List of vertebrates observed in the peri-urban area of Coquimbito, Maipú, Mendoza Province, Argentina

Abstract

The district of Coquimbito, located in the department of Maipú, province of Mendoza, Argentina, is recognized for its wineries, fruit-growing, and industrial activities. Over the years, the area has experienced rapid urbanization. Between 2018 and 2024, non-systematic surveys were conducted to document the presence of vertebrate species in a sector of the district. A total of 61 species were recorded, including 50 birds, 7 mammals, 3 reptiles, and 1 amphibian. It was determined that 54 of them are native and 7 are introduced species, briefly describing some of them such as Plegadis chihi, Coryphistera alaudina, Colaptes melanochloros, Sturnus vulgaris, Lycalopex gymnocerus, Phylodryas trilineata and Rhinella arenarum. The surveyed study area is characterized by a mosaic of agricultural lands, urban development, and natural habitats, with interface zones that enable the recording of fauna species. Despite changes in land use, Coquimbito still supports a diverse range of vertebrates, including several that perform important functions such as pollination and seed dispersal, pest control, or simply for recreational observation, like the aquatic birds present in irrigation ponds. Several current threats to biodiversity are described, such as habitat loss and fragmentation, pollution, wildlife roadkill, and the negative impacts of human activities like hunting and wildlife traffic. The results of this study highlight the importance of conservation efforts in rapidly urbanizing areas and provide valuable reference data for future monitoring and management.