We used species distribution modeling to investigate the potential effects of climate change on 24 species of Neotropical anurans of the genus Melanophryniscus. These toads are small, have limited mobility, and a high percentage are endangered or present restricted geographical distributions. We looked at the changes in the size of suitable climatic regions and in the numbers of known occurrence sites within the distribution limits of all species. We used the MaxEnt algorithm to project current and future suitable climatic areas (a consensus of IPCC scenarios A2a and B2a for 2020 and 2080) for each species. 40% of the species may lose over 50% of their potential distribution area by 2080, whereas 28% of species may lose less than 10%. Four species had over 40% of the currently known occurrence sites outside the predicted 2080 areas. The effect of climate change (decrease in climatic suitable areas) did not differ according to the present distribution area, major habitat type or phylogenetic group of the studied species. We used the estimated decrease in specific suitable climatic range to set a conservation priority rank for Melanophryniscus species. Four species were set to high conservation priority: M. montevidensis, (100% of its original suitable range and all known occurrence points potentially lost by 2080), M. sp.2, M. cambaraensis, and M. tumifrons. Three species (M. spectabilis, M. stelzneri, and M. sp.3) were set between high to intermediate priority (more than 60% decrease in area predicted by 2080); nine species were ranked as intermediate priority, while eight species were ranked as low conservation priority. We suggest that monitoring and conservation actions should be focused primarily on those species and populations that are likely to lose the largest area of suitable climate and the largest number of known populations in the short-term.

We present a comprehensive review of larval morphology in the Neotropical toad genus Melanophryniscus. The taxa studied included 23 species with representatives of recognized phenetic groups and different larval ecomorphological guilds: pond, stream, and phytotelm-dwelling tadpoles. Their external morphology variation is congruent with current phenetic arrangement based on adult features, but also reflects the habitat where larvae develop. Lotic tadpoles (i.e. M. tumifrons group and M. krauczuki) in general exhibit a more depressed body, a longer tail with lower fins, and larger oral discs than lentic forms (i.e. M. stelzneri group, M. moreirae, *Corresponding author. E-mail: diegobaldo@gmail.com M. sanmartini, and M. langonei).Despite their peculiar, confined microhabitat, phytotelm larvae do not diverge markedly from non-arboreal species. The distinctive features of all species are the presence of a pineal end organ and the placement of the intestinal reversal point at the left of the abdomen in typical larval stages. The buccal cavity and musculoskeletal anatomy are quite conserved between species, yet some characteristics differ from those of other bufonids. The presence of one pair of subhyoid muscles is apparently an exclusive trait of Melanophryniscus among Bufonidae.

The pet trade is the main cause of the growing number of exotic reptiles worldwide, posing a risk for invasion emergence and species extinction. In this study, we identify and analyze the obstacles involved in controlling the native and exotic reptile trade in Brazil to identify the main gaps and limitations in this regard. We propose measures that will aid in the planning of public policies that are more effective to protect native fauna. The pet trade regulation in Brazil is currently guided by poorly implemented policies. The main problems are associated with failures in legislation and enforcement, corruption, and lack of resources. As a result, the illegal trade control, current efforts for the sustainable use of biodiversity, and the prevention of the introduction of exotic species are insufficient. We recommend a multidisciplinary approach, based on actions to reduce legislation deficiencies and inconsistencies, intensification of inspection actions, and investment in educational actions aimed at raising societal awareness.

ABSTRACT. The goal of this study was to evaluate the effects of seasonal variations on energy metabolism in different tissues of the freshwater crayfish Parastacus brasiliensis (von Martens, 1869). Crayfish were collected monthly from January 2001 to January 2003 in São Francisco de Paula, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, in a stream and in a culture tank. Haemolymph samples were collected from each crayfish in the field with a syringe, by puncturing the membrane at the base of the chelipeds. Hepatopancreas, gills, and abdominal muscle were removed for determination of free glucose, glycogen, total lipids, and triglycerides. The haemolymph samples were used for determination of glucose, total proteins, total lipids, and triglycerides. Statistical analysis revealed significant differences in biochemical composition in crayfish collected in the stream compared to the experimental tank during the year, principally in glucose and triglycerides in haemolymph, glycogen and total lipids in all tissues study, and triglycerides only in abdominal muscle. The regular food intake partially modified these seasonal variations of the metabolic pattern. Environmental conditions (e.g., food availability and water temperature) and reproductive period appeared to be the main factors influencing the seasonal patterns of variation in energy metabolism. KEYWORDS.Crayfish, lipids, triglycerides, glucose, proteins. RESUMO. Variações sazonais do metabolismo intermediário do lagostim Parastacus brasiliensis (Crustacea, Decapoda, Parastacidae) no seu ambiente natural e em cultura experimental. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o efeito das variações sazonais no metabolismo energético em diferentes tecidos do lagostim de água-doce Parastacus brasiliensis (von Martens, 1869). Os lagostins foram coletados mensalmente de Janeiro de 2001 a Janeiro de 2003 em São Francisco de Paula, RioGrande do Sul, Brasil, no riacho e no tanque de cultivo. Amostras de hemolinfa foram coletadas de cada lagostim em campo com seringa, por punção na membrana da base dos quelípodos. Hepatopâncreas, brânquias e músculo abdominal foram removidos para a determinação dos níveis de glicose livre, de glicogênio, de lipídios totais e de triglicerídeos. As amostras de hemolinfa foram utilizadas para a determinação dos níveis de glicose, de proteínas totais, de lipídios totais e de triglicerídeos. As análises estatísticas revelaram uma variação significativa na composição bioquímica dos lagostins coletados no riacho quando comparados com os do cultivo experimental durante o ano, principalmente da glicose e dos triglicerídeos na hemolinfa, glicogênio e lipídios totais em todos os tecidos estudados, e dos triglicerídeos somente no músculo abdominal. O aporte regular de alimento modificou parcialmente estas variações sazonais do padrão metabólico. As condições ambientais (ex.; disponibilidade de alimento e a temperatura da água) e o período reprodutivo parecem ser os principais fatores a influenciar os padrões sazonais da variação do metabolismo energético.

ABSTRACT.We studied the reproductive biology of a population of Pseudis minuta Günther, 1858 from Reserva Biológica do Lami (30º 15' S; 51º 05' W), Porto Alegre, southern Brazil. We assessed the spatial and temporal distribution of individuals (males, females, juveniles) and explored potential relationships with environmental variables. Field activities encompassed bimonthly surveys in three semi-permanent ponds, each one during approximately two days and two nights, from August 2004 to July 2005. We recorded differences in the sites used by males, females and juveniles, with males occupying deeper and more distant places from the border. The temporal distributions of individuals, calling sites and amplectant pairs indicated that the reproductive activity of P. minuta is related to some of the studied abiotic factors. Calling males presented statistical differences in relation to non-calling males for all daily abiotic variables analyzed (air temperature, water temperature, relative humidity and rainfall), as well as to monthly temperature and rainfall. The number of active males, females and juveniles was influenced by at least one of the daily or monthly environmental variables analyzed. We conclude that the reproduction in this species is seasonal and may be partially determined by abiotic factors. KEYWORDS.Spatial-temporal distribution, reproductive activity, environmental variables, Pseudis minuta. RESUMO. Distribuição espacial e temporal dePseudis minuta (Anura, Hylidae, Hylinae) e variáveis ambientais relacionadas à atividade reprodutiva na Reserva Biológica do Lami, sul do Brasil. A distribuição espacial e temporal de Pseudis minuta Günther, 1858 e fatores ambientais relacionados à atividade reprodutiva da espécie foram estudados na Reserva Biológica do Lami (30º 15' S; 51º 05' W), Porto Alegre, Brasil. As atividades de campo compreenderam visitas bimensais a três banhados semi-permanentes, com duração aproximada de dois dias e duas noites cada, entre agosto de 2004 e julho de 2005. Observaram-se diferenças nos sítios utilizados por machos, fêmeas e juvenis, com machos ocupando locais mais profundos e mais distantes da margem. A distribuição temporal dos indivíduos, vocalizações e amplexos indicaram que a atividade reprodutiva de P. minuta está relacionada com alguns dos fatores abióticos estudados. Os machos em atividade de vocalização apresentaram diferença significativa em relação aos machos não vocalizantes para todos os fatores abióticos diários analisados (temperatura do ar, temperatura da água, umidade relativa do ar e pluviosidade), bem como na temperatura do ar e pluviosidade mensais. O número de machos, fêmeas e juvenis em atividade foi influenciada por pelo menos um dos fatores ambientais mensais ou diários analisados. Conclui-se que a reprodução desta espécie é sazonal e parcialmente determinada por fatores abióticos. PALAVRAS-CHAVE.Distribuição espaço-temporal, atividade reprodutiva, variáveis ambientais, Pseudis minuta.