Contrasting anuran communities in Caatinga landscapes: effects of conservation status on species richness and composition

Abstract

The Caatinga is a Brazilian biome characterized by irregular rainfall and a hot climate. These environmental conditions play a key role in shaping the structure and organization of biological communities. However, the ecological dynamics of this semiarid region have been largely overlooked, hindering inferences about human impacts on its biological communities. In this study, we assessed the species composition and diversity of anuran assemblages over 18 months in two distinct habitats: inside a Conservation Unit (CU) in the Caatinga (National Forest of Contendas do Sincorá) and within its buffer zone (BZ), the latter affected by agricultural and livestock activities. We compared data from inside and outside the CU and evaluated the effects of conservation status, climatic factors, and different water body types (lakes and streams) on anuran richness and abundance. While 18 anuran species were recorded in the CU, the BZ presented lower richness and a slightly different species composition. Only temperature significantly influenced species richness and abundance in both areas. We suggest that variation in microhabitat structure and human-induced landscape changes could account for the differences in anuran communities. Our findings highlight the urgent need for more scientific studies in the Caatinga.