Anurans of a subtropical montane forest in northwestern Argentina: ecological survey and a proposed list of species of conservation concern

VAIRA, MARCOS

BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION

Kluwer Academic Publishers

Lugar: Netherlands; Año: 2002 vol. 11 p. 1047 - 1062

0960-3115

The species composition, reproductive ecology, and patterns of activity were determined for an anuran assemblage of an area of subtropical montane forest in northwest Argentina. Twenty-four species were recorded at Parque Nacional Calilegua, Province of Jujuy. This study reflects a 75% increase in the number of species reported in previous surveys. Most species inhabiting the park are mainly from adjacent Chacoan regions and only six taxa are known to be endemic from montane forest areas. Most species are aquatic breeders, and the absence of many forest reproductive modes is noticeable. Although baseline information to compare former community composition was lacking, comparisons based on museum specimens revealed no evidence of local population extinctions. Immediate intensive monitoring is needed to quantitatively address amphibian population fluctuations and to examine the effectiveness of present-day montane forest protection. Although long-term population monitoring and documentation of species declines is lacking, I propose a list of seven species of conservation concern in order to assist and promote future monitoring programs.