Valcheta frog (Pleurodema somuncurense): local populations, distribution, connectivity and conservation priorities

VELASCO, MELINA ALICIA; KACOLIRIS, FEDERICO PABLO; BERKUNSKY, IGOR; WILLIAMS, JORGE D

Tandil

Congreso; II Jornadas Internacionales y IV Nacionales del Ambiente; 2018

CINEA

The distribution patterns of the species responds to several factors, including antropic disturbances. These disturbs mainly affects specialists? species with low movement capacity, as is the case of most amphibians. The Valcheta Frog (Pleurodema somuncurense), presents a micro-endemic distribution, restricted to the headwaters of the Valcheta Stream, in the Somuncura Plateau, Rio Negro province. The objective of the present work is aimed at identifying local populations of this species, estimate the degree of connectivity and assess presence and frecuency of threats in order to establish in a relative way, conservation priorities. Since 2013 to 2017 exhaustive surveys were performed in the four tributaries of the stream. We identified a total of nine local populations, from which two are assumed to be extinct. The biggest populations are those ones located in the Rama Caliente of the stream, while the ones located in the Rama Fría present the highest conservation priorities.