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OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was two fold. The first objective was to document the species diversity of amphibians at Bilsa Bioogical Station. Over a period of nine months, amphibian diversity was recorded along transects in pristine and disturbed forest sites as well as along roads with varying levels of human activity. These recordings contribute to the first complete inventory of species in this area, which is critical to any future conservation efforts. The second objective was to gain insight of the influences on the habitats of amphibian and how it effects their diversity and abundance.
FORESTS
RIVERS
ROADS
RESULTS
The results from this study show that the influence of disturbance on the diversity and composition of amphibian assemblages in the Mache-Chindul varies with habitat. Amphibian assemblages along rivers were the most diverse as well as the least impacted by human activity in the form of logging 12-18 years prior to this study. Diversity and species richness were much lower in secondary than in primary forest suggesting that amphibian assemblages in interior forest habitat are more vulnerable to disturbances caused by logging. Secondary rivers harboured the highest species richness followed by primary rivers.
PRIMARY
SECONDARY
IN PRIMARY FOREST
IN SECONDARY FOREST
7 species
Craugastor longirostris Epipedobates boulengeri H. sp. nov (undescribed) L. pentadactylus Oophaga sylvatica Pristimantis achantinus Pristimantis parvillus
75 individuals
(1) (1) (3) (1) (18) (50) (1)
4
Craugastor longirostris Pristimantis achatinus Pristimantis parvillus Pristimantis walkeri
104
(2) (97) (2) (3)
13
Caecilia leucocephala Cochranella albomaculara Cochranella Mache Cochranella Spinosa Centrolene prosoblepon Craugastor longirostris Epipedobates boulengeri Hyloxalus awa H.sp.nov (undescribed) Hypsiboas picturata Pristimantis achatinus Rhinella margaritifer Rhaebo haematiticus
239
(1) (2) (2) (1) (23) (2) (16) (79) 21 (18) (45) (9) (19)
12
Bolitoglossa spp. Cochranella albomaculata Centrolene prosoblepon Craugastor longirostris Epipedobates boulengeri Hyloxalus awa Hyloxalus sp.Nov Hypsiboas picturata Oophaga sylvatica Pristimantis achatinus Rhinella margartifer Rhaebo haematiticus
195
(1) (2) (14) (2) (10) (35) (21) (30) (1) (39) (28) (12)
4
Chaunus marinus Leptodactylus labrosus Pristimantis achatinus Smilisca phaeota
119
(1) (1) (114) (3)
4
Pristimantis achatinus Pristimantis subsigillatus Pristimantis walkeri Smilisca phaeota
104
(99) (1) (1) (3)
7
Caecilia nigricans Craugastor longirostris Hypsiboas pellucens Leptodactylus labrosus Pristimantis achatinus Pristimantis subsigillatus Smilisca phaeota
97
(1) (1) (1) (1) (91) (1) (1)
LOCATION
Bilsa Biological Station (79 45 W, 0 22 N, 330-730 m a.s.l) Ecuador, South America. Located in the Mache Chindul Reserve. Contains both Humid-Pre-Montane forest and Humid Tropical forest. MACHE CHINDUL RESERVE
SOUTH AMERICA
ECUADOR
Bolitoglossa species
Chaunus marinus
Caecilia leucocephala
Caecilia nigricans
Cochranella albomaculata
Cochranella mache
Cochranella spinosa
Centrolene prosoblepon
Craugastor longirostris
Epipedobates boulengeri
Hyloxalus awa
Hypsiboas pellucens
Hypsiboas picturata
Leptodactylus labrosus
Leptodactylus pentadactylus
Oophaga sylvatica
Pristimantis achatinus
Pristimantis parvillus
Pristimantis subsigillatus
Pristimantis walkeri
Rhinella margaritifer
Rhaebo haematiticus
Smilisca phaeota