Data on species composition, richness, and density are presented for the leaf litter frog assemblage of an area of Atlantic Rainforest at the Serra dos Órgãos mountain range, in the state of Rio de Janeiro, southeastern Brazil. Three sampling methods were used: plot sampling, visual encounter surveys, and pitfall traps. The local assemblage of leaf litter frogs was composed of 16 species, with the direct-developing species, Euparkerella brasiliensis (Parker, 1926), being the most abundant. The estimated density of the local leaf litter frog assemblage based on plot sampling was 17.1 ind/100 m² and the estimated overall leaf litter frog mass was 684.2 g/ha. The estimated density of leaf litter frogs at the present study is the highest currently reported for Atlantic Rainforest areas, which reinforces the idea of higher densities of leaf litter frogs in the Neotropical Region compared to the Old World tropics

Most studies on excavation behaviour of Amphisbaenia have been based on descriptive analysis through visual observation or external body motion records. Herein, we recorded the excavatory gaits of the shovel-headed amphisbaenid Leposternon microcephalum using videofluoroscopy. This technique films by X-ray emission, allowing a more detailed analysis of the amphisbaenid's underground locomotor behaviour and performance. Thus, we described, for the first time, its ascendant excavatory cycle and backward movement. Furthermore, we analysed its performance through the quantitative data (e.g. speed, travel distance, frequency, time) of each fossorial gait, including the three-step excavatory cycle previously described in the literature. When comparing the three-step and the four-step excavatory cycles, the first presented high average speed and short travel distances. Our original hypothesis that there was a relation between retreat/ downward movement of the head and the intensity of burrowing activity was not corroborated by the regression analyses. This movement seems to be just a part of the motion needed to perform the excavatory cycle, not a propulsion step influencing burrowing activity. The results presented in this work contribute to a better understanding of L. microcephalum fossorial behaviour. Further studies can be performed to better describe and compare excavation patterns and performance among different amphisbaenian skull morphotypes (round headed, keel headed, shovel headed and spade headed).

We carried out a study on the anurofaunal community from an Atlantic Forest fragment (Monte Verde mountains) and the surrounding area in Cambuci municipality, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil, which constitutes one of the largest fragments remaining in the largely deforested landscape of the northern portion of the State. We combined three sampling methods: plot sampling, transects and pit-fall traps. We recorded twenty species of amphibians, of which only eleven were found within the forest fragment (and five of these also occurred in the surrounding matrix). Two of the species recorded in the present study (Crossodactylus sp. and Ischnocnema cf. parva) may represent undescribed taxa. Our records expand the distribution range of one species (Scinax trapicheiroi) to the north, and fill a geographic distribution gap for another one (Ischnocnema oea). The estimated overall density of frogs living in the leaf litter of the fragment (based on results of plot sampling) was 3.1 individuals/100 m², with Haddadus binotatus being the most abundant species (2.4 individuals/100 m²). Comparisons of our data with those of other studies suggest that anuran communities in forest fragments ca. 1,000 ha or smaller may be severely limited in their richness, and often include a large proportion of species tolerant to open areas, such as many hylids. Our results show the importance of increasing knowledge about the anurofaunal community of the northern portion of the State of Rio de Janeiro and preserve the forest remnants that still exist in the region.

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We present a description of the external morphology of the tadpoles of Proceratophrys tupinamba, and provide information on its temporal distribution and microhabitat use. Proceratophrys tupinamba differs from other larvae of species in the genus Proceratophrys described by the tooth row, which is similar to that of P. appendiculata. Comparing our description to the description of P. appendiculata, some differences are observed in the body proportion. Tadpoles were most abundant during the wet season (October-March), and it was positively related with average monthly rainfall. Tadpoles of P. tupinamba are benthonic and occur more often in lentic portions of the stream. They were found most frequently exposed on the sand, which also represented the most available microhabitat among those sampled in the stream studied.