AimMapping Amazonian biodiversity accurately is a major challenge for integrated conservation strategies and to study its origins. However, species boundaries and their respective distribution are notoriously inaccurate in this region. Here, we generated a georeferenced database of short mtDNA sequences from Amazonian frogs, revised the species richness and the delimitation of bioregions of the Eastern Guiana Shield and estimated endemism within these bioregions. LocationAmazonia, with a focus on the Eastern Guiana Shield. Taxon studiedAmphibia: Anura. MethodsWe used an extensive DNA-based sampling of anuran amphibians of Amazonia using nextgeneration sequencing to delimit Operational Taxonomic Units (OTU) and their distribution. We analysed this database to infer bioregions using Latent Dirichlet Allocation modelling. We then compared endemism within these bioregions based on our results and the current IUCN database, and inferred environmental variables that contributed the most to the biogeographic pattern. ResultsThe recognized anuran species richness within the focal area increased from 440 species currently listed by the IUCN Red List to as much as 876 OTUs with our dataset. We recovered eight bioregions, among which three lie within the Eastern Guiana Shield. We estimated that up to 82% of the OTUs found in this area are endemic, a figure three times higher than the previous estimate (28%). Environmental features related to seasonal precipitations are identified as playing an important role in shaping Amazonian amphibian bioregions. Main conclusionsOur results have major implications for defining future conservation priorities of this vast area given that endemism in most Amazonian bioregions is vastly underestimated, and might therefore hide a large portion of threatened species. Moreover, these findings raise concern about meta-analyses based on public databases within Amazonia dealing with poorly known groups.

Dendrophryniscus is an early diverging clade of bufonids represented by few small-bodied species distributed in Amazonia and the Atlantic Forest. We used mitochondrial (414 bp of 12S, 575 bp of 16S genes) and nuclear DNA (785 bp of RAG-1) to investigate phylogenetic relationships and the timing of diversification within the genus. These molecular data were gathered from 23 specimens from 19 populations, including eight out of the 10 nominal species of the genus as well as Rhinella boulengeri. Analyses also included sequences of representatives of 18 other bufonid genera that were publically available. We also examined morphological characters to analyze differences within Dendrophryniscus. We found deep genetic divergence between an Amazonian and an Atlantic Forest clade, dating back to Eocene. Morphological data corroborate this distinction. We thus propose to assign the Amazonian species to a new genus, Amazonella. The species currently named R. boulengeri, which has been previously assigned to the genus Rhamphophryne, is shown to be closely related to Dendrophryniscus species. Our findings illustrate cryptic trends in bufonid morphological evolution, and point to a deep history of persistence and diversification within the Amazonian and Atlantic rainforests. We discuss our results in light of available paleoecological data and the biogeographic patterns observed in other similarly distributed groups.

A new species of Bachia of the bresslaui group, is described from Estação Ecológica Serra Geral do Tocantins, a recently created protected area in the Central Brazilian Cerrados of state of Tocantins. The new species is most similar to Bachia psamophila from which it differs in limb morphology and head and body scalation. As in Bachia psamophila the shovelshaped snout of the new species is highly prominent, an adaptation related to its psamophilous habits.

Vanzosaura rubricauda (Boulenger, 1902) is a small-bodied gymnophthalmid lizard widespread in dry biomes of South America. Throughout its distribution, V. rubricauda populations experience contrasting environmental conditions, and a marked disjunction occurs in the central portion of the Cerrado biome. Previous studies indicate that V. rubricauda may be a species complex, and here we used mitochondrial DNA data and external morphology to test for population differentiation and its systematic implications for the genus. We found three geographically cohesive groups recovered as well resolved, and strongly supported mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) haploclades that are differentiated with respect to morphometry, meristics, and colour pattern. In light of the observed differences, we propose a new taxonomic rearrangement of the genus, where we: (1) restrict V. rubricauda to Chaco and western Cerrado regions; (2) resurrect Vanzosaura multiscutata (Amaral, 1933) comb. nov. for Caatinga populations; and (3) describe Vanzosaura savanicola sp. nov. for the eastern Cerrado region of Brazil. The new species is diagnosed from its congeners by having longer limbs and tail, fewer smooth subcaudals, and genetic distances ranging from 5 to 13%. The new species, along with other recent discoveries, highlights the Jalapão-Serra Geral region as one of the most important areas of endemism for Cerrado squamates.

Neste estudo são apresentados os resultados de amostragem de Squamata do Parque Nacional Grande Sertão Veredas, MG, na área nuclear do Cerrado brasileiro, através de metodologia padronizada. A riqueza, diversidade e distribuição das espécies são comentadas e comparadas com os resultados em outras regiões do Cerrado. A fauna de Squamata na região inclui pelo menos 50 espécies, dentre as quais 25 lagartos, três anfisbenas e 22 serpentes, distribuídas em 12 famílias: Polychrotidae (1), Tropiduridae (3), Scincidae (4), Teiidae (3), Gymnophthalmidae (6), Anguidae (1), Amphisbaenidae (3), Anomalepididae (1), Leptotyphlopidae (1), Boidae (2), Colubridae (16) e Viperidae (2). A riqueza registrada e estimada indica que a região pode figurar entre as mais ricas em todo o Cerrado. As espécies de Squamata parecem possuir preferências previsíveis sobre os diferentes hábitats disponíveis, e admite-se a grande influência de fatores histórico-filogenéticos na distribuição espacial das espécies. A fisionomia do carrasco destacou-se por abrigar duas espécies restritas à região, Stenocercus quinarius e Psilophthalmus sp., sendo promissora para novos estudos. Os ambientes abertos, especialmente as fisionomias savânicas típicas do Cerrado, apresentaram maior riqueza, em concordância com outros locais estudados, e com implicações diretas na conservação da diversidade biológica do Cerrado.

The outstanding biodiversity of the Guiana Shield has raised many questions about its origins and evolution. Frogs of the genera Adelastes, Otophryne and Synapturanus form an ancient lineage distributed mostly across this region. These genera display strikingly disparate morphologies and life-history traits. Notably, Synapturanus is conspicuously adapted to fossoriality and is the only genus within this group to have dispersed further into Amazonia. Moreover, morphological differences among Synapturanus species suggest different degrees of fossoriality that might be linked to their biogeographical history. Through integrative analysis of genetic, morphometric and acoustic data, we delimited 25 species in this clade, representing a fourfold increase. We found that the entire clade started to diversify ~55 Mya and Synapturanus ~30 Mya. Members of this genus probably dispersed three times out of the Guiana Shield both before and after the Pebas system, a wetland ecosystem occupying most of Western Amazonia during the Miocene. Using a three-dimensional osteological dataset, we characterized a high morphological disparity across the three genera. Within Synapturanus, we further characterized distinct phenotypes that emerged concomitantly with dispersals during the Miocene and possibly represent adaptations to different habitats, such as soils with different physical properties.

Abstract:The Northern part of Cerrado is one of the biologically poorest known areas in the domain. Recent studies revealed richness values that are as high as those from other sites in the domain. The Estação Ecológica Serra Geral do Tocantins is located in a region known as Jalapão, in Northeastern Cerrado, and it is included in the largest set of protected areas in the domain. We describe amphibian richness and species composition in EESGT, and discuss it in a biogeographic context. We also describe breeding sites focusing on phytophysiognomy and types of water bodies. We sampled amphibians through active search and pitfall traps, during the peak of breeding season for most of the anuran species in Cerrado. We registered 36 species, which coupled with former studies results in a regional richness of 39 species known for Jalapão. After applying Jackknife estimator, we suggest a potential richness of 42 species for the EESGT. Most registered species are endemic or strongly associated to Cerrado, followed by species widespread in Brazil or South America, and those associated with Caatinga. Most species breed in temporary ponds located in open areas, although there are some forest specialists, and stream-breeding species. Keywords: Amphibia, Anura, Gymnophiona, inventory, breeding sites, Cerrado. VALDUJO, P.H., CAMACHO, A., RECODER, R.S., TEIXEIRA JUNIOR, M., GHELLERE, J.M.B., MOTT, T., NUNES, P.M.S., NOGUEIRA, C. & RODRIGUES, M.T. Anfíbios da Estação Ecológica Serra Geral do Tocantins, região do Jalapão, Estados do Tocantins e Bahia. Biota Neotrop. 11(1): http://www.biotaneotropica.org. br/v11n1/pt/abstract?article+bn03511012011.Resumo: A porção norte do domínio do Cerrado é uma das áreas historicamente menos conhecidas com relação à sua biodiversidade. Recentemente, alguns estudos tem revelado valores de riqueza comparáveis a outras regiões dentro do domínio. A Estação Ecológica Serra Geral do Tocantins (EESGT) está localizada na região do Jalapão, porção Nordeste do Cerrado, e faz parte do maior bloco de áreas protegidas neste domínio. Neste estudo descrevemos a riqueza e composição de espécies de anfíbios da EESGT, discutindo-as em um contexto biogeográfico, e caracterizamos o uso de sítios reprodutivos pelas espécies de anfíbios registradas em relação às fitofisionomias e aos tipos de corpos d'água. Utilizamos os métodos de busca ativa e armadilhas de queda, no período considerado como o auge da estação reprodutiva para a maior parte das espécies do Cerrado. Foram registradas 36 espécies de anfíbios na EESGT, totalizando 39 espécies conhecidas para a região do Jalapão. Aplicando o estimador Jackknife, sugerimos uma riqueza potencial de 42 espécies para a EESGT. A maior parte das espécies registradas é endêmica ou fortemente associada ao Cerrado, seguidas pelas espécies de ampla distribuição no Brasil ou América do Sul. A maior parte da espécies se reproduz em poças temporárias localizadas em áreas abertas, embora existam espécies que ocorrem exclusivamente em matas de galeria e utilizem corpos d'água lóticos...

The contact zone between Cerrado and Caatinga is among the least known areas in the Cerrado biome, and no information is available about the anuran species occurring in this area and their ecology. Along this area, seasonally dry tropical forests are common on the lowlands with some enclaves inside the Cerrado core area. Here, we present for the first time a list of species on this zone recognized as a priority area for conservation inside the Cerrado. We sampled anuran species within 30 km of São Desidério, a city in western Bahia, from habitats including temporary and permanent ponds in Cerrado and seasonally dry tropical forests, as well as veredas and marshes. We recorded 32 anuran species, belonging to 12 genera in five families. Hylidae was the richest family (ten species) followed by Leiuperidae and Leptodactylidae (eight species each), Bufonidae (five species), and Microhylidae (two species). The heterogeneity of this site could be demonstrated by the presence of species with different dispersal/colonization history with eight species (25 %) endemic to Cerrado, three (9 %) shared with Caatinga biome, two (6 %) shared with Atlantic Forest, and eighteen (56 %) widespread through adjacent biomes.