The amphibians of the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: an updated and commented list

The amphibian fauna of the state of Rio de Janeiro, in southeatern Brazil, is characterized by high species richness and rates of endemism, and is still insufficiently known. A first list of amphibian species with occurrence in the state was published in 2004 and reported 166 taxa, but since then many new records, descriptions of new taxa, and revalidations and synonymizations of species have consistently improved the knowledge about the state’s amphibian biodiversity. Thus, a review and update of that list was deemed necessary. We herein present an updated and commented list of amphibian species occurring in the state of Rio de Janeiro based on a survey of the literature. We recorded the occurrence of a total of 201 species of amphibians (197 anurans and four caecilians) in Rio de Janeiro, with 54 of them (ca. 27%) considered to be endemic of the state. Our study presents an increase in species richness of 21% since the publication of the previous list, indicating a consistent advance in knowledge of the composition of the amphibian fauna in the state. In spite of its relatively small territorial extension (total area ca. 43,800 km²), the state of Rio de Janeiro contains nearly 20% of the amphibian species known to occur in Brazil and around 40% of those occurring in the Atlantic Forest biome. Thus, that state constitutes an important reservoir of amphibian biodiversity in the Atlantic Forest biome and in Brazil, as a whole

Evidence of phoresy by leeches (Hirudinoidea) on Rhinella abei (Anura: Bufonidae) in the Atlantic Rainforest in the state of Santa Catarina, southern Brazil

In the Atlantic Rainforest of the Parque Estadual da Serra do Tabuleiro, state of Santa Catarina, southern Brazil, we found Rhinella abei (Bufonidae) infested by leeches (Hirudinoidea). We captured 27 toads on the margin of a lagoon both inside and outside water in a survey carried out during one night, and 13 of which had a total of 30 leeches (mean intensity of infestation = 2.3 ± 1.3). We did not observe wounds, scars and/or hemorrhages caused by the leeches on the toads examined, no hemorrhaging after the removal of the leeches, and the leeches removed from the toads were empty of blood. This evidence led us to theorize that the leeches were not parasitizing the toads but had a phoretic relationship. The leeches were found on both dorsal and ventral surfaces (13 on each) of the toads and were predominantly on the toads’ axils followed by back and thighs. The average snout-vent length of the toads was 69.2 ± 5.3 mm and their average body mass was 27.1 ± 6.9 g. The number of leeches found on a toad was not related to its snout-vent length or body mass. We are unaware of any previous records of leeches using anurans as dispersal agents, as suggested in the present study

The amphibians of the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: an updated and commented list

Abstract. The amphibian fauna of the state of Rio de Janeiro, in southeatern Brazil, is characterized by high species richness and rates of endemism, and is still insufficiently known. A first list of amphibian species with occurrence in the state was published in 2004 and reported 166 taxa, but since then many new records, descriptions of new taxa, and revalidations and synonymizations of species have consistently improved the knowledge about the state’s amphibian biodiversity. Thus, a review and update of that list was deemed necessary. We herein present an updated and commented list of amphibian species occurring in the state of Rio de Janeiro based on a survey of the literature. We recorded the occurrence of a total of 201 species of amphibians (197 anurans and four caecilians) in Rio de Janeiro, with 54 of them (ca. 27%) considered to be endemic of the state. Our study presents an increase in species richness of 21% since the publication of the previous list, indicating a consistent advance in knowledge of the composition of the amphibian fauna in the state. In spite of its relatively small territorial extension (total area ca. 43,800 km²), the state of Rio de Janeiro contains nearly 20% of the amphibian species known to occur in Brazil and around 40% of those occurring in the Atlantic Forest biome. Thus, that state constitutes an important reservoir of amphibian biodiversity in the Atlantic Forest biome and in Brazil, as a whole

Sibynomorphus neuwiedi (Ihering, 1911) (Serpentes; Dipsadidae) and Potamojanuarius lamellatus (Semper, 1885) (Gastropoda; Veronicellidae): a trophic relationship revealed

http://dx.doi.org/10.5007/2175-7925.2012v25n1p211The Dispsadidae serpents from the genus Sibynomorphus are restricted to South America and include twelve species currently known, which occur in Brazil, Argentina, Peru, and Ecuador. Sibynomorphus neuwiedi is a species endemic to forested areas of the Atlantic Rainforest biome, and it is specialized in eating gastropods. Eight adult individuals of S. neuwiedi were collected between April 1998 and June 2003 at the surroundings of the Vila dos Dois Rios village (23°11’S, 44°12’W), in the Parque Estadual da Ilha Grande, in the municipality of Angra dos Reis, state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. In the laboratory, we dissected their stomachs for analysis of its contents. We found prey in four of them (50%), all represented by the slug Potamojanuarius lamellatus (Veronicellidae), and four individuals had empty stomach. The consumption of slugs from the Family Veronicellidae by serpents from the tribe Dipsadini has been reported, nevertheless, we report the occurrence of P. lamellatus in the diet of S. neuwiedi for the first time

Sibynomorphus neuwiedi (Ihering, 1911) (Serpentes; Dipsadidae) and Potamojanuarius lamellatus (Semper, 1885) (Gastropoda; Veronicellidae): a trophic relationship revealed

The Dispsadidae serpents from the genus Sibynomorphus are restricted to South America and include twelve species currently known, which occur in Brazil, Argentina, Peru, and Ecuador. Sibynomorphus neuwiedi is a species endemic to forested areas of the Atlantic Rainforest biome, and it is specialized in eating gastropods. Eight adult individuals of S. neuwiedi were collected between April 1998 and June 2003 at the surroundings of the Vila dos Dois Rios village (23°11’S, 44°12’W), in the Parque Estadual da Ilha Grande, in the municipality of Angra dos Reis, state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. In the laboratory, we dissected their stomachs for analysis of its contents. We found prey in four of them (50%), all represented by the slug Potamojanuarius lamellatus (Veronicellidae), and four individuals had empty stomach. The consumption of slugs from the Family Veronicellidae by serpents from the tribe Dipsadini has been reported, nevertheless, we report the occurrence of P. lamellatus in the diet of S. neuwiedi for the first time

Density and spatial distribution of Ocypode quadrata (Decapoda, Ocypodidae) in an insular environment in the state of Rio de Janeiro, southeastern Brazil

Ocypode quadrata is a crab species distributed from United States of America to Brazil which is frequently found in supratidal zones of sandy beaches, where they built burrows. The counting of the number of burrows allows sample of both population densities and spatial distribution of individuals. To study these parameters of O. quadrata in Vila Dois Rios, southeastern Brazil, were delimited plots (3.14 m2) to distances from nearest backshore vegetation that varied from 1 to 10 m (60 plots = 188.4 m2). Burrows’ density in Vila Dois Rios was 0.67 burrows/m2 (126 burrows). The density of burrows of this species might vary influenced by local environmental factors (e.g. tides). The distances of the burrows from the vegetation and the diameter of its openings averaged 357.1 ± 272.7 cm (N = 83) and 15.1 ± 8.3 mm (N = 83), respectively. Larger burrow openings were built near the vegetation. It is possible that larger-sized individuals might exclude smaller ones from this region which may have more protection against energy of tides and flooding and a potential higher availability of food resources. Moreover, smaller-sized crabs might occupy areas near the sea due to lesser capacity of excavation than adults and/or to avoid the risk of desiccation due to their high surface/volume ratio. This study in Vila Dois Rios reinforces the occurrence of the construction of burrows near to the vegetation by larger O. quadrata