On the other hand, only 34 ecoregions were included in all 100 optimal sets necessary to represent each species with terrestrial development at least once (Figure 1C).
Note, however, that geographic range (expressed as number of ecoregions) is not significantly different between species with aquatic larvae and terrestrial development.
Key ecoregions for both developmental modes or only for terrestrial development species are highly concentrated in the Andes and more widespread across Mesoamerica (Figures 1D and 2A C).
When analyzed separately, the percentage of species with aquatic larvae represented is closer to those with terrestrial development, though always lower than the latter (Table 1; Figure 2D F).
Moreover, if such life-history traits are not taken into consideration, priority area-setting exercises tend to favor species with terrestrial development.
Another factor which may account for this pattern is the distinct historical dispersal of anurans with aquatic larvae or terrestrial development [8], [9], [13].
Species with reproductive modes that do not require aquatic habitats for their development were classified as species with terrestrial development, whereas species that do require an aquatic habitat for larval development were classified as species with aquatic larvae.
In these studies, the pathogen primarily affected species with an aquatic larval stage such as stream- and pond-breeders, whereas most species with terrestrial development (i.e., species whose development can be completed outside water bodies) were less affected.
For each anuran subset (i.e. species with aquatic larvae or terrestrial development), we ran a simulated annealing procedure in the Site Selection Mode (SSM) routine of the SITES software program [53] [54] to find these combinations of ecoregions.
On the other hand, species with terrestrial development are expected to suffer mainly with habitat loss and fragmentation, as their life cycle depends particularly on the integrity and connection of vegetation remnants.
