Dr. Axel Kwet

Biology and morphology of south Brazilian tadpoles.

Quappen: Photographs taken by electron microscope demonstrate unknown details of the buccal region of neotropical tadpoles.
Quappen: Photographs taken by electron microscope demonstrate unknown details of the buccal region of neotropical tadpoles.

Taxonomy and ecology of neotropical amphibians and reptiles

Taxonomy and ecology of neotropical amphibians and reptiles, with focus on Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina. Bioacoustics of neotropical anurans. Distribution and ecology of European amphibians and reptiles, with focus on Middle Europe and Spain. Cataloging of herpetological specimens, animal sounds and photographs (IMDAS).


Systematics and taxonomy of neotropical anurans

Systematics and taxonomy of neotropical anurans, i.e. species descriptions (e.g. Elachistocleis erythrogaster, Pseudis cardosoi, Proceratophrys brauni, Adenomera araucaria, Phrynohyas ) and revisions (e.g. Hyla minuta-species complex).

Systematik: Several hundred anuran species are yet undescribed, e.g., this splendid hylid frog of the genus Phrynohyas that we found 1996 in the Brazilian Araucaria forest.
Systematik: Several hundred anuran species are yet undescribed, e.g., this splendid hylid frog of the genus Phrynohyas that we found 1996 in the Brazilian Araucaria forest.

Distribution of anurans in Rio Grande do Sul

In cooperation with the PUC university of Porto Alegre and the UNISC university of Santa Cruz do Sul and Santa Catarina (in cooperation with the UFSC university of Florianopolis), southern Brazil.

Verbreitung: The distribution range of many tropical anurans is unknown, e.g., this hylid frog Hyla microps that we first recorded in Rio Grande do Sul during our field work.
Verbreitung: The distribution range of many tropical anurans is unknown, e.g., this hylid frog Hyla microps that we first recorded in Rio Grande do Sul during our field work.

Zoogeography, biodiversity, and conservation

Zoogeography, biodiversity, and conservation of anurans and identification of hot spot regions and endemism centers in southern Brazil

(in cooperation with Marcos Di-Bernardo, PUC university of Porto Alegre).

Hotspot: The small toad Melanophryniscus cambaraensis is a rare and endemic species of the southern part of the Brazilian Atlantic rain forest, one of the world´s largest hot spot regions.
Hotspot: The small toad Melanophryniscus cambaraensis is a rare and endemic species of the southern part of the Brazilian Atlantic rain forest, one of the world´s largest hot spot regions.

Bioacoustics of neotropical anurans

Bioacoustics of neotropical anurans, especially of southern Brazil and Uruguay.

Bioakustik: For bioacoustic research the calls of anuran males are recorded in the field and analyzed in the laboratory, e.g., the glass frog Hyalinobatrachium uranoscopum.
Bioakustik: For bioacoustic research the calls of anuran males are recorded in the field and analyzed in the laboratory, e.g., the glass frog Hyalinobatrachium uranoscopum.

Systematics and zoogeography of Uruguayan anurans

(in cooperation with Raúl Maneyro, zoological section of the Faculdad de Ciencias in Montevideo).

Uruguay: Even the relatively well known frog fauna of Uruguay has scientific news, as 2002 our first record of Hyla albopunctata revealed.
Uruguay: Even the relatively well known frog fauna of Uruguay has scientific news, as 2002 our first record of Hyla albopunctata revealed.

Skin toxins of the genus Melanophryniscus in Uruguay and insect diet as possible source

(in cooperation with Dietrich Mebs, Mainz, and Raúl Maneyro, Montevideo).

Hautgift: The toadlets of the genus Melanophryniscus, i.e. Melanophryniscus dorsalis, possess strong skin toxins whose origin is yet unknown.
Hautgift: The toadlets of the genus Melanophryniscus, i.e. Melanophryniscus dorsalis, possess strong skin toxins whose origin is yet unknown.

Ecological studies on habitat choice

Ecological studies on habitat choice, feeding biology and predator-prey- relationships of amphibians in the Araucaria forest of Rio Grande do Sul

(in cooperation with the university of Tübingen and the PUC university of Porto Alegre).

Oekologie: Field studies in the Araucaria forest of Rio Grande do Sul reveal new data on the ecology of amphibians. Male of Physalaemus nanus at his foam nest.
Oekologie: Field studies in the Araucaria forest of Rio Grande do Sul reveal new data on the ecology of amphibians. Male of Physalaemus nanus at his foam nest.

Studies on the significance of bromeliads

Studies on the significance of bromeliads for the conservation of animal diversity in the Brazilian Atlantic rain forest, especially of the anurans of Santa Catarina

(in cooperation with Anne Zillikens, university of Tübingen and the UFSC university of Florianopolis).

Bromelie: Bromeliads play an important role for many amphibians as breeding habitats or calling and retreat sites.
Bromelie: Bromeliads play an important role for many amphibians as breeding habitats or calling and retreat sites.

Distribution and ecology of European amphibians and reptiles

Distribution and ecology of European amphibians and reptiles, especially of Middle Europe and Spain.

Europa: The European chameleon Chamaeleo chamaeleon occurs in only a few regions of southern Europe, especially Spain.
Europa: The European chameleon Chamaeleo chamaeleon occurs in only a few regions of southern Europe, especially Spain.

Collection management

Maintenance, identification and cataloging of herpetological specimens, cataloging of animal sounds and photographs (IMDAS), processing of loans, handling information requests, and scientific research in the collection.

Sammlung: Collection management is an important task at natural history museums.
Sammlung: Collection management is an important task at natural history museums.

Red List and distribution maps

Red List and distribution maps of neotropical amphibians within the "Global Amphibian Assessment" (GAA) of Conservation International (CI) and the World Conservation Union (IUCN).

Liste: Elachistocleis erythrogaster is a very rare and endangered neotropical amphibian species that is included in the red list of Brazil.
Liste: Elachistocleis erythrogaster is a very rare and endangered neotropical amphibian species that is included in the red list of Brazil.