Herpetofauna, Coastal Dunes, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina

Abstract

Coastal dunes habitats at Buenos Aires province are in a fragmentation and habitat loss process due to related human activities. Knowledge on the herpetofauna of Buenos Aires province coast habitats is plentiful for some species of lizards and scarce for most amphibians and snakes. With the aim to present a list on the amphibians and reptiles of the coastal dune habitats in Buenos Aires province we recorded species coming from field work, cited in literature, and vouchers specimens deposited in herpetological collections. We recorded 35 species in six sectors that represent the last remnants of coastal dunes in good conservation status. The Mar Chiquita and Faro Querandi Reserves represent an important contribution to the conservation of several species that inhabit coastal dune habitats. It is necessary to increase the knowledge on biodiversity in those habitats in order to develop conservation strategies.