THE AMPHIBIAN FAUNA OF THE LOWLANDS
In presenting an account of the amphibian fauna of the lowlands of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec three items must be considered:
1. The composition of the fauna.
2. The ecology of the fauna.
3. The distribution of the fauna.
These items, together with similar data concerning the amphibians of the adjacent highlands, will form the basis for the subsequent discussion of the establishment of present patterns of distribution in the isthmian region.
Composition of the Fauna
The amphibian fauna of the lowlands of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec consists of 36 species definitely recorded from the area. These include one genus and species of caecilian, one genus, including three species of salamanders, and 14 genera and 32 species of anurans.
In comparison with the known amphibian fauna of the forested and savanna portions of El Petén, Guatemala (Stuart, 1935 and 1958), we find that there are more species recorded from the isthmus than from El Petén. Stuart found only 20 species of amphibians in both forest and savanna habitats in El Petén. Of the 36 species of amphibians known from the isthmus, 28 occur on the Gulf lowlands and live in forest or savanna habitats.
The geographic position of the isthmus with regard to major faunal areas in Middle America, and the diversity of the environment are important factors in understanding the presence of a large number of species of amphibians in the isthmus. The large number of species probably is a reflection of the diversity of the environment; this diversity is the result of fluctuation of climate, and thus environments, in the not too distant past. In no individual habitat, such as rainforest, savanna, or scrub forest, does the number of species approach the total for the region.
Ecology of the Fauna
In the preceding section on the description of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec I have outlined the major environments in the region. With respect to the distribution of amphibians we may recognize three major environments in the isthmus—rainforest, semi-arid scrub forest, and savanna. Each of these has varying combinations of physical and biotic factors that are important in the ecology of amphibians. Because of the importance of moisture, not only for the maintenance of life in these animals, but in most species their dependence on water for breeding purposes, this environmental factor is considered the most significant in the ecological distribution of amphibians. A second factor is the availability of necessary shelter, especially aestivation sites. These factors will be compared in the three major environments in the region.