Anuran diversity (Amphibia, Anura) in a Seasonal Forest fragment in southern Brazil

Abstract

The Atlantic Forest is the home to a diverse and threatened fauna of amphibians. However, knowledge on these species is still scarce to many of its ecosystems, such as the Seasonal Forest. This study was aimed at determining the diversity of anurans in Parque Estadual Fritz Plaumann (PEFP), located in the municipality of Concórdia, Santa Catarina, southern Brazil. The PEFP comprises 741 ha, and is the only Conservation Unit of Seasonal Forest in Santa Catarina state. From August 2010 to July 2011 we surveyed frogs fortnightly during four to ten days, from sunset until approximately midnight. Active, audio and visual searches were carried out at breeding sites and favorable areas to meet the species. The sampling effort of the survey was evaluated with species accumulation curve considering the field expeditions as sample units. The species composition of PEFP was compared with 16 other different vegetal formations of the Atlantic Forest biome through similarity analysis. Twenty-three species were recorded. The accumulation curve approached an asymptote, indicating that most species of the area were observed. Most species were observed in lentic habitats of open areas. The anuran species composition of PEFP was similar to other areas of Mixed Ombrophile Forest and Seasonal Forest in southern region. Although PEFP comprised a relatively small area, the occurrence of habitat specialists, endangered amphibians that dependent on the forest, indicates the importance of this area for the conservation of the regional fauna. The continuation of long-term standardized studies is needed to monitor the population dynamics of recorded species and support alternative management practices, aiming at the conservation of anurans at the Seasonal Forest.