The isolated rocky outcrops of northeastern Argentina and their rol on the herpetofauna conservation

PIÑEIRO J. M.; CAJADE R.; HERNANDO A.; COURTIS AZUL; INGARAMO M. R.; F. MARANGONI

ANAIS DA ACADEMIA BRASILEIRA DE CIENCIAS.

ACAD BRASILEIRA DE CIENCIAS

Lugar: Rio de Janeiro; Año: 2020

0001-3765

Isolated rocky outcrops represent biodiversity centers, refuges for endangered species, and favorable scenarios for endemism. Most studies in these ecosystems have been focused mainly on their flora and secondarily on different groups of animals. To highlight the value of rocky outcrops as ecosystems for biodiversity conservation, in the present study, we describe the diversity of herptiles of three isolated rocky outcrops of northeastern Argentina and compare it with that of other natural areas of the region. Fieldwork was conducted from September 2010 to March 2017. We calculated the alpha diversity and the number of rare, threatened and endemic species. For comparative diversity analysis, we calculated the complementarity index and relative species richness. A total of 56 species (23 amphibians and 33 reptiles) were recorded, representing 35% of the herptiles recorded for Corrientes province. These species included 19 rare species, seven threatened species and two endemic species. The complementarity index was, on average, higher than 50%. The rocky outcrops studied showed higher relative species richness than the other areas studied, probably due to the habitat heterogeneity and the particular structural characteristics of this ecosystem. Our study contributes to the knowledge of rocky outcrops and highlight their importance in biodiversity conservation.