ABSTRACT

The increase in anthropogenic activities that lead to fragmentation and habitat loss, could result in a reduction of connectivity among habitat patches of terrestrial species. We used ecological niche models, circuit and graph theories to evaluate functional connectivity among home-range patches and suitable habitat patches of the Mexican Leaf Frog (Agalychnis dacnicolor), in a heterogeneous landscape of tropical dry forest (TDF) in central-western Mexico. We found high connectivity among home-range patches within the Chamela-Cuixmala Biosphere Reserve (CCBR) and among those surrounding the CCBR. Similarly, suitable habitat patches along the Pacific slope (except those in the South) were well-connected. Conversely, we detected weak connectivity in the southern and eastern parts of the study area, which is in accordance with the poor habitat quality and fragmentation that characterize that zone. Suitable habitat patches with the largest areas of TDF were the most important in maintaining functional connectivity, but only one patch was within a natural protected area. Our results highlight the importance of conserving large and continuous patches of habitat in a very threatened landscape to maintain connectivity in A. dacnicolor and probably in other anurans.

摘要

导致破碎化和栖息地丧失的人为活动的增加可能导致陆地物种栖息地斑块之间的连通性降低。我们使用生态位模型、电路和图论来评估墨西哥叶蛙 ( Agalychnis dacnicolor)的家庭范围斑块和合适栖息地斑块之间的功能连通性，在墨西哥中西部热带干燥森林 (TDF) 的异质景观中。我们发现 Chamela-Cuixmala 生物圈保护区 (CCBR) 内的家庭范围斑块与 CCBR 周围的斑块之间具有高度的连通性。同样，沿太平洋斜坡（南部除外）的合适栖息地斑块连接良好。相反，我们检测到研究区南部和东部的连通性较弱，这与该区域的栖息地质量差和碎片化特征一致。具有最大 TDF 面积的合适栖息地斑块对于维持功能连通性最重要，但只有一个斑块位于自然保护区内。我们的研究结果强调了在非常受威胁的景观中保护大片和连续的栖息地以保持连通性的重要性A. dacnicolor和可能在其他无尾类动物中。