This study investigated geographic variation in a suite of reproductive behavioral traits in Hyalinobatrachium fleischmanni across several sites in Mexico and Ecuador. We made observations on the frequency of egg-mass brooding behavior and compared brooding encounter rates between wet and dry forest types. Brooding encounter rates were significantly higher in the drier region, suggesting a potential relationship between paternal care and climatic conditions. We also compared calling and oviposition sites between geographic regions and tested for associations with the distributional range of the frog-eating bat, Trachops cirrhosus. In regions where H. fleischmanni and T. cirrhosus co-occur, both calling males and egg masses were more frequently found on ‘less exposed’ lower surfaces of leaves, where risk of attack from aerial predators may be reduced. We also provide novel information on brooding behavior and clutch guarding, and discuss the implications of our results in the framework of existing information on the reproductive biology of this species.

Various species of frogs produce foam nests that hold their eggs during development. We examined the external morphology and histology of structures associated with foam nest production in frogs of the genus Leptodactylus and a few other taxa. We found that the posterior convolutions of the oviducts in all mature female foam-nesting frogs that we examined were enlarged and compressed into globular structures. This organ-like portion of the oviduct has been called a “foam gland” and these structures almost certainly produce the secretion that is beaten by rhythmic limb movements into foam that forms the nest. However, the label “foam gland” is a misnomer because the structures are simply enlarged and tightly folded regions of the pars convoluta of the oviduct, rather than a separate structure; we suggest the name pars convoluta dilata (PCD) for this feature. Although all the foam-nesters we examined had a pars convoluta dilata, its size and shape showed considerable interspecific variation. Some of this variation likely reflects differences in the breeding behaviors among species and in the size, type, and placement of their foam nests. Other variation, particularly in size, may be associated with the physiological periodicity and reproductive state of the female, her age, and/or the number of times she has laid eggs.

New records of Elachistocleis piauiensis, a poorly known species of microhylid, from São Luís, State of Maranhão, allowed us to record the advertisement call. The advertisement call consists of a single periodic pulse train with harmonic structure. The new geographic record extends the known distribution by about 290 km West of Parnaíba, State of Piauí. We also comment on the post-commissural gland distribution in the genus Elachistocleis.

Tropidurus semitaeniatus and Tropidurus hispidus are widely distributed lizard species in Brazil. The former is endemic to the Caatinga, where it lives in syntopy with the latter, which is distributed in other ecosystems and biomes. In this study, we explored the diet, its seasonal variation, as well as foraging behavior of both species inhabiting rock outcrops in a Caatinga area of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. Leaves were the most important food item in the diet of both species, followed by ants and termites. No significant difference was found in diet composition between the two species, although T. hispidus feeds on larger prey than T. semitaeniatus. Our results indicate that T. semitaeniatus and T. hispidus are opportunistic foragers with similar, generalized diets, showing temporal variation in their diets apparently related to prey availability.

The Colombian coffee eco-region is an area where coffee production has reduced the natural coverage to small patches where native species still remain. Here we describe the diet of the native cane toad, Rhinela marina, in the coffee production region of Colombia. Samplings were carried out in this region in 2006–2008, using the visual encounter survey method. The diet of the cane toad (Rhinella marina) was analyzed using gastrointestinal contents and faeces. We then calculated niche breadth. In the studied region, the cane toad is a common species in open, very degraded areas. It has a generalist diet with a high proportion of hymenopterans, coleopterans, and hemipterans. We also found a high incidence of plant material, nematodes, and minerals in the gastrointestinal contents.

Brazil is estimated to account for 10 to 15% of illegal animal trade in the world. Efforts to avoid illegal trade are being made by federal agencies, but at this time there is a lack of information about the status of illegal trade of Brazilian amphibians (like in many countries). Brazil is the richest country in the world in number of amphibian species, housing more than 860 species. Many of them are endemic, some endangered, and there are even several species yet to be described. Therefore, the impact of illegal trade in Brazil must be investigated carefully in order to support future conservation action plans. In the present study, we compiled the available information on this subject, based on interviews with a representative number of Brazilian herpetologists and on research in airports, zoos, police departments, and governmental and nongovernmental organizations. Between 1998 and August 2009, we gathered reports on the trade of 746 amphibian individuals of 19 anuran and one salamander species in Brazil. Among them, 12 were native and eight were alien species. We also found other Brazilian species (but not endemic to Brazil) that were being sold in websites in Europe and the United States. We were not able to associate the internet selling with illegal trade, but this suggests that it may be possible that uncontrolled trade of Brazilian fauna is taking place. The amphibian illegal and international trade is much less representative than the present estimates for other tetrapods (reptiles, birds, and/or mammals); however, amphibians need urgent conservation action plans. Ideally, a Brazilian governmental agency should centralize all these incidents, as this would help us to understand the real impact of amphibian illegal trade and develop effective action plans to reduce this type of trade.

We studied diet composition, microhabitat use and daily activity patterns of an Andean population of Mabuya in a disturbed tropical habitat to evaluate if these features differed sexually, ontogenetically, seasonally, and among reproductive stages. Lizards ate mainly crickets plus grasshoppers, spiders and cockroaches; these prey were the most important in terms of volume and number. There were no significant differences in the number, type and abundance of prey, as well as in the length and volume of the consumed prey between males and females. There were significant differences between the diet of adults and juveniles. Lizards ate prey with similar volumes and lengths throughout the year independent of the rainfall regime. Also, there were no significant differences in prey volume and length with regard to the reproductive stages of females and males. The lack of variation in diet in this population suggests a constant availability of prey in the study area. When we compared diet composition of this population with that of other species of Mabuya, we found that diet tends to be similar among the different species and populations of Mabuya in South America. Adult lizards showed two activity peaks during the day, before and after midday; this pattern of daily activity was constant throughout the year. Preferred microhabitats used by this population are related to anthropogenic disturbance. The population of the present study seems to have quite wide ecological requirements (generalist diet, use of a wide spectrum of microhabitats and extended daily activity), which allows it to exploit disturbed habitats.

Studies on anuran communities have shown several levels of reproductive segregation between species, and many studies have reported a spatial segregation in calling sites. Variation in spatial and temporal distribution of species in amphibian communities facilitates coexistence among species and decreases the possibility of hybridization between congeneric species. Here we describe the spatial and temporal distribution of anurans at RPPN Fazenda Lagoa, municipality of Monte Belo, southern Minas Gerais state, and compare species composition with other published anuran surveys from southeastern Brazil. Data were obtained from August 2003 to May 2005 with multiple survey methods. Twenty-four species from seven families were found: Brachycephalidae (2 species), Bufonidae (3), Cycloramphidae (3), Hylidae (9), Leptodactylidae (5), Leiuperidae (1) and Microhylidae (1). There was a predominance of species typical of clearings. Only six species (25%) were found exclusively in forests. Species richness was highest between October and December and lowest in July and August. Temperature explained about two thirds of the monthly variation in calling species richness while rainfall does not seem to be important in determining monthly calling species richness. The same area had already been studied in 1998. We recorded eight species which were not recorded in 1998, whereas we failed to find four species recorded in 1998; it is possible that one of the latter experienced population decline. When we compared the composition of 11 localities from southeastern Brazil, the anuran community from Fazenda Lagoa was most similar to that of Botucatu and this similarity may reflect the occurrence of species which are commonly found in manmade habitats. Geographic distance among the areas compared explained a relatively low amount (21%) of the variation in community composition; vegetation type seems to be more important than distance.