# Assessing the effect of local heterogeneity on anuran diversity in the Serra da Capivara National Park, Piauí State, Brazil

## TL;DR

This study examines how local environmental differences affect frog diversity in a Brazilian national park.

## Contribution

The study updates the anuran checklist and evaluates the impact of local heterogeneity on frog populations in the Serra da Capivara National Park.

## Key findings

- Local heterogeneity did not significantly affect anuran species richness.
- Local heterogeneity notably influenced anuran abundance.
- Heterogeneous habitats support larger and more stable anuran populations.

## Abstract

Anurans are among the most diverse groups of vertebrates globally, and environmental heterogeneity plays a key role in shaping their diversity patterns. This study aimed to update the anuran checklist of the Serra da Capivara National Park, Piauí State, northeastern Brazil, and investigate the influence of local heterogeneity on anuran abundance and richness. We recorded 16 anuran species across five families – Bufonidae, Hylidae, Leptodactylidae, Microhylidae, and Phyllomedusidae – most of which are typical Caatinga species or widely distributed taxa. Our results indicate that local heterogeneity did not significantly affect species richness; however, it had a notable impact on anuran abundance. We highlight the importance of heterogeneous habitats in supporting larger anuran populations and enhancing population stability. This study contributes to the understanding of biodiversity patterns and the primary environmental factors affecting anuran communities in Serra da Capivara National Park, offering insights to inform current and future conservation strategies.