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Identification of priority areas for conservation of two endangered parapatric species of red-bellied toads using ecological niche models and hotspot analysis

2012; Elsevier BV; Volume: 10; Issue: 2 Linguagem: Inglês

10.4322/natcon.2012.026

2178-3675

Jorge Bernardo-Silva, Claiton Martins-Ferreira, Raúl Maneyro, Thales Renato Ochotorena de Freitas,

Genomics and Phylogenetic Studies

The red-bellied toads Melanophryniscus dorsalis and M. montevidensis are listed as vulnerable on the IUCN list.Uruguayan populations of M. montevidensis are no longer found near the southern limit of its distribution, and information on the ecology and distribution of both species is still needed.We are proposing consensus models and hotspot analysis to identify priority conservation areas for these toads.Here, we present a consensus model based on three algorithms that use presence-only data (BIOCLIM, GARP and Maximum Entropy).Through consensus models, we used a new OpenModeller implementation called "hotspot", which identifies areas of high environmental suitability.Our results indicated areas of high environmental suitability for both species.Fieldwork validation also indicated their absence from some high-suitability areas identified by the consensus and hotspot models.Five hotspot areas of great interest to preserve both species are proposed