Abundance of Chelonoidis chilensis (Gray, 1870) within protected and unprotected areas from the Dry Chaco and Monte Eco-regions (Argentina)

Abstract

During the seasonal activity period, abundance data on five populations of Chelonoidis chilensis (Gray, 1870) from the north and south of the species range in argentina were collected along standardized transects. Studied areas involved the dry Chaco (Copo national park and Tío pozo - santiago del estero province) and the monte of steppes and plains eco-region (salinas Grandes - Catamarca province, Lihue Calel national park and La amarga lagoon - La pampa province). The abundance ranged from 5 (Copo np) to 0 (La amarga lagoon, Lihue Calel np and Tío pozo) tortoises per 17.1 ha. Intermediate values (2 tortoises) characterized salinas Grandes. Zero values found at Tío pozo may be due to high harvesting pressure to supply the historic and current demand of tortoises along the national road 9 near Loreto city. The zero value found at Lihue Calel np is consistent with the low density suggested by some authors for the border of the species range at the monte - espinal eco-regions.