Anuran diversity in urban and rural zones of the Itacoatiara municipality, central Amazonia, Brazil

Abstract

Few studies in the Amazon region have evaluated anuran diversity in urban forest fragments or in areas with differing degrees of anthropogenic impact. We determined the composition and abundance of the anurofauna in urban and rural sites within the municipality of Itacoatiara in central Amazonia, Brazil. Specimens were sampled from January 2012 to May 2013 in 10 urban sites and five rural sites. A total of 1,538 anurans (930 in rural sites and 608 in urban sites) were recorded, belonging to 29 species in five families. Species richness was higher in rural sites, with 10 exclusive species. All species found in urban sites were also found in rural sites, however, species abundance varied considerably between the habitats. Sampling-and individualbased rarefaction curves showed a tendency toward stabilization of species richness only in the urban sites. We concluded that the anuran assemblages in the urban sites are depauperate due to the absence of many species associated to pristine terra firme or várzea and igapó forests. Habitat loss and quality degradation in urban landscapes are the main factors threatening amphibian diversity. The anuran assemblages in our study areas were similar to those recorded in other Amazonian habitats. Conservation measures involving anurans in this region should consider the preservation of habitat mosaics, including both pristine terra firme, várzea and igapó forests. Diversidade de anuros nas zonas urbana e rural de Itacoatiara, Amazônia central, Brasil RESUMOPoucos estudos avaliaram a diversidade de anuros em fragmentos florestais urbanos ou em áreas com diferentes graus de impacto antrópico na Amazônia. Neste estudo foi determinada a composição e abundância de anuros em áreas urbanas e rurais no município de Itacoatiara, na Amazônia central, Brasil. Anuros foram amostrados entre janeiro de 2012 e maio de 2013 em 10 locais na área urbana e cinco na área rural. Um total de 1.538 indivíduos (930 na área rural e 608 na área urbana) foram registrados, compreendendo 29 espécies e cinco famílias. A área rural apresentou maior riqueza de espécies, com 10 espécies exclusivas. Todas as espécies identificadas na área urbana também foram encontradas na área rural, mas a abundância das espécies entre ambas áreas variou consideravelmente. Curvas de rarefação por amostragem e por número de indivíduos tenderam à estabilização na riqueza de espécies somente na área urbana. Concluímos que a comunidade de anuros na área urbana está empobrecida devido à ausência de muitas espécies associadas à ambientes inalterados de florestas de terra firme, várzea e igapó. A degradação da qualidade e a perda de habitat nas paisagens urbanas são os principais fatores que ameaçam a diversidade de anfíbios. A comunidade de anuros registrada neste estudo foi similar às de outros habitats na Amazônia. Medidas de conservação envolvendo anuros nesta região devem considerar a preservação de um mosaico de habitats que inclua áreas naturais de floresta de terra firme, várzea e igapó. PALAVRAS-CHAVE: composição de espécies, ...

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