Phylogeny and ecological niche modeling of the Amazon River Dolphin or Boto Inia geoffrensi

Abstract

Although pink dolphins are aquatic mammals, atmospheric environmental variables associated with the river basins they inhabit, as well as precipitation and temperature, are determining factors in their ecology, because they directly affect their occurrence in a given area. Three species are recognized I. g. geoffrensis, I. g. boliviensis. In this work, through niche modeling tools, it is intended to fill gaps in information regarding the potential of the niche of the species. In relation to its phylogeny, it is expected to reinforce the studies that suggest the separation of the species Inia geoffrensis and Inia boliviensis. The most outstanding results were that it will increase the niche probability of the species, and the most closely related species according to the IOC are I. boliviensis and I.araguaeinensis and, according to the cytb, they are I.boliviensis and I. geoffrensi.