Vinícius de Avelar São-Pedro

Speciation with gene flow in whiptail lizards from a Neotropical xeric biome

Two main hypotheses have been proposed to explain the diversification of the Caatinga biota. The riverine barrier hypothesis (RBH) claims that the São Francisco River (SFR) is a major biogeographic barrier to gene flow. The Pleistocene climatic fluctuation hypothesis (PCH) states that gene flow, geographic genetic structure and demographic signatures on endemic Caatinga taxa were influenced by Quaternary climate fluctuation cycles. Herein, we analyse genetic diversity and structure, phylogeographic history, and diversification of a widespread Caatinga lizard (Cnemidophorus ocellifer) based on large geographical sampling for multiple loci to test the predictions derived from the RBH and PCH. We inferred two well‐delimited lineages (Northeast and Southwest) that have diverged along the Cerrado–Caatinga border during the Mid‐Late Miocene (6–14 Ma) despite the presence of gene flow. We reject both major hypotheses proposed to explain diversification in the Caatinga. Surprisingly, our results revealed a striking complex diversification pattern where the Northeast lineage originated as a founder effect from a few individuals located along the edge of the Southwest lineage that eventually expanded throughout the Caatinga. The Southwest lineage is more diverse, older and associated with the Cerrado–Caatinga boundaries. Finally, we suggest that C. ocellifer from the Caatinga is composed of two distinct species. Our data support speciation in the presence of gene flow and highlight the role of environmental gradients in the diversification process.

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.

AmphiBIO, a global database for amphibian ecological traits

Current ecological and evolutionary research are increasingly moving from species- to trait-based approaches because traits provide a stronger link to organism’s function and fitness. Trait databases covering a large number of species are becoming available, but such data remains scarce for certain groups. Amphibians are among the most diverse vertebrate groups on Earth, and constitute an abundant component of major terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems. They are also facing rapid population declines worldwide, which is likely to affect trait composition in local communities, thereby impacting ecosystem processes and services. In this context, we introduce AmphiBIO, a comprehensive database of natural history traits for amphibians worldwide. The database releases information on 17 traits related to ecology, morphology and reproduction features of amphibians. We compiled data from more than 1,500 literature sources, and for more than 6,500 species of all orders (Anura, Caudata and Gymnophiona), 61 families and 531 genera. This database has the potential to allow unprecedented large-scale analyses in ecology, evolution, and conservation of amphibians.

Descrição do canto de anúncio e dimorfismo sexual em Proceratophrys concavitympanum Giaretta, Bernarde & Kokubum, 2000

Here is described the advertisement call, the males and data of sexual dimorphism in Proceratophrys concavitympanum, collected in Aripuana (Mato Grosso) and Espigao do Oeste (Rondonia), Brazil. The males were observed calling along small streams in primary forest of Amazonian Rainforest. The advertisement call of Proceratophrys concavitympanum described here is compared to calls of others Proceratophrys species.

The Advertisement Call of Chiasmocleis bassleri (Anura, Microhylidae) from Southern Amazon, Mato Grosso, Brazil

ABSTRACT. The advertisement call of Chiasmocleis bassleri is described from Aripuana, northwestern State of Mato Grosso, Brazil. The call consists of many short multipulsed notes (3 to 6 pulses), emitted sporadically, with a mean duration of 0.059 s, the dominant frequency presenting a mean value of 3268.66 Hz, and interval between notes 0.042 s to 0.128 s. The acoustic parameters in the advertisement call of C. bassleri are intermediate among the calls described for other species in the genus.ABSTRACT. The advertisement call of Chiasmocleis bassleri is described from Aripuanã, northwestern State of Mato Grosso, Brazil. The call consists of many short multipulsed notes (3 to 6 pulses), emitted sporadically, with a mean duration of 0.059 s, the dominant frequency presenting a mean value of 3268.66 Hz, and interval between notes 0.042 s to 0.128 s. The acoustic parameters in the advertisement call of C. bassleri are intermediate among the calls described for other species in the genus.

Bothriopsis bilineata bilineata (Wied, 1821) (Serpentes: Viperidae): new records in the states of Amazonas, Mato Grosso and Rondônia, northern Brazil

Although widely distributed in the Brazilian Amazonia, there are few published records of Bothriopsis bilineata in this region, with large gaps between them. This scarcity of reports of B. bilineata in nature may be caused by its arboreal habits, cryptic color, and a possible low density in many areas. Here we provide new registers of the subspecies B. b. bilineata , improving the knowledge of its distribution.

Integrating data-deficient species in analyses of evolutionary history loss

Abstract There is an increasing interest in measuring loss of phylogenetic diversity and evolutionary distinctiveness which together depict the evolutionary history of conservation interest. Those losses are assessed through the evolutionary relationships between species and species threat status or extinction probabilities. Yet, available information is not always sufficient to quantify the threat status of species that are then classified as data deficient. Data‐deficient species are a crucial issue as they cause incomplete assessments of the loss of phylogenetic diversity and evolutionary distinctiveness. We aimed to explore the potential bias caused by data‐deficient species in estimating four widely used indices: HEDGE, EDGE, PDloss, and Expected PDloss. Second, we tested four different widely applicable and multitaxa imputation methods and their potential to minimize the bias for those four indices. Two methods are based on a best‐ vs. worst‐case extinction scenarios, one is based on the frequency distribution of threat status within a taxonomic group and one is based on correlates of extinction risks. We showed that data‐deficient species led to important bias in predictions of evolutionary history loss (especially high underestimation when they were removed). This issue was particularly important when data‐deficient species tended to be clustered in the tree of life. The imputation method based on correlates of extinction risks, especially geographic range size, had the best performance and enabled us to improve risk assessments. Solving threat status of DD species can fundamentally change our understanding of loss of phylogenetic diversity. We found that this loss could be substantially higher than previously found in amphibians, squamate reptiles, and carnivores. We also identified species that are of high priority for the conservation of evolutionary distinctiveness.

Calls and tadpoles of the species of Lysapsus (Anura, Hylidae, Pseudae)

Larval and bioacoustical characters are crucial for anuran systematics. Nevertheless, advertisement calls and larval morphology of most Neotropical anuran species are unknown. Lysapsus is a peculiar group of aquatic frogs that have been subject to recurrent taxonomic changes. Recent molecular phylogenetic and external morphology work gave support for some of the recognized species (L. laevis and L. caraya), but considerable doubt remains over the distinction among L. limellum and L. bolivianus. We describe the tadpoles of L. caraya and L. bolivianus, the advertisement call of L. laevis, and redescribe the advertisement calls of L. caraya, L. limellum, and L. bolivianus. Our results support the genus based on larval and bioacoustical characters. Lysapsus caraya and L. laevis have distinct advertisement calls, but no visual or statistically significant differences were observed between advertisement calls of L. limellum and L. bolivianus. Tadpoles of L. caraya, L. limellum, and L. bolivianus are similar based on external morphology and contrast against the distinct tadpole of L. laevis. Considerable doubt is raised on the validity of L. bolivianus, which either is a junior synonym of L. limellum or constitutes a cryptic species based on currently available data. Data on osteology, musculature, and chondrocranium, allied to robust phylogeographic analyses will help clarify the taxonomic status of these two putative species and the biogeographic relationships between the Amazon and the Parana River basins.

Reptilia, Gymnophthalmidae, Micrablepharus maximiliani (Reinhardt and Lutken, 1861): distribution extension, new state record and geographic distribution map

We provide records for Micrablepharus maximiliani from state of Minas Gerais and present a map representing its distribution. The record of M. maximiliani from municipality of Resplendor, Minas Gerais, represents a distribution extension of 1,050 km southern from the type locality at the municipality of Maruim, Sergipe. Others 57 new records are presented based on specimens housed in several Brazilian and Paraguayan herpetological collections, improving the knowledge on geographic distribution of M. maximiliani in South America.

Conspecifics of the Striped Lava Lizard are able to distinguish sex and male colour morphs in apparently homogeneous dull dorsal colouration

Animal colouration plays a key role in inter and intraspecific interactions, pre-eminently in mate signalling. When multiple types of colouration occur within sexes it is possible that they show alternative reproductive strategies. In lizards, most colouration studies do not incorporate how colour is perceived by conspecifics. Here, we used unbiased colour analysis methods (spectrophotometry and visual modelling) to test for sexual dimorphism and within male dichromatism in the Striped Lava Lizard. We found that males express two distinct colourations that are different from females in several dorsal and ventral body regions. Our results showed UV reflection at the throat, an important body region for signalling. Ventral patches, the coloured badge seen in adult males of Tropidurus spp., have two distinct colour classes within males (Y and B males). Morphs are best discriminated by blue and yellow chroma, and brightness. Body size had little influence on colouration, suggesting that colour may be linked to inheritance rather than growth. Our study clearly shows sexual dichromatism and the existence of colour morphs in this species. Moreover, morph differences in colouration are perceptible by conspecifics. These differences are not only between ventral patches, but also in other body parts such as the dorsum, previously considered as cryptic by human observers. We suggest that colouration at the ventral patches and throat might play a role in intraspecific interactions. Patches increase colour intensity during breeding season and are likely to be costly by pigment-based expression, whereas throat’s UV reflection might have a cost infringed by conspicuousness.