http://sedici.unlp.edu.ar:80/handle/10915/120180 2026-10-06T12:21:13Z 2026-10-06T12:21:13Z D´Angiolella, Annelise Batista Alves, Dan Santos Sodré, Davidson Leite, Luciana Phalan, Benjamin Sousa Nascimento, Lywouty Reymond Diele-Viegas, Luisa Maria http://sedici.unlp.edu.ar:80/handle/10915/120308 2021-06-15T20:06:13Z 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z

Comunicacion Cuadernos de Herpetología; vol. 35, no. 1 The gecko Lepidodactylus lugubris is native to southwest Pacific but is widely introduced into the neotropics. In Brazil, its known distribution was limited to the city of Belém in the Amazon. This work presents three new records of the species for the states of Pará and Bahia. Records from Pará were made in Capitão Poço and in Marajó island, while the third one was in Salvador, Bahia. We believe these records represent independent colonizations, with specimens arriving in Capitão Poço in auto-vehicles coming from Belém, while colonizations of Salvador and Breves may have occurred by ships. Introductions of L. lugubris were described as accidental or due to pet trade, so the latter alternative cannot be discarded. It seems likely that L. lugubris has already spread to other states and biomes across the north and northeast of Brazil, but its occurrence is yet to be documented in these regions.

2021-01-01T00:00:00Z The gecko Lepidodactylus lugubris is native to southwest Pacific but is widely introduced into the neotropics. In Brazil, its known distribution was limited to the city of Belém in the Amazon. This work presents three new records of the species for the states of Pará and Bahia. Records from Pará were made in Capitão Poço and in Marajó island, while the third one was in Salvador, Bahia. We believe these records represent independent colonizations, with specimens arriving in Capitão Poço in auto-vehicles coming from Belém, while colonizations of Salvador and Breves may have occurred by ships. Introductions of L. lugubris were described as accidental or due to pet trade, so the latter alternative cannot be discarded. It seems likely that L. lugubris has already spread to other states and biomes across the north and northeast of Brazil, but its occurrence is yet to be documented in these regions. Vera, Álvaro http://sedici.unlp.edu.ar:80/handle/10915/120306 2021-06-15T20:06:14Z 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z

Comunicacion Cuadernos de Herpetología; vol. 35, no. 1 Se presentan dos nuevos registros de esta elusiva serpiente en Paraguay, de la cual no se conoce practicamente nada. Es por eso que consideramos de suma importancia estos registros departamentales para comprender mejor su distribucion.

2021-01-01T00:00:00Z Se presentan dos nuevos registros de esta elusiva serpiente en Paraguay, de la cual no se conoce practicamente nada. Es por eso que consideramos de suma importancia estos registros departamentales para comprender mejor su distribucion. Carosini, Alberto Bueno-Villafañe, Diego Caballero Gini, Andrea Netto, Flavia http://sedici.unlp.edu.ar:80/handle/10915/120305 2021-06-15T20:06:16Z 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z

Comunicacion Cuadernos de Herpetología; vol. 35, no. 1 Stenocercus is a genus widely distributed geographically and ecologically, from the north of the Andes mountain range and surrounding lowlands, to southern Brazil and central Argentina. Herein we present the first records of Stenocercus doellojuradoi for Paraguay. We discussed morphological variations found in the specimens of Paraguay, in addition to possible threats to the conservation of the species in the locality where it was recorded.

2021-01-01T00:00:00Z Stenocercus is a genus widely distributed geographically and ecologically, from the north of the Andes mountain range and surrounding lowlands, to southern Brazil and central Argentina. Herein we present the first records of Stenocercus doellojuradoi for Paraguay. We discussed morphological variations found in the specimens of Paraguay, in addition to possible threats to the conservation of the species in the locality where it was recorded. Gomes Tavares, Ana Paula Coelho-Lima, Alcéster Diego Delfim, Fagner Ribeiro Oliveira Mesquita, Daniel Passos, Daniel Cunha http://sedici.unlp.edu.ar:80/handle/10915/120303 2021-06-15T20:06:20Z 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z

Comunicacion Cuadernos de Herpetología; vol. 35, no. 1 We expand the geographical distribution of Amphisbaena lumbricalis throughout the first record for a semiarid Caatinga area in the Paraíba state, northeastern Brazil. Furthermore, we report the first predation report of A. lumbricalis by the snake Erythrolamprus viridis. Our findings contribute with information about the habitats occupied by a hitherto considered “Data Deficient” species, beyond to reveal the potential of E. viridis to prey upon reptiles.

2021-01-01T00:00:00Z We expand the geographical distribution of Amphisbaena lumbricalis throughout the first record for a semiarid Caatinga area in the Paraíba state, northeastern Brazil. Furthermore, we report the first predation report of A. lumbricalis by the snake Erythrolamprus viridis. Our findings contribute with information about the habitats occupied by a hitherto considered “Data Deficient” species, beyond to reveal the potential of E. viridis to prey upon reptiles. Demartín, Rocio P. Antoniazzi, Carolina E. Vanzetti, Agustín I. Ghirardi, Romina López, Javier A. http://sedici.unlp.edu.ar:80/handle/10915/120302 2021-06-15T20:06:22Z 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z

Comunicacion Cuadernos de Herpetología; vol. 35, no. 1 In this work, we report the amphibian fauna composition of a natural protected area located near Esperanza city, Province of Santa Fe, Argentina. It opened to the public in 2015, with yet no baseline inventory of amphibian species. Additionally, we evaluated the presence of the amphibian parasitic fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd). We carried out eleven samplings from October 2015 to March 2016 in three environmental units: native forest, exotic forest, and floodplain grasslands. The sampling methods we used were live pit-fall traps with drift fences, auditory encounters, and visual encounters. Sixteen species belonging to 9 genera and 4 families were recorded. October was the month with the highest specific richness. Bd-specific real-time Taqman qPCR made on skin swabs made on 11 species were all negative. Even small, the amphibian species identified in the protected area represent ca. 30% of the anurans already reported for Santa Fe, and 9% of the Argentinean batracofauna.

2021-01-01T00:00:00Z In this work, we report the amphibian fauna composition of a natural protected area located near Esperanza city, Province of Santa Fe, Argentina. It opened to the public in 2015, with yet no baseline inventory of amphibian species. Additionally, we evaluated the presence of the amphibian parasitic fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd). We carried out eleven samplings from October 2015 to March 2016 in three environmental units: native forest, exotic forest, and floodplain grasslands. The sampling methods we used were live pit-fall traps with drift fences, auditory encounters, and visual encounters. Sixteen species belonging to 9 genera and 4 families were recorded. October was the month with the highest specific richness. Bd-specific real-time Taqman qPCR made on skin swabs made on 11 species were all negative. Even small, the amphibian species identified in the protected area represent ca. 30% of the anurans already reported for Santa Fe, and 9% of the Argentinean batracofauna. Assis Rodrigues, Maria Luiza Souza Rodrigues Sartori, Sirlene http://sedici.unlp.edu.ar:80/handle/10915/120301 2021-06-15T20:06:25Z 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z

Articulo Cuadernos de Herpetología; vol. 35, no. 1 The reptilian tongue has morphological and functional variations according to the feeding mechanisms and habitat of the species. This study aimed to understand the morphofunctional characteristics of the tongue of the lizard Salvator merianae, through anatomical, histological and scanning electron microscopy analyses. This study involves five adult animals, which were collected in the municipality of Viçosa, Minas Gerais, from Brasil. The tongue of S. merianae was protractile and bifid, important to drive molecules from the environment to the vomeronasal organ and thus identify odors and locate prey, besides being strongly muscular and with keratinized and pigmented stratified epithelium for protection. Mucous secretion was present as an important tool for lubrication and protection in view of the protrability of the tongue and the great presence of bacteria. Morphological specialization of the S. merianae tongue reflect its direct participation in food assimilation, with squamiform papillae for the mechanical function of maintaining prey in the oral cavity and contributing to swallowing. Taste buds were not found, which excludes the tongue participation in the taste, although it has olfactory sensory function in association with the vomeronasal organ.

2021-01-01T00:00:00Z The reptilian tongue has morphological and functional variations according to the feeding mechanisms and habitat of the species. This study aimed to understand the morphofunctional characteristics of the tongue of the lizard Salvator merianae, through anatomical, histological and scanning electron microscopy analyses. This study involves five adult animals, which were collected in the municipality of Viçosa, Minas Gerais, from Brasil. The tongue of S. merianae was protractile and bifid, important to drive molecules from the environment to the vomeronasal organ and thus identify odors and locate prey, besides being strongly muscular and with keratinized and pigmented stratified epithelium for protection. Mucous secretion was present as an important tool for lubrication and protection in view of the protrability of the tongue and the great presence of bacteria. Morphological specialization of the S. merianae tongue reflect its direct participation in food assimilation, with squamiform papillae for the mechanical function of maintaining prey in the oral cavity and contributing to swallowing. Taste buds were not found, which excludes the tongue participation in the taste, although it has olfactory sensory function in association with the vomeronasal organ. Cavalheri, Diego Gomiero Santos Carvalho, Priscila Santana, Diego José http://sedici.unlp.edu.ar:80/handle/10915/120299 2021-06-15T20:06:26Z 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z

Comunicacion Cuadernos de Herpetología; vol. 35, no. 1 Defensive behavior is an important mechanism for the survival of organisms, and understanding the different strategies improves our knowledge regarding prey-predator relationships. Herein, based on field observation, we describe a sequence of behaviors displayed by the South American pond snake Pseudoeryx plicatilis from the Pantanal floodplains in midwestern Brazil. The individual displayed a repertoire of five different defensive behaviors, without an evident sequence pattern recognized. Two of the displays are new for the species, and one for the tribe. The new defensive repertory described may suggest animals oriented by vision as main predators of P. plicatilis.

2021-01-01T00:00:00Z Defensive behavior is an important mechanism for the survival of organisms, and understanding the different strategies improves our knowledge regarding prey-predator relationships. Herein, based on field observation, we describe a sequence of behaviors displayed by the South American pond snake Pseudoeryx plicatilis from the Pantanal floodplains in midwestern Brazil. The individual displayed a repertoire of five different defensive behaviors, without an evident sequence pattern recognized. Two of the displays are new for the species, and one for the tribe. The new defensive repertory described may suggest animals oriented by vision as main predators of P. plicatilis. Oliveira, Cicero Ricardo de Mascarenhas, Wilmara Cardozo Ribeiro, Samuel Borges Nojosa, Diva Maria http://sedici.unlp.edu.ar:80/handle/10915/120298 2021-06-15T20:06:27Z 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z

Comunicacion Cuadernos de Herpetología; vol. 35, no. 1 The coloration pattern in wild animals is an important characteristic for survival as well as for intra and interspecific communication, being aberrant colorations rarely observed in vertebrates. Axanthism is the lack of yellow pigmentation, and considered an infrequent anomaly, for which cases have been described in amphibians. We describe herein a case in the frog Pithecopus gonzagai, a species characterized by predominantly arboreal habits and widely distributed in northeastern Brazil. This is the first report of an axanthic adult specimen of P. gonzagai, found in the municipality of Juazeiro do Norte, Ceará, Brazil.

2021-01-01T00:00:00Z The coloration pattern in wild animals is an important characteristic for survival as well as for intra and interspecific communication, being aberrant colorations rarely observed in vertebrates. Axanthism is the lack of yellow pigmentation, and considered an infrequent anomaly, for which cases have been described in amphibians. We describe herein a case in the frog Pithecopus gonzagai, a species characterized by predominantly arboreal habits and widely distributed in northeastern Brazil. This is the first report of an axanthic adult specimen of P. gonzagai, found in the municipality of Juazeiro do Norte, Ceará, Brazil. Veiga Pereira, Julia Oliveira, Roger Jean Mascarenhas, Carolina S. Müller, Gertrud http://sedici.unlp.edu.ar:80/handle/10915/120245 2021-06-15T16:06:23Z 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z

Comunicacion Cuadernos de Herpetología; vol. 35, no. 1 Eustrongylides uses piscivorous birds as definitive hosts, oligoquets as intermediate hosts and fish as second intermediate hosts. However, amphibians and reptiles can act as secondary or paratenic hosts. The following work presents the first record of Eustrongylides larvae in snakes in the Neotropics. The coelomic cavity of 101 snakes belonging to Helicops infrataeniatus, Philodryas aestiva, Philodryas olfersii, Philodryas patagoniensis, Erythrolamprus poecilogyrus, Erythrolamprus jaegeri, Atractus reticulatus, Dipsas ventrimaculatus, Thamnodynastes strigatus, Phalotris lemniscatus and Bothrops alternatus from southern Brazil were examined. Six H. infrataeniatus were parasitized with larvae of Eustrongylides sp. The encounter of these larvae only in this specie can be related to the aquatic habit of the snake, which allows ecological interactions with the definitive and intermediate hosts of the Eustrongylides cycle. The occurrence of these parasites in a Neotropical snake is registered for the first time, contributing to the knowledge of the helminth diversity associated to Brazilian snakes.

2021-01-01T00:00:00Z Eustrongylides uses piscivorous birds as definitive hosts, oligoquets as intermediate hosts and fish as second intermediate hosts. However, amphibians and reptiles can act as secondary or paratenic hosts. The following work presents the first record of Eustrongylides larvae in snakes in the Neotropics. The coelomic cavity of 101 snakes belonging to Helicops infrataeniatus, Philodryas aestiva, Philodryas olfersii, Philodryas patagoniensis, Erythrolamprus poecilogyrus, Erythrolamprus jaegeri, Atractus reticulatus, Dipsas ventrimaculatus, Thamnodynastes strigatus, Phalotris lemniscatus and Bothrops alternatus from southern Brazil were examined. Six H. infrataeniatus were parasitized with larvae of Eustrongylides sp. The encounter of these larvae only in this specie can be related to the aquatic habit of the snake, which allows ecological interactions with the definitive and intermediate hosts of the Eustrongylides cycle. The occurrence of these parasites in a Neotropical snake is registered for the first time, contributing to the knowledge of the helminth diversity associated to Brazilian snakes. Vásquez Cruz, Víctor Reynoso Martínez, Arleth http://sedici.unlp.edu.ar:80/handle/10915/120243 2021-06-14T20:04:19Z 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z

Comunicacion Cuadernos de Herpetología; vol. 35, no. 1 Here we document the first case of predation on the lizards Abronia graminea and Sceloporus bicanthalis, presumably by the Loggerhead Shrike, Lanius ludovicianus, in west-central Veracruz, Mexico.

2021-01-01T00:00:00Z Here we document the first case of predation on the lizards Abronia graminea and Sceloporus bicanthalis, presumably by the Loggerhead Shrike, Lanius ludovicianus, in west-central Veracruz, Mexico. Falcón Espitia, Nelson Jerez, Adriana http://sedici.unlp.edu.ar:80/handle/10915/120242 2021-06-14T20:04:20Z 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z

Articulo Cuadernos de Herpetología; vol. 35, no. 1 Studies on the biology of Caiman crocodilus have drawn attention to its biology with emphasis on systematic, taxonomy and ecology. However, anatomical aspects, such as skull characteristics, have not been studied in detail throughout its geographic range. In this study the skull characteristics for C. crocodilus subspecies, C. c. fuscus, C. c. chiapasius, C. c. crocodilus, and C. c. apaporiensis were analyzed using geometric morphometrics and descriptive morphology, including geographic and ontogenetic variation. Variation in skull morphology was found between the subspecies analyzed. Trans-Andean subspecies, C. c. fuscus and C. c. chiapasius, exhibit brevirostrine skulls but they are different in the contact between frontal and nasal bones and the size of the palatine process of the maxilla; therefore, populations in Colombia correspond to C. c. fuscus and, C. c. chiapasus is not distributed in Colombia. Although cis-Andean subspecies, C. c. apaporiensis and C. c. crocodilus, have longirostrine skulls, both subspecies differ in the shape of the skull and in osteological characters; then, adults of C. c. apaporiensis present frontal and nasal in contact and, V-shape maxillary-premaxillary suture; while C. c. crocodilus specimens exhibit a high geographic and ontogenetic variation, supporting the hypotheses that there at least two clades of such subspecies for Colombia. These morphological differences should be considered in future systematics studies and policies on global conservation of the different C. crocodilus subspecies.

2021-01-01T00:00:00Z Studies on the biology of Caiman crocodilus have drawn attention to its biology with emphasis on systematic, taxonomy and ecology. However, anatomical aspects, such as skull characteristics, have not been studied in detail throughout its geographic range. In this study the skull characteristics for C. crocodilus subspecies, C. c. fuscus, C. c. chiapasius, C. c. crocodilus, and C. c. apaporiensis were analyzed using geometric morphometrics and descriptive morphology, including geographic and ontogenetic variation. Variation in skull morphology was found between the subspecies analyzed. Trans-Andean subspecies, C. c. fuscus and C. c. chiapasius, exhibit brevirostrine skulls but they are different in the contact between frontal and nasal bones and the size of the palatine process of the maxilla; therefore, populations in Colombia correspond to C. c. fuscus and, C. c. chiapasus is not distributed in Colombia. Although cis-Andean subspecies, C. c. apaporiensis and C. c. crocodilus, have longirostrine skulls, both subspecies differ in the shape of the skull and in osteological characters; then, adults of C. c. apaporiensis present frontal and nasal in contact and, V-shape maxillary-premaxillary suture; while C. c. crocodilus specimens exhibit a high geographic and ontogenetic variation, supporting the hypotheses that there at least two clades of such subspecies for Colombia. These morphological differences should be considered in future systematics studies and policies on global conservation of the different C. crocodilus subspecies. Chang-Castillo, Arturo Arguedas, Randall Chacón, Danilo Corrales, Greivin Gómez, Aarón http://sedici.unlp.edu.ar:80/handle/10915/120241 2021-06-14T20:04:24Z 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z

Articulo Cuadernos de Herpetología; vol. 35, no. 1 Snakebite accidents are a neglected tropical disease worldwide. In Costa Rica, the snakes Bothrops asper and Crotalus simus cause more than the 60% of the snakebite accidents already reported. To fight this neglected human disease, biomedical institutions need to manage live venomous snake collections in order to extract venoms and produce antivenoms. The welfare of the snakes in captivity must be guaranteed, especially in the case of old animals with defective venom production, which is a common situation at the Clodomiro Picado Institute. A surgical removal of the main venom glands was performed in five B. asper and C. simus with none or low venom production. The hematological parameters and plasma proteins of these individuals were analyzed pre-surgery and for 90 days post-surgery. Surgical procedures did not produce anemia during the post-surgical evaluation, but heterophilia, relative monocytosis and lymphopenia were detected one to three days afterwards. We conclude that the surgical removal of the main venom gland is a safe procedure and did not affect the snake’s health. Additionally, the use of electrophoretic determination of the albumin:globulin ratio to assess the health condition of the snakes is discussed. Finally, the relative monocytosis and lymphopenia seems to be linked to continuous handling of the snakes during consecutive days. Monocytes play a key role in the stress response, therefore the relative monocytosis and lymphopenia of leukogram reports should be interpreted in this context.

2021-01-01T00:00:00Z Snakebite accidents are a neglected tropical disease worldwide. In Costa Rica, the snakes Bothrops asper and Crotalus simus cause more than the 60% of the snakebite accidents already reported. To fight this neglected human disease, biomedical institutions need to manage live venomous snake collections in order to extract venoms and produce antivenoms. The welfare of the snakes in captivity must be guaranteed, especially in the case of old animals with defective venom production, which is a common situation at the Clodomiro Picado Institute. A surgical removal of the main venom glands was performed in five B. asper and C. simus with none or low venom production. The hematological parameters and plasma proteins of these individuals were analyzed pre-surgery and for 90 days post-surgery. Surgical procedures did not produce anemia during the post-surgical evaluation, but heterophilia, relative monocytosis and lymphopenia were detected one to three days afterwards. We conclude that the surgical removal of the main venom gland is a safe procedure and did not affect the snake’s health. Additionally, the use of electrophoretic determination of the albumin:globulin ratio to assess the health condition of the snakes is discussed. Finally, the relative monocytosis and lymphopenia seems to be linked to continuous handling of the snakes during consecutive days. Monocytes play a key role in the stress response, therefore the relative monocytosis and lymphopenia of leukogram reports should be interpreted in this context. Souza Lima, Igor Gabriel Felix-Nascimento, Gabriela Picelli, Amanda Maria Barros Ribeiro, Leonardo http://sedici.unlp.edu.ar:80/handle/10915/120238 2021-06-14T20:04:27Z 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z

Articulo Cuadernos de Herpetología; vol. 35, no. 1 Differential counting and blood cell morphometry in the lizards Ameivula ocellifera (Squamata: Teiidae) and Tropidurus hispidus (Squamata: Tropiduridae) from the Brazilian semiarid region, with analysis of the effects by hemoparasites. The lizards Ameivula ocellifera and Tropidurus hispidus are sympatric species in the Brazilian semiarid region. Despite being considered interesting models for ecological studies, little is known about basic aspects of their biology, such as hematological parameters. Thus, the objective of this work was to perform the differential count of leukocytes and describe the morphometry of erythrocytes and leukocytes in these two species of lizards, with emphasis on hemoparasitism by intracellular protozoa. For this, 30 specimens (15 A. ocellifera and 15 T. hispidus) were used for analysis. After making the slides, a differential count of 100 leukocytes per slide was performed. In addition, 20 erythrocytes and 15 leukocytes were photographed per slide for morphometric analysis. The measurements were measured for the parameters area, perimeter, maximum and minimum axes, with the ellipse formulas used for area and perimeter. Interspecific and intraspecific differences (parasitized and non-parasitized lizards) were tested for erythrocyte morphometric parameters, erythrocyte nucleus and leukocytes. The differential count showed that heterophiles were the predominant cell type for both species of lizards, while basophils were the least abundant for A. ocellifera and eosinophils for T. hispidus. As for leukocyte measurements, only the monocyte differed significantly between species, greater in A. ocellifera, and intraspecifically only for the minimum axis parameter, greater in parasitized T. hispidus. Erythrocytes differed between species in terms of cell and nucleus size, being higher in T. hispidus. Among the hemoparasites, found only in T. hispidus, Plasmodium sp. caused more discrete changes in the erythrocyte, while Hepatozoon sp. caused marked macrocytosis and hypochromia in these cells. In general, there does not seem to be a relationship between the differential leukocyte count and hemoparasitism.; Os lagartos Ameivula ocellifera e Tropidurus hispidus são espécies simpátricas na região do semiárido brasileiro. Apesar de serem consideradas modelos interessantes para estudos ecológicos, pouco se conhece sobre aspectos básicos de sua biologia, tais como parâmetros hematológicos. Dessa forma, o objetivo deste trabalho foi realizar a contagem diferencial de leucócitos e descrever a morfometria dos eritrócitos e leucócitos nessas duas espécies de lagartos, com ênfase no hemoparasitismo por protozoários intracelulares. Para tanto, 30 espécimes (15 A. ocellifera e 15 T. hispidus) foram utilizados para análise. Após confecção das lâminas, foi realizada a contagem diferencial de 100 leucócitos por lâmina. Além disso, 20 eritrócitos e 15 leucócitos totais foram fotografados por lâmina para as análises morfométricas. As medidas foram aferidas para os parâmetros área, perímetro, eixos máximo e mínimo, com as fórmulas da elipse utilizadas para área e perímetro. As diferenças interespecíficas e intraespecíficas (lagartos parasitados e não parasitados) foram testadas para os parâmetros morfométricos dos eritrócitos, núcleo dos eritrócitos e leucócitos. A contagem diferencial mostrou que heterófilo foi o tipo celular predominante para ambas as espécies de lagartos, enquanto basófilo foi o menos abundante para A. ocellifera e eosinófilo para T. hispidus. Quanto às medidas dos leucócitos, apenas o monócito diferiu significativamente entre as espécies, maior em A. ocellifera, e intraespecificamente apenas para o parâmetro eixo mínimo, maior em T. hispidus parasitado. Os eritrócitos diferiram interespecificamente quanto ao tamanho da célula e do núcleo, maiores em T. hispidus. Dentre os hemoparasitos, encontrados apenas em T. hispidus, Plasmodium sp. causou alterações mais discretas no eritrócito, enquanto Hepatozoon sp. causou macrocitose acentuada e hipocromia nessas células. De um modo geral, não parece haver relação entre a contagem diferencial de leucócitos e o hemoparasitismo.

2021-01-01T00:00:00Z Differential counting and blood cell morphometry in the lizards Ameivula ocellifera (Squamata: Teiidae) and Tropidurus hispidus (Squamata: Tropiduridae) from the Brazilian semiarid region, with analysis of the effects by hemoparasites. The lizards Ameivula ocellifera and Tropidurus hispidus are sympatric species in the Brazilian semiarid region. Despite being considered interesting models for ecological studies, little is known about basic aspects of their biology, such as hematological parameters. Thus, the objective of this work was to perform the differential count of leukocytes and describe the morphometry of erythrocytes and leukocytes in these two species of lizards, with emphasis on hemoparasitism by intracellular protozoa. For this, 30 specimens (15 A. ocellifera and 15 T. hispidus) were used for analysis. After making the slides, a differential count of 100 leukocytes per slide was performed. In addition, 20 erythrocytes and 15 leukocytes were photographed per slide for morphometric analysis. The measurements were measured for the parameters area, perimeter, maximum and minimum axes, with the ellipse formulas used for area and perimeter. Interspecific and intraspecific differences (parasitized and non-parasitized lizards) were tested for erythrocyte morphometric parameters, erythrocyte nucleus and leukocytes. The differential count showed that heterophiles were the predominant cell type for both species of lizards, while basophils were the least abundant for A. ocellifera and eosinophils for T. hispidus. As for leukocyte measurements, only the monocyte differed significantly between species, greater in A. ocellifera, and intraspecifically only for the minimum axis parameter, greater in parasitized T. hispidus. Erythrocytes differed between species in terms of cell and nucleus size, being higher in T. hispidus. Among the hemoparasites, found only in T. hispidus, Plasmodium sp. caused more discrete changes in the erythrocyte, while Hepatozoon sp. caused marked macrocytosis and hypochromia in these cells. In general, there does not seem to be a relationship between the differential leukocyte count and hemoparasitism. Os lagartos Ameivula ocellifera e Tropidurus hispidus são espécies simpátricas na região do semiárido brasileiro. Apesar de serem consideradas modelos interessantes para estudos ecológicos, pouco se conhece sobre aspectos básicos de sua biologia, tais como parâmetros hematológicos. Dessa forma, o objetivo deste trabalho foi realizar a contagem diferencial de leucócitos e descrever a morfometria dos eritrócitos e leucócitos nessas duas espécies de lagartos, com ênfase no hemoparasitismo por protozoários intracelulares. Para tanto, 30 espécimes (15 A. ocellifera e 15 T. hispidus) foram utilizados para análise. Após confecção das lâminas, foi realizada a contagem diferencial de 100 leucócitos por lâmina. Além disso, 20 eritrócitos e 15 leucócitos totais foram fotografados por lâmina para as análises morfométricas. As medidas foram aferidas para os parâmetros área, perímetro, eixos máximo e mínimo, com as fórmulas da elipse utilizadas para área e perímetro. As diferenças interespecíficas e intraespecíficas (lagartos parasitados e não parasitados) foram testadas para os parâmetros morfométricos dos eritrócitos, núcleo dos eritrócitos e leucócitos. A contagem diferencial mostrou que heterófilo foi o tipo celular predominante para ambas as espécies de lagartos, enquanto basófilo foi o menos abundante para A. ocellifera e eosinófilo para T. hispidus. Quanto às medidas dos leucócitos, apenas o monócito diferiu significativamente entre as espécies, maior em A. ocellifera, e intraespecificamente apenas para o parâmetro eixo mínimo, maior em T. hispidus parasitado. Os eritrócitos diferiram interespecificamente quanto ao tamanho da célula e do núcleo, maiores em T. hispidus. Dentre os hemoparasitos, encontrados apenas em T. hispidus, Plasmodium sp. causou alterações mais discretas no eritrócito, enquanto Hepatozoon sp. causou macrocitose acentuada e hipocromia nessas células. De um modo geral, não parece haver relação entre a contagem diferencial de leucócitos e o hemoparasitismo. Barbosa Lopes, Fernanda Assis Rodrigues, Maria Luiza Souza Silva, Carlos Henrique de Souza Rodrigues Sartori, Sirlene http://sedici.unlp.edu.ar:80/handle/10915/120237 2021-06-14T20:04:30Z 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z

Articulo Cuadernos de Herpetología; vol. 35, no. 1 The Squamata lizards Tropiduros torquatus and Salvator merianae are omnivores with different diets and foraging strategies, which requires adequate physiological responses of enteroendocrine cells, since they control digestive events, gastrointestinal epithelium renewal, metabolism and food intake. Thus, we aim to describe the distribution and frequency of enteroendocrine cells in the digestive tract of these two lizard’s species. Five individuals of each species were collected, euthanized and the digestive organs removed. Histological sections were submitted to the techniques of Grimelius for argyrophilic cells and Masson-Fontana for argentaffin cells. Both endocrine cells were found in the lining and glandular epithelium, with a pyramidal, oval, rounded, or elongated shape. Argyrophilic cells were observed in both species, predominantly in the stomach, but absent in the cranial esophagus. Argentaffin cells were distributed in almost the entire digestive tract but absent in the cranial portion of the esophagus and small intestine in both species, and with high frequency in the T. torquatus pyloric region. The absence of argentaffin cells in the cranial portion of the small intestine is intriguing and may reveal greater neural control over certain secretomotor functions involving this segment. We concluded that the inter-specific and inter-regional variations in the distribution and frequency of these cells may reflect the regulatory functions and mechanisms of each organ, taking also into account the oscillations of the food and nutritional status of animals in the wild.; Os lagartos Squamata Tropiduros torquatus e Salvator merianae são onívoros com diferentes dietas e estratégias de forrageamento, o que requer respostas fisiológicas adequadas de células enteroendócrinas, uma vez que estas controlam os eventos digestivos, a renovação do epitélio gastrointestinal, o metabolismo e a ingestão alimentar. Portanto, pretendemos descrever a distribuição e frequência de células enteroendócrinas no trato digestivo destas duas espécies de lagartos. Foram coletados cinco indivíduos de cada espécie, eutanasiados e os órgãos digestivos removidos. Seções histológicas foram submetidas às técnicas de Grimelius para células argirófilas e Masson-Fontana para células argentafins. Ambas as células endócrinas foram encontradas no epitélio de revestimento e glandular, com formatos piramidal, oval, arredondado ou alongado. Células argirófilas foram observadas em ambas as espécies, predominantemente no estômago, mas ausentes no esôfago craniano. As células argentafins estiveram distribuídas em quase todo o trato digestivo, mas ausentes na porção cranial do esôfago e intestino delgado em ambas as espécies, e com alta frequência na região pilórica de T. torquatus. A predominância das células endócrinas no estômago pode estar relacionada, por exemplo, à maior permanência do alimento neste órgão, ao contrário do esôfago. A ausência de células argentafins na porção cranial do intestino delgado é intrigante e pode revelar maior controle neural sobre certas funções secretomotoras envolvendo este segmento. Nós concluímos que as variações inter-específicas e interregionais na distribuição e frequência destas células podem refletir as funções e mecanismos regulatórios de cada órgão, levando-se também em conta as oscilações do estado alimentar e nutricional dos animais na natureza.

2021-01-01T00:00:00Z The Squamata lizards Tropiduros torquatus and Salvator merianae are omnivores with different diets and foraging strategies, which requires adequate physiological responses of enteroendocrine cells, since they control digestive events, gastrointestinal epithelium renewal, metabolism and food intake. Thus, we aim to describe the distribution and frequency of enteroendocrine cells in the digestive tract of these two lizard’s species. Five individuals of each species were collected, euthanized and the digestive organs removed. Histological sections were submitted to the techniques of Grimelius for argyrophilic cells and Masson-Fontana for argentaffin cells. Both endocrine cells were found in the lining and glandular epithelium, with a pyramidal, oval, rounded, or elongated shape. Argyrophilic cells were observed in both species, predominantly in the stomach, but absent in the cranial esophagus. Argentaffin cells were distributed in almost the entire digestive tract but absent in the cranial portion of the esophagus and small intestine in both species, and with high frequency in the T. torquatus pyloric region. The absence of argentaffin cells in the cranial portion of the small intestine is intriguing and may reveal greater neural control over certain secretomotor functions involving this segment. We concluded that the inter-specific and inter-regional variations in the distribution and frequency of these cells may reflect the regulatory functions and mechanisms of each organ, taking also into account the oscillations of the food and nutritional status of animals in the wild. Os lagartos Squamata Tropiduros torquatus e Salvator merianae são onívoros com diferentes dietas e estratégias de forrageamento, o que requer respostas fisiológicas adequadas de células enteroendócrinas, uma vez que estas controlam os eventos digestivos, a renovação do epitélio gastrointestinal, o metabolismo e a ingestão alimentar. Portanto, pretendemos descrever a distribuição e frequência de células enteroendócrinas no trato digestivo destas duas espécies de lagartos. Foram coletados cinco indivíduos de cada espécie, eutanasiados e os órgãos digestivos removidos. Seções histológicas foram submetidas às técnicas de Grimelius para células argirófilas e Masson-Fontana para células argentafins. Ambas as células endócrinas foram encontradas no epitélio de revestimento e glandular, com formatos piramidal, oval, arredondado ou alongado. Células argirófilas foram observadas em ambas as espécies, predominantemente no estômago, mas ausentes no esôfago craniano. As células argentafins estiveram distribuídas em quase todo o trato digestivo, mas ausentes na porção cranial do esôfago e intestino delgado em ambas as espécies, e com alta frequência na região pilórica de T. torquatus. A predominância das células endócrinas no estômago pode estar relacionada, por exemplo, à maior permanência do alimento neste órgão, ao contrário do esôfago. A ausência de células argentafins na porção cranial do intestino delgado é intrigante e pode revelar maior controle neural sobre certas funções secretomotoras envolvendo este segmento. Nós concluímos que as variações inter-específicas e interregionais na distribuição e frequência destas células podem refletir as funções e mecanismos regulatórios de cada órgão, levando-se também em conta as oscilações do estado alimentar e nutricional dos animais na natureza. Dornas, Tulio Silva, Mauro Celso H. da Silva, Wlainer Paula Malvasio, Adriana http://sedici.unlp.edu.ar:80/handle/10915/120236 2021-06-14T20:04:32Z 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z

Articulo Cuadernos de Herpetología; vol. 35, no. 1 Six species of alligatorids occur in Brazil, but only three have been recorded from the state of Tocantins: Melanosuchus niger, Caiman crocodilus and Paleosuchus palpebrosus. The objectives of this study are to present a synthesis of the knowledge of crocodilians of Tocantins, describing geographical distribution of species, and some aspects of conservation. The exhaustive compilation of records in the literature, herpetological collections and surveys carried out in the field by the authors confirmed the occurrence also of Paleosuchus trigonatus. Although a specimen of C. latirostris was reported from Tocantins, it was possibly erroneously labeled. To investigate knowledge gaps, we divided the state into 95 grid cells of 300,000 hectares. Only 55% of Tocantins State has received some sampling for crocodilians, regardless of the method of registration. Only 12% of the state has been sampled considering any level of documentation and only 1.6% of the state had collection and deposit of specimens in a scientific collection. Only P. trigonatus does not have records within full-protection conservation areas and/or indigenous lands in Tocantins State. Hunting pressure and dams on the Tocantins River may lead to a decrease in the density of M. niger. A systematic program for monitoring and surveying for caimans is suggested to consolidate the knowledge of this animal group in Tocantins State.; Das seis espécies de jacarés do Brasil apenas três são reconhecidas para o estado do Tocantins: Melanosuchus niger, Caiman crocodilus e Paleosuchus palpebrosus. São objetivos deste estudo apresentar uma síntese do conhecimento de crocodilianos do Tocantins abordando riqueza e composição de espécies, distribuição geográfica e aspectos sobre a conservação. A compilação exaustiva de registros na literatura, coleções herpetológicas e dados primários efetuados em campo pelos autores confirmou a presença de Paleosuchus trigonatus, além das três espécies conhecidas. Embora um espécime de C. latirostris foi reportado em território tocantinense, isto é possivelmente um equívoco na etiquetagem. Para verificação de lacunas de conhecimento nós dividimos o estado em 95 quadrículas de 300.000 hectares. Um total de 55% da área territorial do estado do Tocantins foi alvo de algum esforço amostral de crocodilianos, independente do método de registro. Apenas 12% foram amostrados considerando algum nível de documentação e somente 1,6% do território tocantinense teve coletas e depósito de espécimes em coleção científica. Apenas P. trigonatus não possui registros no interior de unidades de conservação de proteção integral e/ou terras indígenas no estado do Tocantins. A pressão de caça e os sucessivos barramentos no rio Tocantins sugerem uma diminuição da população de M. niger. Um programa de buscas e monitoramento é sugerido para consolidar o conhecimento deste grupo animal em todo território do estado do Tocantins.

2021-01-01T00:00:00Z Six species of alligatorids occur in Brazil, but only three have been recorded from the state of Tocantins: Melanosuchus niger, Caiman crocodilus and Paleosuchus palpebrosus. The objectives of this study are to present a synthesis of the knowledge of crocodilians of Tocantins, describing geographical distribution of species, and some aspects of conservation. The exhaustive compilation of records in the literature, herpetological collections and surveys carried out in the field by the authors confirmed the occurrence also of Paleosuchus trigonatus. Although a specimen of C. latirostris was reported from Tocantins, it was possibly erroneously labeled. To investigate knowledge gaps, we divided the state into 95 grid cells of 300,000 hectares. Only 55% of Tocantins State has received some sampling for crocodilians, regardless of the method of registration. Only 12% of the state has been sampled considering any level of documentation and only 1.6% of the state had collection and deposit of specimens in a scientific collection. Only P. trigonatus does not have records within full-protection conservation areas and/or indigenous lands in Tocantins State. Hunting pressure and dams on the Tocantins River may lead to a decrease in the density of M. niger. A systematic program for monitoring and surveying for caimans is suggested to consolidate the knowledge of this animal group in Tocantins State. Das seis espécies de jacarés do Brasil apenas três são reconhecidas para o estado do Tocantins: Melanosuchus niger, Caiman crocodilus e Paleosuchus palpebrosus. São objetivos deste estudo apresentar uma síntese do conhecimento de crocodilianos do Tocantins abordando riqueza e composição de espécies, distribuição geográfica e aspectos sobre a conservação. A compilação exaustiva de registros na literatura, coleções herpetológicas e dados primários efetuados em campo pelos autores confirmou a presença de Paleosuchus trigonatus, além das três espécies conhecidas. Embora um espécime de C. latirostris foi reportado em território tocantinense, isto é possivelmente um equívoco na etiquetagem. Para verificação de lacunas de conhecimento nós dividimos o estado em 95 quadrículas de 300.000 hectares. Um total de 55% da área territorial do estado do Tocantins foi alvo de algum esforço amostral de crocodilianos, independente do método de registro. Apenas 12% foram amostrados considerando algum nível de documentação e somente 1,6% do território tocantinense teve coletas e depósito de espécimes em coleção científica. Apenas P. trigonatus não possui registros no interior de unidades de conservação de proteção integral e/ou terras indígenas no estado do Tocantins. A pressão de caça e os sucessivos barramentos no rio Tocantins sugerem uma diminuição da população de M. niger. Um programa de buscas e monitoramento é sugerido para consolidar o conhecimento deste grupo animal em todo território do estado do Tocantins. Menezes, Vanderlaine A. Amaral, Vanessa Souza, Viviane V. Rocha, Carlos F. D. http://sedici.unlp.edu.ar:80/handle/10915/120234 2021-06-15T04:02:05Z 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z

Articulo Cuadernos de Herpetología; vol. 35, no. 1 Feeding ecology of a particular species is associated to population dynamics and contributes for the understanding of natural history and trophic interactions in ecosystems. We investigated changes in the feeding habits of 16 populations belonging to five cnemidophorine lizard species (being four bisexual and one unisexual) along approximately 4000 km extension of the Brazilian eastern coast. Fieldwork was carried out in 15 areas of restinga habitats and for each cnemidophorine population, the composition of the diet was analyzed based on the number, volume (mm3) and frequency of each prey category or plant material.The arthropods were categorized in the taxonomic level of Order or Family (e.g.Formicidae). Cnemidophorine populations/species studied were mainly carnivorous and had, in general, a diet consisting predominantly of larvae and/or termites, with few instances of plant material consumption. The availability of termites locally at each restinga habitat was not a determinant factor in the increase of termite consumption by the local cnemodophorine population. However, differences in diet composition among populations partially resulted from differential consumption of termites, leading to the formation of two distinct groups depending on higher or lesser consumption of termites. Some populations had onthonegetic variation in diet, but males and females of different populations/species tended to have similar diet composition. The head width of lizards affected significantly the volume and the length of the largest prey ingested in 60% (3/5) of the species studied, indicating that adults tended to consume larger food items compared to coespecifics juveniles. The high level of importance of termites and larvae in almost all populations/species probably contributed to the low intra-and interspecific differences in food habit. The diet of cnemidophorine species studied in restinga habitats in general, tended to be similar to that found to other cnemidophorines, regardless its geographic distribution. Invertebrates were the dominant prey on cnemidophorines diet, but predation on vertebrates was also registered.; A ecologia alimentar de uma determinada espécie está associada a dinâmica da população e contribui para a compreensão da história natural e das interações tróficas nos ecossistemas. No presente estudo, investigamos mudanças nos hábitos alimentares de 16 populações pertencentes a cinco espécies de lagartos cnemidophorines (quatro bissexuais e uma unissexual) ao longo de aproximadamente 4000 km da costa leste brasileira. O trabalho de campo foi realizado em 15 áreas de restinga. A composição da dieta de cada população foi baseada no número, volume (mm3) e frequência de cada categoria de presa e de material vegetal. Os artrópodes foram categorizados no nível taxonômico de Ordem ou Família (por exemplo, Formicidae). As populações/ espécies de cnemidophorines estudadas foram principalmente carnívoras com uma dieta constituída predominantemente por larvas e/ou cupins, com pouco consumo de material vegetal. A disponibilidade de cupins localmente em cada restinga não foi um fator determinante no aumento do consumo de cupins pela população do lagarto cnemidophorino local. No entanto, as diferenças na composição da dieta entre as populações resultaram do consumo diferencial de cupins, levando a formação de dois grupos distintos, dependendo do consumo maior ou menor de cupins. Algumas populações apresentaram variação ontogenética na dieta, mas machos e fêmeas tenderam a ter uma composição alimentar semelhante em cada população/espécie. A largura da cabeça afetou significativamente o volume e o comprimento da maior presa ingerida em 60% (3/5) das espécies estudadas, indicando que os adultos tendem a consumir itens alimentares maiores que os jovens coespecíficos. O elevado índice importância de cupins e larvas em quase todas as populações/espécies provavelmente contribuiu para as baixas diferenças intra e interespecíficas no hábito alimentar. A dieta das espécies estudadas, em geral, tendeu a ser semelhante a encontrada para outros cnemidophorinos, independentemente de sua distribuição geográfica. Os invertebrados foram as presas predominantes na dieta, mas a predação em vertebrados foi também registrada.

2021-01-01T00:00:00Z Feeding ecology of a particular species is associated to population dynamics and contributes for the understanding of natural history and trophic interactions in ecosystems. We investigated changes in the feeding habits of 16 populations belonging to five cnemidophorine lizard species (being four bisexual and one unisexual) along approximately 4000 km extension of the Brazilian eastern coast. Fieldwork was carried out in 15 areas of restinga habitats and for each cnemidophorine population, the composition of the diet was analyzed based on the number, volume (mm3) and frequency of each prey category or plant material.The arthropods were categorized in the taxonomic level of Order or Family (e.g.Formicidae). Cnemidophorine populations/species studied were mainly carnivorous and had, in general, a diet consisting predominantly of larvae and/or termites, with few instances of plant material consumption. The availability of termites locally at each restinga habitat was not a determinant factor in the increase of termite consumption by the local cnemodophorine population. However, differences in diet composition among populations partially resulted from differential consumption of termites, leading to the formation of two distinct groups depending on higher or lesser consumption of termites. Some populations had onthonegetic variation in diet, but males and females of different populations/species tended to have similar diet composition. The head width of lizards affected significantly the volume and the length of the largest prey ingested in 60% (3/5) of the species studied, indicating that adults tended to consume larger food items compared to coespecifics juveniles. The high level of importance of termites and larvae in almost all populations/species probably contributed to the low intra-and interspecific differences in food habit. The diet of cnemidophorine species studied in restinga habitats in general, tended to be similar to that found to other cnemidophorines, regardless its geographic distribution. Invertebrates were the dominant prey on cnemidophorines diet, but predation on vertebrates was also registered. A ecologia alimentar de uma determinada espécie está associada a dinâmica da população e contribui para a compreensão da história natural e das interações tróficas nos ecossistemas. No presente estudo, investigamos mudanças nos hábitos alimentares de 16 populações pertencentes a cinco espécies de lagartos cnemidophorines (quatro bissexuais e uma unissexual) ao longo de aproximadamente 4000 km da costa leste brasileira. O trabalho de campo foi realizado em 15 áreas de restinga. A composição da dieta de cada população foi baseada no número, volume (mm3) e frequência de cada categoria de presa e de material vegetal. Os artrópodes foram categorizados no nível taxonômico de Ordem ou Família (por exemplo, Formicidae). As populações/ espécies de cnemidophorines estudadas foram principalmente carnívoras com uma dieta constituída predominantemente por larvas e/ou cupins, com pouco consumo de material vegetal. A disponibilidade de cupins localmente em cada restinga não foi um fator determinante no aumento do consumo de cupins pela população do lagarto cnemidophorino local. No entanto, as diferenças na composição da dieta entre as populações resultaram do consumo diferencial de cupins, levando a formação de dois grupos distintos, dependendo do consumo maior ou menor de cupins. Algumas populações apresentaram variação ontogenética na dieta, mas machos e fêmeas tenderam a ter uma composição alimentar semelhante em cada população/espécie. A largura da cabeça afetou significativamente o volume e o comprimento da maior presa ingerida em 60% (3/5) das espécies estudadas, indicando que os adultos tendem a consumir itens alimentares maiores que os jovens coespecíficos. O elevado índice importância de cupins e larvas em quase todas as populações/espécies provavelmente contribuiu para as baixas diferenças intra e interespecíficas no hábito alimentar. A dieta das espécies estudadas, em geral, tendeu a ser semelhante a encontrada para outros cnemidophorinos, independentemente de sua distribuição geográfica. Os invertebrados foram as presas predominantes na dieta, mas a predação em vertebrados foi também registrada. García Padrón, L. Yusnaviel Boligán, Miguel Barrero Medel, Héctor http://sedici.unlp.edu.ar:80/handle/10915/120186 2021-06-15T04:02:08Z 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z

Articulo Cuadernos de Herpetología; vol. 35, no. 1 Eleutherodactylus zeus is an endemic frog of the family Eleutherodactylidae from Western mountains of Cuba, that inhabits in rocky karstic caves and tropical forest adjacent to caves. Here, we report the first approach to the diet of a Cuban cave-rock dwelling amphibian. We surveyed seven cave-karstic habitats and tropical forest habitats adjacent to those caves from May to July. The samples (N = 70) of stomach content were obtained using the stomach-flushing method. Preys were present in 68.6% of stomachs: 76.9% in the forest and 44.4% in the cave samples. The most represented preys in E. zeus stomach were Aranae, Orthoptera, Lepidoptera larvae, Blattodea, and Gasteropoda. In addition, we report the presence of an anuran (Eleuthorodactylus), a lizard (Anolis) and a plathyhelminth in the stomach content of this species. In this species, larger frogs consumed larger and fewer prey, but difference in prey length and number of prey consumed depends on the habitat they temporary exploited.; Eleutherodactylus zeus es una rana endémica de las montañas de la parte más occidental de Cuba, que habita en áreas cársicas, dentro de cuevas y en el bosque adyacente a estas cavidades. Aquí reportamos el primer acercamiento a la dieta de un anfibio petrícola-cavernícola Cubano. Muestreamos siete cuevas cársicas y cuatro áreas de bosque tropical adyacentes a estas cavidades, desde mayo hasta julio. Las muestras (N = 70) del contenido estomacal fueron obtenidas mediante el método de lavado estomacal. Se observaron presas en el 68.6% de los estómagos analizados: el 76.9% en el bosque, y el 44.4% en las cuevas. Esta especie depredó principalmente arañas, grillos, larvas de lepidópteros, cucarachas y moluscos terrestres. Se reporta la presencia de un anuro, un lagarto y un platelminto en el contenido estomacal de esta especie. En E. zeus, los individuos más grandes consumieron por lo general presas más grandes, aunque esto varió entre los sexos dependiendo del hábitat donde se encuentren forrajeando.

2021-01-01T00:00:00Z Eleutherodactylus zeus is an endemic frog of the family Eleutherodactylidae from Western mountains of Cuba, that inhabits in rocky karstic caves and tropical forest adjacent to caves. Here, we report the first approach to the diet of a Cuban cave-rock dwelling amphibian. We surveyed seven cave-karstic habitats and tropical forest habitats adjacent to those caves from May to July. The samples (N = 70) of stomach content were obtained using the stomach-flushing method. Preys were present in 68.6% of stomachs: 76.9% in the forest and 44.4% in the cave samples. The most represented preys in E. zeus stomach were Aranae, Orthoptera, Lepidoptera larvae, Blattodea, and Gasteropoda. In addition, we report the presence of an anuran (Eleuthorodactylus), a lizard (Anolis) and a plathyhelminth in the stomach content of this species. In this species, larger frogs consumed larger and fewer prey, but difference in prey length and number of prey consumed depends on the habitat they temporary exploited. Eleutherodactylus zeus es una rana endémica de las montañas de la parte más occidental de Cuba, que habita en áreas cársicas, dentro de cuevas y en el bosque adyacente a estas cavidades. Aquí reportamos el primer acercamiento a la dieta de un anfibio petrícola-cavernícola Cubano. Muestreamos siete cuevas cársicas y cuatro áreas de bosque tropical adyacentes a estas cavidades, desde mayo hasta julio. Las muestras (N = 70) del contenido estomacal fueron obtenidas mediante el método de lavado estomacal. Se observaron presas en el 68.6% de los estómagos analizados: el 76.9% en el bosque, y el 44.4% en las cuevas. Esta especie depredó principalmente arañas, grillos, larvas de lepidópteros, cucarachas y moluscos terrestres. Se reporta la presencia de un anuro, un lagarto y un platelminto en el contenido estomacal de esta especie. En E. zeus, los individuos más grandes consumieron por lo general presas más grandes, aunque esto varió entre los sexos dependiendo del hábitat donde se encuentren forrajeando. González, Cynthya E. Duré, Marta Inés Palomas, Yanina Soledad Schaefer, Eduardo Federico Etchepare, Eduardo G. Acosta, José Luis http://sedici.unlp.edu.ar:80/handle/10915/120185 2021-06-15T04:02:14Z 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z

Articulo Cuadernos de Herpetología; vol. 35, no. 1 In the Argentinean Gran Chaco, numerous investigations have dealt with the diversity of vertebrates, including amphibians and reptiles. The parasitofauna of these organisms, has been more studied in some groups such as amphibians; however, from a biogeographic perspective, most of these studies were carried out in the Humid Chaco. The goal of this work is to present the nematofauna found in six species of amphibians, Rhinella diptycha, Chacophrys pierottii, Ceratophrys cranwelli, Scinax nasicus, Leptodactylus bufonius, and Odontophrynus lavillai, collected in different locations within the Dry Chaco, in the department of Matacos, Formosa, Argentina. In a total of 34 amphibians analyzed, we found 1,526 parasitic nematodes (total prevalence: 61.7%; total mean intensity: 72.6±90.3; total mean abundance: 44.9±78.9), belonging to 9 taxa: adults of Rhabdias sp., Oswaldocruzia sp., O. subauricularis, Schulzia travassosi, Aplectana hylambatis, Cosmocerca podicipinus, Oxyascaris caudacutus, Schrankiana formosula, and larvae of Physaloptera sp. These nematodes were collected from the lungs, small intestine, large intestine, gastric mucosa, and gallbladder of hosts. This work is the first record of helminths from C. pierottii and O. lavillai and the first record of nematodes from Ce. cranwelli throughout its geographical range. The species Schrankiana formosula (Atractidae) is recorded for the first time in Argentinean amphibians. Thus, we expand the knowledge of the biological diversity of helminth parasites of amphibians from the Dry Chaco ecoregion. This base-line information, would allow to understand the factors that influence the patterns of host and geographic distribution of vertebrate parasites in an area with extreme characteristics such as the Dry Chaco.; Contribuciones al conocimiento de nematodos parásitos de anfibios de la ecorregión Chaco Seco de Argentina. En el Gran Chaco Argentino, numerosas investigaciones han tratado la diversidad de los vertebrados, incluida su fauna herpetológica. En cuanto a la parasitofauna de estos organismos, algunos grupos como el de los anfibios han sido más estudiados; sin embargo, biogeográficamente, la mayor parte de estos estudios fueron realizados en el Chaco Húmedo. El objetivo de este trabajo es presentar la nematofauna hallada en seis especies de anfibios, Rhinella diptycha, Chacophrys pierottii, Ceratophrys cranwelli, Scinax nasicus, Leptodactylus bufonius y Odontophrynus lavillai, colectadas en distintos puntos del Chaco Seco en el departamento de Matacos, Formosa, Argentina. En un total de 34 anfibios analizados encontramos 1.526 nematodes parásitos (prevalencia total: 61,7%; intensidad media total: 72,6±90,3; abundancia media total: 44,9±78,9), pertenecientes a 9 taxones, adultos de Rhabdias sp., Oswaldocruzia sp., O. subauricularis, Schulzia travassosi, Aplectana hylambatis, Cosmocerca podicipinus, Oxyascaris caudacutus, Schrankiana formosula y larvas de Physaloptera sp. Estos nematodos se colectaron de los pulmones, el intestino delgado, el intestino grueso, la mucosa gástrica y la vesícula biliar de los hospedadores. Este trabajo constituye el primer registro de helmintos para C. pierottii y O. lavillai y el primero de nematodes para Ce. cranwelli en toda su área de distribución geográfica. La especie Schrankiana formosula (Atractidae) es registrada por primera vez en anfibios argentinos. De este modo, ampliamos el conocimiento de la diversidad biológica de los helmintos parásitos de anfibios de la ecorregión Chaco Seco. Esta información permitirá conocer cuáles son los factores que influyen en los patrones de ocurrencia en hospedadores y distribución geográfica de helmintos parásitos de vertebrados, en un área con características tan extremas como el Chaco Seco.

2021-01-01T00:00:00Z In the Argentinean Gran Chaco, numerous investigations have dealt with the diversity of vertebrates, including amphibians and reptiles. The parasitofauna of these organisms, has been more studied in some groups such as amphibians; however, from a biogeographic perspective, most of these studies were carried out in the Humid Chaco. The goal of this work is to present the nematofauna found in six species of amphibians, Rhinella diptycha, Chacophrys pierottii, Ceratophrys cranwelli, Scinax nasicus, Leptodactylus bufonius, and Odontophrynus lavillai, collected in different locations within the Dry Chaco, in the department of Matacos, Formosa, Argentina. In a total of 34 amphibians analyzed, we found 1,526 parasitic nematodes (total prevalence: 61.7%; total mean intensity: 72.6±90.3; total mean abundance: 44.9±78.9), belonging to 9 taxa: adults of Rhabdias sp., Oswaldocruzia sp., O. subauricularis, Schulzia travassosi, Aplectana hylambatis, Cosmocerca podicipinus, Oxyascaris caudacutus, Schrankiana formosula, and larvae of Physaloptera sp. These nematodes were collected from the lungs, small intestine, large intestine, gastric mucosa, and gallbladder of hosts. This work is the first record of helminths from C. pierottii and O. lavillai and the first record of nematodes from Ce. cranwelli throughout its geographical range. The species Schrankiana formosula (Atractidae) is recorded for the first time in Argentinean amphibians. Thus, we expand the knowledge of the biological diversity of helminth parasites of amphibians from the Dry Chaco ecoregion. This base-line information, would allow to understand the factors that influence the patterns of host and geographic distribution of vertebrate parasites in an area with extreme characteristics such as the Dry Chaco. Contribuciones al conocimiento de nematodos parásitos de anfibios de la ecorregión Chaco Seco de Argentina. En el Gran Chaco Argentino, numerosas investigaciones han tratado la diversidad de los vertebrados, incluida su fauna herpetológica. En cuanto a la parasitofauna de estos organismos, algunos grupos como el de los anfibios han sido más estudiados; sin embargo, biogeográficamente, la mayor parte de estos estudios fueron realizados en el Chaco Húmedo. El objetivo de este trabajo es presentar la nematofauna hallada en seis especies de anfibios, Rhinella diptycha, Chacophrys pierottii, Ceratophrys cranwelli, Scinax nasicus, Leptodactylus bufonius y Odontophrynus lavillai, colectadas en distintos puntos del Chaco Seco en el departamento de Matacos, Formosa, Argentina. En un total de 34 anfibios analizados encontramos 1.526 nematodes parásitos (prevalencia total: 61,7%; intensidad media total: 72,6±90,3; abundancia media total: 44,9±78,9), pertenecientes a 9 taxones, adultos de Rhabdias sp., Oswaldocruzia sp., O. subauricularis, Schulzia travassosi, Aplectana hylambatis, Cosmocerca podicipinus, Oxyascaris caudacutus, Schrankiana formosula y larvas de Physaloptera sp. Estos nematodos se colectaron de los pulmones, el intestino delgado, el intestino grueso, la mucosa gástrica y la vesícula biliar de los hospedadores. Este trabajo constituye el primer registro de helmintos para C. pierottii y O. lavillai y el primero de nematodes para Ce. cranwelli en toda su área de distribución geográfica. La especie Schrankiana formosula (Atractidae) es registrada por primera vez en anfibios argentinos. De este modo, ampliamos el conocimiento de la diversidad biológica de los helmintos parásitos de anfibios de la ecorregión Chaco Seco. Esta información permitirá conocer cuáles son los factores que influyen en los patrones de ocurrencia en hospedadores y distribución geográfica de helmintos parásitos de vertebrados, en un área con características tan extremas como el Chaco Seco. Nunes Martins, Rachel Menin, Marcelo http://sedici.unlp.edu.ar:80/handle/10915/120184 2021-06-15T04:02:20Z 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z

Articulo Cuadernos de Herpetología; vol. 35, no. 1 Rhinella proboscidea, a toad of the Rhinella margaritifera species group, is found in non-flooded forests in central Amazon. This species is an explosive breeder that reproduces in streamside ponds and uses small seedling plants to rest during the night. In this study, we present data on the variation in abundance, body size and body mass of adults and juveniles, on the relationship between body mass and size, operational sex ratio (OSR), and we characterize the resting sites and some aspects of R. proboscidea reproductive events throughout two rainy seasons. We captured 366 individuals (59 males, 84 females, 204 juveniles and19 undetermined). Highest abundance of females and juveniles was found in the fifth sampling period; males were more abundant than females in three sampling periods. We did not detect sexual dimorphism in body size and mass between males and females. The OSR varied from 0.12:1 to 1.50:1 (males:females). There was a positive relationship between body size and mass considering all individuals. Reproductive events were observed from the middle to the end of the rainy season on few occasions. We found ontogenetic variation in the height of resting sites in which juveniles were found in lowest height when compared to adults. In conclusion, juvenile recruitment events occurred in the end of the rainy seasons, and the abundance of individuals are probably related to variation in water body availability for reproduction along the studied periods. Moreover, the absence of sexual dimorphism in body size and mass for this species disagrees with what is known for other species in the R. margaritifera group.; Rhinella proboscidea, pertencente ao grupo de espécies de Rhinella margaritifera, é encontrada em florestas de terra firme na Amazônia central. Esta espécie possui reprodução explosiva em pequenas poças nas margens de riachos, e utiliza plântulas como sítio de repouso durante a noite. No presente estudo, apresentamos dados sobre a variação na abundância, tamanho e massa de adultos e juvenis, a relação entre massa corporal e comprimento rostro-cloacal, a razão sexual operacional (OSR) e caracterizamos os sítios de repouso e alguns aspectos reprodutivos de R. proboscidea ao longo de duas estações chuvosas. Capturamos 366 indivíduos (59 machos, 84 fêmeas, 204 juvenis e 19 indivíduos indeterminados). A maior abundância de fêmeas e juvenis ocorreu no quinto período de amostragem; machos were more abundantes do que as fêmeas em três períodos de amostragem. Não detectamos dimorfismo sexual no tamanho ou massa corporal entre machos e fêmeas. A OSR variou de 0.12:1 a 1.50:1 (machos:fêmeas). Detectamos uma relação positiva entre o tamanho corporal e massa considerando todos os indivíduos. Observamos eventos reprodutivos entre o meio e o fim das estações chuvosas, e em poucas ocasiões. Nós encontramos variação ontogenética na altura dos sítios de repouso onde os juvenis foram encontrados utilizando sítios mais baixos quando comparados aos adultos. Concluindo, os eventos de recrutamento de juvenis ocorreram no final das estações chuvosas, e a abundância de indivíduos está provavelmente relacionada com a variação na disponibilidade de corpos d’água para reprodução ao longo dos períodos estudados. A ausência de dimorfismo sexual no tamanho corporal e massa desta espécie é contrário ao registrado para outras espécies do grupo de R. margaritifera.

2021-01-01T00:00:00Z Rhinella proboscidea, a toad of the Rhinella margaritifera species group, is found in non-flooded forests in central Amazon. This species is an explosive breeder that reproduces in streamside ponds and uses small seedling plants to rest during the night. In this study, we present data on the variation in abundance, body size and body mass of adults and juveniles, on the relationship between body mass and size, operational sex ratio (OSR), and we characterize the resting sites and some aspects of R. proboscidea reproductive events throughout two rainy seasons. We captured 366 individuals (59 males, 84 females, 204 juveniles and19 undetermined). Highest abundance of females and juveniles was found in the fifth sampling period; males were more abundant than females in three sampling periods. We did not detect sexual dimorphism in body size and mass between males and females. The OSR varied from 0.12:1 to 1.50:1 (males:females). There was a positive relationship between body size and mass considering all individuals. Reproductive events were observed from the middle to the end of the rainy season on few occasions. We found ontogenetic variation in the height of resting sites in which juveniles were found in lowest height when compared to adults. In conclusion, juvenile recruitment events occurred in the end of the rainy seasons, and the abundance of individuals are probably related to variation in water body availability for reproduction along the studied periods. Moreover, the absence of sexual dimorphism in body size and mass for this species disagrees with what is known for other species in the R. margaritifera group. Rhinella proboscidea, pertencente ao grupo de espécies de Rhinella margaritifera, é encontrada em florestas de terra firme na Amazônia central. Esta espécie possui reprodução explosiva em pequenas poças nas margens de riachos, e utiliza plântulas como sítio de repouso durante a noite. No presente estudo, apresentamos dados sobre a variação na abundância, tamanho e massa de adultos e juvenis, a relação entre massa corporal e comprimento rostro-cloacal, a razão sexual operacional (OSR) e caracterizamos os sítios de repouso e alguns aspectos reprodutivos de R. proboscidea ao longo de duas estações chuvosas. Capturamos 366 indivíduos (59 machos, 84 fêmeas, 204 juvenis e 19 indivíduos indeterminados). A maior abundância de fêmeas e juvenis ocorreu no quinto período de amostragem; machos were more abundantes do que as fêmeas em três períodos de amostragem. Não detectamos dimorfismo sexual no tamanho ou massa corporal entre machos e fêmeas. A OSR variou de 0.12:1 a 1.50:1 (machos:fêmeas). Detectamos uma relação positiva entre o tamanho corporal e massa considerando todos os indivíduos. Observamos eventos reprodutivos entre o meio e o fim das estações chuvosas, e em poucas ocasiões. Nós encontramos variação ontogenética na altura dos sítios de repouso onde os juvenis foram encontrados utilizando sítios mais baixos quando comparados aos adultos. Concluindo, os eventos de recrutamento de juvenis ocorreram no final das estações chuvosas, e a abundância de indivíduos está provavelmente relacionada com a variação na disponibilidade de corpos d’água para reprodução ao longo dos períodos estudados. A ausência de dimorfismo sexual no tamanho corporal e massa desta espécie é contrário ao registrado para outras espécies do grupo de R. margaritifera. Viladrich, Leonel Jeremías Torres, María del Milagro Naretto, Sergio http://sedici.unlp.edu.ar:80/handle/10915/120183 2021-06-15T04:02:21Z 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z

Articulo Cuadernos de Herpetología; vol. 35, no. 1 La elección de pareja es un aspecto importante de la selección sexual, promoviendo el desarrollo de caracteres sexuales secundarios en los individuos del sexo opuesto, conocidos como ornamentos. El color puede ser entendido como una señal visual ya que puede transmitir información sobre diferentes aspectos de los individuos, como la condición reproductiva. Aun así, para ser considerado importante como señal para la elección de pareja requiere presentar además variabilidad entre los individuos. El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar la función de la coloración en la comunicación intersexual del lagarto de Achala, Pristidactylus achalensis. Para ello, se examinó la variabilidad de la coloración de machos en dos regiones del cuerpo consideradas dicromáticas, el flanco y el dorso; bajo el sistema de visión de lagartos, y se evaluó la elección de la hembra por la coloración de los machos, utilizando modelos de látex de distintas coloraciones. Los resultados mostraron una gran variabilidad en la coloración de los machos. Además, ambas regiones podrían ser distinguibles por los conespecíficos. Estos resultados están en concordancia con estudios que destacan a la región del flanco como importante para la comunicación entre conespecíficos, mientras que el dorso tendría una mayor importancia en relaciones interespecíficas como la depredación. Respecto a la elección de pareja, no se observó un patrón claro de elección de las hembras por la coloración de los machos, destacando una amplia variabilidad en la elección. La coloración es un rasgo complejo, que varía entre sexos e individuos de Pristidactylus achalensis y que puede participar en numerosas funciones además de la elección de pareja.

2021-01-01T00:00:00Z La elección de pareja es un aspecto importante de la selección sexual, promoviendo el desarrollo de caracteres sexuales secundarios en los individuos del sexo opuesto, conocidos como ornamentos. El color puede ser entendido como una señal visual ya que puede transmitir información sobre diferentes aspectos de los individuos, como la condición reproductiva. Aun así, para ser considerado importante como señal para la elección de pareja requiere presentar además variabilidad entre los individuos. El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar la función de la coloración en la comunicación intersexual del lagarto de Achala, Pristidactylus achalensis. Para ello, se examinó la variabilidad de la coloración de machos en dos regiones del cuerpo consideradas dicromáticas, el flanco y el dorso; bajo el sistema de visión de lagartos, y se evaluó la elección de la hembra por la coloración de los machos, utilizando modelos de látex de distintas coloraciones. Los resultados mostraron una gran variabilidad en la coloración de los machos. Además, ambas regiones podrían ser distinguibles por los conespecíficos. Estos resultados están en concordancia con estudios que destacan a la región del flanco como importante para la comunicación entre conespecíficos, mientras que el dorso tendría una mayor importancia en relaciones interespecíficas como la depredación. Respecto a la elección de pareja, no se observó un patrón claro de elección de las hembras por la coloración de los machos, destacando una amplia variabilidad en la elección. La coloración es un rasgo complejo, que varía entre sexos e individuos de Pristidactylus achalensis y que puede participar en numerosas funciones además de la elección de pareja.