ABSTRACT Toad-headed Pitviper Bothrocophias hyoprora (Amaral, 1935) (Serpentes, Viperidae): New R... more ABSTRACT Toad-headed Pitviper Bothrocophias hyoprora (Amaral, 1935) (Serpentes, Viperidae): New Records of Geographic Range in Brazil, Hemipenial Morphology, and Chromosomal Characterization Toad-headed pitvipers of the genus Bothrocophias are dis-tributed throughout Andean South America, in Ecuador, Colom-bia, Peru, Bolivia, and Brazil (Fenwick et al. 2009). Morphological (Gutberlet and Harvey 2002) and molecular (Castoe and Parkin-son 2006; Fenwick et al. 2009) data have supported the mono-phyly of Bothrocophias, and its position as sister to a Bothrops + Bothriopsis clade (Fenwick et al. 2009). Six species are currently recognized, all occurring mainly in lowland rainforest, wet-montane forest, and cloud forest areas (Campbell and Lamar 2004; Cisneros-Heredia et al. 2006; Fen-wick et al. 2009; Gutberlet and Campbell 2001). Bothrocophias colombianus (Rendahl and Vestergren, 1940), B. myersi Gutber-let and Campbell (2001) and B. rhombeatus (Garcia, 1896) are known only from Colombia. Bothrocophias campbelli (Freire-Lascano, 1991) is known from northwest South America in Co-lombia and Ecuador; B. microphthalmus (Cope, 1835) occurs from eastern Colombia to northwestern Bolivia, and B. hyoprora (Amaral, 1935) is distributed at low elevations in equatorial for-est in the Amazon Basin, in northern-western Brazil, Colombia, eastern Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia (Campbell and Lamar 2004; Cisneros-Heredia et al. 2006). Because it is a rarely registered species, the natural history and ecology of B. hyoprora are poorly known. Apparently it is a nocturnal pitviper that inhabits very humid tropical rainfor-est, and is most frequently found on the leaf litter, close to water bodies (Campbell and Lamar 2004). However, our knowledge about the species is based on few specimens, and probably due the lack of sampling, few papers have been published about this species. In fact, the largest collection of B. hyoprora available in Brazilian institutions houses only seven specimens, from which we obtained some of the data presented in this study. Hemipenial morphology has been used to define taxonomic groups in Crotalinae (Campbell and Lamar 2004; Vellard 1946), and although Southern Hemisphere species share general char-acteristics, such as short and calyculate lobes rounded distally, subtle differences are expected, as in the number and size of spines. Indeed, hemipenial characters are closely associated with species differentiation, and thus are useful in evolutionary studies (Jadin et al. 2010). The study of chromosomes is potentially useful for species definition and systematics, especially when external morpho-logical characters are not sufficient for the clarification of taxo-nomic problems (Roze 1996). However, chromosomal data are rarely used for the characterization and differentiation of snake species. The karyotype has been described for few Brazilian snake species, and the paucity of data is especially acute for spe-cies from the Amazon Basin. There are no chromosomal data for B. hyoprora available in the literature. The chromosomal charac-terization of B. hyoprora will allow comparison with individuals of this species from other localities, with other species of this ge-nus, and with individuals of sister-groups, assisting in the tracing
ABSTRACT Toad-headed Pitviper Bothrocophias hyoprora (Amaral, 1935) (Serpentes, Viperidae): New R... more ABSTRACT Toad-headed Pitviper Bothrocophias hyoprora (Amaral, 1935) (Serpentes, Viperidae): New Records of Geographic Range in Brazil, Hemipenial Morphology, and Chromosomal Characterization Toad-headed pitvipers of the genus Bothrocophias are dis-tributed throughout Andean South America, in Ecuador, Colom-bia, Peru, Bolivia, and Brazil (Fenwick et al. 2009). Morphological (Gutberlet and Harvey 2002) and molecular (Castoe and Parkin-son 2006; Fenwick et al. 2009) data have supported the mono-phyly of Bothrocophias, and its position as sister to a Bothrops + Bothriopsis clade (Fenwick et al. 2009). Six species are currently recognized, all occurring mainly in lowland rainforest, wet-montane forest, and cloud forest areas (Campbell and Lamar 2004; Cisneros-Heredia et al. 2006; Fen-wick et al. 2009; Gutberlet and Campbell 2001). Bothrocophias colombianus (Rendahl and Vestergren, 1940), B. myersi Gutber-let and Campbell (2001) and B. rhombeatus (Garcia, 1896) are known only from Colombia. Bothrocophias campbelli (Freire-Lascano, 1991) is known from northwest South America in Co-lombia and Ecuador; B. microphthalmus (Cope, 1835) occurs from eastern Colombia to northwestern Bolivia, and B. hyoprora (Amaral, 1935) is distributed at low elevations in equatorial for-est in the Amazon Basin, in northern-western Brazil, Colombia, eastern Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia (Campbell and Lamar 2004; Cisneros-Heredia et al. 2006). Because it is a rarely registered species, the natural history and ecology of B. hyoprora are poorly known. Apparently it is a nocturnal pitviper that inhabits very humid tropical rainfor-est, and is most frequently found on the leaf litter, close to water bodies (Campbell and Lamar 2004). However, our knowledge about the species is based on few specimens, and probably due the lack of sampling, few papers have been published about this species. In fact, the largest collection of B. hyoprora available in Brazilian institutions houses only seven specimens, from which we obtained some of the data presented in this study. Hemipenial morphology has been used to define taxonomic groups in Crotalinae (Campbell and Lamar 2004; Vellard 1946), and although Southern Hemisphere species share general char-acteristics, such as short and calyculate lobes rounded distally, subtle differences are expected, as in the number and size of spines. Indeed, hemipenial characters are closely associated with species differentiation, and thus are useful in evolutionary studies (Jadin et al. 2010). The study of chromosomes is potentially useful for species definition and systematics, especially when external morpho-logical characters are not sufficient for the clarification of taxo-nomic problems (Roze 1996). However, chromosomal data are rarely used for the characterization and differentiation of snake species. The karyotype has been described for few Brazilian snake species, and the paucity of data is especially acute for spe-cies from the Amazon Basin. There are no chromosomal data for B. hyoprora available in the literature. The chromosomal charac-terization of B. hyoprora will allow comparison with individuals of this species from other localities, with other species of this ge-nus, and with individuals of sister-groups, assisting in the tracing
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 2015
Significance People are fascinated by the amazing diversity of tropical forests and will be surpr... more Significance People are fascinated by the amazing diversity of tropical forests and will be surprised to learn that robust estimates of the number of tropical tree species are lacking. We show that there are at least 40,000, but possibly more than 53,000, tree species in the tropics, in contrast to only 124 across temperate Europe. Almost all tropical tree species are restricted to their respective continents, and the Indo-Pacific region appears to be as species-rich as tropical America, with each of these two regions being almost five times as rich in tree species as African tropical forests. Our study shows that most tree species are extremely rare, meaning that they may be under serious risk of extinction at current deforestation rates. The high species richness of tropical forests has long been recognized, yet there remains substantial uncertainty regarding the actual number of tropical tree species. Using a pantropical tree inventory database from closed canopy forests, consist...
We present new karyotype records for six Proechimys species from the Brazilian Amazon. P. echinot... more We present new karyotype records for six Proechimys species from the Brazilian Amazon. P. echinothrix from the region of Purus River had 2n = 32 chromosomes and a FN = 58, while P. cuvieri from the region of the Japurá River presented 2n = 28 and FN = 46. All individuals presented hybridization with an 18S rDNA probe in a single chromosome pair, with the exception of P. cuvieri from the Japurá region, which presented a third signal in one of the homologs of pair 1. No ITS were found in any of the individuals. Our data supports the hypothesis that the P. cuvieri population from the Japurá Basin and P. echinothrix from the lower Purus are new taxonomic entities. Our data expand the geographic distribution of the cytotype (2n = 40, FN = 54) described for P. gardneri from the Madeira River, and the cytotype (2n = 46, FN = 50), described for P. guyannensis, as well as the recently-described cytotype of P. goeldii (2n = 16, FN = 14). No clear pattern of chromosomal evolution has yet been ...
Caluromys is considered to be one of the most ancient genera of extant marsupials and is position... more Caluromys is considered to be one of the most ancient genera of extant marsupials and is positioned among the basal taxa of the family Didelphidae. At least two species occur in Brazil, C. philander and C. lanatus, both of which have 2n = 14 chromosomes. For the first time, we present evidence of an intrapopulation polymorphism of the sexual chromosome pair in C. philander females from the Central Amazon region. Detailed cytogenetic results of animals from three localities on the Amazon region were analyzed using classical cytogenetics (NOR, C-Band and G-Band) and molecular techniques (18S rDNA and telomere probes). Similar to other conspecific individuals, the diploid number of these animals is 2n = 14, and their fundamental number is 24, with NOR present on the 6th autosomal pair. The X chromosome presented variation detectable by G banding, suggesting a pericentric inversion.
We investigated the karyotype of 18 didelphid species captured at 13 localities in the Brazilian ... more We investigated the karyotype of 18 didelphid species captured at 13 localities in the Brazilian Amazon, after conventional staining, C-banding, Ag-NOR and fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) using the 18S rDNA probe. Variations were found in the X chromosome, heterochromatin distribution and the 18S rDNA sequence. The main variation observed was in the position of the centromere in the X chromosome of Caluromys philander Linnaeus, 1758 and Marmosa murina Linnaeus, 1758. For both species, the X chromosome showed a geographical segregation in the pattern of variation between eastern and western Brazil, with a possible contact area in the central Amazon. C-banding on the X chromosome revealed two patterns for the species of Marmosops Matschie, 1916, apparently without geographic or specific relationships. The nucleolus organizer region (NOR) of all species was confirmed with the 18S rDNA probe, except on the Y chromosome of Monodelphis touan Shaw, 1800. The distribution of this m...
We studied the karyotypes of two doradids, the rare and endangered Wertheimeria maculata and a de... more We studied the karyotypes of two doradids, the rare and endangered Wertheimeria maculata and a derived Amazonian species, Hassar wilderi. Cytogenetic characterization was assessed using conventional staining (Giemsa), C-banding, and NOR banding. Both species had 2n = 58 chromosomes but differed in their chromosome formulae, 24 m + 14sm + 8st + 12a for W. maculata and 32 m + 16sm + 10st for H. wilderi. In W. maculata heterochromatin was mainly telomeric, and three chromosomes had a fully heterochromatic arm; in H. wilderi heterochromatin was also predominantly telomeric and evident in many more chromosomes. Hassar wilderi also presented one pair of homologues with a fully heterochromatic arm. In both species, nucleolar organizer regions were restricted to one pair of subtelocentric chromosomes. Assuming a basal position for W. maculata, we hypothesized that underlying conserved diploid and NOR-bearing chromosome numbers, chromosomal evolution in doradids has involved pericentric inversions and an increase of heterochromatic blocks.
ABSTRACT Toad-headed Pitviper Bothrocophias hyoprora (Amaral, 1935) (Serpentes, Viperidae): New R... more ABSTRACT Toad-headed Pitviper Bothrocophias hyoprora (Amaral, 1935) (Serpentes, Viperidae): New Records of Geographic Range in Brazil, Hemipenial Morphology, and Chromosomal Characterization Toad-headed pitvipers of the genus Bothrocophias are dis-tributed throughout Andean South America, in Ecuador, Colom-bia, Peru, Bolivia, and Brazil (Fenwick et al. 2009). Morphological (Gutberlet and Harvey 2002) and molecular (Castoe and Parkin-son 2006; Fenwick et al. 2009) data have supported the mono-phyly of Bothrocophias, and its position as sister to a Bothrops + Bothriopsis clade (Fenwick et al. 2009). Six species are currently recognized, all occurring mainly in lowland rainforest, wet-montane forest, and cloud forest areas (Campbell and Lamar 2004; Cisneros-Heredia et al. 2006; Fen-wick et al. 2009; Gutberlet and Campbell 2001). Bothrocophias colombianus (Rendahl and Vestergren, 1940), B. myersi Gutber-let and Campbell (2001) and B. rhombeatus (Garcia, 1896) are known only from Colombia. Bothrocophias campbelli (Freire-Lascano, 1991) is known from northwest South America in Co-lombia and Ecuador; B. microphthalmus (Cope, 1835) occurs from eastern Colombia to northwestern Bolivia, and B. hyoprora (Amaral, 1935) is distributed at low elevations in equatorial for-est in the Amazon Basin, in northern-western Brazil, Colombia, eastern Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia (Campbell and Lamar 2004; Cisneros-Heredia et al. 2006). Because it is a rarely registered species, the natural history and ecology of B. hyoprora are poorly known. Apparently it is a nocturnal pitviper that inhabits very humid tropical rainfor-est, and is most frequently found on the leaf litter, close to water bodies (Campbell and Lamar 2004). However, our knowledge about the species is based on few specimens, and probably due the lack of sampling, few papers have been published about this species. In fact, the largest collection of B. hyoprora available in Brazilian institutions houses only seven specimens, from which we obtained some of the data presented in this study. Hemipenial morphology has been used to define taxonomic groups in Crotalinae (Campbell and Lamar 2004; Vellard 1946), and although Southern Hemisphere species share general char-acteristics, such as short and calyculate lobes rounded distally, subtle differences are expected, as in the number and size of spines. Indeed, hemipenial characters are closely associated with species differentiation, and thus are useful in evolutionary studies (Jadin et al. 2010). The study of chromosomes is potentially useful for species definition and systematics, especially when external morpho-logical characters are not sufficient for the clarification of taxo-nomic problems (Roze 1996). However, chromosomal data are rarely used for the characterization and differentiation of snake species. The karyotype has been described for few Brazilian snake species, and the paucity of data is especially acute for spe-cies from the Amazon Basin. There are no chromosomal data for B. hyoprora available in the literature. The chromosomal charac-terization of B. hyoprora will allow comparison with individuals of this species from other localities, with other species of this ge-nus, and with individuals of sister-groups, assisting in the tracing
ABSTRACT Toad-headed Pitviper Bothrocophias hyoprora (Amaral, 1935) (Serpentes, Viperidae): New R... more ABSTRACT Toad-headed Pitviper Bothrocophias hyoprora (Amaral, 1935) (Serpentes, Viperidae): New Records of Geographic Range in Brazil, Hemipenial Morphology, and Chromosomal Characterization Toad-headed pitvipers of the genus Bothrocophias are dis-tributed throughout Andean South America, in Ecuador, Colom-bia, Peru, Bolivia, and Brazil (Fenwick et al. 2009). Morphological (Gutberlet and Harvey 2002) and molecular (Castoe and Parkin-son 2006; Fenwick et al. 2009) data have supported the mono-phyly of Bothrocophias, and its position as sister to a Bothrops + Bothriopsis clade (Fenwick et al. 2009). Six species are currently recognized, all occurring mainly in lowland rainforest, wet-montane forest, and cloud forest areas (Campbell and Lamar 2004; Cisneros-Heredia et al. 2006; Fen-wick et al. 2009; Gutberlet and Campbell 2001). Bothrocophias colombianus (Rendahl and Vestergren, 1940), B. myersi Gutber-let and Campbell (2001) and B. rhombeatus (Garcia, 1896) are known only from Colombia. Bothrocophias campbelli (Freire-Lascano, 1991) is known from northwest South America in Co-lombia and Ecuador; B. microphthalmus (Cope, 1835) occurs from eastern Colombia to northwestern Bolivia, and B. hyoprora (Amaral, 1935) is distributed at low elevations in equatorial for-est in the Amazon Basin, in northern-western Brazil, Colombia, eastern Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia (Campbell and Lamar 2004; Cisneros-Heredia et al. 2006). Because it is a rarely registered species, the natural history and ecology of B. hyoprora are poorly known. Apparently it is a nocturnal pitviper that inhabits very humid tropical rainfor-est, and is most frequently found on the leaf litter, close to water bodies (Campbell and Lamar 2004). However, our knowledge about the species is based on few specimens, and probably due the lack of sampling, few papers have been published about this species. In fact, the largest collection of B. hyoprora available in Brazilian institutions houses only seven specimens, from which we obtained some of the data presented in this study. Hemipenial morphology has been used to define taxonomic groups in Crotalinae (Campbell and Lamar 2004; Vellard 1946), and although Southern Hemisphere species share general char-acteristics, such as short and calyculate lobes rounded distally, subtle differences are expected, as in the number and size of spines. Indeed, hemipenial characters are closely associated with species differentiation, and thus are useful in evolutionary studies (Jadin et al. 2010). The study of chromosomes is potentially useful for species definition and systematics, especially when external morpho-logical characters are not sufficient for the clarification of taxo-nomic problems (Roze 1996). However, chromosomal data are rarely used for the characterization and differentiation of snake species. The karyotype has been described for few Brazilian snake species, and the paucity of data is especially acute for spe-cies from the Amazon Basin. There are no chromosomal data for B. hyoprora available in the literature. The chromosomal charac-terization of B. hyoprora will allow comparison with individuals of this species from other localities, with other species of this ge-nus, and with individuals of sister-groups, assisting in the tracing
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 2015
Significance People are fascinated by the amazing diversity of tropical forests and will be surpr... more Significance People are fascinated by the amazing diversity of tropical forests and will be surprised to learn that robust estimates of the number of tropical tree species are lacking. We show that there are at least 40,000, but possibly more than 53,000, tree species in the tropics, in contrast to only 124 across temperate Europe. Almost all tropical tree species are restricted to their respective continents, and the Indo-Pacific region appears to be as species-rich as tropical America, with each of these two regions being almost five times as rich in tree species as African tropical forests. Our study shows that most tree species are extremely rare, meaning that they may be under serious risk of extinction at current deforestation rates. The high species richness of tropical forests has long been recognized, yet there remains substantial uncertainty regarding the actual number of tropical tree species. Using a pantropical tree inventory database from closed canopy forests, consist...
We present new karyotype records for six Proechimys species from the Brazilian Amazon. P. echinot... more We present new karyotype records for six Proechimys species from the Brazilian Amazon. P. echinothrix from the region of Purus River had 2n = 32 chromosomes and a FN = 58, while P. cuvieri from the region of the Japurá River presented 2n = 28 and FN = 46. All individuals presented hybridization with an 18S rDNA probe in a single chromosome pair, with the exception of P. cuvieri from the Japurá region, which presented a third signal in one of the homologs of pair 1. No ITS were found in any of the individuals. Our data supports the hypothesis that the P. cuvieri population from the Japurá Basin and P. echinothrix from the lower Purus are new taxonomic entities. Our data expand the geographic distribution of the cytotype (2n = 40, FN = 54) described for P. gardneri from the Madeira River, and the cytotype (2n = 46, FN = 50), described for P. guyannensis, as well as the recently-described cytotype of P. goeldii (2n = 16, FN = 14). No clear pattern of chromosomal evolution has yet been ...
Caluromys is considered to be one of the most ancient genera of extant marsupials and is position... more Caluromys is considered to be one of the most ancient genera of extant marsupials and is positioned among the basal taxa of the family Didelphidae. At least two species occur in Brazil, C. philander and C. lanatus, both of which have 2n = 14 chromosomes. For the first time, we present evidence of an intrapopulation polymorphism of the sexual chromosome pair in C. philander females from the Central Amazon region. Detailed cytogenetic results of animals from three localities on the Amazon region were analyzed using classical cytogenetics (NOR, C-Band and G-Band) and molecular techniques (18S rDNA and telomere probes). Similar to other conspecific individuals, the diploid number of these animals is 2n = 14, and their fundamental number is 24, with NOR present on the 6th autosomal pair. The X chromosome presented variation detectable by G banding, suggesting a pericentric inversion.
We investigated the karyotype of 18 didelphid species captured at 13 localities in the Brazilian ... more We investigated the karyotype of 18 didelphid species captured at 13 localities in the Brazilian Amazon, after conventional staining, C-banding, Ag-NOR and fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) using the 18S rDNA probe. Variations were found in the X chromosome, heterochromatin distribution and the 18S rDNA sequence. The main variation observed was in the position of the centromere in the X chromosome of Caluromys philander Linnaeus, 1758 and Marmosa murina Linnaeus, 1758. For both species, the X chromosome showed a geographical segregation in the pattern of variation between eastern and western Brazil, with a possible contact area in the central Amazon. C-banding on the X chromosome revealed two patterns for the species of Marmosops Matschie, 1916, apparently without geographic or specific relationships. The nucleolus organizer region (NOR) of all species was confirmed with the 18S rDNA probe, except on the Y chromosome of Monodelphis touan Shaw, 1800. The distribution of this m...
We studied the karyotypes of two doradids, the rare and endangered Wertheimeria maculata and a de... more We studied the karyotypes of two doradids, the rare and endangered Wertheimeria maculata and a derived Amazonian species, Hassar wilderi. Cytogenetic characterization was assessed using conventional staining (Giemsa), C-banding, and NOR banding. Both species had 2n = 58 chromosomes but differed in their chromosome formulae, 24 m + 14sm + 8st + 12a for W. maculata and 32 m + 16sm + 10st for H. wilderi. In W. maculata heterochromatin was mainly telomeric, and three chromosomes had a fully heterochromatic arm; in H. wilderi heterochromatin was also predominantly telomeric and evident in many more chromosomes. Hassar wilderi also presented one pair of homologues with a fully heterochromatic arm. In both species, nucleolar organizer regions were restricted to one pair of subtelocentric chromosomes. Assuming a basal position for W. maculata, we hypothesized that underlying conserved diploid and NOR-bearing chromosome numbers, chromosomal evolution in doradids has involved pericentric inversions and an increase of heterochromatic blocks.
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