Introduction pathways and socio-economic variables drive the distribution of alien amphibians and reptiles in a megadiverse country

Aims: We identify alien reptiles and amphibians, invaders or not, in Brazil and evaluate the following: (a) which alien species are found in the country; (b) where they originate from; (c) how they are distributed; (d) why and how they were introduced; and (e) which factors affect the record incidences and local richness of these species. Location: Brazil. Methods: We conduct a comprehensive survey of different data sources to collect records of alien amphibians and reptiles. We then use a causal model approach to evaluate the influence of space, climate, anthropogenic predictors, and introduction pathways on alien richness and number of records. Results: We find a total of 2,292 records of 136 species of alien reptiles and amphibians. Although species from many regions of the world can be found, most are snakes, lizards and anurans originating in the Americas. Although records of alien amphibians and reptiles are found throughout Brazil, they are concentrated in more economically developed areas. Socio‐economic measures have both a direct and indirect causal relationship over the distribution of alien species and affect all introduction pathways, which are key factors explaining the alien species’ distribution. Pet trade was directly related to alien diversity, while all the three introduction pathways contributed to explain the number of records. Main Conclusions: We reveal a high diversity of alien amphibians and reptiles widespread in an already megadiverse country. The finding that alien richness occurs in highly populated and wealthy areas and that it is linked to the pet trade helps to direct efforts towards the surveillance and prevention of the spread of alien species in Brazil. A higher record incidence is associated with species introduced accidentally or for human consumption, mainly represented by a few already invasive widespread species, impairing management measures

Reptile pet trade in Brazil : a regulatory approach to sustainable biodiversity conservation

The pet trade is the main cause of the growing number of exotic reptiles worldwide, posing a risk for invasion emergence and species extinction. In this study, we identify and analyze the obstacles involved in controlling the native and exotic reptile trade in Brazil to identify the main gaps and limitations in this regard. We propose measures that will aid in the planning of public policies that are more effective to protect native fauna. The pet trade regulation in Brazil is currently guided by poorly implemented policies. The main problems are associated with failures in legislation and enforcement, corruption, and lack of resources. As a result, the illegal trade control, current efforts for the sustainable use of biodiversity, and the prevention of the introduction of exotic species are insufficient. We recommend a multidisciplinary approach, based on actions to reduce legislation deficiencies and inconsistencies, intensification of inspection actions, and investment in educational actions aimed at raising societal awareness

Pet distribution modelling : Untangling the invasive potential of Trachemys dorbigni (Emydidae) in the Americas

Human activities have been changing the global biogeographic patterns by the introductions of invasive species. For reptiles, the invasion rate increase of non-native species is remarkably related to the pet trade, especially for freshwater turtles. Here we estimated the invasive potential of the South American turtle Trachemys dorbigni in the Americas using a combination of climatic and human activity variables. We built species distribution models based on data from the native and invasive ranges, using the ensemble model from five different algorithms (GAM, MAXENT, BRT, RF and GBM). We compared the two models’ performance and predictions, one calibrated with only climatic variables (climate-driven), and the second also included a descriptive variable of human activity (climate plus humandriven). Suitable areas for T. dorbigni covered occurrence areas of its congeners and highly diversified ecoregions, such as the eastern USA, the islands of Central America, and the south eastern and eastern Brazilian coast. Our results indicate that human activities allow T. dorbigni to establish populations outside of its original climatic niche. Including human activity variables proved fundamental to refining the results to identify more susceptible areas to invasion and to allow the efficient targeting of prevention measures. Finally, we suggested a set of actions to prevent T. dorbigni becoming a highly impacting species in the areas identified as more prone to its invasion

Mammals of the campus of the Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

O estudo foi desenvolvido no Campus da Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (UFSM), localizado na Depressão Central do Rio Grande do Sul, no bioma Pampa. Aqui uma listagem de mamíferos é apresentada e são discutidas a ocupação espacial e estratégias de conservação da mastofauna local. Entre novembro de 2001 e outubro de 2002 foram registradas 26 espécies nativas e duas espécies exóticas (Lepus europaeus e Mus musculus) de mamíferos, distribuídas em 14 famílias. A maioria das espécies registradas apresenta ampla distribuição, é comumente associada a áreas abertas e apresenta tolerância a distúrbios antrópicos. Entretanto, também foram registradas espécies consideradas raras ou ameaçadas no Estado do Rio Grande do Sul (Lontra longicaudis, Monodelphis dimidiata e Nyctinomops laticaudatus), para as quais são sugeridas estratégias de conservação. A baixa diversidade de espécies registrada no Campus pode estar relacionada à forte pressão de modificações antrópicas, à pequena extensão da área estudada ou a fatores históricos, já que a área de estudo é originalmente campestre (Pampa), tipo de ambiente que abriga menor diversidade de mamíferos que áreas de florestas nativas.The study was conducted in the Campus of the Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (UFSM), which is located in the Central Depression of Rio Grande do Sul State, in the Pampa biome. Here, a mammal list is presented and spatial occupation and conservation strategies of local mammals are discussed. Between November 2001 and October 2002, 26 native species and two exotic species of mammals (Lepus europaeus and Mus musculus) were recorded, representing 14 families. Most recorded species presents wide distribution, is likely associated to open environments and is tolerant to human disturbances. However, we also recorded three species that are considered rare or threatened in the State of Rio Grande do Sul (Lontra longicaudis, Monodelphis dimidiata and Nyctinomops laticaudatus), for which conservation strategies are recommended. The low species richness recorded in the Campus can be related to the strong pressure of human disturbances, to the small extension of the studied area or to historical factors, as the studied area is originally a grassland (Pampa), a type of environment containing a lower mammalian diversity than native forests

Effects of traffic noise on the calling behavior of two neotropical hylid frogs

Anthropogenic disturbance has been pointed to as one of the major causes of the world´s biodiversity crisis. Among them, noise pollution is a potential underestimated threat, projected to increase in the next decades accompanying urban expansion. Rising levels of noise pollution may result in negative impacts on species highly dependent on acoustic communication. Amphibians have long served as model organisms for investigating animal acoustic communication because their reproduction depends on transmitting and receiving acoustic signals. A few studies have investigated the effects of anthropogenic noise on anurans, but there is still limited knowledge on how it affects them. In this study, we test the effect of two intensities of traffic noise on calling males of two Neotropical treefrogs species. We expect to record more changes in call parameters, to avoid masking effect, at higher intensity noise treatments, and in the species with higher call/noise frequency overlap. We performed a set of field playback experiments exposing male frogs to road noise at two different intensities (65dB and 75dB). Focal species are Boana bischoffi (high call/noise frequency overlap) and B. leptolineata (low call/noise frequency overlap). Both species changed acoustic parameters during or after the exposure to traffic noise. Advertisement call rate of B. bischoffi decreased during road noise, and dominant frequency decreased over time. Call length of B. leptolineata increased or decreased, depending on the order of noise intensity. We also observed spatial displacement in both species, which moved away from the noise source. Our results provide evidence that traffic noise affects anuran calling behavior, and noise intensity is an important factor affecting how species respond

Re-description of the external morphology of Phyllomedusa iheringii Boulenger, 1885 larvae (Anura: Hylidae), with comments on the external morphology of tadpoles of the P. burmeisteri group

Phyllomedusa iheringii is a leaf frog endemic to the Uruguayan Savanna, which reproduces in water bodies in open areas. Here, based on the lack of some informative characteristics observed on the first description of this species, we re-describe the larval external morphology of P. iheringii from localities in Brazil and Uruguay, and compared them with other species from the P. burmeisteri group. The tadpoles of P. iheringii belong to the suspension-rasper guild. The body length corresponds to approximately one-third of the total length. The body is pyriform in dorsal view and laterally triangular. The snout is rounded in a dorsolateral view. The spiracle is single and almost ventral, not forming a free tube, and sinistral. The opening of vent tube is dextral. The oral disc is anteroventral and anteriorly directed, with single ventral emargination. Marginal papillae uniseriate, interrupted in a wide dorsal gap, and with pointed tips. The labial tooth row formula is 2(2)/3(1). The third lower row is four times shorter than the others. Furthermore, the tadpoles of P. iheringii showed morphological differences in relation to other species of the P. burmeisteri group, this species seems to be smaller in average and have fewer marginal papillae in the oral discs

Diet of Philodryas olfersii (Serpentes, Colubridae) during hydroelectric dam flooding in southern Brazil

Abstract. We describe aspects of the feeding ecology of a population of the colubrid snake Philodryas olfersii in central Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil. Based on specimens obtained during the fauna rescue operation of Dona Francisca hydroelectric powerplant, we conducted the first analysis of the diet of a snake during artificial flooding of an area in Brazil. Females attained larger body sizes than males, and ingested heavier prey. We observed a high proportion of recently-fed individuals; mammals were the most frequent prey, followed by birds and frogs. Our results differ drastically from those obtained for P. olfersii in adjacent areas. The frequency of items and dominance of major prey categories in the diet of this snake seem to have been influenced by an unusual exposure of rodents and, consequently, changes in prey detectability resulting from the dam flooding