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First Steps Towards the Conservation of the Microendemic Patagonian Frog Atelognathus Nitoi

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First Steps Towards the Conservation of the Microendemic Patagonian Frog Atelognathus Nitoi Oryx Vot 33 No 1 January 1999 First steps towards the conservation of the microendemic Patagonian frog Atelognathus nitoi Carmen Ubeda, Horacio Zagarese, Monica Diaz and Fernando Pedrozo Abstract Atelognathus nitoi is a microendemic lepto- body suitable for reproduction every year. During dactylid frog restricted to the area surrounding the rainy years reproduction can also take place in tem- pond Laguna Verde in the Nahuel Huapi National porary ponds. Action towards the conservation of A. Reserve, north-west Patagonia, Argentina. Its habitat is nitoi should be aimed at preserving both the terres- potentially threatened by a number of anthropogenic trial and aquatic habitats. Laguna Verde appears to and natural factors. The aim of this study was to obtain be a key site for the A. nitoi source population and basic knowledge of the biology and habitat of the plays an essential part in the conservation of this species, which would be useful for selecting manage- species. In terrestrial habitats it is vital to preserve the ment measures to ensure its conservation. The area was heterogeneity of the lower strata in the forest. surveyed during all four seasons in 1996 and 1997 and The knowledge gained through this study has al- Laguna Verde was sampled intensively in winter and lowed the authors to suggest protective measures to in summer. Atelognathus nitoi is distributed patchily. mitigate or eliminate the impact of certain stressors on The preferred microhabitats of adults and juveniles are the ecology of the species. the most humid areas of the forest. Reproduction and larval development occurs only in lentic environments. Keywords Anura, Atelognathus nitoi, conservation bi- Laguna Verde is the only known permanent water- ology, Leptodactylidae, Patagonia. Introduction (provinces of Neuquen, Rio Negro and Chubut) and one is found on Wellington Island, Chile (Frost, 1985; Amphibians are sensitive bioindicators of the health of Duellman, 1993). Atelognathus nitoi Barrio, 1973, is a the environment because of their permeable skins, medium-sized (45 mm) leptodactylid frog (Plate 1), biphasic life history, pattern of embryonic develop- endemic to the area surrounding a small pond, Laguna ment, population biology, site fidelity and the com- plexity of their interactions in communities and ecosys- Verde, in the Nahuel Huapi National Reserve in north- tems (Wake & Morowitz, 1991; Blaustein et al., 1994). west Patagonia, Argentina. It was discovered recently Many reports during the past decade have warned of (Barrio, 1973) and has received little study (Christie, the decline of amphibian populations around the 1984; Ubeda et al, 1994; Basso & Ubeda, 1997). Its basic world. Among the potential causes of the decline are biology is as yet unknown. Its status categories are the destruction and fragmentation of habitats, chemical summarized in Table 1. pollution, increases in levels of solar ultraviolet radi- Although Laguna Verde is part of a national reserve ation and the introduction of exotic species (Wake & with a long tradition in conservation, the habitat is Morowitz, 1991; Blaustein & Wake, 1995). potentially threatened by a number of anthropogenic The frog genus Atelognathus is restricted to Patagonia and natural factors including fires, increased levels of and includes seven species, all of which are endemic to ultraviolet radiation, recreational activities and fuel- areas of various sizes. Six are distributed to the east of wood gathering for a nearby mountain lodge. In fact, the Andes mountain range in Argentine Patagonia the whole area was in danger of destruction from the intense fires that occurred in January 1996 and affected a large part of the adjacent forest. Carmen Ubeda (corresponding author) and Horacio Zagarese, The aim of this study was to obtain a basic knowl- Monica Diaz and Fernando Pedrozo Centro Regional Bariloche, edge of the biology and habitat of the species, which Universidad Nacional del Comahue, Unidad Postal Universidad, would be useful for selecting management measures to 8400—San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina. E-mail: [email protected] ensure its conservation. Our ultimate purpose is to help develop policies to protect the natural habitat of the Received 13 January 1998. Accepted 28 July 1998 species. To this end, our aims were to: ' 1999 FFI, Oryx, 33(1), 59-66 59 Downloaded from https://www.cambridge.org/core. IP address: 170.106.40.139, on 29 Sep 2021 at 09:55:57, subject to the Cambridge Core terms of use, available at https://www.cambridge.org/core/terms. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-3008.1999.00035.x 60 C. Ubeda ef al. ous Forest district of the Subantarctic province (Cabrera & Willink, 1980). The vegetation is pure austral beech Nothofagus pumilio deciduous forest. The underbrush is relatively open, with low bushes. Sampling and survey Study area The area was prospected from the air and the land surveyed on periodic visits during all four seasons in 1996 and 1997. Ninety-five ha were surveyed for the occurrence of A. nitoi in terrestrial and aquatic habitats between 1300 and 1750 m above sea level, following Plate 1 The Atdognathus nitoi adult has a stout body and short roughly parallel transects about 30 m apart (Fig. 1). legs, webbed toes, smooth skin on dorsum and belly, loose baggy Excluding areas that are unsuitable for amphibian skin on sides; is brownish or greyish on the back, with irregular dark spots; and a smooth, immaculate, whitish belly. use, the following habitats were distinguished: Terrestrial: high altitude austral beech thicket; austral beech forest. • Characterize the terrestrial and aquatic habitats, and Aquatic: stream sources; flood meadows (mallines); microhabitats, of the adult, juvenile and larval bogs; permanent ponds; temporary ponds; streams; stages. and stream banks. The Laguna Verde pond was • Obtain basic information on the biology of the selected for an intensive study. species, such as reproductive period, duration of the From each site where the species was found, infor- larval stage and timing of metamorphosis. mation was recorded for the description of habitats and • Identify potential conflicts or impacts of human ac- microhabitats, following Heyer et al. (1994). For terres- tivities occurring in the area and assess their signifi- trial habitats the data recorded were: slope and top- cance for the species. ography; description of the vegetation (canopy cover, plant type); soil type; horizontal and vertical position; Materials and methods substratum type; per cent humidity and temperature of the site and the environment. For aquatic and wetland Study area habitats we noted: type of waterbody (permanent or temporary); type of vegetation; type of bottom; degree In the area surrounding Laguna Verde on Cerro Challhuaco, the terrain is mainly mountainous, with of insolation; pH; temperature; and associated biota. some gentle slopes that allow flood meadows (mallines) Each A. nitoi observation was recorded individually. and temporary aquatic environments to form in de- The following information was taken for each specimen pressions. The climate is temperate (mean temperature encountered during the survey: size (snout-vent 5-8 °C) and rainy (mean annual precipitation 1700 mm; length); sex; and evidence of recent metamorphosis. Barros et al., 1983). Most rainfall occurs during the In order to obtain a rough estimate of the A. nitoi winter, from May to August. In winter, the area is population, one habitat patch was sampled when the covered by a mantle of snow and the surfaces of concentration of individuals was at its maximum, using aquatic habitats freeze. The area is part of the Decidu- the patch sampling method in Heyer et al. (1994). Table 1 Legal and status categories of Atdognathus nitoi given by different national and international organizations Status and legal categories Organization Reference Vulnerable IUCN—The World Conservation Union IUCN (1996) Vulnerable Secretaria de Agricultura y Ganaderia, Argentina Secretaria de Agricultura y Ganaderia (1983) Vulnerable Direccion Nacional de Fauna y Flora Silvestres, Argentina Ubeda & Grigera (1995) Protected species Subdirecci6n de Fauna, Provincia de Rio Negro, Argentina Provincia de Rfo Negro (1993) Special value species Administration de Parques Nacionales, Argentina Administration de Parques Nacionales (1994) 1999 FFI, Oryx, 33(1), 59-66 Downloaded from https://www.cambridge.org/core. IP address: 170.106.40.139, on 29 Sep 2021 at 09:55:57, subject to the Cambridge Core terms of use, available at https://www.cambridge.org/core/terms. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-3008.1999.00035.x First steps towards the conservation of the inicrocndemic Patagonan f'og Aloiognathus nitoi 61 Fig. 1 Study area in the Nahuel Huapi National Reserve. Shading represents surveyed area. House symbol represents Neumeyer lodge. Dotted line represents the access dirt road. Laguna Verde sampling of 1 m in the limnetic area of the pond, using a 2-L Van Laguna Verde was sampled intensively twice: in winter Dorn bottle. Samples were fixed using acetic lugol (10 September 1996) and late summer (14 March 1997). solution and counted under an inverted microscope The following variables were measured in the field: pH following Utermohl's method. To estimate biomass, cell (pH meter); conductivity (conductimeter); dissolved volume for each species was estimated by comparing oxygen (ISY oxygen meter); temperature (digital ther- cell shapes with geometric shapes (Nauwerk, 1963). mometer); and natural radiation profiles (IL-1700 Biomass was then expressed as fresh algal weight, radiometer with UV-A, UV-B and PAR submersible considering phytoplankton density = 1 and the relation sensors). Water samples were taken to determine nutri- 106 (im3 = 1 ng, following the Goldman criterion (in ent and chlorophyll concentrations, and species and Trevisan, 1979). biomass of phytoplankton and zooplankton. The Zooplankton samples were taken at depth intervals chlorophyll and nutrient samples were analysed using of 1 m with a Van Dorn bottle. They were filtered standard methods (APHA, 1985). through a 55 (im mesh and fixed in 4 per cent formalin. Phytoplankton samples were taken at depth intervals Samples were counted under a dissecting scope.
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