Feeding habits of the endemic tropical parthenogenetic lizard Cnemidophorus nativo (Teiidae) in a restinga area of northeastern Brazil

The population of Cnemidophorus nativo in the restinga of Guaratiba, Bahia State, Brazil, is carnivorous with a diet consisting predominantly of insect larvae and termites, which is similar to that of other cnemidophorines. The absence of seasonal variation in diet may be a consequence of the availability of termites throughout the year. The small size of the termites and the ease with which both juveniles and adults eat larvae independent of their length were probably the cause of the poor relationship between lizard body measurements and mean number and volume of prey consumed.     

Factors influencing anuran distribution in coastal dune wetlands in southern Brazil

We investigated the potential role of hydroperiod and habitat structural complexity as explanatory factors defining richness, abundance and spatial and temporal distribution of anurans in wetlands of coastal dunes. This survey was performed in 15 wetlands along the Atlantic coastal zone of southern Brazil. We identified 10 anuran species (nine in the adult and eight in the tadpole stage) distributed in seven genera from five families. The adult richness and abundance varied among the hydroperiod classes, but without temporal variations. Both tadpole richness and abundance varied temporally and both were influenced by hydroperiod. Adult anuran composition was associated with dry months and wetland area, whereas tadpole composition was associated with emergent and floating macrophytes, wetland area and vegetation cover. This study identified the importance of habitat structural complexity and hydroperiod in spatial–temporal distribution models of anurans.     

The reproductive ecology of Leptodactylus fuscus (Anura,Leptodactylidae): new data from natural temporary ponds in the Brazilian Cerrado and a review throughout its distribution

Recent studies indicate that populations historically called Leptodactylus fuscus (Schneider, 1799) comprise at least three well‐differentiated lineages. Herein, we describe the reproductive ecology of a southeastern clade population of L. fuscus, and review the characters of the reproductive ecology for several populations of the northern and southeastern clades. Most reproductive activity occurred in December and January, which coincided with the highest rainfall period. Males had an aggregated spatial distribution in the central area of the ponds. Three courtship interactions were observed. A female was observed closing the entrance to a burrow with moist sand after oviposition. This behaviour is described for the first time in L. fuscus. The review of the reproductive biology of the northern and southeastern clades indicates a relatively high plasticity in L. fuscus. Furthermore, the results corroborate the suggestion, based on molecular data, that the northern and southeastern clades of L. fuscus represent distinct evolutionary units.     

Description and ecology of a new species of sun spider (Arachnida: Solifugae) from the Brazilian Cerrado

A new species of solifuge from São Paulo State, south-eastern Brazil, is described, together with its phenology, habitat use, activity pattern and the effect of fire on the population. Mummucia coaraciandu n. sp. differs from other Mummuciidae in cheliceral dentition and pleurite coloration. Over a one-year period, 649 individuals of M. coaraciandu were captured in 72 pitfall traps distributed in three Cerrado physiognomies: borders of gallery forest (N=53), campo sujo (N=561) and campo cerrado (N=35). The species is diurnal and showed two peaks of surface activity during the year: the highest peak occurred in the cold–dry season (June to July) and the smaller peak in the middle of the warm–wet season (December to February). The number of individuals per trap was negatively correlated with the mean monthly temperature, but showed no correlation with the monthly precipitation. The sex ratio was male-biased (7:1) and the number of males trapped was positively correlated with the number of reproductive females. More individuals were trapped in burned areas when compared with unburned areas 1 month after the fire. This difference between the two areas was not observed 1 month before and 3–4 months after the passage of the fire (when the vegetation had recovered). Mummucia coaraciandu is the second solifuge described from the Brazilian Cerrado and its ecology is very similar to that of Mummucia mauryi from Caatinga vegetation.     

Snout mites from caves in Brazil,with description of a new species (Acari: Trombidiformes: Bdellidae)

In this paper we describe the first species of the genus Cyta from Brazil, Cyta troglodyta sp. nov., with a key to the world species of the genus. New records of mites of the family Bdellidae are reported from caves in Brazil.     

Integrative taxonomy of the gymnophthalmid lizard Neusticurus rudis Boulenger, 1900 identifies a new species in the eastern Pantepui region,north-eastern South America

ABSTRACT

The gymnophthalmid lizard genus Neusticurus Duméril and Bibron, 1839 currently contains six described species. One of them, Neusticurus rudis Boulenger, 1900 has a long history of taxonomic confusion, and uncertainty remains about the number of species involved under that name, especially in the Pantepui region. Our molecular phylogenetic (concatenation and species tree) and morphological (morphometrics, external and hemipenial morphology) analyses confirm Neusticurus rudis as a species complex with several candidate species in the eastern Pantepui region. Neusticurus rudis is here redescribed based on the re-examination of the holotype and 10 specimens from the vicinity of the type locality (ca. 15 km airline) in Guyana. The geographic distribution of N. rudis sensu stricto is restricted to east of the Venezuelan Gran Sabana, extending from the slopes of Mount Roraima in Venezuela through the slopes of Maringma-tepui and Wayalayeng to Mount Ayanganna in Guyana, between 678 and 1500 m elevation. Populations tentatively assigned to N. rudis also occur from Mount Wokomung in the Pakaraima Mountains of Guyana to the Iwokrama Forest Reserve in Guyana, between 159 and 1234 m elevation. A new Neusticurus species is described from the uplands and highlands of the eastern Pantepui region, west of the Venezuelan Gran Sabana in Brazil and Venezuela, between 900 and 2200 m elevation. Populations provisionally assigned to the new species were also found from the La Escalera region to Chivatón, the summit of Abakapá-tepui and the slopes and summit of Auyán-tepui, Venezuela, between 1100 and 2203 m elevation. Our results suggest the Gran Sabana as a possible recent biogeographical barrier for the genus in the region and indicate that tepui-summit Neusticurus populations derive from uplands populations that shifted their habitat preference.

www.zoobank.org/lsid:zoobank.org:pub:33DCF862-11CF-4FD0-B4D6-706E2C6A339E     

Ferrissia californica (Gastropoda: Planorbidae): the first record of a global invader in a cave habitat

Ferrissia californica (Rowell, 1863), an aquatic pulmonate [formerly widely known as Ferrisia fragilis (Tryon, 1863), is reported herein to have established a population in the Tskhal-Tsiteli, or Iazoni, Cave (Caucasus, Georgia), within the invasive range of this species. This is the first record of a sustained population of an invasive freshwater pulmonate in an underground environment. Possible consequences of this invasion are briefly discussed. It is possible that this alien snail may threaten the native snail species Motsametia borutzkii (Zhadin, 1932), which is endemic to Tskhal-Tsiteli Cave.     

Metazoan endoparasites of 18 anuran species from the mesophytic semideciduous Atlantic Forest in southern Brazil

Brazil has the richest anuran biodiversity in the world and many species have not yet been studied for parasites. One hundred and forty frogs belonging to 18 species (Rhinella schneideri, Dendropsophus aff. minutus, Dendropsophus nanus, Hypsiboas albopunctatus, Hypsiboas punctatus, Hypsiboas raniceps, Phyllomedusa tetraploidea, Pseudis platensis, Scinax fuscovarius, Trachycephalus typhonius, Leptodactylus chaquensis, Leptodactylus fuscus, Leptodactylus aff. latrans, Leptodactylus mystacinus, Leptodactylus podicipinus, Physalaemus cuvieri, Physalaemus nattereri and Elachistocleis bicolor) collected in aquatic habitats in forest remnants and surrounding agricultural landscapes in southern Brazil were examined for endoparasites. Twenty-four species of endoparasites were identified among 21 adult and three larval individuals: one species of Monogenea, Polystoma lopezromani; eight species of Digenea, Catadiscus marinholutzi, Catadiscus propinquus, Choledocystus simulans, Gordoderina sp., Neohaematoloechus neivai, Rauschiella lenti, Rauschiella linguatula, Rauschiella repandum; one species of Cestoda, Ophiotaenia sp.; one species of Acanthocephala, Centrorhyncus sp.; 12 species of Nematoda, Aplectana sp., Aplectana travassosi, Cosmocerca podicipinus, Raillietnema sp., Schrankiana formolusa, Falcaustra mascula, Oxyascaris oxyascaris, Ochoterenella digiticauda, Physaloptera sp., Brevimulticecum sp., Rhabdias sp., Parapharyngodon hylidae; and one species of Annelida, Dero (Allodero) lutzi. The endoparasite fauna found is constituted by generalist species. Two new records of occurrence in Brazil and 33 new host records are reported.     

Thermal ecology,activity pattern,habitat, and microhabitats used by the skink Mabuya arajara (Squamata: Scincidae) in the Araripe Plateau,northeastern Brazil

ABSTRACT

We evaluated the activity period, thermal ecology, habitats, and preference for microhabitats of the skink Mabuya arajara in a humid forest environment on the slope of the Araripe Plateau, Brazil. A total of 283 lizards were observed. The lizards were found to be diurnally active (unimodal type pattern), with peak activity during the hottest hours of the day (1100 to 1200). About habitat use, the majority of individuals (73.8% N = 209) were recorded in the narrow transitional area, in the edges of the forest; while 26.4% of individuals were observed in open areas and no observations were made in dense forest. Seven different types of microhabitats were used, with fallen palm leaves (Arecaceae) being the preferred (47.7% N = 135). Considering all lizards, microhabitat niche breadth was 3.27. Males and females presented a high overlap (0.95) in microhabitat use. The average T_c recorded for M. arajara was 32.06 ± 2.72°C. Body size (SVL) did not influence body temperature (F = 0.51, P = > 0.05). Most of the animals were observed with their bodies completely exposed (67.84%, N = 192), 18.37% (N = 52) were semi-exposed and 13.79% (N = 39) were in shelters. Among animals with some degree of sunlight exposure, 57.59% (N = 163) were in shadows, 25.10% (N = 71) were under sunlight filtered by vegetation, and 17.31% (N = 49) were under direct sunlight.A review of the ecology of Mabuya spp. shows that several features appear to be conserved among members of the genus.     

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.     

Ecological aspects of the pumpkin toadlet,Brachycephalus garbeanus Miranda-Ribeiro, 1920 (Anura: Neobatrachia: Brachycephalidae), in a highland forest of southeastern Brazil

Brachycephalus garbeanus is an aposematic toadlet, endemic to the Atlantic Forest in the mountains of the state of Rio de Janeiro, southeastern Brazil. Information regarding the ecology of species in this genus is scarce, with no information on most species, including B. garbeanus. We provide ecological information about B. garbeanus, in particular regarding microhabitat use, sexual dimorphism in body size, and feeding habits. Our study was conducted in a montane area of the Parque Estadual dos Três Picos, the largest State park in Rio de Janeiro. Most of the B. garbeanus in the study area were found on the forest floor leaf litter. Females were larger on average than males. Brachycephalus garbeanus consumed a wide array of prey, comprising exclusively invertebrates and predominantly arthropods. There were seasonal differences in the diet composition, but mites and ants were important in both wet and dry seasons.     

Taxonomy and ecology of two endemic freshwater crabs from western Jamaica with the description of a new Sesarma species (Brachyura: Grapsidae: Sesarminae)

The type series of the Jamaican grapsid crab Sesarma windsor Türkay and Diesel, 1994, was re-examined and found to consist of two distinct forms. The holotype represented a form so far only recorded from a freshwater cave in western Jamaica. The other form inhabits burrows in the banks of mountain creeks in western Jamaica and is assigned to a new species, Sesarma fossarum sp. n. Both species are fully described and morphological differences partly interpreted as adaptations to the habitats where they occur. The new species and S. bidentatum Benedict, 1892, both from mountain creeks, closely resemble the cavernicolous S. windsor which suggests a fairly recent invasion of the cave habitat by the latter.     

Two new genera and five new species of the feather mite subfamily Proctophyllodinae (Astigmata: Proctophyllodidae) from suboscine birds in Brazil

Two new genera and five new species of feather mites of the family Proctophyllodidae are described from passerine birds from Brazil: Tyranniphyllodes pitangi gen. n., sp. n. from Pitangus sulphuratus (Tyrannidae); Atrichophyllodes delalandi gen. n., sp. n. from Corythopis delalandi (Tyrannidae); A. mentalis gen. n., sp. n. from Dysithamnus mentalis (Thamnophilidae); Anisophyllodes candango sp. n. from Elaenia chiriquensis (Tyrannidae); and Platyacarus sittasomi sp. n. from Sittasomus griseicapillus (Dendrocolaptidae). The discovery of these taxa might give data for a better understanding of the evolution of the family Proctophyllodidae in general and the dispersion of these mites on passerines in South America in paricular.     

An unusual new species of Trechona (Araneae: Mygalomorphae: Dipluridae), from quartzitic caves of the Diamantina Plateau,Minas Gerais,Brazil, with a key to the known species

Trechona diamantina sp. nov. is described from quartzite caves in Diamantina, central Minas Gerais State, Brazil. This represents the largest cavernicolous mygalomorph population ever recorded. The new species is the first Trechona recorded from a xeric habitat, namely the Rocky Fields on the Diamantina Plateau. T. diamantina sp. nov. is closely related to T. uniformis, both species possessing elongated male and female copulatory organs and both constructing distinct funnel-webs and sheet-webs in quartzite formations. T. diamantina sp. nov. is distinct in possessing less elongated embolus and receptacula seminis. A key for all valid species of the genus is given.

http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:EB9E66B3-4701-470C-A80D-873E25F52042     

Breeding biology of the rapids frog Limnomedusa macroglossa (Anura: Cycloramphidae) in southern Brazil

Limnomedusa is a monotypic genus that occurs in association with rocky outcrops and stream beds. Based on observational and mark–recapture fieldwork from 2005 to 2008, we report the breeding biology of Limnomedusa macroglossa in southern Brazil. The reproductive season lasted from late August to early February. Tadpoles were recorded from early September to late February. A clear pattern of emergence/recruitment was observed in juveniles. The occurrence of reproductive activities was clearly related to the longest photoperiods, when the highest temperatures occur. Males called from rocky or concrete substrates, mostly under rocks. Amplexus was axillary and the operational sex ratio was nearly even. Spawn occurred in lentic water bodies but tadpoles also completed their development in slow‐flowing water. Although using similar habitats for reproduction, L. macroglossa reached lower levels of specialization toward terrestriality than did the cycloramphids Cycloramphus and Thoropa. We classify L. macroglossa as a breeding habitat specialist that would be threatened by river damming.     

Tropical cyclones and reproductive ecology of Crocodylus acutus Cuvier, 1807 (Reptilia: Crocodilia: Crocodylidae) on a Caribbean atoll in Mexico

Crocodylus acutus, a coastal species nesting in sand beaches, could be affected by increasing tropical cyclone frequency. We studied key characteristics of C. acutus reproductive ecology on Banco Chinchorro atoll from 2006 to 2009, including the impact of two tropical cyclones. Hurricanes increased canopy openness causing earlier nesting the following year. Crocodiles nested at the beginning of the wet season with hatching in mid-wet season; this could represent a compromise between risking nest flooding and increasing freshwater availability for hatchlings. Tropical cyclones dramatically reduced nesting success by cooling and flooding clutches. Nursery sites were usually hypersaline, but heavy rainfall from tropical cyclones can likely benefit hatchling survival by decreasing salinity. While tropical cyclones have negative short-term impacts on crocodile nesting, they likely have an overall beneficial effect by creating and maintaining open sandy nesting areas used by C. acutus and they may explain its widespread distribution in Caribbean coastal areas.     

The first record of a benthic polar chaetognath: a new Spadella from the Antarctic

A new benthic chaetognath, Spadella antarctica n. sp., is described from depths between 193 and 500 m in the Weddell Sea (Antarctic Ocean) and comparisons are made with related species of Spadella. Ecological remarks on this genus are provided.