Jorge Jim

Similaridade do sítio de vocalização em uma comunidade de anfíbios anuros na região noroeste do Estado de São Paulo, Brasil

The breadth and overlap of male call site were determined for 15 anuran species from a temporary pond in Northwestern Sao Paulo State, Brazil. Four measurements were made at the point of capture of each calling male and the frequency of mating call was determined. There was a high overlap along each variable of call site, but less than 28% of possible species pairs presented high overlap for all variables. Taxonomically related species pairs calling from grass presented spatial and acoustic segregation, while those calling from the graund presented only acoustic segregation. The similarity of call site seems to be not only related to the taxonomic relationships but also with the body size and spatial heterageneity.

Water balance and locomotor performance in three species of neotropical toads that differ in geographical distribution

Water availability in the environment is a fundamental factor in determining the limits of geographical distribution and the evolution of the physiological characters associated to water balance in anurans. In this paper, we compare some aspects of water balance and the sensitivity of locomotor performance to dehydration at different temperatures for three species of toads from the genus Rhinella, with different levels of dependence on forested environments. Results show patterns associated to interspecific differences in both geographical distribution and time of seasonal reproduction. Sensitivity of locomotor performance to dehydration was lower at low temperatures for R. icterica, the species that are reproductively active during winter and lower at intermediate temperatures for R. schneideri, the species that reproduces mostly during spring, suggesting a pattern of thermal adaptation of locomotor performance for these species. Otherwise, R. ornata, a species with broader reproductive season, shows high sensitivity of locomotor performance to dehydration at all temperatures tested, suggesting a stronger relation of breeding activity with patterns of rainfall than temperature variation. Furthermore, the low rates of water uptake of R. ornata may pose restrictions on the occupation of open areas by this species.

Diets of tadpoles from a temporary pond in southeastern Brazil (Amphibia, Anura)

The diet of tadpoles of 13 anuran species was determined to verify whether food resource partitioning occurs and whether the degree of diet similarity is related to taxonomic affinity. Tadpoles of all species studied were mainly herbivorous, except for these of Leptodactylus fuscus (Schneider, 1799) which were mycophagous. Although some species had exclusive items in their diet, most tadpole species ingested the same items, but differed in the amount of each item consumed. Two guilds were found: tadpoles that feed on diatoms on the pond bottom, and tadpoles that feed on Oedogonium Link, 1820 algae in midwater. Diet similarity was related to the taxonomic relationship, microhabitat and feeding behavior of tadpoles indicating that the community organization is complex and resulting from the interaction of several parameters.

Comparative cytogenetic studies of Bufo ictericus, B. paracnemis (Amphibia, Anura) and an intermediate form in sympatry

Specimens of Bufo ictericus, Bufo paracnemis and a third type, considered an intermediate subgroup between these species, were cytogenetically studied by conventional Giemsa staining, C-banding and staining of the nucleolus organizer region (NOR). The nuclear DNA content and seroproteins were also analyzed to characterize these species, and verify the possibility of hybridization between them. Karyotypes and cytogenetic markers were essentially equal on the basis of the methods used. The DNA nuclear content found was 6.25 ± 0.30 pg/DNA in Bufo ictericus; 7.57 ± 0.40 pg/DNA in Bufo paracnemis and 7.04 ± 0.29 pg/DNA in the intermediate subgroup. Eletrophoresis of total blood serum in Bufo ictericus, Bufo paracnemis and the intermediate specimens revealed a remarkable difference in the patterns of the protein bands whose molecular weight corresponded to that of albumin. While the parental species presented two different bands, the intermediate form presented 4. However, only three of these bands were seen in each specimen. The results obtained pointed to a high probability for natural hybridization between Bufo ictericus and Bufo paracnemis in the site and specimens studied.

Anurofauna em área de cerrado aberto no município de Borebi, estado de São Paulo, Sudeste do Brasil: uso do habitat, abundância e variação sazonal

Cerrado biome is mischaracterized and less than three percent of its original areas are legally protected. The anuran fauna of this biome is not very rich when compared with others biomes, but there are a large number of endemic species. Here we present a list of anuran species recorded in a pond in an open cerrado area in the municipality of Borebi, middle-western region of the Sao Paulo state, Southeastern Brazil. For 24 months (2008 and 2009), we characterized the distribution of species on the studied pond and seasonal variation of species occurrence. We recorded 27 species from six families: Bufonidae (two species), Cycloramphidae (one species), Hylidae (13 species), Leiuperidae (four species), Leptodactylidae (five species), and Microhylidae (two species). Species richness and abundance were related to rainfall. Dendropsophus minutus vocalized through the year, while Rhinella ornata and Odontophrynus americanus were restricted to the dry and cold period (April - August). The other species had their period of higher activity during the warm and rainy months (September - March). The distribution of species within the pond was related to the type of vegetation and to the variation on water volume of the pond, principally during dry periods. Anurans richness and abundance at the pond can be a result of the absence of predatory fish, the different types of available microhabitats and the absence of other water bodies nearby.

Variação temporal no sítio de vocalização em uma comunidade de anuros de Botucatu, Estado de São Paulo, Brasil

A study on temporal variation in calling site use in a community of anurans was carried out in a permanent pond, between October of 1996 and February of 1998, in southeastern Brazil. Fourteen species of anurans were registered, belonging to the families: Hylidae, Leptodactylidae, Leiuperidae, and Bufonidae. Most species in the community were accidental (n = 6) and the majority vocalized in the hot and humid months (October to February). A sucessional pattern in time distribution and a significant statistical correlation between the richness and climatic variables was observed. However, significant statistical correlation between monthly abundance and climatic variables was found only for four species. The analysis of niche breadth, given by the Index of Levins, indicated that the majority of the species was specialist in the use of the two considered resources. The Coefficient of Similarity of Morisita-Horn did not point overlap in time occurrence, but a high overlap in calling site use was detected. Multidimensional overlap showed intermediate values between studied dimensions.

Herpetofauna em uma área de Floresta Atlântica na Ilha Anchieta, município de Ubatuba, sudeste do Brasil

The aim of this work was to study of herpetofaunal diversity patterns in Parque Estadual da Ilha Anchieta, municipality of Ubatuba, located on the northern coast of Sao Paulo state, focusing: diversity, distribution and seasonal activity patterns. Data was obtained monthly from July 2005 to June 2006, in a total of 55 fieldwork days. Four sampling methods were used: visual surveys, pitfall traps, funnel traps and local collectors. Visual surveys and pitfall traps were more successful than other methods, which were complementary. A total of 17 anuran amphibians and eight reptile species were recorded. As in most studies in tropical areas, local herpetofauna presented a relatively low evenness, and differred from other communities by showing higher number of common species in relation to the rare ones. Anuran richness was higher in the closed physiognomies (deciduous and non-deciduous broadleaf forest), while reptiles richness was more representative in the anthropic field (open physiognomy). Correlation analyses showed that amphibian richness was not significantly associated with environmental parameters and reptile richness was significantly associated to temperature means. Our results demonstrate the importance of conservation of this island within the protected area of Parque Estadual da Ilha Anchieta.

Anurofauna de remanescentes de floresta Atlântica do município de São José do Barreiro, estado de São Paulo, Brasil

The municipality of Sao Jose do Barreiro (SP) located in the Atlantic Forest Domain, at elevations between 480 and 2088 m above sea level, exhibit ample topografic and climatic complexity that result in the presence of severals phytophysionomies with High Mountain Grasslands, Seasonal Semideciduous Forest, Tropical Rainforest, and Araucaria Forest. The aim of this study was to verify the anuran species richness in two different forest habitats in this area, one in a Seasonal Semideciduous Forest and the other in a Tropical Rainforest. Animals were collected by active search from April 2004 to December 2006. In the studied period, we registered 35 anuran species in nine families. The anuran richness observed in the studied region is similar to other localities considered preserved, as the Estacao Ecologica Jureia-Itatins (Peruibe, SP) and Serra do Japi (Jundiai-SP). The similarity in species composition among seven localities in Atlantic Forest in Sao Paulo state was associated to the vegetal types of the studied areas. The ample altitude variation, the presence of different types of vegetation, and the little knowledge of the local fauna in this region, make the surveys very important to support future studies on species conservation.

Tadpole of Odontophrynus moratoi (Anura, Leptodactylidae)

Departamento de Zoologia Universidade Estadual Paulista, Caixa Postal 136, CEP 15054-000, Sao Jose do Rio Preto

Biologia reprodutiva de Dipsas neivai Amaral e D. catesbyi (Sentzen) (Serpentes, Colubridae) no sudeste da Bahia, Brasil

The reproductive biology of Dipsas neivai Amaral, 1923 and Dipsas catesbyi (Sentzen, 1796), was studied by dissecting 261 specimens of D. neivai and 222 of D. catesbyi. In D. neivai males mature at smaller body size than females, and in D. catesbyi the opposite was observed. The females were larger than males in both species. The clutch size ranged from one to eight in D. neivai, and one to six in D. catesbyi, but it is not correlated with female length in the last one. Reproductive cycles in both males and females are aseasonal, with vitelogensis and spermatogenesis occurring throughout the year. The couple in females of D. neivai is dissociated from the vitellogenesis. D. neivai and D. catesbyi are syntopic and reproduce in the same time of the year, which is possibly related to the continuous availability of prey and little climate variation in southern Bahia.