The American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus, Cuvier, 1807) (Class Reptilia, Family Crocodylidae) is a crocodile species inhabiting the Neotropics. Congenital defects have been described in almost every vertebrate group. In crocodiles, teratology alterations have been described in captive animals (pets, zoos, farms) such as Crocodylus niloticus or Gavialis gangeticus. The present study aimed to characterize congenital malformations of C. acutus from a farm in Lomas de Matunilla, Ballestas, Bolívar, Colombia. A total of 550 unhatched eggs were examined after embryo death. A total of 61 embryos presented malformations, with 42 different types of anomalies observed. Limb and tail malformations (29%) were the most common malformations observed. Several malformations, such as cephalothoracopagus, thoracopagus, sternopagus, xiphopagus twins, campylorrachis scoliosa, and acrania, were documented in crocodiles for the first time. Research in teratology enhances our understanding of crocodile biology. It plays a role in their conservation and management, thus helping to ensure the long-term viability of these species in their natural habitats.

This study assessed blue carbon stocks in the Cispatá Bay Regional Integrated Management District (DRMI), Colombian Caribbean, using multitemporal Random Forest classification of Sentinel-1/2 imagery (2016–2025) spanning contrasting ENSO conditions. Mangrove total ecosystem carbon density was estimated using the transferred Tier 1 value of 511 Mg C ha⁻¹; the locally reported aboveground-carbon value was used only to describe component partitioning and does not change that total density. Raw mapped total-stock estimates ranged from 7.0 to 8.9 million tC, with mangroves accounting for more than 92% of the total. A high-confidence classification-persistent mangrove core of 8894 ha stored 4.54 million tC. Using the unfiltered 2024 agriculture/pasture plus aquaculture layer, the entire core occurred within 250 m of mapped anthropogenic pressure (mean distance 24.1 m; maximum 186.8 m). In a conservative sensitivity scenario that removed pressure patches < 0.5 ha, 99.1% remained within 250 m and 100% within 500 m (mean 53.9 m; maximum 382.1 m). Independent design-based validation was available only for 2020 and 2024, with area-adjusted overall accuracies of 80.2% and 72.4%, respectively; the difference in conventional overall accuracy (54.0% versus 50.4%) was not statistically significant. Consequently, ENSO-related differences are interpreted as exploratory associations rather than causal effects. The results quantify spatial exposure to surrounding land use and provide a monitoring baseline that complements field-based programs in Cispatá Bay.