The impact of deforestation and pastures on the leaf-litter frog community in Rondonia, Brazil

Abundance and diversity of leaf-litter frog species were studied in forest and pasture in Rondonia, Brazil. Also, the efficiency of use of pitfall traps was examined. Pitfall traps were established in three treatments: forest interior far (> 100 m) from water; forest interior near (< 100 m) water; pasture, far from water. Species richness was typical of the Amazon region, with a total of 1,324 individuals of 27 species in nine families: Aromobatidae (1 species), Brachycephalidae (2), Bufonidae (4), Cycloramphidae (1), Dendrobatidae (1), Hylidae (5), Leiuperidae (1), Leptodactylidae (7) e Microhylidae (5). Pitfall traps captured 57% of the species known for this location, capturing mainly terrestrial and fossorial species. The greatest richness and diversity of captures were during the rainy season in the forested sites. Forest converted to pasture affects several features of the habitat that reduce habitat quality with respect to these amphibians, including fewer places for reproduction, reduced food supply, loss of leaf-litter and soil compaction all with their influence on microclimate, as well as the arrival of other species more common in open areas.