Atelognathus patagonicus

Taxonomy

Assessment Information

Geographic Range

Population

Habitat and Ecology

Threats

Conservation Actions

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Taxonomy [top]

Kingdom	Phylum	Class	Order	Family
ANIMALIA	CHORDATA	AMPHIBIA	ANURA	CERATOPHRYIDAE

Scientific Name:	Atelognathus patagonicus
Species Authority:	(Gallardo, 1962)
Taxonomic Notes:	This is a polymorphic species that might consist of several species or subspecies.

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:

Endangered A2ace; B1ab(i,ii,v) ver 3.1

Year Published:

2010

Assessor/s:

Carmen Úbeda, Esteban Lavilla, Néstor Basso

Reviewer/s:

Global Amphibian Assessment Coordinating Team (Simon Stuart, Janice Chanson, Neil Cox and Bruce Young)

Contributor/s:

Justification:
Listed as Endangered because of a serious population decline, estimated to be more than 50% over the last ten years, inferred from observed reduction in population size, and a decline in both the extent of occurrence and area of occupancy, following the impact of introduced predatory fishes on the major subpopulation of the species; and because its Extent of Occurrence is less than 5,000 km2, its distribution is severely fragmented, and there is continuing decline in the Extent of Occurrence, Area of Occupancy, and number of mature individuals.

History:

2004

–

Endangered

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	This species is endemic to north-western Argentinean Patagonia where it has been recorded from a system of endorreic and isolated lagoons scattered in the volcanic tablelands of Neuquen (between 38° 55' and 39° 32'S and 70° 20' to 70° 39'W). Its altitudinal range is 1,265-1,410m asl.
Countries:	Native: Argentina
Range Map:	Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Population [top]

Population:	It is common within its preferred habitat. New subpopulations have recently been discovered (at 14 satellite lakes/ponds), but the major subpopulation (Laguna Blanca) is believed to have been extirpated. Surveys of this species in 15 lakes in and around Laguna Blanca National Park at various times between 2000 and 2002 revealed relatively high densities of individuals near shorelines (overall average highest density per lake of 0.58 individuals/m2). Densities were highest in late summer (March)(Fox et al., 2005).
Population Trend:	Decreasing

Population:

It is common within its preferred habitat. New subpopulations have recently been discovered (at 14 satellite lakes/ponds), but the major subpopulation (Laguna Blanca) is believed to have been extirpated.

Surveys of this species in 15 lakes in and around Laguna Blanca National Park at various times between 2000 and 2002 revealed relatively high densities of individuals near shorelines (overall average highest density per lake of 0.58 individuals/m2). Densities were highest in late summer (March)(Fox et al., 2005).

Population Trend:

Decreasing

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	The species inhabits permanent lagoons that are surrounded by steppe and/or semi-desert. Individuals are found in areas adjacent to the ponds, in aquatic and terrestrial habitat, although most often in aquatic habitat, and breeding takes place within these ponds. It is not known from degraded habitats. Tadpoles have been found January–March (Fox et al., 2005).
Systems:	Terrestrial; Freshwater

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	The main subpopulation (Laguna Blanca) is believed to have been extirpated through predation by introduced fishes (perch and salmonids). The remaining subpopulations are isolated from this lake and mostly appear to be stable, although eutrophication of two ponds due to livestock may be leading to a decline in two subpopulations. Introduction of predatory fishes to the remaining lakes is a potential major threat to all subpopulations. A recent study (Fox et al., 2005) reported that most populations had many dead and moribund tadpoles and frogs, all of which showed clinical signs of an unknown disease. While it does not appear to be decimating populations, the possible presence of pathogenic disease warrants special consideration.

Major Threat(s):

The main subpopulation (Laguna Blanca) is believed to have been extirpated through predation by introduced fishes (perch and salmonids). The remaining subpopulations are isolated from this lake and mostly appear to be stable, although eutrophication of two ponds due to livestock may be leading to a decline in two subpopulations. Introduction of predatory fishes to the remaining lakes is a potential major threat to all subpopulations.

A recent study (Fox et al., 2005) reported that most populations had many dead and moribund tadpoles and frogs, all of which showed clinical signs of an unknown disease. While it does not appear to be decimating populations, the possible presence of pathogenic disease warrants special consideration.

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	While the species was previously recorded from Parque Nacional Laguna Blanca it is now known only from the ponds within the buffer zone of the park. Measures need to be put in place to prevent the introduction of predatory fishes into the habitat of the remaining subpopulations.

Conservation Actions:

While the species was previously recorded from Parque Nacional Laguna Blanca it is now known only from the ponds within the buffer zone of the park. Measures need to be put in place to prevent the introduction of predatory fishes into the habitat of the remaining subpopulations.

Citation:	Carmen Úbeda, Esteban Lavilla, Néstor Basso 2010. Atelognathus patagonicus. In: IUCN 2012. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 20 June 2013.
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