Amphibian Diversity: Where everything starts to flood, Cáceres Municipality, North Pantanal, Central­West Brazil

Faunal inventories contribute to our understanding of regional diversity, and are fundamental for policy and de-cision-making regarding the management and conservation of large natural areas. This study aimed to inventory and com-pile information on amphibian species occurring in the North Pantanal region, in the municipal limits of Cáceres, Mato Grosso, Brazil. We used three methods to inventory amphibian species: (1) fieldwork, (2) analysis of specimens deposited in scientif-ic collections, and (3) literature reviews. We registered 49 amphibian species in Cáceres. Of them, 48 species belonged to the Anura order and were distributed across eight families and 20 genera, and one species belonged to the Gymnophiona order (Siphonops paulensis). The families Leptodactylidae (20 spp.) and Hylidae (17 spp.) were dominant in terms of richness, ac-counting for 75.5% of all species found in Cáceres. The remaining families had between four and one species each. The mu-nicipality is strongly influenced by non-forested formations (e.g., the Cerrado and Pantanal) and presents a high species rich-ness for a non-forested location in Brazil. Our findings highlight Cáceres as one of the richest areas in amphibian species in the North Pantanal region, expanding our knowledge regarding frog diversity. This study provides a foundation for future conser-vation strategies and additional assessments of amphibian species in light of potential population declines and other emerg-ing threats.(AU)

Hotspots and hotmoments of wildlife roadkills along a main highway in a high biodiversity area in Brazilian Amazonia / Hotspots e hotmoments de atropelamentos de animais silvestres ao longo de uma rodovia em uma área de alta biodiversidade na Amazônia brasileira

Wildlife roadkills have become a concern in the Amazon biome due to the opening of major roads in recent decades. In this study, we aimed to describe wildlife roadkills in a 100-km stretch of the BR-163 highway, in western Pará state, determining which vertebrate groups are most affected and whether there are spatial (hotspots) and temporal (hotmoments) aggregations of roadkills. From July 2019 to June 2020, we carried out 25 surveys at 15-day intervals, from a vehicle at a maximum speed of 40 km h-1. We recorded 351 individuals at an observed rate of 0.14 ind km-1 day-1. Despite their lower detectability and faster carcass removal rate from the road due to small size, most recorded roadkills were amphibians (0.066 ind km-1 day-1). We mapped several hotspots along the study stretch considering the total number of animals recorded, and separately for amphibians and reptiles. Multiple linear regression analyses indicated that the number of roadkills of all vertebrates, amphibians and reptiles recorded are influenced by temperature and precipitation. Information on places with the highest incidence of roadkills can support actions such as the installation of underpasses and fences, aimed at reducing the impacts on wild vertebrates of this Amazonian highway.(AU)

Atropelamentos de fauna silvestre tornaram-se preocupantes no bioma amazônico devido à abertura de grandes rodovias nas últimas décadas. Neste estudo objetivamos caracterizar a fauna silvestre atropelada em um trecho de 100 km da rodovia BR-163, no oeste do estado do Pará, determinando quais grupos de vertebrados são mais afetados e se há agregações espaciais (hotspots) e temporais (hotmoments) de atropelamentos. De julho 2019 a junho 2020 realizamos 25 amostragens a intervalos de 15 dias, a partir de um veículo a uma velocidade máxima de 40 km h-1. Registramos 351 indivíduos a uma taxa observada de 0.14 ind km-1 dia-1. Apesar de sua menor detectabilidade e taxa de remoção mais acelerada da rodovia devido ao seu pequeno porte, a maioria dos atropelamentos foi de anfíbios (0.066 ind km-1 dia-1). Mapeamos diversos hotspots ao longo do trecho estudado considerando o número total de animais registrados, e, separadamente, para anfíbios e répteis. Análise de regressão linear múltipla indicou que o número total de registros de vertebrados atropelados, e o de anfíbios e répteis é influenciado por temperatura e precipitação. Informação sobre locais com maior incidência de atropelamentos pode subsidiar ações como a instalação de estruturas de passagem de fauna e cercas de proteção, visando a diminuição dos impactos sobre vertebrados silvestres desta rodovia amazônica.(AU)

Characterization of nonpathological intrascleral cartilage in the domestic sheep (Ovis aries) / Caracterização de cartilagem intraescleral não patológica em ovinos (Ovis aries)

ABSTRACT: Birds, cartilaginous and teleost fish, reptiles, and some amphibians have intrascleral cartilage and/or bone; however, these are rarely reported in therian mammals. This study aimed to investigate and characterize a nonpathological formation of cartilage in the posterior sclera of sheep macroscopically, histologically, and by immunohistochemical exam (IHC). Ninety eyes from 45 domestic sheep were collected, underwent gross examination, fixed in formalin, and embedded in paraffin for the microscopical assessment. Sections with histological shreds of cartilage were selected to perform IHC to confirm the presence of cartilage. Intrascleral cartilage was detected in 60 eyeballs (66.66%) from 37 sheep (82.22%). A slight whitish thickening was grossly seen in the posterior sclera. The histologic exam revealed a few scattered, isolated chondrocytes to larger aggregates of cartilaginous islands in the posterior sclera. Eighteen (30%) of 60 eyeballs revealed marked anti-collagen type II immunolabeling. The development of cartilaginous structures in the eyes is considered rare in mammalian animals. The high occurrence of intrascleral cartilage in the examined sheep eyes suggests that this finding corresponds to an anatomical component of sheep sclera, despite the age, breed, or body condition.

RESUMO: Aves, peixes cartilaginosos e teleósteos e répteis, bem como alguns anfíbios possuem cartilagem e/ou osso intraescleral, contudo, isso é raramente descrito em marsupiais. O objetivo deste trabalho foi investigar e caracterizar a formação não patológica de cartilagem hialina na esclera posterior de ovinos, por exame macroscópico, histológico e imuno-histoquímico. Olhos de 45 ovinos foram coletados, submetidos a exame macroscópico, fixados em formalina a 10% tamponada e incluídos em parafina para o exame histológico. Amostras com evidência de formação cartilaginosa ao exame histológico foram selecionadas para a realização da técnica de imuno-histoquímica para confirmação. Cartilagem intraescleral foi detectada em 60 amostras oculares (66,66%) de 37 ovinos (82,22%), caracterizada na avaliação macroscópica como discretos espessamentos esbranquiçados na esclera posterior. O exame histológico revelou formações que variaram de condrócitos isolados e dispersos a grandes agregados, formando ilhas cartilaginosas na esclera. Dezoito (30%) de 60 bulbos oculares mostraram imunomarcação anti-colágeno tipo II. O desenvolvimento de estruturas cartilaginosas nos bulbos oculares é considerado raro em mamíferos. A identificação de cartilagem intraescleral em 66% dos olhos ovinos avaliados no estudo indica que a formação de cartilagem corresponde a um componente anatômico normal na esclera de ovinos, independente de idade, raça ou condição corporal.

Validation of Chronocancer camilosantanai† Santana, Tavares, Martins, Melo & Pinheiro (Crustacea, Decapoda, Brachyura) from the Romualdo Formation, Araripe Sedimentary Basin, Brazil

Santana et al. (2022) described a new genus and species of fossil crab, Chronocancer camilosantanai, from carbonate concretions of the Romualdo Formation of the Araripe Sedimentary Basin. The journal in which the description appeared was published online only and the new name did not include a ZooBank registration number (LSID), as required for validation of new names in electronic-only publications. The present note serves to validate the name Chronocancer camilosantanai by fulfilling the ICZN conditions for nomenclatural availability. The date and authorship of the specific name, accordingly, are those of this note, not Santana et al. (2022).(AU)

Unravelling the stomach contents of fish and crab species from Cananéia, São Paulo: Are they eating plastic?

Plastic pollution represents a threat to marine ecosystems and has therefore been gaining space in the realm of public interest. In this study, we investigated the ingestion of food and non-food items (i.e., plastic particles) by fish and crabs. These animals are commonly collected by trawling with a double-ring net along the coast of Cananéia, state of São Paulo, Brazil; some of them are consumed as food by the local population. Fish and crab stomachs were removed and dissected, and their contents were examined under a stereoscopic microscope with an image-capturing system. The presence or absence of plastic was also registered. We examined 139 specimens of 16 fish species and 143 specimens of four crab species. The most frequent food items found in fish were unidentified food, followed by crustaceans, molluscs, polychaetes, and other fish; in crabs, the items were unidentified food, followed by crustaceans, molluscs and fish. Plastic particles were found in all fish species, representing 47.5% of the individuals analysed. In crabs, the incidence of plastic was lower, occurring in only two species (5% in Callinectes danae and 3% in C. ornatus). Only four fish species analysed had previous records of plastic ingestion in the scientific literature. The high incidence of microplastics in our study is worrying because they negatively affect the animals' lives and can be transferred through the tropic web to top predators, including humans, through the ingestion of contaminated animals.(AU)

Human disturbance affects behavioural time allocation in a fiddler crab (Austruca annulipes) in Southern Thailand

Human disturbances affect the macroinvertebrate populations in coastal regions. They respond to disturbances by altering their density and behaviour. Therefore, many of them are used as bioindicator species of human disturbance. Here, we pioneer the use of fiddler crabs to examine whether they alter their behaviour under human disturbance. Male fiddler crabs possess one large claw used for courting (waving) and fighting, and one small feeding claw, whereas females have two feeding claws. They show several surface activities. This study investigates (1) the effects of human disturbance on density and sex-ratio, and (2) the effects of human disturbance, and sex on behavioural time allocations in Austruca annulipes. Their density, sex-ratio, and time allocations were investigated in human-disturbed area (DA) and nondisturbed area (NDA). They showed feeding, feeding and walking, walking, running, standing/vigilance, inside burrows, burrowing, grooming, fighting, and waving. The results showed that crab density was higher and the sex ratio was more male biased in NDA than in DA. Human disturbance and sex affected time allocations but their interaction had no effect. Crabs in DA spent more time running, standing, and inside burrows but less time walking, burrowing, fighting, and waving than crabs in NDA. Between sexes, males spent more time standing, burrowing, grooming, and fighting but less time feeding, and walking than females. This indicates that human disturbances force the crabs to spend more time on anti-predator and escape behavior (standing/vigilance, running, inside burrows) rather than courting (waving) and constructing burrows (mating/breeding sites), which are important for breeding.(AU)

Vertebrates' roadkill in the southern region of the Atlantic Forest, Paraná coast - Brazil / Padrões de atropelamentos de vertebrados na região sul da Mata Atlântica, litoral do Paraná - Brasil

Being a significant global biodiversity hotspot, the Atlantic Forest has been drastically reduced by human activities. Among the anthropic activities that most affect the biodiversity of this biome is the construction and operation of roads and highways. Between harmful effects of these infrastructures, wildlife roadkill is currently considered one of the biggest causes of mortality of wild vertebrates. This study evaluated patterns of vertebrates' roadkill on two roads in the coastal region of the largest continuous remnant of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. For twelve months, we carry out weekly samples with a motor vehicle at a constant speed of 40 km/h to search for carcasses along the roads. All carcasses found were georeferenced and identified to the lowest possible taxonomic level. Then, using Siriema v.2.0 software, we analyzed roadkill aggregation and the spatial distribution of hotspots of wildlife roadkill. In 43 sampling days, 209 road-killed animals were registered (average roadkill rate of 0.105 and 0.111 animals/kilometer/day for PR-407 e PR-508, respectively). Extrapolating the rates found, we estimate that about 1,773 animals can be roadkill every year on these roads. The most affected groups were birds (33.01%) and amphibians (30.62%), followed by reptiles (19.13%) and mammals (17.33%). Warmer months had the highest roadkill rates. We found two critical roadkill hotspots for the PR-407 (kilometer 11.7 to 12.5 and kilometer 14.7 to 16.7). For the PR-508, we found a critical point of 5.2 km (kilometer 5 to 10.2). As a short-term measure, we recommend installing speed reducers in the identified stretches and implementing environmental education campaigns with residents and tourists, especially during the summer months, aiming to mitigate the roadkill on both roads. However, due to the importance and environmental fragility of the area, we emphasize the need for running periodic road ecology and local wildlife population viability studies in the medium and long term.

Sendo um importante hotspot de biodiversidade global, a Mata Atlântica tem sido drasticamente reduzida pelas atividades humanas. Entre as atividades antrópicas que mais afetam a biodiversidade desse ecossistema está a construção e operação de estradas e rodovias. Considerado um dos efeitos mais nocivos desses empreendimentos, o atropelamento de animais silvestres é atualmente uma das maiores causas de mortalidade de vertebrados silvestres. Neste estudo, avaliamos os padrões de atropelamentos de pequenos vertebrados em duas estradas na região litorânea do maior remanescente contínuo de Mata Atlântica brasileira. Durante doze meses realizamos coletas semanais com um veículo motorizado a uma velocidade constante de 40 km/h para busca de carcaças ao longo das estradas. Todas as carcaças encontradas foram georreferenciadas e identificadas até o menor nível taxonômico possível. Em seguida, usando o software Siriema v.2.0, analisamos a distribuição e os padrões espaciais dos eventos para identificar pontos de atropelamento de animais selvagens. Em um total de 43 dias de amostragem, foram registrados 209 animais atropelados (taxa média de atropelamentos de 0,105 e 0,111 animais/quilômetro/dia para PR-407 e PR-508 respectivamente). Extrapolando os índices encontrados, podemos estimar que cerca de 1.773 animais podem ser atropelados todos os anos nessas estradas. Os grupos mais afetados foram aves (33,01%) e anfíbios (30,62%), seguidos de répteis (19,13%) e mamíferos (17,33%). Os meses mais quentes tiveram as maiores taxas de atropelamentos. Durante o período encontramos dois pontos críticos de atropelamentos para a rodovia PR-407 (quilômetro 11,7 a 12,5 e quilômetro 14,7 a 16,7). Para a rodovia PR-508, encontramos um ponto crítico de 5,2 km (quilômetro 5 a 10,2). Como medida de curto prazo, recomendamos a instalação de redutores de velocidade nos trechos identificados e a implementação de campanhas de educação ambiental com moradores e turistas, principalmente nos meses de verão, visando mitigar o atropelamento em ambas as vias. No entanto, devido à importância e fragilidade ambiental da área, ressaltamos a necessidade de estudos de ecologia viária e de viabilidade populacional da fauna local a médio e longo prazo.

Nutrient compositional variation and interrelationship in the muscle of wild and plastic-reared brachyuran

Edible brachyurans are recognized as a popular source of food due to their delicious taste and nutritional quality. This study investigated the nutrient compositional variation and interrelationship in the muscle of wild and plastic-reared Cardisoma armatum. The plastic-reared crab had 27.81 ± 2.29 g 100 g-1protein while crab from the wild contained 22.45 ± 2.65 g 100 g-1protein. The difference in protein content of plastic-reared and its counterpart from the mangrove swamp was not significantly different(p > 0.05). This is also true of other proximate composition except that wild crabs were slightly higher in both crude fat (2.68 ± 0.35 g 100 g-1) and carbohydrate (5.89 ± 3.05 g 100 g-1). Generally, the total energy contributed due to protein, carbohydrate and fat in the tissues of both wild and plastic-reared C. armatumare similar. In the wild crab, contents of calcium (16083.27 ± 2127.90 mg 100 g-1) and phosphorus (1191.42 ± 199.21) were relatively higher, while contents of magnesium (368.69 ± 111.05 mg 100 g-1), sodium (125.30 ± 11.18 mg 100 g-1) and potassium (87.36 ± 7.27 mg 100 g-1) were relatively higher inplastic-reared crabs. All significant mineral ratios in wild and plastic-reared C. amartumfall within acceptable range. The positive relationship in the nutritional quality indicates that changes in proximate composition are associated with changes in mineral contents of the crab tissue.(AU)

Bem-estar dos organismos aquáticos e protocolos de avaliação para aquicultura / Welfare of aquatic organisms and assessment protocols for aquaculture

Peixes, anfíbios, répteis, moluscos cefalópodes e crustáceos decápodes são sencientes, e por isso, procedimentos de cultivo e de abate desses animais precisam atender aos critérios de bem-estar. Protocolos de bem-estar têm sido propostos para espécies da aquicultura de relevância econômica trançando novos rumos para atividade, mas infelizmente na maioria das propriedades brasileiras, não são adotados. Nesta revisão, contém informações sobre o cenário atual e os métodos de avaliação de bem-estar dos organismos aquáticos disponíveis na literatura científica, a fim de contribuir para a implantação de métodos, processos e estruturas que garantam o bom estado fisiológico e comportamental durante a vida e morte dos animais em cativeiro. Os dados disponíveis indicam que o estresse, a sanidade, as condições nutricionais e os métodos de insensibilização são os principais indicadores de bem-estar na aquicultura. Portanto, é imprescindível garantir estruturas adequadas ao sistema de produção, protocolos de vacinação, dietas balanceadas compostas principalmente por fontes protéicas de qualidade, depuração pré-abate e métodos de insensibilização que levam à perda de consciência imediata.

Fish, amphibians, reptiles, cephalopod molluscs and decapod crustaceans are sentient, so these animals' cultivation and slaughter procedures must meet welfare criteria. Welfare protocols have been proposed for aquaculture species of economic relevance, tracing new directions for the activity, but unfortunately, in most Brazilian properties, they are not adopted. This review contains information about the current scenario and the methods of evaluating the welfare of aquatic organisms available in the scientific literature to contribute to the implementation of methods, processes and structures that ensure a good physiological and behavioral state during the life and death of the animals in captivity. Available data indicate that stress, health, nutritional conditions and stunning methods are the main indicators of welfare in aquaculture. Therefore, ensuring adequate structures for the production system, vaccination protocols, balanced diets composed mainly of quality protein sources, pre-slaughter purification, and stunning methods that lead to immediate loss of consciousness is essential.

Amphibians and reptiles from a protected area in western Brazilian Amazonia (Reserva Extrativista do Baixo Juruá)

Sampling gaps across the logistically challenging and extremely biodiverse Amazonia largely hamper our understanding of broad-scale amphibian and reptile diversity patterns in this ecosystem. The Juruá River basin, a southwestern tributary of the Amazon River, is one of these undersampled areas, with only punctual information documented for these vertebrates that are spatially or temporally biased. This is especially the case for the lower-middle courses of the Juruá River, which also has comparatively less protected areas than its upper course. In order to fill some biodiversity knowledge gaps associated with amphibians and reptiles in this river basin, we combined results of our field expeditions carried out in 1992, 2005-2007, and 2018 to the Reserva Extrativista (Extractive Reserve) do Baixo Juruá, a Brazilian protected area in the right bank of the lower Juruá River. Amphibians and reptiles were sampled using four complementary methods: active surveys, pitfall traps, funnel traps, and trammel nets. We identified species or updated their taxonomic status with a reanalysis of the external morphology of the preserved material in the light of novel taxonomic literature (more than 1,500 specimens) and employment of DNA barcoding analyses for some newly collected specimens with contentious taxonomic status. Our combined sampling evidenced 149 species of amphibians and reptiles occurring in this protected area (72 amphibians, 68 squamates, six chelonians, and three crocodilians). Recorded species highlight the value of the lower Juruá River region as harboring quite diverse assemblages for these vertebrates, with species typical of the western and southwestern Amazonia sub-regions. Remarkable species records are presented, as well as accounts on species with lower taxonomic resolution. Furthermore, we discuss the biogeographic affinities of recorded assemblages based on the species geographic range and preferred habitats, and the value of this protected area to preserve the regional biological diversity.(AU)

Effects of low-intensity cattle ranching on amphibians in the Ñeembucú Wetland Complex, Paraguay / Efectos de la ganadería de baja intensidad sobre los anfibios en el Complejo de Humedales Ñeembucú, Paraguay

Cattle in wetlands impact water quality through waste excretion, which deposits excess nutrients, as well as decreasing the biomass and height of vegetation through trampling and herbivory. Amphibians are sensitive to these changes due to their porous skin and reliance on vegetated microhabitats. Previous studies examining the effect of cattle on amphibians in wetlands report conflicting results, exemplifying the need to avoid overgeneralizations and instead examine specific environments. In the Ñeembucú Wetland Complex in Paraguay, low-intensity cattle ranching is a common practice. This study seeks to understand how the presence of cattle in these operations impacts water chemistry and amphibian species richness, as well as determining which cattle effects (eutrophication, nutrient loading, and decreased vegetation height diversity) have the greatest impact on amphibian communities. We anticipated that increased cattle presence would negatively impact wetland condition, and consequentially lower amphibian species richness. Data was collected over seven weeks at Estancia Santa Ana, a low-intensity cattle ranch in Pilar, Paraguay. Cattle presence was measured through cow footprints and feces densities, while a vegetation survey and water quality testing (nitrate, phosphate, and dissolved oxygen) served as environmental metrics. Pitfall trapping was used to gather information on amphibian species richness and community composition. A Pearson parametric correlation test and Factor Analysis of Mixed Data in R were then used to understand the relationship between variables. Very few statistically relationships were found between variables, and those that existed showed a very weak correlation. This suggests that cow presence does not have as strong of an impact on water quality or amphibian species richness as expected. Terrestrial and aquatic vegetation were found to explain much of the variation among the data, which verifies the importance of amphibians' microhabitats. While future research comparing generalist and specialist species in the area is necessary, these initial results suggest a hopeful future for collaboration on environmental efforts with low-intensity cattle ranchers.(AU)

Efectos de la ganadería de baja intensidad sobre los anfibios en el Complejo de Humedales Ñeembucú, Paraguay. La ganadería en los humedales afecta a la calidad del agua por excreción que añade nutrientes excesivos, además de reducir la altura y biomasa de vegetación a causa de pisar y comerla. Los anfibios son sensibles a estos cambios a causa de su piel porosa y su dependencia de la vegetación como hábitat. Estudios anteriores que investigaban los efectos del ganado en anfibios descubrieron resultados en conflicto, y así es importante evitar generalizar sobre todas las especies y ambientes. En los humedales de Ñeembucú en Paraguay, los ranchos con una densidad baja de vaca y un cambio mínimo al ambiente son muy comunes. Esta investigación trata de entender como la presencia del ganado en los ranchos afecta la calidad del agua y la riqueza de especies de anfibios, además de cuales factores (eutrofización, nutrientes excesivos o menos diversidad de vegetación) tienen el impacto más grande en los anfibios. Esperábamos que una presencia más alta de ganado causaría daño a la calidad del agua, y por eso, habría menos especies de anfibios presentes. Los datos se recogieron por siete semanas en Estancia Santa Ana, una estancia cerca a Pilar, Paraguay. La presencia de la ganadería se midió por la densidad de heces y huellas, y el medioambiente se analizó por un estudio de la vegetación y pruebas del agua (nitrato, fosfato y oxígeno). Se usan trampas pozos para capturar las ranas y coleccionar información sobre la riqueza de especies y la composición de la comunidad. Se usa la prueba de correlación paramétrica de Pearson y un Factor Analysis of Mixed Data en R para entender las relaciones entre las variables. Pocas relaciones de significado estadístico existen, y las que existen muestran una correlación muy débil. Eso sugiere que la ganadería no tenga un impacto muy grande en la calidad del agua o la riqueza de las especies como esperábamos. Vegetación terrestre y acuática explica la mayoría de la variación en los datos, y eso confirma la importancia de los hábitats de los anfibios. Los resultados sugieren un futuro optimista en cuanto a la colaboración entre los esfuerzos de conservación y los rancheros.(AU)

Histopathological changes in Lithobates catesbeianustadpoles used as biomarkers of pesticide poisoning / Alterações histopatológicas utilizadas em girinos de Lithobates catesbeianuscomo biomarcadores de intoxicações causadas por pesticidas

The use of biological indicators has increased in recent years with the aim of investigating environ-mental pollution in aquatic environments that are vulnerable to the constant use of pesticides. Some biomarkers can help assess the health status, indicating physical, metabolic, and behavioral changes under acute and sublethal poisoning. The mixture of the active ingredients cyproconazole and pico-xystrobin is a widely used fungicide for the control of pests in cotton, rice, coffee, sugarcane, corn, soybean, and wheat. The objective of this study was to verify the occurrence of possible histopatholo-gical lesions in the liver and kidneys of bullfrog tadpoles (Lithobates catesbeianus) caused by a fungi-cide commercial formula composed of picoxystrobin and cyproconazole. The animals were subjected to different concentrations of the fungicide to determine the median lethal concentration (LC50-96h = 0.05 mg L-1), that is, the lethal dose for 50% of the animals in 96 h. After determining the value of LC50-96h, the animals were subjected to three sublethal concentrations (LC50-96h/2, LC50-96h/10, and LC-50-96h/100). Through histological biomarkers, it was verified that this fungicide changed the morphology of the animals' kidney and liver tissues in a chronic way, impairing the functioning of organs that are essential for their survival and metamorphosis, which can result in an imbalance in the biodiversity of aquatic ecosystems.(AU)

O uso de indicadores biológicos tem aumentado nos últimos anos, com o intuito de investigar a po-luição ambiental em ambientes aquáticos que são vulneráveis ao constante uso de pesticidas. Alguns biomarcadores podem ajudar a avaliar o estado de saúde, indicando alterações físicas, metabólicas e comportamentais de intoxicações agudas e subletais. A mistura dos ingredientes ativos picoxistrobina e ciproconazol é amplamente usada como fungicida para o controle de pragas da cultura de algodão, arroz, café, cana-de-açúcar, milho, soja e trigo. O objetivo deste trabalho foi verificar a ocorrência de possíveis lesões histopatológicas em fígado e rins de girinos de rã-touro (Lithobates catesbeianus) causadas pela mistura dos fungicidas picoxistrobina e ciproconazol. Os animais foram submetidos a diferentes concentrações do fungicida para determinação da concentração letal mediana (CL50-96h = 0,05 mg L-1), ou seja, a dose letal para 50% dos animais em 96 horas. Após a determinação do valor da CL50-96h, os animais foram submetidos a três concentrações subletais (CL50-96h/2, CL50-96h/10 e CL50-96h/100). Através dos biomarcadores histológicos, a pesquisa verificou que esse fungicida alterou a morfolo-gia dos tecidos renais e hepáticos dos animais de maneira crônica, prejudicando o funcionamento de órgãos que são fundamentais para sua sobrevivência e metamorfose, o que pode resultar em um desequilíbrio para a biodiversidade dos ecossistemas aquáticos.(AU)

A new species of Characidium (Characiformes: Crenuchidae) from the rio Doce basin, Brazil

A new species of Characidium is described from the tributaries of the upper and middle rio Doce basin, Minas Gerais, Brazil. The new species is distinguished from most congeners, except C. cricarense, C. hasemani, C. helmeri, C. kalunga, C. pterostictum, C. schubarti, C. summus, and C. travassosi by lacking scales in the area between the anterior limit of the isthmus and the anterior margin of cleithrum. The new species differs from the aforementioned species by a series of characters, including the presence of the adipose fin, 2­-4 scales between the anus and anal fin, two rows of dentary teeth, presence of the parietal branch of the supraorbital canal, 4 scale rows above the lateral line, and absence of two conspicuous inclined dark bands on each caudal-fin lobe. The new species further differs from most congeners with an unscaled ventral surface of the isthmus by the presence of 33-34 pored scales on the lateral line and by the dark dashes on the caudal fin-rays not forming well-defined bands.(AU)

Uma nova espécie de Characidium é descrita de afluentes do alto e médio curso da bacia do rio Doce, Minas Gerais, Brasil. A nova espécie se distingue da maioria das congêneres, exceto C. cricarense, C. hasemani, C. helmeri, C. kalunga, C. pterostictum, C. schubarti, C. summus e C. travassosi pela falta de escamas na área entre o limite anterior do istmo e a margem anterior do cleitro. A nova espécie difere das espécies acima mencionadas por uma série de caracteres, incluindo a presença de nadadeira adiposa, 2-4 escamas entre o ânus e a nadadeira anal, duas séries de dentes no dentário, ramo parietal do canal supraorbital presente, 4 séries de escamas acima da linha lateral e ausência de duas bandas escuras inclinadas em cada lobo da nadadeira caudal. A nova espécie difere ainda mais da maioria das congêneres com superfície ventral sem escamas no istmo por ter 33-34 escamas perfuradas na linha lateral e traços escuros nos raios da nadadeira caudal não formando bandas bem definidas.(AU)

New small-sized species of Astyanax (Characiformes: Characidae) from the upper rio Paraguai basin, Brazil, with discussion on its generic allocation

A new species of Astyanax is described from the rio Salobra, tributary of rio Cuiabá, rio Paraguai basin. The new taxon can be distinguished from its congeners by having a well-defined dark midlateral stripe on body extending from the posterior margin of the opercle to the base of middle caudal-fin rays and a single vertical elongate humeral blotch. Although the new species is described in Astyanax, some specimens present an incomplete or a discontinuous series of perforated scales in the lateral line. Therefore, a discussion on its generic allocation is presented. Comments on different patterns of coloration among dark-striped species of Astyanax are also provided. The discovery of a new species in an underwater tourist point relatively near a large urban center underscores that even fish species daily observed by hundreds of people in limpid waters may lack a formal taxonomic identity. Such finding also highlights how the megadiverse Brazilian freshwater ichthyofauna still needs efforts and investments to identify and describe new taxa.(AU)

Uma nova espécie de Astyanax é descrita do rio Salobra, afluente do rio Cuiabá, bacia do rio Paraguai. O táxon novo pode ser diferenciado de seus congêneres por apresentar uma faixa médio-lateral escura bem definida no corpo, se estendendo da margem posterior do opérculo até a base dos raios medianos da nadadeira caudal e por possuir uma mancha umeral verticalmente alongada. Apesar da espécie nova ser descrita em Astyanax, alguns exemplares apresentam uma série incompleta ou descontínua de escamas perfuradas na linha lateral. Assim, uma discussão sobre sua alocação genérica é apresentada. Comentários sobre os diferentes padrões de coloração de espécies de Astyanax com faixa escura também são fornecidos. A descoberta de uma espécie nova em um ponto turístico subaquático relativamente próximo a um grande centro urbano ressalta que mesmo as espécies de peixes observadas diariamente por centenas de pessoas em águas límpidas podem não ter uma identidade taxonômica formal. Tal achado também evidencia o quanto a megadiversa ictiofauna de água doce brasileira ainda precisa de esforços de coleta adicionais e investimentos para identificar e descrever os táxons novos.(AU)

Comparative Integumentary Morphology in Four Species of Pipa (Anura: Pipidae) from Colombia

As most neotropical pipids, the four species of Pipa present in Colombia are poorly understood despite their particular biology. The tegument of these New-World pipids presents particular structures which variations have been hardly analyzed. Therefore, we aim to describe the morphological variations of the dermal flap, barbels, fingertips, and the lateral line pattern among these four species, focusing on changes during the ontogeny. The results of the study show that the dermal flap was exclusively found in P. pipa, while barbels are usually present in P. pipa but seldom in P. snethlageae. The lateral line pattern in the dorsum is shared by the four species, but P. pipa present more neuromast lines along the snout than P. snethlageae. These species were different from P. parva and P. myersi, which cannot be distinguished based on external morphology, as they were more similar in all lateral line elements and exhibited the same fingertip morphology. On the other hand, the fingertips of young individuals of P. pipa and P. snethlageae presented four simple distal lobes which bifurcate twice during the ontogeny, so that adults present sixteen lobes. The difference between species is observed in the fingertip morphology: P. pipa has all four lobes distally placed, but P. snethlageae has one pair more proximal. The tegument structures analyzed here have a taxonomic utility using external morphology for P. pipa and P. snethlageae, but for P. parva and P. myersi additional studies are necessary. For future research, evaluating the function and anatomy of these structures is important to the understanding these integumentary structures in Pipa.(AU)

Description of three new species of Eigenmannia (Gymnotiformes: Sternopygidae) from the rio Mearim and rio Parnaíba basins, Northeastern Brazil

Three new species of Eigenmannia belonging to the E. trilineata species-group are described. The first species is described from rio Mearim basin and can be diagnosed by lateral line stripe restricted to last two thirds of body, superior midlateral stripe present, 176-205 anal-fin rays, 10-15 scales rows above lateral line, 109-125 lateral line scales, 19-23 premaxillary teeth, 20-29 dentary teeth, 6-10 endopterygoid teeth, and 13-14 precaudal vertebrae. The second species is described from upper rio Parnaíba, and can be diagnosed by lateral line stripe restricted to last two-thirds of body, ii,11-13 pectoral-fin rays, 180-196 anal-fin rays, 12-15 scales rows above lateral line, 10-14 premaxillary teeth, 15-21 dentary teeth, 8-10 endopterygoid teeth, and 14 precaudal vertebrae. The third species is widespread in rio Parnaíba basin, and can be diagnosed by absence of lateral line stripe, absence of superior midlateral stripe, 182-228 anal-fin rays, 12-15 scales rows above lateral line, 107-131 lateral line scales, 32-34 premaxillary teeth, 35-44 dentary teeth, 9-12 endopterygoid teeth, and 13 precaudal vertebrae. A dichotomous key and the conservation status for the three species are provided.(AU)

Três espécies novas de Eigenmannia pertencentes ao grupo E. trilineata são descritas. A primeira espécie é descrita para a bacia do rio Mearim e pode ser diagnosticada por apresentar faixa da linha lateral restrita aos últimos dois terços do corpo, faixa médio lateral superior presente, 176-205 raios na nadadeira anal, 10-15 fileiras de escamas acima da linha lateral, 109-125 escamas na linha lateral, 19-23 dentes pré-maxilares, 20-29 dentes no dentário, 6-10 dentes no endopterigóide, e 13-14 vértebras pré-caudais. A segunda espécie é descrita do alto rio Parnaíba, e pode ser diagnosticada por apresentar faixa da linha lateral restrita aos últimos dois terços do corpo, ii,11-13 raios na nadadeira peitoral, 180-196 raios na nadadeira anal, 12-15 fileiras de escamas acima da linha lateral, 10-14 dentes pré-maxilares, 15-21 dentes no dentário, 8-10 dentes no endopterigóide, e 14 vértebras pré-caudais. A terceira espécie está amplamente distribuída na bacia do rio Parnaíba, e pode ser diagnosticada pela ausência de faixa na linha lateral, ausência da faixa médio lateral superior, 182-228 raios na nadadeira anal, 12-15 fileiras de escamas acima da linha lateral, 107-131 escamas na linha lateral, 32-34 dentes pré-maxilares, 35-44 dentes no dentário, 9-12 dentes no endopterigóides, e 13 vértebras pré-caudais. Uma chave dicotômica e o status de conservação para as três espécies são fornecidas.(AU)

Intoxicação de cães por venenos de anuros: prevalência, danos aos animais e protocolos clínicos / Dog poisoning by anuran poisons: prevalence, animal damage and clinical protocols

Indivíduos da família Bufonidae são comumente associados a casos de intoxicação de cães após contato com o veneno secretado nas glândulas presentes no tegumento, reforçando a importância de tratamentos efetivos após esta interação. Neste trabalho apresentamos uma revisão sobre casos de intoxicação de cães por venenos de anuros, relacionando os principais sintomas nos cães e os protocolos clínicos utilizados. Realizamos uma busca por artigos que relatem casos de intoxicação de cães por anuros nos repositórios Google Scholar, Scielo e PubMed. Utilizamos palavras-chave nos idiomas português e inglês. Um total de 430 artigos foram encontrados, sendo apenas 17 de acordo com a proposta da pesquisa. Os registros encontrados foram para o Brasil, Austrália e Estados Unidos. As espécies de anuros reportadas na literatura foram exclusivamente as do gênero Rhinella. O maior número dos casos registrados no Brasil ocorreu em ambiente urbano. Os principais sintomas descritos após intoxicação de cães foram salivação em excesso, convulsão e vômito. Óbitos também foram encontrados durante a busca. Principais protocolos para o tratamento após envenenamento foram lavagem da cavidade oral do cão, e administração de atropina, diazepam e fluidoterapia. Foi observado que há influência do tamanho dos cães na severidade após intoxicação, sendo os de pequeno porte mais suscetíveis a quadros letais. Sugerimos, por conta do baixo número de registros, que possivelmente a quantidade de casos acerca desta temática seja subestimado. Neste estudo evidenciamos que os protocolos utilizados para o cuidado dos cães intoxicados não são realizados de forma padrão, alterando de acordo com o quadro clínico apresentado.

Individuals of the Bufonidae family are commonly associated with cases of poisoning in dogs after contact with the venom secreted in glands present in the tegument, reinforcing the importance of effective treatments after this interaction. In this paper, we present a review of cases of poisoning in dogs by anuran venom, relating the main symptoms in dogs and the clinical protocols used. We performed a search for articles reporting cases of anuran poisoning in dogs in the Google Scholar, Scielo, and PubMed repositories. We used keywords in Portuguese and English. A total of 430 articles were found and only 17 of which were in accordance with the research proposal. The records found were for Brazil, Australia, and the United States. The species of anurans reported in the literature were exclusively those of the genus Rhinella. The greatest number of cases registered in Brazil occurred in an urban environment. The main symptoms described after intoxication in dogs were excessive salivation, convulsion, and vomiting. Deaths were also found during the search. The main protocols for treatment after poisoning were washing the dog's oral cavity, and administration of atropine, diazepam, and fluid therapy. It was observed that the size of the dogs influences the severity after intoxication, with small dogs being more susceptible to lethal conditions. Due to the low number of records, we suggest that the number of cases on this topic is possibly underestimated. In this study, we showed that the protocols used for the care of intoxicated dogs are not performed in a standard way, changing according to the clinical picture presented.

Phylogenetic position of Gorgoderina parvicava Travassos, 1922 (Digenea: Gorgoderidae), a parasite of Leptodactylus labyrinthicus (Spix, 1824) (Anura: Leptodactylidae) in Brazil / Posição filogenética de Gorgoderina parvicava Travassos, 1922 (Digenea: Gorgoderidae), parasita de Leptodactylus labyrinthicus (Spix, 1824) (Anura: Leptodactylidae) no Brasil

During a parasite survey in Brazilian amphibians from São Paulo state, Brazil, Gorgoderina parvicava Travassos, 1922 was found in the urinary bladder (11 adult worms) and (five juvenile worms) in the kidneys of the pepperfrog Leptodactylus labyrinthicus (Spix, 1824). Parasites were examined by microscopy and 28S rDNA and COI gene were sequenced and analyzed for the molecular study. The phylogenetic reconstructions resulted in identical topologies with highly supported values in the nodes in most clades using Maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference methods and positioned G. parvicava in the subclade formed by species of subfamily Gorgoderinae parasitizing the urinary bladder of amphibians. Molecular phylogenetic data showed that this species is related to other species of Gorgoderina. In addition, new molecular data and the analyses of genetic distances provide extra comparative data, which can be applied in further investigations on the taxonomic status and the diversity among Gorgoderina spp. and host-parasite relationships.

Durante o levantamento de parasitas de anfíbios brasileiros do estado de São Paulo, Brasil, Gorgoderina parvicava Travassos, 1922 foi encontrado na bexiga urinária (11 vermes adultos) e nos rins (cinco vermes juvenis) da rãpimenta Leptodactylus labyrinthicus (Spix, 1824). Os parasitas foram examinados por microscopia e os genes 28S rDNA e COI foram sequenciados e analisados para o estudo molecular. As reconstruções filogenéticas resultaram em topologias idênticas com valores suportados nos nós na maioria dos clados, usando métodos de máxima verossimilhança e inferência bayesiana e posicionaram G. parvicava no subclado formado por espécies da subfamília Gorgoderinae parasitando a bexiga urinária de anfíbios. Dados filogenéticos moleculares mostraram que esta espécie está relacionada a outras espécies de Gorgoderina. Além disso, novos dados moleculares e as análises de distâncias genéticas fornecem dados comparativos extras, que podem ser aplicados em futuras investigações sobre o status taxonômico e a diversidade entre Gorgoderina spp. e relações parasita-hospedeiro.

Self-made home: how and where does the anuran Rhinella dorbignyi build its retreat sites / Com as próprias patas: Como e onde o Sapinho-de-Jardim Rhinella dorbignyi constrói seus abrigos

In this study, we observed that burrows of Rhinella dorbignyi (Duméril & Bibron, 1841) are distributed in a non-random manner in the habitat, suggesting a microhabitat selection for digging. This conclusion was based on a characterization of 36 burrows and surrounding micro-habitat. We established a 1 m x 1 m quadrat with the burrow in its central point (n=36) to measure the percentage (density) and the average heights of grasses, herbs, and shrubs. All measurements were repeated in two unused quadrats (without burrows) to evaluate the available microhabitat (n=72). The burrows are built in specific areas of the habitat with a higher percentage of grass, taller herbs, lower density of shrubs and low shaded sites than the founded at control sites. Based on three-dimensional models of the interior of the burrow (n=15), we observed that all of them were constructed with an elliptical opening that opens into a narrow channel perpendicular to the ground. Channels had a mean maximum diameter of 38 mm and a mean minimum diameter of 18 mm. The mean length of the burrows is 182 mm, and the mean volume is 95 mL.

Neste estudo, observamos que tocas de Rhinella dorbignyi (Duméril & Bibron, 1841) são distribuídas de uma forma não-aleatória no habitat, sugerindo que esta espécie seleciona sítios para cavá-las. Esta conclusão foi baseada em uma caracterização de 36 tocas e do micro-habitat que as cerca. Estabelecemos um quadrante de 1 m x 1 m com a toca como seu ponto central (n=36) para medir a porcentagem (densidade) e a altura média de gramíneas, plantas herbáceas e arbustos. Todas as medidas foram repetidas em dois quadrantes não utilizados (sem tocas), para avaliar o micro-habitat disponível ao anfíbio (n=72). As tocas são construídas em áreas específicas do habitat com maior porcentagem de gramíneas, ervas mais altas, menos arbustos presentes e pouca área sombreada. Baseado em modelos tridimensionais do interior das tocas (n=15), observamos que todas elas são construídas com uma abertura elíptica que se abre para um canal estreito, perpendicular ao chão. Os canais têm diâmetro máximo médio de 38 mm e diâmetro mínimo médio de 18 mm. O comprimento médio das tocas é de 182 mm, e o volume médio é de 95 mL.

Helminth's assemblage of a small frog in the Brazilian semiarid: parasite-host-environment relationships / Assembleia de helmintos em uma pequena rã no semiárido brasileiro: relação parasito-hospedeiro-ambiente

Parasite infections may contingency different aspects of the hosts' lives, and are usually expected to directly or indirectly compromise host reproduction. However, although amphibians have historically been study models in parasite ecology, the effects of parasitism on amphibians' reproduction remain unknown. Thus, we investigated how the parasite load varies as a function of climatic seasonality (rainy and dry season) and intrinsic host characteristics (size and sex), as well as the relationship between parasite load and reproductive investment in males and females of a small frog (Pseudopaludicola pocoto Magalhães, Loebmann, Kokubum, Haddad & Garda, 2014) in the Brazilian semiarid region. The parasitological parameters of the studied population were not influenced by the season of the year or by the hosts' body size, but females of P. pocoto had a higher prevalence and intensity of infection than males. The number of oocytes and the volume of the testes were not related to the parasite load, revealing that the parasitism did not negatively impact the gonadal investment in P. pocoto. Our findings suggest that short-lived species, such as the tiny Pseudopaludicola species, have a high reproductive investment independent of their parasitic interactions. In addition, this should be true mainly in those species that live in seasonally dry environments, such as P. pocoto, in which reproduction is even more constrained by the shortened and unpredictable rainy period.

Como infecções parasitárias podem contigenciar diversos aspectos da vida dos hospedeiros, de modo geral, espera-se que o parasitismo comprometa direta ou indiretamente a reprodução dos hospedeiros. Contudo, apesar dos anfíbios historicamente terem sido modelos de estudos em ecologia parasitária, os efeitos do parasitismo na reprodução de anfíbios permanecem incompreendidos. Neste trabalho investigamos como a carga parasitária varia em função da sazonalidade climática (período chuvoso e seco) e de características intrínsecas dos hospedeiros (tamanho e sexo), bem como a relação entre a intensidade de infecção e o investimento reprodutivo em machos e fêmeas de uma pequena rã (Pseudopaludicola pocoto Magalhães, Loebmann, Kokubum, Haddad & Garda, 2014) no semiárido brasileiro. Os parâmetros parasitológicos da população estudada não foram influenciados pela estação do ano nem pelo tamanho corpóreo dos hospedeiros, mas as fêmeas de P. pocoto apresentaram maior prevalência e intensidade de infecção que os machos. A carga parasitária não foi relacionada com o número de ovócitos nem com o volume dos testículos, revelando que o parasitismo não impactou negativamente o investimento gonadal em P. pocoto. Nossos achados sugerem que espécies com baixa longevidade, como as diminutas espécies de Pseudopaludicola, apresentam um alto investimento reprodutivo independente de suas interações parasitárias. Complementarmente, isto deve ocorrer sobretudo naquelas espécies que vivem em ambientes sazonalmente secos, como P. pocoto, nos quais a reprodução é ainda mais contigenciada pela brevidade e imprevisibilidade do período chuvoso.