Impacto do fogo na ecologia trófica de Physalaemus biligonigerus (Anura, Leptodactylidae) no Pantanal

Abstract

Studies on the natural history of species are essential for understanding ecological patterns and interactions between organisms, although many amphibians are still poorly understood in this regard. Anurans are sensitive bioindicators and have been experiencing population declines on a global scale. Fire, a common disturbance in several ecosystems, can impact amphibians both directly (mortality) and indirectly, through habitat alteration and prey availability. The diet of these animals is influenced by factors such as food availability and morphological characteristics. Physalaemus biligonigerus, widely distributed in South America, presents high ecological plasticity, being a promising model to evaluate the effects of fire on diet and trophic interactions in disturbed environments. To this end, we collected these specimens in burned and unburned areas from June 2024 to April 2025 on farms around Estrada Parque, in the municipality of Corumbá, Mato Grosso do Sul, and analyzed their stomach contents and the availability of food in the environment. The study shows that in the 62 stomachs analyzed, the order Lepidoptera was the largest in volume in December in the burned area treatment (2591.56 mm³). Of the 9 categories, Formicidae was the most frequent food item in June in both treatments, October in the burned area treatment and December in the control (F = 83.0%, 400.0%, 171.4% and 160.0% respectively). Prey availability was regular, highlighting the importance of trophic ecology in understanding interactions between organisms, especially in seasonal environments, where prey availability varies significantly.