Brazil has a fundamental role in amphibian conservation, harboring the highest amphibian species ... more Brazil has a fundamental role in amphibian conservation, harboring the highest amphibian species richness in the world and a large number of endemics. Here, we present an overview of the Brazilian Amphibian Conservation Action Plan (BACAP), which is still being developed by Brazilian herpetologists. Basic research ¢ particularly species inventories, taxonomic revisions and the collection of field data ¢ are urgently needed to guide amphibian conservation in the country. Documentation and monitoring of amphibian richness has improved, at least at regional scales. Lists of threatened species are regularly updated, efforts to standardize field work protocols are being attempted and captive breeding is being considered as a research and educational tool. We also present a short history of the BACAP, identify some of the challenges tied to its implementation, and review a few but important recent achievements.
The genera Leptodactylus and Adenomera comprise 92 species distributed throughout the Neotropical... more The genera Leptodactylus and Adenomera comprise 92 species distributed throughout the Neotropical region. These species have a modal diploid chromosome number 2n = 22. However, chromosome rearrangements are evident in the differentiation of five intra-generic groups in the genus Leptodactylus (L. fuscus, L. latrans, L. marmoratus (formally composed by the species of the genus Adenomera), L. melanonotus, L. pentadactylus), yet it is not clear if there is a karyotype pattern for each group. Aiming to understand the intra-generic and interspecific karyotype patterns of Leptodactylus and Adenomera, cytogenetic analyses were performed in A. andreae, L. macrosternum, L. pentadactylus, L. petersii, and L. riveroi using conventional staining, C-banding, nucleolus organizer region (NOR) and hybridization in situ fluorescent (FISH). The karyotype of Leptodactylus riveroi was described for the first time. Adenomera andreae had 2n = 26, while the remaining species 2n = 22. The NOR was found on ...
abstract. We determined the anurofauna composition and variation in a terra-firme forest surveyed... more abstract. We determined the anurofauna composition and variation in a terra-firme forest surveyed during one rainy season. The study was carried out in the Fazenda Experimental of the Universidade Federal do Amazonas, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil. Between ...
Ferraz et al. (2008) indicated the need for planning in biological monitoring in the Amazon, and ... more Ferraz et al. (2008) indicated the need for planning in biological monitoring in the Amazon, and reviewed what they considered recent progress. The problems and solutions they discuss are well known, and it is unlikely that many biologists would disagree with most of them. ...
Many studies suggest that edaphic variables are major determinants of frog distributions. However... more Many studies suggest that edaphic variables are major determinants of frog distributions. However, leaf-litter depth and soil characteristics are influenced by distance from streams, so the apparent relationship between edaphic characteristics and species distributions could be an artefact of the dependence of species on free water for reproduction. Therefore, we investigated the effect of edaphic variables on the mesoscale distribution of frog species not dependent on free water for reproduction. We evaluated the effects of soil texture, pH, slope, number of trees and leaf-litter volume on the distribution of nine terrestrially reproducing anuran species in the Reserva Ducke, a 100-km 2 terra firme forest preserve in central Amazonia. Diurnal and nocturnal assemblages of anuran species were sampled in 72 plots systematically distributed across the reserve. We sampled the diurnal anuran assemblage by visual encounter in 250 × 1-m plots and the nocturnal assemblage in 250 × 20-m plots using both auditory and visual surveys. The majority of terrestrially breeding anuran species were influenced by topographic and/or edaphic variables, such as slope, soil clay content and pH. However, responses to environmental predictors differed among species. Most species occurred throughout all environmental gradients and relationships with soil characteristics were subtle, indicating that these species occur in the majority of habitats in Reserva Ducke. The results of this study indicate that terrestrially breeding frogs are habitat generalists that show little mesoscale beta diversity associated with habitat variation.
Introdução A América do Sul faz parte da região biogeográfica chamada de região Neotropical, que ... more Introdução A América do Sul faz parte da região biogeográfica chamada de região Neotropical, que se estende do México ao sul do Chile e Argentina. Para se ter idéia, cerca de 50% das espécies de anfíbios de todo o mundo, entre muitos outros grupos taxonômicos, ocorrem nessa região, sendo as regiões cobertas por florestas tropicais as que possuem o maior número total de espécies do planeta. O Brasil é considerado um dos países megadiversos da região Neotropical, que juntamente com outros 16 países, abrigam cerca de 70% das espécies de animais e plantas do mundo. Dados do Ministério do Meio Ambiente (1999) e de Lewinsohn & Prado (2005) (Tabela 1) indicam que entre esses 17 países, o Brasil está em primeiro lugar no número de plantas (cerca de 49.000 espécies), peixes de água doce (3.000 espécies), mamíferos (540 espécies) e anfíbios (849 espécies) e terceiro lugar no número de espécies de aves (1.700 espécies) e répteis (693 espécies). Para grupos ainda não tão bem conhecidos, como os...
The tadpole of Osteocephalus cabrerai (Anura: Hylidae) from central Amazonia, Brazil. Herein we d... more The tadpole of Osteocephalus cabrerai (Anura: Hylidae) from central Amazonia, Brazil. Herein we describe the tadpoles of Osteocephalus cabrerai based on 37 individuals of eight different development stages. We provide comments on spawning sites and breeding period, and compare these tadpoles with those of congeners. The tadpole of O. cabrerai (Stage 39) is characterized by an ovoid body, elongated in lateral view and oval in dorsal view. The snout is rounded, the nostrils oval and the eyes lateral. The tail length is 67% of total length. The larva has a single, sinistral spiracle that is ventrolateral in position. The short vent tube is dextral and attached to the ventral fin. The anteroventral oral disc has marginal and submarginal papillae and a labial tooth row formula 2(2)/6(1). Tadpoles inhabit streams in terra firme forest.
... For leaf litter frogs in forest fragments of Brazilian Atlantic forest, no effects were detec... more ... For leaf litter frogs in forest fragments of Brazilian Atlantic forest, no effects were detected (Dixo & ... was detected to terrestrial frogs in a cloud forest and in an Andean montane forest ... However, in a study conducted at Madagascar, all amphibian species were edge-avoiders in dry ...
Species of the genus Synapturanus are small, burrowing frogs that inhabit the leaf litter of the ... more Species of the genus Synapturanus are small, burrowing frogs that inhabit the leaf litter of the rainforest floor. This genus is distributed in the northern region of South America and contains three species: Synapturanus mirandaribeiroi, S. salseri and S. rabus. In this study we describe the clutch, tadpole and advertisement call of two sympatric species (S. cf. salseri and S. mirandaribeiroi) that occur in Central Amazonia, Brazil. Both lay terrestrial eggs and their tadpoles hatch at a late developmental stage (approximately stage 42). Clutches and tadpoles of the two species are similar in size and appearance. The shape and coloration of newly metamorphosed individuals are similar to those of adults. The advertisement call of S. cf. salseri is a long, single, clearly pulsed, relatively pure tone between 900 and 1290 Hz, while that of S. mirandaribeiroi is a single, brief, nearly pure tone between 1094 and 1710 Hz. Advertisement calls of Synapturanus spp. are similar to those of Myersiella microps, and may be homologues. Both genera inhabit the forest floor, although their distributions are allopatric. Similarities in habitat and reproductive mode among Synapturanus spp. and Myersiella microps further corroborate the hypothesis of a close phylogenetic relationship between these genera.
In this study, we evaluate the effects of spatial and environmental factors on the structure of t... more In this study, we evaluate the effects of spatial and environmental factors on the structure of tadpole assemblages in Central Amazonia testing the following hypotheses: (1) environmental factors are more important than spatial ones in tadpole richness distribution and (2) habitat structure variables are more important than biotic variables in tadpole richness distribution. Tadpoles were sampled at 20 riparian plots between February and June 2010. Spatial and environmental components explained the major part of the variation in observed and estimated tadpole richness, respectively. Among all fitted models, the best model that explains species richness distribution is the one that contains only the number of ponds. Our results showed that tadpole richness in streamside ponds is influenced by niche-based processes and can be explained by local factors related to habitat structure. Predator density was not an important biotic factor in our study, contradicting the results found by other studies conducted in tropical areas. However, neutral processes are also important because spatial variation can explain the spatial distribution of species richness, probably as a result of dispersal limitation. Therefore, our results contribute to understanding of the local and landscape features which influence the amphibian species diversity in a tropical forest.
Brazil has a fundamental role in amphibian conservation, harboring the highest amphibian species ... more Brazil has a fundamental role in amphibian conservation, harboring the highest amphibian species richness in the world and a large number of endemics. Here, we present an overview of the Brazilian Amphibian Conservation Action Plan (BACAP), which is still being developed by Brazilian herpetologists. Basic research ¢ particularly species inventories, taxonomic revisions and the collection of field data ¢ are urgently needed to guide amphibian conservation in the country. Documentation and monitoring of amphibian richness has improved, at least at regional scales. Lists of threatened species are regularly updated, efforts to standardize field work protocols are being attempted and captive breeding is being considered as a research and educational tool. We also present a short history of the BACAP, identify some of the challenges tied to its implementation, and review a few but important recent achievements.
The genera Leptodactylus and Adenomera comprise 92 species distributed throughout the Neotropical... more The genera Leptodactylus and Adenomera comprise 92 species distributed throughout the Neotropical region. These species have a modal diploid chromosome number 2n = 22. However, chromosome rearrangements are evident in the differentiation of five intra-generic groups in the genus Leptodactylus (L. fuscus, L. latrans, L. marmoratus (formally composed by the species of the genus Adenomera), L. melanonotus, L. pentadactylus), yet it is not clear if there is a karyotype pattern for each group. Aiming to understand the intra-generic and interspecific karyotype patterns of Leptodactylus and Adenomera, cytogenetic analyses were performed in A. andreae, L. macrosternum, L. pentadactylus, L. petersii, and L. riveroi using conventional staining, C-banding, nucleolus organizer region (NOR) and hybridization in situ fluorescent (FISH). The karyotype of Leptodactylus riveroi was described for the first time. Adenomera andreae had 2n = 26, while the remaining species 2n = 22. The NOR was found on ...
abstract. We determined the anurofauna composition and variation in a terra-firme forest surveyed... more abstract. We determined the anurofauna composition and variation in a terra-firme forest surveyed during one rainy season. The study was carried out in the Fazenda Experimental of the Universidade Federal do Amazonas, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil. Between ...
Ferraz et al. (2008) indicated the need for planning in biological monitoring in the Amazon, and ... more Ferraz et al. (2008) indicated the need for planning in biological monitoring in the Amazon, and reviewed what they considered recent progress. The problems and solutions they discuss are well known, and it is unlikely that many biologists would disagree with most of them. ...
Many studies suggest that edaphic variables are major determinants of frog distributions. However... more Many studies suggest that edaphic variables are major determinants of frog distributions. However, leaf-litter depth and soil characteristics are influenced by distance from streams, so the apparent relationship between edaphic characteristics and species distributions could be an artefact of the dependence of species on free water for reproduction. Therefore, we investigated the effect of edaphic variables on the mesoscale distribution of frog species not dependent on free water for reproduction. We evaluated the effects of soil texture, pH, slope, number of trees and leaf-litter volume on the distribution of nine terrestrially reproducing anuran species in the Reserva Ducke, a 100-km 2 terra firme forest preserve in central Amazonia. Diurnal and nocturnal assemblages of anuran species were sampled in 72 plots systematically distributed across the reserve. We sampled the diurnal anuran assemblage by visual encounter in 250 × 1-m plots and the nocturnal assemblage in 250 × 20-m plots using both auditory and visual surveys. The majority of terrestrially breeding anuran species were influenced by topographic and/or edaphic variables, such as slope, soil clay content and pH. However, responses to environmental predictors differed among species. Most species occurred throughout all environmental gradients and relationships with soil characteristics were subtle, indicating that these species occur in the majority of habitats in Reserva Ducke. The results of this study indicate that terrestrially breeding frogs are habitat generalists that show little mesoscale beta diversity associated with habitat variation.
Introdução A América do Sul faz parte da região biogeográfica chamada de região Neotropical, que ... more Introdução A América do Sul faz parte da região biogeográfica chamada de região Neotropical, que se estende do México ao sul do Chile e Argentina. Para se ter idéia, cerca de 50% das espécies de anfíbios de todo o mundo, entre muitos outros grupos taxonômicos, ocorrem nessa região, sendo as regiões cobertas por florestas tropicais as que possuem o maior número total de espécies do planeta. O Brasil é considerado um dos países megadiversos da região Neotropical, que juntamente com outros 16 países, abrigam cerca de 70% das espécies de animais e plantas do mundo. Dados do Ministério do Meio Ambiente (1999) e de Lewinsohn & Prado (2005) (Tabela 1) indicam que entre esses 17 países, o Brasil está em primeiro lugar no número de plantas (cerca de 49.000 espécies), peixes de água doce (3.000 espécies), mamíferos (540 espécies) e anfíbios (849 espécies) e terceiro lugar no número de espécies de aves (1.700 espécies) e répteis (693 espécies). Para grupos ainda não tão bem conhecidos, como os...
The tadpole of Osteocephalus cabrerai (Anura: Hylidae) from central Amazonia, Brazil. Herein we d... more The tadpole of Osteocephalus cabrerai (Anura: Hylidae) from central Amazonia, Brazil. Herein we describe the tadpoles of Osteocephalus cabrerai based on 37 individuals of eight different development stages. We provide comments on spawning sites and breeding period, and compare these tadpoles with those of congeners. The tadpole of O. cabrerai (Stage 39) is characterized by an ovoid body, elongated in lateral view and oval in dorsal view. The snout is rounded, the nostrils oval and the eyes lateral. The tail length is 67% of total length. The larva has a single, sinistral spiracle that is ventrolateral in position. The short vent tube is dextral and attached to the ventral fin. The anteroventral oral disc has marginal and submarginal papillae and a labial tooth row formula 2(2)/6(1). Tadpoles inhabit streams in terra firme forest.
... For leaf litter frogs in forest fragments of Brazilian Atlantic forest, no effects were detec... more ... For leaf litter frogs in forest fragments of Brazilian Atlantic forest, no effects were detected (Dixo & ... was detected to terrestrial frogs in a cloud forest and in an Andean montane forest ... However, in a study conducted at Madagascar, all amphibian species were edge-avoiders in dry ...
Species of the genus Synapturanus are small, burrowing frogs that inhabit the leaf litter of the ... more Species of the genus Synapturanus are small, burrowing frogs that inhabit the leaf litter of the rainforest floor. This genus is distributed in the northern region of South America and contains three species: Synapturanus mirandaribeiroi, S. salseri and S. rabus. In this study we describe the clutch, tadpole and advertisement call of two sympatric species (S. cf. salseri and S. mirandaribeiroi) that occur in Central Amazonia, Brazil. Both lay terrestrial eggs and their tadpoles hatch at a late developmental stage (approximately stage 42). Clutches and tadpoles of the two species are similar in size and appearance. The shape and coloration of newly metamorphosed individuals are similar to those of adults. The advertisement call of S. cf. salseri is a long, single, clearly pulsed, relatively pure tone between 900 and 1290 Hz, while that of S. mirandaribeiroi is a single, brief, nearly pure tone between 1094 and 1710 Hz. Advertisement calls of Synapturanus spp. are similar to those of Myersiella microps, and may be homologues. Both genera inhabit the forest floor, although their distributions are allopatric. Similarities in habitat and reproductive mode among Synapturanus spp. and Myersiella microps further corroborate the hypothesis of a close phylogenetic relationship between these genera.
In this study, we evaluate the effects of spatial and environmental factors on the structure of t... more In this study, we evaluate the effects of spatial and environmental factors on the structure of tadpole assemblages in Central Amazonia testing the following hypotheses: (1) environmental factors are more important than spatial ones in tadpole richness distribution and (2) habitat structure variables are more important than biotic variables in tadpole richness distribution. Tadpoles were sampled at 20 riparian plots between February and June 2010. Spatial and environmental components explained the major part of the variation in observed and estimated tadpole richness, respectively. Among all fitted models, the best model that explains species richness distribution is the one that contains only the number of ponds. Our results showed that tadpole richness in streamside ponds is influenced by niche-based processes and can be explained by local factors related to habitat structure. Predator density was not an important biotic factor in our study, contradicting the results found by other studies conducted in tropical areas. However, neutral processes are also important because spatial variation can explain the spatial distribution of species richness, probably as a result of dispersal limitation. Therefore, our results contribute to understanding of the local and landscape features which influence the amphibian species diversity in a tropical forest.
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