Cutaneous Resistance to Evaporative Water Loss in Brazilian Rhinella (Anura: Bufonidae) from Contrasting Environments


Autoria(s): PRATES, Ivan; NAVAS, Carlos A.
Contribuinte(s)

UNIVERSIDADE DE SÃO PAULO

Data(s)

20/10/2012

20/10/2012

2009

Resumo

Influenced by taxonomic position. For example, bufonids are regarded as exhibiting a permeable skin that seems typical for terrestrial anurans. However, this assumption is supported by information on only four bufonid species; therefore, the enormous ecological diversity of the family remains poorly Investigated. To assess whether variation in R(s) within related bufonids correlates with environmental aridity, we measured area-specific rates of EWL of two Brazilian populations of Rhinella granulosa (previously Bufo granulosus), one from the Atlantic Forest and other from the semi-arid Caatinga, and compared both with the forest species R. ornato. Rhinella granulosa from the Atlantic Forest had higher cutaneous resistance than conspecifics from Caatinga and R. ornata. Rhinella ornato presented the lowest cutaneous resistance values. However, Rs were very close to zero In all three populations. We conclude that enhanced Rs is not part of the suite of traits allowing R. granulosa to exploit the Caatinga, and that variation in R(s) within bufonids may relate to traits other than water conservation. Some Information on microhabitat occupation and ventral skin morphology supports the idea that exceptional abilities for detecting and taking up water may be the key factors enhancing the survival of R. granulosa, and possibly other bufonids, in xeric environments.

Instituto Brasileiro do Meio Ambiente e dos Recursos Naturais Renováveis (IBAMA)

Brazilian IBAMA[02010.003380/04-82]

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

State of Sao Paulo Science Foundation (FAPESP)

Thematic Project

Thematic Project[2003/01577-8]

Undergraduate Science Initiation Fellowship

Undergraduate Science Initiation Fellowship[2006/52491-4]

Identificador

COPEIA, n.3, p.618-622, 2009

0045-8511

http://producao.usp.br/handle/BDPI/27418

10.1643/CP-08-128

http://dx.doi.org/10.1643/CP-08-128

Idioma(s)

eng

Publicador

AMER SOC ICHTHYOLOGISTS HERPETOLOGISTS

Relação

Copeia

Direitos

restrictedAccess

Copyright AMER SOC ICHTHYOLOGISTS HERPETOLOGISTS

Palavras-Chave #FROGS #AMPHIBIANS #ADAPTATIONS #INTEGUMENT #BALANCE #LIPIDS #TOADS #RATES #SKIN #Zoology
Tipo

article

original article

publishedVersion