Abstract: In the context of global biodiversity decline, biodiversity is becoming one of the hottest research topics in the field of contemporary ecology. Amphibians have unique habits and life histories, so that, they can be used as indicators to judge environmental quality. To understand the current status and spatio-temporal pattern of amphibian diversity in Yinggeling National Nature Reserve, Hainan Province, 11 sampling transects representing three habitats (stream, river, and cropland) were established. Field investigations were conducted in April, June, and August of 2018. A total of 535 individuals belonging to one order, five families, seven genera and nine species were recorded. Limnonectes fragilis is a vulnerable species endemic to Hainan, and Fejervarya multistriata is the dominant species. Species diversity indexes did not differ significantly among the three months, whereas significantly more amphibians were observed in April and June than in August. Species diversity indexes varied significantly among the three habitat types, with all three indexes (Shannon-Wiener index, Pielou's evenness index, and Simpson index) being comparatively lower in farmland habitats. This investigation has shown the current situation and distribution pattern of amphibians in Yinggeling Nature Reserve, and the way of how to combine with natural and anthropogenic factors in making relevant suggestions on protection of local amphibian diversity and environments.

Key words: amphibian, species diversity, spatio-temporal pattern, Yinggeling National Nature Reserve, Hainan