Reptiles, as well as other vertebrate groups, harbour a significant diversity of parasitic organi... more Reptiles, as well as other vertebrate groups, harbour a significant diversity of parasitic organisms, from nematodes and other helminths to viruses and bacteria. The Northeast is one of the richest regions in Brazil in terms of the reptile diversity, number of species and endemism. Parasites are diverse organisms and knowledge about the parasitic fauna of vertebrates is an important factor in understanding the ecological relationships between hosts and the environment. Studies on the parasitic fauna of reptiles in South America have increased in the past few years. The present review is a compilation of 122 studies published from 1924 to 2021. We present information on 101 species of reptiles from five groups (amphisbaenians, crocodile, testudines, snakes and lizards) and 183 parasitic taxa belonging to four phyla: Nematoda; Arthropoda; Platyhelminthes; and Acanthocephala. Nematodes were the most frequently recorded species. Lizards and snakes had more records of parasitism and higher levels of parasite richness and diversity. Ceará was the state with most studies and recorded cases of parasite–host association. The Caatinga and Atlantic Forest were the most investigated environments. The objective of this review was to contribute knowledge on the parasitic biodiversity in reptiles from Northeast Brazil, which may help identify gaps in our knowledge and guide future studies.
We describe, for the first time, the attraction of an unidentified millipede species (Urostreptus... more We describe, for the first time, the attraction of an unidentified millipede species (Urostreptus sp.) to an elaiosomes of a Euphorbiaceae species (Jatropha mutabilis (Pohl) Baill.). After field observations of Urostreptus specimens feeding on elaiosomes’ seeds of J. mutabilis in areas of Caatinga in Petrolina, northeast Brazil, we conducted experiments to test the hypothesis that this millipede is specifically attracted to J. mutabilis elaiosomes. In the first experiment, millipedes were offered a choice between pairs of seeds with and without elaiosomes. In each trial we recorded the animal choice and the time required to access the seed. In the second experiment, millipedes were offered a choice between pairs of pebbles similar in size to the seeds, one of which was soaked in elaiosome extract. The results showed that millipedes significantly preferred seeds with elaiosomes and were all attracted to pebbles soaked in the elaiosome extract. We also speculate some of the potential ...
The coloration pattern in wild animals is an important characteristic for survival as well as for... more The coloration pattern in wild animals is an important characteristic for survival as well as forintra and interspecific communication, being aberrant colorations rarely observed in vertebrates.Axanthism is the lack of yellow pigmentation, and considered an infrequent anomaly, for whichcases have been described in amphibians. We describe herein a case in the frog Pithecopusgonzagai, a species characterized by predominantly arboreal habits and widely distributed innortheastern Brazil. This is the first report of an axanthic adult specimen of P. gonzagai, foundin the municipality of Juazeiro do Norte, Ceara, Brazil.
We analyzed a composition diet of Leptodactylus macrosternum from municipality of Milagres, Ceara... more We analyzed a composition diet of Leptodactylus macrosternum from municipality of Milagres, Ceara State, Northeastern Brazil, from September 2011. Coleoptera and Hymenoptera were the most frequence prey. Orthoptera was volumetrically most important. The most important prey categories for L. macrosternum were Insect eggs. The diet of L. macrosternum presents a wide variety of items similar at the prey consumed for others Leptodactylidae species in neotropical region. The results suggest that L. macrosternum have a generalist feeding habitat.
Abstract Context: Ethnozoological studies have shown that Spilotes pullatus Linn. (Colubridae: Op... more Abstract Context: Ethnozoological studies have shown that Spilotes pullatus Linn. (Colubridae: Ophidia), is associated with medicinal and magic-religious uses in Brazil. Objectives: This study was designed to determine the chemical composition of the oil extracted from the body fat of S. pullatus and to test its antimicrobial properties, alone and in association with aminoglycosides, against fungi and bacterial strains in concentrations ranging between 1024 and 0.5 µg/mL. Material and methods: The snakes were collected in the Chapada do Araripe, county of Crato, Ceará State, Brazil. The oil was extracted in a Soxhlet apparatus using hexane. The methyl esters of the fatty acids present in the samples were identified using GC-MS. The antimicrobial and drug modulatory activities of oil were tested by microdilution against fungal and bacterial strains. Results: The chemical composition of the fixed oils of S. pullatus identified 10 constituents representing 94.97% of the total sample. The percentages of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids were 33.59 and 61.38%, respectively, with the most abundant components being elaidic (37.26%). The oil did not demonstrate any antimicrobial or antifungal activity when tested alone, presenting MIC values ≥ 1024 µg/mL. However, when associated with antibiotics, it demonstrated synergistic effects with gentamicin against all the bacterial lineages assayed, and antagonistic effects with amikacin and neomycin against strains of Escherichia coli. Conclusions: Oil extracted from the body fat of S. pullatus did not demonstrate any inhibitory effects on bacterial or fungal activities, but was effective in modulating the effects of certain antibiotics.
Natural history of the rare and endangered snake Atractus ronnie (Serpentes: Colubridae) in north... more Natural history of the rare and endangered snake Atractus ronnie (Serpentes: Colubridae) in northeastern Brazil. The habitat use, activity period, sexual dimorphism, morphological variation, reproduction and diet composition of this fossorial and nocturnal snake are reported. The snakes were captured between 2008–2014 in the Chapada do Araripe in northeastern Brazil, and were collected by active visual searches, as well as in pitfall traps with drift fences. Although females are larger than males, the males have longer tails, and scale counts differ between the sexes. Reproduction is seasonal, occurring during the rainy season. Brood sizes rang from one to four eggs. Atractus ronnie preys on earthworms, in addition to ants (Crematogaster sp.) and insect larvae.
The casqued-headed tree frog Trachycephalus atlas Bokermann, 1966 is recorded for the first time ... more The casqued-headed tree frog Trachycephalus atlas Bokermann, 1966 is recorded for the first time in the municipality of Jati, southern region of Ceará state, northeastern Brazil, extending in 72 km east the previous known geographic distribution of this species. An updated geographic distribution map of T. atlas is provided.
Brazilian journal of biology = Revista brasleira de biologia, Jan 29, 2016
The lizard Salvator merianae is a widely distributed species in South America, occurring from sou... more The lizard Salvator merianae is a widely distributed species in South America, occurring from southern Amazonia to the eastern Andes and northern Patagonia. Studies on the parasitic fauna of this lizard have revealed that it is a host for helminths in various Brazilian biomes. The present work provides new parasitological data on the gastrointestinal nematodes associated with the lizard S. merianae. Sixteen specimens were analyzed from nine different locations in a semi-arid region in northeastern Brazil. Five species of nematodes were identified. Oswaldofilaria petersi was first recorded as a parasite of the S. merianae, thus increasing the knowledge of the fauna of parasites that infect large Neotropical lizards.
Reptiles, as well as other vertebrate groups, harbour a significant diversity of parasitic organi... more Reptiles, as well as other vertebrate groups, harbour a significant diversity of parasitic organisms, from nematodes and other helminths to viruses and bacteria. The Northeast is one of the richest regions in Brazil in terms of the reptile diversity, number of species and endemism. Parasites are diverse organisms and knowledge about the parasitic fauna of vertebrates is an important factor in understanding the ecological relationships between hosts and the environment. Studies on the parasitic fauna of reptiles in South America have increased in the past few years. The present review is a compilation of 122 studies published from 1924 to 2021. We present information on 101 species of reptiles from five groups (amphisbaenians, crocodile, testudines, snakes and lizards) and 183 parasitic taxa belonging to four phyla: Nematoda; Arthropoda; Platyhelminthes; and Acanthocephala. Nematodes were the most frequently recorded species. Lizards and snakes had more records of parasitism and higher levels of parasite richness and diversity. Ceará was the state with most studies and recorded cases of parasite–host association. The Caatinga and Atlantic Forest were the most investigated environments. The objective of this review was to contribute knowledge on the parasitic biodiversity in reptiles from Northeast Brazil, which may help identify gaps in our knowledge and guide future studies.
We describe, for the first time, the attraction of an unidentified millipede species (Urostreptus... more We describe, for the first time, the attraction of an unidentified millipede species (Urostreptus sp.) to an elaiosomes of a Euphorbiaceae species (Jatropha mutabilis (Pohl) Baill.). After field observations of Urostreptus specimens feeding on elaiosomes’ seeds of J. mutabilis in areas of Caatinga in Petrolina, northeast Brazil, we conducted experiments to test the hypothesis that this millipede is specifically attracted to J. mutabilis elaiosomes. In the first experiment, millipedes were offered a choice between pairs of seeds with and without elaiosomes. In each trial we recorded the animal choice and the time required to access the seed. In the second experiment, millipedes were offered a choice between pairs of pebbles similar in size to the seeds, one of which was soaked in elaiosome extract. The results showed that millipedes significantly preferred seeds with elaiosomes and were all attracted to pebbles soaked in the elaiosome extract. We also speculate some of the potential ...
The coloration pattern in wild animals is an important characteristic for survival as well as for... more The coloration pattern in wild animals is an important characteristic for survival as well as forintra and interspecific communication, being aberrant colorations rarely observed in vertebrates.Axanthism is the lack of yellow pigmentation, and considered an infrequent anomaly, for whichcases have been described in amphibians. We describe herein a case in the frog Pithecopusgonzagai, a species characterized by predominantly arboreal habits and widely distributed innortheastern Brazil. This is the first report of an axanthic adult specimen of P. gonzagai, foundin the municipality of Juazeiro do Norte, Ceara, Brazil.
We analyzed a composition diet of Leptodactylus macrosternum from municipality of Milagres, Ceara... more We analyzed a composition diet of Leptodactylus macrosternum from municipality of Milagres, Ceara State, Northeastern Brazil, from September 2011. Coleoptera and Hymenoptera were the most frequence prey. Orthoptera was volumetrically most important. The most important prey categories for L. macrosternum were Insect eggs. The diet of L. macrosternum presents a wide variety of items similar at the prey consumed for others Leptodactylidae species in neotropical region. The results suggest that L. macrosternum have a generalist feeding habitat.
Abstract Context: Ethnozoological studies have shown that Spilotes pullatus Linn. (Colubridae: Op... more Abstract Context: Ethnozoological studies have shown that Spilotes pullatus Linn. (Colubridae: Ophidia), is associated with medicinal and magic-religious uses in Brazil. Objectives: This study was designed to determine the chemical composition of the oil extracted from the body fat of S. pullatus and to test its antimicrobial properties, alone and in association with aminoglycosides, against fungi and bacterial strains in concentrations ranging between 1024 and 0.5 µg/mL. Material and methods: The snakes were collected in the Chapada do Araripe, county of Crato, Ceará State, Brazil. The oil was extracted in a Soxhlet apparatus using hexane. The methyl esters of the fatty acids present in the samples were identified using GC-MS. The antimicrobial and drug modulatory activities of oil were tested by microdilution against fungal and bacterial strains. Results: The chemical composition of the fixed oils of S. pullatus identified 10 constituents representing 94.97% of the total sample. The percentages of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids were 33.59 and 61.38%, respectively, with the most abundant components being elaidic (37.26%). The oil did not demonstrate any antimicrobial or antifungal activity when tested alone, presenting MIC values ≥ 1024 µg/mL. However, when associated with antibiotics, it demonstrated synergistic effects with gentamicin against all the bacterial lineages assayed, and antagonistic effects with amikacin and neomycin against strains of Escherichia coli. Conclusions: Oil extracted from the body fat of S. pullatus did not demonstrate any inhibitory effects on bacterial or fungal activities, but was effective in modulating the effects of certain antibiotics.
Natural history of the rare and endangered snake Atractus ronnie (Serpentes: Colubridae) in north... more Natural history of the rare and endangered snake Atractus ronnie (Serpentes: Colubridae) in northeastern Brazil. The habitat use, activity period, sexual dimorphism, morphological variation, reproduction and diet composition of this fossorial and nocturnal snake are reported. The snakes were captured between 2008–2014 in the Chapada do Araripe in northeastern Brazil, and were collected by active visual searches, as well as in pitfall traps with drift fences. Although females are larger than males, the males have longer tails, and scale counts differ between the sexes. Reproduction is seasonal, occurring during the rainy season. Brood sizes rang from one to four eggs. Atractus ronnie preys on earthworms, in addition to ants (Crematogaster sp.) and insect larvae.
The casqued-headed tree frog Trachycephalus atlas Bokermann, 1966 is recorded for the first time ... more The casqued-headed tree frog Trachycephalus atlas Bokermann, 1966 is recorded for the first time in the municipality of Jati, southern region of Ceará state, northeastern Brazil, extending in 72 km east the previous known geographic distribution of this species. An updated geographic distribution map of T. atlas is provided.
Brazilian journal of biology = Revista brasleira de biologia, Jan 29, 2016
The lizard Salvator merianae is a widely distributed species in South America, occurring from sou... more The lizard Salvator merianae is a widely distributed species in South America, occurring from southern Amazonia to the eastern Andes and northern Patagonia. Studies on the parasitic fauna of this lizard have revealed that it is a host for helminths in various Brazilian biomes. The present work provides new parasitological data on the gastrointestinal nematodes associated with the lizard S. merianae. Sixteen specimens were analyzed from nine different locations in a semi-arid region in northeastern Brazil. Five species of nematodes were identified. Oswaldofilaria petersi was first recorded as a parasite of the S. merianae, thus increasing the knowledge of the fauna of parasites that infect large Neotropical lizards.
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