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Abundance and Activity of Chelonoidis Chilensis (Gray, 1870) in the Chaco-Monte Ecotone of Central Argentina Region

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Abundance and Activity of Chelonoidis Chilensis (Gray, 1870) in the Chaco-Monte Ecotone of Central Argentina Region Herpetology Notes, volume 14: 499-505 (2021) (published online on 07 March 2021) Abundance and activity of Chelonoidis chilensis (Gray, 1870) in the Chaco-Monte ecotone of central Argentina region Ailin Gatica1,2,*, Ana C. Ochoa1,2, and Juan M. Pérez-Iglesias2,3 Abstract. Turtles represent one of the most threatened groups of vertebrates. Habitat loss by expansion of the agricultural frontier, exploitation and unregulated trade are the primary causes for sharp declines in many turtle species. Chelonoidis chilensis is a widespread turtle having the broadest distribution in South American continent, it has recently been reclassified from threatened to vulnerable. Considering this, it is necessary to search for non-invasive study methods that allow us to safely assess its ecological traits and monitor its populations. The objective of this work was to evaluate abundance and activity patterns of C. chilensis, using conventional and non-invasive methodologies in different years and vegetation types in Sierra de las Quijadas National Park. Conventional methodology consisted in sampling a study area through 5m width visual detection transects, placed one adjacent to another, involving a total of 168 transects (216 has). This sampling was repeated twice, with a one-year interval. Non-invasive novelty methodology consisted of using ten camera traps that were installed for two years. Turtle frequency in different vegetation types, activity patterns according to temperature and sex ratio were determined. The abundance of C. chilensis registered was 0.027 (in 2016) and 0.036 turtles/ha (in 2017). Temporal activity, observed through camera-traps, was detected between 25 to 40 °C and from 8 am to 8 pm. The results allow us to conclude that the abundance in the park is lower than what has been reported by several authors in other Chaco regions. In this sense, further studies should be made on this ecotonal region to assure the protection of this vulnerable species. This study is the first to report abundancy and activity patterns of C. chilensis in the ecotonal region with the novelty of using a non-invasive method for monitoring the species. Keywords. Density, Activity patterns, Chaco tortoise, Non-invasive monitoring, ecotonal region, camera-trap Introduction are the primary causes for sharp declines in many turtle species (Buhlmann et al., 2009; Sanchez et al., 2014). In Turtles represent one of the most threatened groups Neotropical regions, one of the greatest representatives of vertebrates, including 10% of the ca. 317 currently of this group is Chelonoidis chilensis, better known as recognised species considered critically endangered on the Argentinian or Chaco tortoise (Ruete and Leynaud, the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (Buhlmann 2015). This species of terrestrial turtle has the broadest et al., 2009; IUCN, 2018). Approximately 63% of the distribution in the continent and has been reported in total of assessed species and near 42% of all known 18 different provinces of the Argentinian territory, species are considered as threatened (Buhlmann et al., furthermore it can be found in Bolivia and Paraguay 2009; IUCN, 2018). Habitat loss by expansion of the (Prado et al., 2012; IUCN, 2018). C. chilensis distribution agricultural frontier, exploitation and unregulated trade extends to Dry Chaco and Monte ecoregions, it also inhabits ecotonal areas, reaching Espinal and Pampa ecoregions of Argentina (Cabrera, 1994; Richard, 1999; Prado et al., 2012; Romito et al., 2015; SIB, 2019). 1 Instituto Multidisciplinario de Investigaciones Biológicas de Recent taxonomic unification of C. chilensis complex San Luis, Universidad Nacional de San Luis, Ejército de los notably expands the range of distribution of the taxon. Andes 950, San Luis CP5700, Argentina. For this reason, the species conservation status has been 2 Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Química Bioquímica y Farmacia, Universidad Nacional de San Luis, Ejército de los changed from “Threatened” to “Vulnerable” in the Andes 950, San Luis CP5700, Argentina. recent categorisation of Argentinian turtles (Prado et al., 3 Instituto de Química de San Luis, Facultad de Química 2012), by the Tortoise & Freshwater Turtle Specialist Bioquímica y Farmacia, Universidad Nacional de San Luis, Group from the IUCN, and has been included in the Ejército de los Andes 950, San Luis CP5700, Argentina. Appendix II of CITES (Fritz et al., 2012; Romito et al., * Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected] 2015; Ruete and Leynaud, 2015; IUCN, 2018). Factors © 2021 by Herpetology Notes. Open Access by CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. for this species to be considered vulnerable include its 500 Ailin Gatica et al. use and exploitation for mascotism (being the most (from 32°20’46” to 32°47’00” S, and from 67°10’41” commercialised native reptile in Argentina), and habitat to 66°58’59” W), and comprises 735.3 km² (Fig. 1). loss caused by the advance of agriculture frontier and This region has a broad annual temperature variation extensive cattle breeding (Waller and Micucci, 1997; going from -10 °C to more than 40 °C, with a medium Buhlmann et al., 2009; Prado et al., 2012). There is temperature of 13.7 °C. The area presents a low evidence that C. chilensis populations in Argentina precipitation regime, with a mean rainfall of 500 mm per could suffer a dramatic reduction in the number of year, concentrated in the wet season (from November to individuals if management programs for its conservation March). The study site included 216.4 ha, encompassing are not developed (Waller and Micucci, 1997; Romito shrubby vegetation typical of Monte of steppes and et al., 2015). Some authors suggest that populations plains, Chaco intrusions, represented by impoverished of the species are kept in a dozen of protected areas, forests of Aspidosperma quebracho-blanco Schltdl., depending on national and provincial governments and sierras dominated by Mymoziganthus carinatus (Prado et al., 2012; SIB, 2019). In addition, the species (Griseb.). The area was characterised by four habitats has been declared as a key interest species by the according to vegetation types: (a) sierra; (b) open forest; National Park Administration in Argentina, APN (2006). (c) open shrubs; (d) dense shrubs. Nonetheless, only 3.7% of the total area of Monte and “Sierra” vegetation type is characterised by M. Chaco ecoregions, the main habitat of C. chilensis, is carinatus and Senegalia gilliesii (Steud.) Seigler & subject to some kind of government protection (Ruete Ebinger shrubs, occasionally accompanied by A. and Leynaud, 2015). quebracho-blanco, Larrea cuneifolia Cav. and Larrea The Sierra de las Quijadas National Park (SQNP) divaricata Cav. “Open forest” is composed by A. preserves the ecotonal area where Monte and Chaco quebracho-blanco, accompanied by other woody plants ecoregions of central Argentina meet (Cabrera, 1994). like Prosopis flexuosa DC. “Open shrubs” is identified There have been some studies regarding the species that by the presence of L. divaricata and L. cuneifolia, with predicted high probability of C. chilensis occurrence isolated individuals of Prosopis chilensis (Molina) in this area (Ruete and Leynaud, 2015). Other authors Stuntz and Bulnesia retama (Gillies ex Hooker & Arnott) suggest that research in this site should be intensified and Grisebach, among other species, distributed in low and standardised monitoring programs should be promoted disperse patches, and finally, “Dense shrubs” presents along its distribution range (Prado et al., 2012). Studies higher density of L. divaricata and L. cuneifolia, focussing on the species, developed in similar areas, constituting compact patches of low visibility (Gatica et have registered a low number of individuals (Sanchez al., 2019). This study was carried out under the permits et al., 2014), which enhances the need of studying basic provided by the Argentinian Administration of National ecological traits of the species (specially its activity Parks, no. DRC-262. patterns), in order to develop efficient methods and Abundance and activity pattern estimation. The improve the detection of C. chilensis. Understanding the study area was sampled through visual detection species´ use of the territory and its temporal variations would contribute to the interpretation of the population´s interactions with other species and with its habitat. In this context, and with the knowledge that distribution of the native fauna in semiarid regions is a fundamental tool for assessing management and conservation decisions (Guerreiro et al., 2005); the objective of this work was to evaluate abundance and activity patterns of the Chaco tortoise (Chelonoidis chilensis) in the SQNP using conventional and non-invasive novelty methodologies in two different years. Materials and Methods Study area. The study was carried out in Sierra de Figure 1. Studied area shaded with grey within the boundaries las Quijadas National Park (SQNP). This park is located of the Sierra de las Quijadas National Park, San Luis, in the northwest of San Luis province in Argentina Argentina. Abundance and activity of Chelonoidis chilensis in the central Argentina region 501 transects, this method is widely used for terrestrial including reptiles (Gompper et al., 2006; Ariefiandy et chelonids and it allows estimation of abundance al., 2013; Welbourne et al., 2015; Ballouard et al., 2016) (Hofmeyr and Henen, 2016). Transects were placed and could be useful as a novelty methodological tool for one adjacent to another, and had a 5
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