Luciana B. Nascimento

Habits hidden underground: a review on the reproduction of the Amphisbaenia with notes on four neotropical species

We review the information currently available on the reproduction of the Amphisbaenia and provide original data on the reproductive biology of four Neotropical species: Amphisbaena alba; A. mertensi; Cercolophia roberti ,a nd Leposternon infraorbitale. In total, we compiled data for 22 species: 17 Amphisbaenidae, 1 Rhineuridae, 3 Bipedidae, and 1 Trogonophidae. The majority of the species were oviparous with the exceptions of Loveridgea ionidesii, Monopeltis anchietae, M. capensis ,a ndTrogonophis wiegmanni. Viviparity was interpreted as a derived trait that evolved independently for at least 3 times within the Amphisbaenia. In most species, reproduction is synchronized with the hot and rainy season and seems to vary with latitude. Although Amphisbaenia eggs have been found in ant nests, it remains disputable whether this is an obligatory or even a preferable location for egg-laying. Incubation time in A. mertensii lasts 59 days and this is the first report encompassing egg-laying to hatching for any Amphisbaenia species. Nonetheless, a two months incubation period seems to be the common rule for oviparous Amphisbaenia. The general pattern of reproductive output in Amphisbaenia is characterized by a low number of eggs/embryos per clutch whose individual size is comparatively large in relation to adult body size. Eggs are markedly elongated on the long axis and arranged in-line within the abdominal cavity possibly to prevent/diminish biomechanic drawbacks of egg bearing. Hatchlings of A. mertensi possess an egg-tooth implanted at the upper jaw, exhibit positive geotropism, and display defensive behaviors known to be present in adults. Our review shows that our current knowledge of Amphisbaenia reproduction is fragmentary, often based on the examination of small samples, and heavily dependent on the publication of anedoctal observations. Future publications on this subject are encouraged.

A new species of the genus Physalaemus Fitzinger, 1826 (Anura, Leiuperidae) from Southeastern Brazil

Abstract A new species of the genus Physalaemus is described from Serra da Pedra Branca do Araraquara, Municipality of Guaratuba, State of Paraná, southern Brazil. Belonging to the P. olfersii species group, Physalaemus insperatus sp. nov. is closely related to P. aguirrei and presents well-developed vocal sacs expanded laterally to the supratympanic fold, digits very thin, and large inguinal glands.

TAXONOMIC STATUS OF GOMPHOBATES MARMORATUS REINHARDT AND LÜTKEN, 1862 “1861” AND EUPEMPHIX FUSCOMACULATUS STEINDACHNER, 1864 (AMPHIBIA, ANURA, LEPTODACTYLIDAE)

Abstract An analysis of specimens deposited in herpetological collections and identified as Physalaemus fuscomaculatus demonstrated that these differ from the types of this taxon, Eupemphix fuscomaculatus, Consequently, the taxonomic status of Gomphobates marmoratus and Eupemphix fuscomaculatus was revised based on the types and on data in the literature. Gomphobates marmoratus is associated to the genus Physalaemus, as Physalaemus marmoratus, and refers to specimens previously identified as Physalaemus fuscomaculatus, Additionally, Eupemphix fuscomaculatus is associated to the genus Pleurodema in the combination Pleurodema fuscomaculata.

A New Species of Hypsiboas of the H. polytaenius Clade from Southeastern Brazil (Anura: Hylidae)

ABSTRACT. Anew species, belonging to the clade of Hypsiboas polytaenius, is described from the region of Veredas de Botumirim (17°07′S, 43°02′W, 659 m altitude), Municipality of Botumirim, State of Minas Gerais, Southeastern Brazil. The new species is characterized by its medium size (CRA 25.9–31.8 mm in males; 33.6 mm in female), head width about 27% of SVL, snout rounded in dorsal and lateral views, supra-cloacal crest and calcar absent, fingers with developed discs, similar to toe discs, webbing poorly developed between fingers, moderately developed between toes, and dorsal color pattern composed of four longitudinal pale brown stripes, separated by three narrow dark brown stripes, each pale brown stripe having dark brown longitudinal lines.

Life History Aspects of Oxyrhopus trigeminus (Serpentes: Dipsadidae) from Two Sites in Southeastern Brazil

Abstract We studied the reproduction, sexual dimorphism, and diet of Oxyrhopus trigeminus from two sites in southeastern Brazil. Oxyrhopus trigeminus from Irapé Power Plant (IPP) contained vitellogenic follicles and eggs in both rainy and dry seasons and clutch size was not correlated with female snout–vent length (SVL). Sexual dimorphism was evident. Females attain larger SVL but males have longer tails. We found three females from Santa Clara Power Plant (SPP) with vitellogenic follicles, all of them collected in the dry season. Mean SVLs of adult females from IPP and SPP were 717.7 mm and 786 mm, respectively. Mean SVL of adult males from IPP was 553.4 mm and the single adult male from SPP was 507 mm. The diet of O. trigeminus from IPP included rodents (46.7%), lizards (33.3%), and birds (20%). The volume of individual prey items was not correlated with snake SVL. The diet of O. trigeminus from SPP included rodents (37.5%), lizards (37.5%), birds (12.5%), and marsupials (12.5%). It seemed that an ontogenetic shift may occur in individuals of this snake species from IPP.

A new species of Diurnal Frog in the genus Crossodactylus Duméril and Bibron, 1841 (Anura, Leptodactylidae) from Southeastern Brazil

A new species of Crossodactylus, belonging to the C. gaudichaudii species group, was described from the Municipality of Santa Maria do Salto, in the Atlantic Rain Forest of the State of Minas Gerais, southeastern Brazil. The new species was characterised by its: small size; slender body; head being longer than its width; snout rounded in dorsal view and protruding in lateral view; skin very granulated on sacral region; males having four to six keratinized conical spines arranged in a circle on their thumb; inner tarsal fringe extensively developed; toes extensively fringed on both edges; and ventral body surface with brownish blotches and short stripes. The descriptions of advertisement calls and tadpoles are included. Resumo. Uma nova especie de Crossodactylus, pertencente ao grupo de C. gaudichaudii, e descrita do municipio de Santa Maria do Salto, na Mata Atlântica do Estado de Minas Gerais, sudeste do Brasil. A nova especie e caracterizada pelo corpo esbelto, cabeca mais longa que larga, focinho arredondado em vista dorsal e protuso em vista lateral, pele bastante granulada na regiao sacral, machos possuindo de quatro a seis espinhos corneos conicos, dispostos em circulo no polegar, fimbria tarsal interna bastante desenvolvida, artelhos bastante fimbriados em ambas as margens e superficie ventral do corpo com manchas e pequenas faixas amarronzadas. Descricoes do canto de anuncio e do girino sao apresentadas.

A new species of Phasmahyla Cruz, 1990 (Anura: Hylidae) from the Atlantic Rain Forest of the States of Minas Gerais and Bahia, Brazil

A new species of the genus Phasmahyla is described from Atlantic Rain Forest fragments at the Fazenda Duas Barras, Municipality of Santa Maria do Salto, northeastern State of Minas Gerais, at the Reserva Particular do Patrimonio Natural (RPPN) Serra do Teimoso, Municipality of Jussari, and at the Fazenda Santa Cruz, Municipality of Arataca, southern State of Bahia, Brazil. The new species is recognized by its medium size for the genus (SVL 33.3 to 38.0 mm in males, 42.8 to 48.6 mm in females); purple drops on flanks and concealed surfaces of forearm, thigh, and digits; male with moderate nuptial pad of minuscule horny asperities on finger I; tympanum distinct only on ventral half; supratympanic fold weakly developed and visible only behind the tympanum; loreal region slightly obtuse; larval oral disc with distinct upper and second lower series of horny teeth; and second lower series of horny teeth slightly shorter than the upper one.

The Use of Photography to Identify Individual Tree Frogs by Their Natural Marks

ABSTRACT. Many research questions require the recognition and permanent identification of individual organisms. The use of photography for this identification from their natural marks is a non-invasive technique that can be applied to species with variable color patterns. The goals of this study were to describe the method of photographic identification by natural marks of individuals of Scinax longilineus and to test the feasibility of implementing this method in field research. Fieldwork was conducted in April, May, and August 2006, April 2007 and May 2008. Individuals were collected, photographed, and released at the same location, except for two pairs that were taken to the laboratory and preserved after identification experiments. In the laboratory, observers were selected to compare the photographs, which were organized in a database, with live animals in order to test the ease and accuracy of recognition of individuals from natural marks. Twenty-four males and 44 females were photographed, generating a database of 156 photographs. Tests conducted with observers had a high percentage of correct answers (93.75% for tests with photographs and 92.5% for tests with live animals) and no difference between the efficacy of the two identification methods was detected.

Anurans in a forest remnant in the transition zone between cerrado and atlantic rain forest domains in southeastern Brazil

This study presents the species richness, temporal distribution and reproductive activity of anurans from the Uaimií State Forest (Floresta Estadual do Uaimií - FLOE Uaimií), situated in the Quadrilátero Ferrífero region, municipality of Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais state, Brazil. Field activities were performed monthly from September 2009 to August 2010. We recorded 36 anurans species, distributed in 10 families. The greatest richness of the sampled sites corresponds to a permanent rivulet in a secondary forest. The majority of anuran species presented seasonal vocalization activity pattern, mainly in the rainy season. The anuran species composition of FLOE Uaimií is similar to others studied areas from the Quadrilátero Ferrífero region.

Habitat use by a tree frog species of Scinax (Amphibia, Hylidae) at an urban forest fragment from south-eastern Brazil

We studied the pattern of habitat use by the tree frog Scinax aff. perereca. Fieldworks were performed from August 1996 to August 1997 at Parque das Mangabeiras, Belo Horizonte, State of Minas Gerais, southeastern Brazil. Calling males were observed in September, October and December 1996, February to April and June 1997. Females were found only in October 1996. Specimens were found perched on vegetation, on the ground or on stones near waterfall. At Parque das Mangabeiras, S. aff. perereca occupied nine types of substrata. The most frequently used substrata were shrubs, stones at the stream edges, and fallen trunks. The pattern of spatial occupation varied among months. Males were found calling in aggregations on the vegetation and spatial niche breadth was related to species abundance.