Acoustic Niche Partitioning and Overlap in an Anuran Community of a Threatened Brazilian Atlantic Forest Remnant at Caparao National Park

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Donnelly, A, Schork, I, Kaizer, MC orcid iconORCID: 0000-0001-9105-9478 and Passos, LF orcid iconORCID: 0000-0003-4529-9950 (2026) Acoustic Niche Partitioning and Overlap in an Anuran Community of a Threatened Brazilian Atlantic Forest Remnant at Caparao National Park. Conservation, 6 (1).

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Abstract

Anurans are among the most threatened vertebrates worldwide, yet their acoustic ecology in fragmented habitats remains understudied. This research investigated acoustic overlaps and resource partitioning among amphibian species inhabiting Maceira Pond in Caparaó National Park, Brazil using bioacoustic methods. Six hours of recordings were analysed to determine key acoustic parameters and identify the resident species. A principal component analysis was used to assess acoustic parameters, whilst a cluster analysis examined acoustic similarities. Twelve species from four families were detected, of which eight were identified and five remained unidentified. Four species showed over 90% acoustic overlap, while two had less than 50%, with one at about 17%. Central frequency, peak frequency, duration, bandwidth, and pace significantly contributed to call differentiation. The R-value confirmed clustering patterns, indicating likely low acoustic interference due to few sympatric species. This study provides the first acoustic niche assessment for this community and highlights the need for further research on spatial and temporal partitioning in these threatened amphibian assemblages.

Item Type: Article
Subjects: G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GE Environmental Sciences
Q Science > QL Zoology
Divisions: Biological and Environmental Sciences (from Sep 19)
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date of acceptance: 20 January 2026
Date of first compliant Open Access: 12 February 2026
Date Deposited: 12 Feb 2026 14:24
Last Modified: 12 Feb 2026 14:24
DOI or ID number: 10.3390/conservation6010024
URI: https://researchonline.ljmu.ac.uk/id/eprint/28099
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