Differences in escape behaviour among individuals of sand dune lizards (Liolaemus multimaculatus) varying in degree of research disturbance

The goal of this work was to assess escape behaviour in individuals of sand dune lizards (Liolaemus multimaculatus) varying in degree of research disturbance. When searching for individuals in the field, the distance between the observer and the lizard before it started escaping (AD) and the distance between the  lizards and the closest shelter (DCS), were compared in a disturbed and an undisturbed site. Disturbance was caused by three years research in which lizards were captured, marked and recaptured. The AD averaged 186 cm at the disturbed site and 330 cm at the undisturbed site, whereas the DCS averaged 1,609 cm at the disturbed site and 2,008 cm at the undisturbed site. Both variables showed significant differences between sites (p<0.05). This study supports the idea that research activities that involve manipulation of animals can affect their behaviour.Fil: Kacoliris, Federico Pablo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. División Zoología de Vertebrados. Sección Herpetología; ArgentinaFil: Williams, Jorge Daniel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. División Zoología de Vertebrados. Sección Herpetología; Argentin

Differences in escape behaviour among individuals of sand dune lizards (Liolaemus multimaculatus) varying in degree of research disturbance

The goal of this work was to assess escape behaviour in individuals of sand dune lizards (Liolaemus multimaculatus) varying in degree of research disturbance. When searching for individuals in the field, the distance between the observer and the lizard before it started escaping (AD) and the distance between the  lizards and the closest shelter (DCS), were compared in a disturbed and an undisturbed site. Disturbance was caused by three years research in which lizards were captured, marked and recaptured. The AD averaged 186 cm at the disturbed site and 330 cm at the undisturbed site, whereas the DCS averaged 1,609 cm at the disturbed site and 2,008 cm at the undisturbed site. Both variables showed significant differences between sites (p<0.05). This study supports the idea that research activities that involve manipulation of animals can affect their behaviour.Fil: Kacoliris, Federico Pablo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. División Zoología de Vertebrados. Sección Herpetología; ArgentinaFil: Williams, Jorge Daniel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. División Zoología de Vertebrados. Sección Herpetología; Argentin

Reptilia, Colubridae, Philodryas aestivus: distribution extension

Non

Herpetofauna of the Argentinean impenetrable Great Chaco

Herein, we present a list of amphibians and reptiles of the Impenetrable Chaco region. This work records new localities for most species and assesses if the Loro Hablador Provincial Parks are protecting a representative portion of herpetofauna richness

Herpetofauna of the argentinean impenetrable Great Chaco

The Impenetrable region (Northern region of the Chaco and Santiago del Estero Provinces and Eastern part of Salta Province, Argentina) is one of the biggest remnant patches of native dry forest (Bertonatti and Corcuera 2000). Most of the Impenetrable woodlands are found in the Chaco Province, and are legally protected by two fairly new Provincial Parks (P. P): The “Fuerte Esperanza” P. P. (283 km2), created in 2001 (SGPC 2001), and the “Loro Hablador” P. P. (175 km2), created in 2004 (SGPC 2004).Museo de La Plat

Aves de rapina diurnas em Llanos de Moxos, Bolívia

Raptor abundance has been poorly documented in the Neotropics. Here we describe the abundance and composition of the diurnal bird raptor community of Llanos de Moxos, one of the largest and less studied Neotropical savannah. During four consecutive breeding seasons (i.e., August 2007 to February 2008, August 2008 to January 2009, August 2009 to January 2010, and August 2010 to January 2011), we monitored 11 transects and 30 points, searching for raptors’ activity. We detected 29 diurnal bird raptor species in the region, which represented almost half of diurnal bird raptor species of Bolivia. As expected, scavengers and generalists were most frequent and abundant diurnal bird raptors. The Llanos de Moxos shared 83% of raptor species with Venezuelan Llanos and 67% with Chaco wetlands. The Llanos de Moxos is an important migratory and conservation region for some species as Swainson’s hawk, Chaco eagle, osprey and peregrine falcon. The lack of effective protected areas in the region is concerning, and, thus, the establishment of such areas should be a conservation priority.A abundância de aves de rapina tem sido pouco documentada na região Neotropical. No presente trabalho, descrevem-se a abundância e a composição da comunidade diurna de aves de rapina de Llanos de Moxos, uma das maiores e menos estudadas savanas neotropicais. Durante quatro períodos de reprodução consecutivos (agosto de 2007 a fevereiro de 2008, agosto de 2008 a janeiro de 2009, agosto de 2009 a janeiro de 2010 e agosto de 2010 a janeiro de 2011), foram monitorados 11 transectos e 30 pontos, buscando atividades de aves de rapina. Detectamos 29 espécies de aves de rapina diurnas na região, que representaram quase metade das espécies dessas aves diurnas da Bolívia. Como esperado, os detritívoros e generalistas foram as aves de rapina diurnas mais frequentes e abundantes. Os Llanos de Moxos compartilharam 83% de espécies de aves de rapina com Llanos venezuelanos e 67% com áreas úmidas de Chaco. Os Llanos de Moxos representam uma importante região migratória e de conservação para algumas espécies, tais como o falcão de Swainson, a águia cinzenta, a água pescadora e o falcão peregrino. A falta de áreas protegidas efetivas na região é preocupante, de forma que o estabelecimento de tais áreas deve ser considerado uma prioridade de conservação.Fil: Daniele, Gonzalo. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. Departamento Científico Zoología Vertebrados; ArgentinaFil: Kacoliris, Federico Pablo. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. División Zoología de Vertebrados. Sección Herpetología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Berkunsky, Igor. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin