Searching for an Elusive Anuran: A detection Model Based on Wheather Forecasting for the Tandilean Red-Belly Toad.

MATEO FRIEDMAN; ROSANA E. CEPEDA; AGUSTINA CORTELEZZI; MARIA V. SIMOY; CLAUDIA B. MARINELLI; FEDERICO P. KACOLIRIS; JUDIT DOPAZO; IGOR BERKUNSKY

Herpetological and Biology

Herpetological Conservation and Biology

Año: 2016 vol. 11 p. 476 - 485

1931-7603

?The study of elusive anurans requires efficient approaches to monitoring. We describe climatic variablesassociated with the probability of detection of the Tandilean Red-belly Toad (Melanophryniscus aff. montevidensis),an elusive, threatened, and endemic species of highland grasslands of Argentine Pampas. As expected foran explosive breeder, the probability of detection was strongly associated with rainfall during the previous day. Soilwater storage and daily temperatures influenced detection probability. We did not find a link between the seasonin which surveys were conducted and detection probability. The low number of days during the year when conditionsare suitable for breeding by Tandilean Red-belly Toad requires the development of an efficient field survey.The tool we have developed using weather forecast to predict detection probability provides a practical approachto effectively sampling this elusive species of conservation concern.