Amphibian Communities Research Articles

A taxon under siege from multiple threats: results of analysis of chytrid fungi on the Calabrian Alpine newt

Abstract The fungi Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) and B. salamandrivorans (Bsal) and their associated disease, i.e., chytridiomycosis, pose significant threats to amphibians occurring in the Western Palearctic. This study aims to assess the prevalence and infection load of Bd and Bsal in the Calabrian Alpine newt, Ichthyosaura alpestris inexpectata, a micro-endemic and endangered subspecies from the Catena Costiera, Calabria, Southern Italy. Ninety newts were sampled from May to October 2023 from five breeding sites, representing the core distribution area of the Calabrian Alpine newt. Molecular analyses revealed that over 50% of the samples tested positive for Bd, while none tested positive for Bsal. No gross external signs of disease were detected in tested individuals. Bd prevalence and load were balanced between sexes but varied significantly among sites and were negatively associated with newt size, likely indicating site-specific and age variations in infection. Although Bsal was not detected, the high prevalence of Bd presents a new conservation challenge for the cold-loving Calabrian Alpine newt, which is already threatened by climate change and the introduction of alien fish in its main breeding sites. Therefore, it is crucial that future conservation actions, including monitoring for potential outbreaks of chytridiomycosis, are implemented adopting rigorous biosecurity measures to prevent further spread of the pathogen and safeguard the entire amphibian community.

Anthropogenic determinants of species presence in amphibian communities across a regional elevation gradient

AbstractIdentifying and quantifying the main factors that are jeopardizing amphibian communities worldwide is essential for planning effective amphibian conservation. We collected data on the presence/absence of salamanders and newts (Caudata) and frogs and toads (Anura) in >3600 water points from a large region (30,000 km2) in NW Spain during a 10‐year period (2004–2013). We contrasted a large set of hypotheses explaining presence/absence as a function of anthropogenic factors across the regional elevation gradient (1–2036 m). Logistic regression modeling revealed that salamanders and newts were mainly influenced by pollution and by land use changes, and that the effect of these factors changed with elevation. However, frogs and toads were affected by a larger set of factors acting synergistically, although not including land use changes, and their effect operated at all elevation ranges, except in the case of biological factors (invasive species and wild boar abundance) with higher effects at low elevation. Changes in land use was the most common factor at any elevation and included the abandonment of rural areas, which favors shrub and tree encroachment on former open land, and loss of water points. The most resilient species at any elevation were two frogs, Pelophylax perezi and Rana parvipalmata. The least resilient species were two salamanders, Chioglossa lusitanica and Lissotriton helveticus, followed closely by two toads, Alytes obstetricans and Pelobates cultripes. Unoccupied sites had higher frequencies of biological effects and of changes in land use in the first 5 years of study and lower frequencies of direct human influence factors in the second period. Overall, our results showed that the studied amphibian metacommunity was negatively influenced both by direct and indirect anthropogenic factors, but also that many amphibian species were not only capable of occupying sites which had been altered by human action, but were even favored by land uses generating open habitat, a habitat type that is increasingly uncommon in the region, in the entire Iberian Peninsula and in Europe.

Long-term stability in protected-areas? A vision from American/New World amphibians

Protected areas (PA) have proven to be one of the best ways to conserve biodiversity against environmental changes. Amphibians are considered the most threatened group, with habitat loss due to deforestation identified as their major threat. Here, we assessed for each PA of the American continent: 1) amphibian’s occurrence (Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) vs. International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) data); 2) temperature velocity and estimated the climate residence time, and using the latest models of the land future use; 3) we estimated the changes of natural vs. modified cover in three future scenarios. Amphibian occurrence showed differences between databases, while GBIF data shows that 52 % of the amphibian species occurring in the continent are in PA, based on IUCN data, 85 % are protected. Results from climate change show a low pace of climate velocity during the last century that is maintained in the green scenario (SSP126). However, change in temperature increases in rate in the rest of the scenarios, with scenario SSP58 showing the highest velocity of temperature change. Future estimates of residence times in PA show that lower levels as emission scenarios tend to be higher. These results are worrisome since climate lag, specifically temperature increase over the PA will probably affect amphibian communities as shown in previous studies. Changes in climate patterns have a direct—mostly negative—impact on amphibians’ ability to disperse and reproduce. The results of land use change were unexpected, since the categories showed minimal changes. However, the data on urbanization changes do not seem to be reflecting the trends of other databases, which may be causing artifacts in the comparisons in the future models of land use. Further research will be necessary to evaluate the extent of similarities and differences in future projections of land use including urbanization and human population between different databases.

Universal versus taxon-specific drivers of helminth prevalence and intensity of infection.

Two key epidemiological parameters, prevalence and mean intensity of infection, together capture the abundance of macroparasite populations, the strength of density-dependent effects they experience, their potential impact on host population dynamics and the selective pressures they exert on their hosts. Yet, the drivers of the extensive variation observed in prevalence and mean intensity of infection, even among related parasite taxa infecting related hosts, remain mostly unknown. We performed phylogenetically grounded Bayesian modelling across hundreds of amphibian populations to test the effects of various predictors of prevalence and intensity of infection by six families of helminth parasites. We focused on the potential effects of key host traits and environmental factors pertinent to focal host populations, i.e. the local diversity of the amphibian community and local climatic variables. Our analyses revealed several important determinants of prevalence or intensity of infection in various parasite families, but none applying to all families. Our study uncovered no universal driver of parasite infection levels, even among parasite taxa from the same phylum, or with similar life cycles and transmission modes. Although local variables not considered here may have effects extending across taxa, our findings suggest the need for a taxon-specific approach in any attempt to predict disease dynamics and impacts in the face of environmental and climatic changes.

What Can Frogs Teach Us about Resilience? Adaptive Renewal in Amphibian and Academic Ecosystems.

Examples of resilience in nature give us hope amid a growing biodiversity crisis. While resilience has many definitions across disciplines, here I discuss resilience as the ability to continue to adapt and persist. Naturally, as biologists, we seek to uncover the underlying mechanisms that can help us explain the secrets of resilience across scales, from individuals to species to ecosystems and beyond. Perhaps we also ponder what the secrets to resilience are in our own lives, in our own research practices, and academic communities. In this paper, I highlight insights gained through studies of amphibian resilience following a global disease outbreak to uncover shared patterns and processes linked to resilience across amphibian communities. I also reflect on how classical resilience heuristics could be more broadly applied to these processes and to our own academic communities. Focusing on the amphibian systems that I have worked in-the Golden Frogs of Panama (Atelopus zeteki/varius) and the Mountain Yellow-Legged Frogs of California (Rana muscosa/sierrae)-I highlight shared and unique characteristics of resilience across scales and systems and discuss how these relate to adaptive renewal cycles. Reflecting on this work and previous resilience scholarship, I also offer my own thoughts about academia and consider what lessons we could take from mapping our own adaptive trajectories and addressing threats to our own community resilience.

Water availability and biological interactions shape amphibian abundance and diversity in Mediterranean temporary rivers

Amphibians, the most threatened vertebrates globally, face risks due to climate change, habitat loss, and fragmentation. Their sensitivity to environmental changes highlights their importance as ecological indicators. Temporary rivers, influenced by geological, climatic, and anthropogenic factors, play a critical role in shaping biodiversity and community structure. Some species of amphibians may be adapted to these temporary waters, a fact reflected in their life cycles and various biological traits. However, to develop effective conservation strategies for amphibians, it is essential to address the knowledge gaps surrounding the complex interactions between biological dynamics and fluvial habitat conditions. In this study, we investigated how trophic interactions between amphibians and other aquatic organisms (diatoms, macroinvertebrates, and fish), coupled with environmental factors (water availability and riparian structure), can affect amphibian abundance and diversity in temporary rivers. The study was conducted in a Mediterranean river network located in Sant Llorenç del Munt i l'Obac Natural Park (Catalonia, Spain). Our expectations were that habitats suitable for egg deposition, lacking predators (e.g. tadpole-predators and fish), and abundant in food sources would likely support higher amphibian abundance and diversity. However, water availability was identified as a crucial factor shaping abundance and diversity in the studied amphibian communities, even if it correlated with fish presence, and especially impacting amphibian species usually linked to permanent water bodies. Concerning biotic interactions, while our results suggested that amphibian populations in temporary rivers are more dependent on top-down than bottom-up interactions, the presence of aquatic predators was not as conclusive as expected, suggesting that in temporary rivers the fish-avoiding amphibian species can survive using microhabitats or breeding opportunities linked to natural river dynamics. Overall, our findings highlight the importance of considering multi-trophic interactions, hydroperiod and habitat heterogeneity in temporary river ecosystems for effective amphibian conservation.

Ranavirus and Its Impact on the Amphibian Population

Mass mortality of amphibians has occurred globally since at least the early 1990s from viral pathogens that are members of the genus Ranavirus, family Iridoviridae. This disease has a wide host range and with the movement of ranavirus-infected animals in commerce, ranaviruses have become an increasing threat to captive and wild populations, especially amphibians. The clinical signs of amphibians include haemorrhaging, lethargy, swelling, and ulcerative skin lesions. The virus is highly contagious, spreading through direct contact with infected individuals or contaminated environments, such as water bodies. Environmental factors, including temperature and pollution, can influence the severity and spread of ranavirus infections. The ecological impact of ranavirus is profound, as it threatens biodiversity and disrupts ecosystems. Consequently, understanding the epidemiology, pathology, and control measures for ranavirus is critical for conserving amphibian populations. Current research efforts are focused on developing effective strategies for monitoring, managing, and mitigating the impacts of this pathogen on amphibian communities. This review presents distribution, hosts, and epidemiology to better understand this disease.

Phenological mismatches mitigate the ecological impact of a biological invader on amphibian communities.

Horizon scans have emerged as a valuable tool to anticipate the incoming invasive alien species (IAS) by judging species on their potential impacts. However, little research has been conducted on quantifying actual impacts and assessing causes of species-specific vulnerabilities to particular IAS due to persistent methodological challenges. The underlying interspecific mechanisms driving species-specific vulnerabilities therefore remain poorly understood, even though they can substantially improve the accuracy of risk assessments. Given that interspecific interactions underlying ecological impacts of IAS are often shaped by phenological synchrony, we tested the hypothesis that temporal mismatches in breeding phenology between native species and IAS can mitigate their ecological impacts. Focusing on the invasive American bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus), we combined an environmental DNA (eDNA) quantitative barcoding and metabarcoding survey in Belgium with a global meta-analysis, and integrated citizen-science data on breeding phenology. We examined whether the presence of native amphibian species was negatively related to the presence or abundance of invasive bullfrogs and whether this relationship was affected by their phenological mismatches. The field study revealed a significant negative effect of increasing bullfrog eDNA concentrations on native amphibian species richness and community structure. These observations were shaped by species-specific vulnerabilities to invasive bullfrogs, with late spring- and summer-breeding species being strongly affected, while winter-breeding species remained unaffected. This trend was confirmed by the global meta-analysis. A significant negative relationship was observed between phenological mismatch and the impact of bullfrogs. Specifically, native amphibian species with breeding phenology differing by 6 weeks or less from invasive bullfrogs were more likely to be absent in the presence of bullfrogs than species whose phenology differed by more than 6 weeks with that of bullfrogs. Taken together, we present a novel method based on the combination of aqueous eDNA quantitative barcoding and metabarcoding to quantify the ecological impacts of biological invaders at the community level. We show that phenological mismatches between native and invasive species can be a strong predictor of invasion impact regardless of ecological or methodological context. Therefore, we advocate for the integration of temporal alignment between native and IAS's phenologies into invasion impact frameworks.

Abiotic and biotic factors jointly influence the contact and environmental transmission of a generalist pathogen.

The joint influence of abiotic and biotic factors is important for understanding the transmission of generalist pathogens. Abiotic factors such as temperature can directly influence pathogen persistence in the environment and will also affect biotic factors, such as host community composition and abundance. At intermediate spatial scales, the effects of temperature, community composition, and host abundance are expected to contribute to generalist pathogen transmission. We use a simple transmission model to explain and predict how host community composition, host abundance, and environmental pathogen persistence times can independently and jointly influence transmission. Our transmission model clarifies how abiotic and biotic factors can synergistically support the transmission of a pathogen. The empirical data show that high community competence, high abundance, and low temperatures correlate with high levels of transmission of ranavirus in larval amphibian communities. Discrete wetlands inhabited by larval amphibians in the presence of ranavirus provide a compelling case study comprising distinct host communities at a spatial scale anticipated to demonstrate abiotic and biotic influence on transmission. We use these host communities to observe phenomena demonstrated in our theoretical model. These findings emphasize the importance of considering both abiotic and biotic factors, and concomitant direct and indirect mechanisms, in the study of pathogen transmission and should extend to other generalist pathogens with the capacity for environmental transmission.

Cutaneous shedding in amphibians causes shifts in bacterial microbiomes.

Considerable research has focused on microbes on amphibian skin, as they act as the first line of defense against invading pathogens. This effort has generated substantial data on patterns across species, space, time, and ontogeny, alongside a growing list of beneficial antifungal symbionts. Though there is evidence of stability in amphibian skin microbial communities, there is also an indication that regular skin shedding reduces cultivable bacteria, with regrowth and recolonization in the period between sheds. This suggests that skin communities are in constant flux, and we lack an understanding of how the membership and structure of those communities are affected by shedding events. In this study, we conducted experiments on cane toads (Rhinella marina) to investigate the influence of shedding on skin microbiomes. We first used quantitative PCR to verify a positive correlation between bacterial loads and time in the days after shedding. We then resampled individuals over time to describe changes in community composition in the 38 h after shedding using amplicon sequencing. Similar to trends of bacterial loads, we found increases in alpha diversity over time after shedding, suggesting that shedding reduces bacterial diversity as it knocks down bacterial loads. During the 38-h period, community structure became similar to pre-shed communities in some individuals, but there was no consistent pattern in structural changes among individuals. In light of the amphibian chytridiomycosis pandemic, understanding how physiological events such as skin shedding affect beneficial bacteria and communities on amphibians would provide important insight into amphibian ecology.

Partitioning the influence of host specificity in amphibian populations threatened by multiple emerging infectious diseases

Amphibians face many challenges in their conservation, including threats from emerging infectious pathogens/parasites and habitat degradation. In diverse amphibian communities, where multiple emerging pathogens tend to co-occur, we know little about how the structural partitioning of host specificity impacts population maintenance despite disease. Here, we used field data from amphibian communities in north Florida to investigate host-specific traits influencing the prevalence, intensity, and transmission of three emerging pathogens of amphibians: Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), Perkinsea (Pr), and Ranavirus (Rv). We found that Bd exhibited specificity for later developmental stages, and that overall infection patterns differed between ephemeral and semi-permanent sites and across seasons. For each pathogen, we identified key hosts overwhelmingly contributing to community transmission dynamics and found evidence of pathogen interactions that may facilitate Bd-Rv co-infections, and dilution effects of increased host diversity on Pr infection. Our findings confirmed that declining species within the region are routinely infected with emerging pathogens. However, the probability of infection depended on different habitat characteristics and associated host community composition. Thus, our study emphasizes the importance of identifying key and sensitive hosts that drive or succumb to infections in natural communities before reintroducing amphibians into the wild. This approach can help improve conservation efforts in diverse host communities as successful repatriation of sensitive species can benefit from detailed characterization of the established disease dynamics at the release site.

Natural disturbance allows multiple anuran taxa to persist in a dynamic wetland complex

AbstractThe maintenance of biological diversity is frequently enhanced in a heterogenous landscape by some level of disturbance. Thus, when a landscape becomes stabilized and homogenized through the spread of an invasive plant species, there may be consequences for native biodiversity, particularly for those biotas that depend on the pre‐existing, natural disturbance regime of that landscape. At Long Point, Ontario, Canada, a sandspit in Lake Erie, the community of anuran amphibians experienced the co‐incidence of 2 major disturbance events, 1 anthropogenic and 1 natural: an intervention to remove the invasive form of the common reed (Phragmites australis australis) and a spate of extensive dune washouts caused by high water levels and storms. As a result of the unequal distribution of disturbance in the landscape, different areas were affected by only the dune washouts, only the common reed treatment, both disturbances, or neither disturbance. From May to August 2021, we explored how the disturbances affected the resident frog and toad species habitat associations in the 4 different disturbance conditions in the landscape. By means of minnow traps, acoustic surveys, and visual surveys, we determined that the dune washouts had a greater influence on resident anurans than the common reed treatment. Ranid frogs (Ranidae) tended to inhabit non‐washout sites, whereas Fowler's toads (Anaxyrus fowleri) congregated in the newly formed, sand flats and shallow, de‐vegetated pools resulting from the washouts. Neither ranid frogs nor Fowler's toads demonstrated avoidance of the sites affected by the herbicide treatment and mechanical rollover of the common reed. This evidence of species sorting, which enables multiple species to persist in a dynamic and heterogeneous landscape, suggests that wildlife management in aid of threatened species recovery may find success by encouraging natural disturbance regimes in dynamic landscapes. Future management endeavors should consider refraining from complete dune stabilization in these landscapes to allow the natural washouts to occur at a higher frequency, while ensuring the continued effectiveness of the invasive common reed eradication.

Host-associated helminth diversity and microbiome composition contribute to anti-pathogen defences in tropical frogs impacted by forest fragmentation.

Habitat fragmentation can negatively impact wildlife populations by simplification of ecological interactions, but little is known about how these impacts extend to host-associated symbiotic communities. The symbiotic communities of amphibians play important roles in anti-pathogen defences, particularly against the amphibian chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd). In this study, we analyse the role of macroparasitic helminth communities in concert with microbial communities in defending the host against Bd infection within the context of forest fragmentation. We found that skin microbial and helminth communities are disrupted at fragmented habitats, while gut microbiomes appear more resilient to environmental change. We also detected potential protective roles of helminth diversity and anti-pathogen microbial function in limiting Bd infection. Microbial network analysis revealed strong patterns of structure in both skin and gut communities, with helminths playing central roles in these networks. We reveal consistent roles of microbial and helminth diversity in driving host-pathogen interactions and the potential implications of fragmentation on host fitness.

Groundwater decline has negatively affected the well-preserved amphibian community of Doñana National Park (SW Spain)

Abstract The success of amphibian conservation efforts is highly dependent on the preservation of amphibian breeding habitats. Doñana National Park contains an abundance of ponds with heterogeneous characteristics, which has historically favoured its amphibian community. However, most of the park’s ponds are groundwater dependent, and aquifer overexploitation outside the park is leading to shorter hydroperiods and even desiccation in the pond network. This problem has been exacerbated by the scarcity of rain over the last decade. In 2021-2022, we surveyed the occurrence of the park’s 11 amphibian species, with a view to comparing our findings with those from the last previous survey in 2003-2004. We mapped the species occurrence within the park for the two survey periods. While all 11 amphibian species could still be found in Doñana, their occurrence had decreased across the board. In 2003-2004, 6 species were present across more than 50% of the sampling area. In contrast, 18 years later, such was the case for only two species (Pelophylax perezi and Hyla meridionalis). Declines were greatest for Epidalea calamita, followed by Pelobates cultripes, Triturus pygmaeus, and Lissotriton boscai. The mean number of species per sampling unit (i.e., grid cell) dropped from 4.3 to 3.1. To preserve Doñana’s amphibian community, it is important to restore the park’s pond network, which implies reducing regional groundwater overexploitation.

Loss of amphibian species alters periphyton communities in montane ponds

Amphibian larvae can affect the structure and functioning of freshwater ecosystems, but their effects have been little explored although amphibian biodiversity is rapidly declining. Given that larvae of different amphibian species belong to different trophic levels, their effects on freshwater communities and processes can be expected to differ, with herbivores likely having direct effects on algae and predators having indirect effects through trophic cascades. We explored this question through a mesocosm experiment conducted in montane ponds, using an anuran and a urodele species affected by emergent diseases. We used different scenarios of reduction and loss of one or both species, and compared them to a control scenario representing a typical amphibian community in the study area composed of four species, with total larval density held constant. Loss of the anuran resulted in lower chlorophyll concentration and algal density, likely due to replacement by more efficient grazers. Loss of the urodele produced similar trends but weaker, possibly due to an increase of invertebrate grazing activity in the absence of this predator. Our study shows how the loss of amphibian species can alter the structure of montane ponds, but also how the mechanisms involved and the intensity of effects differ for different species.

Dissimilarity among Species and Higher Taxa of Amphibians in a Hotspot of Biodiversity and Endemism in the Neotropics

The Mexican Republic ranks fifth in the world in terms of amphibian diversity, and within Mexico, the state of Oaxaca has the greatest amphibian richness and endemism. Unfortunately, various factors, such as land use change and global warming, have caused a global crisis that threatens the conservation of this class. In the face of these threats, an analysis of beta diversity provides information that can be applied to conservation strategies, since its study reveals the spatial scaling of diversity loss and clarifies the mechanisms of regional diversity maintenance. In this work, we analyzed the beta diversity at the species and higher taxa level (order, family, subfamily, genus and species) for the amphibians of Oaxaca and their replacement components and the differences in richness for anurans and caudates separately between physiographic subprovinces. Very high beta diversity was recorded, with higher diversity occurring among caudates (0.92) than among anurans (0.84). Species replacement was the component that most contributed to this result, and the subprovinces with substantial environmental differences had the most dissimilar amphibian communities. The results of this study show the need to implement conservation strategies in subprovinces with high amphibian richness and endemism levels, following the example of Sierra Madre de Oaxaca (SMO), where local communities have developed conservation actions in most of the territory.

Functional traits drive tadpole responses to land use in coastal areas

Abstract Land use changes are considered a significant cause of amphibian declines worldwide. However, little is known regarding which land uses have more pervasive impacts and which help to supplement the biodiversity conserved in protected areas. In addition, amphibian species respond to a broad array of geographical constraints, which may blur responses to disturbance, depending on the species' natural history. Here, we explored whether functional diversity patterns of amphibian assemblages are linked to human land use while considering spatial autocorrelation and phylogenetic relatedness among species. We surveyed tadpoles along 500 km in coastal wetlands in southern Brazil and quantified four traits related to tadpole habitat use and predator avoidance. Spatial components influenced functional richness to a greater extent than land use. Functional evenness was higher in ponds surrounded by more exotic reforestation, and to a lesser extent an effect of crop area. Functional divergence was also associated with reforestation areas. Our results showed that some land uses (reforestation with exotic species and temporary crops) have more pervasive impacts on tadpole communities. Such changes in amphibian communities occurred even at low levels of landscape change. Our findings highlight that conversion to human land use requires complementary approaches (i.e., tadpole and adult responses) to provide early warning signals about habitat modification effects.

Diverging effects of host density and richness across biological scales drive diversity-disease outcomes

Understanding how biodiversity affects pathogen transmission remains an unresolved question due to the challenges in testing potential mechanisms in natural systems and how these mechanisms vary across biological scales. By quantifying transmission of an entire guild of parasites (larval trematodes) within 902 amphibian host communities, we show that the community-level drivers of infection depend critically on biological scale. At the individual host scale, increases in host richness led to fewer parasites per host for all parasite taxa, with no effect of host or predator densities. At the host community scale, however, the inhibitory effects of richness were counteracted by associated increases in total host density, leading to no overall change in parasite densities. Mechanistically, we find that while average host competence declined with increasing host richness, total community competence remained stable due to additive assembly patterns. These results help reconcile disease-diversity debates by empirically disentangling the roles of alternative ecological drivers of parasite transmission and how such effects depend on biological scale.

Amphibian Distribution and Habitats in Northwestern Saudi Arabia

More effort is needed to study wild animals, especially if they depend on a specific type of habitat. The amphibian community in Saudi Arabia needs additional research attention since not all potentially suitable habitats, particularly those in northern areas, have been studied. Different wetland habitats in Tabuk Province in northwestern Saudi Arabia were surveyed for amphibians in 2021 and 2022. Interestingly, only the Arabian toad was recorded at the sites visited. This finding contributes valuable data to the current amphibian distribution map of Saudi Arabia and suggests the great capacity of this species to inhabit habitats with different conditions and characteristics. Habitat destruction and potential sources of pollution were observed in some of the sites surveyed and, importantly, large construction projects are under way in the majority of amphibian habitats in Tabuk Province. Therefore, further effort is required to explore the less studied areas of Saudi Arabia to aid in the conservation of species, especially those such as amphibians that require specific habitat conditions.

Amphibian community structure in Isau-Isau Wildlife Reserve, South Sumatra, Indonesia

Abstract. Tanjung RD, Kusrini MD, Mardiastuti A, Yustian I, Setiawan A, Iqbal M. 2023. Amphibian community structure in Isau-Isau Wildlife Reserve, South Sumatra, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 24: 6836-6843. Amphibian community structures in Isau-Isau Wildlife Reserve, South Sumatra, were investigated from Mei until July 2023. The data were obtained by Visual Encounter Survey combination with line transect. The data analyzed were Species Richness (Margalef Index), Diversity Index (H', Shannon-Wiener), Dominance (D, Simpson Index), and Evenness Index (J', Pielou) calculated using PAST 4.0 software. In addition, we also analyzed abiotic factors such as air temperature, humidity, water temperature, pH, total dissolved solids (TDS), and dissolved oxygen (DO). The abiotic data were included as explanatory variables in Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA). A total of 12 amphibian species consisting of 11 genera and 4 families were recorded. Of them, 11 species are classified as least concern, while one species, Theloderma licin, is classified as data deficient by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.