Elaine Maria Lucas

Frog diversity in the Floresta Nacional de Chapecó, Atlantic Forest of southern Brazil

The Atlantic Forest is considered one of the worlds biological diversity hotspots but is nevertheless increasingly threatened with the rapid destruction and fragmentation of its natural areas. In the state of Santa Catarina, southern Brazil, remnants of the mixed ombrophilous forest and seasonal deciduous forest exist as islands within large areas of agriculture, pastures and human settlements. Here we present information on species richness and habitat use by anurans in the Floresta Nacional de Chapeco, located in the western portion of the state of Santa Catarina. Anurans were surveyed by active search of potential reproductive sites from December 1998 to December 2001. A total of 29 species were recorded, most of which have a known distribution restricted to southern Brazil and adjacent countries (Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay) and use open areas for reproduction. The species composition was most similar to other areas of mixed ombrophilous forest and seasonal deciduous forest from the extreme south of Brazil. The information in this study may support the implementation of conservation and management strategies in the area.

The reproductive ecology of Leptodactylus fuscus (Anura, Leptodactylidae): new data from natural temporary ponds in the Brazilian Cerrado and a review throughout its distribution

Recent studies indicate that populations historically called Leptodactylus fuscus (Schneider, 1799) comprise at least three well‐differentiated lineages. Herein, we describe the reproductive ecology of a southeastern clade population of L. fuscus, and review the characters of the reproductive ecology for several populations of the northern and southeastern clades. Most reproductive activity occurred in December and January, which coincided with the highest rainfall period. Males had an aggregated spatial distribution in the central area of the ponds. Three courtship interactions were observed. A female was observed closing the entrance to a burrow with moist sand after oviposition. This behaviour is described for the first time in L. fuscus. The review of the reproductive biology of the northern and southeastern clades indicates a relatively high plasticity in L. fuscus. Furthermore, the results corroborate the suggestion, based on molecular data, that the northern and southeastern clades of L. fuscus represent distinct evolutionary units.

Anurans, Northern Tocantins River Basin, states of Tocantins and Maranhão, Brazil

This study presents a list of anurans in the northern region of the Tocantins River Basin (states of Tocantins and Maranhao), with information regarding seasonality, habitat, and microhabitat. We recorded 38 species in 15 genera and seven families. Most species (47 %) occurred exclusively in open areas and only 11 % of the species were found in forest habitats. Around 82 % of species were observed in ponds and only 7 % occurred in streams. Regarding seasonality, 54 % were observed both in the rainy and dry seasons. The northern area of the Cerrado has being rapidly converted in monocultures and information on its anuran fauna is limited. Additional information on its biodiversity is neeed in order to provide the framework for conservation strategies.

Molecular and morphological evidence reveals a new species in the Phyllomedusa hypochondrialis group (Hylidae, Phyllomedusinae) from the Atlantic Forest of the highlands of southern Brazil.

The taxonomic status of a disjunctive population of Phyllomedusa from southern Brazil was diagnosed using molecular, chromosomal, and morphological approaches, which resulted in the recognition of a new species of the P. hypochondrialis group. Here, we describe P. rustica sp. n. from the Atlantic Forest biome, found in natural highland grassland formations on a plateau in the south of Brazil. Phylogenetic inferences placed P. rustica sp. n. in a subclade that includes P. rhodei + all the highland species of the clade. Chromosomal morphology is conservative, supporting the inference of homologies among the karyotypes of the species of this genus. Phyllomedusa rustica is apparently restricted to its type-locality, and we discuss the potential impact on the strategies applied to the conservation of the natural grassland formations found within the Brazilian Atlantic Forest biome in southern Brazil. We suggest that conservation strategies should be modified to guarantee the preservation of this species.

Amphibia, Anura, Hylidae Rafinesque, 1815 and Hylodidae Günther, 1858: distribution extension and new records for Santa Catarina, southern Brazil

In the present study we report new records of the anurans Hypsiboas curupi , Scinax littoralis , Dendropsophus elegans , and Crossodactylus schmidti for the state of Santa Catarina. These records expand the geographic distribution currently known for these species and contribute for the knowledge of the southern Brazilian anuran fauna.

Amphibia, Anura, Centrolenidae, Vitreorana uranoscopa (Müller, 1924): new record for the northeastern region of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

The Atlantic Forest Biome is among the world’s hotspots for biodiversity conservation and concentrates the greatest diversity of amphibians in the world. However, information on the distribution pattern of species is largely unknown in this biome. This study report new records of Vitreorana uranoscopa for northeast region of Rio Grande do Sul.

Anuran diversity (Amphibia, Anura) in a Seasonal Forest fragment in southern Brazil

A Mata Atlântica abriga uma expressiva e ameacada fauna de anfibios, mas o conhecimento sobre as especies ainda e bastante escasso para diversos de seus ecossistemas, como a Floresta Estacional. Este estudo teve como objetivo conhecer a diversidade de anuros no Parque Estadual Fritz Plaumann (PEFP), localizado no municipio de Concordia, Santa Catarina, sul do Brasil. O PEFP possui 741 ha, sendo a unica Unidade de Conservacao de Floresta Estacional no estado de Santa Catarina. Durante os meses de agosto de 2010 a julho de 2011 realizamos amostragens quinzenais de quatro a dez dias, a partir do entardecer ate aproximadamente a meia noite. Empregamos o metodo de busca ativa, visual e auditiva, em sitios reprodutivos e locais favoraveis ao encontro das especies. A suficiencia de amostragem foi avaliada atraves da curva de acumulacao de especies considerando as campanhas de campo como unidades amostrais. Utilizamos uma analise de similaridade para comparar a anurofauna do PEFP com outras 16 areas de Mata Atlântica. Foram registradas 23 especies. A curva de acumulacao mostrou tendencia a estabilizacao, indicando que grande parte das especies da area foi registrada. A maioria foi observada em ambientes lenticos em area aberta. A composicao da anurofauna do PEFP foi similar a areas de Floresta Ombrofila Mista e Floresta Estacional da regiao sul. Apesar de o PEFP possuir uma area relativamente pequena, a ocorrencia de anfibios especialistas de habitat e ameacados de extincao evidencia a sua importância para a conservacao da fauna regional. O prosseguimento de estudos sistematizados em longo prazo e importante para monitorar a dinâmica populacional das especies registradas e subsidiar alternativas de manejo, visando a conservacao da anurofauna de Floresta Estacional.

Amphibia, Anura, Hylidae, Phyllomedusa azurea Cope, 1862: distribution extension to southern Brazil

This note reports the presence of Phyllomedusa azurea Cope, 1862 in municipality of Agua Doce, state of Santa Catarina, southern Brazil, extending ca. 690 Km to the south the known distribution of this species. If we consider the wide distribution of P. azurea and the morphologic differences between specimens from northern and southern populations, it is possible that it could be in reality a species complex.

Crossodactylus schmidti Gallardo, 1961 (Anura: Hylodidae) in Santa Catarina state, southern Brazil: A new record and comments on its conservation status

We present a new record of Crossodactylus schmidti Gallardo, 1961 and the first record of this species in a conservation unit in Santa Catarina state. We also provide information on the habitat use and the conservation status of the species in the state.

Reptilia, Serpentes, Dipsadidae, Gomesophis brasiliensis (Gomes, 1918): distribution extension in state of Santa Catarina, Brazil

The Brazilian burrowing snake, Gomesophis brasiliensis , occurs in aquatic habitats such as swamps, from Minas Gerais and Distrito Federal until Rio Grande do Sul. In spite of this wide distribution, the species’ geographic range still remains unclear. This note reports the occurrence of G. brasiliensis in the municipality of Vargem Bonita, state of Santa Catarina, south Brazil, extending the species’ range ca. 80 km to the west in this state.