Chemical and Pharmacological Screening of Rhinella icterica (Spix 1824) Toad Parotoid Secretion in Avian Preparations.

The biological activity of Rhinella icterica parotoid secretion (RIPS) and some of its chromatographic fractions (RI18, RI19, RI23, and RI24) was evaluated in the current study. Mass spectrometry of these fractions indicated the presence of sarmentogenin, argentinogenin, (5ß,12ß)-12,14-dihydroxy-11-oxobufa-3,20,22-trienolide, marinobufagin, bufogenin B, 11α,19-dihydroxy-telocinobufagin, bufotalin, monohydroxylbufotalin, 19-oxo-cinobufagin, 3α,12ß,25,26-tetrahydroxy-7-oxo-5ß-cholestane-26-O-sulfate, and cinobufagin-3-hemisuberate that were identified as alkaloid and steroid compounds, in addition to marinoic acid and N-methyl-5-hydroxy-tryptamine. In chick brain slices, all fractions caused a slight decrease in cell viability, as also seen with the highest concentration of RIPS tested. In chick biventer cervicis neuromuscular preparations, RIPS and all four fractions significantly inhibited junctional acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity. In this preparation, only fraction RI23 completely mimicked the pharmacological profile of RIPS, which included a transient facilitation in the amplitude of muscle twitches followed by progressive and complete neuromuscular blockade. Mass spectrometric analysis showed that RI23 consisted predominantly of bufogenins, a class of steroidal compounds known for their cardiotonic activity mediated by a digoxin- or ouabain-like action and the blockade of voltage-dependent L-type calcium channels. These findings indicate that the pharmacological activities of RI23 (and RIPS) are probably mediated by: (1) inhibition of AChE activity that increases the junctional content of Ach; (2) inhibition of neuronal Na+/K+-ATPase, leading to facilitation followed by neuromuscular blockade; and (3) blockade of voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels, leading to stabilization of the motor endplate membrane.

A fisherman’s tale: activity, habitat use and the first evidence of lingual lure behavior in a South American snake

Literature data suggests that Thamnodynastes strigatus (Serpentes, Dipsadidae) is a snake that actively forages for anurans near waterbodies, using several microhabitats for this activity (e.g., shrubs, soil, and water). However, herein we present dissonant data previously known to the species, both concerning type of prey and foraging strategy. A total of 72 observations were performed exclusively at night, when snakes were in vegetation near streams in 93% of the cases. Among these observations, 41 were active snakes, and most of them (97%) were in an ambush position on the vegetation, peering at fishes. On two occasions, the snakes used a lingual lure behavior in order to attract fishes. This is only the sixth species in which this behavior has been observed, and the first in South America. Therefore, we provide additional data on T. strigatus habitat activity and habitat use, as well as unpublished data on ambush and lingual lure behavior for the Neotropical genus Thamnodynastes

A fisherman’s tale: activity, habitat use and the first evidence of lingual lure behavior in a South American snake

Literature data suggests that Thamnodynastes strigatus (Serpentes, Dipsadidae) is a snake that actively forages for anurans near waterbodies, using several microhabitats for this activity (e.g., shrubs, soil, and water). However, herein we present dissonant data previously known to the species, both concerning type of prey and foraging strategy. A total of 72 observations were performed exclusively at night, when snakes were in vegetation near streams in 93% of the cases. Among these observations, 41 were active snakes, and most of them (97%) were in an ambush position on the vegetation, peering at fishes. On two occasions, the snakes used a lingual lure behavior in order to attract fishes. This is only the sixth species in which this behavior has been observed, and the first in South America. Therefore, we provide additional data on T. strigatus habitat activity and habitat use, as well as unpublished data on ambush and lingual lure behavior for the Neotropical genus Thamnodynastes

Tadpole of Pithecopus rusticus (Bruschi, Lucas, Garcia & Recco-Pimentel, 2014) (Anura, Phyllomedusidae): description of external morphology and natural history notes of a microendemic species / Girino de Pithecopus rusticus (Bruschi, Lucas, Garcia & Recco-Pimentel, 2014) (Anura, Phyllomedusidae): descrição da morfologia externa e notas sobre a história natural de uma espécie microendêmica

Abstract: Pithecopus rusticus is a newly described species, of which information on its natural history, vocalization and tadpole morphology are still lacking. Here, we describe the larval external morphology of P. rusticus from the type locality, in the municipality of Água Doce, state of Santa Catarina, southern Brazil, comparing it with that of other species of the genus Pithecopus and providing information on its natural history. Eggs from two spawns were collected and kept in the laboratory until hatching. The tadpoles of P. rusticus belong to the suspension-rasper guild. At Gosner stage 37, the tadpoles showed: body shape oval in dorsal view and triangular in lateral view; a tooth row formula of 2(2)/3(1); the third lower row six times shorter than others; marginal papillae uniserial, interrupted by a wide dorsal gap and with rounded tips; and a single row of alternate marginal papillae on lower lip. External morphological features were compared with those of other tadpoles of Pithecopus. Observations on the natural history of P. rusticus are also reported.

Resumo: Pithecopus rusticus é uma espécie recém-descrita, cujas informações sobre a história natural, vocalização e morfologia larval permanecem ausentes. Aqui, descrevemos a morfologia externa larval de P. rusticus da localidade-tipo, município de Água Doce, estado de Santa Catarina, sul do Brasil, comparando-a com outras espécies do gênero Pithecopus e fornecendo informações sobre sua história natural. Ovos de duas desovas foram coletados e mantidos no laboratório até a eclosão. Os girinos de P. rusticus pertencem à guilda de raspador em suspensão. No estágio 37 de Gosner, os girinos apresentam: corpo oval em vista dorsal e triangular em vista lateral; fórmula de fileira de dente de 2(2)/3(1); terceira fileira inferior seis vezes mais curta que as demais; papilas marginais unisseriadas, interrompidas em amplo espaço dorsal e com pontas arredondadas; uma única fileira de papilas marginais alternadas no lábio inferior. Características morfológicas externas foram comparadas com as de outros girinos de Pithecopus. Observações sobre a história natural de P. rusticus também são relatadas.

An UV-sensitive anuran species as an indicator of environmental quality of the Southern Atlantic Rainforest.

The Southern Atlantic rainforest is continuously suffering from wood extraction activity, which results in the increase of clearings within the forest. Although the direct impacts of deforestation on landscape are already well described, there is an absence of studies focused on the evaluation of its indirect effects, such as the increase of solar UV radiation levels inside forest environment and its consequences for forest specialist anuran species. The results presented in this work clearly show that the threatened tree frog species Hypsiboas curupi presents severe traits of sensitivity to UV wavelengths of sunlight, making it a vulnerable species to this environmental stressor, as well as a biological indicator of the quality of forest canopy coverage. In addition, the measurement of solar UVB and UVA radiation incidence upon H. curupi breeding site and the analyses of a 20-year dataset of satellite images regarding the management of canopy coverage indicate that the photoprotection provided by trees of the Southern Atlantic rainforest is critical for the conservation of this forest specialist anuran species. Therefore, this work demonstrates that the deforestation process enhances the exposure of H. curupi embryos to solar UVB and UVA radiation, negatively affecting their embryonic development, inducing mortality and population decline.

Composition and diversity of anurans in the largest conservation unit in Pampa biome, Brazil / Composição e diversidade de anuros da maior unidade de conservação no bioma Pampa, Brasil

Grassy biomes occupy about 20% of the earth's surface, and are characteristic of northern Australia, Africa and South America, being biodiversity in these environments poorly understood. The Área de Proteção Ambiental (APA) do Ibirapuitã includes areas with the best-preserved grassland areas in the Pampa biome in Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil. This study aimed to determine anuran species richness, abundance, constancy of occurrence, and reproductive modes, and to compare the taxonomic composition in the APA with other localities within the grassland areas of the southernmost of South America. We collected frogs from September to November 2012 and in November 2013 by sampling of reproductive sites. We also examined specimens deposited in herpetological collections. In total, 32 frog species were identified from the combination of larval and adult sampling and analysis of specimens deposited in scientific collections. The registered anurofauna is typical of grassland areas, with at least 10% restricted to the subtropical region of South America and at least two species considered endangered in state and global scales. The most abundant species was Pseudopaludicola falcipes and Hypsiboas pulchellus was the species most frequently found among sites. Five reproductive modes were recorded, and the most common mode consists of development of exotrophic tadpole and deposition in to lentic bodies of water (57.5%). Cluster analysis of 16 communities representing grassland locations presented five groups with more than 50% similarity, whose structure was influenced by geographic distance but can be partially interpreted by regional peculiarities (e.g. height and phytophysiognomies). Our results consist of initial knowledge base on the anurofauna of APA do Ibirapuitã, supporting recommendations for future conservation actions to APA and also for the grassland biomes, which are increasingly threatened by human activities.

Biomas campestres ocupam cerca de 20% de toda a superfície terrestre, e são característicos do norte da Austrália, África e América do Sul, sendo a biodiversidade nesses ambientes pobremente conhecida. A Área de Proteção Ambiental (APA) do Ibirapuitã possui as áreas de campo mais bem preservadas do bioma Pampa no Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. Este estudo objetivou determinar a riqueza de espécies de anuros, abundância, constância de ocorrência, modos reprodutivos e comparar a composição taxonômica da APA com outras localidades inseridas em áreas campestres do extremo sul da América do Sul. Nós coletamos os anuros de setembro a novembro de 2012 e novembro de 2013, utilizando o método de busca em sítios de reprodução. Nós também examinamos espécimes em coleções herpetológicas. No total, registramos 32 espécies de anuros pela combinação da amostragem de larvas, adultos e análise de espécimes depositados em coleções científicas. A anurofauna registrada é típica de áreas campestres, com pelo menos 10% das espécies restritas è região subtropical da América do Sul e pelo menos duas espécies consideradas ameaçadas em escala estadual e global. Pseudopaludicola falcipes foi a espécie mais abundante e Hypasiboas pulchellus a mais frequentemente encontrada nos sítios amostrados. Cinco modos reprodutivos foram registrados, sendo o modo mais comum a deposição e desenvolvimento de larvas exotróficas em corpos d'água lênticos (57,5%). A análise de similaridade entre as 16 comunidades representando localidades campestres, apresentou cinco grupos com mais de 50% de similaridade, cuja estrutura foi influnciada pela distância geográfica, mas pode ser parcialmente interpretada por peculiaridades regionais (e.g. altitude e fitofisionomias). Nossos resultados representam uma base inicial de dados sobre a anurofauna da APA do Ibirapuitã, bem como incluem recomendações para futuras ações de conservação dos biomas campestres, que são cada vez mais ameaçados pelas atividades humanas.

Extension of the geographical distribution of two anuran species for Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil, with comments on natural history / Extensão da distribuição geográfica de duas espécies de anuros para o Estado do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil, com comentários sobre história natural

We record for the first time Crossodactylus schmidti (Anura: Hylodidae) and Proceratophrys avelinoi (Anura: Cycloramphidae) from Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil, based on individuals captured in an area of Mesophytic Semideciduous Forest, the Parque Estadual do Turvo, located in the northwest region of the state. These records extend the geographical range for both species in about 60 km from the nearest known locality, the Municipality of San Vicente, Misiones, Argentina. We provide a characterization of the calling site used by males of Crossodactylus schmidti, and we also determined the niche breadth of P. avelinoi regarding to the use of water bodies.

Reportamos o primeiro registro de Crossodactylus schmidti (Anura: Hylodidae) e Proceratophrys avelinoi (Anura: Cycloramphidae) para o Estado do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil, com base em indivíduos coletados em área de Floresta Estacional Semidecidual, Parque Estadual do Turvo, região noroeste do estado. Estes registros ampliam a área de distribuição das duas espécies em aproximadamente 60 km a partir da localidade mais próxima conhecida, o Município de San Vicente, Misiones, Argentina. Fornecemos, ainda, uma caracterização do sítio de vocalização de C. schmidti e determinamos a amplitude de nicho de P. avelinoi quanto ao uso de corpos d'água.

Mamíferos do campus da Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil / Mammals of the campus of the Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

O estudo foi desenvolvido no Campus da Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (UFSM), localizado na Depressão Central do Rio Grande do Sul, no bioma Pampa. Aqui uma listagem de mamíferos é apresentada e são discutidas a ocupação espacial e estratégias de conservação da mastofauna local. Entre novembro de 2001 e outubro de 2002 foram registradas 26 espécies nativas e duas espécies exóticas (Lepus europaeus e Mus musculus) de mamíferos, distribuídas em 14 famílias. A maioria das espécies registradas apresenta ampla distribuição, é comumente associada a áreas abertas e apresenta tolerância a distúrbios antrópicos. Entretanto, também foram registradas espécies consideradas raras ou ameaçadas no Estado do Rio Grande do Sul (Lontra longicaudis, Monodelphis dimidiata e Nyctinomops laticaudatus), para as quais são sugeridas estratégias de conservação. A baixa diversidade de espécies registrada no Campus pode estar relacionada à forte pressão de modificações antrópicas, à pequena extensão da área estudada ou a fatores históricos, já que a área de estudo é originalmente campestre (Pampa), tipo de ambiente que abriga menor diversidade de mamíferos que áreas de florestas nativas.

The study was conducted in the Campus of the Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (UFSM), which is located in the Central Depression of Rio Grande do Sul State, in the Pampa biome. Here, a mammal list is presented and spatial occupation and conservation strategies of local mammals are discussed. Between November 2001 and October 2002, 26 native species and two exotic species of mammals (Lepus europaeus and Mus musculus) were recorded, representing 14 families. Most recorded species presents wide distribution, is likely associated to open environments and is tolerant to human disturbances. However, we also recorded three species that are considered rare or threatened in the State of Rio Grande do Sul (Lontra longicaudis, Monodelphis dimidiata and Nyctinomops laticaudatus), for which conservation strategies are recommended. The low species richness recorded in the Campus can be related to the strong pressure of human disturbances, to the small extension of the studied area or to historical factors, as the studied area is originally a grassland (Pampa), a type of environment containing a lower mammalian diversity than native forests.

Répteis do campus da Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, RS, Brasil / x

Este trabalho apresenta um inventário das espécies de répteis que ocorrem no campus da Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (UFSM) e arredores. A listagem está baseada em expedições mensais de campo entre novembro de 2001 e outubro de 2002 e exame do material da Coleção Herpetológica do Departamento de Biologia da UFSM. Das 36 espécies listadas, 20 foram registradas no campo e 16 foram registradas pelo exame da coleção.

This work presents an inventory of reptile species occuring in the campus of Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (UFSM) and surroundings. It is based on monthly field expeditions between November 2001 and October 2002 and examination of material in the Coleção Herpetológica do Departamento de Biologia da UFSM. Of the 36 species listed, 20 were recorded in the field whereas 16 were recorded in the collection.