Microhabitat Characteristics Research Articles

Effects of microhabitat characteristics on amphibian diversity in urban water system of Kaifeng, Henan, China.

Amphibians with a unique life history are extremely sensitive to environmental changes. They are important indicator species for environmental change. The construction of Kaifeng water system affects the habitat and biodiversity of amphibians. In this study, we investigated the amphi-bians in water system of Kaifeng by setting sample points and using visual encounter method, and measured the habitat variables. We quantified amphibian biodiversity under different habitat types using the Shannon diversity index, Pielou evenness index and Simpson dominance index, and explored the responses of amphibians to microhabitat variations by cluster analysis and redundancy analysis. The results showed that the diversity, evenness, and dominance of amphibians in the natural revetment were higher than those in the artificial hardened revetment, indicating a more stable amphibian population in the natural habitat. The dominance index of amphibians on natural revetment was higher than that of the two artificially hardened revetments, indicating that amphibians preferred natural habitat. The abundance of both Palophylax nigromaculata and Bufo gargarizans had significant positive correlation with night light intensity, while the abundance of P. plancyi was positively correlated with total phosphorus, and that of Fejervarya limnocharis was positively correlated with water pH. The protection of amphibians should be considered in the construction of urban water system in Kaifeng. The presence of more natural revetment would be of great significance to enhance amphibian biodiversity.

Microhabitat characteristics related to seasonal roost switching: implications from a threatened and introduced cockatoo species in an urban landscape

BackgroundCommunal roosting is a common avian social behaviour, which potentially provides foraging benefits, predation avoidance or thermoregulation in birds. To identify the crucial environmental factors associated with roost site selection, most studies have focused on the comparison of physical characteristics between roosts and non-roosts. However, the differences among roosts have usually been neglected and the causes of roost switching have seldom been investigated.MethodsTo explore the variations among roost sites and assess the most influential environmental factors related to seasonal roost switching, we conducted a 105-day observation on an introduced population of critically endangered Yellow-crested Cockatoo (Cacatua sulphurea) in an urban environment in Hong Kong from 2014 to 2016. We identified seven roost sites that were occupied in different seasons and then measured their microhabitat characteristics in terms of land use types, human disturbance and microclimate temperature. To quantify these differences, we used Pearson’s chi-squared test, partial least squares determinant analysis (PLS-DA) and one-way repeated measures ANOVA, respectively.ResultsOur results distinguished roost sites occupied in three seasons, i.e. spring, summer and winter roosts, using several microhabitat characteristics. The land use types were significantly associated with roosts, where spring roosts were usually located in tree-dominated areas, which are the major feeding grounds. The discriminant analysis on human disturbance variables indicated that summer roosts were positively associated with night illumination. The microhabitat temperatures of winter roosts were significantly higher than those of most other roosts on cold nights.ConclusionsThe results highlighted significant variations among roosts, and seasonal roost switching was likely driven by specific microhabitat characteristics of each roost site, such as microclimate. It also helps us understand the behavioural adaptation of birds to urban environments.

Microhabitat of Leptophryne borbonica (Tschudi, 1838) (Anura: Bufonidae) and it’s calling behaviour in Sumatera

Microhabitat use of amphibians have been widely neglected among studies on herpetofauna. The microhabitat structure is important when it served as reproduction site. Here we survey the microhabitat characteristics of Leptophryne borbonica and the mating calls. We observed 15 individuals perching on the rock in the middle of the stream and two others have been observed far from stream and other water bodies. The calling males perch on the moist and dry rocks. Interestingly, this species always calls on the rock which is located right in front of the water that fall from two intersecting rocks, creating the small-like waterfall with very noisy backsound. It might suggest the behavior of hiding from predators detection through the sound of environment.

Aquatic Macrophytes Determine the Spatial Distribution of Invertebrates in a Shallow Reservoir

Aquatic macrophytes determine the physical structure of many microhabitats in water and strongly influence the distribution of various aquatic animals. In this study, we analyzed the main microhabitat characteristics that affected the spatial distribution of invertebrates in shallow wetlands of South Korea (Jangcheok Reservoir). Environmental variables, macrophyte biomass, and invertebrate groups were used to analyze invertebrate distribution using a self-organizing map (SOM). Thirteen invertebrate groups were mapped onto the SOM, and each group was compared with the distribution of environmental variables and macrophyte biomass. Based on a U-matrix, five clusters were categorized according to Euclidean distance on the SOM. Invertebrate groups were closely related to macrophyte biomass. In particular, Lymnaeidae, Physidae, Viviparidae, Ecnomidae, and Hydrophilidae were abundant in quadrats with a high cover of Paspalum distichum and Nelumbo nucifera. Bithyniidae and Coenagrionidae were strongly associated with Trapa japonica and Hydrocharis dubia, whereas Planorbidae, Corduliidae, and Hydrophilidae were abundant with a high cover of Typha orientalis. Similar habitat preferences were found in a survey of gastropod distribution on the surface of each macrophyte species. The results clearly indicated that invertebrate distribution clusters were related to the spatial distribution of aquatic macrophytes in a shallow wetland.

Enhancing Coral Survival on Deployment Devices With Microrefugia

Surviving after settlement through the first year of life is a recognised bottleneck in up-scaling reef coral restoration. Incorporating spatial refugia in settlement devices has the potential to alleviate some hazards experienced by young recruits, such as predation and accidental grazing, and can increase the likelihood of survival to size-escape thresholds. Yet optimising the design of microrefugia is challenging due to the complexity of physical and biological processes that occur at fine spatial scales around a recruit. Here, we investigated the effects of microhabitat features on the survival ofAcropora tenuisspat in a year-long experimental field deployment of two types of artificial settlement devices—grooved-tiles and lattice-grids—onto three replicate racks on a shallow, central mid-shelf reef of the Great Barrier Reef. Spat survival across device types averaged between 2 and 39% and about half of all devices had at least one surviving coral after a year. While the larvae settled across all micro-habitats available on the devices, there was strong post-settlement selection for corals on the lower edges, lower surfaces, and in the grooves, with 100% mortality of recruits on upper surfaces, nearly all within the first 6 months of deployment. The device type that conferred the highest average survival (39%) was a tile with wide grooves (4 mm) cut all the way through, which significantly improved survival success over flat and comparatively featureless control tiles (13%). We hypothesise that the wide grooves provided protection from accidental grazing while also minimising sediment accumulation and allowing higher levels of light and water flow to reach the recruits than featureless control devices. We conclude that incorporating design features into deployment devices such as wide slits has the potential to substantially increase post-deployment survival success of restored corals.

Relative importance of tree species richness, tree functional type, and microenvironment for soil macrofauna communities in European forests.

Soil fauna communities are major drivers of many forest ecosystem processes. Tree species diversity and composition shape soil fauna communities, but their relationships are poorly understood, notably whether or not soil fauna diversity depends on tree species diversity. Here, we characterized soil macrofauna communities from forests composed of either one or three tree species, located in four different climate zones and growing on different soil types. Using multivariate analysis and model averaging we investigated the relative importance of tree species richness, tree functional type (deciduous vs. evergreen), litter quality, microhabitat and microclimatic characteristics as drivers of soil macrofauna community composition and structure. We found that macrofauna communities in mixed forest stands were represented by a higher number of broad taxonomic groups that were more diverse and more evenly represented. We also observed a switch from earthworm-dominated to predator-dominated communities with increasing evergreen proportion in forest stands, which we interpreted as a result of a lower litter quality and a higher forest floor mass. Finally, canopy openness was positively related to detritivore abundance and biomass, leading to higher predator species richness and diversity probably through trophic cascade effects. Interestingly, considering different levels of taxonomic resolution in the analyses highlighted different facets of macrofauna response to tree species richness, likely a result of both different ecological niche range and methodological constraints. Overall, our study supports the positive effects of tree species richness on macrofauna diversity and abundance through multiple changes in resource quality and availability, microhabitat, and microclimate modifications.

Widespread convergence in stream fishes

Abstract Convergent evolution, the evolution of similar phenotypes among distantly related lineages, is often attributed to adaptation in response to similar selective pressures. Here, we assess the prevalence and degree of convergence in functional traits of stream fishes at the microhabitat scale in five zoogeographical regions across the world. We categorized species by microhabitat, water velocity and preference for substrate complexity and calculated the prevalence of convergence, degree of convergence and functional diversity for each category. Among species occupying similar microhabitats of small, low-gradient streams, 34% had combinations of convergent traits. Convergence occurred at higher rates than expected by chance alone, implying that adaptation to similar environmental conditions often resulted in similar evolutionary patterns along multiple niche dimensions. Two of the microhabitat groupings had significantly convergent species represented in all zoogeographical regions. Fishes occupying microhabitats with high water velocity and low structural complexity generally occupied a restricted morphospace and exhibited greater prevalence and higher degrees of convergence. This suggests that water velocity and habitat structural complexity interact, selecting a restricted distribution of trait distributions and higher degrees of convergence in stream fish assemblages. Furthermore, these results suggest that microhabitat features in streams select for fish trait distributions in a fairly predictable and deterministic manner worldwide.

Eastern Hog‐Nosed Snake Habitat Selection at Multiple Spatial Scales in Ontario, Canada

ABSTRACTHabitat loss is the greatest contributor to the decline of species globally. To prioritize protection of imperiled species, it is important to examine habitat use at multiple spatial scales because the availability of different resources and habitat features is scale dependent. We conducted a radio‐telemetry study in the Long Point region of Ontario, Canada, in 2009 and 2010 to examine habitat selection at multiple spatial scales by eastern hog‐nosed snakes (Heterodon platirhinos), a species at risk in Canada. We documented the habitat composition of home ranges compared to the surrounding landscape, the selection of locations within home ranges based on classified satellite imagery, and the use of microhabitat features based on site characterization in the field. At the scale of the home ranges, hog‐nosed snakes avoided areas of agriculture and selected sand barrens. Within home ranges, hog‐nosed snakes selectively used areas altered by humans (e.g., residential sites, openings in tree plantations). Microhabitats used by hog‐nosed snakes had more woody debris, logs, and lower vegetative coverage than adjoining random sites. Because hog‐nosed snakes prefer open areas and require sandy soils for nesting, management efforts should focus on the conservation and maintenance of sand barrens and patches of early successional forest. © 2021 The Wildlife Society.

Comparison of Diversity and Community Structure of Aquatic Insects Based on Habitat Class in Johor

Aquatic insects had been well used as a tool in monitoring water quality and this study is aimed to gauge their potential in Johor. The rapid development in the state of Johor may cause pollution to water resources that require a more efficient water quality monitoring program. The objectives of this study were to (i) collect, identify, determine and produce aquatic insect diversity data in selected rivers in Johor, (ii) relate the presence of aquatic insect diversity with some of the physical features of rivers in Johor. Seven sampling areas were selected based on their importance to local communities and geographical distribution: Taman Negara Johor Endau Rompin (PETA) (TNJER-PETA), Taman Hutan Lagenda Gunung Ledang (THLGL), Hutan Lipur Soga Perdana (HLSP), Hutan Lipur Gunung Belumut (HLGB), Hutan Lipur Sungai Bantang (HLSB), Hutan Lipur Gunung Pulai 1 (HLGP1) and Sungai Sayong Pinang. Insect samples were collected using a kick net method and slight modifocation made according to type of microhabitats. A total of 11,647 individuals of aquatic insects consisting of 68 families from nine orders were sampled. About 69% of insects collected were indicators of good water quality; among them are families Hydropsychidae from order Trichoptera, Baetidae from Order Ephemeroptera, and Simuliidae from Order Diptera. Based on family diversity analyzed using Shannon Index (H’), TNJER-PETA is recorded having the highest index (H’ = 3.215) followed by HLSP (H’ = 2.791) and HLGB (H’ = 2.482). Comparison made and based on physical characteristics, the study sites were classified into three categories (i) the most preferred sites by aquatic insects (HLSB, THLGL, HLGP1, and HLGB), (ii) intermediate preferred sites (TNJER-PETA and HLSP) and (iii) least preferred site (Sg. Sayong). In conclusion, community structure of benthic organisms were influenced by many factors such as presence of variety of microhabitat, predation, surrounding environments, food availability, physical and chemical characteristics of water. Moreover, higher heterogeneity of habitat promote high abundance and diversity of aquatic insects. Any changes happened that involves human interference in the habitats, will affect the abundance of aquatic insects. Last but not least, results suggested that the quality of river water in Johor can be monitored using insects as biological indicators due to the abundance, distribution, and rapid response of aquatic insects to environmental conditions.

Microhabitat features determine the tadpole diversity in mountainous streams

The study on the mechanism driving the spatial patterns of biological diversity along elevational gradients is a main focus in ecology, biogeography, and conservation biology. Based on the intraspecific variability of tadpole communities in 18 mountainous streams, the present study quantified the spatial patterns of taxonomic and functional diversity, and the environmental factors underlying the process of spatial distribution and diversity. First, our results illustrated that both elevation and microhabitat features (e.g., water pH, dissolve oxygen, current velocity, chlorophyll a, and ammonium nitrogen) determined tadpole community compositions. Second, the richness of functional entities showed a hump-shape response to the change of elevation. However, no significant relationships were detected between other diversity indices at both taxonomic and functional levels and site elevation. Finally, microhabitat environmental variables were the primary drivers of the taxonomic variation and functional diversity in tadpole communities. However, the relative contribution to the variation of specific diversity indices differed among microhabitat environmental variables. Our results supported the claim that the assembly of montane communities is determined by both spatial processes and environmental filtering. Importantly, tadpole taxonomic and functional diversities were strongly determined by microhabitat features in mountainous streams, providing evidence that microhabitat should be a priority in this study of tadpole diversity conservation. This study suggests that tadpole diversity should be considered in the long-time monitoring of species conservation, as the tadpole is part of the life history in amphibians.

Innovative Techniques for Landscape Recovery after Clay Mining under Mediterranean Conditions

Open-pit mining results in profound modifications at different environmental scales that may persist for very long time periods, or even indefinitely. Considerable research efforts in mine reclamation strategies have been made, although reclamation failures are still common. In dry climates, such as in the Mediterranean Basin, successful actions may depend on features related to proper species selection and restoration techniques, which may substantially contribute to provide substrate stability and facilitate the regeneration of the main ecological processes. In this context, we developed the TECMINE case-study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and suitability of innovative restoration practices applied to clay-mine reclamation under Mediterranean conditions. The restoration strategy was designed at the landscape level with two main approaches: the recovery of natural geomorphology shapes and ecological restoration, including vegetation recovery and soil quality, based on proper reference ecosystems. After the geomorphological land remodeling, a combination of several innovative restoration techniques was implemented to reclaim plant communities and ecosystem functioning. These techniques involved: (i) accurate species selection according to microhabitat characteristics; (ii) high-quality plant production; (iii) surface remodeling to improve substrate stabilization; and (iv) implementing rainfall collection to enhance resources availability, soil fertility improvement and the amelioration of abiotic conditions for seedlings. Finally, we developed a monitoring program to assess the success of the implemented restoration techniques over time. The application of these innovative techniques has reported interesting results and represents a step forward in the improvement of mine restoration under Mediterranean climate.

The effect of microhabitat features, anthropogenic pressure and spatial structure on bird diversity in southern Tunisian agroecosystems

AbstractIn southern Tunisia, oases and olive orchards are the two main agroecosystems, hence the importance of investigating their value for native fauna. Using generalised linear mixed models, we assessed the relative value of oases and olive plantations over the wintering and the breeding periods by comparing their avifauna diversity using the Shannon diversity index. We also used data on a series of microhabitat features, anthropogenic pressure and spatial parameters to identify the best predictors of bird diversity. In total, 32 species belonging to 18 families were recorded. Sedentary birds accounted for 47% of the counts. Our results showed that bird diversity depends on habitat type, being higher in oases than in olive plantations, but not on the season as no difference was recorded during the two periods of wintering and breeding. The assessment of the effects of microhabitat features, anthropogenic pressure and spatial structure revealed that bird diversity was positively influenced by the cover of trees in oases and olive orchards, negatively affected by distance to edge and that to the paved road in the olive orchards and spatially structured in both agroecosystems. Variation partitioning analysis revealed that the pure effect of microhabitat features (tree cover) was important in explaining the bird diversity both in oases and olive orchards. The identification of factors affecting bird diversity is of great importance for the efficient management of these agroecosystems. Special attention should be paid to keeping a good tree cover. This cannot be performed without: (a) increasing irrigation frequency, (b) adequate tree maintenance (pruning) and (c) reduction of pesticide application. Also, the synergy among owners, farmers, managers and researchers is recommended for the conservation of bird diversity in this North African arid agricultural region.

Basic characteristics of microhabitats of snake-eyed skink (Ablepharus kitaibelii) in Western Hungary

Abstract Following the rediscovery after 200 years of Ablepharus kitaibelii fitzingeri in 2017, we carried out data collection its habitats regarding vegetation, microclimate, and soil on two prominent dolomite hills of the Eastern Bakony. Data collections were carried out in habitat mosaics (xerothermic forest edges on the plateaus, karst shrub forests in south-facing exposure, dry grasslands among forest patches on the plateaus, rocky grasslands in south-facing exposure) of three sampling blocks. Vegetation was examined by phytosociological relevés, microclimate from April to November continuously by TMS-2 dataloggers, and soil by laboratory analyses focused mainly on percentage of different fractions. According to our results a) shrub forests with a south-facing exposure provide a cooler microclimate with temperated fluctuation in the spring–early summer and late summer–early autumn periods; b) plateau grasslands and shrubs are characterised by looser soil structure. Based on our results, heterogeneous habitat character of forest–grassland mosaics of the Pannonicum can mitigate the expected negative effects of climate change on reptiles.

Herpetofauna assemblage in two watershed areas of Kumoan Himalaya, Uttarakhand, India

We surveyed herpetofauna along the poorly-explored region of two watersheds of Kumoan Himalaya, Dabka and Khulgarh. Adaptive cluster method was used to collect forest floor reptiles, and stream transect was used for stream reptiles and amphibians. In total, 18 species of reptiles were recorded in two watersheds, with 15 and nine species recorded in Dabka and Khulgarh, respectively. Forest floor density of reptiles was 87.5/ha in Dabka and 77.7/ha in Khulgarh. In terms of species, Asymblepharus ladacensis and Lygosoma punctatus density were highest in Dabka and Khulgarh, respectively. Eight species of amphibians were recorded in Dabka with a density of 9.4/ha and four species in Khulgarh with density of 5.2/ha. In both watersheds, density of Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis was highest. Reptilian and amphibian diversity of Dabka was 1.52 and 1.23, respectively, and in Khulgarh 0.43 and 0.23, respectively. In both watersheds reptile density, diversity and richness decreased with increasing elevation. Reptile density showed a weak correlation with microhabitat features such as litter cover, litter depth, and soil moisture in both watersheds. Amphibian density was positively correlated with soil moisture, litter cover, and litter depth. Comparison showed that Dabka is richer and more diverse than Khulgarh, presumably because of the undisturbed habitat, broad and slow stream, and deeper forest litter of the former.

Microhabitat selection of the poorly known lizard Tropidurus lagunablanca (Squamata: Tropiduridae) in the Pantanal, Brazil

Understanding how different environmental factors influence species occurrence is a key issue to address the study of natural populations. However, there is a lack of knowledge on how local traits influence the microhabitat use of tropical arboreal lizards. Here, we investigated the microhabitat selection of the poorly known lizard Tropidurus lagunablanca (Squamata: Tropiduridae) and evaluated how environmental microhabitat features influence animal’s presence. We used a Resource Selection Function approach, in a case/control design where we analyzed the effect of substrate temperature and tree’s diameter at breast height (DBH) in the probability of presence of lizards using mixed Conditional Logistic Regression. We found that T. lagunablanca uses trees with DBH from 0.40 m to 4 m and substrate temperatures ranging from 25.9℃ to 42℃. Moreover, we showed that thickness of the trees and substrate temperatures significantly increased the probability of presence of T. lagunablanca individuals, being the probability of presence higher than 50% for trees up to 1.5 m DBH and temperature of substrate up to 37.5℃. Our study probed that T. lagunablanca individuals choose trees non-randomly, selecting thicker and warmer tree trunks. This information advances the knowledge of the spatial ecology of Neotropical arboreal lizards and is relevant for conservation, putting an emphasis on preserving native vegetation in the Pantanal.

Life on the edge: behavioural and physiological responses of Verreaux's sifakas (Propithecus verreauxi) to forest edges.

Forest edges change micro-environmental conditions, thereby affecting the ecology of many forest-dwelling species. Understanding such edge effects is particularly important for Malagasy primates because many of them live in highly fragmented forests today. The aim of our study was to assess the influence of forest edge effects on activity budgets, feeding ecology, and stress hormone output (measured as faecal glucocorticoid metabolite – fGCM – levels) in wild Verreaux's sifakas (Propithecus verreauxi), a group living, arboreal lemur. We observed five habituated groups: three living in the forest interior and two at an established forest edge. There was no difference in average daily temperatures between edge and interior habitats; however, within the edge site, the average daily temperature incrementally increased over 450 m from the forest edge towards the interior forest of the edge habitat, and the population density was lower at the edge site. Activity budgets differed between groups living in the two microhabitats, with individuals living near the edge spending more time travelling and less time feeding. Groups living near the edge also tended to have smaller home ranges and core areas than groups in the forest interior. In addition, edge groups had elevated average fGCM concentrations, and birth rates were lower for females living in the edge habitat. Combined with lower levels of fruit consumption at the edge, these results suggest that nutritional stress might be a limiting factor for Verreaux's sifakas when living near a forest edge. Hence, Verreaux's sifakas appear to be sensitive to microhabitat characteristics linked to forest edges; a result with implications for the conservation of this critically endangered lemurid species.

A Salamander tale: Relative abundance, morphometrics and microhabitat of the critically endangered Mexican salamander Pseudoeurycea robertsi (Taylor, 1939)

Roberts’ False Brook Salamander (Pseudoeurycea robertsi) is a critically endangered plethodontid salamander, endemic to the Nevado de Toluca Volcano (NTV), Mexico. Little is known about the biology and ecology of this species, including its microhabitats. Thus, this study aimed to collect basic information aboutP. robertsi. We sampled fourteen forested sites in the NTV; to corroborate the correct identification of the species we used genetic data, we assessed the variation in head morphometric measurements and dorsal colouration patterns amongst localities and the microhabitat features associated withP. robertsipresence. Of the four potential salamander species,P. robertsiwas the most abundant (89.80%) and widely distributed (approximately within 130 km2) salamander in the NTV. We did not find significant variations in morphometry; however, we found significant differences in dorsal patterns between populations (in the number and size of segments of the dorsal stripe). The average total length for 185 adults was 89.15 mm (38.7–117.9 mm); we found seven patterns of dorsal stripe. We found 98% ofP. robertsiindividuals under the bark of fallen logs inAbies religiosaandA. religiosa-Pinussp. forests, with a higher number of detected salamanders in naturally-fallen logs than in cut logs (34% vs. 10%). Thus, keeping well-preservedA. religiosaforests and retaining fallen logs is essential toP. robertsiconservation.

Replicating natural topography on marine artificial structures – A novel approach to eco-engineering

Ocean sprawl is a growing threat to marine and coastal ecosystems globally, with wide-ranging consequences for natural habitats and species. Artificial structures built in the marine environment often support less diverse communities than natural rocky marine habitats because of low topographic complexity. Some structures can be eco-engineered to increase their complexity and promote biodiversity. Tried-and-tested eco-engineering approaches include building-in habitat designs to mimic features of natural reef topography that are important for biodiversity. Most designs mimic discrete microhabitat features like crevices or holes and are geometrically-simplified. Here we propose that directly replicating the full fingerprint of natural reef topography in habitat designs makes a novel addition to the growing toolkit of eco-engineering options. We developed a five-step process for designing natural topography-based eco-engineering interventions for marine artificial structures. Given that topography is highly spatially variable in rocky reef habitats, our targeted approach seeks to identify and replicate the ‘best’ types of reef topography to satisfy specific eco-engineering objectives. We demonstrate and evaluate the process by designing three natural topography-based habitat units for intertidal structures, each targeting one of three hypothetical eco-engineering objectives. The process described can be adapted and applied according to user-specific priorities. Expanding the toolkit for eco-engineering marine structures is crucial to enable ecologically-informed designs that maximise biodiversity benefits from burgeoning ocean sprawl.

Spatial Utilization and Microhabitat Selection of the Snow Leopard (Panthera uncia) under Different Livestock Grazing Intensities

AbstractThere is increasing conflict between snow leopards and humans in many protected areas, the main driver of which is the overlap in spatial utilization between snow leopards and livestock. Understanding the spatial utilization and microhabitat selection of snow leopards in areas featuring different levels of livestock grazing is important to better understand and resolve this conflict, but such studies are rare. Here, we conducted line transect and plot surveys in low- and high-grazing-disturbance areas (LGDAs and HGDAs) in Wolong National Reserve, southwestern China. We compared snow leopard spatial utilization and microhabitat characteristics between LGDAs and HGDAs. Results showed that snow leopards had aggregated distribution in both LGDAs and HGDAs, but the distribution of snow leopards in HGDAs was more centralized than in LGDAs. Herb cover and height in LGDAs were greater than in HGDAs. We fit a resource selection function (RSF) that showed that snow leopards preferentially selected higher elevation, smaller basal diameter of shrubs, and lower height of herbs in LGDAs. In contrast, there were no significant microhabitat factors in our snow leopard RSF in HGDAs. Our results indicate that high-intensity grazing tends to reduce the habitat types available to and preferential selectivity of habitat by snow leopards. We recommend that livestock grazing should be controlled to restore the diversity of the alpine ecosystems in Wolong Nature Reserve. Our findings also highlight the need for evaluating the impact of livestock grazing on rare animals in alpine environments (e.g., snow leopard) in other areas facing similar issues.

Selection and use of calling site by Boana leptolineata and Phyllomedusa distincta during the reproductive season

ABSTRACT Climatic conditions and microhabitat characteristics, such as the substrate and type of vegetation, influence the choice of male anurans for calling sites that optimize their reproductive success. We evaluated the structure and selection of vocalization microhabitat of 17 individuals of Phyllomedusa distincta Lutz, 1950 and 25 of Boana leptolineata (Braun & Braun, 1977), in a subtropical forest in southern Brazil. We measure the height of the perch, the distance between the perch and the edge of the body of water and the structure of the microhabitat of quadrants used by individuals. The same attributes were measured in the quadrants available (but not used) by the individuals. We classified the microhabitats by visual estimate, assigning percentages of coverage for each quadrant by herbaceous, shrub, tree and wetland vegetation. We observed that both species selected their microhabitat, since the characteristics of the quadrants occupied by the individuals were different from those available. Phyllomedusa distincta was more associated with heterogeneous microhabitats, while B. leptolineata occurred in environments with greater coverage of tree strata. Additionally, we observed that both species used shrubs more frequently as a perch site. The selection of these microhabitat characteristics must be associated with strategies to optimize the use of the reproductive habitat, based on the morphological and behavioral characteristics of the species. Finally, it is possible to infer that the differences observed in the microhabitat structure selected by the species can facilitate the coexistence of both in the context of the heterogeneity of the environment.