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Engaging youth in early and sustained conservation education has important implications for promoting positive attitudes and behaviors in those who will become the future of conservation and management. Toward this goal, visual narratives (comic books, graphic novels) are an increasingly popular method used by conservation scientists to educate young people due to their approachable use of art and narrative storytelling. However, no studies have directly assessed how visual narratives compare with more traditional forms of conservation education for youth. We asked, how does education about biodiversity through visual narrative affect student perceptions and knowledge of science content relative to a traditional resource, and is there a novelty effect when using visual narrative versus traditional resources? To assess our questions, we utilized a semistructured approach to develop a biodiversity education program. Specifically, we developed an original graphic novel (visual narrative treatment) and a slideshow presentation (traditional treatment) with the same content to educate children about wetland biodiversity. We recruited, trained, and randomized 26 third‐grade teachers to deliver either the visual narrative or traditional resource in their classrooms. Students completed pretest, posttest, and follow‐up surveys assessing their perceptions of science and knowledge of the lesson content. Students in the visual narrative treatment held more positive perceptions of science (by 3.79%, p = 0.001), whereas students in the traditional treatment performed better on content quizzes (by 7.97%, p = 0.002). We found evidence for a novelty bias when using the visual narrative but not the traditional resource. These findings point to the importance of understanding the target audience and clearly defining educational goals. Overall, our results contribute to broader understanding of the relative benefits and limitations of conservation education through nontraditional means and of practices for successfully delivering effective, accessible, and rewarding conservation education to educators and youth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Assessing the extinction risk of species based on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List (RL) is key to guiding conservation policies and reducing biodiversity loss. This process is resource demanding, however, and requires continuous updating, which becomes increasingly difficult as new species are added to the RL. Automatic methods, such as comparative analyses used to predict species RL category, can be an efficient alternative to keep assessments up to date. Using amphibians as a study group, we predicted which species are more likely to change their RL category and thus should be prioritized for reassessment. We used species biological traits, environmental variables, and proxies of climate and land‐use change as predictors of RL category. We produced an ensemble prediction of IUCN RL category for each species by combining 4 different model algorithms: cumulative link models, phylogenetic generalized least squares, random forests, and neural networks. By comparing RL categories with the ensemble prediction and accounting for uncertainty among model algorithms, we identified species that should be prioritized for future reassessment based on the mismatch between predicted and observed values. The most important predicting variables across models were species' range size and spatial configuration of the range, biological traits, climate change, and land‐use change. We compared our proposed prioritization index and the predicted RL changes with independent IUCN RL reassessments and found high performance of both the prioritization and the predicted directionality of changes in RL categories. Ensemble modeling of RL category is a promising tool for prioritizing species for reassessment while accounting for models' uncertainty. This approach is broadly applicable to all taxa on the IUCN RL and to regional and national assessments and may improve allocation of the limited human and economic resources available to maintain an up‐to‐date IUCN RL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We describe two new caecilian species of the genus Caecilia (Gymnophiona: Caeciliidae) from the wet tropical Chocó Forest, north-western Ecuador. We applied an integrative taxonomic approach, taking into consideration external morphology, osteology from intensive ct-scanning, and molecular phylogenetic analyses. The two new species were compared to all other Caecilia species, known to occur west of the Ecuadorian and Colombian Andes. The new taxa can be distinguished by their external morphological characters, as well as by their osteology, genetic divergence, and phylogenetic relationships. The two new species, although morphologically quite different, were closely related. Caecilia tesoro sp. n. is a large-bodied, robust species with a unique colour pattern in larger individuals. In contrast, Caecilia truncata sp. n. is a smaller caeciliid and sister to medium-sized C. volcani, a species known from Panama. Morphologically, C. truncata sp. n. is best recognized by a very truncated snout shape. As know from many previously recognized neotropical caeciliids, both new species are likely endemic to small ranges, here the humid tropical lowland to mid-altitude forests of western Ecuador. Both new species seem to tolerate some degree of habitat degradation. Our new findings support to intensify research and conservation activities in one of South America's most diverse but severely endangered biomes. We also present, for the first time, some clues of the phylogenetic position of elongated C. nigricans and C. leucocephala. Caecilia nigricans was sister to a clade composed of one Oscaecilia and ten species of Caecilia. This topology rendered the genus Caecilia paraphyletic relative to Oscaecilia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The distribution of Aedes albopictus (Skuse) (Asian tiger mosquito, Diptera: Culicidae) in Mexico has been documented, and we expanded this knowledge by evaluating the seasonality and bioclimatic conditions necessary for this pest to survive. We installed artificial containers under trees or rocks to monitor the mosquito for 48 weeks (January to December 2020) in a low deciduous forest in Yucatan, Mexico. The presence of predators within the breeding sites was recorded. The binary logistic regression model (BLRM) was used to analyze the relationship between Ae. albopictus and bioclimatic variables. We evaluated the spatial variation of aridity in Yucatan State using the De Martonne aridity index (IDM) to determine the gradients of drought in the region. A total of 2,492 Ae. albopictus immatures were recorded, and 85.5% were larvae and 14.5% pupae. The likelihood of the infestation of containers by an immature mosquito was 2.33, 1.84, and 1.44 times higher during the rainy season, under the Bromelia karatas plant and semi-dark water. Predators (frog tadpole of Scinax staufferi and larvae of the mosquito Toxorhynchites moctezuma) in the containers influenced the decrease in the abundance of Ae. albopictus. The IDM's spatial distribution indicated moderate aridity in the study area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report the rediscovery, a century after its last record, of two specimens of Pristimantis ruidus from approximately 6 km northeast of its type locality, in a montane forest from the western Andes of southern Ecuador. This species, described by John D. Lynch in 1979, based on specimens collected in 1922 by George H. Tate, was previously known only from the type series, all specimens originating from a single locality (Molleturo, Provincia Azuay, Ecuador, 2317 m elev.). The rediscovery occurred in November 2022 in the Reserva de Conservación Quitahuaycu, Molleturo Parish, Azuay Province. The two specimens, both females, are characterised by rough skin with numerous rounded low warts and tubercles on their dorsum, a W-shaped occipital fold, tympanum and tympanic ring not externally visible and by the lack of cranial crests, characters that correspond with the description of the holotype. We evaluate the phylogenetic relationships, based on two mitochondrial genes (12S and 16S rRNA) and one nuclear gene (RAG-1). These analyses reveal Pristimantis ruidus as a member of the subgenus Huicundomantis, being most closely related to P. philipi, a species with a distribution restricted to the paramo of the same mountain region (Macizo del Cajas). Pristimantis ruidus co-exists with Pristimantis jimenezi, three additional species of Pristimantis and one Noblella with uncertain taxonomic status. This rediscovery underscores the urgency of implementing effective conservation and monitoring measures for the few remnants of the original ecosystems from western Ecuador, which face ongoing anthropogenic threats and harbour a diversity that remains insufficiently studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to make robust and feasible conservation plans, assessments of species' vulnerability or risk of extinction are ideally needed. However, there are wide differences in the criteria used to assess species vulnerability. Recently, a growing approach seeks to understand the patterns of biodiversity loss using life history traits because these traits show differential responses to environmental disturbances. In order to generate a functional vulnerability assessment for Mexican endemic amphibians, we integrated information from species distribution modeling, functional traits, and spatially explicit threats weighted differentially for each functional group. We obtained 124 distribution models evaluated by species, nine functional groups that represent the differential risk of species against anthropic threats, and 124 layers of spatial vulnerability. We found a generalized presence of threats to amphibians throughout the Mexican territory, highlighting the center of the country as the most affected area, while the southeast and north had a lower level of anthropic activity. We found differential vulnerability values in the distributions of Mexican endemic amphibians. In general, the anthropogenic impact on the distribution of Mexican endemic amphibians is high, and the percentage of habitat loss ranges from 51 to 97%, with an average of 83% lost to anthropogenic pressures. The functional group with the greatest loss of distributional area was found in the salamander genus Ambystoma, while functional groups 2 (frogs with arboreal habits, small size, and reproduction and development in bodies of water) and 4 (small or medium size frogs occupying terrestrial or riparian habitats with oviposition and development occurring in bodies of water or phytotelms) maintain the largest remaining suitable area after considering the threats. We present a replicable methodology that can be implemented anywhere, providing a new tool to generate specific layers that represent threats to functional groups. This allows for updated assessments of species distribution models that can be used in conservation planning, offering more robust data to make conservation planning decisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista de la Academia Colombiana de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales is the property of Academia Colombiana de Ciencias Exactas, Fisicas y Naturales and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

We present the first record of interspecific amplexus between Rhinella horribilis and Incilius coniferus in the surroundings of a natural water pond in the Mamoní Valley Preserve Center, Chepo District, Eastern Region of Panama. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

From 2010 to 2019, we studied the composition of species and habitat use of amphibians in Santa Maria Natural Reserve (RNRSM) and its surroundings. We made active search combining auditive search and visual encounters surveys. Additionally, for 12 months, we installed 14 pitfall traps in seven representative sectors of three environments. We recorded 39 species belonging to 18 genera and seven families; 36 of them were encountered inside the reserve and three in the surroundings. All species were recorded by active search, but only 20 species were recorded in pitfall traps. Grasslands and wetlands were the richest and most similar habitats in the species composition. The semipermanent water bodies were the most used by amphibians, and semipermanent and temporary water bodies have shown similar species composition. We detected six species prioritized for their conservation using an index based on their threats category, distribution and degree of endemism, body size, reproductive potential, ecological rarity, abundance, human threats, and taxonomic singularity. The RNRSM protect 65% of amphibian’s fauna known in Corrientes province and 22.3% of Argentina, conserving habitats strongly affected by Yacyretá Dam, with high biodiversity value. This inventory is a baseline for monitoring the reserve's amphibians. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Caldasia is the property of Universidad Nacional de Colombia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

El objetivo de este estudio fue inventariar los anuros de los bosques antiguos durante los años 2019 y 2022 en las Tierras Colectivas Emberá del Río Balsas, en Darién, Panamá. En la cuenca del Rio Balsas se realizaron muestreos diurnos y en las primeras horas de la noche. Los muestreos estuvieron compuestos de: a) observaciones por encuentro visual en los alrededores de tres comunidades y tres sitios adicionales (< 5 km); b) siete transectos de 1 km subdivididos en estaciones de 100 m. La diversidad de anuros registrada fue de 19 especies pertenecientes a 9 familias y 14 géneros. Las especies más abundantes fueron Craugastor fitzingeri, Rhinella alata y Dendrobates auratus. Estas tres especies representaban el 53% de los 215 individuos registrados. La comunidad de anuros diurnos está bien representada en este estudio, ya que la mayoría de los muestreos se realizaron durante el día. Se requieren más muestreos en esta zona para describir completamente la diversidad de anfibios. Nuestro estudio proporciona una línea base para conocer las especies de ranas y sapos que se encuentran en un bosque intacto.

Despite being central to the implementation of conservation policies, the usefulness of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species is hampered by the 14% of species classified as data‐deficient (DD) because information to evaluate these species' extinction risk was lacking when they were last assessed or because assessors did not appropriately account for uncertainty. Robust methods are needed to identify which DD species are more likely to be reclassified in one of the data‐sufficient IUCN Red List categories. We devised a reproducible method to help red‐list assessors prioritize reassessment of DD species and tested it with 6887 DD species of mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fishes, and Odonata (dragonflies and damselflies). For each DD species in these groups, we calculated its probability of being classified in a data‐sufficient category if reassessed today from covariates measuring available knowledge (e.g., number of occurrence records or published articles available), knowledge proxies (e.g., remoteness of the range), and species characteristics (e.g., nocturnality); calculated change in such probability since last assessment from the increase in available knowledge (e.g., new occurrence records); and determined whether the species might qualify as threatened based on recent rate of habitat loss determined from global land‐cover maps. We identified 1907 species with a probability of being reassessed in a data‐sufficient category of >0.5; 624 species for which this probability increased by >0.25 since last assessment; and 77 species that could be reassessed as near threatened or threatened based on habitat loss. Combining these 3 elements, our results provided a list of species likely to be data‐sufficient such that the comprehensiveness and representativeness of the IUCN Red List can be improved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Acta Zoologica Lilloana is the property of Fundacion Miguel Lillo and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Durante marzo y junio del año 2010 se caracterizaron los ensambles de anfibios y reptiles de los humedales Charco de Oro y La Bolsa ubicados en el municipio de Andalucía (Valle del Cauca, Colombia). Se registraron nueve especies de anfibios y siete de reptiles, otras dos especies más fueron registradas en los alrededores. La riqueza de especies de anfibios fue mayor en la época seca mientras que la de reptiles se mantuvo igual durante las dos épocas de muestreo pero variando su composición.

Os vertebrados tetrápodes constituem o grupo de animais melhor conhecido tanto pelos pesquisadores quanto pelo público em geral. Abarcam uma diversidade relativamente elevada de nichos ecológicos nos ecossistemas atuais e uma proporção considerável de espécies do grupo está ameaçada de extinção pelas atividades humanas. A implantação de Unidades de Conservação constitui estratégia fundamental para preservar estas espécies. Dessa forma, nosso objetivo foi avaliar a capacidade de um sistema regional de Unidades de Proteção Integral (UPIs) em contemplar a fauna de tetrápodes. Avaliamos os dados disponíveis em publicações científicas para as unidades estaduais e federais do estado de São Paulo. Para 68 UPIs, ou 87% do total destas unidades no estado, foram relatadas 1.199 espécies de tetrápodes, 86% do total conhecido para São Paulo, o que indica o papel dessas áreas na proteção da biodiversidade regional. Entretanto, apesar deste resultado, os dados indicam a necessidade de novos inventários para todos os grupos, tanto para áreas não contempladas quanto para as que já apresentam alguma informação disponível. Também, devido às mudanças climáticas em curso, algumas dessas áreas podem se tornar inadequadas para certas espécies, e inventários recorrentes ao longo do tempo devem ser realizados para se compreender como estas mudanças na distribuição e abundância ocorrem ao longo do tempo, o que pode fornecer informações sobre o que fazer para continuar a conservar esta importante fração da biodiversidade.

El estudio analiza las características de la piel en dos especies de anfibios, Leptodactylus mystacinus y Leptodactylus apepyta, que presentan áreas ecotonales en común. Para ello se tomaron muestras de la región dorsal, ventral e inguinal de ejemplares adultos de ambas especies, de cuatro especímenes, dos de cada especie, pertenecientes a la colección Herpetológica del Museo Nacional de Historia Natural del Paraguay (MNHNP) y se procesaron histológicamente. Los datos icrométricos de la piel se registraron y analizaron estadísticamente con un nivel de confianza de 95%, encontrándose que el promedio del grosor de la piel. Difiere entre las especies, en L. apepyta, el grosor promedio es de 128.44 µm en la región dorsal, 81.36 µm en la ventral y 74.41 µm en la inguinal, mientras que en L. mystacinus es de 139.81 µm, 49.31 µm y 102.92 µm en las mismas regiones, respectivamente. También se encontraron variaciones morfológicas en la epidermis y dermis de ambas especies, los análisis estadísticos revela una distribución normal de los datos, concluyéndose que, aunque los tegumentos de ambas especies son similares a los de otros anfibios, existen diferencias significativas en el grosor de la piel, siendo L. mystacinus más gruesa. Además, se observa la presencia de la capas de Eberth-Katschenko y glán- dulas con una diferenciación en su maduración para ambas especies.

The first systematized acoustic studies in Argentinean anuran populations began in the 1960s with the contributions made by Avelino Barrio. Since then, with some exceptions, the knowledge about the vocalizations of local species has had little development. Leptodactylus is a neotropical frog genus with 83 recognized species, 14 of which are found in Argentina. In this context, and with the aim of contribute to the acoustic knowledge about the anuran species that occur in Argentina, a review of the vocalizations of Leptodactylus species was addressed, with emphasis in local populations. Additionally, this information is compared with new acoustic data for L. bufonius, L. elenae, L. fuscus, L. gracilis, L. laticeps, L. latinasus, L. luctator, L. macrosternum and L. podicipinus obtained in populations from Corrientes, Chaco and San Juan provinces. Moreover, some terms used in previous studies are reviewed in order to standardize the terminology applied to the calls of Leptodactylus species. The absence of descriptions about vocalizations from topotypic populations is also noted, of which L. elenae, L. laticeps, and L. luctator have their type locality in Argentina. Studies on acoustic variation in anuran amphibians, whether for taxonomic or geographic variation purposes, can be considered incipient in Argentina, and therefore, there are still an important information gap. Comparisons of the acoustic variables of the advertisement call between different populations allow us to understand how the acoustic variables vary according to the environmental or geographical factors. Furthermore, the recordings of other types of calls contribute to increase the information about the acoustic repertoires and have a comprehensive knowledge about aspects of the natural history and behavior of the species. Finally, it is important to highlight the need for additional acoustic studies on anuran amphibians from Argentina, especially due to the continuous alteration or loss of their habitats, and consequently of the acoustic diversity and soundscape. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Acta Veterinaria Brasilica is the property of Acta Veterinaria Brasilica and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Boletín Científico Centro de Museos de Historia Natural is the property of Universidad de Caldas and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Patógenos en los anuros de un ambiente tropical estacional en Guanajuato (México) En el presente estudio se caracterizaron las especies de bacterias y hongos de una comunidad de ranas de un ambiente tropical estacional en el Área Natural Protegida (ANP) Las Musas, en Guanajuato (México), usando protocolos morfológicos y bioquímico–microbianos. Los objetivos principales fueron tres: identificar las especies de microorganismos presentes en la comunidad de ranas, determinar la prevalencia de microorganismos y cómo cambia a lo largo del año y detectar enfermedades y lesiones ocasionadas por patógenos (bacterias y hogos). De los 150 anuros analizados, siete especies (Anaxyrus compactilis, Incilius occidentalis, Dryophytes arenicolor, D. eximius, Hypopachus variolosus, Lithobates neovolcanicus y Spea multiplicata) hospedaron al menos cuatro géneros de hongos patógenos (Penicillium, Rhizopus, Aspergillus y Batrachochytrium) y dos géneros de bacterias patógenas (Aeromonas hydrophila y Pseudomonas sp). La prevalencia de casos positivos fue mayor en otoño (0,51) y menor en verano (0,125). En cuatro de las siete especies se observaron lesiones como la descamación en el vientre y la hinchazón en las extremidades (pata roja). Este estudio permite confirmar la presencia de bacterias y hongos patógenos en esta comunidad de anuros y sirve de precedente para trabajos futuros sobre el estado de salud de la población de anfibios en Guanajuato, así como para la implementación de estrategias de conservación para este grupo de vertebrados.

La herpetología colombiana tiene más de 200 años de investigación, pero hasta el momento no se han sistematizado los documentos que conforman el estado del arte de esta disciplina. A partir de una revi-sión sistemática de literatura entre 1741 y 2020, encontramos 2199 documentos, de los cuales el 70,3 % se ha publicado desde el año 2000. De las 394 revistas científicas, las que han realizado mayores contri-buciones son la Revista de la Academia Colombiana de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales, la Revista Caldasia, el Catálogo de Anfibios y Reptiles de Colombia y Zootaxa. La mayoría de las publicaciones contribuyen al conocimiento en historia natural, distribución geográfica, sistemática y taxonomía, princi-palmente en Anura y Squamata. Son necesarios más estudios en ecología y conservación de grupos como las cecilias y las salamandras. Resaltamos la necesidad de fortalecer los listados taxonómicos locales con análisis cuantitativos de ecología de comunidades, y los estudios de conservación con estudios pobla-cionales a largo plazo. Es urgente recopilar datos de distribución geográfica para proyectar modelos que evalúen periódicamente el riesgo de extinción de las especies, determinar su representatividad en áreas protegidas y priorizar redes de áreas de conservación. Se requiere incrementar estudios en etnobiología y educación ambiental para cambiar las percepciones negativas de las personas hacia la herpetofauna y generar apropiación en las comunidades locales mediante iniciativas de conservación del hábitat. Así mismo es esencial consolidar investigación sobre los sistemas de gobernanza para generar una apropiación del conocimiento científico dentro de los procesos de toma de decisiones.

Over the last century, urban development has steadily resulted in wetland destruction, stream flow disturbance, and land clearing. Small intermittent wetlands are easily overlooked in large cities, and the secretive nature of amphibian species in these habitats can hinder see the big picture about the persistence of populations in urban habitats. Here, we determined anuran detectability associated with site-specific and survey-specific variables. We also identified the reproductive modes and described the calling activity along a four-year period in urban ponds of the Brazilian Cerrado ecoregion. We recorded 16 anuran species, but only nine were detected at levels suitable for modeling. Seven reproductive modes were observed in the assemblages, and although breeding choruses were more common in the rainy season, calling activity was also recorded in the dry season for 11 species. Anuran detectability was related to pond water depth, rainfall for the previous 24h, and day-of-year. Our results showed interplay between species-specific traits and water availability. We highlight that urban ponds can harbor a considerable proportion of anuran diversity; however, urbanization seems to constraint even generalist species recorded for the Cerrado ecoregion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The construction of highways is responsible for access to previously protected areas, resulting in changes in landscape and dynamics of the animal populations that live in these areas. These enterprises are the major responsible for the mortality of wild animals, surpassing hunting and even the trafficking of animals. The objective of this study was to make a list that reflects the diversity of amphibians and reptile’s road-killed along the BR-040, a highway that crosses the threaten lowland Atlantic Forest in Southeastern region of Brazil, including the use of microhabitats, lifestyle, activity pattern, reproductive cycles, and possible rare or endangered species. The study area consists of 180,4 km of highways. Monitoring began in 2006 and continues to the present day. A total of 1,410 individuals from 60 species were recorded in this study. The reptiles were more frequent in number of individuals and species. The commonest species recorded were Crotalus durissus and Dipsas mikanii. We have registered a single endangered species: Ranacephala hogei. The highest rates of road-kill were recorded during the wet season. Road-kills of fauna is a major threat to species, studies are of great importance to define plans that seek to mitigate the effects generated by these enterprises. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on an integrative taxonomical approach, using molecular, morphological, and bioacoustics data, a new species of glassfrog of the genus Centrolene is described from Refugio de Vida Silvestre El Zarza, southern Ecuador. Centrolene zarza sp. nov. is a medium sized species, easily distinguished from all other glassfrogs by its unique combination of characters, such as a shagreen dorsum with elevated warts corresponding to white spots, an evident tympanum, half or more than half of the upper parietal peritoneum covered by iridophores, iridophores absent on all visceral peritonea, including the pericardium, a lobed liver lacking iridophores, males with small projecting humeral spines, the outer edges of forearms and tarsus with a row of enameled warts that often continue into the external edges of Finger IV and/ or Toe V, and white or yellowish white iris with thick black reticulations. The new species is closely related to a currently undescribed species and superficially resembles C. condor, C. pipilata, C. solitaria, C. altitudinalis, and C. daidalea. The tadpole and advertisement and courtship calls are described, and the threats to the species survival, mainly represented by habitat loss and contamination due to mining activities, are briefly discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amphibians have physiological restrictions on the permeability of their skin due to a high probability of dehydration by evapotranspiration in environments with high temperatures and low water availability. Dendropsophus molitor is a semi-aquatic species with basking behavior that uses thermoregulatory mechanisms to carry out vital processes. Therefore, our objective was to evaluate the effect of environmental variables, microhabitat type, and color on body temperature and water loss in D. molitor. We used agar models with two color patterns placed in two types of microhabitats (wet and dry), each with two conditions (sun and shade), and measured the percentage of weight change and body temperature. We used statistical analyzes such as correlation, linear mixed effects models, and the variance inflation factor method. In our study, the color of the agar models was not significant. However, the variables dew point, relative humidity, solar radiation, substrate temperature, and microhabitat each affected the percentage of weight change and body temperature. Both variables increased between the dry and sunny microhabitat conditions and the dry and shaded conditions between 12:00 and 16:00 hours. Evapotranspiration is closely related to radiation, and the vapor pressure deficit is relevant to amphibian body temperature because they cool by the evapotranspiration of water through their skin. Finally, variables at the microhabitat level are vital for these species and should be incorporated into this kind of work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Brazilian Caatinga has already lost extensive areas of original vegetation, thus it becomes imperative to perform fauna inventories within this region to fill geographical sampling gaps. Herein, we present a taxonomic list of the herpetofauna of a mountain chain located in the central zone of Rio Grande do Norte (RN) state whose region includes two priority areas for conservation of the Caatinga: “CA087 – Serra de Santana” in the west, and “CA078 – Nascente do Potengi” in the east. The sampling was carried out using methods of visual searching, pitfall traps with drift fences, specimens rescued during vegetation suppression activities in wind energy projects, occasional encounters, and third-party records. We recorded 19 amphibian species and 53 reptile species (23 lizards, 24 snakes, five amphisbaenians and one chelonian). About half of the recorded species have distributions entirely or mostly in the Caatinga. The mountain range sampled in this study harbors virtually all species found in nearby lowlands of the “sertaneja” depression of RN state, plus some relevant species with relictual distributions in the Caatinga, highlighting the importance of these highland areas for conservation of the Caatinga herpetofauna. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We analyzed microhabitat use for different age classes between climatic seasons and compared the diversity of prey consumed by adult males and females of Craugastor berkenbuschii in a tropical stream in southeastern Mexico. The data was collected in ten transects of 100 x 15 m, separated from each other by 25 m of the distance between them. Day and night sampling was carried out monthly between September 2017 and august 2018. For each observed individual, we recorded the sex, age class, and microhabitat used at the time of the sighting. The consumed prey was extracted by means of in situ stomach washings. We registered a total of 437 individuals; 165 were adults, 162 were juveniles, and 110 were young. The microhabitats used were rock, litter, soil, trunk, branch, leaves, and root, of which rock was the most used regardless of the time of year and age classes. Twenty-one orders of prey were identified, 19 orders in females and 11 in males. The true diversity index (1D) showed similar values for males and females, with 9.67 and 9.08 respectively. The average taxonomic distinctness index (Δ+) determined that females consume a greater diversity of prey than males, with 5.12 and 4.25, respectively. The results show that the different age classes of C. berkenbuschii take advantage of a wide variety of microhabitats between climatic seasons and that there are differences between the prey consumed between adult males and females. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Caldasia is the property of Universidad Nacional de Colombia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

A pesquisa de campo no Brasil, país com a anurofauna mais rica do planeta, pode estar em perigo após sucessivos cortes de investimentos em ciência na última década. O objetivo do nosso trabalho foi investigar o efeito do investimento público na produção científica relacionada aos estudos de campo com anuros entre 2010 e 2020. Nossa hipótese é que a redução do investimento em pesquisa nos últimos anos impactou a produção científica. Realizamos uma revisão sistemática buscando publicações na base de dados do Web of Science, parcialmente ou totalmente feitas em campo e no Brasil. Nossos resultados mostram que apesar da redução dos investimentos públicos, o número de publicações anuais aumentou. No entanto, um grande intervalo de tempo entre o trabalho de campo e a publicação sugere que as viagens de campo reduziram. Ressaltamos também diferenças significativas e superiores nos investimentos públicos e nacionais, de 75,4% e 78,12% respectivamente, sobre os investimentos privados e estrangeiros, apresentando uma relação linear positiva com o número anual de publicações. Além disso, reforçamos a importância da atuação das agências de fomento públicas nacionais nos estados e sugerimos que estudos futuros sejam realizados para monitorar o surgimento das publicações de acordo com seus respectivos anos de levantamentos de campo.

En este trabajo se evalúan los conocimientos básicos y la actitud que poseen los estudiantes de educación secundaria sobre los anfibios, además de contribuir a la comprensión y la percepción local sobre estos. Se confeccionaron coeficientes que pudieran ser útiles para la evaluación del desempeño de profesores y alumnos. Según las respuestas al cuestionario aplicado, el desconocimiento sobre anfibios está ligado a algunas actitudes negativas hacia estos. Estas actitudes pueden deberse al poco desarrollo de la educación ambiental en familiares y profesorado. La aversión hacia los anfibios fue mayor en hembras, aunque después de la clase se notó un incremento de la actitud positiva hacia estos. Los coeficientes desarrollados aquí contribuyen a la medición del aprendizaje estudiantil, permitiéndole al profesor conocer cuánto están aprendiendo los estudiantes.

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The herpetofauna of Amazonia biome is one of the richest in the world. However, there is a lack of information on its richness and distribution. Here we provide a list of the herpetofauna from the Environmental Protection Area of Lagoa dos índios, state of Amapá, Brazil, in the northern Amazon Forest. Sampling effort was conducted by active search in three distinct transects from January to May 2018 (rainy season) and August to December 2019 (drought season). We recorded 46 species composing the local herpetofauna, being 18 amphibians and 28 reptiles. Scinax ruber, Gonatodes humeralis and Helicops angulatus were the most abundant species. Regarding the conservation status, two species are categorized as Date Data deficient, (.Lysapsus bolivianus and Eunectes deschauenseei)> and one as Vulnerable (Podocnemis unifilis) in the Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Podocnemis unifilis is also considered Near Threatened in the Brazilian Red List of Endangered Species. Our results suggest that local biodiversity is still underestimated and, if expanded, could increase the species richness in the area. This study represents preliminary trends and raise further questions concerning the herpetofauna assemblage of Eastern Brazilian Amazonia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aims to register Hannemania larvae in Leptodactylus luctator and their infestation rates in an area of the Pampa biome at the extreme south of Brazil. Forty-six specimens of L. luctator (25 females: 21 males) collected in an urban area of the state of Rio Grande do Sul were examined. The prevalence of mites was 93.5%, and 4207 larvae were collected. The mean intensity of infestation was 97.8 mites/host (6-379). There were no significant differences in the prevalence and mean intensity of infestation between male and female hosts. There was no relationship between abundance of larvae and size of anurans. The study increases knowledge of the parasitic fauna and its parasitological indices in anurans from extreme south of Brazil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Ecosistemas y Recursos Agropecuarios is the property of Universidad Juarez Autonoma de Tabasco and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Caldasia is the property of Universidad Nacional de Colombia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Caldasia is the property of Universidad Nacional de Colombia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

La historia de las mujeres argentinas en el desarrollo de la paleoherpetología es muy interesante y crucial, ya que la misma evidencia el rol de la mujer en el campo académico, en el ámbito familiar y en la sociedad. A lo largo de casi 100 años, las investigaciones llevadas a cabo por mujeres fueron en aumento, abarcando los principales grupos taxonómicos y generando nuevas líneas de investigación con cada generación. En la actualidad, el cambio de paradigma de la mujer en el campo de la paleontología de vertebrados en general, no solo se plasma en su rol dirigiendo campañas paleontológicas y equipos de investigación, sino que también se refleja en sus actividades de gestión y su proyección en el ámbito internacional.

La Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales (FCEN) de la Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA) se alojó inicialmente en la Manzana de las Luces de la Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, para luego reubicarse en los Pabellones I y II del complejo Ciudad Universitaria. Los estudios paleoherpetológicos en UBA se iniciaron con el Dr. Osvaldo Reig quien estuvo tres períodos en la institución: primero a fines de los 50, luego desde inicios a mediados de los 60 y finalmente a principios de los 80. Durante su primera época continuó con sus estudios de materiales fósiles de arcosaurios triásicos y anuros mesozoicos y cenozoicos. En su segundo período en la FCEN estuvo más enfocado en estudios microevolutivos basados en materiales actuales. La Dra. Ana María Báez se especializó en el estudio de los anfibios anuros, interactuando internacionalmente con destacados investigadores y formando profesionales en dicha temática y se desempeñó como profesora de la FCEN hasta el 2006. Tras su cese de actividades como profesora, este rol fue ocupado por su discípula la Dra. Claudia A. Marsicano, quien se dedicó al análisis de los anfibios temnospóndilos, aunque actualmente amplió sus estudios a las faunas de tetrápodos del Permo-Triásico de Gondwana. La Dra. C. A. Marsicano fundó el Laboratorio de Estudios Paleobiológicos en Ambientes Continentales y formó tesistas de grado y doctorado en paleoherpetología. En la actualidad los investigadores en paleoherpetología más jóvenes en la FCEN son Juan M. Leardi, que estudia crocodilomorfos, y Raúl O. Gómez, especializado en anuros y otros vertebrados.

Los estudios paleoherpetológicos realizados en la ciudad de Mar del Plata se iniciaron a mediados de la década del 90 y se consolidaron y sostuvieron con continuidad desde 1998 hasta la actualidad, a partir de la conformación de un grupo de investigación en paleoherpetología en la Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. La mayor actividad de investigación desarrollada en esta institución se concentró sobre los reptiles escamosos (lagartos, serpientes y anfisbenas). La colección de fósiles del Museo de Ciencias Naturales “Lorenzo Scaglia” fue también muy relevante en el desarrollo de la paleoherpetología en la región, por el aporte de importantes materiales de anfibios, pterosaurios, cocodrilos y aves que fueron estudiados por investigadores de otras instituciones del país.

El presente trabajo de investigación muestra los resultados de dos propuestas turísticas para la empresa ecuatoriana Wikiri (empresa privada dedicada al biocomercio sostenible de especies de anfibios del Ecuador). La primera propuesta se enfoca en el rediseño del sendero de interpretación ambiental que existe actualmente en Wikiri para la observación de anfibios in situ; la segunda propuesta corresponde a la aplicación de herramientas lúdicas para identificar el nivel de captación de conocimientos adquiridos, por parte de los visitantes, después de efectuar los recorridos en el centro de investigación, con el objetivo de generar conciencia sobre la conservación ambiental. La investigación se llevó a cabo bajo el enfoque mixto cualitativo y cuantitativo, con la aplicación de encuesta, entrevistas, búsqueda bibliográfica y visitas de campo. Se obtuvieron 92 respuestas de personas que visitaron las instalaciones de Wikiri. Los resultados obtenidos evidencian el diagnóstico de las visitas del público a la empresa, determinando el perfil e interés del visitante, el estado actual del sendero, para proponer su rediseño, y su respectiva señalética. Estos son puntos clave, en los cuales debe enfocarse la empresa para incrementar el número de visitas que recibe. Finalmente, se determinó cuáles son las herramientas lúdicas idóneas para aplicarlas dentro de Wikiri Sapoparque y evaluar el conocimiento adquirido por sus visitantes.

El autor describe un método para la detección de las medidas y proporciones más características. Se sabe que los anfibios tienen muy pocos caracteres merísticos por lo que sus descripciones consisten esencialmente en unas proporciones, elegidas arbitrariamente hace mucho tiempo y estimadas bastante toscamente, salvo en publicaciones recientes. No es inusual que tales descripciones se apliquen a varias especies distintas, y no necesariamente a especies crípticas. Este método hace uso de todas las medidas posibles; los más divergentes entre cada par de muestras exploratorias (unos pocos especímenes) se seleccionan automáticamente y se prueban en series más grandes. Este resultado se puede lograr con diagramas de asiento cuando se trata de pocas muestras, con logaritmos de medias cuando se comparan muchas muestras. En este último caso, para cada medida, obtenemos una escala donde cada muestra está representada por una línea, bastante similar a una línea de espectro: en un extremo, están las especies que tienen menos y en el otro extremo están las especies que tienen la medida más grande. La combinación de medidas grandes con medidas pequeñas en una especie o grupo de especies generalmente proporciona buenas proporciones características que nunca se habrían imaginado de otra manera. Además, la recurrencia de agrupaciones similares en diferentes espectros señala las relaciones naturales.

Among amphibian species from high elevation areas in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest there is a high percentage of threatened and endemic species, but there is still a relative scarcity of local inventories for these organisms. Here, we present data on anuran composition, relative abundance and estimated densities for leaf-litter frogs from an Atlantic Forest area within the APA Serra da Mantiqueira, in Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil, based on results of a short-term survey carried out at altitudes of 1,350-1,750 m, in November 2005 (with additional records from surveys made in 2010 and 2011). Three sampling methods were used during the 2005 survey: plot sampling, visual encounter surveys (VES; performed during the day, at the dusk, and at night), and pitfall traps with drift fences; only non-standardized visual searches were employed during the 2010 and 2011 surveys. We recorded 24 species, with the direct-developer Ischnocnema sp. (gr. lactea) being the most abundant. Most anurans (90% of all individuals) sampled by VES were captured during the crepuscular and nocturnal periods. The estimated density of the local leaf-litter frog assemblage based on plot sampling was 18.4 ind/100 m2, which is one of the highest values currently reported for Atlantic Rainforest areas. This is the first study analyzing the anuran fauna composition of an Atlantic Forest area within the APA Serra da Mantiqueira and adds to the body of knowledge on the fauna of the southern region of Rio de Janeiro state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Copyright of Revista Mexicana de Biodiversidad is the property of Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Instituto de Biologia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

El presente estudio buscó determinar el efecto de la heterogeneidad espacial, producto de los mosaicos vegetales y gradientes ambientales y estructurales del páramo, sobre la estructura del ensamblaje de anuros en un sector del Parque Nacional Chingaza. Se registraron variables ambientales y estructurales en seis mosaicos de vegetación y se calcularon métricas de paisaje en áreas de influencia de 50 y 100 m, a partir de fotografías aéreas tomadas con dron. Al concluir 162 horas/persona de muestreo, se encontraron 45 indivi-duos pertenecientes a cuatro especies. Las variables mayormente relacionadas con la estructura de los en-samblajes de anuros, variaron con el área de influencia, así: (a) a nivel del gradiente ambiental-estructural en los mosaicos de vegetación (escala de microhábitat), el porcentaje de frailejones, número de troncos de frailejones caídos, temperatura del aire y velocidad del viento fueron las más determinantes; (b) a nivel de la unidad de paisaje, el área de influencia de 50 m, se evidenció el efecto del número de clases y en par-ticular la extensión de las clases de turbera y vegetación de turbera. Finalmente, (c) al área de influencia de 100 m, la configuración de las unidades de paisaje fue más importante, principalmente la extensión de las clases de turbera y matorrales bajos entremezclados con pajonales y frailejonales. Los resultados sugieren que los anuros presentan una respuesta dependiente de la escala ante la heterogeneidad espacial, aspecto que se debe considerar en los planes de manejo del área protegida al momento de estructurar esquemas de monitoreo poblacional.

Finding effective pathogen mitigation strategies is one of the biggest challenges humans face today. In the context of wildlife, emerging infectious diseases have repeatedly caused widespread host morbidity and population declines of numerous taxa. In areas yet unaffected by a pathogen, a proactive management approach has the potential to minimize or prevent host mortality. However, typically critical information on disease dynamics in a novel host system is lacking, empirical evidence on efficacy of management interventions is limited, and there is a lack of validated predictive models. As such, quantitative support for identifying effective management interventions is largely absent, and the opportunity for proactive management is often missed. We considered the potential invasion of the chytrid fungus, Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal), whose expected emergence in North America poses a severe threat to hundreds of salamander species in this global salamander biodiversity hotspot. We developed and parameterized a dynamic multistate occupancy model to forecast host and pathogen occurrence, following expected emergence of the pathogen, and evaluated the response of salamander populations to different management scenarios. Our model forecasted that taking no action is expected to be catastrophic to salamander populations. Proactive action was predicted to maximize host occupancy outcomes relative to wait-and-see reactive management, thus providing quantitative support for proactive management opportunities. The eradication of Bsal was unlikely under all the evaluated management options. Contrary to our expectations, even early pathogen detection had little effect on Bsal or host occupancy outcomes. Our results provide quantitative support that proactive management is the optimal strategy for promoting persistence of disease-threatened salamander populations. Our approach fills a critical gap by defining a framework for evaluating management options prior to pathogen invasion and can thus serve as a template for addressing novel disease threats that jeopardize wildlife and human health., (© 2024 The Author(s). Conservation Biology published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Society for Conservation Biology.)

Many tropical anurans use forest streams to deposit their eggs, but resource use and selection by tadpoles in tropical forests are poorly known. In the present research, we hypothesized that leaf litter and water depth affect tadpole assemblages due to adult habitat selection for oviposition and/or microhabitat selection by tadpoles. Fieldwork was carried out in the Estação Biológica de Boracéia, an Atlantic Rainforest reserve in São Paulo state, southeastern Brazil. We sampled tadpoles during a year using 40 double-entry funnel-traps distributed along four streams in the forest. Only leaf litter effects are species dependent. We discussed that habitat structure significance depends on the morphological and ecological adaptation to forage and avoid competition within the tadpole community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]