In this article, we describe a new species of Scinax from the state of Paraná, southern Brazil, based on the external morphology of adults and their advertisement calls. The new species is diagnosed by the size of its males (SVL 27.8-31.6 mm); the snout subovoid in the dorsal view and slightly acuminate in profile; the vocal sac subgular and ventrally not reaching the pectoral region; and the advertisement call composed of a single pulsed note with 7-13 pulses, and a duration of 0.16-0.25s. This new species occurs in natural highland grassland formations, in the threatened ecosystem of the Atlantic Forest in the state of Paraná, southern Brazil.
Amphibian distribution patterns are known to be influenced by habitat diversity at breeding sites. Thus, breeding sites variability and how such variability influences anuran diversity is important. Here, we examine which characteristics at breeding sites are most influential on anuran diversity in grasslands associated with Araucaria forest, southern Brazil, especially in places at risk due to anthropic activities. We evaluate the associations between habitat heterogeneity and anuran species diversity in nine body of water from September 2008 to March 2010, in 12 field campaigns in which 16 species of anurans were found. Of the seven habitat descriptors we examined, water depth, pond surface area and distance to the nearest forest fragment explained 81% of total species diversity. Water depth, margin vegetation type, surface area and distance to the next body of water explained between 31-74% of the variance in abundance of nine of the 16 species. Thus, maintenance of body of water, of the vegetation along the water edge and natural forest fragments in the grasslands, along with fire control (used to renovation of pasture), are fundamentally important for the maintenance of anuran species diversity through the conservation of their breeding sites.
Aim The Theory of Island Biogeography posits that ecological and evolutionary processes regulate species richness of isolated areas. We assessed the influences of an island area and distance from the mainland on species richness, phylogenetic diversity, and phylogenetic composition of snakes on coastal islands. Location Coastal islands of the megadiverse Atlantic Forest in southeastern Brazil. Methods We compiled the species composition of 17 coastal islands in southeastern Brazil. Species richness and phylogenetic diversity were calculated for each island. Phylogenetic composition was measured using principal coordinates of phylogenetic structure. We then employed generalized linear models to test the influence of area and distance from the mainland on the diversity metrics. Results We found a prominent influence of area on species richness, whereas phylogenetic diversity was more affected by distance from the mainland. Snake clades were distinctly associated with area and distance. The Boidae family was associated with nearer and larger islands, whereas Elapidae was broadly distributed. Distance from the mainland was associated with the distribution of Dipsadidae, whereas Colubridae was influenced by both the area and distance. The Viperidae family attained higher values of phylogenetic diversity in smaller and more remote islands. Main conclusions This island system conserved a considerable piece of snake richness from southeastern Brazil, including island endemic species. Area and distance from the mainland were important drivers of snake diversity in the Atlantic Forest coastal islands. However, these predictors affected the different components of diversity in different ways. Phylogenetic composition analysis enables us to understand how basal nodes contributed to high levels of phylogenetic diversity on smaller and farther islands regardless of the decrease in species richness.
Bioacoustics is a powerful tool used for anuran species diagnoses, given that advertisement calls are signals related to specific recognition and mate attraction. Thus, call descriptions can support species taxonomy. In spite of that, call descriptions are lacking for many species, delaying advances in biodiversity research. Here, we describe the advertisement calls of 20 anuran species from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. We accessed 50 digital recordings deposited in the Fonoteca Neotropical Jacques Vielliard. Acoustic analyses were carried out in the software Raven pro 1.5. We provide a general comparison of call structure among species inside taxonomic groups and genera. The vocalizations described here belong to poorly known species, which are representatives of six families: Brachycephalidae, Bufonidae, Ceratophryidae, Cycloramphidae, Hylidae, and Phyllomedusidae. Despite this, still there are 163 species of anurans from Atlantic Forest with calls not formally described. Our work represents an important step in providing data for a taxonomic perspective and improving the knowledge of the Atlantic Forest anuran diversity.
This study aimed to generate knowledge about transition areas between phytophysiognomies for the understanding and conservation of these unique environments. Thus, the existence of different floristic groups was analyzed in a spatial gradient of an ecotone in the municipality of São Desidério, state of Bahia, Brazil. To this end, a transect of approximately 4.7 km, with orientation from Northeast to Southwest, was established along a spatial gradient. Twelve (12) 10x50 m sampling plots (500 m² each) were distributed throughout this transect. The following methodology was employed: First, the floristic similarity between the sampling plots was measured. These sampling plots were then grouped and the data were graphically presented in a dendrogram (Cluster analysis) and an ordering diagram (nMDS). Finally, the phytosociological parameters by ordered group were obtained. The results showed the presence of three floristic groups: Groups I, II and III, classified as wooded savannah, seasonal deciduous forest, and forested savannah, respectively. The floristic groups were formed gradually along the spatial gradient, and transition between phytophysiognomies does not occur abruptly, since the ordering by groups is more due to the difference between the abundance of species than to their presence and/or absence. The distribution pattern of the phytophysiognomies along the spatial gradient indicates association with abiotic factors, such as the pedological characteristics and the relief found along the transect, possibly creating an environmental gradient.
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