Dante Pavan

A new genus of microteiid lizard from the Atlantic forests of State of Bahia, Brazil, with a new generic name for Colobosaura mentalis, and a discussion of relationships among the Heterodactylini (Squamata, Gymnophthalmidae)

Abstract A new genus and species of microteiid lizard is described from a series of specimens obtained in the leaf litter at Una (15°10′S, 39°03′W) in the Atlantic forest of southern Bahia, Brazil. It is characterized by the presence of prefrontals, frontoparietals, parietals, and interparietal; parietals longer than wide; distinct ear openings and eyelids; two pairs of genials, absence of collar and occipital scales; dorsal scales anteriorly smooth and becoming gradually lanceolate and mucronate posterior to the forelimb; and four regular transverse series of smooth ventrals that are longer than wide, identical in size. A phylogenetic analysis based on external morphology, osteology, and molecular data confirms this new lizard as a member of the Heterodactylini radiation of Gymnophthalminae. The topology recovered by maximum parsimony (MP) analyses reveals that its closest relatives are the sister taxa Colobosaura modesta and Iphisa elegans (BS  =  < 50%; Bremer value  =  2) and the partitioned Bremer indexes indicated that the largest contribution to this relationship comes from morphology; Colobosaura mentalis, for which a new generic name is here proposed, is basal to this radiation. Our analyses confirm a previous hypothesis suggesting Stenolepis as a member of the Heterodactylini radiation and that the clade composed of Colobodactylus and Heterodactylus is the sister group of the clade formed by Colobosaura mentalis-Stenolepis (BS  =  100; Bremer value  =  18), Colobosaura modesta-Iphisa (BS  =  < 50%; Bremer value  =  1), and the new genus here described. The support for Heterodactylini monophyly, on the basis of combined MP analyses is higher (BS  =  96, Bremer value  =  11) than that previously found in molecular-based studies only. Partitioned Bayesian methodology combining molecular and morphological data sets recovered the new genus as the sister taxon (PP  =  0.94) of the clade (PP  =  0.94) formed by I. elegans-C. modesta (PP  =  0.51) and C. mentalis-S. ridleyℝ (PP  =  1.0). An alternative topology demonstrating a paraphyletic Heterodactylini is only weakly supported (PP  =  0.63). Based on the MP topology we discuss tentative scenarios for the evolution of Heterodactylini.

Two New Species of Lizards of The Genus Bachia (Squamata, Gymnophthalmidae) from Central Brazil

Abstract Two new species of Bachia of the bresslaui group are described from the central Brazilian Cerrados, state of Tocantins. The two species are most similar to Bachia bresslaui and Bachia cacerensis from which they differ in limb morphology and head scalation. In both, the snout is more prominent than that of previously known species, suggesting more pronounced adaptations to fossoriality. One of the new species has stiliform forelimbs and four clawed short toes in the hind limb, an opposite pattern to the condition observed in the genus where limb reduction is more pronounced in hind limbs. The two new species were obtained in relictual sandy soil areas covered by semidecidual or open dry forest vegetation. Considering the relictual condition of these sandy areas, the possible endemism to those areas, and the high level of disturbance of the Cerrados, we strongly suggest that these areas should be the target of special conservation efforts.

A new species of Leposoma (Squamata, Gymnophthalmidae) from the remnant Atlantic forests of the state of Bahia, Brazil

Leposoma puk, a new species of the scincoides group is described from the Atlantic forests of southern state of Bahia, Brazil. The new species is characterized by a single frontonasal; elongate dorsal and lanceolate ventral scales arranged in diagonal rows; weakly striated or smooth scales on top of head; a longer than wide interparietal, with almost straight lateral margins; 17-18 pores; third supraocular the largest one, wider than long and clearly rectangular in shape; a suture between frontal and frontoparietal scales coincident with the middle of the third supraocular; and, a black pigmentation in the venter or along venter margins in males. The discovery of this new species, sympatric with Leposoma annectans, L. nanodactylus, and L. scincoides ranks the Atlantic Rainforest region of Southern Bahia first in species diversity for the genus. Zoogeography and speciation of Leposoma of the scincoides group are discussed.

Advertisement Call, Vocal Activity, and Geographic Distribution of Brachycephalus hermogenesi (Giaretta and Sawaya, 1998) (Anura, Brachycephalidae)

Abstract Brachycephalus hermogenesi is an endemic leaf litter inhabitant of the Atlantic forest of southeastern Brazil, whose original distribution included a restricted area near the boundaries of the States of São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. We were surprised to find out, while conducting herpetofaunal surveys at Estação Biológica de Boracéia (EBB), that the background forest insect–like sound we have been searching for corresponded to calling individuals of the species. Males call during the day at high densities, hidden under the leaf litter. Individuals do not answer playback, seem to move very infrequently, and seem to ignore nearby calling activity. We gathered data on annual and daily vocal activity of the species at EBB, observing a total of 1,549 calls given by 31 focal individuals in November 2003 and 2005. The call varies from short single note calls to calls composed of groups of two to seven similar notes emitted at regular intervals. We also extend the known distribution of the species southward to the State of São Paulo.

New specimens of Anolis phyllorhinus (Squamata, Polychrotidae): the first female of the species and of proboscid anoles

Among a series of eight specimens of Anolis phyllorhinus obtained in the northern part of the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil, one was determined to be the first female known for the species and the first so far reported for proboscid anoles. The female lacks the characteristic male proboscis and, excepting a few consistent differences, is morphologically similar to females of Anolis punctatus, a species closely related and broadly sympatric with A. phyllorhinus. Males and females of the new series are described and new data on their ecology and behavior presented. The new data are consistent with the hypotheses that the male proboscis probably evolved as a sexual signal and that visual signals for intra and interspecific recognition are redundant in anoles.

Review of the geographical distribution of the white-spotted frog Chiasmocleis albopunctata (Boettger, 1885) (Anura, Microhylidae)

This paper presents a review of the geographical distribution of Chiasmocleis albopunctata (Boettger, 1885), based on data from literature, scientific collections, and field notes. Our reviewing significantly enlarges the distribution of the species within the Brazilian territory, with new records for the states of Bahia, Maranhao, and Tocantins. Among all species of the genus, C. albopunctata can be considered the one with the widest latitudinal and altitudinal ranges, as well as greater environmental plasticity.