The Herpetological Journal

pp. 189-199

Authors: Eduard Galoyan, Anna Vassilieva & Nikolay Poyarkov Jr.

Abstract: The all-year round pit-fall trap monitoring and natural history observations in Cat Tien National Park (southern Vietnam)
describe patterns of migratory and vocal activities of terrestrial anurans. Vocalisation activity was low during the driest period
of the year and rose explosively after the first strong rains in April (up to 19 species registered), and was high during the rainy
season (May–September), however, decreased abruptly towards its end (October–November). Amphibian migratory activity
changed from the dry to rainy season, generally increasing when average monthly rainfall was higher. Some species started
aestivation in the dry season. However, some species were active during the dry season or even increased migratory activity
at this period of the year. We suggest the existence of two ecological types of forest anurans: aestivating and non-aestivating
species. The average monthly activity of aestivating amphibians coincided with rising rainfall from April to August and reduced
abruptly two months before the dry season started. Juveniles of aestivating species appeared mostly in August and September;
juveniles of non-aestivating anurans were abundant throughout the year.

Keywords: amphibians, breeding, Cat Tien National Park, migratory activity, monsoon, Vietnam