CHIPAUQUIL SNAKES, SOMUNCURA PLATEAU, ARGENTINE PATAGONIA

Abstract

.– The Somuncura Plateau, located in northern Argentine Patagonia, is a globally significant conservation site. While the herpetofauna of this area has been studied, there are still no specific works on the snakes present in the area. In this study, we report on the snakes of the Chipauquil locality, situated on the Somuncura Plateau. The records are based on casual encounters obtained within the framework of research projects conducted in Chipauquil. For their identification, we utilized patterns of dorsal scales and coloration. In total, we report five snake species: Oxyrhopus rhombifer, Philodryas patagoniensis, Philodryas trilineata, Tachymenis trigonatus, and Xenodon semicinctus. All recorded species are categorized as "Least Concern" by the IUCN. These records represent the first snake report in Chipauquil, providing new locations and distribution extensions within the Río Negro province and filling gaps in their geographical distribution.