Argentina

Representing genera of mammals unique to Argentina are the Pink Fairy Armadillo (ARKive), the Patagonian Opossum (ARKive), the Chacoan Pygmy Opossum (AMNH pdf file), the Plains Viscacha-rat (ARKive), the Golden Viscacha-rat (Planet' Mammiferes), Octomys mimax (Biolarioja), Notiomys edwardsii (Check List pdf file), and Salinomys delicatus (Mammals of Argentina). Endemic rodents include the Patagonian Mara (Wikipedia), a grass mouse Akodon polopi (SIB), a leaf-eared mouse Phyllotis alisosiensis (SIB), Eligmodontia moreni (Mammals of Argentina), and over three dozen endemic species of the burrowing rodents known as tuco-tucos including Porteous's Tuco-tuco (ARKive), the Los Talos Tuco-tuco (Mammalian Species pdf file), and the Social Tuco-tuco (SIB).

Birds found only in Argentina include the White-headed Steamer Duck (IBC), the Hooded Grebe (Neotropical Birds), Moreno's Ground Dove (IBC), the Yellow-striped Brush Finch (James Lowen), Tucuman Mountain Finch (ARKive), Steinbach's Canastero (SIB), the Sandy Gallito (avespampa), and the White-browed Tapaculo (IBC). Birds that are breeding endemics include Olrog’s Gull (Neotropical Birds), Hudson's Black Tyrant (flickr), the Buff-breasted Earthcreeper (avespampa), the Sierran Cinclodes (avespampa), and the Rusty-backed Monjita (IBC).

Snakes include an endemic genus Pseudotomodon trigonatus (Check List pdf file), the Mousehole Snake Philodryas trilineata (CalPhotos), and the Patagonian Lancehead (Biolarioja). Lizards known only from Argentina include a gecko Homonota underwoodi (CalPhotos), Teius suquiensis (Check List pdf file), Bell's Anole Leiosaurus bellii (Trevor Hardaker), Pristidactylus achalensis (Panoramio), and the recently described Phymaturus spectabilis and Phymaturus tenebrosus (p. 10 of SciELO pdf file). Over 60 species of tropidurid lizards of the genus Liolaemus have been found only in Argentina including Liolaemus elongatus (SIB), Liolaemus petrophilus (flickr), Liolaemus austromendocinus (Reptile Database), and the recently described Liolaemus smaug (SciELO pdf file).

The Somuncura Frog is an endemic genus from the Somuncura plateau (EDGE). Also unique to Argentina are the Pampa de Achala Toad Bufo achalensis (AmphibiaWeb), the Challhuaco Frog Atelognathus nitoi (ARKive), Christian's Marsupial Frog Gastrotheca christiani (ARKive), a treefrog Hypsiboas (or Hyla) cordobae (AmphibiaWeb), the Baritu Robber Frog Oreobates barituensis (ARKive), the Cordoba Escuerzo Odontophrynus achalensis (ARKive), the Achalas Four-eyed Frog Pleurodema kriegi (AmphibiaWeb), the Santa Victoria Oval Frog Elachistocleis skotogaster (Check List pdf file), and the Tonchek Spiny-chest Frog Alsodes gargola (AmphibiaWeb).

The Naked Characin Gymnocharacinus bergii (Peces Criollos) and the catfish Silvinichthys (Peces Criollos) and Olivaichthys (FishBase) represent genera endemic to Argentina. Other freshwater fish species known only from Argentina include a recently described tetra Hyphessobrycon nicolasi (Peces Criollos), an anablepid Jenynsia tucumana (Peces Criollos), a cichlid Australoheros (or Cichlasoma) tembe (Ciclidos On Line), a rivulid Austrolebias toba (Peces Criollos), a banjo catfish Xyliphius barbatus (PlanetCatfish), and a loricariid catfish Epactionotus aky (Peces Criollos). Endemic marine fish include the Patagonian Seahorse Hippocampus patagonicus (Mares y Oceanos pdf file) and the Patagonian Hake Merluccius patagonicus (p. 2 of FAO pdf file).

Among the abundant insects unique to Argentina are a grasshopper Neuquenina fictor (OSF), a butterfly Etcheverrius tandilensis (Butterflies and Beetles of Argentina), an ant Pseudoatta argentina (ARKive), a longhorned beetle Ranqueles gounellei (MNRJ), the dung beetles Argeremazus neuquen (Scarabaeoidea of S. South America) and Ennearabdus lobocephalus (J. Insect Science), and the Fairy Shrimp Hunting Beetle Cicindis horni (Smithsonian pdf file). Other endemic invertebrates include a solifugid Syndaesia mastix (Solpugid.com), a scorpion Bothriurus olaen (Scorpion Files), the tarantulas Acanthoscurria cordubensis (Bird Spiders) and Grammostola chalcothrix (TarantulaCanada), and the land snails Spixia salinicola (IMAE) and Epiphragmophora tomsici (Bram's Snail Site).

Halophytum ameghinoi (Flora Argentina) is the sole member of the endemic family Halophytaceae (PlanEAr). Other plant genera restricted to Argentina include the legume Ramorinoa (Vilgo), the mallow Neobaclea (flickr), Ameghinoa (Plant Systematics), Cyclolepis (Flora Argentina), Duseniella (Plant Systematics), Lithodraba (MOBOT), Plectrocarpa (Flora Argentina), Pantacantha (Flora Argentina), Tricomaria (Flora Argentina), and the cacti Denmoza (Argentine Cacti) and Pterocactus (CactiGuide). Other plant species unique to Argentina include the Agave-leaved Sea Holly (PlantFiles), the Caldén Prosopis caldenia (Jardines Autóctonos), Polylepis australis (reforestacion.com.ar), a bromeliad Abromeitiella lorentziana (Huntington), and the cacti Echinopsis leucantha (Ischigualasto) and Gymnocalycium bruchii (Desert Tropicals).

Portions of three biodiversity hotspots occur in Argentina: Tropical Andes (Biodiversity Hotspots), Atlantic Forest (Biodiversity Hotspots), and Chilean Winter Rainfall - Valdivian Forests (Biodiversity Hotspots). Ecoregions totally confined to Argentina include the Humid Pampas (EoE), the Cordoba Montane Savanna (EoE), and the Argentine Monte (EoE). Important freshwater ecoregions include the Lower Parana (FEOW) and the Lower Uruguay (FEOW). Lists of endemic plants can be found at (PlanEAr).