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espanolLas especies exoticas son una de las principales amenazas para la biodiversidad en todo el mundo. Los perros domesticos (Canis familiaris) se encuentran entre los depredadores invasores mas comunes del mundo, ya que interactuan con la vida silvestre de muchas maneras. Presentamos datos ecologicos obtenidos mediante camaras de trampeo y observaciones ocasionales de perros domesticos criados en libertad de localidades situadas dentro de los puntos criticos del bosque atlantico y el Cerrado brasilenos. Canis familiaris fue la segunda especie de mamifero mas abundante y el carnivoro mas abundante. Los perros interactuaron con al menos 26 especies nativas persiguiendolas, matandolas o compitiendo con ellas. No consumieron ninguno de los animales muertos, lo que, junto con los registros predominantes de individuos solitarios en actividad diurna, indica que se trata principalmente de perros criados en libertad que dependen de los humanos para alimentarse y refugiarse. La elevada abundancia de perros y la gran variedad de presas sugieren que la vida silvestre podria verse muy afectada por los perros domesticos, especialmente en zonas muy amenazadas por actividades humanas, como los puntos criticos de biodiversidad. Destacamos algunas medidas (por ejemplo, la erradicacion o eliminacion de perros de areas naturales) que representan una posibilidad de reducir los danos ambientales causados por perros domesticos en la region. EnglishDomestic dogs (Canis familiaris) are among the most common invasive predators in the world, interacting with wildlife in many ways. We present ecological data based on camera traps and occasional observations of free–roaming domestic dogs from localities within the Brazilian Atlantic forest and Cerrado hotspots. Canis familiaris was the second most abundant mammal species, and the most abundant carnivore. Dogs chased, killed, and/or competed with at least 26 native species. They consumed none of the killed animals, which together with the predominant records of solitary individuals acting during the daytime indicates they are mainly free–roaming dogs relying on humans for food and shelter. The high numbers of dogs and the wide range of prey suggest wildlife could be greatly impacted by domestic dogs, especially in areas that are highly threatened by anthropogenic activities, such as biodiversity hotspots. We highlight possible measures (such as the eradication or removal of dogs from natural areas) that could help to reduce the environmental damage caused by domestic dogs in the region.

Biogeographic tools support spatial distribution pattern hypotheses and help to determine priority areas for conservation. Our aim was to verify biogeographic patterns for anurans in three mountain complexes in southeastern Brazil, as well as to discuss the status of species conservation recorded and the biogeographical units evaluated. We selected 16 areas distributed in the Serra da Mantiqueira complex, south of Serra do Espinhaço and Serra da Canastra. We used the occurrence (geographic coordinates) of each species in the localities to determine areas of endemism applying the Endemicity Analysis method. We also tested whether similarity between areas was explained by geographic distance (Multiple Regression on distance Matrices-MRM). The Serra do Itatiaia, Serra da Canastra, Plateau of Poços de Caldas and Serra do Cipó were the areas that presented the highest number of species restricted to them. Through the Endemicity Analysis, we identified four areas of endemism with higher scores. The MRM revealed that the geographic distance explained 41% of species dissimilarity between areas. Most of the endemic species from these areas have inaccurate conservation statuses (data deficient or unevaluated). These results highlight the need for greater research efforts towards understanding species restricted by distribution, as well as the priority in conserving these endemic areas.

To increase the number of cytogenetic characters used in Ololygon tripui systematics, we applied some cytogenetic techniques such as Giemsa, C- and NOR-banding, and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with 18S rDNA and repetitive microsatellite DNA probes to the study of four populations from Minas Gerais State (southeastern Brazil). All populations showed 2n = 24 and FN = 48, and chromosomal formula 8m + 10sm + 6st. Nucleolar organizing regions (NORs) were located on chromosome pair 6 in all populations, although in the Tripuí locality additional markings were observed on one homologue of chromosome pair 3. These patterns were partially congruent with results obtained using the 18S rDNA FISH probe. The microsatellites repetitive DNA (GA)15 and (CAT)10 probes accumulated predominantly in the terminal region of all chromosomes. Chromosome morphology and Ag-NOR were conserved among populations, a conserved pattern in Ololygon Fitzinger, 1843. Repetitive DNA FISH probes patterns were similar among populations, but they revealed species-specific differences when compared with other species of the genus Ololygon, suggesting that molecular cytogenetics are potentially more informative in karyologically conservative taxa.

A cobra-cipó Imantodes cenchoa (Linnaeus, 1758) em Minas Gerais, sudeste do Brasil. A cobra-cipó Imantodes cenchoa possui ampla distribuição, ocorrendo da costa leste do México à Argentina. No Brasil, é registrada da Amazônia ao norte, à Santa Catarina ao sul. No Estado de Minas Gerais, sudeste do Brasil, há apenas dois registros de I. cenchoa na literatura. No presente estudo, foi realizado um levantamento de I. cenchoa provenientes de Minas Gerais, nas principais coleções herpetológicas brasileiras, revelando um total de 13 localidades com registros desta espécie. The blunt-headed vine snake, Imantodes cenchoa, has a large distribution, occurring from the east coast of Mexico to Argentina. In Brazil, it is found from the Amazon in the north, to Santa Catarina in the south. In the state of Minas Gerais, southeastern Brazil, there are only two records of I. cenchoa in the literature. In the present study, a search for I. cenchoa from Minas Gerais was conducted in the main Brazilian herpetological collections, revealing a total of 13 localities with records of this species.

Based on morphological, bioacoustics, and morphological traits, the genus Scinax has been subdivided into two major clades: S. catharinae and S. ruber. The first clade includes S. catharinae and S. perpusillus groups, whereas the second clade includes S. rostratus and S. uruguayus groups. Chromosome morphology, NOR and C-banding patterns of variation support these clades. This study aims the cytogenetic characterization of five species currently included in the S. perpusillus group: Scinax sp. (gr. perpusillus), S. arduous, S. belloni, S. cosenzai, and S. v-signatus, including standard cytogenetic techniques and repetitive DNA FISH probes. All species had 2n = 24 chromosomes. Nucleolar organizing regions occurred in chromosome pair 6 in all species, but differed in their locations among some species, suggesting a putative synaponomastic character for the clade. In S. belloni, the first chromosome pair was a metacentric, contrasting with the submetacentric first pair reported in all other species of the genus. Scinax sp. (gr. perpusillus) and S. v-signatus had similar karyotypic formulae, suggesting they are related species. Scinax cosenzai had a divergent C-banding pattern. Repetitive DNA probes hybridized more frequently in chromosomal subtelomeric regions in all species indicating recent cladogenesis in these species. Karyotypic evidence indicates unreported high levels of stabilization within S. perpusillus and in S. catharinae clade, resulting in a wealth of characters potentially informative for higher phylogenetic analyses.

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.

We provide new records of Corythomantis greeningi from southeastern Brazil, extending its southernmost distribution. The new records of C. greeningi are from an area of the Cerrado biome, in the State of Minas Gerais.

We report an unusual reproductive behavior of Hypsiboas pardalis (Spix, 1824). Species belonging to this genus usually are known to reproduce in lentic water bodies, with the development of exotrophic tadpoles. Herein, the bromeligenous behavior is reported for the first time in Hypsiboas Wagler, 1830. Although this reproductive behavior has been observed more than once here, we believe that it is not typical of Hypsiboas, being better characterized as an unusual reproductive mode for Hypsiboas, indicating the presence of plasticity in the reproductive modes of H. pardalis

Pseudoautotomy (no spontaneous tail breakage without regeneration) occurs in the snakes Drymoluber brazili (Gomes, 1918) and Drymoluber dichrous (Peters, 1863) throughout their geographic range. Examination of 197 specimens of D. dichrous and 60 D. brazili show, respectively, a frequency of tail breakage (FTB) in 26% and 40% of specimens, similar or higher than observed for most species with pseudoautotomy. There is no sexual difference in FTB for D. brazili, and no relationship between tail breakage and snout–vent length (SVL). For D. dicrous, tail breakage is more frequently observed in males when specimens are

We provide a new record for Bokermannohyla sazimai from state of Minas Gerais and present a map representing its distribution. The new record from municipality of Uberlândia represents a distribution extension of 70 km western from the closest locality where it was previously known.

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(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

O estudo apresenta a riqueza de espécies, distribuição temporal e atividade reprodutiva dos anfíbios anuros da Floresta Estadual do Uaimií situado na região do Quadrilátero Ferrífero, município de Ouro Preto, estado de Minas Gerais, Brasil. Foram realizadas campanhas mensais no período de Setembro de 2009 a Agosto de 2010. Foram registradas 36 espécies de anuros, distribuídas entre 10 famílias. Maior riqueza de espécies foi verificada em uma área de riacho permanente em mata secundária. A maioria das espécies de anuros apresentou um padrão de atividade de vocalização sazonal, principalmente relacionado à estação chuvosa. A composição de espécies de anuros da FLOE Uaimií é similar a de outras áreas estudadas na região do Quadrilátero Ferrífero. This study presents the species richness, temporal distribution and reproductive activity of anurans from the Uaimií State Forest (Floresta Estadual do Uaimií – FLOE Uaimií), situated in the Quadrilátero Ferrífero region, municipality of Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais state, Brazil. Field activities were performed monthly from September 2009 to August 2010. We recorded 36 anurans species, distributed in 10 families. The greatest richness of the sampled sites corresponds to a permanent rivulet in a secondary forest. The majority of anuran species presented seasonal vocalization activity pattern, mainly in the rainy season. The anuran species composition of FLOE Uaimií is similar to others studied areas from the Quadrilátero Ferrífero region.

The geographical distribution of Luetkenotyphlus brasiliensis is reviewed based on data from the literature and examination of specimens recently collected in Brazil. We also provide new information on variation of the vomerine diastema, and meristic and morphometric data for L. brasiliensis based on Brazilian specimens.

Ischnocnema izecksohni inhabits the gallery forests from the Quadrilátero Ferrífero, Southern Espinhaço range, state of Minas Gerais, southeastern Brazil, and it is considered endemic to this region. Its closest related species is I. nasuta according to the original description. We describe the advertisement call of I. izecksohni based on specimens recorded and collected at the municipality of Nova Lima, state of Minas Gerais, distant about 10 km straight line from its type locality. The advertisement call consists of a group of notes emitted sporadically without a regular interval between the calls. Call duration (n = 36 calls in four individuals) ranged from 1.03 to 1.85 s (= 1.52 ± 0.21 s) and the call rise time from 0.66 to 1.52 s (= 1.16 ± 0.25 s), with 34-57 notes per call (= 47.42 ± 6.03). Peak frequency ranged from 2250 to 2625 Hz, the dominant frequency from 1317.8 to 3128.0 Hz and interval between notes from 22.00 to 41.00 ms (= 28.63 ± 0.03 ms). From the examination of herpetological collections, morphological and bioacoustical data we extended the species known distribution ca. 200 km eastward, to ten new localities, all of them outside the Quadrilátero Ferrífero region, at the Mantiqueira mountain range. We analyzed color patterns and we find some dorsal patterns not described at the original description of I. izecksohni. We also make some comments concerning the taxonomic status of I. izecksohni and I. nasuta. Ischnocnema izecksohni habita as matas de galeria do Quadrilátero Ferrífero, sul da Cadeia do Espinhaço, estado de Minas Gerais, sudeste do Brasil e é considerada endêmica desta região. Sua espécie mais próxima, de acordo com a descrição original, é I. nasuta. Descreve-se o canto de I. izecksohni baseado em espécimes gravados e coletados em Nova Lima, MG, que dista 10 km em linha reta da localidade tipo da espécie. O canto de anúncio consiste em um grupo de notas emitidas esporadicamente sem um intervalo regular entre os cantos. A duração do canto (n = 36 cantos em quatro indivíduos) variou de 1,03 até 1,85 s (= 1,52 ± 0,21 s) e o tempo até a amplitude máxima do canto de 0,66 to 1,52 s (= 1,16 ± 0,25 s), com 34-57 notas por canto (= 47.42 ± 6.03). A freqüência de pico variou de 2250 a 2625 Hz, a freqüência dominante de 1317,8 a 3128,0 Hz e o intervalo entre as notas de 22,00 to 41,00 ms (= 28,63 ± 0,03 ms). A partir do exame de coleções herpetológicas, dados morfológicos e bioacústicos estendeu-se a distribuição da espécie para cerca de 200 km a leste, para mais dez localidades, todas elas fora do Quadrilátero Ferrífero, no complexo da Mantiqueira. Foram analisados padrões de coloração e alguns padrões dorsais além daquele presente na descrição original foram encontrados. São feitos comentários acerca do status taxonômico de I. izecksohni e I. nasuta.

We provide the first record of Rhinella inopina in the state of Minas Gerais, southeastern Brazil, in municipalities of Bonito de Minas and Januária. It is also the species southernmost record, extending its known geographic distribution in about 170 and 210 km respectively southeastward its closest previously record, in municipality of Sítio d'Abadia, State of Goiás, Central Brazil.

This study presents the first record of the recently-described Lime Treefrog Sphaenorhynchus botocudo Caramaschi, Almeida, and Gasparini, 2009 in the state of Bahia, and the first record out of its type locality.

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In this study, we evaluated the reproductive activity and the temporal and spatial distributions of anuran assemblages in three environments within a semideciduous forest in Southeast Brazil, located at Municipality of Barão de Monte Alto, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The field activities were carried out during three consecutive days, monthly throughout the rainy seasons of 2013–2014 and 2014–2015. We recorded 28 anurans species, distributed in eight families. We observed the spatial-temporal distribution of some species, and their associated reproductive behaviors through exploration of vocalizations at different sites. The spatial and temporal distribution of the species seems to adapt to abiotic and biotic factors of their environment.