Similarity of ground-dwelling anuran (Amphibia) composition among different vegetation physiognomies in a Mesophytic Semideciduous Forest from southeastern Brazil

Abstract

The composition of ground-dwelling anuran species was hypothesized to vary according to the different selected vegetation physiognomies of the Morro do Diabo State Park (MDSP), one of the largest remnants of Mesophytic Semideciduous Forest from southeastern Brazil. Thus, the studied vegetation physiognomies were compared concerning their anuran species composition. The existence of indicator species for these areas was also tested. Similarity analyzes showed a high beta diversity among the different areas studied, but it is rather a consequence of the low species richness recorded in the studied vegetation physiognomies, instead of the different anuran species compositions expected among them. on the other hand, a higher similarity on species composition was found among the most preserved areas at MDSP, which is related to preferential habitat use of some species in these areas. Three species were indicative of the studied vegetation physiognomies: Rhinella ornata as indicator of the Mature Forest, and Eupemphix nattereri and Physalaemus cuvieri as indicators of Forest in Advanced Regeneration Stage. The efficiency of pitfall traps for capturing the anurans in the studied area was also discussed.