Herpetofauna of Laguna Blanca National Park, Argentinean Patagonia: species list and conservation status

By

Rolón, Melisa Celia Jazmin
Vera, David Gustavo
De Los Santos, Facundo Leonel
Harkes, Micaela
Tettamanti, Germán
Calvo, Rodrigo
Di Pietro, Diego Omar
Velasco, Melina Alicia
Avila, Luciano Javier
Williams, Jorge Daniel
Kacoliris, Federico Pablo

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2024-6-17

Original Publication

Neotropical Biology and Conservation

Volume

19

Series / Issue

Issue: 1

Pages

35--50

Subjects

Amphibians , Biodiversity , inventory , Neuquén , Protected areas , Reptiles

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

Brazil Universidade do Vale do Rio dos Sinos

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/neotropical.19.e115561

 

Abstract

Laguna Blanca National Park (LBNP) is located in the mid-west of Neuquén Province, Argentina. It was created in 1940 with the aim of conserving the nesting and breeding habitats of an important diversity of birds. Until now, there have been no exclusive works that address the herpetofauna present. The aim of this article is to provide an updated inventory of reptile and amphibian species in LBNP. We used four sources of information to create the species list: 1) data coming from field observations; 2) specimens deposited in herpetological collections; 3) scientific literature review; 4) online biodiversity databases. We confirm the occurrence of 18 species of herpetofauna in LBNP, including 13 reptiles and 5 amphibians. We also included six species with probable presence according to the range of distribution and habitat similarity. We added the conservation status of the national and international lists for each species. Five species are in some threat category at the national (Vulnerable, Endangered) or international level (Endangered, Critically Endangered). Seven taxa are listed as “Species of Vertebrates of Special Value” by the Administración de Parques Nacionales. Despite being protected within a national park, the herpetofauna present face threats such as prolonged drought events, habitat modification due to the presence of livestock, introduced exotic species, and emerging diseases. Conservation efforts are imperative to protect these species and mitigate their threats.