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Oval frogs (Elachistocleis) have a broad geographic distribution covering nearly all of South America and parts of Central America. They also have a large inter- and intraspecific variation of the few morphological characters commonly used as diagnostic traits among species of the genus. Based on molecular data, we provide the most complete phylogeny of Elachistocleis to date, and explore its genetic diversity using distance-based and tree-based methods for putative species delimitation. Our results show that at least two of the most relevant traditional characters used in the taxonomy of this group (belly pattern and dorsal median white line) carry less phylogenetic information than previously thought. Based on our results, we propose some synonymizations and some candidate new species. This study is a first major step in disentangling the current systematics of Elachistocleis. Yet, a comprehensive review of morphological data is needed before any new species descriptions can be properly made.

We describe two new species of Rhinella (Anura: Bufonidae) from the department of Loreto, Peru. We integrate morphological and phylogenetic analyses to provide evidence of new species. R. angeli sp. nov. is diagnosable from all congeners by its pronounced fleshy proboscis and R. unapensis sp. nov. by the small size (mean snout-vent length=37.7 ± 4.1 mm) of adult males, snout pointed in dorsal view, nearly acute in lateral view, and small bony protrusion at the angle of jaws among other characters. The two species are allopatric, where the first species is known to be associated inhabits upland (=terra firme) forests, while the second white sand forests (=varillales) around Iquitos city. The two new species represent the 20th and 21st species of the Rhinella margaritifera species group.

Studies on the use of food resources and trophic niche of different species can help understand ecological relationships. In this study, we evaluated the diet of three sympatric species of Physalaemus from the Brazilian semiarid. We analyzed a total of 264 individuals, being 100 specimens of Physalaemus albifrons, 93 of P. cicada, and 71 of P. cuvieri. Seven prey categories were recorded: three for P. cicada and P. albifrons, and six distinct categories for P. cuvieri. The orders Coleoptera, Isoptera and the family Formicidae were the most representative categories in the diet of P. cicada, P. cuvieri, and P. albifrons, respectively. Although there is a high trophic niche overlap, differences in preference for food categories may reduce potential competition in these frog species from the Caatinga.

O Parque Nacional de Sete Cidades - PNSC é um dos quatro PARNAs existentes no estado do Piauí e está localizado numa zona de transição entre os biomas Caatinga e Cerrado e apresenta biodiversidade típica de ambos biomas. Somado a isto, em toda área do Parque é possível observar a presença de formações rochosas únicas e inscrições rupestres que têm chamado atenção de diversos pesquisadores ao longo do tempo para as possíveis origens dessas formações. A biodiversidade do PNSC tem sido estudada desde sua criação há mais de meio século. Estes estudos incluem principalmente levantamentos de fauna e flora da região. Dentre os vertebrados tetrápodes, existe informação sobre dados de avifauna, mastofauna e herpetofauna. No entanto, apesar dos conhecimento taxonômico e científico sobre as espécies do parque, pouco se é produzido com o objetivo de aproximar a comunidade não acadêmica da biodiversidade local (PNSC). Assim, este livro tem o objetivo de aproximar os resultados obtidos pela científica ao público em geral. Apresentamos aqui um guia fotográfico das espécies de anfíbios anuros que ocorrem no PNSC, dados sobre o nome comum das espécies, dados de distribuição no Brasil e dentro do PNSC, hábitat e origem dos nomes científicos, além da descrição das características de cada espécie. Este guia fotográfico visa aumentar o conhecimento local sobre os anfíbios que ocorrem no PNSC e estimular a observação e pesquisa sobre esses animais na natureza. Esta obra é fruto de um esforço coletivo entre professores, pesquisadores e alunos de instituições públicas de ensino e pesquisa e baseada no artigo "Anurans of Sete Cidades National Park, Piauí state, northeastern Brazil" publicado no volume 20 da revista científica Biota Neotropica.

Species discovery methods utilizing coalescent-based approaches are powerful tools for detecting cryptic lineages within morphological conservative groups, thus being an important methodology of in...

Made available in DSpace on 2022-04-28T17:22:08Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2021-01-01 Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) Fundacao Cearense de Apoio ao Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico - FUNCAP Emerging infectious diseases in wild animals related to humans have received greater attention in recent years. Mycobacteriosis is a bacterial disease of animal and human importance. Mycobacterium gordonae infects the skin and internal organs of free-ranging amphibians and is considered the least pathogenic member of the Mycobacteriaceae to humans. However, information about its infection and pathogenesis in wild amphibians is still lacking. A total of 1306 amphibian specimens belonging to 6 families, 12 genera, and 21 species were collected and dissected during a helminthological survey of 7 municipalities in southern Ceara state, Caatinga (eco)region, northeast Brazil. Of these, 17 specimens (0.76%), belonging to 2 families and 4 species (Leptodactylus macrosternum, n = 2; L. vastus, n = 10; Pseudopaludicola pocoto, n = 2; Rhinella jimi, n = 3), presented infections that consisted of calcification nodules in the coelomic cavity, kidney, liver, lung, gut, and pancreas. The nodules were examined by histopathology and PCR. The bacteria were identified as M. gordonae by molecular analyses. Infected animals presented with hepatocellular vacuolar degeneration, karyolysis, and karyorrhexis, hepatic portal congestion, hemorrhage, mononuclear cellular infiltration, melanomacrophage center hyperplasia, and granulomas in varying stages of development with intralesional acid-fast bacilli. This study is the first report of M. gordonae in these amphibian species, in which results of molecular analyses confirmed the presence of M. gordonae in natural environments and histopathology confirmed the typical lesion of mycobacteriosis in amphibians from northeastern Brazil. Univ Fed Uberlandia UFU, Inst Ciencias Agr, BR-38500000 Monte Carmelo, MG, Brazil Univ Estadual Paulista UNESP, Dept Parasitol, Inst Biociencias, BR-18618970 Botucatu, SP, Brazil Univ Fed Ceara UFC, Ctr Reg Ophiol, BR-60455760 Fortaleza, Ceara, Brazil Univ Estadual Paulista UNESP, Dept Parasitol, Inst Biociencias, BR-18618970 Botucatu, SP, Brazil CNPq: 303622/2015-6 CNPq: 305988/2018-2 CNPq: 313241/2018-0 Fundacao Cearense de Apoio ao Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico - FUNCAP: AEP-0128-00269.01.00/17 Fundacao Cearense de Apoio ao Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico - FUNCAP: 05/2017

Amphisbaenids are fossorial reptiles with morphological adaptations to subterraneous life. These reptiles feed mainly on arthropods and may act as hosts of several parasite groups. This study analy...

Summary Climatic and ecological factors can influence the parasite load of a host. Variation in rainfall, body size, and sex of the hosts may be related to the abundance of parasites. This study investigated the helminth fauna associated with a population of Norops brasiliensis, together with the effect of host biology (sex, body size, and mass) and variation in rainfall regime on the abundance of helminths. Species of three groups of endoparasites were found (Nematoda, Cestoda, and Trematoda), with nematodes as the most representative taxa with eight species, prevalence of 63.2 %, mean intensity of 4.0 ± 0.58 (1 – 25), and mean abundance of 2.66 ± 0.44 (0 – 25). Nine helminth species are new host records for N. brasiliensis. The nematode Rhabdias sp. had the highest prevalence (53.3 %). There was no significant relationship between abundance of the trematode Mesocoelium monas and host sex or season, although the abundance of this parasite increased significantly with host body size and mass, while abundance of nematodes was related to season and host mass. This study increases the knowledge about the diversity of helminth fauna associated with N. brasiliensis, revealing infection levels of hosts from northeastern Brazil.

Knowledge of which and how many species are part of an ecosystem is fundamental to understanding the diversity of organisms, including parasitic organisms that vary widely among host populations. This study describes the composition, infection patterns, and similarity in composition of helminths associated with P. albifrons, P. cicada, and P. cuvieri. Four samplings were carried out in two caatinga areas in the southern region of Ceara State, Brazil. The specimens were collected by active search, necropsied, and surveyed for helminths. The infection patterns for all helminth species found were estimated through prevalence, mean abundance, and mean intensity of infection. A total of 242 helminth specimens were collected from 264 hosts—100 Physalaemus albifrons with overall prevalence of 20%, 93 Physalaemus cicada with overall prevalence of 27%, and 71 Physalaemus cuvieri with overall prevalence of 15%. Ten parasite taxa with a mean of one–three parasite species per host were identified. The nematode Raillietnema spectans was present in the three host species and had the highest prevalence. The results of this study represent 38.4% of known parasites for the species of the subfamily Leiuperinae, and 52.6% for the species of Physalaemus. Four parasite taxa (Oswaldocruzia cf. mazzai, Raillietnema spectans, Schrankiana schranki, and Cylindrotaenia americana) are new records for the host species studied, contributing to the knowledge of the parasitic interactions of amphibians of the genus Physalaemus.

Cosmocercoides meridionalis n. sp. is described from the large and small intestines of 5 species of tree frogs belonging to the families Hylidae and Phyllomedusidae collected from 2 localities in Southern Amazonia. The new species is allocated to the genus Cosmocercoides Wilkie, 1930, due to the presence of papillae in rosettes, which are complex caudal papillae surrounded by punctuations. Cosmocercoides meridionalis n. sp. differs from its congeners by a combination of the following characters: the absence of the gubernaculum, the total length of the female (twice the size of the male), and the presence of 26 rosette papillae with a unique arrangement and distribution pattern: 11 pre-cloacal pairs, 1 ad-cloacal pair, and 1 post-cloacal pair. This is the first species of the genus described from the Amazonia region.

Boana hobbsi is a poorly known hylid frog currently placed within the Boana punctata group. Yet, morphological, ecological and bioacoustic traits do not support this placement, with no molecular data being available to date to test this hypothesis. Based on newly collected mitochondrial DNA sequences, morphological data review and field observations, we provide new insight into the phylogenetic relationships, morphological variations and geographic distribution of B. hobbsi. Our findings reveal that B. hobbsi is nested (with strong support) within the Boana benitezi group, recovering once more a polyphyletic Boana punctata group. Supported by this new genetic, morphological and ecological evidence, we propose a new taxonomic arrangement which includes B. hobbsi as a member of the Boana benitezi group. Furthermore, we emphasize the importance of conducting biological inventories in remote Amazonian areas, where many taxonomic and geographic knowledge gaps persist with regards to Amphibian diversity.

Parasites are an important component of the global biomass, having significant roles in several regulatory mechanisms in the ecosystem. Parasitism is one of the most common ecological interactions on the planet. Studies have shown that the helminth fauna of only 8% of amphibian species in Brazil have been studied, and this percentage is lower for the Odontophrynidae family, with only four of the 50 species kown to occur in Brazil having been investigated. Here, we present the helminth fauna of Proceratophrys ararype, an anuran endemic to the “Brejo de Altitude” Chapada do Araripe (Araripe Plateau), northeastern Brazil. The infection parameters analyzed were prevalence, mean intensity of infection and mean abundance of parasites. We used the Pearson’s linear correlation coefficient to check the correlations between the abundance of the parasites with the snout-vent length (SVL) of hosts. To verify the degree of aggregation of parasites in hosts, we used the dispersion index. Out of 40 specimens examined, 19 specimens were infected with at least one parasite. The overall prevalence was 47.5% with a mean infection intensity of 18.93 ± 10.77. The endoparasitic community associated with P. ararype consisted of six species of parasites, with Falcaustra mascula having the highest prevalence (25%). Most parasites had a uniform dispersion index in the hosts and their abundance was unrelated to host size. Here, we also present a compilation of all parasites associated with host species of the genus Proceratophrys from South America. Overall, we found 23 species of parasites associated with five host species (P. ararype, P. appendiculata, P. boiei, P. cristiceps, P. mantiqueira). Of these, two species of parasites (Oswaldocruzia mazzai and Strongyloides sp.) represent new records for the genus Proceratophrys. Our results demonstrate the lack of studies on amphibian helminth fauna and fill an important knowledge gap on the diversity of parasites of Proceratophrys ararype, an endemic frog from the Araripe Plateau, northeastern Brazil.

Made available in DSpace on 2022-04-29T08:31:01Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2021-01-01 Hannemania has 27 described species parasitizing amphibians in the Americas. To date, five species have been recorded from Brazil. Here, we describe a new species for the country, collected parasitising the South American white-lipped grass frog, Miranda’s white-lipped frog, basin white-lipped, Bahia dwarf frog and granular toad all from Ceará state, Brazil. http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:CD88F94F-ED46-4BA9-8E8E-B4AA1D2815B1. Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia da Universidade de São Paulo-FMVZ-USP Laboratório de Coleções Zoológicas Instituto Butantan Instituto de Ciências Agrárias Universidade Federal de Uberlândia Setor de Parasitologia Instituto de Biociências Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP-Botucatu) Núcleo Regional de Ofiologia Departamento de Biologia Universidade Federal do Ceará Smithsonian Institution National Museum of Natural History National Insect and Mite Collection Systematic Entomology Laboratory Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service Departamento de Patologia Reprodução e Saúde Única Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias-UNESP Setor de Parasitologia Instituto de Biociências Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP-Botucatu) Departamento de Patologia Reprodução e Saúde Única Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias-UNESP

Turtles are one of the most threatened groups of vertebrates, with about 60% of species classified at some level of extinction risk. Compounding this extinction crisis are cryptic species and species complexes that are evaluated under a single species epithet but harbor multiple species, each of which needs to be evaluated independently. The Phrynops geoffroanus species group is a classic example. Described first in 1812, it is currently thought to harbor multiple species. To test this hypothesis, we collected mitochondrial and nuclear genomic data, morphometric data, and distribution and associated biome information. We applied statistically rigorous species delimitation analyses, taxonomic hypotheses tests, and fully coalescent phylogenetic reconstruction methods, concluding that the Phrynops geoffroanus species complex comprises four geographically structured species/lineages that diverged during the Pleistocene and are currently geographically structured along the main South American river basins and biomes. These species/lineages show subtle and largely non-significant differences in shape but are characterized by differences in coloration and patterns of marks on the head and plastron. Our results contribute to the understanding of species diversity and diversification of biodiversity in South America and provide an important basis for the conservation of freshwater turtles.

Made available in DSpace on 2021-06-25T10:40:31Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2020-11-03 Rhabdias pocoto n. sp. is herein described from the lungs of the swamp frog Pseudopaludicola pocoto Magalhães, Loebmann, Nogueira, Kokubum, Baptista, Haddad & Garda, 2014, from the Caatinga biome in the state of Ceará, in north-eastern Brazil. The new species is characterized by a body that dilates posteriorly, six small lips (protuberances) and two rounded lateral expansions of cuticular inflation on the anterior end, each containing an amorphous gland-like structure inside and a short and conical tail. Additionally, molecular analysis and comparison of the partial mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I sequence of R. pocoto n. sp. revealed genetic divergence between the new species and the sequences of Rhabdias spp. previously deposited in GenBank. Phylogenetic analysis grouped the new taxon into the R. pseudosphaerocephala species complex + R. glaurungi clade. The new discovery represents the 19th species of Rhabdias spp. described in the Neotropical region, the ninth in Brazil and the first species of Rhabdias found parasitizing South American frogs of the genus Pseudopaludicola, as well as the first Caatinga biome species of Rhabdias. Universidade Federal de Uberlândia - UFU Instituto de Ciências Agrárias MG, Km 1 UNESP - Univ. Estadual Paulista Campus de Botucatu Instituto de Biociências Setor de Parasitologia Av. Bento Lopes s/n Distrito de Rubião Junior 18080-970 Departamento de Ciências Biológicas Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Laboratório de Biologia Celular e Helmintologia Instituto de Ciências Biológicas Universidade Federal do Pará Laboratório de Herpetologia Departamento de Zoologia Instituto de Biociências de Rio Claro Universidade Estadual Paulista - UNESP Departamento de Biologia, Universidade Regional do Cariri - URCA, Rua Cel. Antônio Luis, 1161, CEP 63105-000, Pimenta, Crato, CE, Brazil Laboratório de Histologia e Embriologia Animal Instituto da Saúde e Produção Animal Universidade Federal Rural da Amazônia Núcleo Regional de Ofiologia Centro de Ciências Universidade Federal do Ceará CE UNESP - Univ. Estadual Paulista Campus de Botucatu Instituto de Biociências Setor de Parasitologia Av. Bento Lopes s/n Distrito de Rubião Junior 18080-970 Laboratório de Herpetologia Departamento de Zoologia Instituto de Biociências de Rio Claro Universidade Estadual Paulista - UNESP

Neotropical toads from the Rhinella margaritifera species group have been considered a taxonomic puzzle for a long time. Because of the high morphological similarity and an unknown number of undescribed taxa among the species of this group, we did an extensive search for character distribution within all nominal taxa. Herein we describe Rhinella parecis sp. nov. a new species from Southern Brazilian Amazon. We provide a morphological diagnosis, morphometric comparisons with similar species, and a molecular phylogenetic hypothesis on the relationships of the new species. Rhinella parecis sp. nov. is assigned to the R. margaritifera group and differs from others species by snout-vent length ranging 40.7–53.5 mm in males (n=12) and 44.9–54.8 mm in females (n=4), snout rounded in dorsal view, acute with fleshy ridge extending to tip of snout in lateral view, canthal and pre-orbital crests absent, supra-orbital, parietal and supra-tympanic crests present and low, dorsolateral row of tubercles present, bony protrusion at the angle of jaws absent, tympanum evident, vertebral apophyses absent and toes half-webbed. The new species is the 20th species associated to the R. margaritifera group distributed in the Chapada dos Parecis, a probable center of endemism in states of Rondônia and Mato Grosso, Brazil.

La diversidad de los helmintos en los grupos de huéspedes con gran diversidad de especies como los anfibios anuros siguen estando subrepresentados, especialmente en sitios con condiciones ambientales severas como las regiones áridas y semiáridas. Este conocimiento es necesario para comprender el papel de los parásitos en los diferentes niveles de la organización ecológica. Con el fin de evaluar la composición del parásito una taxocenosis de las especies de anuros, describir la riqueza y diversidad de los helmintos a nivel de componentes y de la infracomunidad; además de evaluar la influencia del tamaño del cuerpo en la abundancia y diversidad de los parásitos, se realizó este estudio. Los anuros huéspedes se recogieron en la Zona de Protección Ambiental (EPA) Bica do Ipu en el semiárido brasileño. Los huéspedes recolectados fueron sometidos a eutanasia y a una necropsia en busca de parásitos. En secuencia, se identificaron los helmintos y se realizaron las pruebas estadísticas. Un total de 15 especies de huéspedes compusieron este estudio y se recogieron 1.216 helmintos con abundancia media (MA) de 12,9 ± 3,38 y intensidad media de la infección (MII) de 25,84 ± 6,44. La riqueza media de helmintos fue de 2,3 ± 0,53 (rango = 6), y la diversidad de helmintos (H) fue de 1,36. La comunidad de componentes de helmintos que infectan a los anfibios huéspedes comprende 13 taxones: dos especies de cestodos, un acantocéfalo, un trematodo y nueve nematodos. El presente estudio contribuye al conocimiento de los helmintos que infectan a los anfibios de la Caatinga brasileña, así como a la comprensión de los patrones de diversidad de las infracomunidades parasitarias asociadas a los anfibios.

Lista de endoparásitos son fundamentalmente importantes porqué contribuyen para la comprensión de la biodiversidad. Las infecciones endoparásitas pueden estar asociadas a la historia evolutiva del huésped del parásito o variar según la dieta y el hábitat; así, es importante investigar tales infecciones en distintos ambientes, a la vez que las condiciones ambientales y disponibilidad de recursos pueden influir en la composición y estructura de los helmintos en ensambles de serpientes. Aquí, investigamos los endoparásitos asociados con Philodryas olfersii (Lichtenstein, 1823), y presentamos la revisión bibliográfica de los endoparásitos asociados con el género Philodryas. Buscamos los endoparásitos relaccionados con la serpiente P. olfersii en el Delta del Parnaíba, región costera del estado de Piauí, noreste de Brasil. Hemos analizado la presencia de ectoparásitos en la epidermis y la cavidad oral, y endoparásitos en los siguientes órganos: tracto digestivo, pulmones, corazón, hígado y riñones, utilizando los descriptores parasitológicos: prevalencia, abundancia, abundancia promedio e intensidad promedio de infección, para describir la comunidad de endoparásitos. Registramos 312 especímenes de endoparásitos pertenecientes a nueve tasas: Kalicephalus costatus Rudolphi, 1819, Strongyloides ophidiae Pereira 1929, Physaloptera sp., Physalopteroides venancioi Lent, Freitas & Proença, 1946, larva de Cosmocercidae, Raillietiella furcocerca (Diesing, 1835), Ophiotaenia sp., cistacantos y un trematodo digenea no identificado. Nematodos y pentastómidos fueron los taxones más abundantes infectando P. olfersii. Nuestros resultados contribuyen a la expansión del conocimiento acerca de los endoparásitos de P. olfersii, con destaque para la naturaleza pionera del presente estudio, el primero en investigar el parasitismo en reptiles del Delta del Parnaíba; por consiguiente, alentamos más estudios parasitológicos con vista a mejorar la comprensión de la relación parásito-huésped en serpientes brasileñas, sobre todo en ambientes costeros.

Inventários parasitológicos de anfíbios da região semiárida contribuem para conhecer a diversidade de parasitas associados a espécies da região Nordeste. Este trabalho tem como objetivo fornecer informações sobre a diversidade de parasitas associados a Proceratophrys aridus Cruz, Nunes & Juncá, 2012 e descrever e comparar a helmintofauna deste hospedeiro com as demais espécies inventariadas do gênero. Os espécimes foram coletados manualmente entre 2012 e 2016 em dez localidades do Nordeste do Brasil. Um total de 37 P. aridus foram necropsiados e analisados para endoparasitas, dos quais 22 foram parasitados com pelo menos um táxon helminto. Para verificar a similaridade entre as comunidades parasitas, foi realizada uma análise de agrupamento utilizando o índice de Sorensen. Para esta análise, foi construída uma matriz com dados de presença e ausência para as espécies de helmintos relacionados ao táxon Odontophrynidae. Um total de 867 helmintos foram recuperados, incluindo nematóides, digenéticos e acantocéfalos, apresentando uma riqueza de oito espécies: Aplectana membranosa (Schneider, 1866), Falcaustra mascula (Rud. 1819), Rhabdias breviensis Nascimento, Gonçalves, Melo, Giese, Furtado, & Santos, 2013, Oswaldocruzia sp., Larvas de Cosmocercidae, trematódeos não identificados e cistacantos. As espécies mais abundantes com maior prevalência e intensidade média de infecção foram A. membranosa. Este estudo fornece três novos registros de helmintos parasitando P. aridus, além de registrar infecções por trematódeos e acantocéfalos neste hospedeiro no nordeste do Brasil. Proceratophrys aridus é a espécie da família Odontophrynidae com maior riqueza em helmintos já registrada.

Los anfibios hospedan una amplia variedad de parásitos, sea de forma temporal (hospedero paraténico), intermediaria o definitiva. Solamente un 8% de los anfibios en Brasil han sido investigados con relación a sus helmintos asociados, por lo que en este trabajo analizamos 20 especímenes de Rhinella jimi Stevaux, 2002 colectados en los estados de Ceará y Rio Grande do Norte, en la región Nordeste de Brasil. Siete taxones de nematodos se encontraron infectando individuos de R. jimi (Oswaldocruzia lopesi Travassos, 1938, Raillietnema spectans Gomes, 1964, Physaloptera sp., Parapharyngodon sp., Rhabdias sp., Cosmocercidae, y una larva no identificada). Todas las especies encontradas representan nuevos registros de parásitos para R. jimi, resultado que amplía los registros de nematodos para esta especie, así como aumentan el conocimiento de la diversidad de parásitos en anuros para América del Sur.

En este artículo se describe e ilustra a Cosmocerca gymnophthalmicola n. sp., un parásito intestinal de los lagartos gimnoftálmidos Alopoglossus angulatus (Linnaeus, 1758) y Cercosaura eigenmanni (Griffin, 1917) del oeste de Brasil. Cosmocerca gymnophthalmicola n. sp. representa la 31ª especie asignada al género, y la 11a en la región Neotropical. Por otra parte, C. gymnophthalmicola n. sp. es la cuarta especie que tiene hospederos lagartos, y se distingue de otras especies del género Cosmocerca por poseer 6 pares de plectanas y por una combinación de espículas y gubernáculo y por la ausencia de alas laterales en ambos sexos. La nueva especie es más similar a C. banyulensis, C. chilensis, C. longicauda, C. parva y C. rara en tener 6 pares de plectanas, pero se diferencian de estas especies por espículas más grandes y ausencia de ala lateral en ambos sexos.

Physaloptera nordestina n. sp. (Nematoda: Physalopteridae) is described from the stomach of the snakes Oxybelis aeneus (Wagler), Pseudoboa nigra (Duméril, Bibron & Duméril) and Xenodon merremii (Wagler) (Squamata: Snakes), collected in northeastern Brazil. The new species has males with ornamented caudal alae connected ventrally, anterior to the cloaca, 21 caudal papillae, including four pedunculated and 13 sessile pairs (six surrounding the cloaca and three at tail), spicules sub-equal in size and with different shape. In addition, the females have the vulva located on the anterior third of the body and two to four uterine branches. Here we present the ninth species of Physaloptera that parasitizes reptiles from Brazil.

Helminthological studies may contribute with valuable information on host biology and conservation. Herein, we provide new data on helminths infecting the lizard Norops fuscoauratus, testing one of the factors considered most important in parasitic ecology: host size. We analysed 25 specimens of N. fuscoauratus from three highland marshes in the Brazilian semi-arid. Eight taxa of helminths belonging to Nematoda, Trematoda and Acanthocephala were found. Physaloptera sp. showed the higher prevalence (40%), with a mean intensity of infection of 3.3 ± 1.46 (1–16) and mean abundance 1.32 ± 0.65 (0–16). Norops fuscoauratus represents four new host records for the helminths Cyrtosomum sp., Pharyngodon travassosi, Strongyloides sp. and Centrorhynchus sp. There is no relationship of host body size (P = 0.79) and mass (P = 0.50) with parasite richness. In addition, the present study contributes to the knowledge of the parasitic fauna of N. fuscoauratus and the Neotropical region.

The Sete Cidades National Park is located in the Brazilian municipalities of Piracuruca and Brasileira, Piauí state, in a transitional zone between the Caatinga and Cerrado biomes. Studies on its herpetofauna were limited to anuran distribution notes and a snake checklist. Thus, here we present an unpublished species list of anurans from Sete Cidades National Park, Piauí state, northeastern Brazil. We recorded one of the two highest species richness for all northeastern National Parks, and also increased the geographic distribution of one species in the state of Piauí. Most species observed are common of both Caatinga and Cerrado biomes or have wide distribution in Brazil. The anuran assemblage of Sete Cidades National Park is more similar to those registered at the Delta do Parnaíba Environmental Protection Area, Ceará, Piauí and Maranhão states, and Ubajara National Park, Ceará state. These results increase our knowledge on anuran diversity in northeastern Brazil, providing basic information for management and conservation actions of an important Brazilian National Park.

Climatic variation in low latitudes influences the dynamics and structure of parasite communities. Environmental changes caused by dry and rainy seasons alter prevalence and abundance of endoparasite communities. In addition to providing a list of the helminth species associated with the swamp frog Pseudopaludicola pocoto, this study aimed to investigate the effects of rainfall and temperature on parasitological descriptors of helminths associated with P. pocoto in an area of the semiarid zone. A total of 817 swamp frog specimens were collected between 2013 and 2017, with four sampling expeditions during the dry season and four during the rainy season. Environmental parameters of temperature and rainfall were compared to the parasitological descriptors of prevalence, abundance and mean infection intensity of the parasite community using a multivariate linear regression. A richness of eight parasite species was identified, including Nematoda (Rhabdias sp., Cosmocerca parva, Oxyascaris oxyascaris, Physaloptera sp., Brevimulticaecum sp., Spiroxys sp. and unidentified nematode) and Acanthocephala (cystacanths). Rainfall levels had a significant effect on the infection intensity of Rhabdias sp. being the presence of this species higher during the rainy season, whereas no influence of temperature was observed on the helminth community.

Snakes have diverse feeding and living habits, being exposed to a variety of endoparasite communities. However, more studies are still necessary to document these relationships. We examined 18 specimens of the cat-eyed snake Leptodeira annulata from a semi-arid region in Northeast Brazil. Eight taxa of parasites were found, with higher prevalence of cystacanths (Acanthocephala). Five nematode species (Hexametra boddaertii, Oswaldocruzia sp., Oxyascaris sp., Physaloptera sp. and Raillietnema spectans) and the pentastome Raillietiella furcocerca represent a new parasitism record for the host studied. Our results also showed that L. annulata could act as paratenic host for acanthocephalans. These results contribute to the knowledge of the helminth fauna of L. annulata.

The helminth fauna associated with Muller's termite frog, Dermatonotus muelleri, from the southern region of Ceara State, Brazil, was studied. The species richness was 6 helminth taxa, including cystacanths of Acanthocephala and 5 nematode species: Aplectana membranosa, Parapharyngodon silvoi, Raillietnema spectans, larvae of Physaloptera sp., and an unidentified nematode. The overall prevalence was 88.6%, with an average intensity of infection of 123.7 ± 26.3. The nematode Raillietnema spectans presented the highest prevalence and was the most abundant (d = 0.670). Host body size did not influence the intensity of infection nor the richness of helminth species. This study increases the body of knowledge about the diversity of helminth fauna associated with Dermatonotus muelleri from northeastern Brazil, extending the record of hosts and the geographic distribution of these helminth species.

Department of Parasitology Rua Doutor Antonio Celso Wagner Zanin Institute of Biosciences Sao Paulo State University (UNESP)

Data on the distribution and calls of glassfrogs are important for taxonomic and conservation purposes. Herein, we describe the acoustic parameters of Teratohyla midas (Anura, Centrolenidae), with notes on distribution in the Brazilian states of Acre, Amapá, Amazonas, and Pará. The typical advertisement call of T. midas consists of a single pulsed note, with 3 pulses emitted in a very short emission. The advertisement calls of T. midas from Ecuador and French Guiana are distinct from those reported here.

We analyzed parameters of parasitism by helminths in a pair of sympatric congeneric lizard species (Tropidurus hispidus and Tropidurus semitaeniatus). Differences in their supracommunities (richness, composition, and abundance) and the influence of helminthic loads on minimum flight initiation distances and body temperatures were evaluated. We reported new findings of Piratuba digiticauda infecting T. hispidus and Oochoristica bresslaui infecting T. semitaeniatus. Parapharyngodon alvarengai was the most abundant helminth in both host species. Tropidurus hispidus individuals hosted a higher abundance and richness of helminths than T. semitaeniatus, with females of the former having larger helminthic loads than males. Dissimilarities between host species may be attributed to differences in their utilization of niche dimensions (time, food, and structural and thermal space), the occurrence of morphological differences that result in differential exposure to the sources and agents of infection, and/or differential immunological functions. Our data suggests that infection by P. alvarengai led to some limitations in locomotor performance of T. hispidus resulting in decreased minimum flight initiation distance as infection rates increased. Individuals opted for a prolonged period of immobility to avoid capture. There was a negative relationship between helminthic loads and body temperatures in T. semitaeniatus, possibly due to decreased activity and thermoregulation rates, and increased use of shelters by lizards with high infection levels to avoid predation.

Autoecologia do lagarto Colobosauroides cearensis (Squamata: Gymnophthalmidae) da Caatinga semiarida brasileira. Colabosauroides cearesis e um lagarto diurno com distribuicao relictual associados a habitats forestais, no dominio da Caatiga brasileira. O conhecimento da historia natural desse lagarto e escasso devido o seu habito secreto. Aqui, descrevemos a dieta, reproducao, dimorfsmo sexual, uso de microhabitat e ecologia termica de C. cearensis, com base em trabalhos de campo entre 2015–2017 no estado do Ceara, Brasil. A dieta desses lagartos e composta exclusivamente por artropodes, sendo Formicidae a categoria de presas mais importante. A largura de nicho numerico e volumetrico foram 5,52 e 9,2, respectivamente, e a sobreposicao de nicho trofco entre femeas e machos foi de 0,3. Os machos distinguem-se das femeas por apresentar maior tamanho e pela presenca de poros femorais. Colobosauroides cearensis e criptozoico, habitando a serapilheira e nao tendo contato direto com o solo ou radiacao solar. A temperatura corporal media dos lagartos e de 30,4 ± 3,3°C, correlacionada positivamente com a temperatura do ar. Femeas gravidas com tamanho de ninhada fxa de dois ovos sao encontradas no inicio da estacao chuvosa. A ovipostura ocorre entre abril e maio (quando o maior numero de juvenis foi observado). A maturidade sexual ocorre cedo nos machos, e o volume testicular esta signifcativamente correlacionado com o tamanho do corpo.

Made available in DSpace on 2022-04-29T08:28:27Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2019-10-02 Fundación Agencia Aragonesa para la Investigación y el Desarrollo Even though the herpetofauna richness in the Cerrado–a vast tropical savanna ecoregion of Brazil–is one of the highest of all Brazilian biomes, it still needs to be thoroughly investigated. This study reports the first records of the emerald-eyed tree frog (Boana crepitans), amazon waterfrog (Lithobates palmipes), star-fingered frog (Pipa pipa), and hemprich’s coral snake (Micrurus hemprichii hemprichii) within the states of Maranhão in the northeastern region and Tocantins in the northern region of Brazil. The first state records of Boana crepitans, Pipa pipa and Micrurus h. hemprichii in Tocantins, and Lithobates palmipes in Maranhão, appear in highly climatically suitable areas within the Species Extent of Occurrences (EOO), as predicted in Ecological Niche Modelling (ENM). Our new records of Pipa pipa and Micrurus h. hemprichii, compared to the ENM predictions, represent their southeastern distributional range limits. Our results also suggest that the current gaps on the distributional species ranges probably result from the lack of herpetological surveys in those regions. Departamento de Química Biológica Laboratório de Herpetologia Rua Cel. Antonio Luiz Pimenta Universidade Regional do Cariri Escola de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia Laboratório de Anatomia Animal Universidade Federal do Tocantins Centro Colinas do Tocantins Escola SESI Departamento de Ciências Biológicas Faculdade de Ciências de Bauru–campus Bauru Universidade Estadual Paulista Departamento de Química Biológica Programde de Pós-graduação em Bioprospecção Molecular Universidade Regional do Cariri Departamento de Ciências Biológicas Faculdade de Ciências de Bauru–campus Bauru Universidade Estadual Paulista

Neotropical amphibians play important roles as preys and predators in freshwater and terrestrial ecosystems. The subfamily Pseudinae includes small and medium-sized frogs within three genera representing 13 valid species. Most published records of predation on Pseudinae frogs are anecdotic and scarce. Herein, we provide five new reports of predation and presenting a detailed literature review on Pseudinae predation, with 15 studies published between 1983-2017. Pseudinae species were preyed at both day and night by a wide variety of predators, principally birds. Adults were preyed upon more frequently than juveniles and tadpoles. In the present study, most predators were diurnal, with birds accounting for most records. A variety of invertebrates prey on anurans, but water bugs and spiders are the most common ones. In the present study, water bugs comprised 75 % of the Pseudinae predation records by invertebrates. However, anuran predation by invertebrates remains poorly documented. Thus, the description of new cases of predation accompanied by a review of the data available in the literature is crucial to understanding Neotropical food webs. RESUMEN Los anfibios neotropicales desempeñan papeles importantes como depredadores y presas en los ecosistemas dulce acuícolas y terrestres. La subfamilia Pseudinae incluye ranas pequeñas y medianas, distribuidas en tres géneros y representando 13 especies válidas. Los registros de depredación de Pseudinae son escasos y anecdóticos. Por lo tanto, el conocimiento de nuevos casos puede mejorar nuestra comprensión de las relaciones depredador-presa entre estas ranas y su papel en la cadena trófica. Presentamos cinco nuevos registros de depredación y revisamos los casos de depredación de la literatura, que incluyen 15 estudios publicados entre 1983 y 2017. Las especies de Pseudinae son depredadas, tanto durante el día como en la noche, por una gran variedad de depredadores, principalmente aves. Los adultos son más frecuentemente depredados que los juveniles y los renacuajos. En el presente estudio, las chinches de agua representan 75 % de los registros de depredación de Pseudinae por invertebrados. Sin embargo, depredación de anuros por invertebrados permanece poco documentada. Por lo tanto, la descripción de nuevos casos de depredación, junto a una revisión de los datos disponibles en la literatura es crucial para entender redes tróficas neotropicales.

Natural history of the rare and endangered snake Atractus ronnie (Serpentes: Colubridae) in northeastern Brazil. The habitat use, activity period, sexual dimorphism, morphological variation, reproduction and diet composition of this fossorial and nocturnal snake are reported. The snakes were captured between 2008–2014 in the Chapada do Araripe in northeastern Brazil, and were collected by active visual searches, as well as in pitfall traps with drift fences. Although females are larger than males, the males have longer tails, and scale counts differ between the sexes. Reproduction is seasonal, occurring during the rainy season. Brood sizes rang from one to four eggs. Atractus ronnie preys on earthworms, in addition to ants (Crematogaster sp.) and insect larvae.

A new species of the genus Amazophrynella (Anura, Bufonidae) is described from the departments of Madre de Dios, Cusco and Junin in Peru. An integrative taxonomy approach is used. A morphological diagnosis, morphometrics comparisons, description of the advertisement call, and the phylogenetic relationships of the new species are provided. Amazophrynella javierbustamantei sp. n. differs from other species of Amazophrynella by: intermediate body-size (snout-vent length 14.9 mm in males, n = 26 and 19.6 mm in females, n = 20), tuberculate skin texture of body, greatest hand length of the Amazophrynella spp. (3.6 mm in males, n = 26 and 4.6 mm in females, n = 20), venter coloration yellowish, tiny rounded black points covering the venter, and thirteen molecular autapomorphies in the 16S RNA gene. Its distribution varies from 215 to 708 m a.s.l. This discovery highlights the importance of the remnant forest in preserving the biodiversity in Peru, and increase in seven the species formally described in the genus Amazophrynella.ResumenDescribimos una nueva especie del géneroResumoDescrevemos uma nova espécie do gênero

EnglishFood resources represent an important part of the trophic niche, being an important determinant in the structuring of communities in any phylogenetic group. Thus, we aim to contribute with ecological information about diet composition, trophic niche width and body size of Pseudopaludicola pocoto in a Caatinga area from the Brazilian northeast. The collections were made during the dry season (September 2015) and rainy season (February 2016), where 120 specimens of P. pocoto were collected and analyzed. We recorded the diet of the dry period, composed of thirteen categories of prey, Coleoptera and Hemiptera being the categories of major relative importance. The trophic niche width (Bsta = 0.18) indicates P. pocoto as a specialist consumer. All individuals collected during the rainy season had no stomach contents. In addition, no significant differences were observed between male and female body sizes. Future works addressing the reproduction of this species are stimulated, therefore, they can contribute to the understanding of phenomena such as the absence of stomach contents during the reproductive period and, finally, to prove or not the hypothesis of stochastic in this species portuguesOs recursos alimentares representam uma porcao importante do nicho trofico, sendo um determinante importante na estruturacao de comunidades em qualquer grupo filogenetico. Dessa forma, objetivamos contribuir com informacoes ecologicas sobre a composicao da dieta, amplitude de nicho trofico e tamanho corporeo de Pseudopaludicola pocoto em uma area de Caatinga do nordeste brasileiro. As coletas foram realizadas durante as estacoes de seca (setembro de 2015) e chuvosa (fevereiro de 2016), quando foram coletados e analisados 120 especimes de P. pocoto. Registramos a dieta do periodo seco composta por treze categorias de presas, sendo Coleoptera e Hemiptera as categorias de maior importância relativa. A amplitude de nicho trofico (Bsta = 0,18) indica que P. pocoto e consumidor especialista. Todos os individuos coletados durante a estacao chuvosa nao apresentaram conteudo estomacal. Alem disso, nao foram observadas diferencas significativas entre os tamanhos corporeos de machos e femeas. Futuros trabalhos que abordem a reproducao dessa especie sao estimulados, pois podem contribuir para a compreensao de fenomenos como a ausencia de conteudo estomacal durante o periodo reprodutivo e, por fim, comprovarem ou nao a hipotese de estivacao nessa especie.

Ecology and parasitism of the lizard Tropidurus jaguaribanus (Squamata: Tropiduridae) from northeastern Brazil. Specimens of Tropidurus jaguaribanus were collected as part of a study of their use of microhabitats, activity period, body temperature, diet, foraging, sexual dimorphism (in size and in form), reproductive biology, and parasite community composition. The preferential microhabitat of the species is the surface of rocks (saxicolous habit). The species has a bimodal diurnal activity period and a seasonal reproductive cycle. The diet is composed mainly of beetles and ants in adults and juveniles. The species is a sit-and-wait forager; the lizards scarcely move and feed on sedentary, immobile prey. The helminth community associated with these lizards is composed of fve species: Oochoristica travassosi, Parapharyngodon alvarengai, Physaloptera sp., Spauligodon sp., and Strongyluris oscari. The prevalence, intensity of infection, and parasite abundance is the same in both sexes.

Made available in DSpace on 2018-12-11T17:21:37Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2018-11-01. Added 1 bitstream(s) on 2019-10-09T18:31:55Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 S1519-69842018000400750.pdf: 784240 bytes, checksum: f1f9940c1fe5228e9c177737b1b9ba47 (MD5) Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservação da Biodiversidade Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais Forty five specimens representing nine species of reptile (Salvator merianae, Enyalius bilineatus, Amphisbaena alba, Xenopholis undulatus, Chironius fuscus, Helicops angulatus, Chironius flavolineatus, Erythrolamprus viridis and Crotalus durissus) collected in five Brazilian states were examined for helminths. Twelve helminth species were found as follow: nine Nematoda (Physaloptera tupinambae, Strongyluris oscari, Paracapillaria sp., Dracunculus brasiliensis, Physaloptera liophis, Serpentirhabias sp. 1, Serpentirhabias sp. 2, Serpentirhabias sp. 3 and Aplectana sp.), one Cestoda (Semenoviella amphisbaenia), one Trematoda (Paracotyletrema sp.), and one Acantocephala (Centrorhynchus sp.). Ten new host records and seven new locality records were reported. Departamento de Química Biológica Universidade Regional do Cariri – URCA, Rua Cel. Antônio Luiz, 1161, Campus do Pimenta Laboratório de Herpetologia Departamento de Química Biológica Universidade Regional do Cariri – URCA, Rua Cel. Antonio Luiz, 1161, Bairro do Pimenta Departamento de Parasitologia Instituto de Biociências Universidade Estadual Paulista – UNESP, Campus de Botucatu, Avenida Bento Lopes, s/n, Distrito de Rubião Junior Departamento de Parasitologia Instituto de Biociências Universidade Estadual Paulista – UNESP, Campus de Botucatu, Avenida Bento Lopes, s/n, Distrito de Rubião Junior CNPq: #303622/2015-6

The description of Amazophrynella minuta was published in 1941 by the Swedish naturalist Douglas Melin based on material from Taracuá (Amazonas state, Brazil). This description was very brief and based on the morphology of few specimens with diagnostic characters and color variation not well defined. Moreover, the type series is currently in poor state of conservation. Consequently, taxonomic ambiguity surrounds the nominal taxon A. minuta, which hampers the description of many unnamed congeneric species. Herein, we redescribe A. minuta based on recently collected specimens from the type locality, designate a lectotype, formulate a new diagnosis, provide patterns of morphological variation, measurements and body proportions.

Anurans in the Rhinella margaritifera group have a long history of taxonomic confusion, mainly by morphological similarity between species and lack of acoustic and genetic data for many of the 19 described species. Herein, we presented data for Rhinella gildae based on recently collected specimens from its type locality. We provide patterns of morphological variation, measurements, advertisement and release calls and infer the phylogenetic position of R. gildae. The species geographical distribution was updated, occurring in two Amazonian localities in Maranhão state, and Cerrado areas in Maranhão and Tocantins states and also in a rainforest enclave inside Caatinga domain in Ceará state.

Amazophrynella comprises 11 small bufonid species with a pan-Amazonian distribution (Fouquet et al. 2012a, b; Rojas et al. 2016, Rojas et al. 2018). All species inhabit the forest leaf litter, breed in seasonal puddles and are diurnally and nocturnally active (Fouquet et al. 2012b; Rojas et al. 2014; 2015; 2016). Until now only one nominal species, A . javierbustamantei , and two putative lineages— A. moisesii (Rio Yuyapichis, Peru) and A . siona (Santa Cecilia, Ecuador)—had their advertisement calls formally described (Duellman 1978; Schluter 1981; Rojas et al. 2016). Herein, we described for the first time the advertisement calls from additional four species of Amazophrynella .

Anurans have close associations with environmental conditions and therefore represent an interesting vertebrate group for examining how resource availability and environmental variables influence species diversity. Associations between habitat heterogeneity and anuran species diversity were tested in the Restinga landscapes of the Parnaíba River delta in northeastern Brazil. Twenty-one anuran species were sampled in the rainy season during monthly excursions (December 2015 to June 2016) into areas of Restinga on two islands in the Parnaíba River delta. The fourth highest anuran diversity was found in this type of environment in Brazil and is the third in northeastern Brazil. Microenvironments, characterized by a combination of vernal pools with different vegetational and physical structures, better explained anuran species composition in the Parnaíba River delta.

Amphibians are probably the most vulnerable group to climate change and climate-change associate diseases. This ongoing biodiversity crisis makes it thus imperative to improve the taxonomy of anurans in biodiverse but understudied areas such as Amazonia. In this study, we applied robust integrative taxonomic methods combining genetic (mitochondrial 16S, 12S and COI genes), morphological and environmental data to delimit species of the genusAmazophrynella(Anura: Bufonidae) sampled from throughout their pan-Amazonian distribution. Our study confirms the hypothesis that the species diversity of the genus is grossly underestimated. Our analyses suggest the existence of eighteen linages of which seven are nominal species, three Deep Conspecific Lineages, one Unconfirmed Candidate Species, three Uncategorized Lineages, and four Confirmed Candidate Species and described herein. We also propose a phylogenetic hypothesis for the genus and discuss its implications for historical biogeography of this Amazonian group.

Parasites represent a great, unknown component of animal biodiversity. Recent efforts have begun to uncover patterns of infection by helminth parasites in several Neotropical lizards. The present study reports, for the first time, levels of helminth infection in a population of the flat lizard Tropidurus semitaeniatus. One hundred and thirty-nine lizards were examined and evidence of five intestinal helminth species was found, comprising four species of nematodes, one species of cestode and an unidentified encysted larval nematode. The most frequently occurring species was the intestinal nematode Parapharyngodon alvarengai, which did not exhibit differences in prevalence and intensity of infection relative to host sex or age/body size. Furthermore, helminth species richness was not related to host body size.

Made available in DSpace on 2018-11-26T17:42:20Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2017-10-01 Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa (FU-NAPE) Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservacao da Biodiversidade/Centro Nacional de Pesquisa e Conservacao de Repteis e Anfibios (ICMBio/RAN) Our study determines the reptile species richness, composition, and habitat use in three areas recovering from mining activity in addition to the adjacent pristine and anthropized areas of a priority region for biodiversity conservation of the Brazilian Cerrado. We also compared our data with published surveys on the Cerrado domain in order to identify areas with unique species composition and/or areas where the reptile composition is more homogeneous. The survey was conducted in the municipality of Niquelandia, northern Goias state, central Brazil, and involved reptile samplings from different physiognomies and water bodies. We found 47 species, including one crocodilian, one chelonian, two amphisbaenians, 17 lizards, and 26 snakes. The list includes 37 species with large geographic distribution, occurring in other morphoclimatic domains, as well as 10 species which are endemic to the Cerrado. Some species recorded for the region are listed in the Appendices I and II of the CITES. Many reptile species were frequently associated with anthropogenic habitats, while others seem to depend on remnants of pristine habitats. Low similarity was found among the 32 sites considered across the Cerrado domain. Ten sites located in Cerrado regions in contact with the adjacent domains have unique reptile composition, whereas most sites largely located in the central area of the domain have reptile communities which are more homogeneous among them. It is important to conduct long-term studies to have patterns of reptile species composition recognized as well as population decline and/or local extinctions and effective reptile conservation actions, with focus on these sites considering their unique species. Ctr Univ Cesumar, Programa Posgrad Promocao Saude, BR-87050390 Maringa, Parana, Brazil Univ Estadual Maringa, Lab Ictioparasitol, Nucleo Pesquisas Limnol Ictiol & Aquicultura, BR-87020900 Maringa, Parana, Brazil Univ Reg Cariri, Dept Ciencias Biol, BR-63105100 Crato, Ceara, Brazil Univ Fed Rio de Janeiro, Programa Posgrad Ecol, BR-21941902 Rio De Janeiro, RJ, Brazil Univ Fed Goias, Inst Ciencias Biol, Dept Ecol, Lab Herpetol & Comportamento Anim, Goiania, Go, Brazil Univ Estadual Maringa, Programa Posgrad Ecol Ambientes Aquat Continentai, BR-87020900 Maringa, Parana, Brazil Univ Fed Goias, Inst Ciencias Biol, Dept Ecol, Lab Biogeog Conservacao, BR-74001970 Goiania, Go, Brazil Univ Estadual Paulista, Dept Ciencias Biol, Fac Ciencias, BR-17033360 Bauru, SP, Brazil Univ Estadual Paulista, Dept Ciencias Biol, Fac Ciencias, BR-17033360 Bauru, SP, Brazil CNPq: 303622/2015-6 CNPq: 304363/2010-3 FAPESP: FAPESP: 2011/18510-0 Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservacao da Biodiversidade/Centro Nacional de Pesquisa e Conservacao de Repteis e Anfibios (ICMBio/RAN): 154-05

The Serra do Urubu mountain range is considered a key biodiversity area. It is situated in the Pernambuco Endemism Center, one of the most threatened regions of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. However, despite the high importance of this area little research on its herpetofauna has been performed. The present study presents an inventory of the herpetofauna of the region, through bibliographic review, searches in museum collections and field expeditions to the RPPNs Frei Caneca and Pedra D’Antas, in the municipalities of Jaqueira and Lagoa dos Gatos. The conservation status of the amphibians of the region is discussed. Five expeditions, between 2012 and 2013 were made. The methods employed were visual transect surveys, acoustic census and pitfall traps. We recorded a total of 46 amphibian species, belonging to nine families: Craugastoridae (3 spp.), Bufonidae (3 spp.), Ranidae (1 sp.), Hylidae (25 spp.), Leptodactylidae (8 spp.), Odontophrynidae (1 sp.), Hemiphractidae (2 spp.), Phyllomedusidae (2 spp.) and Microhylidae (1 sp.). We recorded 42 species of squamates: 16 species of lizards families Phyllodactylidae (1 sp.), Gekkonidae (1 sp.), Gymnophthalmidae (1 sp.), Polychrotidae (1 sp.), Leiosauridae (1 sp.), Tropiduridae (3 spp.), Dactyloidae (2 spp.), Diploglossidae (2 spp.), Teiidae (2 spp.), Scincidae (1 sp.), and Iguanidae (1 sp.); and 24 species of snakes: Boidae (3 spp.), Colubridae (2 spp.), Dipsadidae (13 spp.), Elapidae (2 spp.), Typhlopidae (1 sp.), and Viperidae (3 spp.). The occurrence of rare and/or threatened species such as the snakes Dipsas sazimai, Lachesis muta and Sibynomorphus sp. and the amphibians Hylomantis granulosa, Chiasmocleis alagoana, Boana freicanecae and Phyllodytes gyrinaethes reinforces the need for conservation measures at this highly threatened region of the Atlantic Forest. RESUMO O complexo da Serra do Urubu é considerado uma área chave para a conservação da biodiversidade, estando inserida no Centro de Endemismo de Pernambuco, uma das sub-regiões mais ameaçadas da Mata atlântica brasileira. Porém, apesar da alta importância dessa área, estudos relacionados com a herpetofauna local ainda são escassos. Para a elaboração da lista da herpetofauna da Serra do Urubu, foram feitas consultas na bibliografia, buscas em coleções herpetológicas e expedições de campo para a RPPN de Pedra D’Antas e RPPN Frei Caneca, localizadas nos municípios de Jaqueira e Lagoa dos Gatos. Uma discussão sobre o status de conservação dos anfíbios da região também foi realizada. Foram feitas cinco expedições entre os anos de 2012 e 2013, utilizando as metodologias de busca ativa em transectos lineares, censo auditivo e armadilhas de interceptação e queda. No total foram registrados 46 espécies de anfíbios anuros, pertencentes a nove famílias: Craugastoridae (3 spp.), Bufonidae (3 spp.), Ranidae (1 sp.), Hylidae (25 spp.), Leptodactylidae (8 spp.), Odontophrynidae (1 sp.), Hemiphractidae (2 spp.), Phyllomedusidae (2 spp.) e Microhylidae (1 sp.).Com relação aos répteis foram registradas 42 espécies, sendo 16 de lagartos: Phyllodactylidae (1 sp.), Gekkonidae (1 sp.), Gymnophthalmidae (1 sp.), Polychrotidae (1 sp.), Leiosauridae (1 sp.), Tropiduridae (3 spp.), Dactyloidae (2 spp.), Diploglossidae (2 spp.), Teiidae (2 spp.), Scincidae (1 sp.), Iguanidae (1 sp.); e 24 de serpentes: Boidae (3 spp.), Colubridae (2 spp.), Dipsadidae (13 spp.), Elapidae (2 spp.), Typhlopidae (1 sp.), Viperidae (3 spp.). Espécies consideradas raras e/ou ameaçadas de extinção como as serpentes Dipsas sazimai, Lachesis muta e Sibynomorphus sp. e os anfíbios Hylomantis granulosa, Chiasmocleis alagoana, Boana freicanecae e Phyllodytes gyrinaethes, reforçam a necessidade de conservação dessa região de Mata atlântica extremamente ameaçada.

There are currently 760 reptile species known in Brazil, from which about 70 are amphisbaenians with 25 species recorded in the Brazilian northeast (Vanzolini 2002; Gomes & Maciel 2012; Costa & Bérnils, 2014; Roberto et al., 2014). Leposternon polystegum Duméril, is a widespread species distributed in the Amazon, Atlantic Forest, Cerrado, and Caatinga biomes (Porto et al., 2000; Ribeiro et al., 2011). The diet is composed mainly by ants, termites, and coleopteran larvae (Barros-Filho & Valverde, 1996; Gomes et al., 2009).

Leptodactylus syphax is distributed in central, southeastern and northeastern Brazil, eastern Bolivia and southern Paraguay, occupying open areas and rock outcrops, in rock cavities and termite burrows. We collected 21 frogs from the Caatinga region of the state of Ceará, northeastern Brazil, and 7,021 helminths were recovered from 18 of these hosts (overall prevalence = 85.7%). Six helminth taxa were recovered, as follows: Aplectana membranosa (n = 3,756); Schrankiana formosula (n = 3,176); larvae of Physaloptera sp. (n = 43); unidentified nematode larvae (n = 7); digenean metacercariae of Lophosicyadiplostomum sp. (n = 2); and cystacanths of Acanthocephala (n = 37). The similarity of helminth composition between L. syphax from the Caatinga and other species of the L. fuscus group showed that some anurans were clustered according to parasite species and others according to geographic locality. This study presents new helminth records for the Neotropical region, thus helping in understanding the pattern of species distribution, and it increases the knowledge of parasites associated with amphibians. Resumo Leptodactylus syphax está distribuída na região central, Sudeste e Nordeste do Brasil, Leste da Bolívia e Sul do Paraguai, ocupando áreas abertas e afloramentos rochosos, cavidades rochosas ou de cupins. Foram coletadas 21 rãs oriundas da região de Caatinga do Ceará, nordeste brasileiro, e 7.021 helmintos foram recuperados em 18 hospedeiros (prevalência geral = 85,7%). Seis taxa de helmintos foram recuperados, como segue: Aplectana membranosa (n = 3.756), Schrankiana formosula (n = 3.176), larvas de Physaloptera sp. (n = 43), larvas de nematódeos não identificado (n = 7), metacercárias de Lophosicyadiplostomum sp. (n = 2), e cistacantos de Acantocéfalos (n = 37). A similaridade da composição de helmintos entre L. syphax da Caatinga e outras espécies do grupo L. fuscus mostrou que alguns anuros foram agrupados de acordo com a espécie do parasita e outros de acordo com a localidade geográfica. Este estudo apresenta novos registros de helmintos para a região Neotropical, ajudando na compreensão do padrão de distribuição das espécies e aumenta o conhecimento sobre os parasitas associados a anfíbios.

We investigated the importance of ecological and historical effects in structuring a lizard assemblage in a semiarid area of Caatinga habitat. We collected lizards using pitfall traps and ...

The leiuperid genus Pleurodema (Tshudi, 1838) currently comprises 15 species widely distributed in the Neotropical region (Frost, 2011), mainly in dry forests and open areas (Ferraro and Casagranda, 2009; Kolenc et al., 2009). Pleurodema diplolister (Peters, 1870) is the only species in the genus known to inhabit the Caatinga biome (shrub-like vegetation) (Cardoso and Arzabe, 1993). The species is also found in the Brazilian Cerrado and Cerrado-Caatinga transition zones (Andrade and Vaz-Silva, 2012).Pleurodema diplolister is a fossorial and omnivorous frog, and its explosive reproduction shows greater specialization between the anuran communities of the Caatinga (Hodl, 1992; Cardoso and Arzabe, 1993; Santos et al., 2003).Parasitological studies are important to understand host population dynamics, as well behavioral, morphological and dietary shifts, especially within highly specialized anurans such as P.diplolister. To date, only two records of parasitism in the genus Pleurodema are available, all of these by nematodes of the family Cosmocercidae: Aplectana meriodionalis Lent and Freitas, 1948 infecting Pleurodema borellii Peracca, 1895 (Baker, 1980) and Oxyascaris oxyascaris Travassos, 1920 in diplolisterP. (Vicente et al., 1990).Herein, we present data on helminth infection of the frog P. diplolister in the Caatinga of Pernambuco State, Brazil.