Herpetofauna of Auca Mahuida, Neuquen, Patagonia, Argentina.

AVILA, L.J.; MINOLI, I.; M KOZYKARISKI,; MEDINA, C.D.; CHF PEREZ,; BREITMAN, M.F.; PEREZ, D.; MORANDO, M.

Curitiba

Congreso; IX Congreso Latinoamericano de Herpetología; 2011

Sociedad Brasilera de Herpetologia-Instituto Neotropical-Museo de Historia Natural

Sierra of Auca Mahuida is the southernmost mountain of the Retro Arc belt that borders the Payunia region in the northeastern corner of Neuquén Province, northwestern Patagonia, Argentina. This mountain complex (VAM) comprises several volcanic cones, but the Auca Mahuida Mountain is the main and more conspicuous geographic feature. Herein is presented a list of the reptiles of Sierra of Auca Mahuida (VAM) (37°45’ S, 68°52’ W), obtained after three years of herpetological surveys. Main field work was conducted between two and six days per week in December 2009, November and December 2010, and February 2011. We also conducted data searches of all historical collections deposited in several herpetological collections carried out within the VAM for species records. Twenty seven species of reptiles are recorded from the VAM; eighteen species of lizards, eight species of snakes and a turtle were recorded from seven families: Liolaemidae (12), Phyllodactylidae (3), Teiidae (1), Leiosauridae (2), Dipsadidae (5), Elapidae (1), Viperidae (2) and Testudinidae (1). Five of the eighteen species found in the VAM are new species endemic to the Patagonian Steppe environment found above 2000 m.