38
J. Polan fa et a!.
species (Hoplias malabaricus, Ageneiosus caucanus, Sorubium lima,
Pterygoplites undecimalis).
2.3.4 Birds, Reptiles, and Mammals
The densities and diversity of birds (195 species) in and around the CGSM
is noteworthy. The Cienaga is an important stopover point in the migrations of Neartic Limicolae, some of which spend up to 70% of their life
span on the Colombian coast (Botero and Marshalll994). Mangroves are a
major feeding and nesting ground for many of the 80 resident birds. Reproductive colonies of the brown pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) and breeding populations of Eudocimus ruber are abundant in the CGSM. Twentyone bird species depend on wetlands while four others, like the pied
water-tyrant (Fluvicola pica), the prothonotary warbler (Protonotaria
citrea) , and blackhawks are terrestrial though often associated with water
bodies. The most diverse family is the Ardeidae, with nine species of
herons and egrets, followed by Tyrannidae, with seven species of flycatchers, and Charadriidae, with six species of shorebirds. Populations of the
humming bird Lepidopyga liliae and the thrush Molothrus armenti are
endemic to Isla de Salamanca. Large populations of the American crocodile ( Crocodylus acutus) and the "babilla" (Cayman crocodylus) inhabit the
CGSM. Snakes (e.g., Corallus hortulanus) and some tortoises are also common. Among the terrestrial mammals, the crab-eating raccoon (Procyon
cancrivorus), prehensil-tailed porcupine ( Coendou prehensilis), ocelot
(Felis pardalis), ring-tail monkey ( Cebus olivaceus), paca (Agouti paca),
agouti (Dasyprocta aguti), brocket deer (Mazama americana), capybara
(Hydrochaeris hydrochaeris), and bats (Noctilio and Saccopteryx) occur in
mangrove forests and vegetation around the lagoon.
2.3.5 Mangroves
The vegetation of the sandy zones (i.e., Isla de Salamanca) is comprised of
Batis maritima, Sesuvium portulacastrum, Lemairocereus griseus, Prosopis
juliflora, Acacia farnesiana, Pereskia colombiana, and Opuntia wentiana.
Pistia stratiotes, Eichornia crassipes, Neptunia prostrata, and Typha dominguensis are important aquatic species within the CGSM. However, the most
conspicuous vegetation are extensive and patchy mangrove forests
(50,000 ha) along the shores of the lagoons and channels. The dominant
species is the black mangrove Avicennia germinans L., followed by the red
mangrove Rhizophora mangle L., the white mangrove Laguncularia race-
J. Polan fa et a!.
species (Hoplias malabaricus, Ageneiosus caucanus, Sorubium lima,
Pterygoplites undecimalis).
2.3.4 Birds, Reptiles, and Mammals
The densities and diversity of birds (195 species) in and around the CGSM
is noteworthy. The Cienaga is an important stopover point in the migrations of Neartic Limicolae, some of which spend up to 70% of their life
span on the Colombian coast (Botero and Marshalll994). Mangroves are a
major feeding and nesting ground for many of the 80 resident birds. Reproductive colonies of the brown pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) and breeding populations of Eudocimus ruber are abundant in the CGSM. Twentyone bird species depend on wetlands while four others, like the pied
water-tyrant (Fluvicola pica), the prothonotary warbler (Protonotaria
citrea) , and blackhawks are terrestrial though often associated with water
bodies. The most diverse family is the Ardeidae, with nine species of
herons and egrets, followed by Tyrannidae, with seven species of flycatchers, and Charadriidae, with six species of shorebirds. Populations of the
humming bird Lepidopyga liliae and the thrush Molothrus armenti are
endemic to Isla de Salamanca. Large populations of the American crocodile ( Crocodylus acutus) and the "babilla" (Cayman crocodylus) inhabit the
CGSM. Snakes (e.g., Corallus hortulanus) and some tortoises are also common. Among the terrestrial mammals, the crab-eating raccoon (Procyon
cancrivorus), prehensil-tailed porcupine ( Coendou prehensilis), ocelot
(Felis pardalis), ring-tail monkey ( Cebus olivaceus), paca (Agouti paca),
agouti (Dasyprocta aguti), brocket deer (Mazama americana), capybara
(Hydrochaeris hydrochaeris), and bats (Noctilio and Saccopteryx) occur in
mangrove forests and vegetation around the lagoon.
2.3.5 Mangroves
The vegetation of the sandy zones (i.e., Isla de Salamanca) is comprised of
Batis maritima, Sesuvium portulacastrum, Lemairocereus griseus, Prosopis
juliflora, Acacia farnesiana, Pereskia colombiana, and Opuntia wentiana.
Pistia stratiotes, Eichornia crassipes, Neptunia prostrata, and Typha dominguensis are important aquatic species within the CGSM. However, the most
conspicuous vegetation are extensive and patchy mangrove forests
(50,000 ha) along the shores of the lagoons and channels. The dominant
species is the black mangrove Avicennia germinans L., followed by the red
mangrove Rhizophora mangle L., the white mangrove Laguncularia race-