Morphological similarity associated to restricted distributions and low dispersal abilities make the direct developing “Terrarana” frogs of the genus Euparkerella a good model for examining diversification processes. We here infer phylogenetic relationships within the genus Euparkerella, using DNA sequence data from one mitochondrial and four nuclear genes coupled with traditional Bayesian phylogenetic reconstruction approaches and more recent coalescent methods of species tree inference. We also used Bayesian clustering analysis and a recent Bayesian coalescent-based approach specifically to infer species delimitation. The analysis of 39 individuals from the four known Euparkerella species uncovered high levels of genetic diversity, especially within the two previously morphologically-defined E. cochranae and E. brasiliensis. Within these species, the gene trees at five independent loci and trees from combined data (concatenated dataset and the species tree) uncovered six deeply diverged and geographically coherent evolutionary units, which may have diverged between the Miocene and the Pleistocene. These six units were also uncovered in the Bayesian clustering analysis, and supported by the Bayesian coalescent-based species delimitation (BPP), and Genealogical Sorting Index (GSI), providing thus strong evidence for underestimation of the current levels of diversity within Euparkerella. The cryptic diversity now uncovered opens new opportunities to examine the origins and maintenance of microendemism in the context of spatial heterogeneity and/or human induced fragmentation of the highly threatened Brazilian Atlantic forest hotspot.

Species inventories are useful tools to improve conservation strategies, especially in highly threatened biomes such as the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. Here we present a species list of amphibians and reptiles for the Reserva Ecoló gica de Guapiaçu (REGUA), a forest reserve located in the central portion of Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil. The list results from an extensive sampling effort that lasted ten years. A total of 73 amphibian (of which ten are endemic to the state) and 37 reptile species was recorded from the area. Five amphibian species are presently categorized by the IUCN as ''data-deficient'', two as ''near threatened'' and one as ''endangered'', whereas one reptile species is categorized as ''vulnerable''. Our results showed that REGUA harbors about one-third of the herpetofauna species presently known to occur in state of Rio de Janeiro, adding more information to previously published lists of amphibians and reptiles from localities within the Serra dos Ó rgã os region, and highlighting the importance of this area for conservation of amphibians and reptiles of the Atlantic Forest. Keywords: amphibians, Atlantic Forest, conservation, hotspot, reptiles.ALMEIDA-GOMES, M., SIQUEIRA, C.C., BORGES-JÚ NIOR, V.N.T., VRCIBRADIC, D., FUSINATTO, L.A., ROCHA, C.F.D. Herpetofauna da Reserva Ecológica de Guapiaçu (REGUA) e das áreas do entorno, no estado do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil.http://dx.doi. org/10.1590/1676-0603007813Resumo: Inventá rios de espécies constituem importantes subsídios para melhorar as estratégias de conservaçã o, especialmente em biomas altamente ameaçados como a Mata Atlâ ntica brasileira. Aqui, nó s apresentamos uma lista de anfíbios e répteis para a Reserva Ecoló gica de Guapiaçu (REGUA), uma reserva florestal localizada na porçã o central do estado do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. A lista é baseada em um esforço de amostragem extensivo de dez anos de duraçã o. Um total de 73 espécies de anfíbios (das quais dez sã o endêmicas ao estado) e 37 espécies de répteis foi registrado na á rea. Cinco das espécies de anfíbios estã o atualmente categorizadas pela IUCN como ''deficiente em dados'', duas como ''quase ameaçadas'' e uma como ''em perigo'', enquanto uma espécie de réptil está categorizada como ''vulnerá vel''. Nossos resultados mostram que a regiã o da REGUA abriga cerca de um terço da herpetofauna atualmente conhecida para o estado do Rio de Janeiro, adicionando mais espécies em relaçã o a listas de espécies anfíbios e répteis previamente publicadas para localidades na regiã o da Serra dos Ó rgã os e enfatizando a importâ ncia desta á rea para a conservaçã o dos anfíbios e répteis da Mata Atlâ ntica.

No abstract

ABSTRACT.We studied the reproductive biology of a population of Pseudis minuta Günther, 1858 from Reserva Biológica do Lami (30º 15' S; 51º 05' W), Porto Alegre, southern Brazil. We assessed the spatial and temporal distribution of individuals (males, females, juveniles) and explored potential relationships with environmental variables. Field activities encompassed bimonthly surveys in three semi-permanent ponds, each one during approximately two days and two nights, from August 2004 to July 2005. We recorded differences in the sites used by males, females and juveniles, with males occupying deeper and more distant places from the border. The temporal distributions of individuals, calling sites and amplectant pairs indicated that the reproductive activity of P. minuta is related to some of the studied abiotic factors. Calling males presented statistical differences in relation to non-calling males for all daily abiotic variables analyzed (air temperature, water temperature, relative humidity and rainfall), as well as to monthly temperature and rainfall. The number of active males, females and juveniles was influenced by at least one of the daily or monthly environmental variables analyzed. We conclude that the reproduction in this species is seasonal and may be partially determined by abiotic factors. KEYWORDS.Spatial-temporal distribution, reproductive activity, environmental variables, Pseudis minuta. RESUMO. Distribuição espacial e temporal dePseudis minuta (Anura, Hylidae, Hylinae) e variáveis ambientais relacionadas à atividade reprodutiva na Reserva Biológica do Lami, sul do Brasil. A distribuição espacial e temporal de Pseudis minuta Günther, 1858 e fatores ambientais relacionados à atividade reprodutiva da espécie foram estudados na Reserva Biológica do Lami (30º 15' S; 51º 05' W), Porto Alegre, Brasil. As atividades de campo compreenderam visitas bimensais a três banhados semi-permanentes, com duração aproximada de dois dias e duas noites cada, entre agosto de 2004 e julho de 2005. Observaram-se diferenças nos sítios utilizados por machos, fêmeas e juvenis, com machos ocupando locais mais profundos e mais distantes da margem. A distribuição temporal dos indivíduos, vocalizações e amplexos indicaram que a atividade reprodutiva de P. minuta está relacionada com alguns dos fatores abióticos estudados. Os machos em atividade de vocalização apresentaram diferença significativa em relação aos machos não vocalizantes para todos os fatores abióticos diários analisados (temperatura do ar, temperatura da água, umidade relativa do ar e pluviosidade), bem como na temperatura do ar e pluviosidade mensais. O número de machos, fêmeas e juvenis em atividade foi influenciada por pelo menos um dos fatores ambientais mensais ou diários analisados. Conclui-se que a reprodução desta espécie é sazonal e parcialmente determinada por fatores abióticos. PALAVRAS-CHAVE.Distribuição espaço-temporal, atividade reprodutiva, variáveis ambientais, Pseudis minuta.

Haddadus binotatus is an endemic anuran of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest and currently, there is no information about the diet of this species. We analyzed the diet of two populations of this anuran in two states in southeast Brazil. Samplings were carried out in 2004 in the state of Rio de Janeiro and in 2009 and 2010 in the state of Espírito Santo. Haddadus binotatus presented a rich diet composition, preying 19 prey types. Orthoptera, Coleoptera, and Blattodea were the most important preys in the Rio de Janeiro population, and Orthoptera, Araneae and Hemiptera were the most important in the Espírito Santo population. The diet composition differed numerically between the two localities, but not in terms of volume, which can reflect local differences in the prey availability in the two habitats. The jaw width limited the size of prey, which is expected for predators who swallow the preys without chewing. The proportion of individuals with empty stomachs was higher in the Rio de Janeiro population (39.2%) than in the Espírito Santo population (17.9%), suggesting that the former could be in a lower energy balance. The females of the species were larger than the males, which may result from the production of larger eggs.