Abstract
We studied the leaf-litter frog community of Estação Ecológica Estadual Paraíso, in Guapimirim, Rio de Janeiro State, southeastern Brazil. Herein we combined three sampling methods (large plots, visual encounter surveys and pit-fall traps) to present data on species composition, richness, relative abundance and densities. The local assemblage of frogs associated to the leaf-litter was composed by 14 species, belonging to nine families. Haddadus binotatus, a direct-developing frog, was the most abundant species in the community. The estimated density of the local leaf-litter frog assemblage based on plot sampling was 4.3 frogs/100 m(2). Haddadus binotatus had the highest density (1.1 ind/100 m(2)). Frogs were predominantly found at night. Thoropa miliaris had the largest values of SVL (39.0 ± 10.3 mm), whereas the smallest species were Euparkerella brasiliensis (16.7 ± 2.2 mm) and E. cochranae (16.0 ± 2.7 mm). Rhinella ornata had the highest mean body mass (12.1 ± 7.5 g), and E. cochranae the lowest (0.4 ± 0.2 g). The overall frog mass was 938.6 g/ha. Our data support that higher densities of leaf-litter frogs tend to occur in the Neotropical region compared to the OldWorld tropics, tending to be higher in Central America than in South America.
Highlights
Amphibians constitute important components of leaflitter communities in tropical forests (e.g. Fauth et al 1989, Allmon 1991, Vitt and Caldwell 1994)
We found 14 frog species associated to the leaf-litter habitat at EEEP (Table I): Ischnocnema guentheri (Steindachner 1864), I. octavioi (Bokermann 1965) (Brachycephalidae), Haddadus binotatus (Spix 1824) (Craugastoridae), Euparkerella brasiliensis (Izecksohn 1988), E. cochranae Izecksohn 1988 (Strabomantidae), Crossodactylus aeneus Müller 1924 (Hylodidae), Proceratophrys boiei (Wied-Neuwied 1824), Thoropa miliaris (Spix 1824), Zachaenus parvulus (Girard 1853) (Cycloramphidae), Leptodactylus marmoratus (Steindachner 1867) (Leptodactylidae), Rhinella hoogmoedi Caramaschi and Pombal 2006, R. ornata (Spix 1824) (Bufonidae), Physalaemus signifer (Girard 1853) (Leiuperidae) and Scinax argyreornatus (Miranda-Ribeiro 1926) (Hylidae)
Considering each species individually, Haddadus binotatus had the highest density (1.1 ind/100 m2) and comprised 26.7% of all frogs found in plots, followed by Physalaemus signifer (1.0 ind/100 m2) and Leptodactylus marmoratus (1.0 ind/100 m2)
Summary
Amphibians constitute important components of leaflitter communities in tropical forests (e.g. Fauth et al 1989, Allmon 1991, Vitt and Caldwell 1994). Many studies in the past 45 years have investigated the richness and diversity of forest floor leaf-litter amphibian quantitative comparisons to be made among anuran faunas. Such comparisons may lead to the recognition of significant between-site differences in parameters of litter frog communities, such as the general trend for tropical leaf-litter amphibians to have higher densities and abundances in the New World than in the Old World (Scott Jr 1976, Inger 1980, May 1980, Allmon 1991). We present data primarily on community parameters such as species composition, richness, relative abundance and densities, and secondarily on activity period, body size, estimates of frog mass per hectare and the occurrence of endemic species in the studied area
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