Amphibian Diversity: Where everything starts to flood, Cáceres Municipality, North Pantanal, Central-West Brazil

Abstract

Faunal inventories contribute to our understanding of regional diversity, and are fundamental for policy and decision-making regarding the management and conservation of large natural areas. This study aimed to inventory and compile information on amphibian species occurring in the North Pantanal region, in the municipal limits of Cáceres, Mato Grosso, Brazil. We used three methods to inventory amphibian species: (1) fieldwork, (2) analysis of specimens deposited in scientific collections, and (3) literature reviews. We registered 49 amphibian species in Cáceres. Of them, 48 species belonged to the Anura order and were distributed across eight families and 20 genera, and one species belonged to the Gymnophiona order (Siphonops paulensis). The families Leptodactylidae (20 spp.) and Hylidae (17 spp.) were dominant in terms of richness, accounting for 75.5% of all species found in Cáceres. The remaining families had between four and one species each. The municipality is strongly influenced by non-forested formations (e.g., the Cerrado and Pantanal) and presents a high species richness for a non-forested location in Brazil. Our findings highlight Cáceres as one of the richest areas in amphibian species in the North Pantanal region, expanding our knowledge regarding frog diversity. This study provides a foundation for future conservation strategies and additional assessments of amphibian species in light of potential population declines and other emerging threats.