Comparative sperm morphology of Proceratophrys and Odontophrynus (Anura, Odontophrynidae).

The ultrastructure of the spermatozoa of seven species of Proceratophrys and one of Odontophrynus was analyzed in the present study. The sperm of Odontophrynus juquinha is similar to that of Odontophrynus cultripes, previously described, and to those of Proceratophrys branti, Proceratophrys bigibbosa, Proceratophrys affinis concavitympanum, Proceratophrys huntingtoni, Proceratophrys conformis moratoi, P. moratoi, and Proceratophrys palustris, in relation to the acrosomal vesicle and the subacrosomal cone that covers the anterior region of the nucleus in the sperm head.

Development of 22 polymorphic microsatellite loci for the critically endangered Morato's Digger Toad, Proceratophrys moratoi.

The Morato's digger toad (Proceratophrys moratoi) inhabits Brazilian moist savannas and is critically endangered due to its very limited geographic distribution, reduced number of isolated populations, and evidence of population decline and local extinctions. With the objective of providing tools for the genetic study of the species, 22 polymorphic microsatellite loci were isolated and screened using DNA extracted from samples of oral mucosa cells obtained from 113 individuals representing five remnant P. moratoi populations in the Brazilian state of São Paulo.