Assemblage of anurans (Amphibia, Anura) of an area of Atlantic Forest, South of Brazil

Abstract

Assemblage of anurans (Amphibia, Anura) in a locality of dense Atlantic rain forest, Morretes, Paraná, Brazil. The species richness, habitat use and main environmental impacts on a taxocenose of anurans were determined during 19 months, in a region originally covered by dense Atlantic rain forest at Morretes municipality. Thirty-two species of anurans, belonging to ten families, were registered. In the local anuran fauna, 58% of these species were associated with open areas, and 42% of the species were associated to forests. Among all species, the most frequently observed reproductive mode was mode 1 - eggs and exotrophic larvae in lentic water, mainly presented by the family Hylidae. The deforestation, which today has the major negative impact on this amphibian assemblage, is present in the region for at least 28 years. Environmental management programs are necessary to keep the diversity of anurans.