Samplings in shore of Laguna Verde (Laguna Blanca National Park) have shown that the species prefer coarse fragment (gravel, boulder and bedrock) and areas with vegetation (for large Myriophyllum quitense).

In June 2005 I was awarded a second Rufford Small Grant for Nature Conservation to further develop my work. This grant will allow me to develop a conservation program for Atelognathus patagonicus (Anura, Leptodactylidae) an endangered endemic frog of north-western Patagonia, Argentina.

Atelognathus patagonicus is an endemic frog from a lagoon system in a small area in-and-around Laguna Blanca National Park, North-western Patagonia, now threatened with extinction in Laguna Blanca because of the introduction of fishes into its habitat.

The project involves:

(i) determining demographic characteristics of populations;

(ii) surveying surrounding lagoons for the presence of A. patagonicus and introduced fishes;

(iii) testing effects of the fish on frog behaviour;

(iv) developing programs of public awareness about the value of conserving these unusual animals.