Search

Domestic cats (Felis catus Linnaeus, 1758) can interact with and cause several negative impacts upon wildlife if unconstrained by their owners. These impacts occur especially because of their innate predatory behavior and, usually the lack of any natural predators, as well as due to their high abundances relative to native carnivores. Although these impacts are well studied in temperate countries, there are but a few records of species used as prey by these carnivores in Brazil. Here, we expand the knowledge of native species preyed upon by domestic cats in Brazil by presenting new records of this predator-prey interaction and reviewing records in the literature. Predation events were recorded through opportunistic encounters between 2016 and 2022. We recorded the predation of 14 native terrestrial vertebrate species (reptiles, amphibians, birds, and mammals) from the Cerrado and Atlantic Forest biomes. Our literature review recovered predation events by cats in the two aforementioned biomes plus in the Amazonia. Our results increase to 48 the number of wild species preyed upon by domestic cats in Brazil, which is probably an underestimation, as this number is much higher in other countries of comparable land size and species diversity. We suggest that cat population control measures should be carried out, especially in protected areas.

Amphisbaena mertensii is a worm lizard species from South America. Because of its subterranean lifestyle,data on its biology are scarce. In this paper, we present the first record of A. mertensii as prey of a bird, the wood rail Aramides cajaneus. We also review the geographic range of this species, reporting it for 114 localities from west-central Brazil to northeastern Argentina. We update the range of precloacal pores in A. mertensii from 5–8 to 4–8, and report the largest individual of this species with a 458 mm snout-vent length.

The genus Enyalius is composed of 11 described species inhabiting forest areas in Amazônia, Cerrado and Atlantic forest biomes. Currently, eight species with high levels of chromosome variation have been karyotyped. The study aims to characterize the karyotype of Enyalius boulengeri, with classical and molecular techniques, and improve knowledge about the karyotype evolution of the lizard genus Enyalius. The species has 2n = 36 chromosomes (8m + 4sm + 24mc), FN = 24; NORs and 18S rDNA were subtelomeric and located on chromosome pair 2. Repetitive DNA probes (CAT)10 accumulated on centromeric and terminal regions of some macrochromosomes. (GA)15 probe showed conspicuous accumulation on the pericentromeric region of chromosome pairs 1 and 6. Repetitive FISH patterns obtained with (GC)15 probe marked the pericentromeric region of the first chromosome pair. All probes showed accumulation in the microchromosomes. The chromosomal formula found in E. boulengeri has been considered the ancestral karyotype for pleurodont Iguania. The genus Enyalius is characterized by two distinctive chromosomal groups; one with highly conserved karyotypes, whereas the other is karyotypically diverse. Our molecular cytogenetics data are promising and will increase knowledge about the genus Enyalius chromosome evolution.

This dataset compiles information on giant otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) specimens housed in the major zoological collections of Brazil. We have personally examined the specimens, which constitute of skins, crania, and partial skeletons. We compiled information on collector, date, and locality of the specimens. A total of 56 giant otter specimens housed in six zoological collections were located. Of this total, 12 specimens do not have associated locality information. Of special relevance are the specimens from the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul, Minas Gerais, and São Paulo, as they document the presence of the giant otter in the Atlantic rainforest, where it is now extirpated. Our dataset may be used in studies on distribution (past and present) of the species, and to delineate conservation policies of the giant otter. The specimens from the Atlantic rainforest may be used in museomics analyses, as they may represent lost haplotypes of P. brasiliensis.

Tropidophis paucisquamis is a rare small-sized snake, endemic to the Atlantic Forest and strongly associated with coastal mountain ranges with elevations above 500 m. In this work, we provide the first record of this species to the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, being the most continental record for the species and extending its distribution approximately 180 km from the closest known localities and 465 km from its type locality. This finding fills a distribution gap between the states of Rio de Janeiro and Espirito Santo, Brazil, and expands our understanding about T. paucisquamis geographic distribution.

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.

Pararamosis is a medical condition, described in the latex extracting areas of the Amazon (rubber tree regions), resulting from contact with the caterpillar of the Premolis semirufa moth. The disease can present itself in an acute form—similarly to other erucisms (injuries caused by moth larvae in humans)—or in a chronic form, typically characterized by the occurrence of changes in the joints of the hands. Because of its importance, in the context of tropical diseases, the objective of this article was to review the main facets of the disease, emphasizing the different pathogenic aspects of the interaction between the arthropod and man.

The Serra da Mantiqueira is one of the least inventoried physiographic areas of southeastern Brazil. There is great potential for detection of endemic species for which little or nothing is known about basic aspects of natural history. The Parque Estadual da Serra do Papagaio (PESP) within the Serra da Mantiqueira is an area of extreme biological importance because it houses mixed formations of grasslands, ombrophilous forests, and enclaves of Araucaria forests (mixed ombrophilous forest). Currently, the mixed ombrophilous forest covers less than 5% of its original range and areas occupied by this forest type, and associated ecosystems constitute refuges, housing several endemic, high altitude species. Between September 2015 and April 2016, field samplings were performed in the PESP using four distinct methods. The objective was to determine the composition and natural history of snakes from an isolated, high altitude area of the Serra da Mantiqueira. In PESP and surrounding areas, 80 individuals representing 24 species, 19 genera, and three families were recorded. Data are presented on abundance, habitat, daily activity, diet, reproduction, and defense. Comparison of the PESP snake assemblage with 30 other Atlantic Forest areas in southeastern Brazil indicate the Serra da Mantiqueira presents particular characteristics regarding snake composition.

Made available in DSpace on 2018-11-26T17:48:23Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2018-05-01 Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) The Brazilian Atlantic coastal forest is one of the most heterogeneous morphoclimatic domains on earth and is thus an excellent region in which to examine the role that habitat heterogeneity plays in shaping diversification of lineages and species. Here we present a molecular phylogeny of the rock frogs of the genus Thoropa Cope, 1865, native to the Atlantic forest and extending to adjacent campo rupestre of Brazil. The goal of this study is to reconstruct the evolutionary history of the genus using multilocus molecular phylogenetic analyses. Our topology reveals 12 highly supported lineages among the four nominal species included in the study. Species T. saxatilis and T. megatympanum are monophyletic. Thoropa taophora is also monophyletic, but nested within T. miliaris. Populations of T. miliaris cluster in five geographically distinct lineages, with low support for relationships among them. Although all 12 lineages are geographically structured, some T. miliaris lineages have syntopic distributions with others, likely reflecting a secondary contact zone between divergent lineages. We discuss a biogeographic scenario that best explains the order of divergence and the distribution of species in Atlantic forest and adjacent areas, and outline the implications of our findings for the taxonomy of Thoropa. Univ Estadual Paulista, Inst Biociencias, Dept Zool, BR-13506900 Sao Paulo, Brazil Univ Estadual Paulista, Ctr Aquicultura CAUNESP, BR-13506900 Sao Paulo, Brazil Cornell Univ, Dept Ecol & Evolutionary Biol, Ithaca, NY 14853 USA Univ Fed Vicosa, Dept Biol Anim, Museu Zool Joao Moojen, Ctr Ciencias Biol & Saude, BR-36571000 Vicosa, MG, Brazil Univ Fed Vicosa, Inst Ciencias Biol & Saude, BR-35690000 Florestal, MG, Brazil Univ Fed Espirito Santo, Lab Vertebrados Terr, BR-29932540 Sao Mateus, ES, Brazil Univ Estadual Campinas, Inst Biociencias, Grp Hist Nat Vertebrados, BR-13083970 Campinas, SP, Brazil Univ Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Ecol & Biol Evolut, BR-09972270 Sao Paulo, Brazil Univ Estadual Paulista, Inst Biociencias, Dept Zool, BR-13506900 Sao Paulo, Brazil Univ Estadual Paulista, Ctr Aquicultura CAUNESP, BR-13506900 Sao Paulo, Brazil FAPESP: 08/50928-1 FAPESP: 13/50741-7 FAPESP: 2014/50342-8 CNPq: 564955/2010-8 CNPq: 302518/2013-4

Dengue virus (DENV) is an arbovirus that belongs to the Flaviviridae family. Studies reveal that peptides secreted by amphibians have many functions, such as antiviral and antimicrobial activities. As there is no antiviral drug effective against the DENV, the antiviral activity of a synthetic peptide called HS-1, derived from the secretion of the anuran Hypsiboas semilineatus, has been evaluated. The assays of neutralization in the Vero cells show a complete inhibition of infection of the serotypes 2 and 3. Furthermore, the direct action of peptides on the viral particle can be observed through atomic force microscopy. In vivo tests display 80% protection against the dengue-2 virus due to the presence of HS-1, which reveals its potential as an antiviral against the DENV.

The 'Zona da Mata' of Minas Gerais, southeastern Brazil, has less than 10% of remaining native vegetation and is home of a rich herpetofauna, still poorly surveyed. We present the results of an assessment of lizard and amphisbaenian species at Atlantic Forest fragments in the municipality of Cataguases, state of Minas Gerais, from 2009 to 2013. We used pitfall traps, occasional encounters, and local collectors, besides a literature review of records from Cataguases and neighboring cities. A total of 15 species in 12 families were found, three of them endemic to the Atlantic Forest ( Ecpleopus gaudichaudi , Enyalius boulengeri , and Gymnodactylus darwinii ). We also present a dichotomous key for identification of lizards and amphisbaenians of Cataguases.

Herein, we present the first comprehensive study of anurans biogeography and conservation in an important mountain chain of the Atlantic Forest bioregion (AF), the Mantiqueira Mountain Range (MMR). We use biotic element analyses to test biogeographical units previously established through a preliminary Parsimony Analysis of Endemicity based on the distribution of anuran species found on the MMR. Furthermore, we assess the actual status of species richness, endemism, weighted endemism, and discuss conservation strategies based on habitat loss, and protected areas (PA) representativeness for the Areas of Endemism and biotic elements (BEs) recovered. We found nine biogeographical units in MMR. Biodiversity metrics identified small patches of high biodiversity throughout MMR, including five that match with the BEs. All BEs recovered present a massive rate of habitat loss and four of them are poorly safeguarded in established protected areas. Our analysis enables linking the BEs of anurans to different areas topographically delimited along the MMR, probably due to the historical process related to climate shifts of the AF. We hypothesize that vicariant speciation should have been a strong driver of diversification in Anura. However, the current MMR protected area system is not safeguarding most of the areas of biogeographical relevance detected in our analyses. The results found here could be used to provide guidance to establish or review current protected areas delimitations, which demonstrate the inefficiency of the current PA system in safeguarding biodiversity. The ad hoc manner to establish protected areas is failing to preserve anuran biodiversity and therefore the evolutionary history of MMR. Although our results are focused solely on anurans, the biogeographical units found represent the biogeographic history of MMR and should be used as an objective and effective criteria to improve the conservation strategies and planning of protective areas.

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.

Brachycephalus is a frog genus endemic to the Brazilian Atlantic Forest and characterized by the bright yellow-orange aposematic colors and the high degree of miniaturization. Herein, we describe a new species of Brachycephalus from Serra do Brigadeiro, Municipality of Ervália, Minas Gerais State, southeastern Brazil. Specimens were collected at high altitudes (i.e., 1266–1498 m above sea level) amidst the leaf litter. The new species is characterized by the presence of black connective tissue covering all dorsal muscles, body completely yellow-orange in life, presence of skull and post-cranial plates, large size (SVL of adults: 14.8–18.5 mm), bufoniform body, absence of metacarpal and metatarsal tubercles, and presence of harmonics in its advertisement call.

Effective management of semi-aquatic animals requires detailed information on upland habitat use around aquatic habitats. Quantifying the amount of habitats needed to sustain local animals’ populations is a crucial criterion when setting protective buffers to water bodies, especially for amphibians, which depend on these upland habitats for breeding and development. Differences in upland habitat use can emerge among amphibian species with distinct life-history traits, including reproductive-strategy (pond-breeding vs. non-pond breeding anurans), life-stage (adults vs. juveniles), and sex (males vs. females). To date there has been no quantitative study of upland habitat use in the Neotropics, which can provide a baseline for quantifying the amount of upland forested habitats needed to sustain local amphibian populations. We monitored three ponds for over two sampling year using drift fences with pitfall traps to investigate how reproductive-strategy, life-stage, and sex affect anuran upland habitat use in a forest remnant in the Atlantic Forest hotspot. We found no differences in upland habitat use between adult and juvenile anurans. However, we found that although the species richness of pond-breeding and non-pond breeding anurans was similar near wetlands, there was greater abundance of pond-breeding compared to non-pond breeding anurans. We also found a strong difference between the sexes in pond-breeding anurans, with males remaining closer to wetlands than females. Thus, the sex ratio of amphibian populations can be strongly skewed toward males if only small protective terrestrial buffers (50-m) are enforced during land development. Our findings also point to the inadequacy of current Brazilian policies to protect small wetlands and the fauna that depend on them. We recommend that policymakers adjust regulatory criteria to set hierarchical protective buffers around wetlands allowing different levels of land-use intervention.

The multidrug-resistant bacteria have become a serious problem to public health. In this scenery the antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) derived from animals and plants emerge as a novel therapeutic modality, substituting or in addition to the conventional antimicrobial. The anurans are one of the richest natural sources of AMPs. In this work several cycles of cDNA cloning of the skin of the Brazilian treefrog Hypsiboas semilineatus led to isolation of a precursor sequence that encodes a new AMP. The sequence comprises a 27 residue signal peptide, followed by an acidic intervening sequence that ends in the mature peptide at the carboxy terminal. The AMP, named Hs-1, has 20 amino acids residues, mostly arranged in an alpha helix and with a molecular weight of 2144.6 Da. The chemically synthesized Hs-1 showed an antimicrobial activity against all Gram-positive bacteria tested, with a range of 11–46 μM, but it did not show any effect against Gram-negative bacteria, which suggest that Hs-1 may have a selective action for Gram-positive bacteria. The effects of Hs-1 on bacterial cells were also demonstrated by transmission electron microscopy. Hs-1 is the first AMP to be described from H. semilineatus .

Snakes of the genus Thamnodynastes Wagler 1830 are viviparous, opisthoglyphous and have elliptical vertical pupil. Among all of the 11 species that occur in Brazil, T. rutilus is easily diagnosed by having a reddish spot in the sixth infralabial. Information about biology, ecology, distribution and behavior of T. rutilus is very scarce in the literature. Such lack of information leads to poor species management and difficulty for taking conservation measures when needed. Thus, this study brought new insights about T. rutilus geographical distribution, amplifying its previously known occurrence area, as well as providing new data about the species natural defensive behavior.Keywords: Squamata, Tachymenini tribe, snakes, conservation, Minas Gerais.

We report new records for the Carvalho’s Surinam Toad Pipa carvalhoi in state of Minas Gerais, southeast of Brazil, extending its occurrence in the southern portion of its known geographic range.

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.

We present a list of the anuran amphibians from municipality of Barão de Monte Alto, state of Minas Gerais, southeastern Brazil. This region is part of the remaining Atlantic Forest and the studied environments are represented by forest patches and open habitats. We recorded 29 anuran species, many of these typical and/or endemic to the Atlantic Forest. None of the species registered was considered under threat of extinction in state, national or international red-lists. It is worth noting, however, the presence of the tree frogs Dendropsophus pseudomeridianus, the first record of this species in the state of Minas Gerais, and D. bipunctatus, marking its expanded distribution in various locations of Minas Gerais. The present list examines zoogeography and conservation of anurans in the Brazilian southeast and broadens the knowledge of the anuran fauna in this region.

Chiasmocleis mantiqueira is a small microhylid frog recently described from an Atlantic rain forest fragment found in the state of Minas Gerais, southeastern Brazil, whose biology is poorly know. Here, the tadpole and the vocalizations of this species are described from the type locality, along with some information about its natural history. Characteristics of larval external morphology of C. mantiqueira are similar to other described tadpoles of the genus: oral disc without keratinized mouthparts, spiracle single, posterior ventral, and medial vent tube. The body is depressed, rectangular in dorsal view and oval in lateral view, and the tail has a flagellum. The species exhibits an explosive breeding behavior, like other Neotropical microhylids. However, unlike other species in this genus, males of C. mantiqueira do not have a vocal sac, and its call is composed of a single harmonic, not a pulsed, note. Thus, the characteristics of the call of C. mantiqueira contradict the hypothesis that call ...

Apresentamos uma lista de anfíbios e répteis de uma região ao norte do complexo serrano da Mantiqueira, sob denominação local de Serra do Brigadeiro. Esta região compreende um remanescente de Mata Atlântica com destaque para o Parque Estadual da Serra do Brigadeiro, unidade de conservação com aproximadamente 15 mil ha nos municípios de Araponga, Divino, Ervália, Fervedouro, Miradouro, Muriaé, Pedra Bonita e Sericita, estado de Minas Gerais, sudeste do Brasil. Através da adoção de métodos complementares como o uso de armadilhas de interceptação e queda e postos de coleta, além de métodos convencionais de busca ativa, encontros ocasionais e registros em coleção científica, a presente lista amplia o conhecimento sobre a herpetofauna dessa região. Nós registramos 98 espécies da herpetofauna, sendo 57 de anuros, um gimnofiono, nove lagartos, uma anfisbênia, 29 serpentes e um quelônio. Embora nenhuma espécie de anfíbio encontrada seja considerada ameaçada de extinção em Minas Gerais, no Brasil ou pela IUCN, 11 espécies (18,96%) são consideradas como Deficiente de Dados. Verifica-se um alto número de espécies exclusivas da Mata Atlântica (46,55%) ou de distribuição restrita (20,68%). Destaca-se o encontro da perereca Gastrotheca ernestoi e a rã Megaelosia apuana, respectivamente o primeiro e segundo registro desses gêneros para Minas Gerais. A cecília Luetkenotyphlus brasiliensis também é redescoberta. Entre os répteis, pode-se destacar a presença do cágado Hydromedusa maximiliani, que aparece como vulnerável nas listas vermelhas de Minas Gerais e da IUCN. Sessenta por cento das espécies de répteis apresentam ampla distribuição na Mata Atlântica, e a presença das serpentes Echinanthera melanostigma e E. undulata, são importantes como, respectivamente, o segundo e terceiro registro dessas espécies para Minas Gerais. 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, Ervália, Fervedouro, Miradouro, Muriaé, 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 vocalization is species-specific and bioacoustic analyses are important tools for species delimitation. The present study describes the vocalization of Sphaenorhynchus mirim, recognizing two different types of call, here referred to as call type A and call type B. We analyzed a total of 86 calls of type A and 15 calls of type B. Call type A consists of a single multipulsed note with duration of 34.12–101.00 ms, with 9–25 pulses/note, pulse rate ranges from 240.40–338.21 pulses/sec and the dominant frequency is between 3085.51–3398.86 Hz. We arbitrarily subdivided the type B call into two patterns: Bd (with well-defined notes) and Bnd (with non-defined notes). Call type B with well-defined notes (n = 4) has 3–5 multipulsed notes, duration of 180.12–262.68 ms, note duration of 15.62–100.75 ms, interval between notes with 7.93–23.12 ms, 2–22 pulses/note and dominant frequency of 3067.77–3180.11 Hz. Call type B with non-defined notes (n = 11) has duration of 143.75–-218.12 ms; 26–32 pulses/ c...

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...

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.

Proceratophrys melanopogon is always observed at high altitudes, having never been diagnosed in altered areas. The advertisement call of this species is described from Serra do Brigadeiro, state of Minas Gerais, southeastern Brazil. The call consists of a multipulsed (12–41 pulses) note with a mean duration of 0.39 s, emitted sporadically, and a dominant frequency around 1179 Hz. By comparing the call of P. melanopogon with other species of the genus it is possible to establish similarities and differences among the analyzed parameters.

São descritos o canto de anúncio, os machos e dados de dimorfismo sexual em Proceratophrys concavitympanum, coletados em Aripuanã (Mato Grosso) e em Espigão do Oeste (Rondônia), Brasil. Os machos foram observados em atividade de vocalização ao longo de pequenos riachos em área de mata primária da Floresta Amazônica. O canto de anúncio de Proceratophrys concavitympanum descrito aqui é comparado com os cantos de outras espécies do gênero Proceratophrys.Here is described the advertisement call, the males and data of sexual dimorphism in Proceratophrys concavitympanum, collected in Aripuanã (Mato Grosso) and Espigão do Oeste (Rondônia), 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 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.

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 Vicosa (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 confirm...

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.

Since Scinax arduous description, many other populations belonging to the Scinax perpusillus group have been recorded for the States of Espírito Santo and Minas Gerais, Southeastern Brazil. Both in collections and publications most of these new specimens are identified as S. arduous, Scinax cf. arduous, Scinax cf. perpusillus, Scinax gr. perpusillus, S. perpusil- lus and S. v-signatus. Such state of affairs may be due to the lack of information on the original description of S. arduous. Only two individuals [the holotype (female) and the paratype (male)] were used in the original description and diagnosis, therefore, information on variation and distribution were not available. Furthermore, in S. arduous description, the section on coloration in life was based only on two juveniles raised in laboratory. Herein we redefine Scinax arduous based on 44 males and 17 females from the type locality, the Municipality of Santa Teresa, in the State of Espírito Santo. In addition, we provide information on its conservation status, distribution, natural history, vocalization, tadpoles, and detailed photo- graphs of both adults and larvae.