Marcelo Gordo

Infection rates and genotypes of Trypanosoma rangeli and T. cruzi infecting free-ranging Saguinus bicolor (Callitrichidae), a critically endangered primate of the Amazon Rainforest

Parasites of wild primates are important for conservation biology and human health due to their high potential to infect humans. In the Amazon region, non-human primates are commonly infected by Trypanosoma cruzi and T. rangeli, which are also infective to man and several mammals. This is the first survey of trypanosomiasis in a critically endangered species of tamarin, Saguinus bicolor (Callitrichidae), from the Brazilian Amazon Rainforest. Of the 96 free-ranging specimens of S. bicolor examined 45 (46.8%) yielded blood smears positive for trypanosomes. T. rangeli was detected in blood smears of 38 monkeys (39.6%) whereas T. cruzi was never detected. Seven animals (7.3%) presented trypanosomes of the subgenus Megatrypanum. Hemocultures detected 84 positive tamarins (87.5%). Seventy-two of 84 (85.7%) were morphologically diagnosed as T. rangeli and 3 (3.1%) as T. cruzi. Nine tamarins (9.4%) yielded mixed cultures of these two species, which after successive passages generated six cultures exclusively of T. cruzi and two of T. rangeli, with only one culture remaining mixed. Of the 72 cultures positive for T. rangeli, 62 remained as established cultures and were genotyped: 8 were assigned to phylogenetic lineage A (12.9%) and 54 to lineage B (87.1%). Ten established cultures of T. cruzi were genotyped as TCI lineage (100%). Transmission of both trypanosome species, their potential risk to this endangered species and the role of wild primates as reservoirs for trypanosomes infective to humans are discussed.

Macrophyte rafts as dispersal vectors for fishes and amphibians in the Lower Solimoes River, Central Amazon

*Departamento de Zoologia, Instituto de Biocieˆncias, Universidade de Sa˜o Paulo, CP 20520, 01452-990, Sa˜o Paulo-SP, Brazil†Coordenac¸a˜o de Pesquisas em Biologia Aqua´tica, Caixa Postal 478, Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazoˆnia, 69083–970, Manaus-AM, Brazil‡Nu´cleo de Altos Estudos Amazoˆnicos-NAEA, Universidade Federal do Para´ 67070-100, Bele´m-PA, Brazil§Departamento de Biologia, Universidade do Amazonas, 69970-000, Manaus-AM, Brazil¶UNESP-Rio Claro, PG Zoologia, Avenida 24-A, 1515, C.P. 199, 13506-900, Rio Claro-SP, Brazil#Laborato´rio de Ecologia de Mami´feros, Centro de Cieˆncias da Sau´de, UNISINOS, CP 275, 93022-000, Sa˜o Leopoldo-RS, Brazil(

FOAM NESTING IN A HYLID FROG (AMPHIBIA, ANURA)

ur. 22(3):696-699. RUDOLPH, D. C. 1978. Aspects of the ecology of five plethodontid salamanders of the western Ozarks. Amer. Midi. Natur. 100(1):141-159. SOKAL, R. R., AND F. J. ROHLF. 1981. Biometry, 2nd ed. W. H. Freeman, New York. 859 pp. SWEET, S. S. 1982. A distributional analysis of epigean populations of Eurycea neotenes in central Texas, with comments on the origin of troglobitic populations. Herpetologica 38(3):430-444. TAYLOR, B. E., R. A. ESTES, J. H. K. PECHMANN, AND R. D. SEMLITSCH. 1988. Trophic relations in a temporary pond: larval salamanders and their microinvertebrate prey. Can. J. Zool. 66(10):21912198.

Hunting Strategy of the Margay (Leopardus wiedii) to Attract the Wild Pied Tamarin (Saguinus bicolor)

Wild primate predation has been widely reported for various Neotropical cat species. Apparently, prey body size and predator body size are related, with large cats preying mainly on large primates. Remains from different species of primates have been observed in scats of different Neotropical cat species (Table 1). According to Cabrera and Yeppes (1940), primates are the favorite prey of Puma yaguaroundi in some regions of Central America. More recently, Miranda et al. (2005), found fingers and nails from Alouatta guariba clamitans in two fecal samples from Leopardus pardalis and suggests that the ocelot may be a potential predator of all Neotropical primates.

Effects of Forest Fragmentation on Genetic Diversity of the Critically Endangered Primate, the Pied Tamarin (Saguinus bicolor): Implications for Conservation

We analyzed DNA at 9 microsatellite loci from hair samples of 73 pied tamarins (Saguinus bicolor) located in 3 urban forest fragments and a biological reserve in the city of Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil. The forest fragments had become isolated from the continuous forest 6-15 years prior to the time of sampling. Tests for reduction in population size showed that all groups from the urban forest fragments had undergone genetic bottlenecks. Pied tamarins in this region historically formed one biological population, and the fragments were connected by high levels of gene flow. These results indicate the need to implement a conservation plan that allows for connectivity between the urban fragments, as well as protection from further constriction. Such connectivity could be achieved via the creation and protection of corridors. In addition to the current population trends explained by anthropogenic actions, the species also shows a trend of long-term demographic decline that has resulted in approximately an order of magnitude decrease and began 13 thousand years ago.We analyzed DNA at 9 microsatellite loci from hair samples of 73 pied tamarins (Saguinus bicolor) located in 3 urban forest fragments and a biological reserve in the city of Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil. The forest fragments had become isolated from the continuous forest 6-15 years prior to the time of sampling. Tests for reduction in population size showed that all groups from the urban forest fragments had undergone genetic bottlenecks. Pied tamarins in this region historically formed one biological population, and the fragments were connected by high levels of gene flow. These results indicate the need to implement a conservation plan that allows for connectivity between the urban fragments, as well as protection from further constriction. Such connectivity could be achieved via the creation and protection of corridors. In addition to the current population trends explained by anthropogenic actions, the species also shows a trend of long-term demographic decline that has resulted in approximately an order of magnitude decrease and began 13 thousand years ago.

Two new species of Amazophrynella (Amphibia: Anura: Bufonidae) from Loreto, Peru

Amazophrynella is a taxonomically poorly known bufonid genus with a pan-Amazonian distribution. A large part of this ambiguity comes from taxonomic uncertainties regarding the type species A. minuta. In this study we compare morphological and molecular data of topotypic specimens of A. minuta with all other nomical congeneric species. Based on these comparisons, we describe two new species. The first species, A. amazonicola sp. nov., differs from other recognized congeners by having a tip of snout with a small triangular protrusion (in dorsal and lateral view), spiculated body and basal webbing on fingers I and II. The second species, A. matses sp. nov., differs from congeners by the smallest snout to vent length of the genus, edges of nasal protrusion dilated and elliptical shape palmar tubercles. The two species are allopatric, where the first species is known to be associated with white sand forests (=campinaranas), while the second inhabits upland (=terra firme) forests. Both species are diagnosable by a series of substitutions in the 16S rDNA, and both species are highly divergent from their sister taxa (p-distances range from 7-14%).

Uncovering the diversity in the Amazophrynella minuta complex: integrative taxonomy reveals a new species of Amazophrynella (Anura, Bufonidae) from southern Peru.

Abstract A new species of the genus Amazophrynella (Anura, Bufonidae) is described from the departments of Madre de Dios, Cusco and Junin in Peru. An integrative taxonomy approach is used. A morphological diagnosis, morphometrics comparisons, description of the advertisement call, and the phylogenetic relationships of the new species are provided. Amazophrynella javierbustamantei sp. n. differs from other species of Amazophrynella by: intermediate body-size (snout-vent length 14.9 mm in males, n = 26 and 19.6 mm in females, n = 20), tuberculate skin texture of body, greatest hand length of the Amazophrynella spp. (3.6 mm in males, n = 26 and 4.6 mm in females, n = 20), venter coloration yellowish, tiny rounded black points covering the venter, and thirteen molecular autapomorphies in the 16S RNA gene. Its distribution varies from 215 to 708 m a.s.l. This discovery highlights the importance of the remnant forest in preserving the biodiversity in Peru, and increase in seven the species formally described in the genus Amazophrynella.

The Challenges of Survival in a Concrete Jungle: Conservation of the Pied Tamarin ( Saguinus bicolor ) in the Urban Landscape of Manaus, Brazil

The ongoing growth of the Brazilian city of Manaus—the largest urban center in the central Amazon basin—has led to extremes of habitat fragmentation and the local extinction of many animal and plant species. One species in particular—the pied tamarin (Saguinus bicolor) is threatened by this process more than most, considering that its 7,500 km2 geographic range coincides with the Manaus City region. This situation has led to the classification of the species in the endangered IUCN category, although it has previously been considered critically endangered. Dozens of small fragments of forest can still be found within the urban area of Manaus, and tamarins survive at many of these sites. In most cases, the urban matrix—with busy roads, power lines, and domestic animals—is virtually impenetrable, while the rural area to the east of the city is becoming increasingly fragmented. The reduced size and poor quality of most forest fragments and the eventual need for the dispersal of surplus individuals has highly deleterious implications for the survival of most populations. The ongoing deforestation of fragments for the establishment of residential areas has led to the death of many individuals and the reduction of remaining populations. In some cases, fragments are occupied by no more than one or two individuals although larger fragments, such as that of the UFAM campus, which covers 700 ha may contain dozens or even hundreds of S. bicolor. Dispersing animals risk dying in traffic, attacks from domestic animals, electric shocks from power lines, and capture as pets by local residents. For example, the access road to the UFAM campus that passes through the forest is responsible for the death of approximately 5 % of the local population per year. The generalized disrespect for environmental legislation and the lack of effort on the part of public authorities for the protection of this species and its habitats combine to create a bleak outlook for the remaining urban populations of S. bicolor, especially considering that even the largest remnants may not be viable over the medium to long term. The survival of these populations will depend on a concerted effort, integrating research, education, environmental monitoring, metapopulation management, and the development of adequate public policies for the protection of S. bicolor within the urban matrix of Manaus.

A New Species of Milk Frog of the Genus Trachycephalus tschudi (Anura, Hylidae) from the Amazonian Rainforest

Abstract:   We describe a new species of Trachycephalus from the Amazon Rain Forest, which is morphologically similar to T. resinifictrix (Goeldi). This new species is characterized by a medium body size for species in the genus (males snout–vent length [SVL] 57.9–74.3 mm, females SVL 74.4–84.9 mm); skin of the head not co-ossified with underlying dermal bones; dorsal skin texture, including that of the head, densely glandulous with several tubercles; paired vocal sac that protrudes at a posterior angle to the jaw when inflated; iris coloration pinkish-beige with a horizontal black bar and a vertical thin black line below the pupil; dorsal color pattern consisting of a wide interocular whitish-beige and a dark blotch on the middle of the dorsum joining the crossbar at the top of the dorsum, forming a “T” shape; rounded snout in dorsal view, and rounded or acuminate in profile; well-developed supratympanic fold; ulnar tubercles present, sometimes associated with ulnar fold; well-developed axillary membrane; well-developed tarsal fold; males with nonhypertrophied forearm; minimum frequencies of the advertisement call lower than 0.38 kHz; pulse rate 126.7–146.6 pulses/s; tadpole external coloration with brown reticulated blotches in the superior portion of the fin; tooth row formulae 2(2)/4. The new species, which is widely distributed in the Amazonian Forest, has been confused with the parapatric T. resinifictrix. It is a canopy treefrog that breeds in tree-holes that have accumulated rainwater.

Integrative overview of the herpetofauna from Serra da Mocidade, a granitic mountain range in northern Brazil

Abstract The Brazilian mountain ranges from the Guiana Shield highlands are largely unexplored, with an understudied herpetofauna. Here the amphibian and reptile species diversity of the remote Serra da Mocidade mountain range, located in extreme northern Brazil, is reported upon, and biogeographical affinities and taxonomic highlights are discussed. A 22-days expedition to this mountain range was undertaken during which specimens were sampled at four distinct altitudinal levels (600, 960, 1,060 and 1,365 m above sea level) using six complementary methods. Specimens were identified through an integrated approach that considered morphological, bioacoustical, and molecular analyses. Fifty-one species (23 amphibians and 28 reptiles) were found, a comparable richness to other mountain ranges in the region. The recorded assemblage showed a mixed compositional influence from assemblages typical of other mountain ranges and lowland forest habitats in the region. Most of the taxa occupying the Serra da Mocidade mountain range are typical of the Guiana Shield or widely distributed in the Amazon. Extensions of known distribution ranges and candidate undescribed taxa are also recorded. This is the first herpetofaunal expedition that accessed the higher altitudinal levels of this mountain range, contributing to the basic knowledge of these groups in remote areas.