Estudo da Comunidade de anfíbios anuros ao longo de um gradiente altitudinal na Ilha Grande, Angra dos Reis, RJ. Rio de Janeiro 2010

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the altitudinal variation of the community of amphibians in a mountain of Atlantic forest of Ilha Grande, evaluating the occurrence, distribution, organization and richness of frogs at different altitudes. We established six tracks of altitude for the study: 150, 300, 450, 600, 750 and 900 meters above sea level. We use two sampling methods: the method of plots (5 x 5 meters) and the method of transection between January 2008 and March 2009. The data indicated that in the Atlantic forest of Pico do Papagaio there is a considerable richness of frog species, which varies depending on the range of altitude along the altitudinal gradient of the hill. There was a general tendency to a decrease in richness with increasing altitude, except for the altitude of 900 meters, where richness has increased compared to the altitudinal range immediately below. Our data also show that throughout the altitudinal gradient of the hill, the highest frog richness in general occur from 150 to 300 meters. Our data indicated that the density of frogs, varied significantly between the dry and rainy seasons, was negatively influenced by altitude: with an increase in altitude there was a corresponding decrease in overall density of anurans. The frogs in the region of Papagaio showed a sharp drop in abundance above 450 meters, with high dominance, in terms of numbers, of three species with direct development. Our data showed a seasonal variation in the abundances and densities of frogs in the region of Pico do Papagaio. We conclude that the Atlantic Forest region of Pico do Papagaio has a high species richness of frogs, which varies along the altitudinal gradient with the greatest richness and abundance found between 150 and 300 meters, which can be favored by the lower slope, the higher occurrence of water courses and the high rainfall that occurs in these altitudinal zones at Ilha Grande. The considerable similarity in the community component of frogs between the altitudes of 150 and 300 can result from the structural similarity of vegetation between these altitudes. The region in general had a high density of frogs, which also vary seasonally, and was negatively influenced by altitude. The observed reduction in abundance of frogs from 450 meters upward seemed to favor species with direct development.