Breeding biology of Phyllomedusa azurea Cope, 1862 and P. sauvagii Boulenger, 1882 (Anura) from the Cerrado,Central Brazil

Phyllomedusa azurea and P. sauvagii are treefrogs from seasonal dry environments of Central Brazil. We report on reproductive and other natural history features of these species. The study was carried out in Serra da Bodoquena, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. The reproductive period was determined by the presence of vocalizing males, amplectant pair or presence of tadpoles. The reproductive effort was measured as the ratio of gonad mass in relation to body mass (BM). The reproduction of both species was correlated with the rainy season. Female P. sauvagii produced more eggs and their eggs were larger than those of P. azurea. Both species showed sexual dimorphism in relation to the snout–vent length (SVL) and BM. The mating behaviour of both species was similar. Males in both species showed similar reproductive efforts, but females of P. azurea invested more in gonads compared to the males of P. sauvagii. Phyllomedusa azurea showed a significant relation between SVL versus number of the mature eggs (NME), and P. sauvagii between SVL versus NME and BM versus ovarian mass.     

Reproductive behaviour of Physalaemus kroyeri (Anura: Leiuperidae) in the municipality of Jequié, state of Bahia

From August 2010 to April 2011 we surveyed two different areas, located in the municipality of Jequié, State of Bahia, to obtain information about the reproductive biology of Physalaemus kroyeri. Data on the spatial and temporal distribution of P. kroyeri were recorded. Physalaemus kroyeri may be classified as a prolonged breeder with a reproductive period linked to rainfall. The average number of eggs in the foam nest of P. kroyeri is one of the highest recorded for the genus. Our results are coincident with the known reproductive behaviour of congeneric species and may be viewed as reproductive adaptations to open and highly seasonal environments.     

A new predatory flatworm (Platyhelminthes,Polycladida) from Botany Bay,New South Wales,Australia

A new species of Stylochidae flatworm Imogine lateotentare is described from Botany Bay, eastern New South Wales, Australia. This flatworm is distinguished from other species in the same genus mainly by having small, transparent and inconspicuous tentacles, densely packed purplish pink flecks at the posterior of the dorsal surface, distinctive purplish red colour gonopores and continuous bands of numerous frontal and cerebral eyes. Feeding and reproductive behaviour in the laboratory are described. This flatworm was found closely associated with the barnacle Balanus variegatus (Darwin, 1854) on which it fed by extending its pharynx over the barnacle opercular and sucking out the flesh but ejecting the cirri. It consumed one Balanus variegatus in a 14‐day observation period and it was observed feeding exclusively at night.     

Reproductive biology of Scinax fuscomarginatus (Anura,Hylidae) in south‐eastern Brazil

The present study describes the reproductive biology of Scinax fuscomarginatus in a remnant of Cerrado in south‐eastern Brazil. Observations were made between September 2002 and March 2004 at Estação Ecológica de Itirapina, State of São Paulo, south‐eastern Brazil. Breeding activities occurred in lentic and temporary bodies of water during the rainy season. Scinax fuscomarginatus exhibited a prolonged breeding pattern and a lek mating system. Males were smaller than females and defended individual calling areas through acoustic and physical interactions. Resident males consistently won encounters, but did not differ in size or mass from intruder males. Satellite behaviour was observed, but no female or amplected pair interception was registered. Scinax fuscomarginatus exhibited low operational sex ratios and the general reproductive mode in which eggs are laid in the water and tadpoles are aquatic. Amplexus was axillary and the eggs were deposited at the bottom of temporary ponds. Details on oocytes, egg masses, and eggs are included.     

Breeding in the gray-headed tody-flycatcher (Aves: Tyrannidae) with comments on geographical variation in reproductive traits within the genus Todirostrum

The gray-headed tody-flycatcher Todirostrum poliocephalum is a passerine endemic to the Atlantic Forest of Brazil. We describe the nest and nesting behaviour of this species and investigate geographical variation in breeding traits in the genus using data from the literature, museum collections, and citizen science projects. We located 21 nests of the gray-headed tody-flycatcher, 13 of which we monitored. Nest height above the ground averaged 3.3 ± 3.4 m (n = 21). Nests were built over a 16.8 ± 5.6-day period (n = 6) by both adults. Clutch sizes ranged from two to three eggs, with a mean of 2.9 ± 0.3 eggs (n = 10). Eggs measured 16.6 ± 0.5 × 12.0 ± 0.5 mm (n = 23) and weighed 1.1 ± 0.1 g (n = 19). Mean incubation period was 17 days (n = 3) and mean nestling period was 15.5 days (n = 2). Apparent reproductive success was 30.8%, with predation being the primary cause of nest failure (46.1%). Mayfield’s reproductive success was 25.9%, and daily survival rates for eggs and nestlings were 0.957 and 0.971, respectively. Clutch sizes increased with latitude, but temperature and precipitation seasonality had very low importance in explaining clutch size variation.     

Habitat,egg‐laying behaviour,eggs and tadpoles of four sympatric species of Pseudopaludicola (Anura,Leiuperidae)

In contrast to most leiuperid frogs, Pseudopaludicola falcipes does not lay eggs in foam nests; this could represent a reversion to the primitive state. We found that in four other Pseudopaludicola species, eggs were also not embedded in foam nests and had a well‐defined outermost jelly layer. The females also constantly moved or dived and males lacked vigorous “wiping/kicking” leg motions while eggs were being laid, features that make foam nesting difficult. The tadpoles of three species have two gaps in the marginal papillae along the lower labium and two posterior rows of labial teeth; the tadpoles of one species had three gaps and three rows, a pattern resembling that of some Physalaemus (Leiuperidae) species. Our data on tadpole morphology and reproductive behaviour do not allow us to rule out the paraphyletic nature of Physalaemus in relation to Pseudopaludicola but they provide some support against the “foam‐loss hypothesis” in Pseudopaludicola.     

Caruncle in Megalomma Johansson, 1925 (Polychaeta: Sabellidae) and the description of a new species from the Eastern Tropical Pacific

The presence of a caruncle in the polychaete family Sabellidae is documented. It is placed dorsally above the mouth, between the dorsal lips, supported with hyaline cartilage constituted by a homogeneous eosinophilic matrix and it is innervated directly from the cerebral ganglion. The caruncle surface has four longitudinal ciliated bands; the cilia from the lateral bands are hypertrophied, wider distally, tongue‐like, forming a ciliated curtain or membranella. The genus Megalomma is emended based on the presence of a caruncle, a long dorsalmost radiolar pair, a high number of radiolar skeletal cells, and the presence of interramal eyespots. We describe a new species from Acapulco in the Tropical Eastern Pacific –Megalomma carunculata sp. nov. It has a caruncle, subtriangular ventral lappets, well developed dorsal pockets, compound eyes in all radioles, and interramal eyespots in the thoracic and abdominal segments.     

On the natural history of Leptodactylus syphax with comments on the evolution of reproductive features in the L. pentadactylus species group (Anura,Leptodactylidae)

We describe the reproduction of Leptodactylus syphax from Brazil and attempt to trace the evolution of reproductive traits within the L. pentadactylus species group. We quantified the proportion of eggs/embryos from fresh nests. We test whether L. labyrinthicus and L. syphax tadpoles can prey on eggs from heterospecific foam nests. Egg clutches were found outside the water at the edges of rocky/seasonal streams, usually within excavated basins. Males beat the foam with their legs moving from side to side. Clutches do not have trophic eggs, since most of their eggs develop into tadpoles. Tadpoles cling on rocks in current/shallow waters. Only L. labyrinthicus tadpoles could prey on eggs from heterospecific foam nests. If the L. pentadactylus group is monophyletic, excavated basins and foam‐beating in lateral motions may be possible synapomorphies of this group. However, large adults, carnivorous tadpoles and trophic eggs appear to be associated synapomorphies of a less inclusive group.     

Reproductive aspects of Leptodactytus hylaedactylus (Anura: Leptodactylidae), a member of the Leptodactylus marmoratus species group,with a description of tadpoles and calls

In this paper we describe some aspects of the reproductive biology of Leptodactylus hylaedactylus from open areas of Central Amazonia, Brazil. We describe the calling site, reproductive season, daily pattern of calling activity, chamber structure, vocalizations and tadpole morphology. Males of Leptodactylus hylaedactylus called amidst grasses and bushes in open and urban areas, throughout the year, and a greater number of males were heard in the period from 16:00 to 20:00 h. The eggs are deposited in underground chambers, which are spherical or elliptical. Larval development occurs inside the chambers. Two types of vocalizations were detected, the advertisement and the territorial call. The advertisement call of the species studied herein differs from other calls described for L. hylaedactylus from other localities of Brazil, but is very similar to that described from Peru. Tadpole morphology is similar to that described from individuals in French Guiana.     

Reproductive biology of two species of Hyalella Smith, 1874 (Crustacea: Amphipoda: Hyalellidae) from southern Brazil

Reproduction is a critical event in the life cycle of animals, and a high amount of energy is allocated to it. The aim of this study was to characterize the reproductive biology of two recently described species of Hyalella from the north-east region of state of Rio Grande do Sul in southern Brazil. The specimens were collected during 12 months from a stream source (Hyalella georginae) and from a water reservoir (H. gauchensis), in Palmeira das Missões municipality, state of Rio Grande do Sul. Upon sampling, ovigerous females and pairs in precopulatory behaviour were separated into microtubes. In the laboratory, the cephalothorax length (CL in mm) of all specimens was measured. Male size at onset of sexual maturity was larger than that of the females, in both species. There was a correlation between the size of paired males and females: larger males carried larger females, in both Hyalella species. Precopulatory pairs were found throughout the year; however, H. georginae had a higher frequency in spring, and H. gauchensis in autumn. There was a positive correlation between the CL of ovigerous females and the number of eggs/juveniles. A reduction in the number of eggs throughout the embryonic development was observed in H. georginae. The average fecundity of H. georginae was significantly higher than H. gauchensis. The differences between the reproductive biology of these species may be related to the physical and environmental conditions at which they are exposed in their habitats.     

Reproductive patterns of Trachycephalus venulosus (Laurenti, 1768) and Scinax fuscovarius (Lutz, 1925) from the Cerrado,Central Brazil

Animal mating systems are moulded by ecological factors, mainly the temporal patterns of reproduction. We report the reproductive period, use of microhabitats, clutch and egg sizes, reproductive efforts, occurrence of sexual size dimorphism, and the relation between body size and fecundity in the gravid females of Trachycephalus venulosus and Scinax fuscovarius at Serra da Bodoquena, Central Brazil. The reproduction of both species was correlated with the rainy season. Females of T. venulosus produced more eggs and their eggs were larger than those of S. fuscovarius. The females of both species were larger and heavier than males. The reproductive effort was measured as the ratio of gonad mass in relation to body mass. Females of both species presented similar reproductive efforts, but males of S. fuscovarius invested more in gonads compared to males of T. venulosus. Trachycephalus venulosus presented significant correlation between snout–vent length versus number of mature eggs and body mass versus number of mature eggs and ovarian mass. Scinax fuscovarius showed significant correlation between body mass versus ovarian mass. Trachycephalus venulosus is an explosive breeder, whereas S. fuscovarius has prolonged reproduction. These species are able to adapt to several types of habitat, due to behavioural and physiological plasticity.     

A new genus and species of bythitid fish (Teleostei: Ophidiiformes) from New Zealand

Brosmodorsalis persicinus n. gen., n. sp. is described from specimens collected from shallow coastal rocky reefs of northern New Zealand. Brosmodorsalis is placed in the bythitid fish subfamily Brosmophycinae because it has the caudal fin separate from the dorsal and anal fins. The genus differs from all others within the subfamily by the origin of the dorsal fin being well in advance of the posterior margin of the operculum and the anterior dorsal fin rays being free of membrane.     

Parashiinoa mackayi gen. nov., sp. nov. (Poecilostomatoida: Shiinoidae), a new parasitic copepod from two Australian species of Pomadasys (Haemulidae)

A new genus, Parashiinoa, is proposed for a new species of parasitic copeepod found attached at the base of the dorsal fins of two species of Australian haemulid fishes, Pomadasys maculatus (Bloch) and P. argenteus (Forsskål). The new species, P. mackayi, is described and illustrated. One species of the genus Shiinoa, S. bakeri Cressey and Cressey, is transferred to the new genus. A redefinition of the family Shiinoidae is provided.     

Reproduction,development and parental care in two direct‐developing flatworms (Platyhelminthes: Polycladida: Acotylea)

Variations in reproductive modes, egg production, and the effects of parental care on hatching success are compared between Pleioplana atomata and Imogine zebra. Pleioplana atomata transfers sperm via true copulation, whereas I. zebra dermally impregnates spermatophores onto the dorsal surface of partners. Pleioplana atomata lays up to 750 large eggs over a 6‐week period, and I. zebra individuals lay up to 1346 small eggs in 12 days. Female fecundity is positively correlated with body size in both species. Developmental time lines are temperature‐dependent, and juvenile worms hatch after 3 and 6 weeks for I. zebra and P. atomata, respectively. Covering of egg masses by the adult is observed for both species and although this parental care is not necessary for egg development or hatching, it plays a significant role in the hatching success of P. atomata. In I. zebra, parental covering of egg masses may play a role in eggshell development.     

Immature stages of Chinavia musiva (Berg, 1878): a unique pattern in the morphology of Chinavia Orian, 1965 (Hemiptera,Pentatomidae)1

Specimens of Chinavia musiva were collected in Parque Estadual do Espinilho (Barra do Quaraí County, RS, Brazil). Insects were reared under controlled conditions (24±1°C; RH 70±10%; 12h L:12h D), and fed on green beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). Eggs of C. musiva differ from the pattern observed in other species of the genus due to chorion colour and surface, and aero‐micropylar processes, number and shape. Exclusive features of the species in the nymphal stage are head and thorax dull; variegated pattern of abdomen, and openings of the scent glands in conspicuous tubercles. Developmental time was, on average, 52 days; females laid more frequently egg masses with 14 or 42 eggs. Females collected from the field as nymphs exhibited higher reproductive performance than females reared on green beans as nymphs and adults, suggesting that wild hosts could be essential for the species life cycle.     

A new leaf-resembling genus of bush-cricket from West Africa (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae)

Trimusculotrema warnaki gen. et sp. nov. is described from the skin of Himantura uarank Forsskål. Trimusculotrema is distinguished from other genera in the Benedeniinae by the following combination of anatomical features: accessory sclerites and anterior hamuli small; haptor with two or three intrinsic, concentric muscle bands; haptor papillate ventrally; cirrus sac with internal seminal vesicle and spermatophore matrix reservoir; separate male and female pores opening ventrally and dorsally respectively; vagina short. On the basis of these features Benedenia micracantha Euzet and Maillard, 1967 from the skin and B. leucanthemum Euzet and Maillard, 1967 from the gills of Dasyatis marmorata Steindachner off Senegal are transferred to the new genus as Trimusculotrema micracantha comb. nov. and T. leucanthemum comb. nov. The presence of haptoral papillae, noted previously in some species of Entobdella, perhaps indicates that the new genus is more closely related to entobdellids than to benedeniids. Several living specimens of T. uarnaki had 7 (2–17) eggs in early cleavage projecting from the body, their appendages gripped in a muscular sphincter at the uterine opening. These egg bundles appear to be shed from the parasite soon after laying.     

‘On the rocks’: reproductive biology of the endemic toad Xanthophryne (Anura: Bufonidae) from the Western Ghats,India

Xanthophryne is a toad genus endemic to the northern Western Ghats of India, with two extant sister species – Xanthophryne koynayensis and Xanthophryne tigerina. Both species are local endemics and endangered. We studied reproductive biology of these toads and found that they are specialized to the lateritic rocky outcrops at mid-elevations in high rainfall areas. Xanthophryne toads have sporadic, multiple spawning bouts lasting 2–4 days during early monsoon. In this explosive breeding behaviour, we observed male toads to engage in ‘pelvic thrusts’, a unique and novel behaviour among anurans. Females oviposit in shallow pools in depressions of lateritic boulders where their tadpoles metamorphose. These ephemeral rocky pools have limited resources and they desiccate rapidly with a break in the rains. To mitigate the stochastic risk of desiccation and subsequent large-scale egg/tadpole mortality, females may disperse their reproductive investment spatially and temporally in multiple clutches, and tadpoles metamorphose rapidly. Here, we describe the amplexus, spawning and male advertisement call, and provide a comparative account of the life history traits of the two Xanthophryne species. These toads face numerous threats and are in need of urgent conservation action. These toads, seemingly well adapted to the isolated rocky outcrops, offer an excellent opportunity to understand endemism, mating systems, anuran ecology and behaviour.     

A new species of Zeuxo (Crustacea: Tanaidacea) from the French Atlantic coast

A new species of tanaidacean of the genus Zeuxo is described from 105 specimens dredged from the shallow inshore benthic marine fauna from Arcachon, western France. This is the only species of Zeuxo in the Lusitanian area. Its combination of a 7-articled uropod (6-articled endopod with elongate articles in the adult) with a conspicuous lacinia mobilis on the right mandible is unique for the genus. The spination and setation of the carpus of pereopod 2 is reduced in comparison with the most similar known species of Zeuxo. It is distinct from potentially sympatric species of the family Tanaidae in having five free pleonites without a dorsal fringe of setae.     

Egg production of two sympatric species of Hyalella Smith, 1874 (Crustacea,Amphipoda, Dogielinotidae) in aquaculture ponds in southern Brazil

This study tests the hypothesis that sympatric species of Hyalella may show different reproductive strategies that permit their coexistence. Ovigerous females were collected monthly with nets during a 1-year period in two aquaculture trout ponds in Vale das Trutas, São José dos Ausentes County, southern Brazil. In both species there was a decrease in the number of embryos in the brood pouch during embryonic development, and an increase in egg volume. However, the two species differed in the body size of ovigerous females, number of eggs and juveniles per female, brood mortality rate, egg size and hatching size of juveniles. Egg production continued throughout the year, with the highest number of eggs produced during winter and spring by Hyalella pleoacuta, and winter, spring and autumn by Hyalella castroi. These differences in the reproductive traits of species of Hyalella may permit their coexistence in nature.     

Natural history of the lizard Enyalius perditus (Squamata: Leiosauridae) from an Atlantic forest remnant in southeastern Brazil

The natural history of the lizard Enyalius perditus was studied from August 2005 to July 2006, at Parque Estadual Nova Baden, in the municipality of Lambari, State of Minas Gerais, south-eastern Brazil. We found that E. perditus may be considered a semi-arboreal species, like other species in the genus, sleeping on vegetation (slim branches or large leaves) at night, possibly to minimize predation. Females with enlarged follicles or oviducal eggs were found from November to January and juveniles recruited at the end of the dry season and beginning of the rainy season, in October. The diet of this lizard is composed mainly of Lepidoptera larvae, Araneae and Formicidae. Females were larger than males, and juvenile coloration is similar to that of adult females.