Renato Neves Feio

Predation of Native Anurans by Invasive Bullfrogs in Southeastern Brazil: Spatial Variation and Effect of Microhabitat use by Prey

ABSTRACT. Invasive predators are one of the causes of population declines of anurans around the world. The American Bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus) stands out among these predators. Based on field observations and stomach content analysis, predation on native anurans by invasive Bullfrogs was investigated in two localities of Southeastern Brazil. The spatial variation in predation and similarity in microhabitat use by native species and Bullfrogs were also determined. Anurans of the families Bufonidae, Hylidae, Leiuperidae and Microhylidae were found among Bullfrog prey. The species preyed upon had medium to high similarity with Bullfrogs regarding microhabitat use. Anurans had high relative importance in the diet of adult Bullfrogs from the site where natural vegetation is preserved. Thus, the possible negative impact of predation by Bullfrogs can be more significant on anuran species which use microhabitats similar to those used by the invasive frogs. This impact may also be higher in preserved sites, increasing the necessity of monitoring and controlling the spread of this invasive species to natural areas. However, as factors other than predation are known to contribute toward negative impacts, further studies are required to clarify the status of invasive Bullfrogs in Brazil.

Diet of the Invasive Frog Lithobates catesbeianus (Shaw, 1802) (Anura: Ranidae) in Viçosa, Minas Gerais State, Brazil

ABSTRACT. Based on the stomach content analysis of 113 individuals, the diet of the invasive amphibian Lithobates catesbeianus (American Bullfrog) was examined in four sites located within the municipality of Viçosa (20°45′S and 42°51′W), state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, from August 2005 to March 2007. The effects of frog size and sexual maturity on stomach contents were determined. Prey items were grouped according to their primary habitat, being classified as aquatic, terrestrial and amphibious. In general, the most frequent prey categories were post-metamorphic Anura, Diplopoda, Hemiptera, Hymenoptera Formicidae and Araneae. The diet of adults of both sexes was similar, but differed from the diet of young frogs. Terrestrial prey were most abundant both in number and occurrence. For adult Bullfrogs, amphibious prey were most significant in volume. There was a significant correlation between prey and predator sizes, as well as a greater consumption of native anurans by larger Bullfrogs. The results confirmed that Bullfrogs have a generalist feeding habit that can have important negative effects on native amphibian communities in environments occupied by this invasive species.

Herpetofauna da Serra do Brigadeiro, um remanescente de Mata Atlântica em Minas Gerais, sudeste do Brasil

We present a list of amphibians and reptiles from northern region of the Serra da Mantiqueira mountain range, under local name Serra do Brigadeiro mountain. This region comprehends an Atlantic Forest remain with emphasis at the Serra do Brigadeiro State Park, a conservation unit with approximately 15,000 ha which the boundaries are included at the municipalities of Araponga, Divino, Ervalia, Fervedouro, Miradouro, Muriae, Pedra Bonita and Sericita, all in the state of Minas Gerais, southeastern Brazil. Throughout complementary methods as pitfall traps and local collectors, besides other conventional methods as visual and auditive surveys, occasional encounters and scientific collection records, the present list broaden the knowledge on herpetofauna on this region. We recorded 98 herpetofauna species, being 57 anurans, one gymnophiona, nine lizards, one amphisbenian, 29 snakes, and one turtle. Although amphibian species registered were not considered threatened of extinction in Minas Gerais, Brazil or by IUCN, 11 species (18.96%) are considered Data Deficient. There is a high number of species endemic to Atlantic Forest (46.55%) or with restricted distribution (20.68%). Is worth noting the registers of the frogs Gastrotheca ernestoi and Megaelosia apuana, respectively the first and second registers of these genus for Minas Gerais. The caecilian Luetkenotyphlus brasiliensis is also rediscovered. Among reptiles, can be highlighted the presence of the freshwater turtle Hydromedusa maximiliani, which appears as vulnerable in the red lists of Minas Gerais and in IUCN. Sixty percent of the reptiles encountered are widely distributed in the Atlantic Forest, and the presence of the snakes Echinanthera melanostigma and E. undulata are important as, respectively, the second and third records for Minas Gerais.

Anuran species composition from Serra do Ouro Branco, southernmost Espinhaço Mountain Range, state of Minas Gerais, Brazil

This study provides for the first time a detailed list of anuran species from Serra do Ouro Branco, southernmost Espinhaco Mountain Range, state of Minas Gerais, southeastern Brazil. We present data from monthly field surveys made between 2006 and 2007 and data from sporadic surveys conducted between 2003 and 2006. We recorded 47 species, corresponding so far to one of the highest frog richness known for a single location in Minas Gerais. We recorded typical species from the Atlantic Forest (19) and Cerrado (6) morphoclimatic domains; species restricted to the Espinhaco Range (8); or opened areas in mountainous regions (4); and widely distributed species (10). The Serra do Ouro Branco corresponds to the southernmost record of six species, besides holding important populations of other species with restricted geographic distributions. The high richness of frog species and the actual threats to which species are subject make the adoption of conservation measures in the region an emergency action.

Lizards and Amphisbaenians, municipality of Viçosa, state of Minas Gerais, southeastern Brazil

We performed a survey of lizards and amphisbaenians from municipality of Vicosa, in Atlantic Forest from state of Minas Gerais, southeastern Brazil, based on data of the herpetological collections of Museu de Zoologia Joao Moojen , Universidade Federal de Vicosa , and Museu de Zoologia , Universidade de Sao Paulo . One hundred and forty six specimens of 14 species were analyzed, belonging to the following families: Amphisbaenidae, Anguidae, Gekkonidae, Gymnophthalmidae, Leiosauridae, Polychrotidae, Scincidae, Teiidae and Tropiduridae. We hope to supply basic that helps to understand species distribution of this group in the Atlantic Forest of Minas Gerais and southeastern Brazil.

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.

Anurans in bromeliads, Parque Estadual da Serra do Brigadeiro, state of Minas Gerais, southeastern Brazil

This study presents a list of anurans associated to bromeliads in Parque Estadual da Serra do Brigadeiro , state of Minas Gerais, southeastern Brazil. It also brings information regarding the type of association between these anurans and plants. We recorded eight species belonging to five genera and two families, Cycloramphidae and Hylidae. The most abundant species was Scinax gr. perpusillus , followed by Scinax aff. perereca , Dendropsophus minutus , Bokermannohyla circumdata , Hypsiboas faber , Thoropa miliaris , Hypsiboas polytaenius and Dendropsophus elegans . Most species observed occupying bromeliads uses these microhabitats only as diurnal shelter. Scinax gr. perpusillus was the only classified as bromeligenous, depending upon the plants to complete its reproductive cycle.

A New Species of Hyla (Anura, Hylidae) from Southern Minas Gerais, Brazil

Hyla ibitipoca, a member of the H. circumdata species group, is described from the Parque Estadual do Ibitipoca, Lima Duarte, southern Minas Gerais, Brazil. The new species inhabits gallery forests along small creeks and is characterized by its small size, color pattern, transverse dark bars on thighs and flanks, and small tympanum.

A C-Type Lectin from Bothrops jararacussu Venom disrupts staphylococcal biofilms

Bovine mastitis is a major threat to animal health and the dairy industry. Staphylococcus aureus is a contagious pathogen that is usually associated with persistent intramammary infections, and biofilm formation is a relevant aspect of the outcome of these infections. Several biological activities have been described for snake venoms, which led us to screen secretions of Bothrops jararacussu for antibiofilm activity against S. aureus NRS155. Crude venom was fractionated by size-exclusion chromatography, and the fractions were tested against S. aureus. Biofilm growth, but not bacterial growth, was affected by several fractions. Two fractions (15 and 16) showed the best activities and were also assayed against S. epidermidis NRS101. Fraction 15 was identified by TripleTOF mass spectrometry as a galactose-binding C-type lectin with a molecular weight of 15 kDa. The lectin was purified from the crude venom by D-galactose affinity chromatography, and only one peak was observed. This pure lectin was able to inhibit 75% and 80% of S. aureus and S. epidermidis biofilms, respectively, without affecting bacterial cell viability. The lectin also exhibited a dose-dependent inhibitory effect on both bacterial biofilms. The antibiofilm activity was confirmed using scanning electron microscopy. A pre-formed S. epidermidis biofilm was significantly disrupted by the C-type lectin in a time-dependent manner. Additionally, the lectin demonstrated the ability to inhibit biofilm formation by several mastitis pathogens, including different field strains of S. aureus, S. hyicus, S. chromogenes, Streptococcus agalactiae, and Escherichia coli. These findings reveal a new activity for C-type lectins. Studies are underway to evaluate the biological activity of these lectins in a mouse mastitis model.

Reptilia, Scincidae, Mabuya frenata: Distribution extension.

(Cope, 1862) (Figures 1; 2), is one of the most widespread South American skinks, being primarily distributed south of the Amazonian region in Brazil and Bolivia, southwards to Argentina and Paraguay (Cei 1993). This species is typically associated to the Cerrado and Chaco biomes (Vanzolini 1988; Colli et al. 2002), but also occurs, to some extent, within the Atlantic Forest domain (Sazima and Haddad 1992; Vrcibradic et al. 2006). It is widely distributed within the Brazilian territory, having been recorded in Rio Grande do Sul, Parana, Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Mato Grosso do Sul, Goias, the Federal District, Mato Grosso, Rondonia, Tocantins, Piaui, and Para (Vrcibradic et al. 2006 and included references). However, there are currently no published records of