Pedro M. Sales Nunes

Anfíbios da Estação Ecológica Serra Geral do Tocantins, região do Jalapão, Estados do Tocantins e Bahia

The Northern part of Cerrado is one of the biologically poorest known areas in the domain. Recent studies revealed richness values that are as high as those from other sites in the domain. The Estacao Ecologica Serra Geral do Tocantins is located in a region known as Jalapao, in Northeastern Cerrado, and it is included in the largest set of protected areas in the domain. We describe amphibian richness and species composition in EESGT, and discuss it in a biogeographic context. We also describe breeding sites focusing on phytophysiognomy and types of water bodies. We sampled amphibians through active search and pitfall traps, during the peak of breeding season for most of the anuran species in Cerrado. We registered 36 species, which coupled with former studies results in a regional richness of 39 species known for Jalapao. After applying Jackknife estimator, we suggest a potential richness of 42 species for the EESGT. Most registered species are endemic or strongly associated to Cerrado, followed by species widespread in Brazil or South America, and those associated with Caatinga. Most species breed in temporary ponds located in open areas, although there are some forest specialists, and stream-breeding species.

Two new endangered species of Anomaloglossus (Anura: Aromobatidae) from Roraima State, northern Brazil

We describe two new species of Anomaloglossus from Roraima State, Brazil, that are likely endemic to single mountains currently isolated among lowland forest and savanna ecosystems. The first species, Anomaloglossus tepequem sp. nov. was collected in 1986 and 1992 along a single stream at >500 m elevation on a tepui-like mountain named Tepequém, but was not detected during recent investigations. It is mainly diagnosed from other Anomaloglossus species by its well developed foot webbing, immaculate cream abdomen colouration and small body size (males: 18.2-20.1 mm, females: 21.7-24.5). The second species, Anomaloglossus apiau sp. nov. was found along several streams between 500 and 1400 m elevation on Serra do Apiaú, and is mainly diagnosed from congeners by its weakly webbed feet, males with swollen third finger and ventrolateral stripe formed by white dots, and its advertisement call; a long trill (up to almost 40 s) consisting of pairs of very short pulses. The discovery of these two apparently microendemic species suggests that additional Anomaloglossus species remain to be described in the Guiana Shield. Both species should be considered critically endangered given their seemingly reduced range size, association with highland habitat, and the anthropogenic pressure they currently face.

Taxonomy, Hemipenial Morphology, and Natural History of Two Poorly Known Species of Anadia (Gymnophthalmidae) from Northern South America

Abstract Anadia pariaensis Rivas, La Marca, and Oliveros, 1999, and Anadia steyeri Nieden, 1914, are two particularly rare and poorly known lizards described from single specimens. In the case of A. pariaensis, it remains known from the holotype, whereas A. steyeri is known from three additional specimens reported in the literature after the original description of the species. A single new specimen of A. pariaensis and five of A. steyeri, including the first adult males recorded for both species, make possible a more representative description of both species, including descriptions of the hemipenes. Despite both species presenting some similar morphological characteristics, the examination of the hemipenial morphology revealed very different organs. The hemipenis of A. steyeri presents some characteristics that resemble the organs of two species from the Santa Marta Mountain Range in the “bitaeniata-group” (Anadia pulchella and Anadia altaserrania). On the other hand, the hemipenes of A. pariaensis are unique morphologically and cannot be associated with the hemipenes known from other species in the genus. We describe variation within both species, and we comment on possible sexual dimorphism (number and arrangement of the femoral pores), natural history, and the known geographic distribution of the species. We also comment on Anadia bumanguesa Rueda-Almonacid and Caicedo 2004 based on a new specimen, the second known. This species may be a synonym of A. steyeri. Resumen Anadia pariaensis Rivas, La Marca, and Oliveros, 1999 y Anadia steyeri Nieden, 1914, son dos especies raras, escasamente conocidas y descritas con ejemplares únicos. En el caso de A. pariaensis, esta permanece conocida solo por el holotipo; mientras A. steyeri se conoce por cuatro ejemplares señalados en la literatura desde su descripción. En este trabajo, un nuevo ejemplar de A. pariaensis y cinco de A. steyeri, incluyendo los primeros machos adultos registrados para ambas especies hacen posible una descripción detallada, incluyendo la descripción de los hemipenes. A pesar que estas especies presentan algunas características morfológicas similares, el examen de la morfología hemipenial reveló órganos muy diferentes. El hemipene de A. steyeri, presenta algunas características que lo asemejan a los órganos de dos especies del grupo bitaeniata de la sierra de Santa Marta (Anadia pulchella y Anadia altaserrania). Por otra parte, el hemipene de A. pariaensis es único morfológicamente, y no puede ser actualmente asociado con los hemipenes conocidos para otras especies en el género. Se describe la variación intraespecífica, posible dimorfismo sexual (número y disposición de los poros femorales), historia natural y distribución geográfica conocida para ambas especies. Por último, se analiza el estado taxonómico de Anadia bumanguesa Rueda-Almonacid y Caicedo 2004 basado en un nuevo ejemplar disponible (el segundo conocido) y esta nueva información sugiere que la especie podría ser un sinónimo o al menos estar relacionada con A. steyeri.

Redescription of Apostolepis longicaudata (Serpentes: Xenodontinae) with Comments on Its Hemipenial Morphology and Natural History

Abstract We redescribe the rare elapomorphine snake Apostolepis longicaudata Gomes in Amaral on the basis of a detailed examination of the holotype and comparisons with new specimens from the Cerrado of Central Brazil. The new data include information on coloration in life, hemipenial morphology, and natural history. Two specimens identified as A. quinquelineata by previous authors are now attributed to A. nelsonjorgei, which seems to be the only species in the genus with subcaudal counts overlapping those of A. longicaudata. Resumo:  Apresentamos a redescrição da rara espécie de serpente Apostolepis longicaudata Gomes in Amaral com base no exame do holótipo e em comparações com três novos exemplares do Cerrado do Brasil Central. O trabalho inclui dados inéditos sobre a coloração em vida, morfologia hemipeniana e história natural. Dois espécimes lineados previamente identificados como A. quinquelineata por outros autores são redeterminados aqui como A. nelsonjorgei, que parece ser a única espécie do gênero cujas contagens de subcaudais se sobrepõem às de A. longicaudata.

Are Hemipenial Spines Related to Limb Reduction? A Spiny Discussion Focused on Gymnophthalmid Lizards (Squamata: Gymnophthalmidae)

Calcified spines in the hemipenial surface occur convergently in several gymnophthalmid lizard species and in advanced snakes. Based on the pronounced degrees of limb reduction in these distantly related lineages, such hemipenial structures were suggested to play a functional role in couple‐anchoring during copulation, partly assuming the function of the limbs during mating. Herein, we assessed the hemipenial morphology of virtually all the valid genera of the family Gymnophthalmidae to test for a phylogenetic correlation between limb reduction and the presence of calcified hemipenial spines. The occurrence of calcified structures was mapped on the two most comprehensive phylogenies of the family. We concluded that spiny hemipenes are by no means necessarily associated with reduction of limbs. Conversely, the presence of well‐developed hemipenial spines in specific limb‐reduced taxa does not allow one to disregard the possibility that in some instances such structures might indeed be functionally associated with couple‐anchoring, improving the success of mating. Anat Rec, 297:482–495, 2014.

Rediscovery of the earless microteiid lizard Anotosaura collaris Amaral, 1933 (Squamata: Gymnophthalmidae): a redescription complemented by osteological, hemipenial, molecular, karyological, physiological and ecological data.

More than a century after its discovery by Ernest Garbe, and almost 80 years after its original description, we obtained a series of specimens of the earless gymnophthalmid Anotosaura collaris, the type species of the genus, up to now known only by a single specimen. On the basis of the material obtained at and close to the type locality we redescribe the species, adding information about the external and hemipenial morphology, osteology and karytoype. Molecular data confirm its sister relationship with Anotosaura vanzolinia as well as the close relationship of Anotosaura with the Ecpleopodini Colobosauroides and Dryadosaura. We supplement this information with thermophysiological, ecogeographical, karyotypic and ecological data.

Taxonomy of the South American Dwarf Boas of the Genus Tropidophis Bibron, 1840, With the Description of Two New Species from the Atlantic Forest (Serpentes: Tropidophiidae)

Abstract:  A taxonomic study on the South American dwarf boas of the genus Tropidophis revealed the existence of two new species in the Atlantic Forest biome. As a result, we recognize five mainland species, three in the Atlantic Forest and two in northwestern South America. Based on general distribution and morphological orientation, the type locality of T. paucisquamis is restricted to Estação Biológica de Boracéia (EBB), municipality of Salesópolis, state of São Paulo, Brazil; furthermore, a lectotype for T. taczanowskyi is designated. We provide data on the hemipenial morphology of two South American Tropidophis, showing that the quadrifurcate condition described for West Indian taxa also occurs in mainland congeners. The distributions of the three Atlantic Forest species are congruent with patterns of diversification of other vertebrate taxa associated with cold climates prevalent at high elevations. Refugial isolation and riverine barriers may account for such speciation events.

A New Species of Riama from Ecuador Previously Referred to as Riama hyposticta (Boulenger, 1902) (Squamata: Gymnophthalmidae)

ABSTRACT We describe Riama crypta, new species, from the western slopes of the Cordillera Occidental, Ecuador. This taxon was formerly referred to as Riama hyposticta, a rare species described on the basis of an adult male from northern Ecuador and here recorded from southwestern Colombia. The new species differs principally from Riama hyposticta by an incomplete superciliary series, formed just by the anteriormost superciliary scale (superciliary series complete in R. hyposticta, formed by five or six scales), no nasoloreal suture [= loreal absent] (complete [= loreal present] in R. hyposticta), distinct dorsolateral stripes at least anteriorly (scattered brown spots dorsally without dorsolateral stripes in R. hyposticta), and ventral coloration composed of small cream or brown spots or longitudinal stripes (dark brown with conspicuous transverse white bars and spots). Additionally, we document the presence of distal filiform appendages on the hemipenial lobes of both species.

Phylogeny of Riama (Squamata: Gymnophthalmidae), impact of phenotypic evidence on molecular datasets, and the origin of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta endemic fauna

Riama is the most speciose genus of the Neotropical lizard family Gymnophthalmidae. Its more than 30 montane species occur throughout the northern Andes, the Cordillera de la Costa (CC) in Venezuela, and Trinidad. We present the most comprehensive phylogenetic analysis of Riama to date based on a total evidence (TE) approach and direct optimization of molecular and morphological evidence. Analyses use DNA sequences from four loci and 35 phenotypic characters. The dataset consists of 55 ingroup terminals representing 25 of the 30 currently recognized species of Riama plus five undescribed taxa, including an endemic species from the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta (SNSM) in Colombia, and 66 outgroup terminals of 47 species. Analysis results in a well‐supported hypothesis in which Riama is polyphyletic, with its species falling into three clades. The Tepuian Anadia mcdiarmidi nests within one clade of Riama, and the recently resurrected Pantodactylus nests within Cercosaura. Accordingly, we propose a monophyletic taxonomy that reflects historical relationships. Analysis of character evolution indicates that the presence/absence of prefrontals—a cornerstone of the early genus‐level taxonomy of cercosaurines—is optimally explained as having been plesiomorphically present in the most recent common ancestor of Cercosaurinae and lost in that of the immediately less inclusive clade. Multiple independent reversals to present and subsequent returns to absent occur within this clade. To evaluate the impact of phenotypic evidence on our results, we compare our TE results with results obtained from analyses using only molecular data. Although phenotypic evidence comprises only 1.2% of the TE matrix, its inclusion alters both the topology and support values of the clades that do not differ. Finally, current phylogenetic evidence reveals a SNSM–CC–Trinidad–tepuis biogeographical link. We hypothesize that an ancient connection facilitated the exchange of species between the SNSM and the CC.

Digit evolution in gymnophthalmid lizards.

The tetrapod limb is a highly diverse structure, and reduction or loss of this structure accounts for many of the limb phenotypes observed within species. Squamate reptiles are one of the many tetrapod lineages in which the limbs have been greatly modified from the pentadactyl generalized pattern, including different degrees of reduction in the number of limb elements to complete limblessness. Even though limb reduction is widespread, the evolutionary and developmental mechanisms involved in the formation of reduced limb morphologies remains unclear. In this study, we present an overview of limb morphology within the microteiid lizard group Gymnophthalmidae, focusing on digit arrangement. We show that there are two major groups of limb-reduced gymnophthalmids. The first group is formed by lizard-like (and frequently pentadactyl) species, in which minor reductions (such as the loss of 1-2 phalanges mainly in digits I and V) are the rule; these morphologies generally correspond to those seen in other squamates. The second group is formed by species showing more drastic losses, which can include the absence of an externally distinct limb in adults. We also present the expression patterns of Sonic Hedgehog (Shh) in the greatly reduced fore and hindlimb of a serpentiform gymnophthalmid. Our discussion focuses on identifying shared patterns of limb reduction among tetrapods, and explaining these patterns and the morphological variation within the gymnophthalmids based on current knowledge of the molecular signaling pathways that coordinate limb development.