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Osteocephalus cabrerai is an arboreal anuran widely distributed in South America. However, there are no parasitological studies conducted on the species, resulting in a parasite fauna completely unknown. Thus, this study aims to characterize the parasitic community structure of O. cabrerai in the municipality of Pedra Branca do Amapari, Amapá state, Amazon region, Brazil. We collected and necropsied 84 specimens of O. cabrerai to search for helminths. Parasite community structure was analyzed using helminth parasite richness, diversity, and abundance. The helminth component community of O. cabrerai comprises six nematode species: Cosmocerca parva, Cosmocerca podicipinus, Oxyascaris oxyascaris, Oswaldocruzia chabaudi, and Physaloptera sp. (larvae). Most helminth species represent the first record for the genus Osteocephalus, except Physaloptera sp. The helminth infections in the host showed a typical aggregated distribution pattern for parasites. We only found a positive correlation between the host weight and total intensity. Our bibliography revision reinforces the need for further studies on the helminth fauna of Osteocephalus spp.

Schrankiana are gastrointestinal parasites of anurans, distributed throughout Central and South America. Schrankiana formosula and Schrankiana inconspicata are some of the most commonly reported species parasitising anurans from Brazil, and the morphological differences between them are unclear. In the present study, we redescribed S. formosula based on a re-examination of type series and newly collected material from the frog Leptodactylus pentadactylus in the state of Amapá, Brazil. Additionally, we re-examined the type series of S. inconspicata, and propose it as a junior synonym of S. formosula. We provide detailed morphological and morphometric data with intraspecific variation analyses and new molecular data for S. formosula. In the present phylogeny, S. formosula formed a well-supported clade with Raillietnema sp. and Labeonema synodontisi. Based on molecular phylogenetic analyses and some morphological similarities, our findings support the hypothesis that Schrankiana is a member of the family Cosmocercidae, not Atractidae. Additionally, we provide the first ultrastructural descriptions of S. formosula, and establish the species' phylogenetic position from the Cosmocercidae.

Ophiotaenia is the most diverse genus among proteocephalids, composed of species commonly found parasitizing snakes worldwide. However, the diversity of Ophiotaenia in the Neotropical region is still underestimated. This study describes Ophiotaenia karipuna n. sp. found parasitizing Erythrolamprus miliaris in the State of Amapá, Brazil. Additionally, we redescribe Ophiotaenia arandasi based on a re-examination of type series and newly collected material from Erythrolamprus taeniogaster in the State of Pará, Brazil. The new species differs from its congeners in the following characteristics: scolex width, number of testes, relative length of the cirrus–sac, absence of a vaginal sphincter, presence of a vestigial apical organ resembling a sucker, and relative size of the ovary in relation to the surface of the proglottid. Furthermore, we provide taxonomic information for Ophiotaenia arandasi not reported in the original description, including morphology of embryophore, uterine development, and the absence of the vaginal sphincter in the species. Ophiotaenia karipuna n. sp. represents the 21st- species described in snakes -from the Neotropical region and the first formally described in the Brazilian Amazon. Additionally, we provide the first ultrastructural analysis, a new host, and locality records for O. arandasi.

Abstract Nematodes of the genus Aplectana Railliet & Henry, 1916 are common parasites of the digestive tract of amphibians and reptiles in the Neotropical region. During a parasite survey on Boana boans (Linnaeus, 1758), we found specimens of nematodes with Aplectana characteristics. We observed a set of characteristics that differs the species of our study from its congeners, and the present study describes a new species of Aplectana parasite of B. boans using light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Aplectana pella n. sp. has lateral alae and somatic papillae in males and females; males have equal short spicules, and the gubernaculum is absent. The arrangement of pairs of caudal papillae also differs from other species (2 precloacal,1 adcloacal, and 5 postcloacal+1 unpaired). In females, the vulva is simple, with non-prominent lips, and equatorial. This is the first record of the genus Aplectana parasitizing B. boans and the 58th species described for this genus. Additionally, we added the precloacal papillae pattern of A. delirae, and based on morphological and morphometric characteristics, we propose the reallocation of Aplectana longa to the genus Oxyascaris.

Cosmocercoides Wilkie, 1930 are gastrointestinal parasites commonly found in amphibians and reptiles, with 4 species reported from the Neotropical region. In the present study, a new species of Cosmocercoides, namely Cosmocercoides amapari n. sp. is described using integrated approaches such as light and scanning microscopy, and DNA sequencing of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 gene. The specimens were collected from the large intestine of 3 species of hylid frogs in Amapá, Brazil. The new species can be distinguished from its congeners by morphological traits, including the pattern of caudal papillae, absence of the gubernaculum, 2 poorly sclerotized spicules, presence of lateral alae and somatic papillae along the body. In addition, our molecular analyses and phylogenetic reconstructions strongly support the status of the new taxon, which clustered poorly with a large clade of Cosmocerca spp. Cosmocercoides amapari n. sp. is the 29th species of the genus, the 5th from the Neotropical region, the third reported in Brazil, the second described from the Amazon region and the first belonging to the Neotropical region with molecular data.

We report the first collected specimen of Trachycephalus hadroceps (Duellman & Hoogmoed, 1992) from Brazil. This record, from the municipality of Porto Grande in the state of Amapá, expands the geographic distribution of this species by approximately 230 km south-southeast from the nearest previously known locality at Camopi, French Guiana. We also provide data on the advertisement call of the species.

Pristimantis gutturalis is a species of the P. conspicillatus group described from French Guiana, with distribution so far restricted to the eastern Guiana Shield. Some aspects of this species are yet understudied, including its vocal repertoire which is unknown to date. Although in its original description it was properly characterized with regard to morphology, the description of its coloration in life consisted of brief remarks based on field notes on two females only. Moreover, little morphometric data were presented in its description, with detailed measurements provided for the holotype (a female) only. Subsequent studies have only briefly addressed this species and have not presented significant new data on it. In order to improve the knowledge on P. gutturalis, based on data from the state of Amapá, northern Brazil, in the present study we describe for the first time the advertisement and territorial calls of this species, assess its morphological and chromatic variation, provide detailed morphometric data on males and one female, and briefly comment on its natural history. Additionally, we compare the advertisement call of P. gutturalis with calls of other species of the P. conspicillatus group, and make some remarks on the acoustics of this group.

In anurans, the different types of anti-predator behaviour have been documented in isolation, but some species have shown synergistic strategies in different situations. The display of these types of behaviour may be related to the types of predators in the habitat, which boost defensive responses in their prey. However, most reports are mostly opportunistic and punctual observations, not systematic. Here, we report the occurrence of anti-predator behaviour in the toad Rhinella major (Müller and Hellmich 1936) (Amphibia, Anura, Bufonidae) in the face of different handling modes. Probably the disturbance caused by handling had elicited a predator deterrence response in the individual, causing it to rapidly exhibit such behaviour. These conditions are discussed along with an overview of anti-predator behaviour in species of the R. granulosa group and we re-interpreted these strategies for two species in the group.

We report the first records of Scinax ruberoculatus Ferrão, Fraga, Moravec, Kaefer & Lima, 2018 in the state of Amapá, Brazil. We provide an updated distribution map of this species, comment on its occurrence in French Guiana and Suriname, and provide morphometric and bioacoustic data for a population from the municipality of Porto Grande, Amapá, including the first description of the species’ territorial call. This record from Porto Grande extends the distribution of S. ruberoculatus approximately 1430 km northeast from its type locality and helps to better understand its actual distribution.

We herein present the first annotated anuran checklist for the Brazilian state of Amapá, eastern Amazonia, based on a thorough literature review. We recorded the occurrence of 111 species belonging to 13 anuran families distributed across 48 localities throughout Amapá, within two biomes. Among these species, 62.5% occur exclusively in the Tropical Moist Broadleaf Forest biome, ~8% occur exclusively in the Tropical Savanna biome, and ~29% occur in both. Two species were considered endemic to Amapá and were registered only in the central portion of the state. Regarding the conservation status, only one species (Dendropsophus amicorum) is classified as threatened, assigned to the “critically endangered” category. The other species are categorized as either “least concern” or “data deficient” (85 and 8, respectively), whereas 21 are not evaluated. The current annotated list contributes to the incipient knowledge on anuran species richness in Amapá and, despite the research regarding anuran taxonomy has considerably progressed over the past 20 years, there is still much to do. Our data highlight the need for trained taxonomists to develop research in the state.

Based on field surveys undertaken in two conservation areas, we report new distribution data of Hyalinobatrachium taylori (Goin, 1968) and H. tricolor Castroviejo-Fisher, Vilà, Ayarzagüena, Blanc & Ernst, 2011 from the state of Amapá, northern Brazil. We provide acoustic data from these new populations. These are the first records of H. taylori and H. tricolor from Amapá, extending the geographic distributions of these species by 317 km from Mitaraka and 320 km from Saut Grand Machicou, both in French Guiana, respectively.

Lithodytes lineatus (Schneider, 1799) is a medium-sized frog distributed throughout South America and found in Brazil in the Amazonia and Cerrado domains. Here we document two new records of the species in forested areas in the state of Amapá, Northern Brazil, and provide an updated distribution map for it. The record of L. lineatus in the state of Amapá extends its distribution approximately 78 km from the nearest locality, Floresta Estadual do Paru, in the municipality of Monte Alegre, state of Pará, Brazil, and help to fill information gaps.

Glass frogs (Centrolenidae) are widely distributed in the Neotropics. This study presents novel data on two centrolenid species of the genus Hyalinobatrachium Ruiz-Carranza & Lynch, 1991 collected during herpetofaunal surveys carried out in Brazilian Amazonia of the state of Amapá. Here we report the first record of Hyalinobatrachium cappellei (van Lidth de Jeude, 1904) and H. mondolfii Señaris & Ayarzagüena, 2001, extending the known distribution of H. mondolfii 264 km east and filing gaps in the distribution range of H. cappellei in eastern Amazonia.

Specimens of the glassfrog Cochranella resplendens (Lynch & Duellman, 1973) are known from 13 localities from Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. Herein, we report the first Brazilian record, which extends the known distribution of the species 2,129 km to the east of the nearest record in Santa Rosa de Sucumbíos Río Rumiyacu, Valle del Guamués, Putumayo, Colombia.

ABSTRACT The Crimson Topaz, Topaza pella, is the least known of the two hummingbird species of this exclusively Amazonian trochilid genus, that also includes T. pyra. Most available information on T. pella nests, young and reproductive behavior is based on anecdotal observations from Guyana in the 1930s and 1950s. Here, we provide new data on nest description, eggs and parental care of T. pella, and the growth and development of two nestlings over a 22-day period. We studied four nests in areas of dense terra firme forest in the state of Amapá, Brazil. All nests were in forked branches of shrubs over water bodies, and had a cup-like form. One nest contained two elongated white eggs, and another, two nestlings, which had their development recorded until they left the nest.

Hydrolaetare schmidti (Cochran & Goin, 1959) is 1 of 3 species of a genus that has a disjunctive distribution in the Amazon basin and is considered to be rare. Herein, we present the new records of H. schmidti from Amapá State, Brazil. This new record establishes the fifth known occurrence for H. schmidti and fills a gap of about 295 km in the distribution of the species, between Ouanari (French Guiana) and Tumucumaque Mountains National Park, Anacui River, municipality of Serra do Navio (Amapá).

The Amazonian savannas occupy approximately 150,000 km2 of the Brazilian Amazon, occurring in scattered isolated patches over large areas of forest in the states of Amapá, Amazonas, Pará, Roraima and Rondônia. Despite having considerable variation in the Anuran composition between locations and between the savanna’s physiognomies, a systematic and geographically wide sampling has not been performed for the savanna from Amapá yet, located in the north of Brazil, eastern Amazonia. In this perspective, a study was conducted on the richness, composition, diversity, and abundance of Anuran species in a ​​savanna area in Amapá State. For Anuran sampling, we performed 24 samples in four physiognomies (grassland savanna, scrub grassland savanna, parkland savanna, open woodland savanna) through an active and auditory search more than 20 sampling plots of 100 × 50 meters in each physiognomy. Twenty-one (21) species of frogs belonging to five families were registered: Bufonidae, Hylidae, Leptodactylidae, Microhylidae and Phyllomedusidae. Scrub grassland savanna registered a greater number of individuals regarding the species richness by physiognomy. The species rarefaction curve for the total area reached an asymptote, suggesting that the data collection effort was enough to adequately sample the species richness of the area. The Kruskal-Wallis variance analysis revealed significant differences in the species richness and diversity among the physiognomies. The Bray-Curtis similarity analysis grouped the physiognomies into three main groups: open woodland savanna, grassland savanna and scrub grassland savanna and parkland savanna. Through ordering by non-metric multidimensional scaling, the species composition from the savanna anuran assemblage resulted in a separation among three sampled physiognomies with significant differences, indicating differences in assemblage composition of the three sampled physiognomies. The local richness (21 species) corresponds to 14% of the 15 typical species that have strongly associated distribution with the Cerrado from Central Brazil, and 35.6% of 59 typical species of neighboring domains which only marginally occur in the Cerrado, representing a considerable part of frog species richness recorded in the savanna in the eastern portion of the Brazilian Amazon.

ABSTRACT In this study, the composition of the diet and the feeding activity of Electrophorus varii were evaluated. The influence of ontogeny and seasonality in these feeding parameters was also examined. Fish were collected in the Curiaú River Basin, Amazon, Brazil, from March 2005 to February 2006, during the rainy (January-June) and dry (July-December) seasons. Diet composition was characterized based on the analysis of stomach contents and feeding dynamics was assessed based on the Stomach Fullness Index (IR) calculated using stomach weight. Stomach content and RI data were grouped into four-cm size classes (40-80, 80-120, 120-160, and 160-200) and two seasonal periods (rainy and dry). The influence of ontogeny and seasonality in the diet was investigated through PERMANOVA, and in the food dynamics through ANOVA. The analysis of stomach contents revealed that fish were the most consumed preys by electric eels, especially Callichthyidae and Cichlidae. Diet composition and RI values of electric eels were not influenced by ontogeny and seasonality. Electric eels are fish predators, regardless of size class and seasonal period.

In this study, the first survey of anuran species in the Cancão Municipal Natural Park is presented, a protected area of approximately 370 hectares of Amazonian forest located in the northwest center region of the state of Amapá, Brazil. The work was performed during the dry and rainy season, through active visual and auditory survey, totaling 216 man hours of sampling effort. Forty-nine species of anuran amphibians were recorded in the Cancão Municipal Natural Park, including three new records: Hyalinobatrachium iaspidiense, Pristimantis cf. ockendeni, and Scinax garbei. Three species, Hyalinobatrachium iaspidiense, Ameerega pulchripecta, and Anomaloglossus baeobatrachus, are listed as Data Deficient and one is listed as Vulnerable (Atelopus hoogmoedi) according red lists of IUCN. The rarefaction curve cumulative species did not reach an asymptote, indicating that site has potential for species that have not yet been recorded. Nine species were represented by only one individual and were considered rare in the studied environments, eight species were defined as common, and the 32 remaining species were classified as having intermediary abundance. Our data indicated that Cancão Municipal Natural Park contains a considerable portion of the anurans species richness of Amapá state, turn the area into a place of great importance for the conservation of the anurans of the Eastern Amazon.

Urbanization causes environmental impacts that threaten the health of aquatic communities and alter their recovery patterns. In this study, we evaluated the diversity of intertidal fish in six areas affected by urbanization (areas with native vegetation, deforested areas, and areas in process of restoration of vegetation) along an urban waterfront in the Amazon River. 20 species were identified, representing 17 genera, 14 families, and 8 orders. The different degrees of habitat degradation had a major effect on the composition of the fish fauna; the two least affected sectors were the only ones in that all 20 species were found. Eight species were recorded in the most degraded areas. The analysis revealed two well-defined groups, coinciding with the sectors in better ecological quality and degraded areas, respectively. The native vegetation has been identified as the crucial factor to the recovery and homeostasis of the studied ecosystem, justifying its legal protection and its use in the restoration and conservation of altered and threatened environments. These results reinforce the importance of maintaining the native vegetation as well as its restoration in order to benefit of the fish populations in intertidal zones impacted by alterations resulting from inadequate urbanization.

The tucuxi, Sotalia fluviatilis is a species of river dolphin from the Amazon basin. The species is insufficiently known by science, and completely lacking information for the state of Amapá. Given this fact, the work aims to verify the level of traditional knowledge of the local riverside community about the tucuxi dolphin, S. fluviatilis from the north channel of the Amazon River, Amapá. Interviews were carried out with the population residing in the vicinity of the study area with the application of an interview form. Most interviewees frequently observed individuals of S. fluviatilis, mainly in small groups, also stating that the tucuxi dolphin was much more frequent in the past. Displacement, jumping and feeding behaviors were the most reported. In this way, studies that subsidize contemplating initiatives about the knowledge of key species are essential for taking measures, aiming to optimize conservation strategies for this aquatic mammal in the State of Amapá

O presente trabalho apresenta o perfil epidemiológico dos acidentes ofídicos notificados junto à Secretaria do Estado de Saúde do Estado do Amapá. Para isso, foram analisadas 909 fichas durante o período de 2003 a 2006. A maior freqüência de picadas foi no ano de 2004 com registro de 255 casos, seguido pelo ano de 2006 com 246 casos. Os números mais expressivos de pacientes encontram-se nas faixas etárias compreendidas entre 20 e 34 anos (30%). Os gêneros Bothrops e Crotalus foram responsáveis por 67,5% e 0,7% dos acidentes, respectivamente. Serpentes consideradas não peçonhentas causaram 0,2% dos acidentes e em 31,2% dos casos não foi possível a identificação da espécie. Indivíduos do sexo masculino (80,6%) foram os mais atingidos. A maior incidência de picadas foi nos membros inferiores (68%). Os acidentes ocorreram, em sua maioria, na área rural (62,7%), em circunstâncias equilibradas de trabalho (60%) e lazer (15,6%). O tempo decorrido entre a picada e o atendimento ao paciente foi de 12 horas (29%). Dos acidentes ofídicos, 263 foram classificados como leves, 193 graves e 187 moderados.This study presents the epidemiological profile of snake poisoning accidents notified to the Health Department of the State of Amapá. For this, 909 records over the period from 2003 to 2006 were analyzed. The greatest frequency of bites was in the year 2004, with 255 cases recorded, followed by the year 2006 with 246 cases. The largest numbers of patients were in the age range between 20 and 34 years (30%). The genera Bothrops and Crotalus accounted for 67.5% and 0.7% of the accidents, respectively. Snakes that are considered non-venomous caused 0.2% of the accidents, and it was not possible to identify the species in 31.2% of the cases. Male individuals were more affected (80.6%). The highest incidence of bites was on the lower limbs (68%). The accidents mostly occurred in rural areas (62.7%), during balanced work circumstances (60%) or leisure activities (15.6%). The time elapsed from the bite to attending the patient was 12 hours (29%). Among the snake poisoning accidents, 263 were classified as mild, 187 as moderate and 193 as serious.