Influência de fatores bióticos e abióticos na distribuição espacial e temporal de girinos em poças temporárias na Reserva Biológica Uatumã - Amazônia Central

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects and relative importance of biotic and abiotic factors on the temporal and spatial distribution of tadpoles in temporary ponds, in Reserva Biológica do Uatumã, Central Amazon. The study area is composed of terra firme forest localized in a transitional environment between the Guiana crystalline shields and the Amazonian sedimentary basin. The species composition, richness and abundance were determined in three samplings periods during the wet season: January and February, April and June, 2012. The following variables were measured: igarapé width, width of the valley, total area of the pond, conductivity, temperature, depth of the leaf litter, canopy openness, and predator abundance. In the three sampling periods, 4.925 individuals of 20 species, distributed in 7 families, were recorded. The community did not present a uniform temporal distribution, with species substitution in each sample. Across the sampling periods, different environmental variables were responsible for the variation of community composition, such as canopy openness, conductivity and depth of the leaf litter. Nevertheless, when the three sampling periods were analyzed together, effects of depth of the leaf litter, width of the valley and vertebrate prey abundance were detected. These results suggest that pond habitats fluctuate over time. The majority of studies on tadpole communities found strong correlation of community structure and predators, as in this study. Invertebrate predators that use temporary ponds generally have short life cycles and may use the same resources as the tadpoles, operating more as potential competitors than predators. In this study vertebrate predators (fish) were the main structuring force on tadpole community in temporary ponds. In tropical pond systems, they are considered the main predators of tadpoles; they can eliminate entire populations within these environments, mainly in temporary ponds. Therefore, samplings on a single wet season are not sufficient to detect patterns of community structure, mainly when the organisms have short life cycles as the tadpoles in temporary ponds.