Potential distribution of the Orinoco crocodile (<em>Crocodylus intermedius<em> Graves 1819) in the Orinoco basin of Colombia and Venezuela

Abstract

Crocodylus intermedius (Graves 1819), commonly known at the Orinoco Crocodile, is an endemic species of the Orinoco River Basin that occurs in Colombia and Venezuela. Within the Neotropical Crocodylia, it is considered the most endangered species, listed as Critically Endangered. The use of potential distribution models is an important tool in biogeographical analysis for the conservation of rare and endangered species threatened with extinction. For this reason in this study we determined the potential distribution range for the Orinoco Crocodile using the maximum entropy model Maxent. Initial data to calculate potential range included 654 records of known occurrence for this species, 20 environmental and one limnological variable. The distribution of the Orinoco Crocodile was found to be correlated with precipitation climate variables and the type of water (white, clear or black)