Extension of the distribution range and new antecedents of the habitat of two frog species of the genus <em>Alsodes</em> Bell, 1843 (Amphibia, Anura, Alsodidae) in the Nahuelbuta Range, southern Chile

Abstract

Two frog species of the genus AlsodesBell, 1843 are currently found in the Nahuelbuta Range (southern Chile): A. barrioiVeloso, Díaz, Iturra and Penna, 1981 and A. vanzolinii(Donoso-Barros, 1974). A. barrioiis considered endemic to the Nahuelbuta Range. A. vanzolinii, by contrast, exhibit a wider geographical distribution than A. barrioiand thus, it can be also found outside of that mountain range. The present study reports an extension of the distribution range for both frogs in continental Chile. Herein, the geographical distribution of A. barrioi is extended 45 km to the north and 75 km to the south of its previously known geographical distribution (the Nahuelbuta Range). Moreover, the geographical distribution of A. vanzoliniiis extended 16 km to the north and 12 km to the south of its previously known geographical distribution. These findings demonstrate that both frog species exhibit a wider geographical distribution than previously thought. Even more important, they show that that A. barrioi is not endemic to the Nahuelbuta Range. These findings therefore suggest that it is needed to invest more efforts in identifying more populations of these frogs and in characterizing their habitats, specially if we consider the multiple threats faced by these both species.