ATIVIDADE ACÚSTICA E PADRÕES TEMPORAIS ASSOCIADOS A VARIÁVEIS CLIMÁTICAS EM RHINELLA DIPTYCHA E PHYSALAEMUS CUVIERI NO CERRADO GOIANO

Abstract

Acoustic communication is crucial for the reproduction and behavior of anuran amphibians. This study investigated the daily and seasonal vocal activity patterns of Rhinella diptycha and Physalaemus cuvieri in the Cerrado, as well as the influence of air temperature and relative humidity on their occurrence. Using passive acoustic monitoring between January 2021 and January 2022 in the Aporé-GO area, a Cerrado-Atlantic Forest transition zone, nocturnal recordings were analyzed using circular statistics and logistic regression models. The results revealed distinct patterns: P. cuvieri exhibited vocal activity concentrated in the summer (January-February), with a consistent peak around 22:00 h. In contrast, R. diptycha showed greater plasticity, with peak activity between August and October and a progressive shift in peak time (from 20:44 to 22:39 h). The probability of vocalization for P. cuvieri increased significantly with temperature (β = 0.043; p < 0.001) and humidity (β = 0.053; p < 0.001), a pattern consistent with a dependence on humid conditions. Conversely, R. diptycha showed a response to temperature three times stronger (β = 0.125; p < 0.001) but a negative relationship with humidity (β = -0.050; p < 0.001), reflecting its morphological adaptations for tolerance to drier environments. It is concluded that the species possess distinct phenological and physiological strategies, with P. cuvieri being more dependent on humid conditions and R. diptycha more tolerant to drought. These differences imply distinct vulnerabilities to climate change, with P. cuvieri being potentially more threatened by alterations in precipitation regimes.