Status, Distribution, and Ecology of an Endangered Semi-Aquatic Frog (Atelognathus patagonicus) of Northwestern Patagonia, Argentina

First case of ranavirus-associated morbidity and mortality in natural populations of the South American frog Atelognathus patagonicus

“…It was the most abundant amphibian in the lake until the late 1970s (Administración de Parques Nacionales 1993); however, it declined sharply in numbers in the mid-1980s in Laguna Blanca (Administración de Parques Nacionales 1993). The species is now apparently extinct in Laguna Blanca, and presently found only in nearby smaller lakes and ponds (Fox et al 2005).…”

“…The perch established as a large, reproductive population and has altered the lake environment to a great extent (Ortubay et al 2006). The disappearance of A. patagonicus from Laguna Blanca might be attributable simply to this invasive fish species, either directly via predation or competition (Fox et al 2005), or indirectly via limnological changes (Ortubay et al 2006), but the situation appears more complex. According to the Administración de Parques Nacionales (1993), the frog remained very abundant until 1983, grew scarce in 1984, and from 1986 on has not been observed -i.e.…”

Feeding habits and their implications for the conservation of the endangered semiaquatic frog Atelognathus patagonicus (Anura, Neobatrachia) in a northwestern Patagonian pond

“…The extinction of A. patagonicus in Laguna Blanca may have occurred due to the establishment of fish in the environment (Administración de Parques Nacionales 1993, Cuello 2002, Fox et al 2005, Ortubay et al 2006. Several decades after the introduction of P. colhuapiensis, significant changes were reported in the aquatic biota: alteration of plankton and littoral benthos, reduction of macrophytia and decline of aquatic birds populations, along with the disappearance of A. patagonicus (Ortubay et al 2006).…”

“…In the light of current knowledge, the following factors may have contributed to the local extinction of the frog in Laguna Blanca after the introduction of fishes: disturbance of their habitat (Ortubay et al 2006), predation (Cuello and Perotti 2006), susceptibility to disease (Fox et al 2005) and alteration of their diet. This study provides evidence supporting the idea that might have occurred a trophic niche overlap between native frogs and introduced fishes in Laguna Blanca.…”

“…com.). Today Atelognathus patagonicus is known to inhabit 15 ponds, some of which are transitory (Fox et al 2005), located inside and outside the National Park. None of these environments originally harbored fish Roig 1966, Daciuk 1968).…”