Reproductive activity of anurans in a dominant agricultural landscape from central-eastern Argentina

L. C. SANCHEZ; PELTZER P.,; LAJMANOVICH, R.C.,; A. S. MANZANO; C. M. JUNGES; ATTADEMO A.M.,

REVISTA MEXICANA DE BIODIVERSIDAD

INST BIOLOGIA

Lugar: México; Año: 2013 vol. 84 p. 912 - 926

1870-3453

Abstract. Agriculture can modify natural systems through habitat loss and fragmentation, as well as through theeffect of agrochemicals on biological traits such as reproduction. We studied anuran diversity and reproduction ofassemblages from 3 sites with different degrees of agricultural activities (an agroecosystem, a transitional area, anda natural forest) located in Entre Ríos province (Argentina). We conducted several field surveys during 2 soybeancroppingperiods from November 2006 to April 2008. A total of 23 anuran species were identified. Richness, evennessand diversity differed among sites. No range-abundance models were statistically adequate to describe the distributionof abundances within the agroecosystem, whereas the anuran species from the other 2 sites fitted the normal logarithmicmodel. The location and substrates used for nuptial calling in ponds, as well as the reproductive periods of anuranspecies varied among sites. These findings might respond to a combination of factors, such as anuran composition,species abundances, availability of reproductive microhabitats, and variation of microclimatic characteristics amongsites, the agroecosystem being the most different anuran reproductive community. Finally, our results suggest thatagricultural land use have adverse effects on the reproduction of anurans in central-eastern Argentina.