Distribution of Pudu mephistophiles (sensu stricto) in Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru: A maximum entropy model approach

Abstract

Pudu mephistophiles (Northern Pudu) inhabits the Andean regions of Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. Studies on the reports of its occurrence are scarce and tend not to be up to date, making it difficult to analyze or carry out research on its populations and conservation status. In this study, we collected information on the presence of the northern population of P. mephistophiles (sensu stricto) to predict its potential distribution using a maximum entropy model. According to our results, we conclude that P. mephistophiles (sensu stricto) occurs along the Cordillera Central (Central mountain range) in Colombia, south of the Department of Antioquia and mainly in the Departments of Nariño and Cauca, and in apparently small areas of the Cordillera Occidental (Western mountain range); there are no confirmed records in the Cordillera Oriental (Eastern mountain range). In Ecuador, the species occurs in the provinces of Carchi, Loja, and Zamora Chinchipe; it also inhabits the extreme north of Peru, in the Department of Cajamarca. The main variables that determine the areas of distribution of P. mephistophiles were minimum temperature of the coldest month (BIO6), annual mean temperature (BIO1), and precipitation seasonality (BIO15). This information was contrasted with the known distribution of the species, a requirement for obtaining baseline knowledge to promote research and the conservation of this species.