Habitat and abundance of <i>Aegla papudo</i> (Decapoda: Anomura: Aeglidae) at two new record sites

Abstract

Aegla papudo is a freshwater crab endemic to Chile. Although known to inhabit turbid watercourses with gravel, sand, filamentous algae, leaf litter, and no tree cover; however, is scarce the information on the proportions of these components, physical-chemical aspects of the water, population abundance, and reproductive season. Its presence in the Cordillera El Melon led us to describe the habitat. Between 2018 and 2019, the species was searched for in seven streams. Its habitat was described, the density calculated, the water’s physical-chemical parameters recorded. The variable that explained the abundance was analyzed with a model of Poisson. The species was recorded in the Los Coiles and El Gallo streams (62 and 24 individuals respectively) with a mean density of 1 individual/m2. The abundance was explained by the volume of the mud with gravel and pebble. This investigation is the first to determinethe abundance of adults and juveniles, as well as the variable that explained it. Environments with transparent water and tree cover are new aspects of the habitat. Fecal coliforms varied remarkably. Juvenile individuals present in August suggest that reproduction takes place between summer and fall. The International Union for Conservation of Nature does not register the species; however, we agree with other researchers who propose that the species be classified as Endangered due to known threats.