Conservation status assessment of the amphibians and reptiles of Uruguay (original) (raw)

Conservation status of Amphibians of Argentina: An update and evaluation of national assessments

—We present a review on the conservation status of the 177 species and subspecies of amphibians of Argentina and compare the first national assessment, conducted in 2000, with the most recent one, from 2012, to determine changes in conservation status over time. We also evaluate the degree of taxonomic and geographic non-randomness in extinction risk among these taxa. The present study shows an improvement in the knowledge of amphibian diversity in Argentina, but also increasing evidence of population declines and species absences. Twenty-two species showed a genuine increase in threat status between national assessments, and habitat loss and/or degradation, chytrid fungus infection, and introduction of invasive species have been reported as the main threats. Randomization tests showed families Telmatobiidae and Batrachylidae to be over-threatened and Hylidae and Leptodactylidae to be significantly under-threatened. Also, four ecoregions were shown to be significantly over-threatened (Patagonian Steepe, Patagonian Woodlands, Puna, and Yungas Forests). This evaluation help to identify groups of species that face similar suites and intensities of threat as a result of their overlapping geographical distributions and shared biological susceptibility as a result of their evolutionary history. We consider that our results highlight patterns and trends to alert policymakers and to guide priority actions. Citation: Vaira M, Pereyra LC, Akmentins MS, Bielby J. 2017. Conservation status of amphibians of Argentina: An update and evaluation of national assessments. Amphibian & Reptile Conservation 11(1) [General Section]: 36–44 (e135).

Inventory and conservation priorities for amphibian species from Cerro Verde (Rocha, Uruguay) and surroundings

Check List, 2015

Cerro Verde Protected Area, on the coast of Uruguay, serves mainly to protect the marine fauna, which has charismatic species including marine turtles and dolphins. However, the terrestrial portion of this area has the conditions for hosting a great diversity of amphibians. The aims of this study were to build the inventory of amphibians from Cerro Verde, to assess its completeness and to compare it with the inventory constructed from historical records. Acoustic surveys were conducted monthly from 2007 to 2009 at 16 water bodies of the area. Nineteen species were found during this sampling period; the accumulation curve of richness showed an asymptotic pattern, indicating the completeness of the inventory. However, species previously collected in the area were not found during this study, suggesting a loss of diversity in the last decades.

Inventory and conservation priorities for amphibian species from Cerro Verde (Rocha, Uruguay) and surroundings

Check List, 2015

Cerro Verde Protected Area, on the coast of Uruguay, serves mainly to protect the marine fauna, which has charismatic species including marine turtles and dolphins. However, the terrestrial portion of this area has the conditions for hosting a great diversity of amphibians. The aims of this study were to build the inventory of amphibians from Cerro Verde, to assess its completeness and to compare it with the inventory constructed from historical records. Acoustic surveys were conducted monthly from 2007 to 2009 at 16 water bodies of the area. Nineteen species were found during this sampling period; the accumulation curve of richness showed an asymptotic pattern, indicating the completeness of the inventory. However, species previously collected in the area were not found during this study, suggesting a loss of diversity in the last decades.

Red List assessment of amphibian species of Ecuador: A multidimensional approach for their conservation

PLOS ONE, 2021

Ecuador is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world, but faces severe pressures and threats to its natural ecosystems. Numerous species have declined and require to be objectively evaluated and quantified, as a step towards the development of conservation strategies. Herein, we present an updated National Red List Assessment for amphibian species of Ecuador, with one of the most detailed and complete coverages for any Ecuadorian taxonomic group to date. Based on standardized methodologies that integrate taxonomic work, spatial analyses, and ecological niche modeling, we assessed the extinction risk and identified the main threats for all Ecuadorian native amphibians (635 species), using the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria. Our evaluation reveals that 57% (363 species) are categorized as Threatened, 12% (78 species) as Near Threatened, 4% (26 species) as Data Deficient, and 27% (168 species) as Least Concern. Our assessment almost doubles the number of threatened speci...