Abstract
A study was conducted to evaluate amphibian diversity in selected agroecosystems of central Kerala within the southern Western Ghats of India, from January to May 2017. A total of 10 anurans were recorded from cashew plantation, coconut plantation, homegarden and rubber plantation using a combination of quadrat sampling and visual encounter survey. We recorded three species endemic to the Western Ghats: Minervarya keralensis, Pseudophilautus wynaadensis and Indosylvirana urbis from these agroecosystems. Pseudophilautus wynaadensis is a threatened species with Endangered status as per the IUCN Red List. The present study shows a strong relationship between the types of agroecosystems and abundance of different amphibian species. This study highlights the potential of agroecosystems within and adjacent to the Western Ghats mountains to act as important abodes to conserve generalist species of amphibians and to provide a suitable habitat for threatened and endemic species.
Highlights
Amphibians are important predator and prey species in both aquatic and terrestrial habitats, especially in the tropics where the diversity and abundance of taxa are high
According to Nameer et al (2015) & Das (2015) 90% of amphibians in Kerala are endemic to the Western Ghats and 33% belong to various threatened categories
Protected area networks are considered as the corner stone of biodiversity conservation efforts
Summary
Amphibians are important predator and prey species in both aquatic and terrestrial habitats, especially in the tropics where the diversity and abundance of taxa are high. According to Whiles et al (2006) loss of one species is akin to loss of two species in the case of amphibians. For the amphibians of the Western Ghats the species accumulation curve has not yet reached a plateau (Aravind et al 2004). According to Nameer et al (2015) & Das (2015) 90% of amphibians in Kerala are endemic to the Western Ghats and 33% belong to various threatened categories. According to Nair (2008), agroforests can be considered as potential oases for disappearing species, even though they cannot substitute for natural forests.
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