Latest Articles from Neotropical Biology and Conservation Latest 4 Articles from Neotropical Biology and Conservation https://neotropical.pensoft.net/ Thu, 28 Mar 2024 13:11:18 +0200 Pensoft FeedCreator https://neotropical.pensoft.net/i/logo.jpg Latest Articles from Neotropical Biology and Conservation https://neotropical.pensoft.net/ Amphibians of the Sinos River Basin, southern Brazil https://neotropical.pensoft.net/article/65843/ Neotropical Biology and Conservation 16(3): 435-449

DOI: 10.3897/neotropical.16.e65843

Authors: Camila F. Moser, Renata K. Farina, Márcio Borges-Martins, Iberê F. Machado, Patrick Colombo, Alexandro M. Tozetti

Abstract: The Sinos River encompasses a wide area of natural habitats and, at the same time, supports one of the highest population densities of southern Brazil. Consequently, natural habitats along the Basin present a high degree of habitat disturbance. Despite of the existence of threatened species, information about diversity of amphibians in that area is scarce. Thus, we aimed to catalogue the amphibian species of the Sinos River Basin from records in scientific collections and compilation of published articles. We recorded 52 species, all with geographic coordinates validated at the collection point, indicating that the Sinos River Basin harbours about 50% of the amphibian species of the State of Rio Grande do Sul. Three anuran species were classified as having some degree of threat: Melanophryniscus cambaraensis, Melanophryniscus dorsalis and Thoropa saxatilis. We also expected other 18 species with a high probability of occurrence in the Basin. This work shows that, despite the intense human impact, the Sinos River Basin has a relevant role for the maintenance of a considerable fraction of the amphibian biodiversity in southern Brazil.

HTML

XML

PDF

]]>
Research Article Wed, 18 Aug 2021 10:31:00 +0300
The underground sex life of the Guatemalan Spike-thumb Frog (Plectrohyla guatemalensis) https://neotropical.pensoft.net/article/57142/ Neotropical Biology and Conservation 15(4): 551-559

DOI: 10.3897/neotropical.15.e57142

Authors: Sergio González-Mollinedo, Alejandro Mármol-Kattán

Abstract: Two populations of Plectrohyla guatemalensis from two different sites in Sacatepéquez, Guatemala, were monitored for three consecutive rainy seasons, and noteworthy reproductive behavior was observed. The objective of the surveys was to assess the impact of nearby high-tension power lines, but additional information could be obtained. Our observations that male vocalizations to attract females occurred in the crevices of rocks in streams, inside which females lay eggs, suggest that the species’ reproduction is closely linked to the presence of such crevices. Any clutches were then guarded by the male until hatching. We inferred the existence of male-male competition for gaining control of these reproduction sites building upon previous observations, remarks about the genus and other species with similar patterns, and evidence of such aggression, although we did not directly observe any. Also, with the help of local wardens, we recorded vocalizations in mid-January, extending the previously reported reproductive period for this species. We therefore consider the conservation and restoration of rocky streams with adequate forest coverage to be an important conservation action for this species.

HTML

XML

PDF

]]>
Research Article Wed, 23 Dec 2020 12:02:51 +0200
Distribution modeling applied to deficient data species assessment: A case study with Pithecopus nordestinus (Anura, Phyllomedusidae) https://neotropical.pensoft.net/article/47426/ Neotropical Biology and Conservation 15(2): 165-175

DOI: 10.3897/neotropical.15.e47426

Authors: Felipe Pessoa Da Silva, Hugo Fernandes-Ferreira, Martín Alejandro Montes, Lucas Gonçalves da Silva

Abstract: The arboreal frog Pithecopus nordestinus is geographically present in almost all Brazilian Northeast territory and Minas Gerais State. It is currently classified as deficient data (DD) by IUCN Red List of Endangered Species, requiring further knowledge about its geographic distribution and population status. In this context, the species distribution modeling can be applied, since its basis uses species occurrence records and environmental variables related to bioclimatic and landscape features. This kind of method predicts the species suitability of certain organism in the geographic space. We obtained 159 P. nordestinus occurrence records, covering all the previously known distribution of the species. These records were collected from direct field sampling, scientific literature, museum collections, and available online databases. We used four species distribution modeling algorithms to obtain the potential range (extent of occurrence) and available habitat for this frog through habitat area analysis proposed by IUCN. The generated models can be considered as excellent, with mean AUC value of 0.981. The environmental variables related to temperature and radiation were the most important to the construction of this distribution model. Our results indicate that the forested areas of the Atlantic Forest domain and forest patches inside the Caatinga biome present the highest suitability values for the species occurrence and the major part of available habitats, a fact possibly related to the known arboreal habit of this amphibian. We thus provide a new distribution area for P. nordestinus more broadly than previously known and a new polygon for conservation purposes based on extent of occurrence, and an increase of occupancy based on habitat area analysis. The identification of additional areas where the P. nordestinus occurrence was not yet well known, new habitats for possible dispersal or recolonization; and the selection of conservation hotspots applied to this species are direct applications from our study. In addition, the methodological procedures used here may serve as a baseline tool for new investigations with focus on still deficient data species and its ecological and conservation planning requirements.

HTML

XML

PDF

]]>
Research Article Wed, 10 Jun 2020 09:45:33 +0300
Foam nest construction and first report of agonistic behaviour in Pleurodema tucumanum (Anura: Leptodactylidae) https://neotropical.pensoft.net/article/34841/ Neotropical Biology and Conservation 14(1): 117-128

DOI: 10.3897/neotropical.14.e34841

Authors: Melina J. Rodriguez Muñoz, Tomás Agustín Martínez, Juan Carlos Acosta, Graciela M. Blanco

Abstract: Reproductive strategies are the combination of physiological, morphological, and behavioural traits interacting to increase species reproductive success within a set of environmental conditions. While the reproductive strategies of Leiuperinae are known, few studies have been conducted regarding the reproductive behaviour that underlies them. The aim of this study was to document the structural characteristics of nesting microsites, to describe the process of foam nest construction, and to explore the presence of male agonistic and chorus behaviour in Pleurodema tucumanum. Nests were found close to the edge of a temporary pond and the mean temperature of the foam nests was always close to the mean temperature of the pond water. Our observations corroborate that the foam nest construction phases for P. tucumanum are similar to those described for other Leiuperinae, including dispersion and the beating of the foam, realized by male hind limbs. We also recorded the first scientific observations of male agonistic encounter in Pleurodema tucumanum.

HTML

XML

PDF

]]>
Short Communication Thu, 11 Apr 2019 14:30:00 +0300