Checklist of amphibians in a transitional area between the Caatinga and the Atlantic Forest, central-southern Bahia, Brazil

Abstract

We present a list of amphibian species from Serra do Brejo Novo, municipality of Jequié, state of Bahia in Brazil, a transition zone between the Caatinga and the Atlantic Forest that encompasses a great diversity of species and reproductive modes. Between November 2009 and April 2010 we surveyed the area using pitfall traps and between August 2010 and February 2012 data was collected using active search methodology. We recorded 32 species belonging to seven families. The unexpected composition of species and reproductive modes of this community highlight the importance of species inventories and also the need for exploring transitional areas to understand the ecological mechanisms responsible for changes in community structures between different zones.