Browsing by Author "Correa, Claudio"

Now showing 1 - 10 of 10
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    A flagship for Austral temperate forest conservation: an action plan for Darwin's frogs brings key stakeholders together
    (2021) Azat, Claudio; Valenzuela-Sanchez, Andres; Delgado, Soledad; Cunningham, Andrew A.; Alvarado-Rybak, Mario; Bourke, Johara; Briones, Raul; Cabeza, Osvaldo; Castro-Carrasco, Camila; Charrier, Andres; Correa, Claudio; Crump, Martha L.; Cuevas, Cesar C.; de la Maza, Mariano; Diaz-Vidal, Sandra; Flores, Edgardo; Harding, Gemma; Lavilla, Esteban O.; Mendez, Marco A.; Oberwemmer, Frank; Carlos Ortiz, Juan; Pastore, Hernan; Penafiel-Ricaurte, Alexandra; Rojas-Salinas, Leonora; Manuel Serrano, Jose; Sepulveda, Maximiliano A.; Toledo, Veronica; Ubeda, Carmen; Uribe-Rivera, David E.; Valdivia, Catalina; Wren, Sally; Angulo, Ariadne
    Darwin's frogs Rhinoderma darwinii and Rhinoderma rufum are the only known species of amphibians in which males brood their offspring in their vocal sacs. We propose these frogs as flagship species for the conservation of the Austral temperate forests of Chile and Argentina. This recommendation forms part of the vision of the Binational Conservation Strategy for Darwin's Frogs, which was launched in 2018. The strategy is a conservation initiative led by the IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group, which in 2017 convened 30 governmental, non-profit and private organizations from Chile, Argentina and elsewhere. Darwin's frogs are iconic examples of the global amphibian conservation crisis: R. rufum is categorized as Critically Endangered (Possibly Extinct) on the IUCN Red List, and R. darwinii as Endangered. Here we articulate the conservation planning process that led to the development of the conservation strategy for these species and present its main findings and recommendations. Using an evidence-based approach, the Binational Conservation Strategy for Darwin's Frogs contains a comprehensive status review of Rhinoderma spp., including critical threat analyses, and proposes 39 prioritized conservation actions. Its goal is that by 2028, key information gaps on Rhinoderma spp. will be filled, the main threats to these species will be reduced, and financial, legal and societal support will have been achieved. The strategy is a multi-disciplinary, transnational endeavour aimed at ensuring the long-term viability of these unique frogs and their particular habitat.
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    A hybrid zone of two toad sister species, Rhinella atacamensis and R-arunco (Anura: Bufonidae), defined by a consistent altitudinal segregation in watersheds
    (2013) Correa, Claudio; Mendez, Marco A.; Araya, Sergio; Lobos, Gabriel; Eduardo Palma, R.
    Delimiting the spatial extension of a hybrid zone is essential to understand its historical origin and to identify the geographical and/or environmental factors which delimit it. Rhinella atacamensis and R. arunco are two sister species which together inhabit Chile between 25 degrees and 38 degrees S. Their distribution limits coincide at about 32 degrees S, where recently it was reported that they hybridize in a small watershed (Pupio creek). Although the genetic evidence suggests that these two species form a hybrid swarm, they are not mixed homogeneously in the entire watershed, but rather are spatially segregated: R. arunco is found in the lower part of the creek and R. atacamensis in the higher part. An extensive exploration north and south of 32 degrees S revealed other instances of hybridization, with the same pattern of spatial segregation within other watersheds. This study describes the hybrid zone combining mitochondrial sequences and nuclear AFLP markers. In the northern part, the hybrid zone is a narrow strip which crosses several watersheds and extends more than 130 km from NW-SE, so that R. atacamensis is found at higher altitudes towards the south. However, two points south of this strip show that the hybrid zone is more extensive and complex, and probably extends along the entire border of the mountain chains which form the watershed of the Aconcagua River (32 degrees 30' - 33 degrees S). We propose an explanation for the origin of this hybrid zone considering paleoclimatic and orographic information, and briefly discuss the taxonomic implications of these results.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    A new species of Alsodes (Anura: Alsodidae) from Altos de Cantillana, central Chile
    (MAGNOLIA PRESS, 2015) Charrier, Andres; Correa, Claudio; Castro, Camila; Mendez, Marco A.
    Based on morphological and molecular evidence (mitochondrial and nuclear sequences) we describe a new species of spiny-chest frog, Alsodes cantillanensis, from central Chile (around 34 degrees S). The type locality, Quebrada Infiernillo, is located in the Coastal Range at approximately 65 km from Santiago (Metropolitan Region), the capital of Chile. The distribution of the new species is included entirely in that of A. nodosus (32-36 degrees S approximately), which was identified as the sister taxon according to molecular phylogenetic analyses. Moreover, both species are sympatric in the type locality. The new species was found in a Nothofagus macrocarpa relict forest potentially threatened by gold mining activities. We identify other threats for its conservation and some biological data needed for understanding the evolution of this species. This discovery reveals the scarce knowledge about biogeography, evolution and ecology of spiny- chest frogs from central Chile.
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    Amphibian phylogenetic diversity in the face of future climate change: not so good news for the chilean biodiversity hotspot
    (2022) Rodriguez, Leonardo J.; Barbosa, Olga A.; Soto-Azat, Claudio; Alvarado-Rybak, Mario; Correa, Claudio; Mendez, Marco A.; Moreno-Gomez, Felipe N.; Rabanal, Felipe E.; Vidal, Marcela A.; Velasquez, Nelson A.; Bacigalupe, Leonardo D.
    Climate change is projected to be the most extensive human-induced disturbance to occur on natural ecosystems, inducing changes in different biodiversity features including the evolutionary history of a region through the decline and loss of its phylogenetic diversity. Amphibians, given their ectothermic life cycle and critical conservation status, would potentially be exposed to extinction processes under conditions of climate change, with the corresponding loss of evolutionary history in regions of high biodiversity. This research addresses the effects of climate change on the evolutionary history of amphibians in the Chilean Biodiversity Hotspot, by estimating the PD (Phylogenetic diversity) and PE (Phylogenetic endemism) of 27 species. Using different RCP (RCP 4.5 and 8.5) and time frames (years 2050 and 2070), we create species distribution models (SDM) to evaluate the species range dynamics and the phylodiversity in the Hotspot. Also, given that Protected Areas (PA) are the main global strategy to ensure the conservation of species and their features, we evaluate the capacity of PA to conserve the evolutionary history in the Hotspot. Our results show a set of modeled species that will become extinct, or will experiment changes in their distributional ranges, inducing a clear decline of amphibian evolutionary history for the next 30 to 50 years, and a worrying low capacity of the PA to contain current and future PD and PE. Given the critical amphibian scenario, our results highlight the need for further research to improve the decision-making process in the hotspot area addressing the potential amphibian extinction risk, the lack of protection by the PA system, and the loss of evolutionary history as a key aspect of biodiversity.
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    Confirmation of the presence of Alsodes pehuenche Cei, 1976 (Anura, Alsodidae) in Chile: morphological, chromosomal and molecular evidence
    (2013) Correa, Claudio; Pastenes, Luis; Iturra, Patricia; Calderon, Pilar; Vasquez, Dayana; Lam, Natalia; Salinas, Hugo; Mendez, Marco A.
    The presence of Alsodes pehuenche in Chile was reported in the year 2010, based on the observation of larvae near the Chilean-Argentinean border, about 3 km east of the northeast corner of the Laguna del Maule (Region del Maule, Chile). The taxonomic history of this species dates from 1965, with the re-discovery of Telmatobius montanus (which was later transferred to the genus Alsodes) in two localities, near the Laguna del Maule and Valle Pehuenche, located in Chile and Argentina, respectively. The literature review shows that the locality of Argentina described in 1965 became the type locality of A. pehuenche, while the Chilean locality was ignored; thus this latter locality continues to be a valid record for A. montanus. In this study we provide morphological, chromosomal and molecular evidence, which confirms the presence of A. pehuenche in Chile, in two new localities located near the site recorded in 2010 and the Laguna del Maule. We also include some field observations, which are discussed in the context of the information available for this species.
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    Current threats faced by amphibian populations in the southern cone of South America
    (2022) Pablo Kacoliris, Federico; Berkunsky, Igor; Carlos Acosta, Juan; Acosta, Rodrigo; Gabriela Agostini, Maria; Sebastian Akmentins, Mauricio; Luz Arellano, Maria; Azat, Claudio; Carla Bach, Nadia; Mirta Blanco, Graciela; Calvo, Rodrigo; Charrier, Andres; Corbalan, Valeria; Correa, Claudio; Elena Cuello, Maria; Deutsch, Camila; Di-Pietro, Diego; Soledad Gaston, Maria; Gomez-Ales, Rodrigo; Kass, Camila; Kass, Nicolas; Lobos, Gabriel; Agustin Martinez, Tomas; Martinez-Aguirre, Tomas; Mora, Marta; Nieva-Cocilio, Rodrigo; Pastore, Hernan; Manuel Perez-Iglesias, Juan; Piaggio-Kokot, Lia; Rabanal, Felipe; Jesus Rodriguez-Munoz, Melina; Cecilia Sanchez, Laura; Tala, Charif; Ubeda, Carmen; Vaira, Marcos; Alicia Velasco, Melina; Vidal, Marcela; Daniel Williams, Jorge
    In this work, we update and increase knowledge on the severity and extent of threats affecting 57 populations of 46 amphibian species from Chile and Argentina in southern South America. We analyzed the intrinsic conser-vation problems that directly impact these populations. We shared a questionnaire among specialists on threats affecting target amphibian populations with information on i) range, ii) historical occurrence and abundance, iii) population trends, iv) local extinctions, v) threats, and vi) ongoing and necessary conservation/research. We assessed association patterns between reported threats and population trends using multiple correspondence analysis. Since 2010, 25 of 57 populations have declined, while 16 experienced local extinctions. These pop-ulations were affected by 81% of the threat categories analyzed, with those related to agricultural activities and/ or habitat modifications being the most frequently reported. Invasive species, emerging diseases, and activities related to grazing, ranching, or farming were the threats most associated with population declines. Low con-nectivity was the most frequent intrinsic conservation problem affecting 68% of the target populations, followed by low population numbers, affecting 60%. Ongoing monitoring activity was conducted in 32 (56%) populations and was the most frequent research activity. Threat mitigation was reported in 27 (47%) populations and was the most frequent ongoing management activity. We found that habitat management is ongoing in 5 (9%) pop-ulations. At least 44% of the amphibian populations surveyed in Chile and Argentina are declining. More in-formation related to the effect of management actions to restore habitats, recover populations, and eliminate threats such as invasive species is urgently needed to reverse the conservation crisis facing amphibians in this Neotropical region.
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    Genetic divergence in the endangeredfrog Insuetophrynus acarpicus (Anura: Leptodactylidae)
    (2006) Mendez, Marco A.; Torres-Perez, Fernando; Correa, Claudio; Soto, Eduardo R.; Nunez, Jose J.; Veloso, Alberto; Armesto, Juan
    Insuetophrynus acarpicus is a poorly known frog restricted to the temperate forests of the coastal range of Chile (39 degrees 25' S, 73 degrees 10' W). Until recently, this species was known only from one type locality since its original description in 1970. However, in 2002 two new localities were reported, extending its distribution range to about 40 km(2). In order to evaluate genetic divergence, provide a preliminary evaluation of the genetic diversity of this species and the phylogenetic relationships among individuals from the three known populations, we analyzed the nucleotide variation of a fragment of the mitochondrial gene cytochrome b. We sampled just two or four individuals per population of this endangered frog. We found a low nucleotide divergence among populations suggesting a genetic homogeneity across the entire range. This highlights the need for further studies to define the conservation status of this endangered frog.
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    Invasive Pleurodema thaul from Robinson Crusoe Island: molecular identification of its geographic origin and comments on the phylogeographic structure of this species in mainland Chile
    (2008) Correa, Claudio; Lobos, Gabriel; Pastenes, Luis; Mendez, Marco A.
    Robinson Crusoe Island, located 670 kin west of the coast of central Chile, is characterized by a high number of endemic and introduced species of plants and animals. This island lacks native amphibians or reptiles, but Somewhat more than 30 years ago the toad Pleurodema thaul, native to continental Chile, was introduced. The coast of central Chile was identified as the geographic Source of the introduced population of Robinson Crusoe by means of phylogenetic analyses of mitochondrial sequences. These analyses also suggest a high degree of phylogeographic structure for this species in continental Chile.
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    Natural history of the Mocha Island ground frog Eupsophus insularis, a critically endangered species
    (2021) Lobos, Gabriel; Rebolledo, Nicolas; Charrier, Andres; Correa, Claudio; Rabanal, Felipe; Vidal, Marcela
    Eupsophus insularis inhabits a small island in the southeast Pacific, and its natural history is unknown. The species is listed as Critically Endangered based on its restricted distribution, i.e., an island under ongoing habitat deterioration. We assessed the distribution, habitat requirements, density, diet, and threats of the species with the aim of proposing strategies for its conservation. The species is restricted to a terrestrial strip 24-205 m above sea level associated with pristine temperate humid forests located in areas of low slope. A capture-recapture study indicated that its density was 15-66 individuals/ha of optimal habitat. Its diet is composed mainly of invertebrates of the humid forest floor. The high prevalence of chytrid fungus and habitat loss are important threats to the species. Herein, we present data to help with the management of the species on the island and that might help in designing more robust strategies to mitigate present and future threats.
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    Phylogeography of Rhinella spinulosa (Anura: Bufonidae) in northern Chile
    (2010) Correa, Claudio; Pastenes, Luis; Sallaberry, Michel; Veloso, Alberto; Mendez, Marco A.
    The southern part of the Altiplano of the Andes Range is characterized by a complex hydrography, due to an intense geologic activity and the effects of the Pleistocene glaciations. This has produced a high degree of diversity at the species level in some aquatic taxa (e. g., fish and amphibians), which suggests that these same processes have produced divergence at the intraspecific level in co-distributed taxa. We investigated the genetic variation in populations of the anuran Rhinella spinulosa which represent its entire distribution in the extreme north of Chile (17 degrees 44'S-23 degrees 47'S). Haplotype networks of the mitochondrial control region recognized two main lineages, one of which is distributed from the northern boundary of Chile to the Salar de Alconcha and the other from the Salar de Carcote to the locality of Tilomonte. The northern lineage showed little phylogeographic structure; a few very frequent haplotypes are widely distributed. The southern lineage had greater structure, due principally to the high divergence of the populations from the eastern springs of the Salar de Atacama. Fu's Fs test and the mismatch distributions suggested that most of the populations of both lineages are in the process of demographic expansion. The spatial distribution of the genetic variability was correlated with the hydrography and the paleoclimatological data available for the region, which suggested that geographic expansions followed by periods of contraction of population ranges, together with sporadic floods may explain the observed phylogeographic patterns.