Incorporating taxonomic distinctness in diversity studies: Amphibians from Parque Estatal de la Sierra de Tabasco, Mexico

Abstract

This work compares amphibian diversity between forest and secondary vegetation, incorporating taxonomic distinctiveness in the diversity analyses. For the sampling of individuals, four transects of 200 m in length were established in both ecosystems. The samplings were carried out once a month, for six months, with day and night searches. A total of 424 individuals from nine families were recorded, belonging to 19 species of 14 genera, and for the first time Bolitoglossa veracrucis is reported for the state of Tabasco. In both ecosystems, a richness of 14 species was recorded, being the forest the one with the highest abundance with 269 individuals and the lowest in secondary vegetation with 155. The index of true diversity of order ¹D and ²D, determined that the secondary vegetation (6.28 and 4.61) is more diverse than the forest (3.43 and 1.90), with a similarity of species of 64%. The taxonomic diversity index (Δ) and taxonomic distinctness index (Δ*), showed the highest values in the secondary vegetation (Δ=2.36, Δ*=2.99) and the lowest in the jungle (Δ=1.07, Δ*=2.42). However, the average taxonomic distinctness index (Δ+), showed similar values among ecosystems. The incorporation of taxonomic distinctness in diversity studies allows to evaluate beyond the number of species, considering taxonomic distances and relationships, which could reflect the functional diversity of a community.