Geographic distribution and bioacoustic study of Physalaemus deimaticus Sazima and Caramaschi, 1988 and P. erythros Caramaschi, Feio, and Guimarães, 2003 (Anura, Leptodactylidae)

Physalaemus deimaticus Group is nested within the P. signifier Clade and currently include three species: P. deimaticus, P. erythros and P. rupestris, all endemic to the campo rupestre (rupestrian grasslands) and restricted to high altitudes. Their breeding season is concentrated in the beginning of the rainy season (October to December) and reproduction occur near the spring of small temporary streams. Their reproduction sites are often hidden within dense grass, and their advertisement call is only audible from a close distance, making sample effort difficult. P. deimaticus, for instance, have been missing from its type locality ever since its discovery in 1986. P. erythros is only known for two localities and its advertisement call was briefly described based on the recording from a single male. During a series of field expeditions through the Central and Southern portions of the Espinhaço Range in Minas Gerais State, we have encountered and recorded the advertisement call of multiple individuals from several populations of both P. deimaticus and P. erythros. P. deimaticus was recorded at its type locality (Serra do Cipó, currently Municipality of Morro do Pilar), at Pico do Itambé (Municipality of Santo Antônio do Itambé) and at Serra D’Anta (Municipality of Diamantina). P. erythros was recorded at its type locality (Pico do Itacolomi, Municipality of Ouro Preto), at Serra do Caraça (Municipality of Catas Altas) and at Serra do Cambota (Municipality of Barão de Cocais). The advertisement call of both species is quite similar, with a common pattern of short pulsed notes emitted in long sequences. The call of P. deimaticus differ from P. erythros by having longer notes, with more pulses per note and lower dominant frequency. The call of both species differ from P. rupestris by the shorter duration and lower number of pulses.