Comparative study of composition of methanolic extracts of the paratoid gland secretions (PGS) of Rhinella jimi (cururu toad) from northeastern Brazil: Gender, seasonality and geographic occurrence.

Toads belonging to the Bufonidae family have a pair of paratoid glands that store highly toxic a biological secretion with varied chemical composition, that act as a chemical defense against microbial infections and predators. The paratoid gland secretion (PGS) of bufonids is rich in bioactive steroids, alkaloids, proteins, bufadienolides and bufotoxins. In the present investigation we performed a systematic analysis of the chemical profile of PGS obtained from the Bufonidae toad Rhinella jimi ("Cururu" toad) collected at three different regions of Piauí state, Northeastern Brazil. Our aim was to investigate the PGS variation related to the season of animals collection, geographic distribution and gender of the animals. The methanolic extracts of PGS were analyzed by UPLC-QToF-MS/MS. Principal component analysis (PCA) were applied to the data set obtained by the UPLC-QToF-MS/MS analyses. Among 23 compounds identified, dehydrobufotenine, suberoyl arginine, 3-(N-suberoyl-argininyl) telocinobufagin, 3-(N-suberoyl-argininyl) marinobufagin, telocinobufagin, marinobufagin and 3-(N-suberoyl-argininyl) bufalin were detected in all PGS. Minimal variations in the composition of paratoid secretions of R. jimi were observed related to distinct geographical and seasonal parameters. R. jimi female animals presented the most diverse chemical composition in its PGS. With this comparative study, unprecedented for the species, it was possible to observe that the secretions of the paratoid glands produced by R. jimi from different regions of the state of Piauí, at different times of the year, presented consistent chemical composition, with discrete particularities in the number and nature chemistry of its constituents.

Anuros da Reserva Rio das Pedras, Mangaratiba, RJ, Brasil / Anurans at Rio das Pedras Reserve, Mangaratiba, RJ, Brazil

Um estudo de composição de fauna foi realizado em um reduto de Mata Atlântica na região sul Fluminense, município de Mangaratiba, RJ, no período de maio de 1997 a setembro de 2006. As coletas foram feitas mensalmente nos cinco primeiros anos e bimensalmente nos outros cinco anos, totalizando 82 excursões. As visitas tiveram duração média de duas noites, com uma equipe de quatro pessoas, utilizando a metodologia de busca ativa visual e auditiva. Ao todo foram registradas para a região quarenta e uma espécies de vinte e um gêneros, distribuídos em nove famílias: Amphignathodontidae (três), Brachycephalidae (seis), Bufonidae (dois), Centrolenidae (um), Cyclorhamphidae (dois), Hylidae (21), Hylodidae (dois), Leptodactylidae (três) e Microhylidae (um). As espécies foram relacionadas aos diversos micro-ambientes de reprodução encontrados na Reserva Rio das Pedras (ReRP) e foram feitas considerações sobre seu estado de conservação. A distribuição geográfica e a variação altitudinal de Gastrotheca albolineata foram ampliadas. Proceratophrys appendiculata e Bokermannohyla circumdata tiveram também sua variação altitudinal ampliada. Scinax angrensis e Aplastodiscus eugenioi foram incluídas na lista de anfíbios do estado do Rio de Janeiro. A anurofauna da ReRP representa 25 por cento do total de espécies de anuros do estado do Rio de Janeiro, contendo uma espécie ameaçada de extinção na categoria " em perigo" (EN), uma " quase ameaçada" (NT) e outra com distribuição restrita. O número de espécies foi considerado expressivo quando comparado com outras áreas de Mata Atlântica do Estado de São Paulo.

A study of anuran fauna composition was made in an Atlantic Rainforest pocket, at the south of Rio de Janeiro State, municipality of Mangaratiba, from May 1997 to September 2006. Field work was carried out monthly during the first five years and for the next five years every two months, totalizing 82 field trips. Visits had a mean duration of two nights, with a group of four people. Visual and audio active searches were performed. Forty-one species, in twenty-one genera distributed in nine families, were accounted for: Amphignathodontidae (three), Brachycephalidae (six), Bufonidae (two), Centrolenidae (one), Cyclorhamphidae (two), Hylidae (21), Hylodidae (two), Leptodactylidae (three) and Microhylidae (one). The species were related to the many reproductive micro-habitats found at the Rio das Pedras Reserve. The geographical distribution and altitudinal variation of Gastrotheca albolineata were extended. The altitudinal variation of Proceratophrys appendiculata and Bokermannohyla circumdata were also extended. Scinax angrensis and Aplastodiscus eugenioi were included in the list of species from Rio de Janeiro State. The anuran fauna from Rio das Pedras Reserve represents 25 percent of all of Anuran species found in Rio de Janeiro State, including one species " Endangered" - EN and one " Near Threatened" - NT and another species with restricted distribution. The number of species was considered expressive when compared with other Atlantic Rainforest area of São Paulo State.