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

PIÑIERO, J. M.; CAJADE, R.; HERNANDO, A.; COURTIS, A. C.; INGARAMO, M. D. R.; MARANGONI, F.

ANAIS DA ACADEMIA BRASILEIRA DE CIENCIAS.

ACAD BRASILEIRA DE CIENCIAS

Año: 2021

0001-3765

Isolated rocky outcrops represent biodiversity centers, refuges for endangered species, andfavorable scenarios for endemism. Most studies in these ecosystems have been focusedmainly on their flora and secondarily on different groups of animals. To highlight the valueof rocky outcrops as ecosystems for biodiversity conservation, in the present study, wedescribe the diversity of herptiles of three isolated rocky outcrops of northeastern Argentinaand compare it with that of other natural areas of the region. We conducted fieldwork fromSeptember 2010 to March 2017. We calculated the alpha diversity and the number of rare,threatened and endemic species. For comparative diversity analysis, we calculated theimportance of each area for amphibians and reptiles and the beta diversity. Were recorded atotal of 56 species (23 amphibians and 33 reptiles), representing 35% of the herptilesrecorded for Corrientes province. These species included 19 rare species, seven threatenedspecies, and two endemic species. The overall beta diversity showed considerablydifferences in species composition between the compared areas. The rocky outcropsshowed higher importance for amphibians and reptiles than the other areas studied. Ourstudy contributes to the knowledge of rocky outcrops and highlights their importance inbiodiversity conservation.