Body size, reproduction and feeding ecology of Pleurodema diplolister (Amphibia: Anura: Leiuperidae) from Caatinga, Pernambuco state, Northeastern Brazil

We present data about body size, sexual dimorphism, reproductive traits and diet ecology of Pleurodoma diplolister. This species is sexually dimorphic with females larger than males, corroborating others Leiuperidae species. The number of eggs varied from 62 to 1241 and we found a positive relationship between SVL of females and number of mature ovarian eggs but there is no relationship between SVL and volume of eggs. The diet of P. diplolister was composed by 11 categories of which Formicidae, Coleoptera and Orthopterans were the most important items and showed generalist and oportunistic predator habits. Data presented here should be considered in the development of future conservation strategies of anurans from Caatinga biome and other semiarid/arid environments

UNA NUEVA ESPECIE DE COSMOCERCA (NEMATODA: ASCARIDIDA: COSMOCERCIDAE) DE SAURIOS GIMNOFTÁLMIDOS DEL OESTE DE BRASIL

En este artículo se describe e ilustra a Cosmocerca gymnophthalmicola n. sp., un parásito intestinal de los lagartos gimnoftálmidos Alopoglossus angulatus (Linnaeus, 1758) y Cercosaura eigenmanni (Griffin, 1917) del oeste de Brasil. Cosmocerca gymnophthalmicola n. sp. representa la 31ª especie asignada al género, y la 11a en la región Neotropical. Por otra parte, C. gymnophthalmicola n. sp. es la cuarta especie que tiene hospederos lagartos, y se distingue de otras especies del género Cosmocerca por poseer 6 pares de plectanas y por una combinación de espículas y gubernáculo y por la ausencia de alas laterales en ambos sexos. La nueva especie es más similar a C. banyulensis, C. chilensis, C. longicauda, C. parva y C. rara en tener 6 pares de plectanas, pero se diferencian de estas especies por espículas más grandes y ausencia de ala lateral en ambos sexos

Autecology of the lizard Colobosauroides cearensis (Squamata: Gymnophthalmidae) from Brazilian semiarid Caatinga

Autoecologia do lagarto Colobosauroides cearensis (Squamata: Gymnophthalmidae) da Caatinga semiárida brasileira. Colabosauroides cearesis é um lagarto diurno com distribuição relictual associados a habitats forestais, no domínio da Caatiga brasileira. O conhecimento da história natural desse lagarto é escasso devido o seu habito secreto. Aqui, descrevemos a dieta, reprodução, dimorfsmo sexual, uso de microhabitat e ecologia térmica de C. cearensis, com base em trabalhos de campo entre 2015–2017 no estado do Ceará, Brasil. A dieta desses lagartos é composta exclusivamente por artrópodes, sendo Formicidae a categoria de presas mais importante. A largura de nicho numérico e volumétrico foram 5,52 e 9,2, respectivamente, e a sobreposição de nicho trófco entre fêmeas e machos foi de 0,3. Os machos distinguem-se das fêmeas por apresentar maior tamanho e pela presença de poros femorais. Colobosauroides cearensis é criptozóico, habitando a serapilheira e não tendo contato direto com o solo ou radiação solar. A temperatura corporal média dos lagartos é de 30,4 ± 3,3°C, correlacionada positivamente com a temperatura do ar. Fêmeas grávidas com tamanho de ninhada fxa de dois ovos são encontradas no início da estação chuvosa. A ovipostura ocorre entre abril e maio (quando o maior número de juvenis foi observado). A maturidade sexual ocorre cedo nos machos, e o volume testicular está signifcativamente correlacionado com o tamanho do corpo.Autecology of the lizard Colobosauroides cearensis (Squamata: Gymnophthalmidae) from Brazilian semiarid Caatinga. Colobosauroides cearensis is a diurnal lizard with a relictual distribution associated with forested habitats in the Brazilian Caatinga Domain. Knowledge of the natural history of this secretive lizard is scarce. Herein, the diet, reproduction, sexual dimorphism, microhabitat use, and thermal ecology of C. cearensis are described based on feldwork in 2015–2017 in the state of Ceará, Brazil. The diet of the lizards is composed exclusively of arthropods, with Formicidae being the most important prey category. Numerical and volumetric niche breadths are 5.52 and 9.2 respectively, and trophic niche overlap between females and males is 0.3. Males are distinguished from females by the larger size of the males and the presence of femoral pores. Colobosauroides cearensis is cryptozoic, inhabiting the leaf litter and having no direct contact with the soil or solar radiation. The average body temperature of the lizards is 30.4 ± 3.3°C, which is positively correlated with the air temperature. Gravid females with fxed clutch size of two eggs are found in early rainy season. Oviposition occurs between April and May (when the highest number of juveniles are observed). Sexual maturity occurs early in males and testicular volume is signifcantly correlated with body size

Natural history of the rare and endangered snake Atractus ronnie (Serpentes: Colubridae) in northeastern Brazil

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.História natural da serpente rara e ameaçada de extinção Atractus ronnie (Serpentes: Colubridae) no nordeste do Brasil. O uso do habitat, período de atividade, dimorfsmo sexual, variações morfológicas, reprodução e a composição da dieta desta serpente fossória e noturna são relatados. As serpentes foram capturadas entre 2008–2014 na Chapada do Araripe, nordeste do Brasil, e foram coletadas por meio de busca ativa, bem como em armadilhas de queda com cerca guias. Embora as fêmeas sejam maiores que os machos, os machos têm caudas mais longas e as contagens das escamas diferem entre os sexos. A reprodução é sazonal, ocorrendo durante a estação chuvosa. O tamanho da ninhada variou de um a quatro ovos. A principal presa de A. ronnie são minhocas, além de formigas (Crematogaster sp.) e larvas de insetos

Helmintos infectando o sapinho Carvalho Odontophrynus Carvalhoi no estado brasileiro do ceará

The family Odontophrynidae comprises 40 anuran species widely distributed in South America, ranging from Brazil to Argentina and Paraguay. Odontophrynus carvalhoi Savage and Cei, 1965, a medium-sized species with terrestrial habits and explosive reproduction, is one of the representatives of this family. Despite its extensive distribution, data regarding its natural history are limited, with published information primarily focused on activity patterns, diet, and defensive behavior. In this study, we present data on the composition and infection patterns of endoparasites associated with O. carvalhoi in a relictual forest in the Brazilian state of Ceará. The parasite community comprised 11 species, with Aplectana hylambatis (76.67%) and Oswaldocruzia mazzai (79.49%) being the most prevalent. Additionally, we report new occurrences of parasite species for O. carvalhoi, contributing to the understanding of the parasitic fauna in the Neotropical region. These findings underscore the importance of parasitological research for a comprehensive understanding of the ecology and biology of this amphibian species.La familia Odontophrynidae comprende 40 especies de anuros ampliamente distribuidas en América del Sur, desde Brasil hasta Argentina y Paraguay. Odontophrynus carvalhoi Savage & Cei, 1965, especie de tamaño mediano, hábitos terrestres y reproducción explosiva, es uno de los representantes de esta familia. A pesar de su extensa distribución, los datos sobre su historia natural son limitados, y la información publicada se centra principalmente en patrones de actividad, dieta y comportamiento defensivo. En este estudio, presentamos datos sobre la composición y patrones de infección de endoparásitos asociados con O. carvalhoi en un bosque relicto en el estado brasileño de Ceará. La comunidad de parásitos estuvo compuesta por 11 especies, siendo Aplectana hylambatis (76,67%) y Oswaldocruzia mazzai (79,49%) las más prevalentes. Además, reportamos nuevas ocurrencias de especies de parásitos para O. carvalhoi, contribuyendo al conocimiento de la fauna parasitaria en la región Neotropical. Estos hallazgos subrayan la importancia de la investigación parasitológica para una comprensión integral de la ecología y biología de esta especie de anfibio.A família Odontophrynidae compreende 40 espécies de anfíbios amplamente distribuídas na América do Sul, abrangendo desde o Brasil até a Argentina e o Paraguai. Odontophrynus carvalhoi Savage e Cei, 1965, uma espécie de porte médio com hábitos terrestres e reprodução explosiva, é uma das representantes dessa família. Apesar de sua distribuição extensiva, dados sobre sua história natural são limitados, com informações publicadas concentradas principalmente em padrões de atividade, dieta e comportamento defensivo. Neste estudo, apresentamos dados sobre a composição e padrões de infecção de endoparasitas associados a O. carvalhoi em uma floresta relictual no estado brasileiro do Ceará. A comunidade de parasitas incluiu 11 espécies, sendo Aplectana hylambatis (76,67%) e Oswaldocruzia mazzai (79,49%) as mais prevalentes. Adicionalmente, relatamos novas ocorrências de espécies de parasitas para O. carvalhoi, contribuindo para a compreensão da fauna parasitária na região Neotropical. Essas descobertas destacam a importância da pesquisa parasitológica para uma compreensão abrangente da ecologia e biologia dessa espécie de anfíbio

Morphology and geographical distribution of the poorly known snake Umbrivaga pygmaea (Serpentes: Dipsadidae) in Brazil

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The herpetofauna of the Serra do Urubu mountain range: a key biodiversity area for conservation in the brazilian atlantic forest

The Serra do Urubu mountain range is considered a key biodiversity area. It is situated in the Pernambuco Endemism Center, one of the most threatened regions of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. However, despite the high importance of this area little research on its herpetofauna has been performed. The present study presents an inventory of the herpetofauna of the region, through bibliographic review, searches in museum collections and field expeditions to the RPPNs Frei Caneca and Pedra D’Antas, in the municipalities of Jaqueira and Lagoa dos Gatos. The conservation status of the amphibians of the region is discussed. Five expeditions, between 2012 and 2013 were made. The methods employed were visual transect surveys, acoustic census and pitfall traps. We recorded a total of 46 amphibian species, belonging to nine families: Craugastoridae (3 spp.), Bufonidae (3 spp.), Ranidae (1 sp.), Hylidae (25 spp.), Leptodactylidae (8 spp.), Odontophrynidae (1 sp.), Hemiphractidae (2 spp.), Phyllomedusidae (2 spp.) and Microhylidae (1 sp.). We recorded 42 species of squamates: 16 species of lizards families Phyllodactylidae (1 sp.), Gekkonidae (1 sp.), Gymnophthalmidae (1 sp.), Polychrotidae (1 sp.), Leiosauridae (1 sp.), Tropiduridae (3 spp.), Dactyloidae (2 spp.), Diploglossidae (2 spp.), Teiidae (2 spp.), Scincidae (1 sp.), and Iguanidae (1 sp.); and 24 species of snakes: Boidae (3 spp.), Colubridae (2 spp.), Dipsadidae (13 spp.), Elapidae (2 spp.), Typhlopidae (1 sp.), and Viperidae (3 spp.). The occurrence of rare and/or threatened species such as the snakes Dipsas sazimai, Lachesis muta and Sibynomorphus sp. and the amphibians Hylomantis granulosa, Chiasmocleis alagoana, Boana freicanecae and Phyllodytes gyrinaethes reinforces the need for conservation measures at this highly threatened region of the Atlantic Forest

Revisão da distribuição geográfica de Sphaenorhynchus prasinus Bokermann, 1973 (Anura: Hylidae) no Estado de Alagoas, nordeste do Brasil

Sphaenorhynchus prasinus is a neotropical small greenish treefrog characterized by a canthal black line, dermal folds on forearms and tarsi, dermal fold on elbow and round calcar appendage, and a white dermal flap with round lateral margins on the subcloacal region. Its geographic distribution comprises southeastern and northeastern of Brazil. In this note, we rectify the previous records of S. prasinus and restablish the occurrence of the species for the state of Alagoas, northeastern Brazil based on new findings.Sphaenorhynchus prasinus é um anuro neotropical arborícola caracterizado por apresentar uma linha negra na região cantal, pregas dérmicas nos antebraços, cotovelos e tarsos, apêndices calcâneos arredondados e região subcloacal com uma aba dérmica branca e margens laterais circulares. Sua distribuição geográfica abrange o sudeste e nordeste do Brasil. No presente trabalho, nós corrigimos informações prévias sobre o registro de S. prasinus e estabelecemos a ocorrência da espécie para o Estado de Alagoas, nordeste do Brasil, a partir de novos achados.Fil: de Araujo Vieira, Katyuscia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales “Bernardino Rivadavia”; ArgentinaFil: Nascimento, Filipe Augusto. Universidade Federal de Alagoas; BrasilFil: Roberto, Igor Joventino. Universidade Federal do Amazonas; BrasilFil: Soares Tiburcio, Ingrid Carolline. Universidade Federal de Alagoas; BrasilFil: Silva Lisboa, Barnagleison. Universidade Federal de Alagoas; BrasilFil: Ávila, Robson Waldemar. Universidade Regional do Cariri; Brasi

First assessment of the endoparasitic nematode fauna of four psammophilous species of Tropiduridae (Squamata: Iguania) endemic to north-eastern Brazil

Tropiduridae (Squamata: Iguania) is a lizard taxon widely distributed in the neotropics. Among its representatives, some species are classified as generalists regarding habitat usage. Others exhibit a very restricted and probably relict distribution, and are strongly associated with predominantly sandy and dry habitats. Within this rather ecologically similar than phylogenetically closely related group we examined specimens of Eurolophosaurus amathites, E. divaricatus, Tropidurus hygomi, T. psammonastes for endoparasites. In all four species examined we recorded parasitic nematodes (Nemathelminthes: Nematoda). At least three nematode species were recovered: Parapharyngodon sp., Physaloptera lutzi and Strongyluris oscari, with Ph. lutzi being the most abundant parasite encountered in all lizard species examined. In spite of the hosts’ habitat specialization, these parasites are also found frequently in non-psammophilous tropidurid species as well as in other squamates. Individual species richness per lizard was low, with usually just one species parasitizing at a time. These are the first parasites registered for these tropidurids and constitute a total of six new host records

Feeding ecology of two sympatric geckos in an urban area of Northeastern Brazil

The diets of two sympatric gecko species, Hemidactylus mabouia and Phyllopezus pollicaris, were studied from an urban area of the Crato municipality, Northeastern Brazil. While the house gecko H. mabouia is an introduced species widely distributed in North, Central, and South America, the Brazilian gecko P. pollicaris is a native species distributed along the great diagonal of open formations of South America. The diets of both species were mainly composed by arthropods, Diptera was the most important item for both species, corroborating others studies with lizards in urban areas. Male and female adults of both H. mabouia and P. pollicaris use similar microhabitats which can explain the high sexual and interspecific trophic niche overlap. In these populations from an urban area of the Crato municipality, the alien H. mabouia seems to have not negatively affected the trophic niche of the native P. pollicaris