RESUMO
Abstract: The Brazilian Atlantic Forest is one of the world's most biodiverse biomes, with large numbers of endemic and threatened species. However, this biome has suffered extensive deforestation and habitat fragmentation, with a drastic reduction of its original vegetation cover. The compilation of data on the occurrence patterns of anurans and their natural history is important for the development of effective conservation strategies. Here, we present the results of a survey of the anuran fauna of Parque Estadual do Papagaio Charão (PEPC) in Rio Grande do Sul state, southern Brazil, providing information on species endemism, conservation status, and reproductive modes. We collected data on the local anurans between March 2018 and February 2019 using active searches and pitfall traps. We recorded 26 anuran species distributed in seven families, with eight different reproductive modes. The largest number of species (20) was found at the forest edge, followed by the interior of the forest and open area, each with 16 species. The most abundant species were Leptodactylus plaumanni (41.7% of records), Physalaemus cuvieri (27.1%), and P. carrizorum (16.5%). Greater species richness and abundance were recorded during the rainier months, while temperature influenced only the abundance of the anurans. Rhinella henseli, Rhinella icterica, Vitreorana uranoscopa, Aplastodiscus perviridis, Boana curupi, Boana leptolineata and Proceratophrys brauni are all endemic to the Atlantic Forest. Melanophryniscus devincenzii is classified as Endangered by the IUCN, and Proceratophrys bigibbosa as Near Threatened. Boana curupi is considered to be Endangered in Rio Grande do Sul state, and Vulnerable in Brazil, while V. uranoscopa is Near Threatened in Rio Grande do Sul. Our findings emphasize the importance of protected areas, such as the PEPC, for the maintenance of anuran populations and communities in the Mixed Rainforest formations of southern Brazil.
Resumo: A Mata Atlântica abriga a maior biodiversidade do planeta, com elevados números de endemismos e espécies ameaçadas de extinção. Entretanto, esse bioma tem sofrido extensa perda e fragmentação do habitat, com redução drástica da sua cobertura vegetacional original. Suprir lacunas sobre a história natural e os padrões de ocorrências de anuros auxiliam no desenvolvimento de estratégias de conservação para esse grupo. Neste estudo apresentamos a anurofauna do Parque Estadual do Papagaio Charão (PEPC), no estado do Rio Grande do Sul, sul do Brasil, com informações sobre endemismos, status de conservação e modos reprodutivos das espécies. Nossas amostragens em campo ocorreram entre março de 2018 e fevereiro de 2019 e utilizamos procura ativa e pitfalls traps para a coleta dos anuros. Registramos 26 espécies de anuros distribuídas em sete famílias e oito modos reprodutivos. Um número maior de espécies foi encontrado na borda (20 espécies), seguida da floresta e área aberta (16 espécies cada). As espécies mais abundantes foram Leptodactylus plaumanni (41,7%), Physalaemus cuvieri (27,1%) e P. carrizorum (16,5%). Maior riqueza e abundância foram registradas no período com maior pluviosidade e a temperatura influenciou somente a abundância dos anuros. Rhinella henseli, R. icterica, Vitreorana uranoscopa, Aplastodiscus perviridis, Boana curupi, B. leptolineata e Proceratophrys brauni são endêmicas da Mata Atlântica. Melanophryniscus devincenzii está classificada como "Em perigo" e Proceratophrys bigibbosa como "Quase ameaçada" pela IUCN. Boana curupi é considerada "Em perigo" no estado do Rio Grande do Sul e "Vulnerável" no Brasil. Vitreorana uranoscopa consta como "Quase ameaçada" no Rio Grande do Sul. Nossos resultados mostram a importância de áreas protegidas, como o PEPC, para a manutenção das populações e comunidades de anuros da Floresta Ombrófila Mista.
RESUMO
Ranavirus is a double-stranded DNA virus associated with amphibian, fish and reptile die-offs worldwide. International trade of live animals farmed for human consumption, such as the American bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus), plays a key role in spreading the pathogen. In Brazil, ranavirus has only been reported in captive bullfrog farms. We found infected tadpoles of both native species and the American bullfrog in the wild, and a case of mass mortality of amphibians and fish potentially associated with ranavirus. Dead animals presented skin ulcerations, hemorrhages, and edemas. We also found an overall prevalence of 37% of the amphibian chytrid in the area, and two bullfrog tadpoles were co-infected with both pathogens. We suggest that the interaction between the two pathogens should be investigated to improve global conservation of ectothermic vertebrates.
