Are breeding sites a limiting factor for threatened Tandilean red-belly toad (Melanoprhyniscus aff. montevidensis, Anura, Bufonidae) at remnants of pampean highland grasslands?

CORTELEZZI AGUSTINA; BERKUNSKI IGOR; SIMOY VERÓNICA; CEPEDA ROSANA; MARINELLI CLAUDIA; KACOLIRIS FEDERICO

Neotropical Biology and Conservation

Unisinos

Año: 2015 vol. 10 p. 182 - 186

2236-3777

The selection of breeding sites in response to temporary pond characteristics has been frequently documented in several anuran species. Small and shallow temporary ponds are usually preferred. The Tandilen red-belly toad, Melanophryniscus aff. montevidensis, is an endemic species that breed in temporary ponds of remnants of highland grasslands in Tandilia mountain system, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina. The goals of this work are a) characterize breeding sites of Tandilean red-belly toad, and b) assess the availability of potential breeding sites at remnants of highland grasslands. Tandilean red-belly toad used ponds and temporary creeks in valleys and slopes of mountains. The median of dimensions for the breeding sites was 8 m length, 4 m wide and 10 cm depth (n = 40). The majority of the breeding sites were circular and of natural origin. The dominant breeding site substrates were mud and vegetation. We found 115 potential breeding sites in grassland remnants of surroundings of Tandil city, giving a density of 7.1 potential breeding sites/km2. The density of potential breeding sites in highland grasslands of Tandilia Mountains was similar in most surveyed remnants. Therefore, we suggest that size of remnant is not affecting the breeding habitat availability.