Influence of Natural and Artificial Habitats and Microhabitats on Urban Amphibian Diversity and Behavior
Species presence in urban landscapes is driven by complex biological and environmental interactions. In this study, we evaluated habitat and microhabitat selection by amphibians in urban environments using correspondence analysis, multiple correspondence analysis, and preference analysis. Data on ha...
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MDPI AG
2025-04-01
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| author | Rocio Pamela Demartín Romina Ghirardi Javier Alejandro López |
| author_facet | Rocio Pamela Demartín Romina Ghirardi Javier Alejandro López |
| author_sort | Rocio Pamela Demartín |
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| description | Species presence in urban landscapes is driven by complex biological and environmental interactions. In this study, we evaluated habitat and microhabitat selection by amphibians in urban environments using correspondence analysis, multiple correspondence analysis, and preference analysis. Data on habitats, microhabitats, and activities were recorded for 26 amphibian species in urban areas. All species were observed in natural habitats, while only 11 in artificial habitats. <i>Leptodactylus latinasus</i>, <i>Leptodactylus macrosternum</i>, <i>Rhinella arenarum</i>, and <i>Rhinella dorbignyi</i> were found in both habitat types, in both aquatic and terrestrial environments. Most individuals (74%) were recorded in natural habitats, predominantly aquatic ones. In artificial habitats (26%), <i>R. arenarum</i> was the most abundant species, primarily using terrestrial habitats. All species exhibited some degree of habitat preference, even generalist species. Amphibian activities were also linked to habitat type, with natural aquatic habitats primarily used for breeding and natural terrestrial habitats for refuge, foraging, and other activities. Our results highlight that heterogeneous natural habitats promote greater species diversity, while artificial habitats restrict amphibian presence. However, the capacity of certain species to adjust to artificial environments underscores the need to enhance these habitats by adding bodies of water, bare ground, and vegetation of all kinds to support the conservation of urban amphibians. |
| format | Article |
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| issn | 1424-2818 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
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| spelling | doaj-art-efa030eb37d54d709704f9d77ce30f0f2025-08-20T03:13:44ZengMDPI AGDiversity1424-28182025-04-0117429210.3390/d17040292Influence of Natural and Artificial Habitats and Microhabitats on Urban Amphibian Diversity and BehaviorRocio Pamela Demartín0Romina Ghirardi1Javier Alejandro López2Grupo de Estudio sobre Anfibios, Laboratorio de Biodiversidad y Conservación de Tetrápodos, Instituto Nacional de Limnología (INALI: CONICET-UNL), Santa Fe 3000, Provincia de Santa Fe, ArgentinaGrupo de Estudio sobre Anfibios, Laboratorio de Biodiversidad y Conservación de Tetrápodos, Instituto Nacional de Limnología (INALI: CONICET-UNL), Santa Fe 3000, Provincia de Santa Fe, ArgentinaGrupo de Estudio sobre Anfibios, Laboratorio de Biodiversidad y Conservación de Tetrápodos, Instituto Nacional de Limnología (INALI: CONICET-UNL), Santa Fe 3000, Provincia de Santa Fe, ArgentinaSpecies presence in urban landscapes is driven by complex biological and environmental interactions. In this study, we evaluated habitat and microhabitat selection by amphibians in urban environments using correspondence analysis, multiple correspondence analysis, and preference analysis. Data on habitats, microhabitats, and activities were recorded for 26 amphibian species in urban areas. All species were observed in natural habitats, while only 11 in artificial habitats. <i>Leptodactylus latinasus</i>, <i>Leptodactylus macrosternum</i>, <i>Rhinella arenarum</i>, and <i>Rhinella dorbignyi</i> were found in both habitat types, in both aquatic and terrestrial environments. Most individuals (74%) were recorded in natural habitats, predominantly aquatic ones. In artificial habitats (26%), <i>R. arenarum</i> was the most abundant species, primarily using terrestrial habitats. All species exhibited some degree of habitat preference, even generalist species. Amphibian activities were also linked to habitat type, with natural aquatic habitats primarily used for breeding and natural terrestrial habitats for refuge, foraging, and other activities. Our results highlight that heterogeneous natural habitats promote greater species diversity, while artificial habitats restrict amphibian presence. However, the capacity of certain species to adjust to artificial environments underscores the need to enhance these habitats by adding bodies of water, bare ground, and vegetation of all kinds to support the conservation of urban amphibians.https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/17/4/292amphibiansurban heterogeneityhabitatmicrohabitatactivityselectivity |
| spellingShingle | Rocio Pamela Demartín Romina Ghirardi Javier Alejandro López Influence of Natural and Artificial Habitats and Microhabitats on Urban Amphibian Diversity and Behavior Diversity amphibians urban heterogeneity habitat microhabitat activity selectivity |
| title | Influence of Natural and Artificial Habitats and Microhabitats on Urban Amphibian Diversity and Behavior |
| title_full | Influence of Natural and Artificial Habitats and Microhabitats on Urban Amphibian Diversity and Behavior |
| title_fullStr | Influence of Natural and Artificial Habitats and Microhabitats on Urban Amphibian Diversity and Behavior |
| title_full_unstemmed | Influence of Natural and Artificial Habitats and Microhabitats on Urban Amphibian Diversity and Behavior |
| title_short | Influence of Natural and Artificial Habitats and Microhabitats on Urban Amphibian Diversity and Behavior |
| title_sort | influence of natural and artificial habitats and microhabitats on urban amphibian diversity and behavior |
| topic | amphibians urban heterogeneity habitat microhabitat activity selectivity |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/17/4/292 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT rociopamelademartin influenceofnaturalandartificialhabitatsandmicrohabitatsonurbanamphibiandiversityandbehavior AT rominaghirardi influenceofnaturalandartificialhabitatsandmicrohabitatsonurbanamphibiandiversityandbehavior AT javieralejandrolopez influenceofnaturalandartificialhabitatsandmicrohabitatsonurbanamphibiandiversityandbehavior |