Seasonal and habitat structure of an anuran assemblage in a semideciduous forest area in Southeast Brazil

José Luiz M.M Sugai,Matheus O Neves,Diego J Santana,Elvis A Pereira,Renato N Feio

doi:10.1590/0001-3765202020190458

Abstract

In this study, we evaluated the reproductive activity and the temporal and spatial distributions of anuran assemblages in three environments within a semideciduous forest in Southeast Brazil, located at Municipality of Barão de Monte Alto, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The field activities were carried out during three consecutive days, monthly throughout the rainy seasons of 2013-2014 and 2014-2015. We recorded 28 anurans species, distributed in eight families. We observed the spatial-temporal distribution of some species, and their associated reproductive behaviors through exploration of vocalizations at different sites. The spatial and temporal distribution of the species seems to adapt to abiotic and biotic factors of their environment.

Highlights

Information about anuran habitat use and reproductive ecology allows us to interpret the relationships between these animals and abiotic and biotic factors (Eterovick & Sazima 2004)
In several vertebrate groups, it has been shown that the coexistence of populations in the same area is facilitated by ecological differences, due in part to interspecific behavioral interactions, involving the social organization and spatial and temporal distribution of the species in the communities (Cardoso et al 1989, Cardoso & Haddad 1992, Menin et al 2005, Vogel et al 2011, van Beest et al 2014, Costa et al 2016, Cloyed & Eason 2017, Schirmer et al 2019)
Due to morphological variability associated with certain clades of amphibians, we assume that phylogenetic relationships have a significant effect on the structure of amphibian communities

Summary

Introduction

Information about anuran habitat use and reproductive ecology allows us to interpret the relationships between these animals and abiotic and biotic factors (Eterovick & Sazima 2004). In several vertebrate groups (e.g. birds, anurans, mammals), it has been shown that the coexistence of populations in the same area is facilitated by ecological differences (e.g. habitats, microhabitats, seasonality), due in part to interspecific behavioral interactions, involving the social organization and spatial and temporal distribution of the species in the communities (Cardoso et al 1989, Cardoso & Haddad 1992, Menin et al 2005, Vogel et al 2011, van Beest et al 2014, Costa et al 2016, Cloyed & Eason 2017, Schirmer et al 2019). The occupation by species differs mainly related to vegetation structure (for species in the forest and open areas), as well as the duration of water bodies

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