Vertebrate fauna of Estação Ecológica Serra Geral do Tocantins: biodiversity and conservation in the Brazilian Cerrado hotspot

Inventários e estudos faunísticos detalhados sobre vertebrados são uma das fontes mais relevantes de dados para interpretações de padrões detalhados de diversidade biológica. Dados básicos e de boa qualidade sobre faunística são ainda mais urgentes em regiões pouco estudadas e sob intensa ameaça antrópica, tais como a região do Cerrado, um dos 34 hotspots globais para a conservação da biodiversidade. Apresentamos aqui uma síntese dos resultados dos inventários de vertebrados na Estação Ecológica Serra Geral do Tocantins (~716.000 ha), a segunda maior unidade de conservação em todo o Cerrado. Foram registradas 450 espécies de vertebrados na EESGT e entorno imediato, incluindo 17 espécies ameaçadas, 50 espécies endêmicas do Cerrado e 11 espécies com distribuição potencialmente restrita. Do total de espécies amostradas, 180 são novos registros para a região do Jalapão. Ao menos 12 espécies amostradas foram consideradas potenciais espécies novas, das quais quatro foram descritas recentemente, a partir do material obtido no inventário. Os resultados evidenciam que a EESGT é uma das mais importantes áreas protegidas no Brasil central, contribuindo para a persistência de espécies ameaçadas, dependentes dos últimos grandes blocos contínuos de vegetação nativa de Cerrado. Nossos resultados indicam ainda que a conservação da EESGT e suas principais subunidades é crucial para a representatividade do sistema de áreas protegidas do Cerrado, protegendo potenciais endemismos restritos que aliam alta vulnerabilidade intrínseca e valor como indicadores de padrões e processos biogeográficos formadores da rica e cada vez mais ameaçada fauna Neotropical.Basic taxonomic and distributional data on vertebrates are one of the most useful and reliable sources of information for conservation planning. Biological data are even more relevant in rich and highly threatened regions such as the Brazilian Cerrado, one of the least studied global biodiversity hotspots. Herein we provide a summary of the results of a vertebrate survey at Estação Ecológica Serra Geral do Tocantins (~716.000 ha), the second largest protected area in the Cerrado region. We recorded 450 species in EESGT and surroundings, including 17 threatened species, 50 Cerrado endemics and 11 potential restricted-range species. Our results also added 180 new vertebrate records for the Jalapão region. At least 12 species were considered potential undescribed taxa; four of these were recently described based on specimens obtained in the present study. Our results indicate that EESGT is among the most biologically relevant protected areas in the Cerrado. Proper management will favor the persistence of threatened vertebrates dependent on the last remaining large blocks of pristine Cerrado savannas. Moreover, EESGT and its major biological subunits contribute decisively to the representativeness of the reserve system in the Cerrado, conserving presumed narrow endemics with high intrinsic vulnerability and high potential value as indicators of biogeographic processes of diversification in rich and complex Neotropical biotas.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq

Reptiles of Serra Geral do Tocantins Ecological Station, Central Brazil

Os Cerrados sul-americanos abrigam alta diversidade de répteis, incluindo elevado número de endemismos. No entanto, o conhecimento desta diversidade é ainda incompleto frente à acelerada transformação das paisagens naturais no Brasil central. Constituem, portanto, uma das regiões prioritárias para estudo e conservação da biodiversidade mundial. Estudos intensivos sobre a fauna de répteis do Cerrado são necessários e urgentes para melhor compreensão dos processos que levaram à sua origem e distribuição e para subsidiar ações de conservação. Por meio de métodos padronizados, amostramos duas regiões ainda inexploradas da Estação Ecológica Serra Geral do Tocantins, situada na região do Jalapão. Registramos 45 espécies de répteis para a EESGT e entorno, o que representa uma riqueza alta e comparável à de outras regiões bem amostradas do Cerrado. Curvas de acumulação e estimadores indicam que a riqueza local de lagartos e anfisbenídeos aproxima-se da riqueza real enquanto a de serpentes é subestimada. A distribuição não-aleatória das espécies na paisagem concorda com evidências anteriores sugerindo utilização diferencial dos hábitats pelos répteis. Reunindo os resultados do presente estudo com os de levantamentos prévios realizados na região, registramos 88 espécies de répteis para o Jalapão sendo oito registros novos que incluem Bachia oxyrhina uma espécie recém descrita da região. As espécies da área apresentam três padrões gerais de distribuição: (1) espécies endêmicas do Cerrado, (2) espécies compartilhadas com domínios da diagonal de formações abertas sul-americanas, e (3) espécies de ampla ocorrência, compartilhadas também com ecossistemas florestais. Prevalecem espécies de ampla distribuição, porém é grande o número de espécies típicas do Cerrado, incluindo cinco possivelmente endêmicas do Jalapão, e há contribuição importante da fauna da Caatinga. A distribuição dos répteis em escala local e regional demonstra a necessidade de considerar a heterogeneidade paisagística para o planejamento de diretrizes visando à conservação em regiões do Cerrado. Por sua grande extensão, posição biogeográfica e complexidade de relevo e tipos de hábitat, a EESGT tem papel fundamental para a preservação e conhecimento da diversidade de répteis do Cerrado.The South American Cerrado harbors a rich reptilian fauna with high number of endemics. However, knowledge of this diversity is still incipient in front of accelerated transformation of natural landscapes, which makes the domain a "hotspot" for study and conservation of global biodiversity. Studies on the reptile fauna of Cerrado are urgently needed for a better understanding of the processes that led to their origin and distribution and to support conservation planning. We used standard methods to sample two unexplored regions of the Serra Geral do Tocantins Ecological Station (EESGT), located in the Jalapão region of the Cerrado domain. We recorded 45 species of reptiles for the EESGT and surroundings, which represents high species richness, comparable to other well-sampled regions of the Cerrado. Accumulation curves and estimators indicate that sampled richness of lizards and amphisbaenas are close to real values. However, current sampling underestimates snake richness. The non-random distribution of species in the landscape agrees with previous evidence suggesting differential use of habitats by Cerrado reptiles. Combining the results of this study with those of previous surveys conducted in the region, we recorded 88 species of reptiles for the Jalapão region with eight new records, including Bachia oxyrhina, a recent described species of this region. We found three general patterns of distribution: (1) species endemic of the Cerrado domain, (2) species shared with the domains of the South American diagonal of tropical open formations, (3) species widely distributed, also shared with forest ecosystems. Species of wide distribution prevails in the region, but there is large number of species typical of the Cerrado, possibly including five endemics to Jalapão, and there is an important contribution of the Caatinga fauna. The distribution of reptile species in local and regional scales shows the need to consider the landscape heterogeneity for adequate conservation planning in the Cerrado region. Because of the physical and biotic characteristics, EESGT has a key role in the preservation and knowledge of the diversity of Cerrado reptiles.IBAMAFundação O Boticário de Proteção à NaturezaConservação InternacionalPequi - Pesquisas e Conservação do CerradoFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq

Amphibians from Estação Ecológica Serra Geral do Tocantins, Jalapão region, Tocantins and Bahia States

A porção norte do domínio do Cerrado é uma das áreas historicamente menos conhecidas com relação à sua biodiversidade. Recentemente, alguns estudos tem revelado valores de riqueza comparáveis a outras regiões dentro do domínio. A Estação Ecológica Serra Geral do Tocantins (EESGT) está localizada na região do Jalapão, porção Nordeste do Cerrado, e faz parte do maior bloco de áreas protegidas neste domínio. Neste estudo descrevemos a riqueza e composição de espécies de anfíbios da EESGT, discutindo-as em um contexto biogeográfico, e caracterizamos o uso de sítios reprodutivos pelas espécies de anfíbios registradas em relação às fitofisionomias e aos tipos de corpos d'água. Utilizamos os métodos de busca ativa e armadilhas de queda, no período considerado como o auge da estação reprodutiva para a maior parte das espécies do Cerrado. Foram registradas 36 espécies de anfíbios na EESGT, totalizando 39 espécies conhecidas para a região do Jalapão. Aplicando o estimador Jackknife, sugerimos uma riqueza potencial de 42 espécies para a EESGT. A maior parte das espécies registradas é endêmica ou fortemente associada ao Cerrado, seguidas pelas espécies de ampla distribuição no Brasil ou América do Sul. A maior parte da espécies se reproduz em poças temporárias localizadas em áreas abertas, embora existam espécies que ocorrem exclusivamente em matas de galeria e utilizem corpos d'água lóticos para se reproduzir.The Northern part of Cerrado is one of the biologically poorest known areas in the domain. Recent studies revealed richness values that are as high as those from other sites in the domain. The Estação Ecológica Serra Geral do Tocantins is located in a region known as Jalapão, in Northeastern Cerrado, and it is included in the largest set of protected areas in the domain. We describe amphibian richness and species composition in EESGT, and discuss it in a biogeographic context. We also describe breeding sites focusing on phytophysiognomy and types of water bodies. We sampled amphibians through active search and pitfall traps, during the peak of breeding season for most of the anuran species in Cerrado. We registered 36 species, which coupled with former studies results in a regional richness of 39 species known for Jalapão. After applying Jackknife estimator, we suggest a potential richness of 42 species for the EESGT. Most registered species are endemic or strongly associated to Cerrado, followed by species widespread in Brazil or South America, and those associated with Caatinga. Most species breed in temporary ponds located in open areas, although there are some forest specialists, and stream-breeding species.Fundação O Boticario de Proteção à NaturezaConservação Internaciona

Para que servem os inventários de fauna?

Inventories of fauna directly access the diversity of a locality in a certain period of time. The primary data generated by these inventories comprise one of the most important steps in decisions making regarding the management of natural areas. However, several problems have been observed at different levels related to inventories of fauna in Brazil, and range from the training of humans to the lack of standardization of experimental design and selection of inappropriate methods. We present case studies of mammals, reptiles, amphibians and fishes, where they discussed issues such temporal variability and methods for detection of terrestrial fauna, suggesting that both inventories and monitoring programs should be extended for longer terms and that inventories should include different methodologies to ensure that their goals are fully achieved.Inventários de fauna acessam diretamente a diversidade de uma localidade, em um determinado espaço e tempo. Os dados primários gerados pelos inventários compõem uma das ferramentas mais importantes na tomada de decisões a respeito do manejo de áreas naturais. Entretanto, vários problemas têm sido observados em diversos níveis relacionados aos inventários de fauna no Brasil e vão desde a formação de recursos humanos até a ausência de padronização, de desenho experimental e de seleção de métodos inadequados. São apresentados estudos de caso com mamíferos, répteis, anfíbios e peixes, nos quais são discutidos problemas como variabilidade temporal e métodos para detecção de fauna terrestre, sugerindo que tanto os inventários quanto os programas de monitoramento devam se estender por prazos maiores e que os inventários devem incluir diferentes metodologias para que os seus objetivos sejam plenamente alcançados

Para que servem os inventários de fauna?

Inventários de fauna acessam diretamente a diversidade de uma localidade, em um determinado espaço e tempo. Os dados primários gerados pelos inventários compõem uma das ferramentas mais importantes na tomada de decisões a respeito do manejo de áreas naturais. Entretanto, vários problemas têm sido observados em diversos níveis relacionados aos inventários de fauna no Brasil e vão desde a formação de recursos humanos até a ausência de padronização, de desenho experimental e de seleção de métodos inadequados. São apresentados estudos de caso com mamíferos, répteis, anfíbios e peixes, nos quais são discutidos problemas como variabilidade temporal e métodos para detecção de fauna terrestre, sugerindo que tanto os inventários quanto os programas de monitoramento devam se estender por prazos maiores e que os inventários devem incluir diferentes metodologias para que os seus objetivos sejam plenamente alcançados.Inventories of fauna directly access the diversity of a locality in a certain period of time. The primary data generated by these inventories comprise one of the most important steps in decisions making regarding the management of natural areas. However, several problems have been observed at different levels related to inventories of fauna in Brazil, and range from the training of humans to the lack of standardization of experimental design and selection of inappropriate methods. We present case studies of mammals, reptiles, amphibians and fishes, where they discussed issues such temporal variability and methods for detection of terrestrial fauna, suggesting that both inventories and monitoring programs should be extended for longer terms and that inventories should include different methodologies to ensure that their goals are fully achieved

Diversity and distribution of anurans in Brazilian Cerrado: the role of historical factors and environmental gradients

A integração de fatores contemporâneos locais e procesos biogeográficos fornece uma visão ampla e promissora a respeito da diversidade de espécies e seus padrões de diversidade. Utilizando ferramentas recentes para análises espaciais, eu integro fatores históricos e contemporâneos para analisar a distribuição e beta diversidade espécies de anuros do Cerrado. Forneço informações atualizadas a respeito da composição e distribuição das espécies de anuros no Cerrado, com base em um extensivo levantamento em coleções zoológicas e estudos de campo. Analiso a distribuição e beta diversidade em um contexto histórico, enfocando as relações do Cerrado com seus domínios vizinhos, e suas condições ambientais. Registrei 204 espécies de anuros no Cerrado, das quais 50% são endêmicas. Espécies que ocorrem no Cerrado e mais um domínio apresentam alta estruturação espacial, na qual espécies amazônicas estão restritas à porção noroeste e as espécies atlânticas estão restritas à porção sudeste do Cerrado. Registrei espécies endêmicas em quase todas as localidades e em todas as regiões, enquanto espécies de distribuição restrita ocorrem apenas em regiões montanhosas no centro, sudeste e sudoeste do Cerrado. Gêneros originado na Mata Atlântica e Amazonia estão distribuídos em um padrão de \"tabuleiro de xadrez\" dentro do Cerrado, e co-ocorrem menos do que seria esperado ao acaso. Essa estruturação espacial no Cerrado é influenciada pela ação combinada das condições ambientais e restrições históricas: gêneros atlânticos estão predominantemente distribuídos em áreas de montanha, com baixa precipitação e próximas ao limite com a Mata Atlântica, enquanto gêneros amazônicos estão distribuídos em vales mais próximos ao limite com a amazônia. Da mesma forma, os padrões de beta diversidade no Cerrado parece estar fortemente influenciados pelos gradientes ambientais, uma vez que metade da dissimilaridade na composição de espécies entre taxocenoses foi explicada por estes preditores. Espécies endêmica responderam às condições ambientais regionais de forma mais intensa que todas as espécies em conjunto. A resposta das espécies endêmicas parece estar relacionada na similaridade do ambiente em que ocorrem em relação aos domínios vizinhos, uma vez que suas espécies-irmãs estão principalmente distribuídas por estas regiões. Meus resultados reforçam a importância de se considerar a história biogeográfica das linhagens nas análises dos padrões regionais de disversidade. Demonstro também que a heterogeneidade na distribuição das espécies de anuros pode ter uma base histórica, que interage com restrições atuais, como o clima, disponibilidade de habitat e interações ecológicas na montagem de comunidades.Integrating local contemporary factors and biogeographic processes allows a promising and broad view on species diversity and distribution patterns. Building on the development of new tools for spatial analysis, I integrate historical and contemporary factors that may explain species distribution and beta diversity patterns of anuran amphibians in Brazilian Cerrado. Especifically, I update information about species composition and distribution of anurans in the Cerrado, based on an extensive search in zoological collections and fieldwork. I analyze distribution and beta diversity in a historical framework, focusing on the relationship of the Cerrado with its adjoining domains, and its environmental conditions. I found 204 anuran species occurring within the Cerrado, from which 50% are endemics. Species occurring in the Cerrado and one more domain present a highly structured spatial pattern, in which Amazonian species are restricted to the northwestern part of the Cerrado and Atlantic species are restricted to the southeastern part. I found Cerrado endemics in most of the localities, in all regions, whereas narrow endemics are restricted to mountain ranges in central, southeastern, and southwestern Cerrado. Cerrado anuran genera originated in Atlantic Forest and Amazon are distributed in a checkerboard pattern, and co-occur less than it would be expected by chance. This spatial structure within the Cerrado is influenced by the interplay of environmental conditions and historical constrains: Atlantic genera are mostly distributed in mountainous and upland areas, with low precipitation and closer to the boundaries of Atlantic Forest, whereas Amazonian genera are distributed in valleys closer to the boundaries of the Amazon. Similarly, patterns of beta diversity in the Brazilian Cerrado appear to be strongly influenced by the environmental gradients, since half of the dissimilarity in species composition was explained by these predictors. Endemic species responded to regional environmental conditions stronger than all species. Endemics may be responding to environment based on how similar they are to the conditions of adjoining phytogeographical domains, since their sister-species are mostly distributed in these regions. My results reinforce the importance of taking biogeographical history into account when analyzing spatial patterns of species diversity at a regional scale. I also show that the heterogeneity in anuran distribution in the Cerrado may have a historical basis, which interacts with present-day constraints, such as climate, habitat availability and ecological interactions, to shape local and regional assemblages

Scinax haddadorum Araujo-Vieira, Valdujo & Faivovich, 2016, sp. nov.

<i>Scinax haddadorum</i> sp. nov. <p>(Figs. 1–3)</p> <p> <i>Scinax</i> aff. <i>cruentommus</i> — Valdujo <i>et al</i>. (2012: 76). Species list associated to an analysis of amphibian species distribution in the Brazilian Cerrado.</p> <p> <b>Holotype.</b> MZUSP 152328, adult male, from Fazenda Água Limpa (15°41'34'' S, 52°20'59'' W, 675 m a.s.l.), Municipality of Barra do Garças, State of Mato Grosso, Brazil, collected on January 31, 2009 by Paula Hanna Valdujo, Renato Recoder, and Mauro Teixeira Júnior.</p> <p> <b>Paratypes.</b> Twelve adults collected in four localities in the Municipality of Barra do Garças, State of Mato Grosso, Brazil. All males unless otherwise stated: MZUSP 152326–152327, 152329–152330 collected together with the holotype. MZUSP 152188, 152190–152192, Parque Estadual Serra Azul (15°51'28'' S, 52°15'16'' W) collected on November 15, 2008 by Paula Hanna Valdujo, Renato Recoder, and Agustín Camacho. CFBH 39054, Serra do Roncador 6 km E BR-158 (15°20'37'' S, 52°14'05'' W) collected on December 17, 2008 by Paula Hanna Valdujo and Mara Souza de Albuquerque e Silva. MZUSP 152331, CFBH 39055, 39056 (female), 17 km ESE BR- 158 (15°41'29'' S, 52°24'48'' W) collected on February 1, 2009 by Paula Hanna Valdujo, Renato Recoder, and Mauro Teixeira Júnior.</p> <p> <b>Diagnosis.</b> <i>Scinax haddadorum</i> <b>sp. nov.</b> can be diagnosed by the following set of characters: SVL in males 29.4–35.4 mm; snout slightly acuminate in dorsal view, rounded in profile; vocal sac single, median, subgular that ventrally does not reach the pectoral region; nuptial pad that covers the medial margin of Metacarpal I, and obscures the posterior portion and the outer margin of the inner metacarpal tubercle; tibia length/snout-vent length = 0.50–0.57; absence of conspicuous pointed tubercle on the heel, and pointed tubercles on the lower jaw; iris golden yellowish, with many thin, darker reticulations; dorsum with a background that varies from light and dark gray to dark brown, with round and irregular dark blotches; and hidden surfaces of thigh and shank light or dark brown, with lighter, large and irregular blotches (yellow in life).</p> <p> <b>Comparison with other species.</b> The structure for the comparison is based first on obvious size differences in adults (that is, no overlapping nor a minimal gap between size ranges), followed by more detailed comparisons with species that cannot be differentiated on the basis of size, or in case that there are conspicuous external morphological characters.</p> <p> The SVL in males (29.4–35.4) promptly distinguish the new species from <i>Scinax acuminatus</i> (39.0–45.0; Lutz 1973), <i>S. altae</i> (21.7–26.0; Duellman 1970), <i>S. cabralensis</i> (22.5–25.0; Drummond <i>et al.</i> 2007), <i>S. castroviejoi</i> (male holotype 45.0; De la Riva 1993), <i>S. cruentommus</i> (24.8–27.1; Duellman & Wiens 1993), <i>S. danae</i> (24.5– 27.4; Duellman 1986), <i>S. eurydice</i> (44.0–52.0; Bokermann 1968), <i>S. exiguus</i> (18.0–20.8; Duellman 1986), <i>S. fuscovarius</i> (41.0–44.0; Cei 1980), <i>S. fuscomarginatus</i> (15.7–26.7; Brusquetti <i>et al</i>. 2014), <i>S. hayii</i> (39.0–42.0; Lutz 1973), <i>S. karenanneae</i> (26.6–28.9; Pyburn 1993), <i>S. madeirae</i> (18.0–23.5; Brusquetti <i>et al</i>. 2014), <i>S. maracaya</i> (26.7–28.0; Cardoso & Sazima 1980), <i>S. staufferi</i> (20.6–29.0; Duellman 1970), <i>S. villasboasi</i> (16.7– 20.0; Brusquetti <i>et al</i>. 2014), and <i>S. wandae</i> (23.4–26.9; Pyburn & Fouquette 1971).</p> <p> <i>Scinax haddadorum</i> <b>sp. nov.</b> differs from all species in the <i>S. rostratus</i> group (<i>sensu</i> Faivovich 2002) by the absence of conspicuous pointed tubercle on the heel and pointed tubercles on the lower jaw, and by its rounded snout in profile (elongate, pointed snout in profile; Duellman 1972).</p> <p> The golden yellowish iris, with many thin, darker reticulations distinguishes the new species from <i>Scinax cruentommus</i> (silvery bronze iris with a median horizontal red streak; Duellman 1972), <i>S. funereus</i> (greenish bronze with brown flecks; Duellman & Wiens 1993), <i>S. oreites</i> (dull bronze with median horizontal brown streak; Duellman & Wiens 1993), and the species in the <i>S. uruguayus</i> group (bicolored iris; Bokermann & Sazima 1973; Faivovich <i>et al.</i> 2005).</p> <p> The dorsal color pattern with a background that varies from light and dark gray to dark brown, with round and irregular dark blotches differentiates the new species from <i>Scinax altae</i>, <i>S. cardosoi</i>, <i>S. fuscomarginatus</i>, <i>S. madeirae</i>, <i>S. pachycrus</i>, <i>S. quinquefasciatus</i>, <i>S. ruber</i>, <i>S. squalirostris</i>, <i>S. staufferi</i>, and <i>S. villasboasi</i> (dorsum with a variable number of dorsal and/or lateral stripes; Duellman 1970; Duellman 1972; Duellman & Wiens 1993; Lutz 1973; Heyer <i>et al.</i> 1990; Carvalho-e-Silva & Peixoto 1991, Brusquetti <i>et al</i>. 2014), <i>S. alter</i>, <i>S. auratus</i>, <i>S. cretatus</i>, <i>S. crospedospilus</i>, <i>S. cuspidatus</i>, <i>S. imbegue</i>, <i>S. juncae</i>, and <i>S. tymbamirim</i> (light or dark dorsal continuous or broken stripes, sometimes delimiting a central darker area; Bokermann 1969; Lutz 1973; Nunes & Pombal 2010, 2011; Nunes <i>et al.</i> 2012), <i>S. blairi</i> (few brown markings and blotches, or small scattered dark dots; Fouquette & Pyburn 1972), <i>S. boesemani</i> (dorsum with or without small white and brown dots; Lescure & Marty 2000), <i>S. cabralensis</i> (dorsum with small dark spots homogeneously distributed; Drummond <i>et al.</i> 2007), <i>S. caldarum</i>, <i>S. curicica</i>, and <i>S. duartei</i> (two irregular longitudinal stripes arising from an interocular marking; Pugliese <i>et al</i>. 2004), <i>S. chiquitanus</i> (small and scattered grayish dots and marks; De la Riva 1990), <i>S. danae</i> (small scattered dark brown dots), <i>S. dolloi</i> and <i>S. perereca</i> (dorsum with indistinct light pattern or with dark spots, interocular marking and a pair of inverted dorsolateral parentheses; Pombal <i>et al.</i> 1995b), <i>S. elaeochrous</i> (dorsum with darker markings and dots, sometimes forming irregular longitudinal stripes; Duellman 1970), <i>S. granulatus</i> (dorsum with clear spots and dark longitudinal X-shaped lines and an interocular marking; Kwet & Di-Bernardo 1999), <i>S. ictericus</i> (dorsum with or without dark brown interocular marking and irregular mostly transverse marks; Duellman & Wiens 1993), <i>S. iquitorum</i> (small and scattered dark brown dots and blotches; Moravec <i>et al.</i> 2009), <i>S. lindsayi</i> (a few small scattered reddish brown dots and blotches), <i>S. maracaya</i> and <i>S. tigrinus</i> (large dark blotches; Cardoso & Sazima 1980; Nunes <i>et al</i>. 2010), and <i>S. rogerioi</i> (brown dorsal blotches extending as a pair of longitudinal irregular and interrupted blotches/stripes from head to inguinal region and inverted brown triangular interocular blotch; Pugliese <i>et al.</i> 2009).</p> <p> The vocal sac single, median, subgular, and that ventrally does not reach the pectoral region differentiates the new species from <i>Scinax baumgardneri</i>, <i>S. exiguus</i>, <i>S. fuscomarginatus</i>, <i>S. madeirae</i>, <i>S</i>. <i>manriquei</i>, <i>S</i>. <i>villasboasi</i>, and <i>S. wandae</i> (vocal sac large that reaches the anterior pectoral region; Barrio-Amorós <i>et al.</i> 2004; Brusquetti <i>et al</i>. 2014); <i>S. camposseabrai</i>, <i>S. karenanneae</i> and <i>S. sateremawe</i> (bilobed vocal sac; Pyburn 1993; Caramaschi & Cardoso 2006; Sturaro & Peloso 2014).</p> <p> <i>Scinax haddadorum</i> <b>sp. nov.</b> differs from <i>S. nasicus</i> and <i>S. similis</i> for having an slightly acuminate snout in dorsal view (rounded in dorsal view). Also, it differs from <i>S. nasicus</i> by having generally a longer shank in relation to its SVL (TL/SVL = 0.50–0.57 in the new species, and TL/SVL = 0.43–0.48, <i>n</i> = 20 in <i>S. nasicus</i>).</p> <p> The holotype of <i>Scinax x-signatus</i> (Spix 1824) is considered lost (Hoogmoed & Gruber 1983; Glaw & Franzen 2006), a neotype has still not been designated, and apparently there are several species to which this name has been applied in the State of Bahia, Brazil (its type locality is “Provinciae Bahiae”, meaning current State of Bahia east of the river San Francisco; Spix 1824; Vanzolini 1981; see Pombal <i>et al.</i> 1995b). The dorsal color pattern which consists of a background that varies from light and dark gray to dark brown, with round and irregular dark blotches in <i>S. haddadorum</i> <b>sp. nov.</b> differentiates this species from those to which the name <i>S. x-signatus</i> could potentially be applied in northeastern Brazil (X-shaped dorsal pattern composed of one or two pairs of inverted parentheseslike marks; Lutz 1973).</p> <p> The new species is distinguished from <i>Scinax montivagus</i> for having a slightly acuminate snout in dorsal view (rounded in dorsal view; Juncá <i>et al.</i> 2015); dorsal surface of forelimbs and thighs with irregular, transverse dark brown markings (absence of brown markings; Juncá <i>et al.</i> 2015); and hidden surfaces of thigh light or dark brown, with lighter, large and irregular blotches, which are yellow in live specimens (immaculate beige, without yellow coloration in live specimens; Juncá <i>et al.</i> 2015).</p> <p> <i>Scinax haddadorum</i> <b>sp. nov.</b> is similar with <i>S. rupestris</i> (see Figs. 1–3 in Araujo-Vieira <i>et al.</i> 2015) from which it differs mainly for having SVL 29.4–35.4 mm in males (SVL 21.9–27.7; Araujo-Vieira <i>et al</i>. 2015); a nuptial pad that covers the medial margin of Metacarpal I, and obscures the posterior portion and the outer margin of the inner metacarpal tubercle (wide nuptial pad that covers almost the complete dorsal surface of Metacarpal I and obscures nearly half of the inner metacarpal tubercle; Araujo-Vieira <i>et al.</i> 2015); and hidden surfaces of thigh and shank light or dark brown, with lighter, large and irregular blotches (light or dark brown, with light, small diffuse blotches; Araujo-Vieira <i>et al.</i> 2015).</p> <p> <b>Description of holotype.</b> Body moderately robust; head as large as wide, 40.1% of SVL. Snout rounded in profile, slightly acuminated in dorsal view. Nostrils dorsolateral, elliptical, slightly protruded; distance between nostrils 79.3% of IOD. <i>Canthus rostralis</i> slightly evident and convex. Loreal region slightly concave. Eyes protuberant, ED 34.5% larger than IOD, almost equal to END. Tympanum nearly rounded, separated from eye by a distance almost half TD. TD 59% of ED. Tympanic annulus rounded, with upper portion hidden by supratympanic fold. Supratympanic fold barely evident, from the upper portion of the tympanum to the insertion of the arm. Vocal sac single, median, subgular, externally evident by the loose skin on the sides of jaw, ventrally not reaching the pectoral region. Vocal slits present, located diagonally to the longitudinal body axis, originating laterally to the tongue and running towards the corner of the mouth. Tongue ovoid, free laterally and posteriorly notched. Vomerine teeth in two slightly convex series between and only just posterior to the choanae, each bearing seven (right) and six (left) teeth. Choanae oval.</p> <p>Axillary membrane absent. Upper arm more slender than forearm. A series of small, round, low, and enameled ulnar tubercles (right forearm: one tubercle; left forearm: five tubercles in row). Fingers, short and slender, fringed. Relative finger length I<II<IV<III. Discs elliptical, wider than long; disc on Finger I smaller than the others. Subarticular tubercles single, conical on fingers I and II; rounded and quadrangular on fingers III and IV, respectively. Subarticular tubercle on Finger IV larger than the others. Supernumerary tubercles small, single, and rounded. Inner metacarpal tubercle single, medium-sized, elliptical; outer metacarpal tubercle flat, bilobed (right hand) or divided (left hand), the two parts are elongated in the latter condition. Webbing absent between fingers I and II; basal between fingers II, III, and IV. The lateral fringe on Finger IV is continued in the lateral margin of the palm by an enameled dermal ridge, from the penultimate subarticular tubercle back to the level of distal margin of outer metacarpal tubercle. Thick, wide, light colored nuptial pad covering only the medial margin of Metacarpal I, and obscuring the outer margin of the inner metacarpal tubercle (Fig. 3 A–B).</p> <p>Hind limbs robust; TL 51.6% of SVL. Toes slender, fringed. Relative toe length I<II<V≈ III<IV. Discs elliptical, wider than long. Subarticular tubercles single, conical, and rounded. Supernumerary tubercles small, single, and rounded. Inner metatarsal tubercle single, oval; outer metatarsal tubercle simple, elliptical, one third the size of inner metatarsal tubercle, located with distal margin at the level of distal margin of inner metatarsal tubercle or slightly offset posteriorly. Webbing formula I 2 -–2+ II 1 1/3 –2 III 1 1/2–2+ IV 2 +– 1 V. Fringe on lateral margin on Toe V continued along the margin of the sole by a poorly developed ridge that reaches the base of the metatarsal. Along the medial margin of the tarsus, an inconspicuous medial tarsal ridge, barely evident as a thickening of the skin. A series of small, round, inconspicuous tarsal tubercles. Three discrete, low tubercles, next to the tibiotarsal articulation on the right tarsus; tubercles absent on the left tarsus.</p> <p>Skin on dorsum, upper eyelid, and dorsal region of limbs smooth, with small, scattered, rounded tubercles on head and upper eyelid. Small, round, and white pigmented tubercles present on the posterior portion of the tympanum, near the insertion of the arm. Vocal sac smooth; pectoral region, abdomen and subcloacal regions densely covered with rounded, low granules. Ventral surfaces of arms and tibiae smooth. Pectoral fold with pre- and postaxillar elements. There is a white, slightly thickened area in the pectoral region that is apparently glandular, but this requires histological corroboration.</p> <p> <b>Coloration in life of the holotype.</b> There are no notes of coloration in life of the holotype.</p> <p> <b>Coloration in preservative of the holotype.</b> Dorsum light brown with scattered round, irregular, and elongate dark blotches; tympanic membrane finely spotted; <i>canthus rostralis</i> dark brown, loreal region with same coloration as dorsum. Two diagonal dark brown blotches on upper eyelid. Upper lip light cream with diffuse limits. Dorsal surface of fore- and hindlimbs with irregular, transverse dark brown markings. Dorsal surface of hands and discs with dark brown dots and irregular transversal blotches on fingers III and IV, like those on forearms. Flanks and inguinal region lighter with irregular dark blotches. Hidden area of thigh and shank dark brown with some large and irregular light blotches. Ventrally, soles brown, palms light brown; other ventral areas creamy white, immaculate, but margins of the gular region, around arm insertion, and bordering areas with the dorsal coloration finely spotted with brownish gray. The iris is black, with many thin, silver reticulations.</p> <p> <b>Measurements of the holotype (mm).</b> SVL 30.4; HL 12.2; HW 11.8; IND 2.3; IOD 2.9; ED 3.8; END 3.6; TD 2.3; TL 15.7; FL 13.7; 3FD 1.7; 4TD 1.6.</p> <p> <b>Variation in the type series.</b> Some measurements are presented in Table 1. The number of vomerine teeth in males varies between four and seven on both the right and left processes. In one male paratype (MZUSP 152329) the right process (five teeth) and the left process (six teeth) are more separated than those of the other specimens (about half of the process size). Dorsally, small, scattered, round tubercles are evident mainly on head and body, sometimes on upper eyelid, and less commonly on limbs. Ulnar tubercles are absent in two individuals; when present they can be arranged in line (seven individuals; between two and six tubercles), or scattered (three individuals; between two and five tubercles). In six individuals these tubercles are white. The white dermal ridge on lateral margin of the palm is complete (five individuals) or interrupted (eight individuals). Two specimens (MZUSP 152188; 152191) have the nuptial pad thicker than those of other individuals. The granules on the subcloacal region are white in nine individuals.</p> <p> Measurements Males (<i>n</i> = 12) Females (<i>n</i> = 1)</p> <p>Mean ± SD Range</p> <p>Tarsal tubercles on the external surface of the tarsus are absent in four individuals. When present these tubercles can be enameled (two individuals). The number of tubercles present on the internal margin of the tarsus, next to the tibio-tarsal articulation, varies from one to five; the distal one is elongated in MZUSP 152331; and the tubercles are enameled in five individuals. Small calcar tubercles, round and low are present in six individuals. Webbing formulae among paratypes varies as follows: I (2+–2-) – (2+–2) II (1 1/2–1-) – (2+–2) III (1 1/2–1-) – (2 ½–2) IV (2+–2-) – (1+–1-) V. The only available female (SVL 35.7 mm) is slightly larger than the largest male paratype (MZUSP 152188; SVL 35.4 mm).</p> <p> Similar to <i>Scinax rupestris</i> (see Araujo-Vieira <i>et al.</i> 2015), some specimens have a thickening of the ventral portion of the webbing between toes IV and V that is also evident on the dorsal aspect as a number of wrinkles or an ampulla-like swelling. Unidentified eggs are present in the webbing in two individuals (MZUSP 152330– 152331). This is apparently common in several species of <i>Scinax</i> (Faivovich pers. obs.).</p> <p>A photograph in life is available only from paratype MZUSP 152190 (Fig. 6A). The specimen is dorsally yellowish tan with brown markings. Two diagonal blotches on upper eyelid, an interocular fragmented blotch continuous to the diagonal blotches. Loreal region with the same coloration as dorsum, and a light brown canthal line. Small round blotches, and larger, irregular blotches in the dorsum with a pair of elongate, irregular blotches on scapular and sacral regions. Hidden surfaces of thigh light brown with irregular yellow blotches. Iris golden yellowish, with many thin, darker reticulations.</p> <p>In preservative, the dorsal color pattern of head, body and limbs varies from light and dark gray to dark brown, with round and irregular dark blotches (Fig. 4). A dark brown canthal line is present in seven individuals, and it is fragmented in two individuals (MZUSP 152192; 152330). The diagonal dark blotches on the upper eyelids can be lighter or darker than in the holotype. They are absent in MZUSP 152326–152327 and 152330. The interocular region can show an inverted triangular or V-shaped dark blotch, sometimes fragmented. Upper lip light cream with diffuse limits finely or conspicuously pigmented. A pair of elongate blotches is present in the scapular and sacral regions of some individuals. Transversal blotches on limbs are continuous or fragmented. They are absent on the shanks in MZUSP 152326–152327. Flanks and inguinal region light colored, with irregular dark blotches. Hidden su

Rhinella inopina Vaz-Silva, Valdujo & Pombal, 2012, sp. nov.

<i>Rhinella inopina</i> sp. nov. <p>(Figs. 1–2)</p> <p> <i>Rhinella</i> cf. <i>pombali</i> - Valdujo <i>et al</i>. 2009: 905.</p> <p> <b>Holotype.</b> Brazil, State of Goiás, São Domingos municipality (13º23'S; 46º20'W), MNRJ 75231, adult male, S. P. Andrade and E. P. Vitor col., on 2 August 2010.</p> <p> <b>Paratypes.</b> Brazil, State of Goiás, São Domingos municipality (13º23'S; 46º20'W), MNRJ 53069, juvenile, F. F. Gontijo col., 28 January 2007; MNRJ 63752, adult female, R. M. F. Rodrigues col., 29 July 2009; MNRJ 67272, juvenile, S. P. Andrade and E. P. Vitor col., 0 9 May 2010; MNRJ 67273, juvenile, S. P. Andrade and E. P. Vitor col., 10 May 2010; MNRJ 75232, juvenile, S. P. Andrade and E. P. Vitor col., 20 July 2010; MNRJ 75234 and MNRJ 75236, adult males, MNRJ 75235, adult female, MNRJ 75233, juvenile, S. P. Andrade and E. P. Vitor col., 25 July 2010.</p> <p> <b>Diagnosis.</b> A member of <i>Rhinella crucifer</i> species group based on the combination of morphological characters proposed by Duellman and Schulte (1992) and Baldissera <i>et al.</i> (2004) such as: presence of a row of glandular keratinized tubercles at the corners of mouth; absence of the pre-ocular ridge in the smaller specimens, but always present and strongly elevated in the larger ones; a row of glandular keratinized tubercles following the lateral edges of the body, with the first tubercle united or not to the parotoid gland; parotoid gland elliptical in dorsal view, triangular in lateral view and elongate; tympanum visible, covered by a tegumentary fold on posterior region; snout rounded to mucronate in dorsal view; and, dorsal integument varying from extremely granular to smooth. <i>Rhinella inopina</i> sp. nov. is characterized by the following combination of features: 1) largest size for the group (SVL 102.6 mm in males and 136.1 mm in females); 2) head wider than long (Fig. 2 A); 3) snout rounded to mucronate in dorsal view (Fig. 2 A); 4) snout rounded and elongated in lateral view (Fig. 2 B); 5) parotoid glands overhanging the lateral edges of body dorsally (Fig. 3); 6) in life and preservative yellow spots on flanks from posterior surface on parotoid gland to inguinal region, posterior surface of thighs and near the cloacae; 7) vertebral line absent or very thin (Fig. 3); 8) a conspicuous fringe on the ventral surface of the tarsus; 9) parotoid gland elongated (Fig. 3); 10) oblique arrangement of the parotoid gland in relation the midline of the body (Fig. 1).</p> <p> <b> Comparisons with other species of the <i>Rhinella crucifer</i> species group.</b> The new species is distinguished from <i>Rhinella ornata</i> and <i>Rhinella abei</i> by the presence of yellow marks on flanks (in some specimens), around the cloacae and on the posterior surface of thighs (vs. absence), parotoid glands overhanging the lateral edges of body dorsally (vs. not overhanging), elongate parotoid gland in lateral view (vs. rounded), and presence of a fringe on the ventral surface of tarsus (vs. a row of small tubercles); from <i>Rhinella henseli</i> by the parotoid glands overhanging the lateral edges of body dorsally (vs. not overhanging), and presence of a fringe on the ventral surface of tarsus (vs. a row of small tubercles); from <i>Rhinella pombali</i> by elongated snout in lateral view (vs. short snout), and elongate parotoid gland in lateral view (vs. rounded); from <i>Rhinella crucifer</i> by the presence of yellow marks on flanks, around the cloacae and on the posterior surface of thighs (vs. only around the cloaca and thighs), and elongate parotoid gland in lateral view (vs. rounded). <i>Rhinella inopina</i> sp. nov. differs from the all other species of <i>R. crucifer</i> group by having an oblique arrangement of the parotoid gland in relation to midline of the body (ANP/POP: <i>R. inopina</i> = 0.72; <i>R. ornata</i> = 0.68; <i>R. abei</i> = 0.67; <i>R. henseli</i> = 0.59; <i>R. pombali</i> = 0.66; <i>R. crucifer</i> = 0.67).</p> <p> <b>Description of holotype.</b> An adult male (Fig. 1 A–B, Fig. 2 A–D) with body robust; head wider than long; head width 37% of SVL; snout rounded in dorsal and lateral views; <i>canthus rostralis</i> well defined by canthal crest, almost straight; loreal region slightly concave; nostrils lateral, protuberant, slightly directed backwards, near to the snout tip; inter-nostril distance smaller than the eye-to-nostril distance (IND / END = 0.90); eye diameter and upper eyelid width larger than the tympanum diameter (ED/TD = 1.23; UEW/TD = 1.07); eye-to-nostril distance smaller than eye diameter (END /ED = 0.78), upper eyelid width (END /UEW = 0.89), and tympanum diameter (END /TD = 0.96); eye diameter larger than the upper eyelid width (ED/UEW = 1.14) and tympanum diameter (ED/TD = 1.23); upper eyelid width 51% of interorbital distance; preorbital and supraorbital crests developed; parietal crest absent; postorbital crest weakly developed; tympanum large, vertically elliptical, with a distinct annulus; horizontal diameter of tympanum 90% of the vertical diameter; parotoid glands, in dorsal view, medium size, elliptical (on right side more elongated), in lateral view triangular connected with the postorbital crest; paratoid gland length larger than the postorbital crest length; small V-shaped incision on maxilar symphysis; vocal sac not visible externally; vocal slits, sideways to the tongue; choane oval, small, lateral, widely separated; tongue large, two times long as wide, free and not notched behind. Forearms robust, arms slender; hand with long and slender fingers, not webbed, in crescent order of size, II IV<I<III; lateral fringes poorly developed, formed by a line of spinulose tubercles, absence on inner surface of finger I; finger tips slightly expanded; palmar tubercle large, nearly ovoid, smooth; thenar tubercle approximately one third of the palmar tubercle, ovoid, smooth; subarticular tubercles developed, protruding, single, except by divided distal tubercle on the III finger; numerous supernumerary tubercles varied in size, distinct, rounded, irregularly distributed on the ventral surfaces of hand and fingers; keratinous small spicules on the upper surfaces of the finger I and part of finger II. Legs moderately robust; thigh length slightly smaller than tibia length (THL/TBL = 0.95); sum of tibia and thigh lengths 84% of SVL; tarsus-foot length larger than the tibia and thigh lengths, 58% of SVL; outer metatarsal tubercle small, rounded; inner metatarsal tubercle small, elliptical, with the external border free; foot medium-size, with robust toes; toes in increasing order of size, I<II<III V<IV; webbing moderately developed, plantar formula I2-2II1-3 - III2 +-4- IV4-2 +V; small rounded bulbs toe tips, smooth, posteriorly delimited on ventral surfaces by a groove; subarticular tubercles small, conical, unique; supranumerary tubercles distinct, rounded or conical, unequal in size, irregularly distributed on the ventral surfaces of foot and toes. Skin on dorsum, flanks, and limbs with many irregularly distributed round warts; ventral surfaces finely granulose; warts of dorsum, limbs and granules on throat with many keratinized tips.</p> <p> <b>Color of holotype in preservative.</b> General color of body grayish light olive; a tiny vertebral light gray line; a light gray bar on tarsus; some light olive small elongated blotches and spots on the thighs; keratinized spicules on brown warts, tympanum light brown; iris silver. Under surfaces cream olive, throat slightly darker than belly; tubercles on hand palms and sole of feet brown.</p> <p> <b>Measurements of holotype (in mm).</b> Snout-vent length 92.5; head length 26.3; head width 34.3; inter-narial distance 5.5.; eye to nostril distance 6.1; eye diameter 7.8; upper eyelid width 6.8; interorbital distance 13.2; eye border to upper maxilla distance 3.2; canthal ridge length 7.8; supratympanic ridge length 5.6; eye to tympanum distance 2.2; tympanum diameter 6.3; tympanum height 7.0; inter-parotoid distance 24.2; forearm length 22.0; upper arm length 28.7; inner carpal tubercle length 4.2; inner carpal tubercle width 2.5; hand length 11.3; armpitgroin distance 33.3; thigh length 38.0; tibia length 40.0; tarsal length 21.1.</p> <p> <b>Variation.</b> The variations in measurements are summarized in Table 1. <i>Rhinella inopina</i> has typical color polymorphism found in the species of the <i>Rhinella crucifer</i> group (e.g. Baldissera <i>et al.</i> 2004). In life, color pattern varies from uniform yellowish-cream to brown, with sparse dark spots adjacent to vertebral line, which may be absent. Females have more numerous yellowish flank blotches than males. Males usually have uniform color pattern, whereas juveniles tend to be blotchy. Discontinuous dark stripes on the internal surface of thighs more frequent in juveniles (Fig. 3). Color in preservative is similar to color in life, except the yellow color is replaced with cream.</p> <p> <b>Etymology.</b> Inopinus, an adjective, is a Latin word, meaning unexpected. The name is appropriate because is the most inland species of the <i>Rhinella crucifer</i> species group. The other species known of the <i>Rhinella crucifer</i> species group are found in Atlantic Forest Biome, except for <i>R. pombali</i> which is distributed in the domains of the Central Brazilian Plateau, in the transition from the Atlantic Rain Forest to the Cerrado (Baldissera <i>et al</i>. 2004).</p> <p> <b>Natural History.</b> Adult males were found calling during a rainy night, after 0h00, in November 2008. It was one of the first heavy rains of the rainy season. The toads were found in the water very close to the margins of a temporary pond next to São Desidério river, in a valley between two calcareous rock outcrops, a location known as Pedra do Santo, municipality of São Desidério, State of Bahia. One amplected couple was found during the same night and another female was found four days before during a drier night in the same location. Other species calling from the same pond were <i>Hypsiboas crepitans</i> (Wied-Neuwied 1824), <i>Dendropsophus nanus</i> (Boulenger 1889), <i>Leptodactylus mystaceus</i> (Spix 1824), and <i>Leptodactylus</i> cf. <i>chaquensis</i> Cei 1950. At Sítio d´Abadia juvenile specimens were captured close to Corrente river in pitfall traps in deciduous forest dominated by <i>Acacia farnesiana</i> (L.) Willd., a tree species typical of Caatinga biome. At São Domingos adult specimens were collected in areas of gallery forest of the São Domingos and Galheiros rivers, and Dry Forest with calcareous rock outcrop (Fig. 4). During the dry season specimens were found inside caves.</p> <p> <b>Geographic Distribution.</b> <i>Rhinella inopina</i> has been found in São Domingos municipality (type locality) and Sítio d´Abadia municipality, in Goiás State, Combinado municipality and Aurora do Tocantins municipality, in Tocantins State and São Desidério municipality, in Bahia State (Fig. 5).</p> <p> <b>Remarks.</b> The Cerrado Biome covers about 2 million km2, representing 22% of Brazil, and small areas in eastern Bolivia and northwestern Paraguay. It extends from the southern borders of the Amazonian forest to areas in the southern States of São Paulo and Paraná. The distribution of the Cerrado is coincident with the plateau of central Brazil (Oliveira-Filho & Ratter 2002). <i>Rhinella inopina</i> occurs in the Cerrado biome, having the most inland distribution within the <i>R. crucifer</i> group, and it is apparently restricted to the disjunct Seasonal Tropical Dry Forests enclaves in western Cerrado.</p> <p> The <i>Rhinella crucifer</i> species group is widely distributed in Atlantic Forest. Only <i>R. pombali</i>, <i>R. crucifer,</i> and <i>R. inopina</i> are known to occur in the transition zones or within the Cerrado biome (Baldissera <i>et al</i>. 2004; Thomé <i>et al</i>. 2010). <i>Rhinella inopina</i> is allopatric to all other species in the group, and its distribution is associated with forest vegetation types in eastern Cerrado, such as seasonal tropical dry forest, semidecidual forest and gallery forest in karstic relief and limestone areas, all in the transition between Cerrado and Caatinga biomes. So far, we have detected five populations of this species that depend upon the conservation of forest vegetation in eastern Cerrado to persist.</p>Published as part of <i>Vaz-Silva, Wilian, Valdujo, Paula Hanna & Pombal, José P., 2012, New species of the Rhinella crucifer group (Anura, Bufonidae) from the Brazilian Cerrado, pp. 57-65 in Zootaxa 3265</i> on pages 58-63, DOI: <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/212911">10.5281/zenodo.212911</a&gt

FIGURE 3 in New species of the Rhinella crucifer group (Anura, Bufonidae) from the Brazilian Cerrado

FIGURE 3. Rhinella inopina sp. nov. in life from type-locality. (A) Holotype (MNRJ75231, SVL = 92.5mm), an adult male; (B) adult female (MNRJ75233, SVL = 67.0mm); (C) juvenile (MNRJ53069, SVL = 73.3mm); (D) juvenile (MNRJ75232, SVL = 63.5mm). Photographs by S. P. Andrade (A, B and D) and by W. Vaz-Silva (C)

A new species of Scinax Wagler (Anura: Hylidae) from Mato Grosso, Brazil

A new species of the Scinax ruber Clade is described from Municipality of Barra do Garças, State of Mato Grosso, Brazil. It is diagnosed by its size (SVL 29.4–35.4 mm in males); dorsum with a background that varies from light and dark gray to dark brown, with round and irregular dark blotches; hidden surfaces of thigh and shank light or dark brown, with lighter, large and irregular blotches (yellow in life); and nuptial pad that covers the medial margin of Metacarpal I, and obscures the posterior portion and the outer margin of the inner metacarpal tubercle. It is most similar with Scinax rupestris, from which it differs by having larger adult males; less developed nuptial pad; and hidden surfaces of thigh and light or dark brown, with lighter, large and irregular blotches (yellow in life). The new species occurs near the headwaters of permanent or temporary streams, where males call from vegetation or rocks at the margins of small streams.Fil: de Araujo Vieira, Katyuscia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales "Bernardino Rivadavia"; ArgentinaFil: Valdujo, Paula Hanna. World Wildlife Fund. Laboratório de Ecologia da Paisagem; BrasilFil: Faivovich, Julián. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales "Bernardino Rivadavia"; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental; Argentin