Rafael Cunha Pontes

Amphibia, Anura, Leiuperidae, Physalaemus soaresi Izecksohn, 1965: new record, distribution extension and geographic distribution map

We report a female Physalaemus soaresi Izecksohn, 1965 collected at the Atlantic rainforest of Serra do Mendanha, municipality of Rio de Janeiro, state of Rio de Janeiro, southeastern Brazil. Known only from two localities (and probably extinct in one), P. soaresi is considered a threatened species in Brazil and presumably threatened in the state of Rio de Janeiro. Despite the new record, P. soaresi still fits into the status of endangered and requires the full protection of all areas where it occurs.

Vocal repertory of Scinax littoreus (Anura: Hylidae) with comments on the advertisement call of the Scinax perpusillus species group

The Scinax perpusillus species group consists of thirteen bromeligenous treefrogs, of which only six have had their acoustic parameters appropriately described. In this work, we present the vocal repertory of Scinax littoreus (Peixoto, 1988) based on recordings obtained from three different populations in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Based on our observations we suggest that the vocal repertory of S. littoreus is composed of two distinct types of calls. The call named type A, which corresponds to a long series of multipulsed notes, is likely to have a mating function. This type of call is similar to that reported for Scinax arduous Peixoto, 2002, Scinax peixotoi Brasileiro, Haddad, Sawaya & Martins, 2007, and Scinax perpusillus (Lutz & Lutz, 1939). However, the type A call of S. littoreus is nonetheless readily distinguishable from the comparable call observed in other congeneric species. The call named type B, which exhibits a multipulsed structure, presumably has an aggressive function. We observed that different types of calls could be emitted alone or combined according to the social context. Additionally, we discuss problems involving comparisons of call parameters among species belonging to the S. perpusillus species group, provide an updated geographic distribution map, discuss the conservation status of the included species, and emphasize the importance of acoustic data for the recognition of species groups within Scinax.

An unexpected record of Teratohyla midas (Lynch and Duellman, 1973) for Brazil reveals the presence of glassfrogs in the Brazilian northern lowlands (Anura: Centrolenidae)

We reported a new record of Teratohyla midas for Northeast Brazil and extending its distribution in 1,200km east from the nearest reported area. Additionally we constructed a distribution map based on literature records. Previously to this study, this species was known to occur in Ecuador, Peru, Colombia, Brazil (states of Amazonas and Rondonia), and an isolated population in French Guyana. Also, this record represents the first for Centrolenidae in transitional forests between Cerrado and Amazon biomes.

Amphibia, Anura, Bufonidae, Rhinella pygmaea : distribution extension and geographic distribution map

Rhinella pygmaea (Myers and Carvalho, 1952) is a small Bufonidae in comparison with other congener species. On the original description, type locality was designated as Sao Joao da Barra, at the mouth of Paraiba do Sul river (right bank), northern coast of state of Rio de Janeiro. Its occurrence was also reported from Restinga de Marambaia, southern coast of the state (Myers and Carvalho 1952). In other studies, R. pygmaea was considered an endemic species to the restinga, and registered from the localities of Jurubatiba, Grussai, Marambaia, Marica, and Arraial do Cabo to Sao Joao da Barra, all along the coast of the state of Rio de Janeiro (Carvalho-e-Silva and Carvalho-eSilva 1994; Carvalho-e-Silva et al. 2000; Isecksohn and Carvalho-e-Silva 2001; Rocha et al. 2003; Rocha et al. 2005; Rocha et al. 2008). However, recently this species was registered from municipality of Mimoso do Sul, state of Espirito Santo, in the Atlantic Forest biome (Silva et al. 2007).

New records and updated distribution map of Gastrotheca albolineata (Lutz and Lutz, 1939) (Amphibia: Anura: Hemiphractidae)

Herein we present a geographical distribution map of Gastrotheca albolineata , an endemic species of marsupial treefrogs from ombrophilous formations in the Atlantic Forest biome. The new records were provided from field observations, collected specimens and data from museum specimens. The present study report new records from Rio de Janeiro state, provide an updated distribution map, and comments on its ecological aspects, thus contributing to future studies concerning the biogeography and biology of this group. Considering the lack of studies on the biology of this species as well as the lack of knowledge on its population trends, we also suggest changes in the status of conservation of the species by the IUCN.