Historical and actual distribution of Crocodylus acutus (Cuvier, 1807) in Sinaloa’s coast

Abstract

The American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus) is broadly distributed across the American continent and inhabits various ecosystems. However, its distribution along the coastline of Sinaloa is unknown. To know this distribution, information was gathered from various sources and 55 sites were visited, using the nocturnal visual detection technique to confirm the presence of crocodiles, traces and testimonies. Scientific literature, press notes, and records from the GBIF database were also reviewed. In total, 88 sites with the presence of C. acutus were recorded, 75 of which are new, in addition to the 13 historically reported sites in Sinaloa. 49% of these sites are in the central region of Sinaloa, and most data (76%) come from direct observations, testimonies, tracks, and press notes. The 63% of crocodiles are primary found in estuaries, agricultural drains, and rivers. The results suggest a habitat recovery by C. acutus in Sinaloa, possibly facilitated by the hydro-agricultural network, highlighting the need to identify strategic locations for the conservation of the species.