História natural de Cycloramphus lithomimeticus (Anura: Cycloramphidae) no Parque Estadual do Cunhambebe

Abstract

The genus Cycloramphus Tschudi, 1938 aggregates 30 species and for most of these species we only know the series of animals used in the description and almost nothing of their natural histories. In the few studies on the subject, reproductive behaviors, feeding aspects, intra and interspecific relationships are described. Even with the growing number of herpetologists in Brazil, few studies published in these areas are still produced, although these data are essential for several aspects involving conservation. The study of the natural history of Cycloramphus lithomimeticus Silva & Ouvernay, 2012 made it possible not only to add several aspects of these dimensions and to make some important discoveries about the biology of this species. Visits for observation and data collection were carried out at the type locality of the species, at the Itingussu waterfall in the Parque Estadual do Cunhambebe. At each visit, individuals were observed, sometimes recorded, photographed and some collected. Among the findings described in these studies, we emphasize habitat preference for both adults and larvae. The choice of spawning sites, with mosses and constant running water. We also observed predation of tadpoles by crabs and bedbugs, in addition to the presence of potential predators for tadpoles and adults, such as spiders and snakes. We also evaluated the behavior of individuals during the reproductive period and identified territorial disputes by males, in addition to displays indicative of lekking, as already identified for others. Clutches, which contain relatively few eggs, are partially protected by males and contain unfertilized eggs. In addition, the presence of tadpoles in almost all months of the year indicates that reproduction in this species is prolonged, however torrential rains can carry both tadpoles and spawning in some of the reproductive sites.