Selecting a Hiding Place: Anuran Diversity and the use of Bromeliads in a Threatened Coastal Sand Dune Habitat in Brazil

• Published in: Biotropica Vol. 43; no. 2; pp. 218 - 227
• Main Authors: Silva, Hélio Ricardo da, Carvalho, André Luiz Gomes de, Bittencourt-Silva, Gabriela Bueno
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Malden, USA Blackwell Publishing Inc 01-03-2011; Wiley Subscription Services; Wiley
• Subjects: Amphibia. Reptilia; Amphibians; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Anura; anuran conservation; Applied ecology; biodiversity amplifier; Biological and medical sciences; bromeliad morphology; Coastal ecology; Conservation, protection and management of environment and wildlife; Dunes; Frogs; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General aspects; Habitat conservation; Leaves; phytotelmata; Plants; resource selection; Restinga; Sand dunes; Species; Species diversity; Tropical Biology; Vertebrates: general zoology, morphology, phylogeny, systematics, cytogenetics, geographical distribution; South America; Brazil; America; ASW, Brazil, Rio de Janeiro; Brazil, Rio de Janeiro, Marica; ASW, Brazil; Monocotyledones; Sand; Endangered species; Tropical zone; Conservation; Amphibia; Salientia; Biodiversity; bromeliad morphology; Vertebrata; anuran conservation; Restinga; resource selection; Morphology; Angiospermae; Phytotelmata; Spermatophyta; Bromeliaceae; Habitat; Coastal dune; biodiversity amplifier
• ISSN: 0006-3606; 1744-7429
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1744-7429.2010.00656.x

Among vertebrates, anuran amphibians represent the highest number of species associated with bromeliads and possess a range of ecological, behavioral, and morphological specializations to life in these plants. Despite the importance of bromeliads as biodiversity amplifiers, and their diversity in some habitats, studies of the relationship between anurans and these plants are scarce in Brazil. Here, we investigated the way anurans select and use bromeliads in a threatened coastal habitat. We analyzed data from 23 standardized samples of the anurans associated with the bromeliad Neoregelia cruenta in the Restinga de Maricá, State of Rio de Janeiro, Southeastern Brazil. We found nine anuran species using these bromeliads, representing the highest richness reported for a Brazilian restinga. We identified a general pattern of bromeliad usage, where plants located at the edges of scrub patches (exposed to the sun) were more frequently occupied by anurans than those located more to the center (in the shade). There is strong evidence of an active selective process based on the quality of the water stored in the rosette, which differs between plants depending on their position in the scrub patch. Although the number of individuals varied during the period of study, the frequency of bromeliads used was constant, indicating that plant occupation follows a regular pattern throughout the year. Furthermore, the high frequency of bromeliads used by anurans during the whole year highlights the importance of considering these plants in developing conservation programs concerning the protection of anurans. Abstract in Portuguese is available at http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/loi/btp.