Seasonal phenology of anuran larvae and predatory aquatic insects in human-modified landscapes of the NW montane forest of Argentina

Abstract

Land-use change is one of the main drivers of global biodiversity loss, significantly affecting ecosystems. Small water bodies, such as ponds, are particularly vulnerable to these changes; these alterations can create new ecological conditions that affect species behaviors and interactions, particularly predator–prey dynamics. By causing unequal rates of phenological shifts among interacting species, land-use change can potentially disrupt ecological interactions. This study explores the spatiotemporal dynamics of anuran larvae communities and their potential predatory insects in temporary ponds within native forest and rural areas in the subtropical montane forest of Jujuy, Argentina. We conducted weekly surveys to characterize species diversity using diversity profiles based on Hill numbers and beta diversity partitioning method. We explored and compared species phenological patterns using circular statistical analyses. Results showed a slight impoverishment of tadpole communities in the rural habitat, while the predatory insects assemblages remained relatively unchanged. Rural land use influenced the phenology of anuran larvae and predatory insects, primarily through water availability variations. Understanding predator–prey interactions in modified environments is crucial for assessing and mitigating global biodiversity crises and ecosystem transformations. This study underscores the importance of natural predators in shaping ecosystems and influencing prey dominance under changing environmental conditions.