable for the presence of L. l. annectens, just over 2 decades after its first record in the study area; however, attention should be paid to anthropic affectations.