Natural expansion or facilitated introduction? First record of Boana raniceps (Anura: Hylidae) in state of Rio de Janeiro, southeastern Brazil

Resumo

Hylidae is one of the most diverse families of Anura, comprising 1049 species distributed across three subfamilies. The treefrog Boana raniceps is geographically present in almost all Brazilian territory, being currently classified as "Least Concern" according to the IUCN Red List. Here, we present a new record of Boana raniceps in the Área de Proteção Ambiental de Guapi-mirim, a mangrove protected area in southeastern Brazil. Additionally, we provide an updated distribution map for the species, which was compiled from a comprehensive analysis of scientific literature, museum collections, and available online databases. We suggest that the species shows a preference for open areas within the Atlantic Forest domain and modified forest patches within the biome. These areas exhibit the highest suitability for the species' occurrence, likely due to its known dispersal and recolonization abilities. The newly reported records of Boana raniceps contribute valuable information to our understanding of this species and serve as an indicator to support conservation strategies for the forest.