ABSTRACT
With the evidence of decline in amphibian populations caused by habitat changes, Brazilian hotspots need to be studied in order to increase knowledge about the group and provide better prospects for conservation. The Mesophytic Semideciduous Forest (MSF) is one of the most critically endangered ecosystems, whose extent was reduced to about 7% of the original cover, scattered in small fragments. This study aims to describe the anurofauna of a site in MSF landscape in Paranapanema River Basin, considered a geographical gap in knowledge of amphibians. In addition, we evaluated the efficiency of anuran sampling methods and verified the similarity with assemblages of the same basin. The study was conducted on the banks of the Paranapanema River, the border between São Paulo and Paraná states. We conducted nine quarterly samplings from November 2005 to November 2007, resulting in an effort of 45 sampling days. We recorded 25 amphibian species of six families. The sampling sites of reproduction method recorded the highest number of species (88.5%), and pitfall traps were also an efficient method, providing a record of about 45% of the species. By this method we recorded Physalaemus nattereri (Steindachner, 1863) andRhinella ornata (Spix, 1824), 90% of terrestrial species recorded that are typically categorized as open area species. Comparing with other Paranapanema basin assemblages, we observed a segregation of species even in areas closer, and the similarity between locations of the studies was not determined by geographic distance. Distinguishing features of the recorded species, such as reproductive mode and association to different habitats, together with degree of diversity found among assemblages, highlights the importance of preserving this region for the amphibian conservation.
KEYWORDS
Amphibians; habitat; assemblages; similarity; sampling methods
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