Protected core areas safeguard tadpole health: Evidence from Aplastodiscus perviridis in a Brazilian Atlantic Forest Reserve.

Abstract

Amphibians are among the most vulnerable group of animals to global decline and extinction. Protected areas aim to mitigate these threats by conserving habitats and reducing anthropogenic activities. The Natural Park of Sertão (NPS) safeguards a critical fragment of the Atlantic Forest, a biome severely impacted by deforestation. We investigated the health of Aplastodiscus perviridis tadpoles across different environments within the NPS (core, edge, and buffer zones) and assessed the water quality of their habitats. Our findings revealed significant differences in tadpole body size, body condition, and erythrocyte nuclear abnormalities (ENAs) among three zones. Tadpoles from the buffer zone exhibited the smallest body size, the lowest Body Mass Index (BMI) and the Scaled Mass Index (SMI), and the highest frequency of ENAs. In contrast, the core zone provided the most favorable conditions, with tadpoles displaying greater energy reserves, physical fitness, and fewer genetic abnormalities. ENAs were correlated with the number of detected pesticides, suggesting an effect of pesticide mixtures. This is supported by the higher number of pesticides found in the buffer zone. These findings underscore the importance of protected areas in conserving amphibians' populations, particularly in safeguarding core habitats from external contaminants.