This taxon occurs in the Rio Negro-Rio San Sun mangroves, which consists of a disjunctive ecoregion in parts of , extending to the north slightly into Nicaragua and south marginally into . Furthermore, this species is not necessarily restricted to this ecoregion. are sparse in this , and are chiefly found in lagoons and small patches at mouths growing in association with certain palm such as the Yolillo Palm (Raphia taedigera), which taxon has some saline soil tolerance, and is deemed a basic element of the forest here. These mangrove communities are also part of a mosaic of several that include mixed rainforest, wooded , , lagoons, sand and , sea-grasses, and .
The paucity of mangroves here is a result of the robust influx of to the of this . Among the highest rates of in the world, this ecoregion receives over six (m) a year at the Nicaragua/ Costa Rica national border. Peak rainfall occurs in the warmest months, usually between May and September. A relatively dry season occurs from January to April, which months coincides with stronger tradewinds. are semi-diurnal and have a range of less than one half metre.
Mangroves play an important role in trapping sediments from land that are detrimental to the development of both and sea grasses that are associated with them. Mangrove species including Rhizopora mangle, Avicennia germinans, Laguncularia racemosa, Conocarpus erecta and R. harrisonii grow alone the salinity gradient in appropriate areas. Uncommon occurrences of Pelliciera rhizophorae and other associated with mangroves include Leather Acrostichum spp., which also invade cut-over mangrove stands and provide some protection against . In this particular , the mangroves are associated with the indicator species, palm, Raphia taedigera. Other mangrove associated species are Guiana-chestnut ( Pachira aquatica) and Dragonsblood Tree (Pterocarpus officinalis).
include the Basilisk Lizard (Basiliscus basiliscus), Caiman (Caiman crocodilus), Green Sea Turtle (Chelonia mydas), Leatherback Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) and Green Iguana (Iguana iguana). The along the coast within this ecoregion near Tortuguero are some of the most important for nesting green turtles. The offshore seagrass beds, which are among the most extensive in the world, are a source of food and refuge for the Green Sea Turtle (Chelonia mydas). Several species of frogs of the family Dendrobatidae are found in this mangrove ecoregion as well other species and some endemic salamander taxa.
Mammal species found in this highly ecoregion include: Lowland Paca (Agouti paca), primates such as Mantled Howler Monkey (Alouatta palliata), Geoffrey's Spider Monkey (Ateles geoffroyi), White-faced Capuchin (Cebus capucinus), Brown-throated Sloth (Bradypus variegatus), Silky Anteater (Cyclopes didactylus) and Nine-banded Armadillo (Dasypus novemcintus). Also found in this ecoregion are such as Ocelot (Leopardus pardalis), Central American Otter (Lutra annectens), Jaguar (Panthera onca), Northern Racooon (Procyoon lotor), and Crab-eating Racoon (P. cancrivorus).
Rights Holder: World Wildlife Fund & C. Michael Hogan
Bibliographic Citation: World Wildlife Fund & C. Michael Hogan. 2010.
"Rio Negro-Rio San Sun mangroves". Encyclopedia of Earth, National Council for Science and the Environment, Washington DC ed.Mark McGinley. updated 2013
