Basking behavior in Bokermannohyla alvarengai (Anura, Hylidae): natural history and morpho-physiological adaptations

• Grant number: 09/15712-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Effective date (Start): January 01, 2010
• Effective date (End): June 30, 2014
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Ecology - Applied Ecology
• Principal Investigator: Denis Otavio Vieira de Andrade
• Grantee: Fernanda da Cruz Centeno
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências (IB). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Rio Claro. Rio Claro , SP, Brazil
• Associated scholarship(s): 13/14974-7 - Basking behavior as a defense against chytridiomycosis: disentangling the effects of temperature and radiation, BE.EP.DR

Abstract

Current knowledge on the ecology and conservation of Brazilian amphibians is still restricted. However, data about species ecology is crucial for the generalization of behavioral patterns, tests of evolutionary hypotheses, and for conservation practices. Thus, studies on the ecological aspects of the species are necessary for the development of efficient mitigation and conservation actions. In amphibians, however, the knowledge is fragmented in most of the cases including within biomes considered worldwide priority, such as the Cerrado. Within this biome, we also need to consider the status of species occurring in particular habitats (such as high-altitude regions) and with highly specialized characteristics. This is the case of Bokermannohyla alvarengai (Bokermann 1956), a species that dwelling in campos rupestres ("rock meadows") throughout the Espinhaço mountain range. Bokermannohyla alvarengai is a species with high biological interest by occurring in areas of high elevation and by the display of unusual behaviors among anurans (e.g. basking behavior). Despite these features of interest, the natural history of this species remains poor known and, therefore, this study aims to fill this gap of knowledge. We propose a thorough investigation of basic ecological parameters obtained from field data, complemented by scientific collections and data available in the literature. Aspects as morphology, diet composition, reproductive biology, activity and habitat use will be explored. Basking behavior, considered rare among amphibians, will also be investigated through morphological analyses (e.g. skin histology), behavioral (e.g. data on habitat use in natural conditions) and physiological (e.g. regulation of body temperature, physiological color change, water balance, etc.). Besides contributing to basic information on the ecology of B. alvarengai, this project can provide subsidies for management and conservation of the species, as well as the areas in which it occurs. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

CENTENO, FERNANDA C.; ANTONIAZZI, MARTA M.; ANDRADE, DENIS V.; KODAMA, ROBERTO T.; SCIANI, JULIANA M.; PIMENTA, DANIEL C.; JARED, CARLOS. Anuran skin and basking behavior: The case of the treefrog Bokermannohyla alvarengai (Bokermann, 1956). Journal of Morphology, v. 276, n. 10, p. 1172-1182, OCT 2015. (09/15712-0, 10/05473-6)

Academic Publications

(References retrieved automatically from State of São Paulo Research Institutions)

CENTENO, Fernanda da Cruz. O assoalhamento em Bokermannohyla alvarengai (Anura, Hylidae): história natural e adaptações morfo-fisiológicas. 2014. Doctoral Thesis - Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp). Instituto de Biociências. Rio Claro Rio Claro.