Canto de anúncio de três espécies da família Leptodactylidae no Estado da Bahia, Nordeste do Brasil (Amphibia, Anura, Leptodactylidae), com considerações sobre suas posições taxonômicas

The advertisement call of Proceratophrys cristiceps and a different advertisement call of Leptodactylus ocellatus are described, and the advertisement call of Leptodactylus troglodytes is redescribed. Power spectrums, audiospectrograms, and waveforms are presented. Vocalizations were recorded in municipalities of Feira de Santana and Mangue Seco, State of Bahia, Brazil. Aspects related to taxonomy from vocalization of species are discussed.São descritos os cantos de anúncio de Proceratophrys cristiceps e um diferente canto de anúncio de Leptodactylus ocellatus, bem como é redescrito o canto de anúncio de Leptodactylus troglodytes. Espectrogramas, sonogramas e oscilogramas das vocalizações são apresentados. As gravações foram realizadas nos municípios de Feira de Santana e Mangue Seco, Estado da Bahia, Brasil. São discutidos aspectos taxonômicos a partir das vocalizações

Ocorrência de oofagia em girinos de Leptodactylus troglodytes (Amphibia, Anura, Leptodactylidae)

We recorded two tadpoles of Leptodactylus troglodytes eating Physalaemus albifrons eggs in a semiarid area located in the state of Bahia, Brazil. The oophagous tadpoles were in stage 37 (Gosner, 1960). One of them contained 458 eggs in its intestinal tract and its width was 71% larger than other L. troglodytes tadpoles not observed eating eggs. Tadpoles developing in habitats subjet to water stress may supplement their diets with alternative foods and adopt facultative oophagy. Tadpoles of L. troglodytes probably are oophagic opportunists and they may also consume eggs of other species besides P. albifrons.Dois girinos de Leptodactylus troglodytes foram registrados comendo ovos de Physalaemus albifrons em uma área do semi-árido do estado da Bahia, Brasil. O girino oófago estava no estádio 37 (Gosner, 1960). Um deles apresentou 458 ovos no seu trato intestinal, estando 71% mais largo que os outros girinos de L. troglodytes que não foram observados comendo ovos. Girinos desenvolvendo-se em hábitats sujeitos a estresse hídrico podem suplementar suas dietas com alimentos alternativos, adotando comportamento oofágico facultativo. Os girinos de L. troglodytes provavelmente são oofágicos oportunistas podendo também consumir ovos de outras espécies, assim como ovos de P. albifrons

Impalatabilidade de girinos de Hyla semilineata (Anura: Hylidae) a serpentes do gênero Liophis (Colubridae: Xenodontinae

In captivity, Liophis viridis and Liophis miliaris were fed on tadpoles of Scinax pachychrus, Hyla semilineata and Rana catesbeiana. The tadpoles of S. pachychrus and R. catesbeiana were consumed. In the first attempt of feeding them with tadpoles of H. semilineata, the snakes regurgitated the tadpole and there was no more acceptance of H. semilineata tadpoles in other attempts. In order to test possible learning of the impalatability of the H. semilineata tadpoles for the snakes, it had been offered tadpoles of H. semilineata together with tadpoles of S. pachychrus. The test was repeated other three times, by associating tadpoles of H. semilineata and R. catesbeiana. Individuals of H. semilineata were always rejected, but the tadpoles of the other species were consumed. Aparently, tadpoles of H. semilineata may liberate irritating substances for the gastric mucosa of its predators, and the snakes could learn and distiguish between the palatable and unpalatable tadpoles.Em cativeiro, foram oferecidos girinos de diferentes espécies (Scinax pachychrus, Hyla semilineata e Rana catesbeiana) para Liophis viridis e Liophis miliaris. Os girinos de S. pachychrus e de R. catesbeiana foram consumidos. Na primeira tentativa de alimentá-las com girinos de H. semilineata, as serpentes regurgitaram a presa, havendo rejeição desta espécie em outras tentativas. Para testar um aprendizado da impalatabilidade dos girinos de H. semilineata pelas serpentes, foram oferecidos girinos de H. semilineata associados a S. pachychrus. O teste foi replicado mais três vezes, associando girinos de H. semilineata e R. catesbeiana, havendo sempre recusa do indivíduo de H. semilineata e consumo do girino da outra espécie. Aparentemente, girinos de H. semilineata podem liberar substâncias irritantes para a mucosa gástrica de seus predadores e as serpentes aqui estudadas distinguiram entre girinos palatáveis e impalatáveis após uma primeira tentativa e experiência desagradável durante o consumo de um girino impalatável

Girinos de três espécies do gênero Rhinella Fitzinger, 1826 (Anura – Bufonidae) ocorrentes no Estado da Bahia, Brasil

This study offers a contribution to the knowledge of biology and taxonomy of the genus Rhinella Fitzinger, 1826, through the morphologic description of tadpoles of Rhinella granulosa (Spix, 1824), Rhinella hoogmoedi (Caramaschi & Pombal, 2006) and Rhinella jimi (Stévaux, 2002) from the state of Bahia, Brazil. It also compares the tadpole morphology of this study with the descriptions of tadpoles of other species of the genus.Este estudo oferece uma contribuição ao conhecimento da biologia e taxonomia do gênero Rhinella Fitzinger, 1826, por meio da descrição morfológica dos girinos de Rhinella granulosa (Spix, 1824), Rhinella hoogmoedi (Caramaschi & Pombal, 2006) e Rhinella jimi (Stévaux, 2002) ocorrentes no Estado da Bahia, Brasil. Também compara a morfologia dos girinos deste estudo com as descrições de girinos de outras espécies do gênero

Descrição do Girino e Vocalização de Scinax Pachycrus (Miranda-Ribeiro, 1937) (Amphibia, Anura, Hylidae)

The tadpole and advertisement call of Scinax pachycrus (Miranda-Ribeiro, 1937) are described. One multipulsed note of 305.5ms mean duration and dominant frequency of about 1.8kHz composed the advertisement call. The tadpole presented dextral proctodeal tube positioned above, not reaching the margin of lower fin; anteroventral oral disc; labial tooth row formula 2(2)/3. Based on the larval characters of S. pachycrus, the inclusion of this species in the S. ruber group is corroborated.São apresentadas as descrições do girino e vocalização de anúncio de Scinax pachycrus (Miranda- Ribeiro, 1937). O canto de anúncio é formado por uma única nota multipulsionada, de duração média de 305,5ms e freqüência dominante em torno de 1,83kHz. O girino apresentou tubo anal com abertura do lado direito e acima da margem da nadadeira caudal inferior, disco oral ântero-ventral e fórmula dentária 2(2)/3. A partir das características larvais observadas, corrobora-se a inclusão de S. pachycrus no grupo S. ruber

Swimming ability in tadpoles of Physalaemus cf. cuvieri, Scinax x-signatus and Leptodactylus latrans (amphibia: anura) exposed to the insecticide chlorpyrifos

We examined the swimming abilities of tadpoles exposed to the organophosphate chlorpyrifos for 24 h (at concentrations of 0, 1, 5 and 10 μg L-1). Scinax x - signatus, Physalaemus cf cuvieri, and Leptodactylus latrans tadpoles were used as biological models. Our findings evidenced decreased swimming speeds in all tadpole species exposed to chlorpyrifos as compared to the control group, although with significant statistical differences only with P. cuvieri and L. latrans. Changes in swimming ability may indirectly lead to death or alter important growth and development parameters, as the reduced ability to swim can result in increased vulnerability to predators and impacts on feeding, thus altering their fitness

Unexpected phylogenetic positions of the genera Rupirana and Crossodactylodes reveal insights into the biogeography and reproductive evolution of leptodactylid frogs

Despite major progress in deciphering the amphibian tree of life by molecular phylogenetics, we identified two questions remaining to be answered regarding relationships within Hyloidea, the clade of South American origin that comprises most extant anuran diversity. A few genera like Rupirana and Crossodactylodes have enigmatic phylogenetic positions, and relationships among major lineages within some families like Leptodactylidae remain ambiguous. To resolve these specific questions we used two approaches (1) a complete matrix approach representing \u3e6.6 kb, including most major Hyloidea lineages (61 terminals) combining different methods of phylogenetic reconstruction and measures of node support; and (2) a supermatrix approach \u3e11.6 kb with a focus on Leptodactylidae. Both Rupirana and Crossodactylodes are unambiguously grouped with Paratelmatobius and Scythrophrys. The clade comprising these four genera is named Crossodactylodinae and embedded within Leptodactylidae. Crossodactylodinae is moderately supported as sister group of Leptodactylinae from (1) and as the sister group of the other Leptodactylidae from (2) with low support. Genera within Crossodactylodinae are scattered along a north–south axis in the Atlantic forest and their origins are very ancient (Paleocene). Such results stress the importance of the northern Atlantic forest in terms of conservation. Moreover, the position of Pseudopaludicola, which is well supported as the sister group to all other Leiuperinae, suggests that foam-nest building may have arisen independently in Leptodactylinae and Leiuperinae. Moreover, in spite of being of similar age, foam-nest builders are more widespread than nonfoam-nest breeders and have higher species diversity. Nevertheless, the bulk of the diversity within foam-nest breeders arose some 20 Myr later than the character itself

Effects of acute exposure of chlorpyrifos on the survival, morphology and swimming ability of Odontophrynus carvalhoi tadpoles

This study examines the survival, mortality, morphology and swimming ability of tadpoles exposed to the organophosphate chlorpyrifos (nominal concentrations of 10, 100, 200 e 400 μg L-1) for 192 h. Odontophrynus carvalhoi tadpoles were used as a biological model. Our findings include decreased survival rates of tadpoles primarily at the highest pesticide concentration (400 μg L-1) and deformities in the caudal muscles, causing spasms and tremors. Tadpoles exposed to chlorpyrifos (10 μg L-1) had the lowest swimming speed compared with that of the control group. Tadpoles the other concentrations (100, 200 and 400 μg L-1) were not evaluated since none of the survived 192 h exposure in concentrations above 10 μg L-1. These adverse effects indicate that this organophosphate can affect the survival of tadpoles even in small doses, compromising the local population

Avaliação da atividade imunomoduladora de extratos de peles e glândulas parotóides de anuros do semi-árido brasileiro

The skin of amphibians has been characterized by the presence of several chemical products with diverse biological activities. These compounds participate as defense mechanisms against pathogens and harmful substances to which amphibians are exposed in their natural habitats. This work aimed to investigate the pharmacological activity of skin and gland extracts prepared from species of anures native or endemic from Brazilian semi-arid region with emphasis on immunomodulatory activity. Aqueous extracts were prepared by homogenization of skins of seven anure species (Hypsiboas crepitans, Hyspsiboas albopunctatus, Bokermannohyla oxente, Leptodactylus ocellatus, Chaunus rubescens, Ceratophrys joazeirensis e Chaunus jimi) and of glands of two species (Chaunus rubescens and Chaunus jimi). To evaluate the inhibition of nitric oxide (NO) production by the extracts, we used J774 cells stimulated with IFN-g and LPS and measured the nitrite concentration using the Griess method 24 hour later. For lymphoproliferation assays, BALB/c mice spleen cells were stimulated in vitro with concanavalin A in the presence or absence of extracts being the proliferative response determined by 3H-thymidine uptake quantification. Of the nine extracts analyzed, five had inhibitory activity superior to 50% in lymphoproliferation assay (skin extract of C. rubescens, B. oxente, Chaunus. jimi, L. ocellatus and gland extract of C. rubescens) and only one extract inhibited NO production (Chaunus rubescens). The results demonstrate that anure species from the Brazilian semi-arid are a potential source of molecules with immunomodulatory activity. Studies aiming to isolate and characterize the active molecule in the skin of C. rubescens are being carried out.A pele dos anfíbios possui uma variedade de produtos químicos com diversas atividades biológicas. Esses compostos participam dos mecanismos de defesa contra patógenos e substâncias estranhas aos quais os anfíbios são expostos em seu habitat. Esse trabalho teve o objetivo de investigar a atividade farmacológica de extratos de peles e glândulas de anuros do semi-árido brasileiro visando à identificação de substâncias com atividade imunomoduladora. Extratos aquosos foram preparados a partir de homogeneização das peles de sete espécies de anuros Hypsiboas crepitans, Hypsiboas albopunctatus, Bokermannohyla oxente, Leptodactylus ocellatus, Chaunus rubescens, Ceratophrys joazeirensis e Chaunus jimi) e das glândulas de duas espécies de anuros (Chaunus rubescens e Chaunus jimi). Para avaliar a inibição da produção de óxido nítrico (NO) pelos extratos, foram utilizadas células da linhagem J774 estimuladas com IFN-g e LPS, medindo-se a concentração de nitrito após 24 horas pelo método de Griess. Nos ensaios de linfoproliferação, esplenócitos de camundongos BALB/c foram estimulados com concanavalina A na presença ou ausência dos extratos, determinando-se a proliferação por meio da avaliação da incorporação de 3H-timidina. Dos nove extratos analisados, cinco apresentaram atividade inibitória superior a 50% no ensaio de linfoproliferação (extrato de pele de C. rubescens, B. oxente, C. jimi, L. ocellatus e de glândula de C. rubescens) e apenas um extrato inibiu a produção de NO (C. rubescens). Os resultados demonstram que os anuros do semi-árido são fontes potenciais de moléculas imunossupressoras. Outros estudos estão sendo realizados com o objetivo de isolar e caracterizar as moléculas ativas na pele de C. rubescens