Estado de conservación y recomendaciones para el manejo del manatí antillano (Trichechus manatus manatus) en el sector sur del Parque Nacional Tortuguero, Limón, Costa Rica
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Fecha
2015
Autores
Vargas Ramírez, Elena
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Universidad Nacional (Costa Rica)
Resumen
El manatí antillano (Trichechus manatus manatus) es una especie amenazada y además es uno de los elementos focales de manejo del Parque Nacional Tortuguero (PNT). Debido a las condiciones de turbidez de las aguas del PNT el conteo y observación de manatíes es difícil, inclusive por medio de sobrevuelos, por lo cual en los años 2004-2005 se realizaron intentos de captura y marcaje de la especie los cuales resultaron infructuosos. Por lo anterior se determinó el estado de conservación del manatí antillano en el sector sur del PNT y se caracterizó su hábitat, a partir de a partir de reportes y observaciones directas. Además se colectaron y sistematizaron los rastros de alimentación y se recorrieron transectos en el sector sur del PNT utilizando un sonar de barrido lateral, el cual permite la identificación directa de éstos animales en aguas oscuras y de poca visibilidad. Asimismo, se colectó los registros de temperatura y profundidad de los cuerpos de agua muestreados y se describió la disponibilidad de alimento presente en sitio. Finalmente, se realizó una consulta a funcionarios del Sistema Nacional de Áreas de Conservación, para determinar en qué sitios se han tenido observaciones de la especie. Los resultados comprueban la presencia del manatí en el sector sur del PNT, especialmente en el Río Sierpe y el Caño California, los cuales se identifican como ecosistemas de importancia como hábitat para la especie. Así mismo, se confirmó la disponibilidad de alimento en el sector sur del PNT y el uso constante del mismo por parte del manatí. Se encontró que tanto en el Río Sierpe como en el Caño California existen aglomeraciones de pará (Urochloa mutica), una de las especies más consumidas por la especie a la orilla de los cursos de agua. De la misma manera en el 100% de los muestreos se registró rastros de alimentación reciente sobre dichas aglomeraciones. Se evidenció que el uso del sonar de barrido lateral es un excelente complemento para la investigación e identificación del manatí en la zona. Con respecto a las amenazas para la especie, se determinó que actualmente las principales amenazas para el manatí en Tortuguero son el tráfico fluvial y el uso ilegal de trasmallos en cuerpos de agua dulce.
The Antillean manatee (Trichechus manatus manatus) is a threatened species and is also one of the focal elements of management of the Tortuguero National Park (PNT). Due to the cloudy conditions of the PNT waters, counting and observing manatees is difficult, even through overflights, which is why in the years 2004-2005 attempts were made to capture and mark the species, which were unsuccessful. Therefore, the conservation status of the Antillean manatee in the southern sector of the PNT was determined and its habitat was characterized, based on reports and direct observations. In addition, feeding tracks were collected and systematized, and transects were covered in the southern sector of the PNT using a side-scan sonar, which allows direct identification of these animals in dark waters with poor visibility. Likewise, the temperature and depth records of the sampled water bodies were collected and the availability of food present on site was described. Finally, a consultation was carried out with officials of the National System of Conservation Areas, to determine in which sites there have been observations of the species. The results prove the presence of the manatee in the southern sector of the PNT, especially in the Sierpe River and the Caño California, which are identified as ecosystems of importance as habitat for the species. Likewise, the availability of food in the southern sector of the PNT and its constant use by the manatee were confirmed. It was found that both in the Sierpe River and in the Caño California there are agglomerations of pará (Urochloa mutica), one of the species most consumed by the species on the banks of the watercourses. In the same way, in 100% of the samplings, traces of recent feeding on said agglomerations were recorded. It was evidenced that the use of side scan sonar is an excellent complement for the investigation and identification of the manatee in the area. Regarding the threats to the species, it was determined that currently the main threats to the manatee in Tortuguero are river traffic and the illegal use of trammel nets in freshwater bodies.
The Antillean manatee (Trichechus manatus manatus) is a threatened species and is also one of the focal elements of management of the Tortuguero National Park (PNT). Due to the cloudy conditions of the PNT waters, counting and observing manatees is difficult, even through overflights, which is why in the years 2004-2005 attempts were made to capture and mark the species, which were unsuccessful. Therefore, the conservation status of the Antillean manatee in the southern sector of the PNT was determined and its habitat was characterized, based on reports and direct observations. In addition, feeding tracks were collected and systematized, and transects were covered in the southern sector of the PNT using a side-scan sonar, which allows direct identification of these animals in dark waters with poor visibility. Likewise, the temperature and depth records of the sampled water bodies were collected and the availability of food present on site was described. Finally, a consultation was carried out with officials of the National System of Conservation Areas, to determine in which sites there have been observations of the species. The results prove the presence of the manatee in the southern sector of the PNT, especially in the Sierpe River and the Caño California, which are identified as ecosystems of importance as habitat for the species. Likewise, the availability of food in the southern sector of the PNT and its constant use by the manatee were confirmed. It was found that both in the Sierpe River and in the Caño California there are agglomerations of pará (Urochloa mutica), one of the species most consumed by the species on the banks of the watercourses. In the same way, in 100% of the samplings, traces of recent feeding on said agglomerations were recorded. It was evidenced that the use of side scan sonar is an excellent complement for the investigation and identification of the manatee in the area. Regarding the threats to the species, it was determined that currently the main threats to the manatee in Tortuguero are river traffic and the illegal use of trammel nets in freshwater bodies.
Descripción
Vargas Ramírez, E. (2015). Estado de conservación y recomendaciones para el manejo del manatí antillano (Trichechus manatus manatus) en el sector sur del Parque Nacional Tortuguero, Limón, Costa Rica. [Tesis de Licenciatura]. Universidad Nacional, Heredia, C.R.
Palabras clave
ANIMALES ACUATICOS, AQUATIC ANIMALS, TRICHECHUS MANATUS, MANATI, SEA COW, HABITAT, ALIMENTACION, ESPECIES EN PELIGRO DE EXTINCION, PARQUE NACIONAL TORTUGUERO (COSTA RICA)