Distribuição espacial e sazonal de anfíbios em quatro poças na região serrana do Espírito Santo, sudeste do Brasil: Influência de corredores florestais

Abstract

This study evaluated the composition of anuran assemblages, and also the spatial and temporal distribution of those species in four permanent ponds. Two of these ponds are connected to Atlantic rainforest fragments by forest corridor and the other two are surrounded by Eucalyptus plantation and human settlement. Twenty-two species from five families were recorded from December 2003 to November 2004. Most species and individuals collected belong to Hylidae, which presented pronounced spatial overlap. Vegetation under 0.60 m was the most used calling site. Although not statistically supported, species richness and abundance were higher in rainy than dry months. Ponds with corridors had higher species richness and fourteen species were exclusively found on these ponds. The community structure of anurans in permanent ponds at this fragmented landscape is apparently dictated by the presence or absence of forest corridors connecting ponds to forest fragments.