Reinterpreting features of the advertisement call of Dermatonotus muelleri (Boettger, 1885; Anura, Microhylidae).

The advertisement call of Dermatonotus muelleri was originally described by Nelson (1973) in a brief section of a review on the mating calls of the Microhylinae. He used two calls from São Leopoldo, state of Minas Gerais, in Brazil to determine that they have i) dominant frequency between 1.500-2.200 kHz (mean 1.854 + 0.216 kHz), and ii) harmonic intervals between 0.140 and 0.150 kHz (0.146 +/- 0.005 kHz). Nelson (1973) based his description on an audiospectrogram produced with high frequency resolution and did not quantify the pulse structure of the calls. More recently, Giaretta and colleagues (2013) expanded on the original description using a larger set of calls recorded from Gurinhat, state of Minas Gerais, in Brazil. They quantified the temporal structure of the call and confirmed that the dominant frequency is around 1.8 kHz. In addition, they identified a secondary low frequency band at 667 Hz.

Comparative cytogenetic analysis of some species of the Dendropsophus microcephalus group (Anura, Hylidae) in the light of phylogenetic inferences.

BACKGROUND: Dendropsophus is a monophyletic anuran genus with a diploid number of 30 chromosomes as an important synapomorphy. However, the internal phylogenetic relationships of this genus are poorly understood. Interestingly, an intriguing interspecific variation in the telocentric chromosome number has been useful in species identification. To address certain uncertainties related to one of the species groups of Dendropsophus, the D. microcephalus group, we carried out a cytogenetic analysis combined with phylogenetic inferences based on mitochondrial sequences, which aimed to aid in the analysis of chromosomal characters. Populations of Dendropsophus nanus, Dendropsophus walfordi, Dendropsophus sanborni, Dendropsophus jimi and Dendropsophus elianeae, ranging from the extreme south to the north of Brazil, were cytogenetically compared. A mitochondrial region of the ribosomal 12S gene from these populations, as well as from 30 other species of Dendropsophus, was used for the phylogenetic inferences. Phylogenetic relationships were inferred using maximum parsimony and Bayesian analyses. RESULTS: The species D. nanus and D. walfordi exhibited identical karyotypes (2n = 30; FN = 52), with four pairs of telocentric chromosomes and a NOR located on metacentric chromosome pair 13. In all of the phylogenetic hypotheses, the paraphyly of D. nanus and D. walfordi was inferred. D. sanborni from Botucatu-SP and Torres-RS showed the same karyotype as D. jimi, with 5 pairs of telocentric chromosomes (2n = 30; FN = 50) and a terminal NOR in the long arm of the telocentric chromosome pair 12. Despite their karyotypic similarity, these species were not found to compose a monophyletic group. Finally, the phylogenetic and cytogenetic analyses did not cluster the specimens of D. elianeae according to their geographical occurrence or recognized morphotypes. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that a taxonomic revision of the taxa D. nanus and D. walfordi is quite necessary. We also observe that the number of telocentric chromosomes is useful to distinguish among valid species in some cases, although it is unchanged in species that are not necessarily closely related phylogenetically. Therefore, inferences based on this chromosomal character must be made with caution; a proper evolutionary analysis of the karyotypic variation in Dendropsophus depends on further characterization of the telocentric chromosomes found in this group.

Morphological and acoustic characterization of Proceratophrys goyana (Lissamphibia: Anura: Odontophrynidae), with the description of a sympatric and related new species.

Proceratophrys goyana was until recently the only species of the genus described from central Brazil. In this paper we characterize the adult morphology and advertisement call of this species, based on data collected at its type-locality (Chapada dos Veadeiros, Goiás, Brazil). These new data allowed us to recognize a new species of Proceratophrys, sympatric to P. goyana, which is described herein. Proceratophrys goyana is mainly characterized by the male SVL = 38.8-46.5 mm; a well-developed and continuous pair of dorsal sagittal ridges; upper eyelids triangular; developed frontoparietal crests, delimiting a shallow depression between them; overall color pattern browned, with the symmetrical dorsal ridges bordered laterally by dark brown undulations. Proceratophrys rotundipalpebra sp. nov. is characterized by the male SVL = 30.4-39.3 mm; the pair of symmetrical dorsal ridges well-developed anteriorly and somewhat interrupted in the sacral region; upper eyelids short and rounded; frontoparietal crests not well-developed; overall color pattern stained by 3-4 tonalities of gray, without a clear background color. The advertisement calls of both species are emitted in a multi-note pattern, each note pulsed, the first and last notes differing from each other and from those amidst the call in temporal features. The description of this new species is another example of the underestimated diversity of Proceratophrys in the Cerrado of central Brazil. 

Bioacoustics reveals two new syntopic species of Adenomera Steindachner (Anura: Leptodactylidae: Leptodactylinae) in the Cerrado of central Brazil.

In this paper, we describe two syntopic species of Adenomera from the Chapada dos Veadeiros microregion, northern State of Goiás, central Brazil, recognized based on morphology, color patterns, and bioacoustics. Specimens and calls were obtained in the Municipality of Teresina de Goiás, central Brazil. Adenomera cotuba sp. nov. is diagnosed from the other 16 congeneric species by its 1) small size (adult male SVL 18.6-20.5 mm) and very robust body; 2) dorsum glandular/granular with no distinctive dorsal granular rows or dorsolateral folds; 3) black or very dark dorsal coloration with no distinctive color patterns (e.g., dorsolateral or vertebral stripes); 4) toe tips not developed into flattened disks; 5) presence of antebrachial tubercle; and 6) advertisement call consisting of a well-defined series of pulsed calls (7-32 calls/series) with progressive increment in amplitude in the first third of each call series when it reaches a sustained plateau. Adenomera juikitam sp. nov. is diagnosed from the other 16 congeneric species by its 1) dorsum profusely glandular/granular with no distinctive dorsal granular rows or dorsolateral folds; 2) dorsum with a marble-like and red coloration with no distinctive color patterns (e.g., dorsolateral or vertebral stripes); 3) toe tips not developed into flattened disks; 4) small size (adult male SVL 19.1-19.5 mm) and very robust body; and 5) long (148-202 ms) advertisement call composed of 16-21pulses. Both new taxa occur in syntopy, and our data allow us to differentiate them both in temporal (pulses/call) and spectral (frequency peaks) traits of their advertisement calls. Besides, dorsal coloration is distinctive, Adenomera cotuba sp. nov. has a black or very dark-colored dorsum, whereas Adenomera juikitam sp. nov. has a marble-like and red-colored dorsum, in addition to the presence (A. cotuba sp. nov.) or absence (A. juikitam sp. nov.) of antebrachial tubercle.

Taxonomic circumscription of Adenomera martinezi (Bokermann, 1956) (Anura: Leptodactylidae: Leptodactylinae) with the recognition of a new cryptic taxon through a bioacoustic approach.

In this paper, we provide a taxonomic circumscription of Adenomera martinezi from its type locality (Cachimbo, southwestern State of Pará) since its description (57 years ago) based on a newly collected series of eleven adult topotypes, and through a bioacoustic approach, recognize an undescribed cryptic taxon under this nominal species, which is widely distributed in central and northern Brazil. Adenomera martinezi and Adenomera saci sp. nov. can be diagnosed from all congeners by their distinctive 4-6 symmetrically arranged rows of longitudinal dark-colored spots on dorsum. They differ from each other through advertisement call structure, pulsed in Adenomera martinezi (audibly pulsed to the human ear), and non-pulsed in Adenomera saci sp. nov. (a whistle to the human ear). The recognition of Adenomera saci sp. nov. has conservation implications. Based on our assumed distribution of A. martinezi and A denomera saci sp. nov., the IUCN conservation status of A. martinezi requires a reassessment, inasmuch as we herein reconsider this species, as far as we know, as endemic to Cachimbo, southwestern State of Pará, Brazil. The 2004 extinction risk assessment included both A. martinezi and Adenomera saci sp. nov., and the conservation status category of 'Least Concern' might only be applied to Adenomera saci sp. nov., a widely distributed and abundant species in central and northern Brazil.

New bioacoustic and distributional data on Bokermannohyla sapiranga Brandão et al., 2012 (Anura: Hylidae): revisiting its diagnosis in comparison with B. pseudopseudis (Miranda-Ribeiro, 1937).

In this paper, we provide new bioacoustic and distributional data on Bokermannohyla sapiranga, as well as additional comparative bioacoustic data on topotypes of B. pseudopseudis, and re-evaluate the differential diagnosis of the former species with respect to the latter. Head shapes (dorsal and lateral views) presented such variation that should not be used to differentially diagnose them as originally proposed. On the other hand, the presence of a dermal ridge along outer tarsi, and color patterns of the eyes and dorsal surface of hand/toe disks still represent diagnostic characters between both species. We also found differences in temporal (call duration; notes per call), spectral (dominant frequency; harmonics), and structural (pulsed/non-pulsed note structure) traits of their calls. Distribution of B. sapiranga is extended eastward (Paracatu), which corresponds to the first record for the State of Minas Gerais, whereas B. pseudopseudis distribution seems to be restricted to rocky montane field environments of northern Goiás State.

A new species of the Dendropsophus decipiens Group (Anura: Hylidae) from Northeastern Brazil.

We describe a new species of the Dendropsophus decipiens Group, morphologically most resembling D. haddadi but genetically more closely related to D. oliveirai and likely endemic from the Atlantic Forest biome, northeastern Brazil. The new species can be distinguished from all species of the D. decipiens Group based on the combination of morphological features, advertisement call and phylogenetic position based on mitochondrial DNA gene sequences. The new species emits simple calls in series of 3-9 notes, each with 9-29 pulses, and dominant frequency varying from 5578-6422 Hz, and exhibit a minimum of 8% genetic distance (16S mitochondrial gene) in comparison to its congeners. The new taxa represent the sixth species of the D. decipiens Group, which likely harbors more undescribed taxa, corroborating the view that Neotropical species richness is fairly underestimated.

Vocal repertoire of Ololygon pombali (Lourenço, Carvalho, Baêta, Pezzuti Leite, 2013) (Anura: Hylidae) from its type locality, with notes on phenotypic variation.

A recent nomenclatural change based on molecular data (Duellman et al. 2016) resurrected genus Ololygon to accommodate all taxa in the former Scinax catharinae clade (Faivovich 2002; Faivovich et al. 2005). Most Ololygon species inhabit Coastal Atlantic rainforests in northeastern and southeastern Brazil (Duellman et al. 2016), but some species occur in the Cerrado Domain (Cardoso Haddad 1982; Pombal et al. 2010; Lourenço et al. 2013). Ololygon pombali (Lourenço, Carvalho, Baêta, Pezzuti Leite, 2013) is a small species only known from the southern portion of Parque Nacional da Serra da Canastra, in the municipality of Capitólio, state of Minas Gerais, southeastern Brazil. Here, we describe the vocal repertoire of Ololygon pombali and provide notes on dorsal color pattern variation, while briefly discussing their taxonomic implications.

Geographic variation in the advertisement call of Trachycephalus typhonius Anura: Hylidae) based on South American samples.

Previously described calls of Trachycephalus typhonius (Linnaeus, 1758) correspond to several populations from Central and South America, but in general, these descriptions were brief and often based on a single recorded individual. Here, based on an expressive sample, we re-describe the advertisement calls of T. typhonius using recordings from populations in Brazil and Argentina. Additionally, we discuss geographical variation of calls, comment on their frequency band structure and compare calls with those described for other species of Trachycephalus. Calls of 32 males were recorded and temporal and spectral features of 269 calls were measured. To search for discrimination among three populations sampled we used the Random Forest (RF) model, Multidimensional Scaling Analysis (MDS) and Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney Rank Sum Test. The advertisement calls of T. typhonius consist of a multipulsed note of 343-540 ms of duration, emitted at regular intervals, with up to three emphasized frequency bands. Dominant frequency ranged between 1705-2750 Hz. Calls from Rondônia (Brazil) were significantly different from those recorded in Argentina and Minas Gerais (Brazil) in relation to pulse rate and dominant frequency. Populations from Minas Gerais and Argentina differed in dominant frequency of calls. Such population differences can be partly attributed to differences in prevalence of calling sites (immersed in water vs. perches on vegetation), but can also hint at the existence of cryptic species diversity under this taxon.

A new species of Pseudopaludicola Miranda-Ribeiro (Anura: Leptodactylidae: Leiuperinae) from eastern Brazil, with novel data on the advertisement call of Pseudopaludicola falcipes (Hensel).

The Neotropical genus Pseudopaludicola includes 21 species, which occur throughout South America. Recent studies suggested that the population of Andaraí, in the state of Bahia, is an undescribed species, related to P. pocoto. Herein we formally describe this new species from lowlands of eastern Brazil. Recognition of this new species is supported by adult morphology, advertisement call, karyotype, and molecular data. It is diagnosed mainly by its small size, terminal phalanges knobbed (lack any expansion of the digital tips), proportionally short hindlimbs, 11 pairs of chromosomes, and advertisement call composed of series of three-pulsed notes, emitted at a high rate. In addition, we report for the first time the presence of P. pocoto in the campo rupestre (rupestrian grasslands) of Chapada Diamantina, a population with a much darker dorsal coloration than the population from the type locality. We also redescribed the advertisement call of P. falcipes based on recordings from topotypic males.

Advertisement calls, intraspecific variation and species diagnosis of six Brazilian species of Elachistocleis (Anura: Microhylidae: Gastrophryninae).

We describe for the first time the advertisement calls of three Elachistocleis species (E. surumu, E. magna, E. carvalhoi) and provide additional data on the calls of three other species (E. matogrosso, E. helianneae, E. muiraquitan). Additionally, we evaluate intraspecific variation in morphology and color patterns, and comment on species diagnosis in the genus. The advertisement calls of the six species of Elachistocleis have a stereotyped temporal and spectral structure, which consists of a long sustained multipulsed note with an upsweep in frequency at its onset, followed by a constant frequency along the note. Newly collected Elachistocleis from northern and western Brazil showed intraspecific variation in morphology and coloration that had not been previously reported. Coloration was listed as a diagnostic feature in the original descriptions of the Elachistocleis species evaluated in this study, but color patterns were variable in some species and sometimes did not allow for species differentiation. Our results indicated that the three species with greater degrees of morphological similarity (E. helianneae, E. matogrosso, E. muiraquitan) differed in microtemporal and spectral traits of their calls. Moreover, pulse duration in E. helianneae was very distinct, lasting approximately twice the average pulse duration in calls of the other species studied. Therefore, pulse duration might be an informative trait when assigning specimens to E. helianneae, which is widely distributed across Amazonian lowland forests and in a region of Amazonian savanna. Our results bring novelties on species diagnosis and intraspecific variation in Elachistocleis based on acoustic evidence and morphological/color patterns, and accentuate the importance of taking into consideration multiple lines of evidence as a means for accurate species-level identification in this genus of Neotropical frogs.

Unrevealing the leaf frogs Cerrado diversity: A new species of Pithecopus (Anura, Arboranae, Phyllomedusidae) from the Mato Grosso state, Brazil.

The Neotropical frog genus Pithecopus comprises currently 10 species. A recent molecular phylogeny suggested the existence of two subclades within it, one of them including P. palliatus, P. azureus, P. hypochondrialis, and P. nordestinus (lowland species). Herein we describe a new species of this subclade from Pontal do Araguaia, in the Brazilian Cerrado in the Mato Grosso state. Recognition of the new species is supported by adult morphology, advertisement call and molecular data. The new species differs from Pithecopus highland species by its smaller head width and lack of the reticulate pattern on flanks. From lowland species, the new form differs by being significantly smaller in snout vent-length, advertisement call with the greatest number of pulses, and high genetic distance. Interestingly, we also report on occurrence of P. hypochondrialis (its sister species) at an adjacent site (about 3km). Also, we report on the occurrence of the new species in the Chapada dos Guimarães and Santa Terezinha, both also in the Mato Grosso state.

Advertisement and courtship calls of Dendropsophus nanus (Boulenger, 1889) (Anura: Hylidae) from its type locality (Resistencia, Argentina) / Cantos de anúncio e corte de Dendropsophus nanus (Boulenger, 1889) (Anura: Hylidae) de sua localidade tipo (Resistencia Argentina)

Dendropsophus nanus was described from Resistencia, Argentina. The species distribution is widespread in South America east of the Andes. Despite its wide distribution, little information about its advertisement call is available in the literature. Call descriptions from type localities are especially important for the resolution of taxonomic issues, as well as for intraspecific comparisons. Herein we describe the advertisement and the male courtship calls of D. nanus from its type locality. The advertisement call of D. nanus is composed of two types of pulsed notes, herein referred to as "note A" (long note) and "note B" (short note), both with similar dominant frequencies, but different durations. The courtship call is formed by notes that are similar to notes A of the advertisement call, but emitted at lower amplitude. Previous studies demonstrated that the complex call of Eleutherodactylus coqui and Geocrinia victoriana convey separated messages to male and female. Although several previous experiments have been conducted to assess the acoustic interactions of some species of Dendropsophus, more studies are necessary to understand the functions of the two notes of the advertisement call of D. nanus and the calls of other species of the D. microcephalus group.

Dendropsophus nanus foi descrito de Resistencia, Argentina. Essa espécie está amplamente distribuída na América do Sul a leste dos Andes. Apesar da ampla distribuição, poucas informações sobre seu canto de anúncio estão disponíveis em literatura. Descrições de cantos de localidades tipo são especialmente importantes para a resolução de problemas taxonômicos, assim como para comparações intraespecíficas. Aqui, nós descrevemos os cantos de anúncio e de corte do macho de D. nanus de sua localidade tipo. O canto de anúncio de D. nanus é composto por dois tipos de notas, aqui referidas como "notas A" (nota longa) e "notas B" (nota curta), ambas com frequência dominante similar, mas com diferenças nas durações. O canto de corte é formado por notas que são similares à nota A do canto de anúncio, mas emitidas com menor amplitude. Estudos anteriores demonstraram que os cantos complexos de Eleutherodactylus coqui e Geocrinia victoriana transmitem mensagens separadas para machos e fêmeas. Embora vários experimentos anteriores terem sido realizados a fim de avaliar as interações acústicas de algumas espécies de Dendropsophus, mais estudos são necessários para entender as funções das duas notas do canto de anúncio de D. nanus e dos cantos de outras espécies do grupo de D. microcephalus.

Cytogenetics of Hylodes and Crossodactylus species (Anura, Leptodactylidae) with comments on Hylodinae/Dendrobatidae relationships.

The karyotype, nucleolar organizer region (NOR) location and C-banding pattern of two species of Hylodes (H. phyllodes and H. asper) and two of Crossodactylus (Crossodactylus sp. n. and Crossodactylus cf. caramaschi) were studied. All species had a diploid number of 2n = 26, with differences in the chromosomal morphology of the Hylodes species while the two Crossodactylus species were cytogenetically indistinguishable. The NOR was located on pair 1 in both species of Hylodes, and on pair 8 in the Crossodactylus species. In the latter, the NOR was heteromorphic between the homologues. The NOR was coincident with a secondary constriction in the four species. Except to H. phyllodes, such secondary constrictions were clearly seen strongly stained after C-banding treatment. The C-banding pattern varied between the two species of Hylodes, but was identical in the Crossodactylus species. The results from conventionally stained karyotypes confirmed the uniformity within the genus Crossodactylus, and the relatively conserved karyotypes within Hylodes, in agreement with other literature reports. We conclude that the cytogenetic data do not provide further evidence which could be useful to corroborate the supposed relationships between the hylodines and dendrobatids since there are no unambiguous homeologies between the karyotypes of these groups.

Seleção de sítios de oviposição em anuros (Lissamphibia) / Oviposition site selection in anurans (Lissamphibia)

A seleção de sítios de oviposição é uma forma de seleção de hábitat em que as fêmeas escolhem o micro-ambiente de desova procurando maximizar o sucesso reprodutivo. Nesta revisão, compilamos as principais conclusões de estudos sobre seleção de sítios de oviposição tendo os anuros como modelo. Na literatura, podemos reconhecer três linhas principais de investigação: 1) análise de múltiplos fatores em hábitat natural- no ambiente de reprodução, sítios com ovos e girinos são comparados com locais não utilizados com base em fatores abióticos e bióticos com potencial de influenciar a escolha da fêmea; 2) experimentos controlados com poças dispostas em blocos replicados simulando sítios potenciais de oviposição com diferenças na qualidade e 3) quantificações de eventos reprodutivos e experimentos de manipulação em ambiente natural. Fêmeas de várias espécies de anuros selecionam sítios de oviposição mais favoráveis à sobrevivência e desenvolvimento dos ovos e girinos. O comportamento de escolha depende da abundância e qualidade relativa dos locais potenciais de desova e da capacidade de discriminação da fêmea. Em geral, as escolhas das fêmeas respondem aos principais riscos à sobrevivência e desempenho da prole, porém apresentam eficiência relativa e perdas parciais ou totais de desovas e girinos são ocasionadas, principalmente, por fatores de mortalidade direta como dessecação e predação. Os mecanismos sensoriais que elas utilizam para discriminar as condições do ambiente de reprodução ainda são praticamente desconhecidos. Além de afetar o sucesso reprodutivo dos parentais, o comportamento de escolha pode influenciar na dinâmica de populações e estrutura de comunidades ao promover a segregação de hábitat entre espécies competidoras ou entre espécies-presa e seus predadores.

Oviposition site selection is a kind of habitat selection in which the females choose egg-laying sites that maximize their reproductive success. In the present review, we compiled the main conclusions of major studies on this theme that used frogs as model organisms. In the literature, three main lines of investigations were recognized: 1) multiple factor analyses in natural habitats- within the breeding site, places with eggs/tadpoles are compared with unused sites, testing several abiotic and biotic factors that could potentially influence female's choice; 2) experiments with pools arranged in replicated blocks (treatments/control) to simulate oviposition sites differing in quality and 3) quantification of reproductive events associated with experimental manipulations in the field. Effectively, females of several frog species select oviposition sites more favorable to survival and development of eggs and tadpoles. In general, the female choice depends on the abundance and quality of potential egg-laying sites and on her discriminatory ability. Female choices usually mirror the main risks to survival and growth of the offspring, but discriminatory power is not absolute and partial or total losses of clutches and tadpoles may occur, most of them resulting from desiccation and predation. The sensory mechanisms that females use to discriminate the conditions of potential oviposition sites remain poorly known and unexplored. Besides affecting the parental reproductive success, the selective behavior potentially influence population dynamics and community structure by promoting habitat segregation among competitive species or prey-species and their predators.