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Knowledge on biodiversity is fundamental for conservation strategies. The Brazilian Pampa region, located in subtropical southern Brazil, is neglected in terms of conservation, and knowledge of its biodiversity is fragmented. We aim to answer the question: how many, and which, species occur in the Brazilian Pampa? In a collaborative effort, we built species lists for plants, animals, bacteria, and fungi that occur in the Brazilian Pampa. We included information on distribution patterns, main habitat types, and conservation status. Our study resulted in referenced lists totaling 12,503 species (12,854 taxa, when considering infraspecific taxonomic categories [or units]). Vascular plants amount to 3,642 species (including 165 Pteridophytes), while algae have 2,046 species (2,378 taxa) and bryophytes 316 species (318 taxa). Fungi (incl. lichenized fungi) contains 1,141 species (1,144 taxa). Animals total 5,358 species (5,372 taxa). Among the latter, vertebrates comprise 1,136 species, while invertebrates are represented by 4,222 species. Our data indicate that, according to current knowledge, the Pampa holds approximately 9% of the Brazilian biodiversity in an area of little more than 2% of Brazil’s total land. The proportion of species restricted to the Brazilian Pampa is low (with few groups as exceptions), as it is part of a larger grassland ecoregion and in a transitional climatic setting. Our study yielded considerably higher species numbers than previously known for many species groups; for some, it provides the first published compilation. Further efforts are needed to increase knowledge in the Pampa and other regions of Brazil. Considering the strategic importance of biodiversity and its conservation, appropriate government policies are needed to fund studies on biodiversity, create accessible and constantly updated biodiversity databases, and consider biodiversity in school curricula and other outreach activities.

Aposematic signals as well as body behaviours may be important anti-predator defences. Species of the genus Melanophryniscus are characterised by having toxic lipophilic alkaloids in the skin and for presenting a red ventral colouration, which can be observed when they perform the behaviour called the unken reflex. Both the reflex behaviour and the colouration pattern are described as defence mechanisms. However, there are currently no studies testing their effectiveness against predators. This study aimed to test experimentally if both ventral conspicuous colouration and the unken reflex in Melanophryniscus cambaraensis function as aposematic signals against visually oriented predators (birds). We simulated the species studied using three different clay toad models as follows: (a) in a normal position with green coloured bodies, (b) in the unken reflex position with green coloured body and extremities and (c) in the unken reflex position with a green body and red extremities. Models were distributed on a known M. cambaraensis breeding site and in the adjacent forest. More than half of the attacks on the models were from birds; however, there was no preference for any model type. Thus, just the presence of the red colour associated with the motionless unken reflex position does not seem to prevent attacks from potential predators. It is possible that the effective aposematic signal in Melanophryniscus is achieved through the unken reflex movement together with the subsequent exhibition of the warning colouration and the secretion of toxins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a comprehensive review of larval morphology in the Neotropical toad genus Melanophryniscus. The taxa studied included 23 species with representatives of recognized phenetic groups and different larval ecomorphological guilds: pond, stream, and phytotelm-dwelling tadpoles. Their external morphology variation is congruent with current phenetic arrangement based on adult features, but also reflects the habitat where larvae develop. Lotic tadpoles (i.e. M. tumifrons group and M. krauczuki) in general exhibit a more depressed body, a longer tail with lower fins, and larger oral discs than lentic forms (i.e. M. stelzneri group, M. moreirae, M. sanmartini, and M. langonei). Despite their peculiar, confined microhabitat, phytotelm larvae do not diverge markedly from non-arboreal species. The distinctive features of all species are the presence of a pineal end organ and the placement of the intestinal reversal point at the left of the abdomen in typical larval stages. The buccal cavity and musculoskeletal anatomy are quite conserved between species, yet some characteristics differ from those of other bufonids. The presence of one pair of subhyoid muscles is apparently an exclusive trait of Melanophryniscus among Bufonidae. © 2014 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2014, 112, 417-441. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We describe the advertisement and territorial calls ofHylodes meridionalisfor the first time and provide observations on nocturnal calling activity for this species. The advertisement call has 36–82 harmonic notes, with duration of 2.71–5.69 s and dominant frequency on the third harmonic. Advertisement calls are separated by large intervals varying from 18.7 to 44.7 s. The territorial call has 1–3 notes, with duration of 0.039–0.567 seconds, and dominant frequency also on the third harmonic. Territorial calls are emitted at a much higher repetition rate than the advertisement call, with intervals of 1.1–1.6 s between each call. Frogs of the genusHylodesare known to call mainly during the day, but forH. meridionalisnocturnal calling was observed on various occasions, and could occur regularly until two hours after sunset, or sporadically along the night. Descrevemos os cantos de anúncio e territorial deHylodes meridionalispela primeira vez e fornecemos observações sobre a atividade noturna de vocalização para esta espécie. O canto de anúncio tem 36–82 notas harmônicas, com duração de 2,71–5,69 segundos e frequência dominante no terceiro harmônico. Há grandes intervalos entre os cantos de anúncio, de 18,7–44,7 segundos. O canto territorial tem 1–3 notas, com duração de 0,039–0,567 segundos, e frequência dominante também no terceiro harmônico. Cantos territoriais são emitidos a uma taxa de repetição muito mais elevado do que o canto de anúncio, com intervalos de 1,1–1,6 segundos entre cada canto. As espécies do gêneroHylodessão conhecidas por vocalizar principalmente durante o dia, mas machos deH. meridionalisforam observados em atividade de vocalização noturna em várias ocasiões, sendo que podem vocalizar regularmente até duas horas após o pôr do sol, ou esporadicamente ao longo da noite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers a study of the taxonomic identification and intrageneric chromosome number variation in Pseudopaludicola frogs. It says that the karyotypes of P. falcipes have 2n = 22 chromosomes, while P. ameghini and P. ternetzi consisted 2n = 20. It suggests that the karyotypic patterns in P. ameghini indicate a distinction from P. mystacalis with 2n = 16 chromosomes.

The article explores the spatial and temporal distribution of Pseudis minuta and the role of environmental factors in its reproduction in Reserva Biológica do Lami, Porto Alegre, southern Brazil. There were significant differences in border distance and water depth among age-sex classes of Pseudis minuta. No significant difference was found in the presence of calling males and non-calling males in relation to monthly relative humidity but opposite was noted in relation to total monthly rainfall, mean monthly air temperature and water temperature. The number of females was related with daily air temperature, relative humidity and water temperature.

The article focuses on the geographic distribution extension and new state record of anura species Proceratophrys bigibbosa and Proceratophrys brauni in Brazil. It notes that P. brauni has less extensive toe webbing, smaller body size, weaker postocular cranial protuberances, and more distinctive rows of tubercles on the dorsum than P. bigibbosa. On the other hand, P. bigibbosa has a more southern distribution which ranges throughout the southern part of the country's south highlands. However, it points out that the males of both species call from streamlets of flowing water.

Dendropsophus nahdereri is included in the Dendropsophus marmoratus group. Its distribution is known from the Brazilian states of Paraná and Santa Catarina. Here we report new records of this species and briefly describe the habitat of calling males. We found new localities of occurrence of D. nahdereri in Brazilian states of Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul. We collected calling males in temporary lentic water bodies surrounded by arboreal vegetation, inside and on the border of native forest, and inside Pinus plantations near native forest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents a preliminary evaluation of the use of the Brazilian fish Cynopoecilus melanotaenia as a test organism in toxicity tests. The cryptobiotic stage presented by the eggs of fish C. melanotaenia can overcome the difficulty of continuously keeping cultures and recruiting healthy animals in sufficient numbers to be used in toxicity tests. In order to determine the applicability of this species as a test organism, three different reference substances were evaluated in 96-h acute toxicity tests: Copper sulfate (CuSO4⋅5H2O), sodium dodecil sulfate (C12H25NaO4S), and sodium chloride (NaCl). Sensitivity ranged as follows: copper sulfate (0.05-0.13 mg/L), sodium dodecil sulfate (10.7-19.0 mg/L), and sodium chloride (1.44-1.96 g/L). We conclude that C. melanotaenia shows potential as a test organism in toxicity tests; however, further research should be conducted with other substances and should be compared with the research on other species before we can reach more conclusive results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]