Ecological aspects of Ammotrechella manggi (Solifugae: Ammotrechidae) in mangrove forest from southern Morrosquillo Gulf, Colombian Caribbean

Aspectos ecológicos de Ammotrechella manggi (Solifugae: Ammotrechidae) en bosques de mangle del sur del Golfo de Morrosquillo, Caribe Colombiano

Solifugae are a group of arachnids with strong chelicerae and absence of venom, diverse in the tropics and subtropics, tolerant to levels of humidity, and adapted to coastal ecosystems. The ecological characteristics of Ammotrechella manggi Acosta-Berrocal et al. 2017 in mangrove fragments from the southern Morrosquillo Gulf, Colombian Caribbean, were evaluated. The solifuges were collected in four fragments of mangrove forests, between November 2015 and July 2016 in different climatic seasons. A total of 81 individuals were collected, and the occurrence and abundance of solpugids in the evaluated mangrove forest fragments may be influenced by precipitation, height, and bark humidity. A. manggi exhibited a preference for fallen trees with or without decomposed areas located in floodable areas at heights between 0.5-2.7 meters and fallen trunks located on sandbars at lower heights of 1.5 m. The mangrove forest fragments offer the conditions and resources for the occurrence of the populations of A. manggi, determined by the availability of microhabitats that provide protection, shelter, and nesting sites.