Amphibians of caves in Serra do Ramalho karst area, a remarkable region of subterranean fauna in Brazil

Abstract

Serra do Ramalho karst area is part of the Bambuí group, the largest geomorphological unit of Brazil. It is in southwestern state of Bahia, and extends over the municipalities of Carinhanha, Feira da Mata, Coribe, and Serra do Ramalho. We inspected 34 caves of Serra do Ramalho karst area, actively looking for amphibians. We were able to find amphibians in 12 caves. We sequenced some of the specimens found for the barcode mitochondrial 16S to confirm identifications. We found 13 species of amphibians, all anurans: Rhinella granulosa, Rhinella mirandaribeiroi, Oreobates remotus, Boana crepitans, Scinax sp. 26, Scinax x-signatus, Leptodactylus macrosternum, L. troglodytes, L. vastus, Physalaemus cicada, P. cuvieri, P. albifrons, and Odontophrynus carvalhoi. As far as it is possible to say, these amphibians are using the cave to daily and seasonal retreat, where they can possibly protect themselves from the drought and heat of Caatinga during the day.