The distribution of gamusino in Spain

We present to you our study on the distribution of gamusino in Spain. The new knowledge in distribution of species that we have acquired in recent months thanks to training in Maxent and Corridor Designer thru Geoinnova, has allowed us to evaluate the distribution of this curious species. In this way, we hope to show how the potential presence of “real or imaginary” species of flora and fauna is evaluated

The elusive Gamusino, have you ever seen him?

The Gamusino, a being that was thought imaginary, has served to deceive and joke with children and people outside the rural world given his elusive attitude, however, it has been proven that the Gamusino (Gamusinus naranjitus or rasquetus) is a native animal that is abundant in Spain and Portugal.

The gamusino distribution variables. He prefers sabinars.

This species, endemic to the Iberian Peninsula, is mainly distributed in the northern subplateau and the Iberian System. Its distribution is highly conditioned by the average annual temperature, which is between 10ºC and 13ºC. The distribution of the species is located in areas between 400 and 1,000 meters above sea level.

From the point of view of its desire for vegetation or shelter, the species prefers savanna areas. In these areas, he has also been detected when he emits his characteristic howl that frightens so much on picnics.

The last factor introduced in the model relates to inhabited areas and roads. We know the Gamusino is elusive and elusive and does not like to enter anthropized areas.

The distribution analysis of Gamusino.

After knowing the linear variables that relate to the gamusino, in this case the climate, altitude and preferred vegetation. The information is standardized in order to be able to enter it in MaxEnt. First, the distribution file is created, as in any cartographic analysis, to obtain the real distribution of the studied species. In the case of Gamusino, El is used MAPAMA Spanish Inventory of Terrestrial Species and surprisingly we can't find grids in which the gamusino appears, so we are forced to resort to popular gossip and sightings to learn about the areas or UTM grids of 10×10 km in which the gamusino has been seen, and of course, to the contacts we have had in recent years on several of our daytime field trips, but especially on night trips.

The results of the gamusino distribution analysis.

Once the necessary files have been generated, the Maxent software provides the following distribution data (graphs, tables and maps).

The first graph shows that the AUC (Area Under the Curve) is 0.967. When it is between 1 and 0.9, the model can be considered to be “good” and has sensitivity. In the omission table, the dark blue line shows the error of omitting the analysis (in relation to the black line that represents balance). It can also be seen that the red curve is close to zero, which indicates that the model is adjusted.

The following table provides estimates of the relative contributions of the environmental variables used in the Maxent model.

Variable Percent Contribution Permutation Importance Habitat 78,718.5 Average height 12,330.3 Temperature 8,951.2 Anthropized areas 0.91.1

Finally, the model generates the Gamusino distribution map in Spain. From red to green; the areas with the highest probability of the presence of the species. From green to blue; areas where their presence (based on temperature, height above sea level, existing habitats and the presence of anthropized zones), is unlikely.

Conclusions. Truths and lies.

As can be seen in the attached maps, the Gamusino could potentially be distributed across the northern Castilian plateau, the Iberian System and other adjacent areas, relictically reaching Galicia, Catalonia, Andalusia, etc... so it could be seen in much of Spain. However, as you may have noticed, It's all about a little joke which has served to tell you about the possibilities that this tool offers us for studying the distribution of species using ecological niche models. It has also served to put the program into practice and thus study the goodness of the resulting models when implementing uncertain presence data, as in the case of the elusive gamusino. Results that we have been able to compare with those obtained for other real species such as the brown bear or the grouse.

The idea, although it seems a bit crazy, came after reading the article “Predicting the distribution of Big Foot or Bigfoot in western North America: anything goes with ecological niche modeling” and which we recommend here.

Cover Drawing: Vera Monteagudo Romero