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1. Anuran Diversity in the Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest: A Brief Survey of Three Protected Areas: Poçodas Antas, Imbau, and União Russell C. Meister ______________________________________ Introduction: The Atlantic Rainforest in South America is widely known for its vast amount of biodiversity with over 8000 endemic species. The Brazilian area of this forest stretches along most of the eastern Atlantic coast and inland from there towards the center of the country (Fig 1). We performed a brief survey of anuran species in three different protected areas in southern Brazil: Poço das Antas, Imbau, and União. Leptodactylus fuscus, Whistling Frog or Woodcock Frog Bufo ictericus, Yellow Cururu Toad • Mud brown base color with light stripe down center of back and two pairs down back and sides • Body has random vague dark brown spots • Legs have black stripes on them and feet are light colored • Call sounds like a whistle • Least concern on IUCN red list • Large parotoid glands with comparably small tympanic membranes • Light colored stripe directly down center of black patterned back • Dark legs with light splotches • Least concerned on IUCN red list Fig. 6 Fig. 4 In our survey we identified three Hylidae species other than the one listed above: Hypsiboas semilineatus,Trachycephalus mesophaeus, and Scinax sp. Two other Bufonidae species were identified: Bufo pombali, and B. rubescens. Another toad was classified in this family as genus Bufo (Fig. 2) because of the following characteristics: dry skin, stubby legs, unwebbed toes, horizontal pupils, large parotoid glands, and comparatively small tympanic membranes. Three other Leptodactylidae species were identified: Leptodactylus thomei, L. ocellatus, and L. ocellatus mactosternum, the northern morph of the L. ocellatus. Two additional frogs were classified in this family and placed in the genus Leptodactylus (Figs. 3,4) because of the following characteristics: moist skin, lack of parotoid glands, prominent tympanic membranes, webbed toes, angular change of back at where urostyle greatly protrudes, longer limbs (particularly front legs), rounded nose, and noticeable dorsal-lateral lines of color. ___________ Fig. 1 Methods: In each of these areas, we searched for anurans along a transect that followed the existing pathways and trails. These transect walks were performed primarily at night due to increased anuran activity and using a night vision monocular to locate the organisms. All anurans were then photographed and identified using morphology and a variety of internet databases. At União, some call recordings were made. The total time transect searches were performed was about 48 hours. Dendropsophus elegans, Elegant Forest Tree frog • Dark brown base color with white bands on legs and “hourglass” shape with white outline on back • Base brown color slightly lighter on legs • Can be speckled all over body, concentrated on legs, with white dots • Lest concern on the IUCN red list ___________ Discussion:Fourteen species were located, representing three families of the twenty that are present in Brazil with a species count of upwards of 800. These data, gathered in a small amount of time and a relatively small area, help to promote the idea that the Atlantic Rainforest supports a tremendous amount of biodiversity. Further investigation should be done on other families of anurans in order to strictly define the distinguishing morphological characteristics that separate the families. In addition, genetic studies should be done to confirm the identifications performed and trends in morphology seen. The utilization of the night vision monocular in locating anurans is quite different from the classical acoustic method, but was found to be very effective. In addition, this method also may be helpful in finding females of these species as they do not call. Further, more extensive investigation should be performed using both methods of location. ___________ Fig.5 Results:Fourteen species of anurans from three families were identified. Diversities of families each were compared (Figs 2, 3). Samples of species identified and their distribution maps are shown (Figs 4, 5, 6). This graph shows the ratios of diversity found in all of Brazil, the Atlantic Rainforest, and also from our survey. This graph shows the diversity of families that we found on the three reserves over the survey period. Fig. 7 Fig. 9 Fig. 3 Fig. 8 Fig. 2 Department of Biology Fairfield, CT 06824 Special thanks to Dr. Carlos Ruiz-Miranda, Dr. Brian Walker, Dr. Ashley McKay, Márcio Marcelo de Morais Júnior, and Valeria Romano de Paula.