Confirmed presence of the Neotropical otter, Lontra longicaudis, in Laguna Bacalar, Quintana Roo, Mexico

Abstract

The Neotropical otter Lontra longicaudis is one of the least studied mammals of the Yucatán Peninsula and its presence in some water bodies of this region is questionable. Laguna Bacalar is the largest freshwater body located in the Yucatán Peninsula and faces several conservation problems due to its high potential for tourism development. We confirmed the presence of L. longicaudis in Laguna Bacalar by conducting interviews with residents, and the search for direct (sightings) and indirect (e.g., footprints) evidence of the species in 2013. We also include recent direct and indirect evidence (2019-2020). We classified the records into levels of certainty, according to the type of evidence (photographs, videos). We obtained 9 records of Neotropical otter through interviews (level 3), 3 sightings and 4 footprints (level 1), and 4 sightings (3 of these with level 2 and 1 with level 3 of certainty). It is necessary to increase the research effort to determine the conservation status and distribution of the Neotropical otter in the lagoon. We recommend making efforts in terms of socialization and education to facilitate the conservation of the Neotropical otters and their habitat in Laguna Bacalar.