Spatial and temporal distribution and microhabitat use of aquatic breeding amphibians (Anura) in a seasonally dry tropical forest in Chamela, Mexico

Abstract

Abstract:The distribution of amphibians is affected by abiotic and biotic factors, availability of resources and the characteristics of reproductive sites. In particular, reproductive activity of aquatic-breeding anurans that inhabit tropical dry areas is affected by rainfall, which determines the availability and quality of reproductive sites. In this study, we analyzed the spatial and temporal distribution of anurans with indirect development in a tropical dry forest in Western Mexico, during two rainy seasons (July 10-October 4, 2013, and June 26-September 26, 2014). We collected data on the occupancy and reproductive activity of 15 species in four temporary streams, and evaluated their relationship with precipitation, humidity and temperature. We determined richness, abundance and diversity of species in each stream; we also identified differences in the reproductive strategies and microhabitats used by the species. The most abundant species were: Tlalocohyla smithii and Exerodonta smaragdina, whereas the least abundant were Leptodactylus melanonotus and Incilius mazatlanensis. Species richness, abundance and reproductive activity peaked alongside the stream with the greatest number of breeding sites (e.g. pools). We found temporal segregation in the occupancy and reproductive activity of species in all streams which were mainly associated with precipitation. However, occupancy and reproductive activity of some species overlapped up to four weeks during part of the breeding season. Most species used specific substrates for particular reproductive activities (e.g. oviposition), but used a range of microhabitats (leaf-litter, water, rocks, branches, leaves, logs, etc.) for others (e.g. calling). We discuss these behavioral differences as factors that facilitate coexistence of species in this environment in the rainy season. Rev. Biol. Trop. 65 (3): 1082-1094. Epub 2017 September 01.Key words: amphibians, reproductive strategies, environmental seasonality, reproductive activity, indirect development.Reproductive activity of anuran species is strongly influenced by abiotic factors such as precipitation and temperature (Moreira & Lima, 1991;Bertoluci, 1998;Ford & Scott, 2006;Saenz, Fitzgerald, Baum, & Conner 2006;Schalk & Saenz, 2016). It is further suggested that community structure is associated with reproductive phenology, as the sequence and variations of these events largely determine species composition at the local scale (Sáenz et al., 2006;Afonso & Eterovick, 2007). Anuran species that coexist present important differences in morphology, physiology, and behavior (Crump, 1974;Pough, Stewart, & Thomas, 1977;Cardoso, Andrade, & Haddad, 1989;Afonso & Eterovick, 2007). During the reproductive season, resource overlapping within the community becomes more intense (Bertoluci & Rodrigues, 2002), therefore species can exhibit temporal or spatial segregation or partial/complete overlap in the use of resources (Rossa-Feres & Jim, 2001). Temporal partitioning can be directly related to each region´s climate, partic...

Manipulating water for amphibian conservation

“…2014), and contraction of annual rainfall patterns could increase interspecific competition by changing the temporal segregation between breeding events (Luna‐Gomez et al. 2017). In areas subject to aridification under climate change, reductions in hydroperiod will increase the risk of recruitment failure due to pool desiccation (Chandler et al.…”

“…Changing rainfall volume and patterns are projected to affect amphibians at several points during their lifecycle. Changes in the seasonal onset of rainfall will likely affect the temporal initiation of breeding (Ludovisi et al 2014), and contraction of annual rainfall patterns could increase interspecific competition by changing the temporal segregation between breeding events (Luna-Gomez et al 2017). In areas subject to aridification under climate change, reductions in hydroperiod will increase the risk of recruitment failure due to pool desiccation (Chandler et al 2016), and increasing duration or severity of droughts will increase the frequency of recruitment failure (Dodd 1994).…”

A new species of brilliant green frog of the genus Tlalocohyla (Anura, Hylidae) hiding between two volcanoes of northern Costa Rica

“…Both species reportedly adapt well to anthropogenic landscapes and are regularly found in close proximity to human settlements (e.g. Campbell 1998, Lee 1996, Leenders 2016, Lemos-Espinal & Dixon 2013, Luna-Gómez et al 2017, McCranie & Wilson 2002.…”

Seasonal Reproductive Dynamics of a Lek-Breeding Neotropical Treefrog is not Organized by Male Size (Anura, Hylidae)

“…For example, Santos et al (2008) We observed that the beginning and end of the breeding season of Dendropsophus sanborni coincide with the beginning and end of the rainy season, respectively (as defined by Koeppen; see Zaine and Perinotto, 1996). The seasonal distribution of anuran species activity can be influenced by several interrelated factors that are subject to daily, monthly, and annual variation (such as maximum and minimum temperatures, rainfall, and hydroperiod; e.g., Kopp and Eterovick, 2006;Hartel et al, 2007;Gally and Zina, 2013;Akmentins et al, 2015;Hurme, 2015;Luna-Gómez et al, 2017;Leivas et al, 2018). Thus, interactions of these factors may be responsible for variation in the reproductive periods of anurans.…”

“…Among anurans, social organization is directly related to body size and reproductive traits such as chorus structure, male territoriality, pair formation, breeding site choice, and temporal breeding pattern (Wells, 1977;Martin et al, 2011;Rosa and Andreone, 2012;Sousa and Ávila, 2015;Berec, 2017). Moreover, temporal and spatial breeding patterns are affected by abiotic (e.g., climate and availability of reproductive resources) and biotic (e.g., habitat use, abundance of individuals, reproductive strategies, and adult life span) factors (Crump, 1974;Gally and Zina, 2013;Akmentins et al, 2015;Hurme, 2015;Luna-Gómez et al, 2017;Leivas et al, 2018). The majority of the anuran species from tropical areas with well-defined seasons possess seasonal reproductive dynamics associated with the hotter and rainier periods of the year (Shahriza et al, 2010;Van Sluys and Guido-Castro, 2011;Waldez et al, 2011;Schalk and Saenz, 2016).…”