Circumstantial evidences for mimicry of scorpions by the neotropical gecko Coleodactylus brachystoma (Squamata, Gekkonidae) in the Cerrados of central Brazil

There are few records of invertebrates mimicry by reptiles. In the Cerrados of central Brazil, the small Coleodactylus brachystoma is an endemic species common in the islands and margins of the Serra da Mesa hydroelectric dam reservoir. When cornered, this lizard folds the tail over the body exposing the pale-orange ventral surface. Lizard behavior, tail length and color pattern confer to this lizard a strong resemblance with syntopic buthid scorpions Rhopalurus agamenon, Tytius matogrossensis, and Anantheris balzani. Lizards and scorpions share the same tail color, size, and shape. Ecologically, they use the same microhabitats, are exposed to the same potential predators, and present similar behaviors when threatened

A new species of Chaunus from Central Brazil : Anura; Bufonidae

A new species of Chaunus, apparently related to Chaunus arenarum, Chaunus rubescens, and Chaunus achavali is described. The new species occupies Cerrado habitats in southwestern Piauı´ and Bahia states and in northwestern Minas Gerais state, Brazil. The species is characterized by anterior interruption of the supraocular crest; weakly developed cranial crests; short and robust limbs; several pointed spiculae on dorsum, head, and limbs; male coloration; small to medium size; and by the short and narrow head

Observations on the ecology of Pseudis bolbodactyla (Anura, Pseudidae) in central Brazil

Data on diet, activity, habitat use, and anti-predator behavior are presented for a population of Pseudis bolbodactyla in central Brazil. The most common diet items were diurnal plant-associated insects. Pseudis bolbodactyla shows both diurnal and nocturnal activity and uses mainly areas with aquatic vegetation (submerged and emergent). Individuals detect predators visually and through vibrations in the water

Description of the Tadpole of \u3cem\u3eLeptodactylus pustulatus\u3c/em\u3e Peters, 1870 (Anura: Leptodactylidae)

The external morphology and oral disc of the tadpole of Leptodactylus pustulatus Peters, 1870, are described and illustrated for Gosner stage 39. The internal oral anatomy was analyzed with SEM at Gosner stage 36 whereas chondrocranial anatomy is reported for Gosner stage 35. The overall characteristics do not depart from those known for the genus Leptodactylus and they particularly agree for those of the melanonotus species group. The labial tooth row formula is 2(2)/3. Observations are presented that suggest that L. pustulatus engages in larval parental care. Resumo São descritas a morfologia externa e o disco oral do girino de Leptodactylus pustulatus Peters 1870, no estágio 39 de Gosner. A anatomia oral interna foi analisada ao MEV no estágio 36, enquanto a anatomia do condrocrânio é descrita para o estágio 35. As características analisadas não separam a espécie de outras conhecidas do gênero Leptodactylus e concordam particularmente com aquelas descritas para espécies do grupo melanonotus. A fórmula de fileiras de dentículos labiais é 2(2)/3. São descritas observações que sugerem que L. pustulatus apresenta cuidado parental de girino

Herpetofauna of the Serra do Tombador Nature Reserve, State of Goiás, Central Brazil

Dados de ocorrência e riqueza de espécies são importantes para subsidiar ações de conservação em áreas estratégicas. Para aumentar o conhecimento sobre a herpetofauna do bioma Cerrado, apresentamos uma lista de espécies de anfíbios e répteis da Reserva Particular do Patrimônio Natural Serra do Tombador (RNST). O trabalho de campo foi realizado em novembro de 2016 e as coletas foram realizadas por meio de armadilhas de interceptação e queda, busca ativa, encontros ocasionais e registros de terceiros. Também consideramos as espécies registradas no Plano de Manejo da RNST. Registramos 34 anfíbios e 55 répteis, e expandimos a distribuição conhecida de algumas espécies. As curvas de espécies de anfíbios observadas e estimadas apresentaram tendência de estabilização, com a riqueza observada representando 89% do número de espécies esperadas. Por outro lado, as curvas das espécies de répteis observadas e estimadas não mostraram tendência de estabilização. Mesmo considerando o menor período amostral neste estudo, a riqueza de espécies de anfíbios e répteis foi semelhante ou maior à encontrada em áreas protegidas do Cerrado, próximas a RNST. A presença de espécies com endemismo restrito, recentemente descritas, e dados insuficientes destacam a importância da RNST para a conservação da herpetofauna do Cerrado.Data on species occurrence and richness are important to support conservation actions for strategic areas. To increase knowledge about the herpetofauna of the Cerrado biome, we present a list of amphibians and reptiles' species from the Private Reserve of Natural Heritage Serra do Tombador (RNST). The fieldwork was performed in November 2016 and the samplings were carried out through pitfall traps, active search, occasional encounters, and third-party records. We also consider the species recorded in the RNST Management Plan. We recorded 34 amphibians and 55 reptiles, and expanded the known distribution of some species. The observed and estimated amphibian species curves showed a tendency to stabilize, with the observed richness representing 89% of the number of species expected. On the other hand, observed and estimated reptile species curves did not show a stabilization trend. Even considering the smallest sample period in this study, the richness of amphibian and reptile species was similar or greater to those found in protected areas in the Cerrado, close to the RNST. The presence of species with restricted endemism, recently described, and data deficient highlights the importance of the RNST for the conservation of the Cerrado herpetofauna

Amphibia, Anura, Hylidae, Hypsiboas buriti (Caramaschi and Cruz, 1999): distribution update and map

We present a new locality record for Hypsiboas buriti, and review the previous records. The species is found associated to permanent ponds at open physiognomies on the top of high plateaus (over 900 m a.s.l.) in Central Brazil

The Advertisement Call of the Poorly Known \u3cem\u3eLeptodactylus tapiti\u3c/em\u3e (Anura, Leptodactylidae)

The genus Leptodactylus consists of approximately 80 species distributed in four nominal groups (Frost 2011). The fuscus group harbors approximately 30 small species with terrestrial nests, deposited in male built burrows on soft soils. Leptodactylus tapiti Sazima & Bokermann 1978 was described from Veadeiros, currently Alto Paraíso municipality, Goiás State, Brazil. The species is restricted to the region of Chapada dos Veadeiros (Frost 2011), where it occurs in areas of water-saturated soils associated with open fields (Sazima & Bokermann 1978). Since its original description, nothing was published about the species, and its advertisement call remains unknown. Herein, we describe its advertisement call

Natural history of bothrops itapetiningae boulenger, 1907 (serpentes: Viperidae: crotalinae), an endemic species of the Brazilian Cerrado

We present data on habitat use, activity, sexual dimorphism, reproduction, and diet of Bothrops itapetiningae, a species endemic to the Brazilian Cerrado. Habitat use was studied through active search techniques in several areas from July 1997 to July 2000. Diet, reproduction, activity, and sexual dimorphism were studied through the analysis of specimens deposited in Brazilian museums. Annual activity was inferred from collection records grouped by month and season. The specimens were sexed by direct observation of gonads and sexual dimorphism was assessed using morphological data. The reproductive cycle of the species was studied by analyzing the number of vitellogenic and nonvitellogenic follicles, ova, and embryos by month. The diet was determined by analyzing stomach and digestive tract contents. The species is a habitat specialist, associated with open cerrado grasslands, and is active more frequently during the rainy season (October to March). Males have longer tails whereas females have longer heads. The reproductive cycle is seasonal and probably biennial, with births (5.8 ± 2.9 embryos) occurring during the rainy season. Diet is of a generalist, but mammals are important items for both sexes and all age classes. Bothrops itapetiningae is among the smaller Brazilian pit vipers. Its low fecundity, high habitat specialization, and sensitivity to human disturbances, along with the high level of threat to its natural grassland habitat in the Brazilian Cerrado, makes this a potentially threatened snake. Knowledge of its biology is fundamental to conserving and managing this species.Fil: Muniz Leao, Suelem. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Diversidad y Ecología Animal. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Instituto de Diversidad y Ecología Animal; Argentina. Universidade do Brasília; BrasilFil: Pelegrin, Nicolas. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Centro de Zoología Aplicada; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Diversidad y Ecología Animal. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Instituto de Diversidad y Ecología Animal; ArgentinaFil: Nogueira, Cristiano de Campos. Universidade do Brasília; BrasilFil: Brandão, Reuber Albuquerque. Universidade do Brasília; Brasi

Riqueza e diversidade de mamíferos na Região da Serra do Facão, sudeste do estado de Goiás, Brasil central

Há 251 espécies de mamíferos de ocorrência confirmada no cerrado, o terceiro bioma brasileiro em riqueza de espécies. A maioria dos inventários da mastofauna do cerrado é resultado de estudos oportunísticos, com curta duração. Os objetivos do presente estudo foram (1) inventariar a mastofauna durante cinco anos de amostragens na região do Aproveitamento Hidrelétrico da Serra do Facão, no sudeste do estado de Goiás; (2) Comparar a diversidade de pequenos mamíferos em áreas abertas e florestais e (3) comparar a diversidade da mastofauna antes e depois da inundação causada pelo enchimento do reservatório do empreendimento hidrelétrico. A coleta de dados foi realizada em 19 campanhas de amostragem, entre maio de 2008 e setembro de 2013. Os pequenos mamíferos não voadores foram amostrados com armadilhas Sherman e Tomahawk, e armadilhas de queda; morcegos foram amostrados com redes de neblina; e os mamíferos de maior porte foram amostrados com armadilhas-fotográficas, observações diretas e observações de vestígios. Foram registradas 20 espécies de pequenos mamíferos não-voadores, 10 espécies de morcegos e 33 de mamíferos de maior porte. A diversidade de pequenos mamíferos não voadores foi maior em ambientes florestais que em abertos, e foi também maior antes do que depois do enchimento do reservatório da hidroelétrica. Cerca de 10% das espécies registradas estão incluídas na lista oficial dos mamíferos ameaçados de extinção. O total de espécies representa 25% da fauna de mamíferos do cerrado, o que demonstra a importância da área para conservação da mastofauna regional.At least 251 mammal species are recorded for the Brazilan cerrado, which, therefore, is the third richest Brazilian biome. Most mammal surveys in Brazilian cerrado result from studies performed opportunistically and in short time periods. The aims of the present study were (1) provide a checklist for the mammalian fauna based on a five-year sampling in Serra do Facão region, Southeastern Goiás state; (2) compare small non-flying mammals diversity in open and forest areas and (3) compare species diversity before and after the flood caused by a hydroelectric reservoir filling. The data was gathered in 19 sampling periods, from May 2008 to September 2013. We sampled open and forest habitats and captured non-flying small mammals with Sherman and Tomahawk live traps and pitfalls; bats were sampled with mist-nets; large mammals were recorded with camera traps, and by direct observations and track surveys in field. We found 20 species of small non-flying mammals, 10 species of bats and 33 species of larger mammals. Species diversity was greater for forest than open habitats, and was also greater before than after the complete reservoir filling. About 10% of the recorded species are included in the Brazilian official list of threatened species. The total richness represents 25% of all cerrado mammal fauna, highlighting the importance of this area for regional mammal fauna conservation