A new and threatened species of Scinax (Anura: Hylidae) from Queimada Grande Island, southeastern Brazil

We describe a new species of hylid frog, Scinax peixotoi, from Queimada Grande Island, southeastern Brazil. The new species belongs to the Scinax perpusillus species group, in which all known forms inhabit bromeliads, and is diagnosed by the following set of characters: moderate-size (males 18.8-20.7 mm SVL, females 22.4-25.1 mm SVL); canthus rostralis distinct; dorsal skin slightly rugose; and a distinct advertisement call with relatively low dominant frequency. The new species is known from a single population on Queimada Grande, an island of 43 ha, approximately 33 km distant from the coast of São Paulo State, where it inhabits scattered patches of bromeliads. The highly specialized and patchy habitat of S. peixotoi, associated with its small range size, make this species highly susceptible to stochastic or anthropogenic habitat disturbances, which could lead it to extinction. Copyright © 2007 Magnolia Press.

Severe population decline of marsh deer, Blastocerus dichotomus (Cetartiodactyla: Cervidae), a threatened species, caused by flooding related to a hydroelectric power plant

Balancing power production and environmental conservation can be problematic. The objective of this study was to investigate the abundance of marsh deer in the Paraná River Basin, above the Sergio Motta (Porto Primavera) Dam, before and after the impact of the dam closure. A fixed-wing, flat window aircraft was used to survey study transects. Observations were recorded based on the distance sampling line transect method, assuming that the detection probability decreases with increased distance. The abundance of marsh deer in the survey region prior to flooding was estimated to be 974 individuals (CV = 0.23). The overall abundance dropped from 974 to 444 (CV = 0.26) individuals after flooding, an overall reduction of 54%. This reduction can be attributed to the direct impact of the flooding process, but it was likely exacerbated by indirect effects, such as increased disease, hunting, and reduction in food availability. Prior to flooding, the marsh deer was distributed widely throughout the dam's catchment area; however, the marsh deer habitat was almost completely destroyed by the flooding process. This situation highlights the need to implement management strategies that ensure the survival of the remaining fragmented population.

Redescription of Hyphessobrycon flammeus Myers, 1924 (Ostariophysi: Characidae), a threatened species from Brazil

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

PCR primed with minisatellite core sequences yields species-specific patterns and assessment of population variability in fishes of the genus Brycon

Minisatellite core sequences were used as single primers in polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to amplify genomic DNA in a way similar to the random amplified polymorphic DNA methodology. This technique, known as Directed Amplification of Minisatellite-region DNA, was applied in order to differentiate three neotropical fish species (Brycon orbignyanus, B. microlepis and B. lundii ) and to detect possible genetic variations among samples of the threatened species, B. lundii , collected in two regions with distinct environmental conditions in the area of influence of a hydroelectric dam. Most primers generated species-specific banding patterns and high levels of intraspecific polymorphism. The genetic variation observed between the two sampling regions of B. lundii was also high enough to suggest the presence of distinct stocks of this species along the same river basin. The results demonstrated that minisatellite core sequences are potentially useful as single primers in PCR to assist in species and population identification. The observed genetic stock differentiation in B. lundii associated with ecological and demographic data constitute a crucial task to develop efficient conservation strategies in order to preserve the genetic diversity of this endangered fish species.

Biological information of Taunayia bifasciata (Siluriformes: Heptapteridae): a threatened and unknown catfish

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Rediscovered after 77 years: Odontodiaptomus thomseni - a rare species of calanoid (Crustacea: Copepoda) from South America

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

Reproductive data of a threatened bat, Myotis ruber (E. Geoffroy, 1806) (Chiroptera, Vespertilionidae) in a southern Brazilian deciduous seasonal forest

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

What Role Should Government Regulation Play in Ecological Restoration? Ongoing Debate in São Paulo State, Brazil

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Normas jurídicas para a restauração ecológica: uma barreira a mais a dificultar o êxito das iniciativas?

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Contribuição ao Conhecimento da Distribuição Geográfica do Tatu-de-Rabo-Mole-Grande Cabassous tatouay no Brasil: Revisão, Status e Comentários sobre a Espécie

The greater naked-tailed armadillo Cabassous tatouay is one of the least-known armadillo species. Field records are rare, if not controversial, and only few specimens exist in scientific collections in Brazil. This species is listed in the Brazilian Red List of Threatened Species as well as in six official Brazilian state Red Lists. Fieldwork was performed between 2005 and 2008 to monitor wildlife in the central-western region of São Paulo State. Cabassous tatouay was registered in three opportunities, in the municipalities of Agudos, Borebi and Avare, and ecological and morphometrical data were registered. Although this species tolerates altered habitats, the scarce field records may be related to its habits and have led to the lack of basic information on greater naked-tailed armadillos. This communication provides important ecological and biogeographical information about C. tatouay.

Maytenus comocladiaeformis Reiss. (Celastraceae): redescoberta de uma espécie rara e notas sobre sua distribuição geográfica

Essa nota registra a recoleta e a primeira informação sobre a distribuição de Maytenus comocladiaeformis Reissek. A espécie era conhecida por apenas duas coletas pouco informativas, a última delas de 1950, e era considerada extinta.

Mamíferos não voadores do Parque Estadual Carlos Botelho, Continuum florestal do Paranapiacaba

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

Historical biogeography and conservation of the golden-striped salamander (Chioglossa lusitanica) in northwestern Iberia: integrating ecological, phenotypic and phylogeographic data

The golden-striped salamander (Chioglossa lusitanica) is an endemic species inhabiting stream-side habitats in mountainous areas in the northwestern Iberian Peninsula. This salamandrid is listed in the IUCN Red Data Book as a threatened species. The combination of bioclimatic modeling of the species distribution and multivariate analysis of genetic and phenotypic data strengthens previous hypotheses concerning the historical biogeography of C. lusitanica: the Pleistocene subdivision of the species' range and a process of postglacial recolonization. Discrepancies between bioclimatic modeling predictions and the present-day distribution suggest that the species may still be expanding its range northwards. We propose the identification of two distinct units for the conservation of the species and suggest that this information should be taken into account in defining key areas for conservation in the Iberian Peninsula.

Amphibians and reptiles from a highly diverse area of the Caatinga domain: composition and conservation implications

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

Répteis do Estado de São Paulo: conhecimento atual e perspectivas

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