Anurans from a biodiversity hotspot in the Cerrado–Pantanal transition zone, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil

Abstract

Despite their ecological importance, anuran diversity and distribution remain poorly studied in transitional
regions of western Brazil. We surveyed the anuran assemblage in the Municipality of Corguinho, Mato Grosso do
Sul, a transitional zone between the Central Brazilian Plateau (Cerrado) and the Pantanal floodplain. We recorded 32
species in five families: Bufonidae (3), Dendrobatidae (1), Hylidae (11), Leptodactylidae (14), and Microhylidae (3).
Our results highlight the role of this underexplored ecotone in supporting a diverse anuran fauna characteristic of both
biomes. In addition to updating the regional species list, we report a substantial range extension for Pseudopaludicola
ameghini, expanding its known distribution approximately 490 km to the south. These new data reinforce the ecological
value of transitional zones and underscore the need for continued biodiversity assessments in such threatened areas.