The Endangered frog Atelognathus patagonicus is endemic to the Laguna Blanca wetland system, Patagonia, Argentina. This species has undergone a significant contraction of its original distribution, including loss of the main population from the largest lagoon, Blanca. The decline of A. patagonicus was first perceived in 1986 and was thought to be at least partially associated with the anthropogenic introduction of the perch Percichthys colhuapiensis for sport. To evaluate the potential impact of P. colhuapiensis on A. patagonicus we surveyed for both species in 28 lagoons, and found A. patagonicus present in 23. These lagoons represent, however, only a small percentage of the total wetland area. The presence of A. patagonicus was associated with lagoons characterized by absence of P. colhuapiensis and high abundance of macrophytes. The most severe problem facing the remaining populations is in the many lagoons currently not protected by Laguna Blanca National Park. Conservation efforts need to focus on the prevention of fish introductions in the wetlands areas on private land. A project to restore A. patagonicus to Laguna Blanca, and educational programmes emphasizing the protection of Patagonian wetlands as reservoirs of regional biodiversity, are currently under development.
Feeding habits and their implications for the conservation of the endangered semiaquatic frog Atelognathus patagonicus (Anura, Neobatrachia) in a northwestern Patagonian pond. Atelognathus patagonicus (Gallardo, 1962) is an endemic frog species whose distribution is restricted to an endorheic pond system in basaltic basins in the northwest of the Argentinean Patagonia. Atelognathus patagonicus has two morphotypes: aquatic and littoral. This study presents data on the diet of A. patagonicus in Laguna del Burro, in Neuquén Province. Digestive tracts were analyzed for 20 specimens: 17 of the aquatic form and 3 of the littoral form. Diversity and trophic niche breadth, and index of relative importance (IRI) were calculated for the aquatic form. Nine food categories were found in the stomachs and intestine with the most important being Odonate naiads (Rhionaeschna sp.; IRI% = 86.57) and amphipod crustaceans (Hyalella sp.; IRI% = 12.89). There was not a statistically significant correlation between snout-vent length and mouth width of the frogs and mean prey lengths. For the littoral form of A. patagonicus, 25 prey categories were found, and all preys were adult terrestrial arthropods. Conclusions about the feeding habits of Atelognathus patagonicus and their implications for the design of conservation programs for the species are also given.
Relationship between morphotypes of Atelognathus patagonicus (Anura, Neobatrachia) and environmental conditions: evidence and possible explanation. The frog Atelognathus patagonicus (Gallardo, 1962) is endemic to an endorheic pond system in basaltic basins, in Laguna Blanca National Park and its surroundings, in northwest Argentinean Patagonia. The species has two morphotypes, aquatic and littoral, which were studied in Laguna Batea, a semi permanent pond. Aquatic and terrestrial samples were taken over a period of 31 months, including periods of drought and periods of normal precipitation. Evidence was found of the reversible character of the two morphotypes. The changes in the phenotype were consistent with the water level and limnological conditions in the pond. We believe that the change and subsequent reversal of the somatic features in these frogs are an opportunistic alternative showing remarkable plasticity of the species, which can thus inhabit both permanent and temporary ponds. Therefore, the two morphotypes, aquatic and littoral, cannot be considered as "fixed forms" within a given population, as other authors have speculated, and do not correspond to ontogenetic states.
The Patagonia frog Atelognathus patagonicus (Anura, Ceratophryidae) is endemic to north-western Patagonia where it inhabits permanent and temporary water bodies in a system of endorheic ponds on the basaltic plateau in and around Laguna Blanca National Park, northwestern Patagonia, Argentina. This Endangered species is emblematic of the decline and extinction of amphibian populations as a result of the introduction of fish to Laguna Blanca. Therefore, the aims of this study were to determine the patterns of larval development in ponds with different hydro periods and to evaluate the occurrence of different developmental strategies and their implications for conservation management. In permanent ponds, A. patagonicus tadpoles showed a double strategy, with the presence of both seasonal (short larval period; metamorphs in the same growing season) and overwintering tadpoles (undergoing metamorphosis the following spring). In temporary ponds, desiccation seems to exert great pressure, with accelerated larval development, resulting in short larval periods. Atelognathus patagonicus showed plasticity in the length of larval development, adjusting to the different hydroperiods observed in these wetlands. As a result of this dual strategy, overwintering tadpoles in permanent ponds are larger than seasonal tadpoles. This notable plasticity in developmental strategy enables this species to colonize widely varying environments. These results highlight the importance of preserving a variety of wetlands, including both temporary and permanent ponds, to allow this species to continue to breed and develop in the face of current and potential anthropogenic disturbance, in particular that caused by the activity of local native pastoralists.
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