Anuran Species Richness Research Articles

Studi Awal Komunitas Ordo Anura di Kawasan Ekowisata Sawangan, Magelang, Jawa Tengah

Frogs and toads (Amphibia: Anura) were very sensitive to environmental changes. Due to their sensitivity, usually they can be used as indicator for environmental changes. On the other hands, there has been only limited data on the diversity and distribution of frogs and toads in Java. This could lead to the reducing population of frogs and toads in Java. Based on those facts, this research was aimed to collect data on species diversity, species richness, species composition and species distribution of frogs and toad from Sawangan Ecotourism, Magelang, Central Java Province. This study was expected to complete the database of anurans in Central Java. The research was conducted from June to July 2009, mostly at night. The VES ( Visual Encounter Survey ) method combined with 200 m transects were used for sampling. Seven species of anurans were recorded during the survey. They were Duttaphrynus melanostictus, Limnonectes kuhlii, Limnonectes microdiscus, Microhyla achatina, Odorrana hosii, Hylarana chalconotus and Huia masonii . From those seven species, only three ( Huia masonii , Microhyla achatina and Limnonectes kuhlii ) were known as endemic of Java.

Effects of time since urbanization on anuran community composition in remnant urban ponds

SUMMARYLow-density residential development, the fastest growing land use in the USA, is increasingly occurring adjacent to protected areas and in areas of high biodiversity. Thus, determining the environmental impacts, including the cumulative impacts, of proposed residential developments is a pressing challenge. The relative abundance and species richness of anurans in 19 ponds surrounded by landscapes with varying ages of residential development were measured, while endeavouring to control for local habitat quality effects on the anurans. Age of residential development was a predictor in the best models describing the responses of four individual anuran species and total anuran relative abundance. In particular, all of the best models of gray treefrog Hyla versicolor relative abundance included age of residential development as a predictor. Present-day anuran communities in remnant urban ponds are evidently responding to the effects of residential development that occurred up to 54 years in the past.

Climatic variables and altitude as predictors of anuran species richness and number of reproductive modes in Brazil

Abstract:Because anuran species are highly dependent on environmental variables, we hypothesized that anuran species richness and the number of reproductive modes from different Brazilian localities vary according to climatic and altitudinal variables. Published data were compiled from 36 Brazilian localities and climatic and altitudinal data were extracted from an available database. A partial redundancy analysis (pRDA) showed that 23.5% of the data set's variation was explained by climatic and altitudinal data, while the remaining 76.5% remained unexplained. This analysis suggests that other factors not analysed herein may also be important for predicting anuran species richness and the number of reproductive modes in Brazil. Altitude and total annual rainfall were positively correlated with anuran species richness and the number of reproductive modes, and total annual rainfall was strongly associated with these two biotic variables in the triplot of pRDA. The positive association of total annual rainfall and the negative association of the concentration of annual rainfall were already expected based on physiological and reproductive requirements of anurans. On the other hand, temperature was not associated with richness or the number of reproductive modes.

Recovery of anuran community diversity following habitat replacement

Summary 1. Recently habitat degradation, road construction and traffic have all increased with human populations, to the detriment of aquatic habitats and species. While numerous restoration programmes have been carried out, there is an urgent need to follow their success to better understand and compensate for the decline of amphibian populations. To this end, we followed the colonization success of an anuran community across multiple replacement ponds created to mitigate large‐scale habitat disturbance. 2. Following construction of a highway in western France, a restoration project was initiated in 1999 and the success of restoration efforts was monitored. The amphibian communities of eight ponds were surveyed before they were destroyed. Replacement ponds were created according to precise edaphic criteria, consistent with the old pond characteristics and taking into account the amphibian species present in each. The presence of amphibian species was recorded every year during the breeding period for 4 years following pond creation. 3. Species richness initially declined following construction of the replacement ponds but generally returned to pre‐construction levels. Species diversity followed the same pattern but took longer to reach the level of diversity recorded before construction. Pond surface area, depth and sun exposure were the most significant habitat characteristics explaining both amphibian species richness and diversity. Similarly, an increase in the number of vegetation strata was positively related to anuran species richness, indicating the need to maintain a heterogeneous landscape containing relatively large open wetland areas. 4. Synthesis and applications. We highlight the species‐specific dynamics of the colonization process, including an increase in the number of replacement ponds inhabited over time by some species and, in some cases, an increase in population size. Our work suggests that successful replacement ponds can be designed around simple habitat features, providing clear benefits for a range of amphibian species, which will have positive cascading effects on local biodiversity. However, consideration must also be given to the terrestrial buffer zone when management strategies are being planned. Finally, our study offers insight into the successful establishment of anuran communities over a relatively short time in restored or replacement aquatic environments.

Impact of the Introduced Poeciliid Gambusia holbrooki on Amphibians in Southwestern Australia

Abstract The small, introduced poeciliid Gambusia holbrooki is widely distributed in Australia, and is widespread and generally abundant in lacustrine environments near Perth, Western Australia. Laboratory feeding trials and field investigations were conducted to evaluate the impact of this species on native frogs in southwestern Australia. The eggs of Crinia georgiana, C. insignifera, Litoria adelaidensis, and L. moorei were not consumed by G. holbrooki. In contrast, Crinia georgiana, C. insignifera, C. glauerti, and Litoria moorei hatchlings (Gosner stage 20–23) were consumed by G. holbrooki. Alternative aquatic invertebrate prey (mosquito larvae and Daphnia) were preferred over hatchlings. Gambusia holbrooki were recorded at 20 of 25 wetlands surveyed, and frogs occurred at all 25 sites. From one to six frog species occurred at wetland sites where fish were present. Frog species richness, and the presence of individual species, did not differ between sites with and without G. holbrooki. However, frog s...

Patterns of Community Structure and Microhabitat Usage in Peruvian Pristimantis (Anura: Strabomantidae)

We examined patterns of community structure and microhabitat requirements of Pristimantis frogs at sites of high geographic proximity in the Tambopata region of southeastern Peru. Herpetofaunal surveys were conducted at five sites encompassing approximately 131 square km of Tambopata Province, including EcoAmazonía (EA), Reserva Amazónica (RA), Explorer's Inn (EI), Sachavacayoc Centre (SC), and Tambopata Research Center (TRC). In addition to sampling and identifying all species of Pristimantis captured, environmental variables, including substrate, perch height, leaf litter depth, tree cover, and time of day, were collected and analyzed. Total frog encounters, species richness, diversity, and community similarity differed significantly among sites. Generally, similarity, richness, and diversity were not closely related to geographic proximity, but total abundance was. More individuals were captured at SC and TRC, whereas more total species were captured at TRC and EI. Diversity was the highest at TRC, followed by RA, EI, EA, and SC. Encounters of P. toftae and P. peruvianus also differed significantly among sites, with one species rarely encountered where the other was prevalent. Generally, more individuals of Pristimantis were captured during the wet season at all five sites. Significantly more individuals were captured during the night than the day. Significantly more individuals as well as species were captured on leaves and the ground versus all other substrate types, with more on leaves at night and on the ground during the day. Significantly more adults were captured higher off the ground than juveniles, with males found higher than females. There was no significant relationship between frog encounters and leaf litter or tree cover. Pristimantis peruvianus was shown to exhibit differences in microhabitat usage from P. toftae. We conclude that many factors contribute to the observed differences in diversity among the sites, requiring future studies that will also examine other environmental variables such as forest type, soil characteristics, and prey availability.

Quantifying the Road-Effect Zone: Threshold Effects of a Motorway on Anuran Populations in Ontario, Canada

The negative effect of roads on wildlife is recognized as a major contributor to the global biodiversity crisis, with anurans being among the most vulnerable groups overall. The “road-effect zone,” i.e., the extent of significant ecological effects from the edge of a road (Forman and Alexander 1998), has important management implications, but has never been quantified for anurans. In the first study of its kind, we measured the extent and type of relationship underlying the road-effect zones of a motorway with a high proportion of heavy-truck traffic, particularly at night (Highway 401) for anuran species richness and relative abundance. We surveyed 34 ponds located 68–3262 m from the edge of the motorway, and used piecewise and linear regressions to determine if road-effect zones were clearly delineated by ecological thresholds. We found road-effect zones of 250–1000 m delineated by ecological thresholds for four of seven species and species richness, and road-effect zones of well beyond 1000 m best described by linear regressions for two species. The negative effect of Highway 401 was unexpectedly strong for four of seven species suggest that, in addition to road mortality, very high nighttime truck traffic can actually lead to reduced use of breeding habitat near the motorway either by acting as a barrier to forest habitat on the other side of the highway and/or because of traffic noise. Our results show that most anurans are likely to have reduced abundances near motorways, but that both the extent of the effect of this type of road and the underlying relationship vary considerably between species. Furthermore, the noise and/or barrier effect of very high nighttime traffic volumes can lead to negative effects of motorways even on species that are relatively unaffected by direct road mortality

Species richness, relative abundance, and habitat of reproduction of terrestrial frogs in the Triângulo Mineiro region, Cerrado biome, southeastern Brazil

Based on field observations and pitfall sampling, we determined the species richness, relative abundance, and reproductive habitat of terrestrial frogs in three municipalities in the Triângulo Mineiro region, south Cerrado biome, in southeastern Brazil. We found thirty-two species of terrestrial frogs, belonging to the families Brachycephalidae, Bufonidae, Cycloramphidae, Dendrobatidae, Leiuperidae, Leptodactylidae and Microhylidae. Most of the species were found in open areas and reproduced in human-generated environments, such as artificial lakes (10 species) and ponds (14 species). Dominance was high, with Physalaemus cuvieri Fitzinger, 1826 (Leiuperidae) representing 48% of sampled frogs. A larger number of individuals was captured in the wet season, when most of the species were reproducing. Compared to other areas of Cerrado biome, the Triângulo Mineiro sites presented a larger number of species, which may be attributed to the larger sampled area and greater sampling effort, lower altitude and presence of human generated habitats. The richness of terrestrial frogs was also larger than that in some forested localities in southeastern Brazil, indicating that the number of species cannot be explained only by precipitation and type of vegetation cover. The greater abundance of individuals during the wet season may be related to a greater movement of adults to breeding sites and to juvenile recruitment/dispersion. The heterogeneity of environments in the Cerrado biome, including its several isolated highlands, contributes to its high (local and regional) diversity of frogs.

Anurofauna de remanescentes de floresta Atlântica do município de São José do Barreiro, estado de São Paulo, Brasil

O município de São José do Barreiro (SP), localizado no domínio da Floresta Atlântica, em altitudes que oscilam entre 480 e 2088 m, apresenta grande complexidade topográfica e climática, que resulta na presença de inúmeras fitofisionomias, como os Campos de altitude, Floresta Estacional Semidecidual e Florestas Ombrófilas Densa e Mista. O objetivo deste estudo foi verificar a riqueza de espécies de anuros em duas áreas deste município: uma de Floresta Estacional Semidecidual e outra de Floresta Ombrófila Densa. Foram realizadas buscas ativas diurnas e noturnas, entre abril de 2004 e dezembro de 2006. O inventário resultou no registro de 35 espécies de anuros de nove famílias. A riqueza de espécies observada na área de estudo é similar a de outras localidades consideradas preservadas como a Estação Ecológica Juréia-Itatins (Peruíbe, SP) e a Serra do Japi (Jundiaí-SP). A similaridade na composição de espécies de sete localidades no Estado de São Paulo foi associada à fisionomia da vegetação das áreas amostradas. A grande variação de altitude, a presença de diferentes formações vegetais e o pouco conhecimento da fauna local, torna o inventário da sua anurofauna de suma importância para estudos futuros de conservação destas espécies.

Effects of Conversion of Dry Tropical Forest to Agricultural Mosaic on Herpetofaunal Assemblages

We explored the impact of forest conversion to agricultural mosaic on anuran, lizard, snake, and turtle assemblages of Neotropical dry forests. Over 2 years, we sampled 6 small watersheds on the west coast of Mexico, 3 conserved and 3 disturbed. The disturbed watersheds were characterized by a mosaic of pastures and cultivated fields (corn, beans, squash) intermingled with patches of different successional stages of dry forest. In each watershed, we conducted 11 diurnal and nocturnal time-constrained searches in 10 randomly established plots. We considered vulnerability traits of species in relation to habitat modification. Eighteen anuran, 18 lizard, 23 snake, and 3 turtle species were recorded. Thirty-six species (58%) occurred in both forest conditions, and 14 (22%) and 12 species (19%) occurred only in the conserved and disturbed sites, respectively. Assemblages responded differently to disturbance. Species richness, diversity, and abundance of lizards were higher in disturbed forests. Anuran diversity and species richness were lower in disturbed forest but abundance was similar in both forest conditions. Diversity, richness, and abundance of turtles were lower in disturbed forest. The structure and composition of snake assemblages did not differ between forest conditions. We considered species disturbance sensitive if their abundance was significantly less in disturbed areas. Four anuran (22%), 2 lizard (11%), and 3 turtle (100%) species were sensitive to disturbance. No snake species was sensitive. The decline in abundance of disturbance-sensitive species was associated with the reduction of forest canopy cover, woody stem cover, roots, and litter-layer ground cover. Anuran species with small body size and direct embryonic development were especially sensitive to forest disturbance. An important goal for the conservation of herpetofauna should be the determination of species traits associated with extinction or persistence in agricultural mosaics.

Frog species richness, composition and beta-diversity in coastal Brazilian restinga habitats

We studied the species richness and composition of frogs in 10 restinga habitats (sand dune environments dominated by herbaceous and shrubby vegetation) along approximately 1500 km of coastal areas of three Brazilian States: Rio de Janeiro (Grumari, Maricá, Massambaba, Jurubatiba and Grussaí), Espírito Santo (Praia das Neves and Setiba) and Bahia (Prado and Trancoso). We estimated beta-diversity and similarity among areas and related these parameters to geographic distance between areas. All areas were surveyed with a similar sampling procedure. We found 28 frog species belonging to the families Hylidae, Microhylidae, Leptodactylidae and Bufonidae. Frogs in restingas were in general nocturnal with no strictly diurnal species. The richest restinga was Praia das Neves (13 species), followed by Grussaí and Trancoso (eight species in each). The commonest species in the restingas was Scinax alter (found in eight restingas), followed by Aparasphenodon brunoi (seven areas). Our data shows that richness and composition of frog communities vary consistently along the eastern Brazilian coast and, in part, the rate of species turnover is affected by the distance among areas. Geographic distance explained approximately 12% of species turnover in restingas and about 9.5% of similarity among frog assemblages. Although geographic distance somewhat affects frog assemblages, other factors (e.g. historical factors, disturbances) seem to be also involved in explaining present frog assemblage composition in each area and species turnover among areas. The frog fauna along restinga habitats was significantly nested (matrix community temperature = 26.13 degrees; p = 0.007). Our data also showed that the most hospitable restinga was Praia das Neves and indicated that this area should be protected as a conservation unit. Frog assemblage of each area seems to partially represent a nested subset of the original assemblage, although we should not ignore the importance of historical factors. This nestedness pattern, in part, probably results from the intensive fragmentation of restinga habitats. Possibly, many frog species may have been lost in some studied areas as a result of the extensive habitat degradation to which restinga habitats are presently exposed.

Species richness and composition of amphibians and reptiles in a fragmented forest landscape in northeastern Bolivia

We quantified patterns of species richness and species composition of frogs and reptiles (lizards and snakes) among three habitats (continuous forest, forest islands, and a seasonally flooded savannah) and between forest island size and isolation classes in a floristic transition zone in northeastern Santa Cruz Department, Bolivia. Species richness was similar across macrohabitats, as was faunal composition of forested habitats, although savannah harbored a distinct herpetofauna. On forest islands, richness and composition of forest frogs was largely related to isolation, whereas reptiles were affected by both isolation and habitat. The observation that isolation rather than area was the primary driver of distribution patterns on forest islands stands in contrast to many studies, and may be a function of (1) the greater range in forest island isolation values compared to area or (2) the long history of isolation in this landscape. Wir bestimmten die Muster des Artenreichtums und der Artenzusammensetzung von Fröschen und Reptilien (Eidechsen und Schlangen) in drei Habitaten (geschlossener Wald, Waldinsel, saisonal überflutete Savanne) und für Klassen von Waldinselgröße und Isolation in einer floristischen Übergangszone im nordöstlichen Santa Cruz Bezirk, Bolivien. Der Artenreichtum war für alle Habitate ähnlich, ebenso die Zusammensetzung der Fauna in den Waldhabitaten, die Savanne beherbergte aber eine eigenständige Herpetofauna. In den Waldinseln waren Artenreichtum und -zusammensetzung der Frösche weitgehend mit der Isolation verknüpft, während die Reptilien von beidem, Isolation und Habitat, beeinflusst wurden. Der Befund, dass eher die Isolation als die Arealgröße der treibende Faktor für die Verteilungsmuster in den Waldinseln war, steht im Gegensatz zu zahlreichen Studien und könnte durch (1) die größere Streubreite der Isolationswerte gegenüber den Flächenwerten oder (2) eine lange bestehende Isolation in dieser Landschaft bedingt sein.

Amphibian use of man-made pools on clear-cuts in the Allegheny Mountains of West Virginia, USA

Timber harvesting can alter habitats of forest-dwelling species and these alterations can be highly detrimental to species such as amphibians that are intimately associated with habitat temperature and moisture regimes. Consequently, information on conservation practices that can reduce impacts on these species can be useful to prevent local extinctions. Twenty-two of 40 pools constructed by the Fernow Experimental Station, USDA Northern Research Station, Parsons, West Virginia in 1993 on primitive haul roads in two clearcut areas on McGowan Mountain, Tucker County, WV were monitored for 3 years to determine their potential use by anurans. Monthly samples (April through September) of water chemistry and amphibian captures were taken to evaluate amphibian use of these pools. Anurans that used the pools to breed were Bufo americanus americanus, Rana sylvatica, Psuedacris brachyphona, and Hyla chrysoscelis. Desmognathus ochrophaeus and Gyrinophilus porphyriticus porphyriticus were also found in ponds but no evidence of breeding was discovered. By 1994, 14 of the 22 pools that held water were used by anurans for reproduction. Species richness of anurans that bred in pools was primarily dependent on pond depth. Man-made small but deep ponds placed carefully such that their hydroperiods are long enough for larvae to complete development (i.e., near seepages) provides breeding habitat for some frogs species, as well as refugia for non-breeding frogs and salamanders in clear-cut areas. Pools constructed at strategic locations on primitive roads have the potential to reduce adverse impacts of timber harvesting on some amphibian populations.

Structural Equation Modeling for Observational Studies

Abstract Structural equation modeling (SEM) represents a framework for developing and evaluating complex hypotheses about systems. This method of data analysis differs from conventional univariate and multivariate approaches familiar to most biologists in several ways. First, SEMs are multiequational and capable of representing a wide array of complex hypotheses about how system components interrelate. Second, models are typically developed based on theoretical knowledge and designed to represent competing hypotheses about the processes responsible for data structure. Third, SEM is conceptually based on the analysis of covariance relations. Most commonly, solutions are obtained using maximum‐likelihood solution procedures, although a variety of solution procedures are used, including Bayesian estimation. Numerous extensions give SEM a very high degree of flexibility in dealing with nonnormal data, categorical responses, latent variables, hierarchical structure, multigroup comparisons, nonlinearities, and other complicating factors. Structural equation modeling allows researchers to address a variety of questions about systems, such as how different processes work in concert, how the influences of perturbations cascade through systems, and about the relative importance of different influences. I present 2 example applications of SEM, one involving interactions among lynx (Lynx pardinus), mongooses (Herpestes ichneumon), and rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus), and the second involving anuran species richness. Many wildlife ecologists may find SEM useful for understanding how populations function within their environments. Along with the capability of the methodology comes a need for care in the proper application of SEM.

Cryptic diversity and deep divergence in an upper Amazonian leaflitter frog, Eleutherodactylus ockendeni

BackgroundThe forests of the upper Amazon basin harbour some of the world's highest anuran species richness, but to date we have only the sparsest understanding of the distribution of genetic diversity within and among species in this region. To quantify region-wide genealogical patterns and to test for the presence of deep intraspecific divergences that have been documented in some other neotropical anurans, we developed a molecular phylogeny of the wide-spread terrestrial leaflitter frog Eleutherodactylus ockendeni (Leptodactylidae) from 13 localities throughout its range in Ecuador using data from two mitochondrial genes (16S and cyt b; 1246 base pairs). We examined the relation between divergence of mtDNA and the nuclear genome, as sampled by five species-specific microsatellite loci, to evaluate indirectly whether lineages are reproductively isolated where they co-occur. Our extensive phylogeographic survey thus assesses the spatial distribution of E. ockendeni genetic diversity across eastern Ecuador.ResultsWe identified three distinct and well-supported clades within the Ecuadorean range of E. ockendeni: an uplands clade spanning north to south, a northeastern and central lowlands clade, and a central and southeastern clade, which is basal. Clades are separated by 12% to 15% net corrected p-distance for cytochrome b, with comparatively low sequence divergence within clades. Clades marginally overlap in some geographic areas (e.g., Napo River basin) but are reproductively isolated, evidenced by diagnostic differences in microsatellite PCR amplification profiles or DNA repeat number and coalescent analyses (in MDIV) best modelled without migration. Using Bayesian (BEAST) and net phylogenetic estimates, the Southeastern Clade diverged from the Upland/Lowland clades in the mid-Miocene or late Oligocene. Lowland and Upland clades speciated more recently, in the early or late Miocene.ConclusionOur findings uncover previously unsuspected cryptic species diversity within the common leaflitter frog E. ockendeni, with at least three different species in Ecuador. While these clades are clearly geographically circumscribed, they do not coincide with any existing landscape barriers. Divergences are ancient, from the Miocene, before the most dramatic mountain building in the Ecuadorean Andes. Therefore, this diversity is not a product of Pleistocene refuges. Our research coupled with other studies suggests that species richness in the upper Amazon is drastically underestimated by current inventories based on morphospecies.

Changes in Anuran Species Richness and Abundance Resulting from Hydroelectric Dam Flooding in Central Brazil

ABSTRACTRiver damming causes ecosystem losses and habitat fragmentation. In the Cerrado, the flood affects mainly forested habitats in valleys. In 1996, the Tocantins River (Brazil) was dammed to create the Serra da Mesa hydroelectric plant, and 14 sites were monitored during flooding. Eight hills that formed islands were monitored with pitfall traps. Only one frog species was found on islands 3 yr after complete reservoir formation. Cerrado amphibians showed rapid decline during and after flooding.

Species composition and similarities among anuran assemblages of forest sites in southeastern Brazil

Neotropical forests show high anuran species richness, but some Brazilian forest formations, like cerradão, semideciduous forests and restingas, remain poorly known. The composition of anuran species were determined for four forest sites belonging to different biomes in southeastern Brazil, based on two complementary techniques (visual encounter survey and survey on breeding sites), both applied simultaneously. A total of 60 anuran species belonging to eight families was recorded. Species richness and levels of endemism were higher in the Atlantic rainforest site. Sites located in the Cerrado domain were more alike than those located in the Atlantic Forest Domain. Similarity in anuran species composition was negatively correlated to the geographical distance among sites, which explains part of similarities in species composition. Factors affecting these occurrence patterns are discussed. One species (if its identity is confirmed) is considered Data Deficient by IUCN (The World Conservation Union), though it is not included in the Brazilian list of threatened amphibians. The presence of certain species with special habitats and microclimate requirements (bioindicators) suggests well-preserved ecosystems.

Ecological parameters of the leaf‐litter frog community of an Atlantic Rainforest area at Ilha Grande, Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil

Abstract The Atlantic Rainforest originally covered much of the Brazilian coast and is now reduced to approximately only 7% of its original area. Data on abundance distribution and microhabitat characteristics of anuran amphibians living on the forest floor leaf litter in the Atlantic Rainforest are scarce. In this study, we analysed the effect of litter depth and structure on the abundance and species richness of leaf‐litter frogs in an area of Atlantic Rainforest at Ilha Grande, Rio de Janeiro State, south‐eastern Brazil. We performed monthly samples (nocturnal and diurnal) from August 1996 to October 1997 using small (2 m × 1 m) plots. We sampled 234 plots, totalling 468 m2 of forest leaf litter. We estimated leaf‐litter depth and the proportion of leaves in the plot and tested their effect on the total abundance of frogs and species richness using multiple regression analysis. We found 185 frogs from eight species: Brachycephalus (=Psyllophryne) didactylus (Izecksohn, 1971) (Brachycephalidae), Dendrophryniscus brevipollicatus Jiménez de la Espada 1871 (Bufonidae), Adenomera marmorata Steindachner 1867, Eleutherodactylus parvus (Girard 1853), Eleutherodactylus guentheri (Steindachner 1864), Eleutherodactylus binotatus (Spix 1824) and Zachaenus parvulus (Girard 1853) (Leptodactylidae), and Chiasmocleis sp. (Microhylidae). Brachycephalus didactylus was the most abundant species, with 91 individuals, whereas Dendrophryniscus brevipollicatus was the rarest, with two individuals. Mean litter depth and the proportion of leaves in the leaf litter were significantly related to frog abundance (R2 = 0.17; F2,107 = 10.779; P = 0.0001) and species richness (R2 = 0.11; F2,107 = 6.375; P = 0.002) indicating that microhabitat characteristics may affect local distribution and abundance of frogs in the forest floor.

Taxocenose de anuros de uma mata semidecídua do interior do Estado de São Paulo e comparações com outras taxocenoses do estado, sudeste do Brasil

O presente estudo foi realizado em um fragmento de floresta semidecídua, Mata São José (MSJ), e em áreas adjacentes ao fragmento localizado no município de Rio Claro, Estado de São Paulo, Brasil. Informações sobre a composição e distribuição espacial e temporal de espécies de anuros foram coletadas entre agosto de 2002 e julho de 2003. Foram registradas 24 espécies, sendo que a maioria foi observada em atividade de vocalização e reprodução nas áreas abertas adjacentes ao fragmento. Apenas três espécies, Hypsiboas lundii, H. prasinus e Proceratophrys boiei foram observadas utilizando ambientes no interior do fragmento para a reprodução e apenas H. prasinus foi registrada também em ambientes adjacentes ao fragmento. A maioria das espécies foi registrada durante a estação chuvosa da região e os ambientes temporários foram os mais utilizados para reprodução. A composição de espécies da MSJ foi comparada com a de outras 10 localidades com as seguintes fisionomias vegetais e status de conservação: floresta tropical preservada, ecótono de floresta ombrófila e floresta estacional semidecídua pouco preservada, Cerrado preservado e áreas antropizadas principalmente pela implantação de agricultura e pastagem. A composição de espécies da MSJ e da área de floresta estacional semidecídua foram mais similares entre si e com áreas perturbadas e área de Cerrado que quando comparadas a composição de espécies da área de floresta tropical preservada. Não houve correlação entre as distâncias e a similaridade na composição da anurofauna das localidades comparadas. Proceratophrys boiei e H. lundii aparentemente são as espécies mais afetadas pelo processo de fragmentação ambiental no Estado de São Paulo, provavelmente devido a sua ecologia e dependência de ambientes mais florestados.

Herpetofauna, community education and logging on Choiseul Island, Solomon Islands: implications for conservation

Biodiversity in the Solomon Islands Is extremely rich, and in the Pacific is second only to Papua New Guinea. Despite this high diversity there are only rough estimates for the biodiversity of most taxa in the Solomon Islands. As part of a terrestrial biodiversity survey, we conducted nocturnal surveys for frogs in a range of habitats from 10?1 060 m on Choiseul Island. This work was carried out between June 2005 and January 2006. In addition to the nocturnal surveys, we also conducted opportunistic diurnal searches for reptiles as well as community environmental education and awareness workshops. Fifteen frog species (65% of all Solomon Island frogs) including all five endemic species, were found during our surveys of Choiseul Island. Most of the species were fairly widespread and abundant, however, four species (Discodeles bufoniformis, Palmatorrapia solomonis, Brachylodes trossulus and B. wolfi) were fairly restricted in their distribution. In addition, we found 20 reptile species during opportunistic surveys (30% of all Solomon Island reptiles Including four endemics). Important habitats on Choiseul Island based on frog species richness and abundance are mid-altitude rainforest (500?600 m), primary lowland rainforest and lowland coastal forest. Unfortunately, it is these habitats that are most threatened by logging operations on the island. In order to aid biodiversity conservation on Choiseul Island we recommend a number of activities including additional biodiversity surveys, increased community awareness and education about biodiversity and the impacts of logging, and the drawing up of a management plan including all terrestrial taxa for Choiseul Island forests.