Amphibians, and especially the anurans (frogs toads), exhibit a greater diversity of reproductive modes than other tetrapod vertebrates. Twenty-nine have been recognized for anurans; we propose 10 more, elevating by more 34 number known worldwide. These newly frogs elevate almost 48 anuran Neotropics. The highly complex topography Atlantic forest, breaking up biome into many small microhabitats, high humidity, which reduces desiccation risks, enabled evolution specializations such as eggs or...

Abstract Annual patterns of breeding activity, reproductive modes, and habitat use are described for a frog community in seasonal environment, the southern Pantanal, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. Data were collected monthly between January 1995 December 1998. A total 24 species from four families; Bufonidae (3 species), Hylidae (10 Leptodactylidae (9 Microhylidae (2 species) registered. Three activity recognized among these species: continuous, explosive, prolonged; 50% explosive breeders....

Humid savannas are often made of woody groves ground relationships between individuals, and has a grassy patches in which few individuals relatively weak effect. Competition for water the upper develop. A simulation model been built to explore (1) horizons soil should be more efficient at limiting role dispersal individual growth community clump development. The average fire regime cannot structure; (2) local-neighbourhood competition prevent these from being invaded by trees. Only on...

Sexual size dimorphism (SSD) varies in animals from male biased to female biased. The evolution of SSD is potentially influenced by a number factors, such as territoriality, fecundity, and temporal breeding patterns (explosive vs. prolonged). In general, frogs show female-biased with broad variance among species. Using comparative methods, we examine how different selective forces affect sizes, test hypotheses about size-dependent mechanisms shaping frogs. Male was weakly associated all...

A bstract Aim Effective conservation policies rely on information about population genetic structure and the connectivity of remnants suitable habitats. The interaction between natural anthropogenic discontinuities across landscapes can uncover relative contributions different barriers to gene flow, with direct consequences for decision‐making in conservation. We aimed quantify roles land cover topographic variables differentiation diversity a stream‐breeding savanna tree frog (...

Abstract Diversification of South American species endemic to open habitats has been attributed both Tertiary events and Pleistocene climatic fluctuations. Nonetheless, phylogeographical studies taxa in these regions are few, precluding generalizations about the timing processes leading differentiation speciation. We inferred population structure Hypsiboas albopunctatus , a frog widely distributed Brazilian Cerrado. Three geographically distinct lineages were recovered our phylogeny. The...

Frog reproductive modes are complex phenotypes that include egg/clutch characteristics, oviposition site, larval development, and sometimes, parental care. Two evident patterns in the evolution of these traits higher diversity tropics apparent progression from aquatic to terrestrial reproduction, often attributed fitness resulting decreased predation on eggs tadpoles. Here, we propose sexual selection—and not only natural selection due predation—favors breeding by reducing loss polyandry. To...

The colonisation of land by tetrapods marked a critical event in animal evolution, introducing desiccation risk as pivotal selective pressure that influenced physiological, behavioural and morphological adaptations. Leaf-frogs (Phyllomedusinae) exhibit adaptations to mitigate water loss, but limited observations hinder our understanding these behaviours' prevalence consequently their evolutionary history. Here, we present novel wiping bladder-filling behaviours the leaf-frog Pithecopus...

A reproductive strategy may be viewed as the combination of physiological, morphological, and behavioral traits that act together to produce optimal number offspring under given environmental conditions (Duellman Trueb, 1986). Thus, different strategies can increase efficiency or minimize costs and/or risks associated with reproduction (Harvey Pagel, 1993). Reproductive effort is an important component a because it allows one measure (Stearns, 1992). great diversity anurans occur in American...

Chytridiomycosis, an infectious disease of amphibians, is caused by the fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) and has been linked to declining amphibian populations worldwide. The susceptibility amphibians chytridiomycosis-induced population declines potentially influenced many factors, including environmental characteristics, differences among host species growth pathogen itself. We investigated effects elevation breeding habitat on Bd prevalence individual infection intensity...

Among the physiographic regions included in central South American diagonal of open formations, Chaco, with some endemic species, represents southernmost dry area. In Brazil, Chaco is found southwestern corner Mato Grosso do Sul state, mostly municipality Porto Murtinho along Paraguay and Apa rivers. From February 2008 to December 2009, we carried out an inventory amphibians reptiles Murtinho, using pitfall traps, time-limited searches, occasional encounters. A total 34 amphibian 39 reptile...

Although rare, some anurans show multimale spawning. Herein we present data on testes mass relative to body for 11 leptodactylids and report spawning in Leptodactylus chaquensis podicipinus. Testes averaged 4.13% of L. 0.75% size both leptodactylid species with that they are large close values recorded rhacophorid frogs breeding (0.71–7.79%). Large supports the sperm competition hypothesis.

Abstract Aim Phylogeographic studies show how historical and current changes in landscapes shape the geographic distribution of genetic diversity species animals plants. In particular, for Diagonal Open Formations (DOF), compartmentalization Central Brazilian Plateau (CBP) during Tertiary climatic oscillations Quaternary have often been invoked to explain origin patterns biodiversity. We investigated landscape shaped diversification history a widespread South American treefrog. Location...

The richest anuran fauna is found in the Neotropics, but natural history of most species unknown. Bokermannohyla ibitiguara a stream-dweller treefrog endemic to Brazilian Cerrado and classified as “Data Deficient” by IUCN. Herein we describe species’ reproductive biology. Fieldwork was conducted from August 2010 July 2011. Reproductive activity occurred October June positively correlated with air temperature, humidity, monthly rainfall. Individuals were observed only gallery forests at...

The Gladiator Frog, Bokermannohyla ibitiguara, is a hylid endemic to the Brazilian Cerrado with complex call composed of long and short notes. We describe influence male size temperature on properties investigate social contexts different notes through direct observations playback experiments conducted in field. dominant frequency correlated negatively body size, whereas duration note positively; there was no correlation between pulse rate size. Air positively rate. Playback males indicated...

Abstract Female mate choice is often based on male traits, including signals or behaviors, and/or the quality of a male’s territory. In species with obligate paternal care, where care directly affects offspring survival, females may also base their choices sire’s care. Here, we quantified reproductive success in natural population glass frog Hyalinobatrachium cappellei, parental to determine influence territory quality, and behaviors female choice. We found that attending males have higher...

In males, large testes size signifies high sperm production and is commonly linked to heightened competition levels. It may also evolve as a response an elevated risk of depletion due multiple mating or clutch sizes. Conversely, weapons, mate guarding allow individuals monopolize events preclude competition, thereby reducing the selection testes. Herein, we examined how paternal care, sexual dimorphism (SSD), weaponry female fecundity are in glassfrogs. We found that care was associated with...

Abstract Female fecundity is an important selective force leading to female-biased sexual size dimorphism (SSD) in frogs. Because anurans exhibit diverse reproductive modes, we investigated whether variation SSD and are related with oviposition site. We asked arboreal breeding species show pronounced if, paradoxically, females have lower because of the costs carrying oocytes amplectant males. Conversely, tested that deposit eggs concealed sites less SSD, do not carry males space limitation...

Herein we describe spawning and egg guarding in the erythrinid fish Hoplias malabaricus observed southern Pantanal (19° 34' S 57° 00' W), state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. Nests were depressions built on sandy soil flooded areas, contained a mean 8,197 ± 2,204 eggs (N = 4); diameter was 1.44 0.09 mm 400). Among 11 nests observed, eight guarded by males three pair. One male remained nest for six days, two pairs at least days before being captured. Females 2) captured oocytes their ovaries....