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Studies on the use of food resources and trophic niche of different species can help understand ecological relationships. In this study, we evaluated the diet of three sympatric species of Physalaemus from the Brazilian semiarid. We analyzed a total of 264 individuals, being 100 specimens of Physalaemus albifrons, 93 of P. cicada, and 71 of P. cuvieri. Seven prey categories were recorded: three for P. cicada and P. albifrons, and six distinct categories for P. cuvieri. The orders Coleoptera, Isoptera and the family Formicidae were the most representative categories in the diet of P. cicada, P. cuvieri, and P. albifrons, respectively. Although there is a high trophic niche overlap, differences in preference for food categories may reduce potential competition in these frog species from the Caatinga.

Knowledge of which and how many species are part of an ecosystem is fundamental to understanding the diversity of organisms, including parasitic organisms that vary widely among host populations. This study describes the composition, infection patterns, and similarity in composition of helminths associated with P. albifrons, P. cicada, and P. cuvieri. Four samplings were carried out in two caatinga areas in the southern region of Ceara State, Brazil. The specimens were collected by active search, necropsied, and surveyed for helminths. The infection patterns for all helminth species found were estimated through prevalence, mean abundance, and mean intensity of infection. A total of 242 helminth specimens were collected from 264 hosts—100 Physalaemus albifrons with overall prevalence of 20%, 93 Physalaemus cicada with overall prevalence of 27%, and 71 Physalaemus cuvieri with overall prevalence of 15%. Ten parasite taxa with a mean of one–three parasite species per host were identified. The nematode Raillietnema spectans was present in the three host species and had the highest prevalence. The results of this study represent 38.4% of known parasites for the species of the subfamily Leiuperinae, and 52.6% for the species of Physalaemus. Four parasite taxa (Oswaldocruzia cf. mazzai, Raillietnema spectans, Schrankiana schranki, and Cylindrotaenia americana) are new records for the host species studied, contributing to the knowledge of the parasitic interactions of amphibians of the genus Physalaemus.

Physalaemus albifrons (Spix, 1824) We found a single call type for the species, referred to as call A. The call is composed of a short single harmonic note with an elliptic envelope. It has a general downward FM throughout the call but with an up-downward FM segment in the first three fourths of the call duration. Call A (Fig. 28 A–F and 24E). We examined two recordings, a total of two minutes, with ca. 90 calls from two males. Only some of these calls were measured (see Table 2). Call duration varies from 0.263 to 0.297 s. The call rise and fall durations are similar to each other in duration and shape (linear to exponential). There is a sustain, usually with a concave shape, yielding two amplitude peaks around the middle of the call (Fig. 28A). The amplitude peak is at around the middle of the call duration. The envelope is elliptic (Fig. 28A, C). More than 50 % of the call energy is concentrated in 24 % of the call duration around the amplitude peak. There is no PAM in the call. The call has a harmonic series (Fig. 24E). The fundamental frequency is ca. 480 Hz and approximately the first seven harmonics are emphasized. The wave periods are regular and harmonics are clear throughout the call. The dominant frequency varies from ca. 2440 to 2670 Hz (Fig. 28B). The dominant harmonic varies from the second to the ninth, but it is usually the fifth. There is a clear shift in the relative energy among the bands; the dominant frequency gets higher toward the end of the call, starting at the second harmonic and ending at the eighth or ninth (Fig. 28B, E, F; 24E). Thenceforth, it gets lower, ending in the seventh or sixth harmonic (Fig. 28B, E, F; 24E). Most of the call energy is between 1100 and 3700 Hz (six to nine harmonics). The call has a general downward FM (Fig. 28B, E, F). Additionally, the calls have an up-downward FM in the first three fourths of the call duration, yielding arc-shaped bands in this part of the call and a short downward FM at the end (Fig. 28B, E, F). The general downward FM and the initial up-downward FM result in S-shaped harmonics when considering the entire call. There is no PFM., Published as part of Hepp, Fábio & Pombal, José P., 2020, Review of bioacoustical traits in the genus Physalaemus Fitzinger, 1826 (Anura: Leptodactylidae: Leiuperinae), pp. 1-106 in Zootaxa 4725 (1) on page 60, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4725.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/3612996

The spermatozoa of representatives of three Neotropical frog subfamilies, Leiuperinae, Leptodactylinae and Paratelmatobiinae, were observed using Transmission Electron Microscopy, with the aim of identifying ultrastructural traits that provide insights into the phylogenetic relationships among these anurans, which are currently unclear. In the leiuperines, spermatozoa of Physalaemus albifrons, P. cicada, P. deimaticus and P. feioi were characterized by an acrosomal vesicle covering the subacrosomal cone that was not observed in the spermatozoa of Physalaemus centralis and P. cuvieri. The tail of the spermatozoa of P. albifrons, P. centralis, P. cicada, P. cuvieri, P. deimaticus, and P. feioi presented a long undulating membrane, whereas Engystomops petersi and E. freibergi, which form a sister clade to Physalaemus, had an axial fiber, which were absent in Physalaemus. Other leiuperine, E. puyango had an abaxonemal bulb-like swelling distally to the paraxonemal rod, which were also absent in Physalaemus. These differences support the revalidation of Engystomops as a true taxon, distinct from Physalaemus. The tail of the spermatozoa of E. petersi and E. freibergi was similar to that of Paratelmatobius poecilogaster (Paratelmatobiinae). The spermatozoa of Leptodactylus natalenis (Leptodactylinae) had undulating membrane and axial fiber, in contrast with Adenomera marmorata, which lacked these structures. Morphological differences between A. marmorata and L. natalensis sperm cells appeared to validate the allocation of A. marmorata into a genus distinct from Leptodactylus. Overall, dissimilarities in the spermatozoa of the leptodactylids provided an important phylogenetic signal for the understanding of their taxonomic relationships.

The tadpoles of Physalaemus albifrons used in this description were obtained from a pair collected in a permanent pond in Brotas de Macaubas, state of Bahia, Brazil. The external morphological features are similar to those of other members of the P. albifrons species group, differing by the presence of interruptions in the row of the marginal papillae of the lower lip. Labial tooth row formula is 2(2)/3(1, 2). The internal oral morphology of P. albifrons differed from those of P. marmoratus, P. santafecinus and P. biligonigerus by the presence of three lingual papillae.

The genus Physalaemus Fitzinger, 1826 is composed by 46 species occuring from north to southern South America, east of the Andes (Frost 2015). Physalaemus albifrons is morphologically differentiated from the other species mainly due to the presence of a second tarsal tubercle located nearly the tibio-tarsal articulation (Bokermann 1966). Physalaemus albifrons occurs in Brazil from north of the State of Maranhao through the states of Piaui, Ceara, Bahia, Paraiba, Pernambuco, and Alagoas, being its more austral occurrence in the State of Minas Gerais (Frost 2015). The advertisement call of P. albifrons was described by Bokermann (1966); however, the description needs improvement by applying new technologies, which we provide herein.

Universidade Federal de Sao Carlos Physalaemus is the largest genus, with regard to number of species, of the subfamily Leiuperinae, the taxonomy of which has been the subject of recent studies due to the high intraspecific and low interspecific variation within the group, with patterns of variation possibly related to geographic distribution. The Physalaemus albifrons species was first collected by Johann Baptiste von Spix in 1824, and its type locality is the "Province of Bahia", even though it is distributed from Maranhão to Minas Gerais, in regions characterized by the Caatinga morphoclimatic zone in areas of transition with the Cerrado. Due to the variation in the dorsal pattern found in Physalaemus albifrons, authors have put foward the hypothesis of the species being included in a species complex, meaning there would be more species registered under a single common name. Based on this, 98 individuals were studied, associated with each sampled location by means of analysis of morphological and morphometric characters, thus redescribing the species. Physalaemus albifrons presents four intrapopulational dorsal coloration patterns, varying from homogeneously spotless; longitudinal and irregular linear dark spots; as well as dark spots in an omega-like pattern. The second tubercle next to the tibiotarsal articulation, the absence of inguinal glands and the snout-vent length from 18,1 mm to 33,8mm proved to be diagnostic features in order to differentiate Physalaemus.albifrons from other species of the genus. This species, which may also be described as being average-sized for this genus, with the head greater in width than in length; and the snout subelliptical in dorsal view. The populations presents morphological variation as to the distinction of the tympanic ring which might be visible in some individuals and indistinguishable in others, leading to the definition of two morphological groups which are unified through canonical discriminant analysis, therefore discarding the possible characterization of the species complex in Physalaemus albifrons. Physalaemus é o maior gênero em número de espécies da subfamília Leiuperinae, cuja taxonomia tem sido alvo de recentes estudos devido à elevada variação intraespecífica e baixa variação interespecífica apresentada pelo grupo, com padrões de variação possivelmente relacionados com a distribuição geográfica. A espécie Physalaemus albifrons foi coletada pela primeira vez por Johann Baptiste von Spix em 1824 e a localidade tipo registrada é Província da Bahia , contudo está distribuída desde o Maranhão até Minas Gerais, em regiões caracterizadas pelo domínio morfoclimático da Caatinga em áreas de transição com o Cerrado. Devido à variação no padrão de desenhos dorsais apresentada por Physalaemus albifrons, autores levantam a hipótese de a espécie estar incluída em um complexo de espécies, ou seja, haveriam mais espécies registradas sob um mesmo nome. Baseando-se nisto, 98 exemplares foram estudados, associados a cada localidade amostrada, analisando-se caracteres morfológicos e morfométricos, redescrevendo-se a espécie. Physalaemus albifrons apresenta quatro padrões intrapopulacionais de coloração dorsal, variando de homogêneo sem manchas, com manchas escuras lineares longitudinais e irregulares e também com manchas escuras em padrão de ômega. O segundo tubérculo presente próximo da articulação tíbio-tarsal, a ausência de glândulas inguinais e o comprimento rostro cloacal de 18,1-33,8 mm se mostraram características diagnósticas para diferenciar Physalaemus albifrons das demais espécies do gênero. Esta espécie, podendo ainda ser descrita como de tamanho médio para este gênero, com a cabeça mais larga do que longa e o focinho subelíptico em vista dorsal. As populações apresentam variação morfológica quanto à distinção do aro timpânico, que pode ser visível em alguns exemplares e indistinguível em outros, definindo-se dois grupos morfológicos unificados através da análise de discriminante canônica, descartando-se, assim, a possibilidade de caracterização do complexo de espécies em Physalaemus albifrons.

Recently, Physalaemus albifrons (Spix, 1824) was relocated from the Physalaemus cuvieri group to the same group as Physalaemus biligonigerus (Cope, 1861), Physalaemus marmoratus (Reinhardt & Lütken, 1862) and Physalaemus santafecinus Barrio, 1965. To contribute to the analysis of this proposition, we studied the karyotypes of Physalaemus albifrons, Physalaemus santafecinus and three species of the Physalaemus cuvieri group. The karyotype of Physalaemus santafecinus was found to be very similar to those of Physalaemus biligonigerus and Physalaemus marmoratus, which were previously described. A remarkable characteristic that these three species share is a conspicuous C-band that extends from the pericentromeric region almost to the telomere in the short arm of chromosome 3. This characteristic is not present in the Physalaemus albifrons karyotype and could be a synapomorphy of Physalaemus biligonigerus, Physalaemus marmoratus and Physalaemus santafecinus. The karyotype of Physalaemus santafecinus is also similar to those of Physalaemus marmoratus and Physalaemus biligonigerus owing to the presence of several terminal C-bands and the distal localization of the NOR in a small metacentric chromosome. In contrast, the Physalaemus albifrons karyotype has no terminal C-bands and its NOR is located interstitially in the long arm of submetacentric chromosome 8. The NOR-bearing chromosome of Physalaemus albifrons very closely resembles those found in Physalaemus albonotatus (Steindachner, 1864), Physalaemus cuqui Lobo, 1993 and some populations of Physalaemus cuvieri Fitzinger, 1826. Additionally, the Physalaemus albifrons karyotype has an interstitial C-band in chromosome 5 that has been exclusively observed in species of the Physalaemus cuvieri group. Therefore, we were not able to identify any chromosomal feature that supports the reallocation of Physalaemus albifrons. Fil: Vittorazzi, Stenio Eder. Universidade Estadual de Campinas; Brasil Fil: Quinderé, Yeda Rumi Serra Douglas. Universidade Estadual de Campinas; Brasil Fil: Recco Pimentel, Shirlei Maria. Universidade Estadual de Campinas; Brasil Fil: Tomatis, Cristian Gabriel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Nordeste. Instituto de Biología Subtropical. Instituto de Biología Subtropical - Nodo Posadas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Misiones; Argentina Fil: Baldo, Juan Diego. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Nordeste. Instituto de Biología Subtropical. Instituto de Biología Subtropical - Nodo Posadas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Misiones; Argentina Fil: Reis Ferreira Lima, Janaina. Instituto de Pesquisas Científicas e Tecnológicas do Amapá; Brasil Fil: Ferro, Juan Martín. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Nordeste. Instituto de Biología Subtropical. Instituto de Biología Subtropical - Nodo Posadas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Misiones; Argentina Fil: Dias Lima, Jucivaldo. Instituto de Pesquisas Científicas e Tecnológicas do Amapá; Brasil Fil: Bolsoni Lurenço, Luciana. Universidade Estadual de Campinas; Brasil

A surpreendente descoberta de uma assembléia de anuros terrícolas extremamente abundante, sintópica à fauna peculiar de lagartos, serpentes e anfisbenas, numa localidade dos mares de areia do médio Rio São Francisco (estado da Bahia, Brasil) motivou: (1) o estudo do uso de alimento e eletividades na dieta dos anuros locais, (2) a investigação de evidências de adaptação na sua dieta ao ambiente desafiador das dunas e (3) a avaliação do possível impacto que os anuros causam na assembléia sintópica de Squamata anteriormente estudada. O uso de alimento e as eletividades na dieta das três espécies de anuros mais abundantes, assim como suas variações ontogenéticas, foram descritas e premissas sobre adequação das estimativas de uso e disponibilidade de recursos alimentares foram testadas. Evidências de adaptação nas dietas dos anuros às dunas foram feitas comparando-se sua dieta com as de espécies filogeneticamente próximas. As estimativas de uso e de disponibilidade utilizadas foram consideradas adequadas. Bufo granulosus apresentou eletividade positiva por formigas. Pleurodema diplolistris e Physalaemus albifrons apresentaram ambos eletividade positiva por besouros e eletividade negativa por cupins e por formigas, respectivamente. Não houve variação ontogenética nos tipos de presa consumidas por nenhuma das espécies estudadas e isso não pôde ser atribuído à avaliação de uma pequena extensão de tamanhos dos anuros. Variações ontogenéticas no tamanho das presas foram observadas apenas para B. granulosus e P. diplolistris. Não houve evidência de apomorfia na dieta de B. granulosus e não houve dados disponíveis suficientes para realizar essa análise para P. diplolistris. As apomorfias registradas na dieta de P. albifrons podem ser explicadas por interações competitivas com outros componentes da herpetofauna local. Os anuros não parecem causar impacto forte sobre a assembléia de Squamata sintópica, devido a divergências nas eletividades por alimento e nos horários de atividade entre a maioria deles e grande parte desse padrão divergente parece ter se estabelecido antes da formação dessa assembléia. A eletividade positiva por formigas de B. granulosus e do tropidurídeo Tropidurus psammonastes pode apontar interação competitiva contemporânea entre eles, devido a suas grandes abundâncias locais. No entanto, é necessário haver indícios de limitação de recursos para levantar tal hipótese, porque a divergência nos horários de atividade deles impede competição por interferência. Mas formigas são abundantes na área. The discovery of an extremely abundant anuran terrestrial assemblage, that is syntopic to a peculiar fauna of lizards, snakes, and worm snakes, in a locality at the sand dune fields of the Middle São Francisco River (Bahia state, Brazil) motivated: (1) the study of food use and electivities of local anurans, (2) investigations about evidences of adaptation in anurans’ diet to the challenges of a semi-arid environment, and (3) the assessment of the impact caused by anurans on the Squamata syntopic assemblage already studied. Food use, food electivities, and ontogenetic variation in diet of the three most abundant anuran species were described, and premises about the adequacy of the used estimates of food use and food availability were tested. Evidences of adaptation in diet were assessed by comparison of the diet of anurans from the dunes and that of phylogenetically related species. Estimates of food use and availability were considered suitable. Bufo granulosus showed positive electivity for ants. Pleurodema diplolistris and Physalaemus albifrons had both positive electivities for beetles and negative electivities for termites and ants, respectively. No species changed the types of prey it consumed during ontogeny and this was not a spurious result of a narrow range of anurans size analyzed. B. granulosus and P. diplolistris ate bigger preys as they grew. There was no evidence of adaptation in B. granulosus diet and insufficient data precluded this analysis with P. diplolistris diet. Apomorphies registered in P. albifrons diet can be explained by ecological contemporary interactions with local herpetofauna components. Anurans do not seem to cause a big impact on Squamata syntopic species, because in general anurans and squamates show divergent food electivities and/or activity times. Moreover, most of this divergent pattern has probably evolved before the establishment of the current assemblage. Coincident positive electivities for ants of B. granulosus and the tropidurid Tropidurus psammonastes can be an indicative of contemporary competitive interactions between them, principally because they are very abundant at the dunes. But evidence of limiting resources are necessary to rise this hypothesis because divergent activity times preclude interference competition, but ants are very abundant at the dunes.

We report the first record of Physalaemus albifrons in the state of Alagoas, in the municipality of Boca da Mata, Brazil.

Recently Hoogmoed & Gruber (1983) provided detailed information on the type material of Spix and Wagler, which was long thought to have been destroyed. After this article was written, a specimen of Physalaemus albifrons Spix, collected by Spix, surfaced in the collection of the Rijksmuseum van Natuurlijke Historie (RMNH). Details on this specimen are provided.