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Aplicativos móveis educacionais podem contribuir na maneira de transmitir e receberinformações. Assim, o objetivo desse artigo foi realizar uma revisão sistemática de literatura(RSL) a partir de estudos empíricos que abordaram o uso de aplicativos no ensino de biologia.Para isso, delimitaram-se questões primárias e secundárias de pesquisa, bases de dados parabuscas, elaboração de string e dos critérios de inclusão e exclusão de trabalhos relacionados àtemática. Nove trabalhos foram escolhidos, sendo 66,6% provenientes da região nordeste.Apenas um foi desenvolvido no ensino fundamental e os conteúdos mais abordados foram acitologia e a botânica. Evidencia-se que todos os aplicativos utilizados são compatíveis comsistema Android e a coleta de dados pelos autores foi realizada sobretudo com questionários. Obenefício do uso de aplicativos mais citados pelos trabalhos foi a promoção do protagonismodo estudante, enquanto a ausência de conexão com a internet foi a adversidade mais relatada.

We analysed the interindividual variation in diet, patterns of food resource use and topology of the trophic networks of juvenile, male, and female Ameivula ocellifera (Spix, 1825) during one year, covering wet and dry seasons. Using a network-based approach, we evaluated the degree of variation in the diet of individuals, and the degree of nestedness and clustering to identify patterns of resource use and the topology of individuals food webs. We found a high degree of interindividual variation in the diet of juveniles, males, and females during the study period, which seems to be related to nested patterns of resource use of males and females. These results also suggest that males and females seem to have both generalist and specialist individuals, of which the diets of specialists are nested within the diets of generalists. For juveniles, we found evidence of interindividual variation in diet in both seasons, although patterns of food resource partition that may cause it could not be identified. Insect larvae of several groups were the main food resource in all three lizard groups during the wet season, while termites were the dominant food item during the dry season. Our results conform to the Shared Preferences Model where individuals should consume the same top-ranked prey when they are abundant in the environment, replacing it with suboptimal items as preferred ones become scarce.

Philodryas nattereriis a snake known popularly as field-runner or board, founded in regions of caatinga and in the Brazilian semiarid region. These snakes have a well-developed Duvernoy gland, connected to a grooved tooth, specialized for toxin inoculation. The work aimed to perform the histological characterization of the Duvernoy gland of the P. nattererisnake. For the study, four pairs of animal glands from research projects in natural history and distribution of herpetofauna were used, which were registered and deposited in the NUROF Herpetological Collection. After dissection, the glands underwent histologicalprocessing, where they were fixed in 10% buffered formaldehyde, dehydrated in increasing concentrations of alcohol and later diaphanized in xylol. After inclusion in paraffin, the blocks were microtomized, with 5 μm cuts to make the slides. Hematoxylin-eosin and toluidine blue were used for staining. For the histochemical study, Schiff's periodic acid (PAS) and PAS + salivary amylase were used. Macroscopically, the Duvernoy gland had an ovulated, lobulated and elongated shape, with a whitish color. The average length was 6 mm for the left gland and 7 mm for the right. Regarding height measurement, the left and right glands had an average of 3 mm each. Photomicrographs revealed that the Duvernoy gland is lined by a dense connective tissue capsule, divided into lobes by septic connective tissue. Each lobe contains secretory tubules formed by serous cells, which indicates production of proteins as enzymes. Glands with mucous cells were observed in the excretory duct, which may be related to the production of glycoproteins. We conclude that the Duvernoy gland of the snake P.nattererifalls into the second histological category according to Taub (1967), which consists of a predominantly serous gland, with intercalated mucous cells Philodryas nattererié uma serpente conhecida popularmente como corre-campo ou tabuleiro, sendo encontrada em regiões de caatinga e no semiárido brasileiro. Essas serpentes possuem uma glândula de Duvernoy bem desenvolvida, conectada a um dente sulcado, especializado para a inoculação de toxinas. O trabalho teve como objetivo realizar a caracterização histológica da glândula de Duvernoy da serpente P. nattereri. Para o estudo foram utilizados quatro pares de glândulasde animais oriundos de projetos de pesquisa em história natural e distribuição da herpetofauna,tombadas e depositadas na Coleção Herpetológica do NUROF. Após a dissecção, as glândulas passaram pelo processamento histológico, onde foram fixadas em formol tamponado a 10%, desidratadas em concentrações crescentes de álcool e posteriormente diafanizadas em xilol. Após a inclusão em parafina, realizou-se a microtomia dos blocos, com cortes de 5 μm para a confecção das lâminas. Utilizou-se para a coloração hematoxilina-eosina e azul de toluidina. Para o estudo histoquímico, utilizou-se ácido periódico de Schiff (PAS) e PAS + Amilase salivar. Macroscopicamente, a glândula de Duvernoy possuía forma ovulada, lobulada e alongada, apresentando coloração esbranquiçada. A média do comprimento foi de 6 mm para a glândula esquerdae 7 mm para a direita. Com relação a medição da altura, as glândulas esquerda e direita tiveram uma média de 3 mm cada. As fotomicrografias revelaram que a glândula de Duvernoy é revestida por uma cápsula de tecido conjuntivo denso, dividida em lóbulos por septos de tecido conjuntivo. Cada lóbulo contém túbulos secretores formados por células serosas, o que indica produção de proteínas como enzimas. Foi observado glândulas com células mucosas no ducto excretor, o que pode estar relacionado à produção de glicoproteínas. Concluímos que a glândula de Duvernoy da serpente P.nattererienquadra-se na segunda categoria histológica segundo Taub (1967), que consiste em uma glândula predominantemente serosa, com células mucosas intercaladasprodução de proteínas como enzimas. Foi observado glândulas com células mucosas no ducto excretor, o que pode estar relacionado à produção de glicoproteínas. Concluímos que a glândula de Duvernoy da serpente P.nattererienquadra-se na segunda categoria histológica segundo Taub (1967), que consiste em uma glândula predominantemente serosa, com células mucosas intercaladas

Adelophryne maranguapensis is an endangered anuran species endemic to the Maranguape residual mountain, Ceará State, northeaster Brazil, which is under strong anthropogenic pressure. There are still few studies on the natural history of this species that allow a better understanding of its biology and can provide the basis for conservation actions. Studies on endoparasitism are an important source for the comprehension of ecological relationships, as well as for providing information on host biology and its relevance to ecosystems. Thus, we present information about the endoparasites helminths, the relationship of parasite abundance with the size of individuals and the parasite difference between the sexes in A. maranguapensis, to elucidate some characteristics in the host-parasite relationship and the use of the area of this anuran. We analysed 107 specimens deposited in the Herpetological Collection of the Federal University of Ceará, sampled from 2010 to 2012. Total prevalence of 24.30% was recorded, and four parasitic taxa were identified, Aplectana sp., Physaloptera sp., Parapharyngodon sp. and an unidentified Ascarid. No relationship between the abundance of parasites and snout-vent length was found and the parasite difference between the sexes. Even though identification of the parasites at species level was not possible, A. maranguapensis follows a common pattern in parasitism of Neotropical species.

Anurans with direct development are among the most difficult species for conducting studies concerning ecology and natural history. This paper provides information on the reproduction of Adelophryne maranguapensis, a threatened species endemic to Serra de Maranguape, an Atlantic Forest relict surrounded by dry Caatinga phytophysiognomies. Our objectives were to identify the reproductive periods, verify any preference for breeding sites, review the reproductive mode and describe parental care. The species reproduces during the rainy season and is not selective as to the species of bromeliad used for oviposition. This is the first report of parental care for the genus since females demonstrate egg attendance until the formation of the gel layer in all the eggs. We revisit the terms that define the reproductive mode of this species and propose the need to redefine it. The redefinition considers: (1) deposition of bromeligen and non-aquatics eggs around the phytotelm; (2) direct development; (3) parental care with egg attendance by the female.

Fossil amniotic eggs have great informative potential, especially regarding reproductive and evolutionary aspects of vertebrates. However, there are only few intact specimens or with fossilized embryos within, and the rare reported cases are mostly related to dinosaurs. In Brazil, the records of these ichnofossils are practically restricted to the Bauru Basin. This research aims to describe the first amniotic egg found in carbonate concretions in the Romualdo Formation, adding information to the study of these fossils and to the paleontological context of the basin. The specimen was collected at the Sitio Pe da Serra do Felix, in the Municipality of Simoes, Piaui State, Brazil. The methodology employed was based on Scanning Electron Microscopy, Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy and Optical Microscopy techniques, as well as computed tomography analyses. The morphological and microstructural characteristics of the shell suggests the identification of the fossil as a crocodylomorph egg. This specimen differs from other fossil eggs assigned to the aforementioned group by its small size and considerably thick shell. The tomographic sections revealed possible basic structures of an embryo inside the egg, suggesting that this is the first fossilized egg with a crocodylomorph embryonic trace found in the world. Keywords: ichnofossil, amniotic egg, embryo, Crocodylomorpha, Aptian, Romualdo Formation. Ovos amnioticos fosseis possuem um grande potencial informativo, especialmente em relacao aos aspectos reprodutivos e evolutivos dos vertebrados. Contudo, existem poucos exemplares intactos ou dotados de vestigios embrionarios em seu interior e os raros casos registrados sao em sua maioria relacionados a dinossauros. No Brasil, os registros desses icnofosseis estao praticamente restritos a Bacia Bauru. O presente trabalho objetiva descrever a primeira ocorrencia de um ovo amniotico encontrado em concrecoes carbonaticas da Formacao Romualdo, acrescentando informacoes ao estudo desses fosseis e ao contexto paleontologico da bacia. O especime foi coletado no Sitio Pe da Serra do Felix, no Municipio de Simoes, Piaui, Brasil. A metodologia empregada baseou-se nas tecnicas de Microscopia Eletronica de Varredura, Espectroscopia por Energia Dispersiva e Microscopia Optica, bem como analises de tomografia computadorizada. As caracteristicas morfologicas e microestruturais da casca sugerem que o fossil se trata de um ovo de crocodilomorfa. O especime analisado difere de outros ovos fosseis atribuidos ao referido grupo taxonomico pelo tamanho reduzido e casca consideravelmente espessa. As secoes tomograficas revelaram possiveis estruturas basicas de um embriao no interior do material, sugerindo que se trata do primeiro ovo fossilizado de crocodilomorfa com restos embrionarios do mundo. Palavras-chave: icnofossil, ovo amniotico, embriao, Crocodylomorpha, Aptiano, Formacao Romualdo.

Background: It is important that people know the fauna occurring around the city and within it, because people could present a more positive relationship toward animals and valorize the fauna. This knowledge may vary due to cultural features of the region, as well as social characteristics of the person, such as: educational level and frequency of visits to green areas. This study aimed to evaluate if the knowledge about the faunistic diversity of an urban park varied in relation to the profile of the visitors.Methods: Parque Estadual do Cocó is a conservation unit, located in the Fortaleza municipality in Ceará state, which has a very diverse fauna. We collected the data between September and October 2018 using a structured questionnaire applied with 126 park visitors.Results: We observed that visitors only know 31.57% of the fauna of the Parque Estadual do Cocó and usually find 1.05 ± 1.29 animals during the activities realized in the place. “Common marmoset” ( Callithrix jacchus ) and “Great egret” ( Ardea alba ) were the most cited species, with respectively 102 and 63 citations, while “Crab-eating raccoon” ( Procyon cancrivorus ) and “American purple gallinule” ( Porphyrio martinicus ) were the less cited, with 22 and 16 citations. We did not notice a relationship between the knowledge about the Park fauna with frequency of visitation, but we noticed a positive relation between the number of animals sighted and frequency. The most cited source of information about the Park native species was information boards, but there was no relation between the presence of boards with an animal species of the Park and the knowledge of visitor about them.Conclusions: Visitors do not know the species richness of the Park, even with a high frequency of visitation and the presence of information boards about the Park fauna. However, a high frequency of visitation allowed people to see more animals throughout these visitations. Possibly, more direct alternatives to inform visitors about the native fauna of the Park can bring more positive results than just the sightings and simply the presence of information boards.

Cercophis auratus (Schlegel, 1837) (Serpentes: Colubridae: Dipsadinae) is a rare snake with known disruptive distribution in coastal Atlantic Forest and in eastern Amazon Forest, with type locality in Suriname. Here we present a new record of this snake from relictual highland moist forest inside the xeric shrubland Caatinga Morphoclimatic Domain. This new record extends the distribution range of C. auratus (Schlegel, 1837) and bring insights about the past connective bridge between Amazon and Atlantic forests.

Made available in DSpace on 2020-12-12T01:44:10Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2019-11-04 Several factors influence the dynamics and structure of parasite communities. Our goal was to investigate how the community composition, prevalence and abundance of parasites change across seven populations of the exotic lizard Hemidactylus mabouia in Northeast Brazil, and to describe ontogenetic and sex variations. We found differences in the composition of component communities and patterns of infection according to the host body size across the lizard populations. We did not find any variation between the sexes regarding epidemiological patterns, which can probably be explained by the similar diet and habitat use of male and female H. mabouia. An unusually high abundance and prevalence of trematodes infecting this host lizard was apparent when we compared other native lizard hosts, and we suggest that local environmental conditions might be advantageous to the development and life cycle of these parasites due to the abundance of all the intermediate and definitive hosts. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia e Recursos Naturais Universidade Federal do Ceará Núcleo Regional de Ofiologia Universidade Federal do Ceará Faculdade de Engenharia Departamento de Biologia e Zootecnia Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp), Campus de Ilha Solteira Faculdade de Engenharia Departamento de Biologia e Zootecnia Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp), Campus de Ilha Solteira

Information about the variation of biological attributes in species whose distribution covers more than one biome contributes to understanding phenotype variation in different environments. Herein, we evaluated how ecological aspects of the lizard Gonatodes humeralis vary between rainforest populations (Amazon domain) and a recently registered population in a coastal forest influenced by semiarid climate (Caatinga domain). We investigated body size, temperature, activity period, microhabitat use and diet of this species, testing the hypothesis that, compared to Amazonian populations, the Caatinga population would present a reduced body size, shortened activity period, exploration of a greater variety of microhabitats and a more diverse diet. In fact, we corroborated the predictions with respect to body size and diet. On the other hand, we observed a more conservative activity period and greater specialization in the use of microhabitats in the Caatinga population. Our findings contribute to understanding the variation in biological attributes between populations of species with wide distributions and reveal adjustments conducted by biotic and abiotic factors in different morphological, ecological and behavioral traits.

This study have analyzed the pulmonary function in an experimental model of acute lung injury, induced by the Crotalus durissus cascavella venom (C. d. cascavella) (3.0 μg/kg - i.p), in pulmonary mechanic and histology at 1 h, 3 h, 6 h, 12 h and 24 h after inoculation. The C. d. cascavella venom led to an increase in Newtonian Resistance (RN), Tissue Resistance (G) and Tissue Elastance (H) in all groups when compared to the control, particularly at 12 h and 24 h. The Histeresivity (η) increased 6 h, 12 h and 24 h after inoculation. There was a decrease in Static Compliance (CST) at 6 h, 12 h and 24 h and inspiratory capacity (IC) at 3 h, 6 h, 12 h and 24 h. C. d. cascavella venom showed significant morphological changes such as atelectasis, emphysema, hemorrhage, polymorphonuclear inflammatory infiltrate, edema and congestion. After a challenge with methacholine (MCh), RN demonstrated significant changes at 6, 12 and 24 h. This venom caused mechanical and histopathological changes in the lung tissue; however, its mechanisms of action need further studies in order to better elucidate the morphofunctional lesions.

Environmental factors influence diverse assemblage features such as species abundances, richness, and nestedness. Amphibians and reptiles play important roles in terrestrial ecosystems, but there is still a lack of information about the assemblages of these animals in many regions. In this study, we aimed to understand how environmental factors influence the anurans and lizards assemblages from Sao Goncalo do Amarante, Ceara, Brazil. Herpetofauna samplings were performed monthly in Sao Goncalo do Amarante from January 2008 to May 2009, excluding April 2008. We sampled animals (anurans and lizards) using pitfall traps and active searches. The abundance and richness of lizards were positively related to temperature and negatively related to precipitation. Anuran assemblage was not influenced by precipitation, but its abundance was negatively influenced by temperature. Temperature generated a nested pattern in the lizard assemblage, but precipitation did not produce this pattern in anurans. Finally, our results reinforce the importance of environmental factors, mainly temperature, in structuring assemblages of anurans and lizards.

Hemosporidians are a monophyletic group of protozoan parasites infecting all terrestrial vertebrate orders. Although Plasmodium is the most studied genus within the Haemosporidia, this research effort is heavily biased toward mammal and bird hosts. We screened 205 specimens of at least 18 reptile species from Brazil using a partial mitochondrial cytochrome b gene marker. Positive samples were sequenced and included in a phylogenetic assessment. Four positive PCR products matched others identified as Plasmodium using BLAST from 3 different host species, Ameiva ameiva, Tropidurus hispidus, and Hemidactylus mabouia. Recovery of similar haplotypes in the native T. hispidus and exotic H. mabouia (99.9%) indicate potential host-switching.

Direct development in amphibians is characterized by the loss of aquatic breeding. The anuran Adelophryne maranguapensis is one example of a species with direct development, and it is endemic to the state of Ceara, Brazil. Detailed morphological features of A. maranguapensis embryos and the stages of sequential development have not been described before. Here, we analyzed all available genetic sequence tags in A. maranguapensis (tyr exon 1, pomc and rag1) and compared them with sequences from other species of Adelophryne frogs. We describe the A. maranguapensis reproductive tract and embryonic body development, with a focus on the limbs, tail, ciliated cells of the skin, and the egg tooth, which were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy. Histological analyses revealed ovaries containing oocytes surrounded by follicular cells, displaying large nuclei with nucleoli inside. Early in development, the body is unpigmented, and the neural tube forms dorsally to the yolk vesicle, typical of a direct-developing frog embryo. The hindlimbs develop earlier than the forelimbs. Ciliated cells are abundant during the early stages of skin development and are less common during later stages. The egg tooth appears in the later stages and develops as a keratinized microridge structure. The developmental profile of A. maranguapensis presented here will contribute to our understanding of the direct-development model and may help preserve this endangered native Brazilian frog. genesis 54:257-271, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

We assessed the lizard assemblage from a priority conservation Caatinga area from northeastern Brazil, through a pluriannual ecological approach, to expand the understanding on biodiversity patterns of Neotropical semiarid habitats. The studied area presented one of the richest lizard faunas among Caatinga sites, being composed primarily by species typical from open landscapes. The local species composition was more similar to assemblages from adjacent Caatinga ecoregions than to those from other areas within the same ecoregion. The inventoried lizard assemblage consisted of a few common species and a majority of low abundance ones, and its overall richness and abundance did not differ between rainy and dry months. Our findings demonstrated that the composition of lizard assemblages did not match with the current proposed Caatinga ecoregions, and revealed that the studied assemblage followed a lognormal species-abundance distribution, showing no significant seasonal fluctuation in richness and abu...

The relationships among the morphoclimatic domains of South America have been a major biogeographical issue of recent years. Palynological, geological and phytogeographical data suggest that the Amazon Forest and the Atlantic Forest were connected during part of the Tertiary and Quaternary periods. This study uses amphibians as model organisms to investigate whether relict northeastern forests are a transition between the Amazon Forest and the Atlantic Forest. We compiled matrices of species composition for four different phytogeographic formations and “Brejos de Altitude,” and analyzed them using clustering methods and Cladistic Analysis of Distributions and Endemism. Our results indicate that the anurofauna of these northeastern forest relicts is most similar in composition to the areas of the Atlantic Forest included in this study, and most dissimilar to the Amazon Forest, which leads us to affirm that events of biotic exchange were more frequent within the Atlantic Forest areas.

We conducted studies on the reproductive ecology of an undescribed species, here referred to asAdenomeraaff.hylaedactyla, in São Gonçalo do Amarante, Ceará, Brazil. Active sampling took place over a whole year, while searches for underground chambers were also made every two weeks during one reproductive season. The reproductive pattern was seasonal, with breeding occurring only in wetter months (January to May) and peak activity in April and mainly at night. Calling activity of males was influenced by air humidity, temperature and rainfall. The species showed a reproductive pattern consistent with that described for the genusAdenomera, whose main features of reproduction are underground chambers and foam nests.Adenomeraaff.hylaedactylahas no aquatic stage of tadpole development, consistent with reproductive mode 32, which encompases foam nest construction in subterranean chambers and complete development of endotrophic tadpoles in the chambers. These natural history data not only contribute to the understanding of reproductive strategies in anurans, but also provide information for developing effective conservation strategies.

The Caatinga lancehead, Bothrops erythromelas, is a medically relevant species, responsible for most of the snakebite accidents in most parts of its distribution range in northeastern Brazil. The spectrum and geographic variability of its venom toxins were investigated applying a venomics approach to venom pools from five geographic areas within the Caatinga ecoregion. Despite its wide habitat, populations of B. erythromelas from Ceará, Pernambuco, Juazeiro, Paraiba, and Ilha de Itaparica exhibit highly conserved venom proteomes. Mirroring their compositional conservation, the five geographic venom pools also showed qualitatively and quantitatively overlapping antivenomic profiles against antivenoms generated in Vital Brazil (BR) and Clodomiro Picado (CR) Institutes, using different venoms in the immunization mixtures. The paraspecificity exhibited by the Brazilian SAB and the Costa Rican BCL antivenoms against venom toxins from B. erythromelas indicates large immunoreactive epitope conservation across genus Bothrops during the last ~ 14 million years, thus offering promise for the possibility of generating a broad-spectrum bothropic antivenom. Biological Significance Accidental snakebite envenomings represent an important public health hazard in Brazil. Ninety per cent of the yearly estimated 20-30,000 snakebite accidents are caused by species of the Bothrops genus. Bothrops erythromelas, a small, moderately stocky terrestrial venomous snake, is responsible for most of the snakebite accidents in its broad distribution range in the Caatinga, a large ecoregion in northeastern Brazil. To gain a deeper insight into the spectrum of medically important toxins present in the venom of the Caatinga lancehead, we applied a venomics approach to define the proteome and geographic variability of adult B. erythromelas venoms from five geographic regions. Although intraspecific compositional variation between venoms among specimens from different geographic regions has long been appreciated by herpetologists and toxinologists as a general feature of highly adaptable and widely distributed snake species, the five B. erythromelas populations investigated exhibit highly conserved venom proteomes. The overall toxin profile of the Caatinga lancehead's venom explains the local and systemic effects observed in envenomations by B. erythromelas. The five geographic venom pools sampled also showed qualitatively and quantitatively overlapping antivenomic profiles against antivenoms generated using different bothropic venoms in the immunization mixtures. The large immunoreactive epitope conservation across genus Bothrops offers promise for the generation of a broad-spectrum bothropic antivenom. Ministerio de Ciencia é Innovación/[BFU2010-17373]//España Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad/[BFU2013-42833-P]//España Generalitat Valenciana/[PROMETEO/2010/005]//España Programa Iberoamericano de Ciencia y Tecnología para el Desarrollo/[BIOTOX P211RT0412]/CYTED/España Universidad de Costa Rica/[741-B2-652]/UCR/Costa Rica Consejo Nacional de Rectores/[741-B2-652]/FEES-CONARE/Costa Rica Genoprot/[560931/2010-7]//Brasil UCR::Vicerrectoría de Investigación::Unidades de Investigación::Ciencias de la Salud::Instituto Clodomiro Picado (ICP)

The reproductive ecology of Ameivula ocellifera was studied from September 2009 to August 2010 in a coastal area of the state of Ceará, Brazil. Females reproduced continuously throughout the year, with a peak at the end of the rainy season. Even though there was a predominance of pre-reproductive individuals in the sample, gonadal activity of males peaked synchronously to female reproduction. Mean clutch size was 1.98 ± 0.56 and positively associated with female body size, while mean egg volume was 510.54 ± 84.29 mm3 and unrelated to female body size. We did not find any association between clutch size and average egg volume. A ecologia reprodutiva de Ameivula ocellifera foi estudada de setembro de 2009 a agosto de 2010 em uma área litorânea do estado do Ceará, Brasil. As fêmeas reproduziram continuamente ao longo do ano, com pico no final da estação chuvosa. Embora tenha ocorrido um predomínio de indivíduos pré-reprodutivos na amostra, a atividade gonadal dos machos coincidiu sincronicamente com a reprodução das fêmeas. O tamanho médio da ninhada foi de 1,98 ± 0,56 ovos, e positivamente associado ao tamanho corporal das fêmeas, enquanto o volume médio dos ovos foi de 510,54 ± 84,29 mm3 e não relacionado ao tamanho corporal das fêmeas. Não encontramos qualquer associação entre o tamanho da ninhada e o volume médio dos ovos.

Body size is highly correlated with metabolism, which in turn influences physiological rates such as heart rate. In general, heart rate is negatively influenced by the size of animal's body, but there is insufficient data corroborating this pattern in snakes. This study evaluated how body size affects heart rate in captive Boa constrictor Linnaeus, 1758. We measured the heart rate of 30 snakes using digital palpation and evaluated how this rate is influenced by body mass and sex using Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA). The heart rate of the snakes was 58.8 ± 6.7 bpm (beats per minute). Body size, estimated as log-transformed body mass, negatively influenced heart rate (F1,28 = 10.27, p = 0.003, slope = -0.00004, R2 = 0.27), but sex had no effect (F1,27 = 0.07, p = 0.80). In conclusion, this result corroborates the negative relationship between body size and heart rate for snakes and reinforces the influence of related metabolic characteristics, such as body size, on the physiological parameters of snakes.

We studied a snake assemblage from an area of Caatinga with shrub and tree vegetation to describe the natural history of the snake species. A total of 636 individuals among 22 species from four families were recorded. The distribution of species abundances is log-normal; and the composition presents typical species from the Caatinga, with Oxybelis aeneus (Wagler, 1824) and Philodryas nattereri Steindachner, 1870 being the most common. The natural history of each species is described based on information regarding activity patterns, diet, habitat use, reproduction, and defensive repertoire obtained during the study, as well as on information available in the literature. The study area is located in a priority region for conservation and our results emphasize that conservation policies should be implemented in the region. A fauna de serpentes do bioma Caatinga é uma das menos estudadas do Brasil. Estudamos a assembleia de serpentes de uma área de Caatinga arbustivo-arbórea a fim de descrever a história natural das espécies ocorrentes na região. Um total de 636 indivíduos de 22 espécies de quatro famílias foi registrado. A distribuição das abundâncias das espécies na área é log-normal e a composição apresenta serpentes típicas de Caatinga sendo Oxybelis aeneus (Wagler, 1824) e Philodryas nattereri Steindachner, 1870 as espécies mais comuns. A história natural de cada espécie é descrita a partir das informações sobre padrões de atividade, dieta, uso do ambiente, reprodução e repertório defensivo obtidas durante o estudo e de informações disponíveis na literatura. A área de estudo está em uma área prioritária para conservação e os resultados reforçam que políticas conservacionistas sejam aplicadas na região.

A new species of Placosoma Tschudi, 1847, until now restricted to the Atlantic Forest areas of southeastern Brazil is described based on specimens obtained about 1700 km north to the current distribution of the genus. Placosoma limaverdorum spec. nov. is apparently endemic to three “brejos-de-altitude”, relictual forest mountains surrounded by dry Caatingas, in the State of Ceará, northeastern Brazil. It differs from their congeners by the presence of an undivided transparent palpebral disk, a divided nasal scale with a central nostril, a deep tympanic recess, a distinctive and thin light vertebral stripe on the dorsal surface of the head, body and tail, femoral pores present only in males (21–26), preanal pores absent and additionally by having 21–24 rows of transverse ventral scales, 34–38 dorsals, dorsal, lateral and ventral scales smooth, dorsal scales quadrangular, longer than wide, except in the neck region, where they are wider than long. Uma nova espécie do gênero Placosoma Tschudi, 1847, até então restrito ao domínio da Floresta Atlântica do sudeste do Brasil, é descrita com base em exemplares obtidos cerca de 1700 km ao norte da distribuição atual do gênero. Placosoma limaverdorum spec. nov. é aparentemente endêmica de três brejos-de-altitude, áreas relictuais de floresta em serras circundadas por Caatinga no Estado do Ceará, nordeste do Brasil. A espécie difere das demais do gênero por apresentar disco palpebral transparente inteiro e sem escamas, nasal dividida com a narina no centro, recesso timpânico profundo, uma fina lista vertebral clara na porção dorsal da cabeça, corpo e cauda, por apresentar poros femorais somente nos machos (21– 26) e poros preanais ausentes, 21–24 fileiras transversais de escamas ventrais, 34–38 fileiras transversais de dorsais, escamas dorsais, laterais e ventrais lisas, e escamas dorsais quadrangulares, geralmente mais longas que largas, exceto no pescoço onde são maiores e mais largas que longas.

Background The attitudes and perceptions of people toward animals are influenced by sociodemographic factors, such as formal education and gender, and by personal experience. Understanding these interactions is critical for the establishment of conservation strategies for animals that have conflictual relationships with humans, such as snakes. Our study aims to explain how perceptions and the human fear of snakes vary and are influenced by formal education and gender. In addition, it aims to show how prior interaction with these animals influence these perceptions and the human fear toward snakes and how these perceptions and fear influence the importance of conservation of these animals. Methods We collected data from June 2010 to December 2013 using questionnaires given to 1142 visitors of a scientific serpentarium (Núcleo Regional de Ofiologia da Universidade Federal do Ceará) in the municipality of Fortaleza, northeastern Brazil. Results and Discussion Negative perceptions toward snakes were less frequent according to an increase in levels of schooling. Women had more negative perceptions and were more afraid of snakes than were men. Prior interaction with snakes decreased the occurrence of negative perceptions and reduced the level of human fear of these animals. People with negative perceptions classified the conservation of snakes as not important and were more afraid of these animals. Understanding the relationship between sociodemographic factors, prior experiences, perceptions, fear, and the importance given to conservation can help to better understand human attitudes toward snakes. Conclusions Environmental education activities considering gender differences, involving preliminary interaction with snakes and focusing on priority targets identified in our study, such as people with low formal education, can increase the efficiency of measures for the conservation of these animals. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13002-016-0096-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Based on both unique morphological characteristics of the gamont, distinct changes caused to the host erythrocyte and analysis of partial 18S rRNA gene sequences, a new parasite of the genus Hepatozoon Miller, 1908 is described from the snake Philodryas nattereri Steindachner (Squamata: Dipsadidae) in northeastern Brazil. The new species, Hepatozoon musa n. sp., is characterized by large and curved mature gamonts (18.9 ± 0.9 μm in length and 3.8 ± 0.3 μm in width) that considerably engorge infected host erythrocytes and displace the nucleus laterally, which become longer and thinner. Phylogenetic estimates indicate the new species is more closely related to the recently described Hepatozoon cuestensis O'Dwyer, Moco, Paduan, Spenassatto, Silva & Ribolla, 2013, from Brazilian rattlesnakes. These recent findings highlight the need for further studies of Hepatozoon to better determine the biodiversity of this common but poorly-studied parasite group.

Bothrops erythromelas is responsible for a large number of snakebite incidents in Northeastern Brazil. Previously, we showed the effects of whole B. erythromelas venom in an isolated kidney model. To continue the study with B. erythromelas venom, the present work aims to study the effects of this venom on MDCK tubular epithelial cells and assess gene expression involved in kidney injury, aiming at elucidating the mechanisms responsible for renal toxicity. Cytotoxicity in MDCK cells showed an IC50 of 93 μg/mL and predominant apoptotic involvement demonstrated by flow cytometry assays and expression of caspase-3 and caspase-8. In conclusion, we suggest that Bothropoides erythromelas venom causes apoptosis with involvement of the caspases, probably through the extrinsic pathway.

Made available in DSpace on 2018-12-11T17:26:54Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2016-01-01 The decay of similarity between biological communities with increasing geographical distance is a well-established pattern in ecology, but there are more complex factors acting on host population connections that influence this association for parasite communities, such as parasites' colonization ability and degree of connectivity between host populations. Here we aim to determine the helminth communities associated with different populations of the host lizard Hemidactylus mabouia, testing if the similarity of parasite communities decreases as the distance between them increases. For this, we collected samples of lizard populations in seven sites from Northeastern coast of Brazil and identified parasite species of helminths and pentastomids in each host, calculated the Sørensen indices of presence/absence and abundance of each pair of communities and related them to the geographical distance. We did not find a relationship of decaying similarity with increasing distance between the parasite communities of the host populations. This can be explained by factors such as the characteristics of the contact between the host populations, and by modes of transmission of most parasite species. Furthermore, it may be related to the exotic nature of the host in Brazil so that parasite communities have not reached equilibrium. Programa de Pós-Graduacąõ em Ecologia e Recursos Naturais Universidade Federal Do Ceará Núcleo Regional de Ofiologia Universidade Federal Do Ceará Prog. de Pos-Graduacao em Biol. de Vertebrados da Pontificia Universidade Catolica de Minas Gerais, Av. Dom José Gaspar N 500 UNESP-Universidade Estadual Paulista Faculdade de Engenharia Departamento de Biologia e Zootecnia CIBIO Research Centre in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources InBIO Universidade Do Porto, Padre Armando Quintas, N 7 UNESP-Universidade Estadual Paulista Faculdade de Engenharia Departamento de Biologia e Zootecnia

As serpentes, desde os primórdios da humanidade, são alocadas em relatos míticos e lendários de diversasetnias e regiões de todo o mundo devido à sua capacidade histórica de despertar o imaginário popular. No Brasil, empraticamente todas as regiões, existe uma grande riqueza de crenças envolvendo esses animais. A fim de realizar umlevantamento etnográfico sobre as crenças e suas respectivas inferências científicas envolvendo ofídios no estado do Ceará,Nordeste do Brasil, foram realizadas, entre os anos de 2008 e 2010, entrevistas semiestruturadas com “especialistaslocais” selecionados nos municípios de Aratuba, Pacoti e Mulungu (área serrana); Itapajé, Irauçuba e Tururu (área sertaneja)e o litoral de São Gonçalo do Amarante e Caucaia (área litorânea). Nas áreas abordadas, há uma diferenciação entre “cobrascom ou sem veneno”, sendo que a maioria das serpentes consideradas peçonhentas pelos entrevistados não possuempotencial venômico letal ao ser humano. Os entrevistados afirmam a prioridade de uso do soro antiofídico em caso deacidentes, porém eles consideram outros procedimentos caseiros como eficazes. Para determinadas espécies de serpentes,foram levantadas crenças constituídas por assimilações de caracteres morfológicos, fisiológicos e ecológicos, a maioria dasquais não corrobora a literatura zoológica. Isso acontece provavelmente porque o sentimento de medo impede umaaproximação que pudesse promover um conhecimento popular que corroborasse de maneira mais consistente o conhecimentocientífico. A relação conflituosa entre humanos e serpentes leva a uma justificativa leiga para o abate indiscriminado dessesanimais, causando problemas ambientais e de saúde pública graves, que devem ser solucionados principalmente através depolíticas públicas de educação ambiental, prevenção e tratamento de acidentes ofídicos.

The Brown Vine snake, Oxybelis aeneus (Wagler, 1824), is widely distributed from the United States to Argentina. 113 specimens encountered in the field and 39 individuals from scientific collections were analyzed and we determined patterns of diet, habitat use, and daily and seasonal activity. Oxybelis aeneus can be found to be active year round, especially during the dry and warmer months. Daily temperature poorly describes its activity as it seems to be more active around 31 to 35°C. During the hours of inactivity the species tends to chose higher branches than when active. The snakes choose spiny trees as retreat sites and spineless trees as foraging sites. We suggest that the high abundance of O. aeneus makes it an appropriate model organism for studies on activity patterns of snakes in semi-arid environments.

We expand the distribution of Tupinambis teguixin to the Caatinga biome, and report the first record of this species in Ceará state, northeastern Brazil. We found T. teguixin at a typical Caatinga habitat, approximately 215 km from the nearest locality with known record of the species. Our findings expand the knowledge of Caatinga's herpetofauna, reinforcing the deficiency of information from several areas, and the necessity of additional surveys in this biome.

Hepatozoon is a genus of hemogregarines constituting the most widespread and common reptile hemoparasite. Although various molecular assessments of these parasites have been conducted in lizards from Africa and Europe, similar studies are needed for South American lizards. Through amplification and sequencing of fragments of the 18S rRNA gene, we assess the prevalence of Hepatozoon parasites in 230 geckos from South America, including the endemic species Hemidactylus agrius, Hemidactylus brasilianus, Lygodactylus klugei, Phyllopezus pollicaris, Phyllopezus periosus, and an exotic species, Hemidactylus mabouia. We found an overall low prevalence of Hepatozoon infection (7/230, 3%) with only 3 of the 6 host species infected with Hepatozoon (Hemidactylus mabouia, P. pollicaris, and P. periosus). Within the 7 infected host samples, 5 genetically distinct lineages of Hepatozoon parasites were identified, only 1 of which was similar to previously published haplotypes. Thus, although prevalence is low, genetically based diversity of Hepatozoon in geckos from South America is very high. Three of these lineages appear basal to 1 of the major clades of Hepatozoon, suggesting that this clade might have originated in South America, and thereby indicating a potential phylogeographic pattern that had not been previously identified. Future studies should assess the distribution and competence of invertebrate hosts in the regions analyzed, and Hepatozoon diversity in other less well-known regions of the world. © 2015 American Society of Parasitologists., This study was supported by a CNPq postdoctoral fellowship (Process No. 201962/2010-1) to DMBN and supported by project (Process No. 309617/2012-0). JPM was funded through a Ph.D. grant (SFRH/BD/74305/2010) supported by FCT doctoral fellowships under the Programa Operacional Potencial Humano–Quadro de Referência Estratégico Nacional funds (POPH-QREN) from the European Social Fund and Portuguese Ministério da Educação e Ciência. DJH is supported by “Genomics and evolutionary biology,” co-financed by North Portugal Regional Operational Programme 2007/2013 (ON.2–O Novo Norte), under the National Strategic Reference Framework (NSRF), through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

Population declines have previously been reported for at least 31 amphibian species in Brazil, in the families Leptodactylidae (19), Hylidae (7), Centrolenidae (2), Dendrobatidae (2), and Bufonidae (1). In five Brazilian museum collections, we found no entries of new records dating back to at least 15 yr ago for 13 of these species. We suggest that these taxa be studied in more detail to verify their status and to generate basic ecological data. Museum data indicate that the remaining species have been recently found in areas of reported crashes, or elsewhere. Several apparent declines in Brazil can be associated with habitat loss, interspecific interactions, natural fluctuations, or lack of intensive sampling. Personal observations and field data also indicate possible declines in the states of Parana and Ceara as well as in highlands within the Cerrado biome, in the state of Minas Gerais. Records suggest declines of montane and stream-associated populations of Brazilian amphibians in apparently pristine habitats. Field work is necessary to confirm these cases and to examine whether factors associated with similar extinctions in other parts of the globe-such as pathogens and climate change-are also related to local disappearances. To clarify pending questions and perhaps circumvent new cases, it is important to invest in short- and long-term field studies, and in the maintenance and expansion of museum collections.

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Chthonerpeton arii was described from a large series of specimens from Limoeiro do Norte municipality, state of Ceará, Brazil. Here we provide the first records of the species out of the type locality, in the state of Bahia, and in its border with the state of Pernambuco, Brazil. We also provide color photographs of a preserved specimen.

Crotalus durissus cascavella is a snake native of northeastern Brazil. The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of C. d. cascavella venom on rat mean arterial pressure and vascular reactivity in the mesenteric vascular bed. The venom evoked a dose-dependent decrease in mean arterial pressure, cardiac and respiratory frequency with increased plasma nitrite levels. L-NAME (10 mg/kg) blunted both the hypotension and increased nitrite production observed after the venom administration. To investigate the effects of C. d. cascavella in resistance vessels, the vascular mesenteric bed was studied, and the results suggested that the hypotensive effect of the venom is not dependent on a direct vasodilatory activity. In conclusion, C. d. cascavella venom presented indirect hypotensive effects with the involvement of nitric oxide.

A new species of Atractus is described from Serra de Baturite ´, an Atlantic Forest enclave in the semiarid Caatinga of the state of Ceara ´, northeastern Brazil. The new species is distinguished from all congeners by the combination of 17 dorsal scale rows at midbody, long loreal, two postoculars, seven upper and lower labials, first four infralabials in contact with chinshields, seven maxillary teeth, moderate body and tail sizes, slightly bilobed and semicapitate hemipenis with lateral-tip projections, light dorsal color pattern uniformly scattered with small dark brown dots, and ventral color pattern uniformly creamish white. The new species shares most of the external morphology and hemipenis characters with A. pantostictus, differing from this taxon by general color pattern and number of subcaudal scales.