Conservation status assessment of the amphibians and reptiles of Uruguay

Abstract

The native species of amphibians and reptiles of Uruguay were categorized according to the IUCN Red List criteria. Out of 47 amphibian species, seven are listed as Critically Endangered (CR), five as Endangered (EN), one as Vulnerable (VU), three as Near Threatened (NT), and two as Data Deficient (DD); the remaining species are considered to be Least Concern (LC). Among the 64 species of reptiles evaluated, one is listed as Critically Endangered (CR), seven as Endangered (EN), two as Vulnerable (VU), one as Near Threatened (NT) and seven as Data Deficient (DD); the rest are considered to be Least Concern (LC). The use of these results as an additional criterion in the definition of protected areas in Uruguay will contribute towards the conservation of the aforementioned threatened species and their associated ecosystems.

Ophiodes intermedius Boulenger, 1894 (Squamata: Anguidae): Uruguay distribution extension with conservation comments

“…Habitat destruction and fragmentation as a consequence of urbanization and the development of agricultural macro-industries (forestry, soy and rice) have been identified as the main negative impacts on reptiles and amphibians in Uruguay (Canavero et al 2010). In their study, O. intermedius was recognized as a species of Least Concern (LC), and the new record reported here supports this status because of the extension of its known regional distribution.…”

Potential Effects of Climate Change on the Distribution of an Endangered Species: Melanophryniscus montevidensis (Anura: Bufonidae)

“…Such information would be key for determining its response to predicted climate changes and its ability to adapt to such change. Given the multiple threats currently faced by the species and our findings presented here, we suggest reconsideration of its global conservation status, including an increase in threat category to attend to the features stated by several authors (Canavero et al 2010, Laufer 2012, Maneyro and Carreira 2012. We also recommend the implementation of active in situ and ex situ conservation actions, including an increase in the number of protected areas within its geographical range (Bernardo-Silva et al 2012) and the application of ex situ conservation measures based on previous successful experiences with other species within Bufonidae (AmphibianArk 2013).…”

“…Melanophryniscus montevidensis has been recognized globally as "Vulnerable" by the IUCN (IUCN 2013) and as "Endangered" in the Uruguayan Red List of amphibians (Canavero et al 2010). The biology of this species is poorly understood, but preliminary studies show that this toad is an "explosive breeder" that breeds in ephemeral ponds with sandy soils (Maneyro and Carreira 2012).…”

Inventory and conservation priorities for amphibian species from Cerro Verde (Rocha, Uruguay) and surroundings

“…The conservation status of the 23 species is presented in Table 2. At a national level, the threatened species are A. siemersi (CR), C. ornata (CR), M. montevidensis (EN) and P. bibroni (VU) (Canavero et al 2010). Odontophrynus maisuma has not been assessed yet; the rest of the species from the list does not present conservation threats at a national level, so they figure as "Least Concern" (LC) ( Table 2).…”