scholarly journals Diet, reproductive biology, and ecological interactions of Fritziana goeldii (Anura: Hemiphractidae)

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-52
Author(s):  
Bruna Guarabyra ◽  
Andressa M. Bezerra ◽  
André Fonseca Antunes ◽  
Sergio P. Carvalho-e-Silva

Aspects of the diet, reproduction, and interactions with other taxa are reported for the egg-brooding tree frog, Fritziana goeldii, an endemic phytotelma-dwelling species from southeastern Brazil. A total of 56 frogs (48 males; 8 females) was collected between December 2018 and November 2019. A total of 218 dietary items, representing at least 28 taxa was recovered. Hymenoptera and Coleoptera were the most abundant, mainly early in the year (January–April), with Formicidae being the most represented group. Parasitic interactions with ostracods and helminths were observed in 12 and 13 frogs, respectively, with most of these organisms being found in the intestines of F. goeldii. Fritziana goeldii is sexually dimorphic, with females (mean 36.0 mm) being larger than males (mean 28.3 mm). All females collected had oocytes, and two also had eggs attached to the dorsum. No relation was found between the female’s size and size and number of oocytes. The reproduction of F. goeldii seems to be prolonged, with males calling throughout the year.

2006 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 314-322 ◽  
Author(s):  
Érika R. de Alvarenga ◽  
Nilo Bazzoli ◽  
Gilmar B. Santos ◽  
Elizete Rizzo

Reproductive biology and feeding of Curimatella lepidura (Eigenmann & Eigenmann, 1889) were studied in Juramento reservoir, São Francisco River basin, Southeastern Brazil. Histological analyses and gonadosomatic indexes revealed females and males in reproductive activity from October to March and total spawning occurring from January to March coupled with the peak of spermiating males. In the dry season, the fishes accumulated energetic reserves for reproduction during a short rainy season. The species presented sexual dimorphism, being females larger than males and sexual maturation occurring close to 7.7 cm standard length for females and 7.1 cm for males. C. lepidura presented iliophagous feeding habit, ingesting mainly sediment/detritus and a small amount of acari, algae, Tricoptera insects and Ostracoda crustaceans, suggesting a probable role in nutrient recycling of the Juramento reservoir.


2009 ◽  
Vol 69 (3) ◽  
pp. 843-849 ◽  
Author(s):  
IA. Silva ◽  
MA. Batalha

Ecological communities are the result of not only present ecological processes, such as competition among species and environmental filtering, but also past and continuing evolutionary processes. Based on these assumptions, we may infer mechanisms of contemporary coexistence from the phylogenetic relationships of the species in a community. We studied the phylogenetic structure of plant communities in four cerrado sites, in southeastern Brazil. We calculated two raw phylogenetic distances among the species sampled. We estimated the phylogenetic structure by comparing the observed phylogenetic distances to the distribution of phylogenetic distances in null communities. We obtained null communities by randomizing the phylogenetic relationships of the regional pool of species. We found a phylogenetic overdispersion of the cerrado species. Phylogenetic overdispersion has several explanations, depending on the phylogenetic history of traits and contemporary ecological interactions. However, based on coexistence models between grasses and trees, density-dependent ecological forces, and the evolutionary history of the cerrado flora, we argue that the phylogenetic overdispersion of cerrado species is predominantly due to competitive interactions, herbivores and pathogen attacks, and ecological speciation. Future studies will need to include information on the phylogenetic history of plant traits.


Zootaxa ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 2269 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-64 ◽  
Author(s):  
ADRIANA PUGLIESE ◽  
DÉLIO BAÊTA ◽  
JOSÉ P. POMBAL, JR.

We describe a new species of tree frog of the Scinax ruber clade from rocky field mountains in the states of Goiás and Minas Gerais in central and southeastern Brazil. Scinax rogerioi sp. nov. is characterized by medium size (SVL males 25.0–35.6 mm; females 28.0–34.5 mm); snout protruding in lateral view and almost subovoid in dorsal view; loreal region concave; adhesive discs on fingers medium-sized, wider than long; interrupted, irregular dark brown blotches on dorsum from behind eyes to inguinal region from head to inguinal region; inverted brown triangular interocular blotch; brown spot in loreal region; advertisement call is a multipulsed note, with 6 to 12 pulses (interval between pulses 0.02 to 0.03s), and a dominant frequency of 1.38 to 3.19 kHz. Description of the advertisement call and data on natural history are provided.


2002 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 495-504 ◽  
Author(s):  
Otavio Marques ◽  
Lígia Pizzatto

AbstractThe reproductive biology of the false coral snake, Oxyrhopus guibei, was studied through dissection of 496 specimens, combined with observations on captive individuals. Males mature with smaller body size than females, females attain much larger body size, and male-male combat is not expected. Clutch size ranged from 3 to 20, and was correlated with female length. Reproductive cycles in both males and females seem to be continuous, with vitellogenesis and spermatogenesis occurring throughout the year. Reproductive activity in both sexes decreased at the end of the rainy season possibly due to previous intense reproductive activity in more favorable climatic conditions. The smaller number of individuals collected at the end of the rainy season apparently occurs due to the decrease of reproductive activity of this snake.


2008 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 370-372 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlos Frederico Duarte Rocha

In this study 57 specimens of the lizard Ameiva ameiva (Linnaeus, 1758) collected in the restinga at Barra de Maricá, in the state of Rio de Janeiro, southeastern Brazil, were analyzed to investigate size relations and reproduction (in females) and sexual dimorphism of this population. We answered the following questions: 1) what is the minimum reproductive body size in females? 2) what is the average clutch size and 3) how is clutch size related to body size? 4) Are body and head sizes sexually dimorphic? Mean clutch size was 6.7 ± 2.1 eggs and was positively correlated with female body size. Sexual dimorphism favoring males was found: adult mean snout-vent length was great in males (124.2 ± 17.8 mm) than females (96.5 ± 23.1 mm SVL), and males were larger with respect to head width and length, and body mass. Thus, despite the marked seasonality at Barra de Maricá, A. ameiva has an extended reproductive period. Also, intrasexual selection may have acted on females to produce larger clutches, and on males, favoring larger males.


1995 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 67-76 ◽  
Author(s):  
Larissa Barreto ◽  
Gilda V. Andrade

AbstractObservations were made on the reproductive biology of Physalaemus cuvieri from open area habitat in São Luis, MA, Brazil, from August 1988 to August 1989. The reproductive tactics are compared to those of the same species in southeastern Brazil. Vocalization and reproductive activity were restricted the rainy season (January to June), with peaks of activity during late March and early April. Nocturnal calling activity turn was prolonged, with little variation in the number of individual calling during the night. The presence of communal foam nests suggests non-territorial behaviour in this species. However, males called from the same sites all night long. They showed differentiated vocalizations or antiphony, and aggressive physical interactions, which suggests that there may be some territorial behaviours in males. The remainder of the territorial behaviour is related to persistence of the invading male. Satellite behaviour, females mate choice, and a stereotyped behaviour (e.g. quick circular movement of both male and female) prior to amplexus, were also associated with territoriality.


2007 ◽  
Vol 64 (9) ◽  
pp. 1829-1835 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fabio S. Motta ◽  
Rafael C. Namora ◽  
Otto B. F. Gadig ◽  
F. M. S. Braga

Abstract Motta, F. S., Namora, R. C., Gadig, O. B. F., and Braga, F. M. S. 2007. Reproductive biology of the Brazilian sharpnose shark (Rhizoprionodon lalandii) from southeastern Brazil. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 64: 1829–1835. The reproductive biology of the Brazilian sharpnose shark, Rhizoprionodon lalandii, off southeastern Brazil was investigated using data from gillnet landings. The size-at-maturity for males and females was estimated to be 59 and 62 cm total length (LT), respectively. Ovarian fecundity ranged from 3 to 7 follicles (mean = 4.54), and uterine fecundity from 1 to 5 embryos (mean = 3.3). There was a slight positive relationship between female LT and the number of ovarian follicles, but uterine fecundity was not related to female LT. Embryonic growth is fast following fertilization during summer and autumn. Gestation requires 11–12 months, and peak parturition is between August and September. A comparison of size-at-maturity between animals from northeastern and southeastern Brazil suggests the existence of at least two stocks of R. lalandii along the Brazilian coast.


2016 ◽  
Vol 97 (6) ◽  
pp. 1634-1644 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rodrigo L. Massara ◽  
Ana Maria O. Paschoal ◽  
Larissa L. Bailey ◽  
Paul F. Doherty ◽  
Adriano G. Chiarello

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