Crizanto Brito De-Carvalho

História natural de Leptodactylus mystacinus e Leptodactylus fuscus (Anura: Leptodactylidae) no Cerrado do Brasil Central

Aspects of the ecology of Leptodactylus mystacinus and Leptodactylus fuscus were investigated in an area of the Cerrado of Central Brazil. The study included use of microhabitat, activity patterns, diet and, morphometry. Observations were conducted between April, 2006, and February, 2007. The species are sexually dimorphic - females larger than males - and body size in L. mystacinus is larger than that of L. fuscus. Both species preferred the ground surface (microhabitat) of wetland habitats with herbaceous vegetation close to lentic water bodies. Leptodactylus mystacinus was observed most often in October and November (8:00-8:59 PM and 11:00-11:59 PM), and L. fuscus in November and October between 7:00 PM and 8:59 PM. The diet of both populations was based on Arthropoda, primarily Coleoptera, which was the most important order (IVI). Differences in the volumetric proportions of the categories of then preys used, and in the periods when they were most observed, are probably the factors that contribute the most to the coexistence of both species in the area. Intersexual differences in the diet were observed in both species. These differences were probably associated with the differential allocation of resources to the production of gametes or occasional differences in the use of space by the two sexes.

Nicho ecológico e aspectos da história natural de Phyllomedusa azurea (Anura: Hylidae, Phyllomedusinae) no Cerrado do Brasil Central

Aspects of the ecology and natural history of Phyllomedusa azurea were investigated in an area of Central Brazilian Cerrado between April, 2006, and February, 2007. Observations were conducted between 6:00 PM and 5:00 AM. The study focused on spatial, temporal, and trophic niches, morphometry and reproduction. Most animals were recorded vocalizing in places dominated by herbaceous vegetation and an open canopy. The main substrates used were bushes and trees, and animals were seen perched most often between 0.5 and 1.0 m of height. Spatial niche breadth was 2.91 and 3.83 for substrate and perch height, respectively. Most animal were sighted close to lentic water bodies, usually up to 0.50 m. It is possible that these characteristics are related primarily to the phylogeny of the genus and secondarily to the specific needs of the species and the local availability of resources. The bushes and trees were used by the species mainly as sites of vocalization and oviposition. Specimens of Phyllomedusa azurea was sighted most frequently between 8:00 PM and 9:00 PM. Estimated temporal niche breadth (activity period) was 4.68. Prolonged reproductive pattern was also observed predominantly in the months with higher temperature and higher humidity (September to February). The diet consisted of eleven items. The most important prey taxon for the females was Orthoptera (IVI = 63), whereas for the males, it was Araneae (IVI = 33). The breadths numeric and volumetric of the trophic niche, was respectively 1.80 and 1.16, for females, and 4.03 and 3.92, for males. Males and females differed in size (SVL) and mass, with the females being larger and heavier. The sizes of smaller reproductive individuals males and females were 34.64 and 40.33 mm, respectively. Differences in size may be related to different investments in reproduction by the two sexes.

Abundance of Callicebus barbarabrownae (Hershkovitz 1990),(Primates: Pitheciidae) and other nonvolant mammals in a fragment of arboreal Caatinga in northeastern Brazil

Abstract The semi-arid Caatinga of the Brazilian northeast is a fragile, poorly known scrubland biome, which suffers increasing anthropogenic impacts. While 143 mammal species are known from the biome, few data are available on community composition or population parameters. In the present study, a 115-ha fragment of arboreal caatinga was surveyed in northern Sergipe in 2009 using standard line transect procedures. Total transect length was 133 km, and density estimates were calculated using sighting functions. Additional information on the occurrence of mammalian species was collected non-systematically. Nine species, including three carnivores, were confirmed in the study area, but only three were recorded in the surveys, two of which [the critically endangered blond titi, Callicebus barbarabrownae (Hershkovitz 1990), and the rock cavy, Kerodon rupestris (Wied-Neuwied 1820)] are endemic to the Caatinga. The third species was the common marmoset, Callithrix jacchus (Linnaeus 1758). C. jacchus and K. rupestris were relatively abundant, with estimated densities of 169.7 and 116.7 individuals per km2, respectively, but C. barbarabrownae was rare, and the local population was estimated to contain only five individuals, i.e., approximately four individuals per km2. If typical, densities this low would probably threaten the viability of C. barbarabrownae populations at most, if not all sites in which the species still occurs.

Amphibia, Anura, Hylidae, Phyllodytes punctatus Caramaschi and Peixoto, 2004: distribution extension and first record out of the type locality

This article provides a new record of Phyllodytes punctatus in Parque Nacional Serra de Itabaiana, municipality of Areia Branca, Sergipe, northeast Brazil. This point is the first record after the description of the species.

Ceratophrys joazeirensis Mercadal, 1986 (Anura: Ceratophryidae): New state record

This article provides new records to Ceratophrys joazeirensis of two new localities from the state of Sergipe, northeast Brazil. These records extend the geographical distribution of the species for municipalities from Poco Redondo and Caninde do Sao Franscisco. These points are the first records of Ceratophrys joazeirensis for the State of Sergipe.

Reptilia, Squamata, Gymnophthalmidae, Acratosaura mentalis (Amaral 1933): distribution extension and geographic distribution map

This article provides new records to Acratossaura mentalis of two new localities from the state of Sergipe, northeast Brazil. These records extend the geographical distribution of specie for municipalities from Poco Redondo and Itabaiana. Possibly, these points are the first records of A. mentalis for the state of Sergipe.

Aves, Tyrannidae, Fluvicola nengeta (Linnaeus, 1766): new record for Distrito Federal and distribution extension

This article provides the first record of Fluvicola nengeta in Distrito Federal, Central Brazil. The distance between the new record and the nearest point where it was previously recorded is about 180 km. The deforestation associated with the mechanization and expansion of agropastoral system in the Cerrado biome, coupled with the plasticity of the species to occupy various habitats presents the major contributors in the expansion of F. nengeta , contributing to its increasing expansion in the Midwest region of the Brazil.

Amphibia, Anura, Hylidae, Dendropsophus novaisi (Bokermann, 1968) Distribution extension and geographic distribution map

A new locality is presented for Dendropsophus novaisi in the municipality of Jeremoabo, Bahia, in the Brazilian northeast. This new site represents the first record of the species within a conservation unit, the Raso da Catarina Ecological Station, and extends its known geographic range approximately 436 km north and west of the type locality.

Amphibia, Anura, Leiuperidae, Physalaemus cicada Bokermann, 1966: first records for the state of Sergipe

The genus Physalaemus is distributed from north to south in South America, east at Andes. Physalaemus cicada , belongs to the Physalaemus cuvieri group, is widely distributed and is usually found in the Caatinga calling in lentic and/or temporary water bodies. Herein, we present the first records of Physalaemus cicada for the state of Sergipe, corresponding to two localities (Serra da Guia and Monumento Natural Grota do Angico) in the municipality of Poco Redondo.