Summary: | G. bogotensis has a geographic distribution restricted to the Colombian Cundiboyacense<br />plateau, it is listed as near threatened, and research on its autoecology is scarce. Three<br />collections were made in 2006 in the Fúquene Lake, Cundinamarca, Colombia (5°<br />27’ 55’’ N, 75° 46’ 19’’ W) to describe the habitats occupied by G. bogotensis and to<br />determine its vertical and horizontal distribution. Three sampling zones were selected<br />according to the type of dominant macrophyte (Eichornia crassipes, Schoenoplectus<br />sp. and Egeria densa). In each sampling zone two different cylindrical sampling traps<br />(cloth and PVC) were placed at three depths: surface, mid-depth and bottom. Three<br />replicates were used for each depth and type of trap. Traps were exposed for 24 hours<br />and checked every 6 hours. In addition to the traps, sampling by electrofishing was<br />conducted in each sampling zone during every month. To characterize the study area,<br />physical and chemical variables were analyzed and the structure of phytoplankton,<br />zooplankton, periphyton, and macroinvertebrate communities was studied. Results<br />showed spatial differences on G. bogotensis habitat occupation and differences in<br />captures at each depth, which depend on the dominant type of aquatic vegetation<br />and size of individual. We conclude that only cylindrical cloth traps are suitable to<br />conduct population studies of G. bogotensis
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