Diversity of amphibians in rice fields from northeastern Argentina

The anuran biodiversity and richness of a frog community inhabiting rice fields in northeastern Argentina was surveyed and analyzed. The samples were taken between October 2001 and June 2003. Twenty six species of amphibians were identified in five microhabitats: rice fields per se, ditches and paths, natural vegetation, aquatic vegetation and gullies. The natural vegetation was the most diverse of the microhabitats, while gullies were the poorest in species. The amphibian species of three of the microhabitats adjusted to the logarithmic range-abundance model, one to the geometric and one to the broken -stick model. The data suggest that rice cropping in northeastern Argentina, if properly managed, can support a diverse anuran fauna.