Highly conserved and extremely variable: The paradoxical pattern of toxin expression revealed by comparative venom-gland transcriptomics of Phalotris (Serpentes: Dipsadidae).

Although non-front fanged snakes account for almost two-thirds of snake diversity, most studies on venom composition and evolution focus exclusively on front-fanged species, which comprise most of the clinically relevant accidents. Comprehensive reports on venom composition of non-front fanged snakes are still scarce for several groups. In this study, we address such shortage of knowledge by providing new insights about the venom composition among species of Phalotris, a poorly studied Neotropical dipsadid genus. Phalotris are known for their specialized venom delivery system and toxic venoms, which can cause life-threatening accidents in humans. We evaluate the venom-gland transcriptome of Phalotris, comparing the following three South American species: P. reticulatus for the Araucaria Pine forests, P. lemniscatus for the Pampa grasslands, and P. mertensi for the Brazilian Cerrado. Our results indicate similar venom profiles, in which they share a high expression level of Kunitz-type inhibitors (KUNZ). On the other hand, comparative analyses revealed substantial differences in the expression levels of C-type lectins (CTL) and snake venom metalloproteinases (SVMP). The diverse set of SVMP and CTL isoforms shows signals of positive selection, and we also identified truncated forms of type III SVMPs, which resemble type II and type I SVMPs of viperids. Additionally, we identified a CNP precursor hosting a proline-rich region containing a BPP motif resembling those commonly detected in viperid venoms with hypotensive activity. Altogether, our results suggest an evolutionary history favoring high expression levels of few KUNZ isoforms in Phalotris venoms, contrasting with a highly diverse set of SVMP and CTL isoforms. Such diversity can be comparable with the venom variability observed in some viperids. Our findings highlight the extreme phenotypic diversity of non-front fanged snakes and the importance to allocate greater effort to study neglected groups of Colubroidea.

Highly conserved and extremely variable: the paradoxical pattern of toxin expression revealed by comparative venom-gland transcriptomics of Phalotris (Serpentes: Dipsadidae)

Although non-front fanged snakes account for almost two-thirds of snake diversity, most studies on venom composition and evolution focus exclusively on front-fanged species, which comprise most of the clinically relevant accidents. Comprehensive reports on venom composition of non-front fanged snakes are still scarce for several groups. In this study, we address such shortage of knowledge by providing new insights about the venom composition among species of Phalotris, a poorly studied Neotropical dipsadid genus. Phalotris are known for their specialized venom delivery system and toxic venoms, which can cause life-threatening accidents in humans. We evaluate the venom-gland transcriptome of Phalotris, comparing the following three South American species: P. reticulatus for the Araucaria Pine forests, P. lemniscatus for the Pampa grasslands, and P. mertensi for the Brazilian Cerrado. Our results indicate similar venom profiles, in which they share a high expression level of Kunitz-type inhibitors (KUNZ). On the other hand, comparative analyses revealed substantial differences in the expression levels of C-type lectins (CTL) and snake venom metalloproteinases (SVMP). The diverse set of SVMP and CTL isoforms shows signals of positive selection, and we also identified truncated forms of type III SVMPs, which resemble type II and type I SVMPs of viperids. Additionally, we identified a CNP precursor hosting a proline-rich region containing a BPP motif resembling those commonly detected in viperid venoms with hypotensive activity. Altogether, our results suggest an evolutionary history favoring high expression levels of few KUNZ isoforms in Phalotris venoms, contrasting with a highly diverse set of SVMP and CTL isoforms. Such diversity can be comparable with the venom variability observed in some viperids. Our findings highlight the extreme phenotypic diversity of non-front fanged snakes and the importance to allocate greater effort to study neglected groups of Colubroidea.

Molecular phylogeny and biogeography of the dwarf boas of the family Tropidophiidae (Serpentes: Alethinophidia)

Although present in the South American continent, dwarf boas (Tropidophiidae) show their greatest extant diversification in the Caribbean region, reaching their highest diversity in Cuba. Despite their remarkable species richness, phylogenetic affinities among species of Tropidophis and Trachyboa are still poorly known. Here, we provide a multi-locus phylogenetic hypothesis of the family that includes 25 of the 37 known continental and insular species, including most of its highly diverse Cuban endemic radiation (16 out of 17 species sampled). We also provide a time-calibrated tree derived from our molecular data. Our phylogenetic results indicate that the genus Tropidophis and its mainland and Cuban radiations are paraphyletic, while the Caribbean radiation forms a well-supported clade. We therefore synonymize Trachyboa with Tropidophis and provide new definitions for the species groups. Our time-calibrated tree suggests that tropidophiids originated along the northwestern Andean region of continental South America, diverging from its known sister-group genus Anilius during the late Cretaceous. The Atlantic Rainforest radiation diverged from the Andean radiation during the late Eocene. A mainland tropidophiid ancestor subsequently dispersed from northern South America to the Caribbean region in the latest Eocene. Dispersal likely took place through a near-continuous terrestrial land bridge that connected South America to the Greater Antilles during the late Eocene to early Oligocene (35–33 Ma). The existence of this land bridge, whether formed by the Aves Ridge (GAARlandia Hypothesis) or by a more southernly positioned landmass connecting the Greater Antilles and the northern Lesser Antilles Ridge (GRANoLA hypothesis), remains a topic of debate, which we address in this paper. After that main dispersal event, West Indian tropidophiids underwent over ten speciation events, rapidly colonizing the Caribbean islands. We also address the vertebral morphology of fossil and extant Tropidophiidae, with our observations challenging the current classification of several fossil taxa within crown-Tropidophiidae.

More than meets no eyes: taxonomic status of a Liotyphlops (Serpentes: Anomalepididae) blindsnake from the atlantic rainforest

Liotyphlops Peters, 1881 is an anomalepidid blindsnake genus that encompasses 12 species, widely distributed in Central and South America. In this study, we evaluate the taxonomic status of Liotyphlops sousai Santos & Reis, 2018, a species described based on a single specimen from the Atlantic Rainforest of southern Brazil, and after analyzing evidences based upon molecular systematics, external morphology and osteology, we propose its synonymy with Liotyphlops beui (Amaral, 1924), a common and widely distributed Anomalepidid species. We also provide comments and recommendations on the taxonomy of Liotyphlops, assessing the risks associated with describing a new species based on small type series.

Unveiling an enigma from the Cerrado: taxonomic revision of two sympatric species of Apostolepis Cope, 1862 (Dipsadidae: Xenodontinae: Elapomorphini) from central Brazil

Apostolepis albicollaris and A. cerradoensis are two Elapomorphini snake species, described within a short timespan, from the Cerrado of central Brazil. In their brief descriptions, these two species were diagnosed from congeners largely based on highly variable external morphological characters. Interestingly enough, A. cerradoensis has remained known based on a single specimen since its description. Here, we present a reanalysis of both type specimens, as well as a careful examination of a large series of specimens formerly assigned to these species, based on the comparison of internal and external morphology. We conclude that both species are synonymous, providing evidence for the recognition of A. cerradoensis as a junior synonym of A. albicollaris. Furthermore, an account of its updated diagnosis, morphological variation, geographic distribution, hemipenial morphology, phylogenetic relationships and an osteological description are also provided. We also discuss its conservation status, suggesting that the species is under threat and qualifies to be listed as Vulnerable (VU ab(iii)), considering its rarity, small geographic range, and persistent environmental threats.

Ophiophagy in Brazilian birds: a contribution from a collaborative platform of citizen science

Citizen science is the interaction of the non-academic community in scientific studies, often extended to collaborative platforms. We analyzed 168 photographs shared in a Brazilian citizen science platform to understand the feeding interactions between birds and snakes in Brazil, comparing our findings to published data. We searched for patterns in bird taxa and behaviour correlated with ophiophagy, snake groups most vulnerable to predation, and biases resulting from citizen science data. Records were made mostly in south-eastern and southern Brazil. Both birds and snakes recorded are primarily diurnal, terrestrial, and use open habitats. Predators represent especially birds of prey, but nine other families were observed, and most of the identified snakes belong to Dipsadidae and Colubridae. Venomous snakes were observed, suggesting that birds must deploy strategies to avoid injuries. Finally, we added a new vertebrate item to the diet of the white-faced ibis (Plegadis chihi). Data biases of citizen science platforms, which in this work include differences in the number of records between different geographic regions and periods of day, must be considered. However, this kind of data can be a powerful tool for understanding life history patterns and natural history of birds and other animals.

Citizen science and online data: Opportunities and challenges for snake ecology and action against snakebite.

The secretive behavior and life history of snakes makes studying their biology, distribution, and the epidemiology of venomous snakebite challenging. One of the most useful, most versatile, and easiest to collect types of biological data are photographs, particularly those that are connected with geographic location and date-time metadata. Photos verify occurrence records, provide data on phenotypes and ecology, and are often used to illustrate new species descriptions, field guides and identification keys, as well as in training humans and computer vision algorithms to identify snakes. We scoured eleven online and two offline sources of snake photos in an attempt to collect as many photos of as many snake species as possible, and attempt to explain some of the inter-species variation in photograph quantity among global regions and taxonomic groups, and with regard to medical importance, human population density, and range size. We collected a total of 725,565 photos-between 1 and 48,696 photos of 3098 of the world's 3879 snake species (79.9%), leaving 781 "most wanted" species with no photos (20.1% of all currently-described species as of the December 2020 release of The Reptile Database). We provide a list of most wanted species sortable by family, continent, authority, and medical importance, and encourage snake photographers worldwide to submit photos and associated metadata, particularly of "missing" species, to the most permanent and useful online archives: The Reptile Database, iNaturalist, and HerpMapper.

A new species of Scinax Wagler (Hylidae: Scinaxini) from the tropical forests of Northeastern Brazil.

We describe a new species of the Scinax ruber clade from Northeastern Brazil that occurs in widely separated geographic areas in the Atlantic Forest of southern Bahia state and the Highland Humid Forest of Serra de Baturité, northeast Ceará state. Scinax tropicalia sp. nov. (holotype coordinates: -14.795694°, -39.172645°) is diagnosed from all 75 currently recognize species of the S. ruber clade by bioacoustical and morphological adult traits, such as duration (0.11-0.31 s) and dominant frequency (1.59-1.85 kHz) of the advertisement call, snout shape rounded, nearly rounded, or semi-circular in dorsal view and rounded to slightly protruding in profile, bilobate vocal sac, absence of pectoral glands and spicule-shaped papillary epidermal projections on nuptial pads, and color pattern on the dorsum of body and hidden surfaces of hindlimbs.

Citizen science and online data: opportunities and challenges for snake ecology and action against snakebite

The secretive behavior and life history of snakes makes studying their biology, distribution, and the epidemiology of venomous snakebite challenging. One of the most useful, most versatile, and easiest to collect types of biological data are photographs, particularly those that are connected with geographic location and date-time metadata. Photos verify occurrence records, provide data on phenotypes and ecology, and are often used to illustrate new species descriptions, field guides and identification keys, as well as in training humans and computer vision algorithms to identify snakes. We scoured eleven online and two offline sources of snake photos in an attempt to collect as many photos of as many snake species as possible, and attempt to explain some of the inter-species variation in photograph quantity among global regions and taxonomic groups, and with regard to medical importance, human population density, and range size. We collected a total of 725,565 photos—between 1 and 48,696 photos of 3098 of the world's 3879 snake species (79.9%), leaving 781 “most wanted” species with no photos (20.1% of all currently-described species as of the December 2020 release of The Reptile Database). We provide a list of most wanted species sortable by family, continent, authority, and medical importance, and encourage snake photographers worldwide to submit photos and associated metadata, particularly of “missing” species, to the most permanent and useful online archives: The Reptile Database, iNaturalist, and HerpMapper.

A new species of Oxyrhopus Wagler, 1830 (Serpentes: Dipsadidae) from the Bolivian Andes.

We describe a new dipsadine snake species, of the genus Oxyrhopus Wagler, 1830, from the highlands of Bolivia. Oxyrhopus emberti sp. n. is diagnosed from its congeners based on external and hemipenial morphology. The new species inhabits the humid forests of Yungas and Tucumano-Bolivian Forest highlands, between 1.200 - 1.800 meters above sea level, and is likely to be a Bolivian endemic. We also discuss the relationships of the new species with Andean congeners and provide a key to the identification of the Oxyrhopus species from the Central Andes of Bolivia and Peru.

A case of an unjustified Aphid name emendation.

The norms regarding validity and formulation of specific epithets in Zoology are ruled by the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN 1999), a published convention of the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature, that operates under a vast array of underlying nomenclatural principles. One of its components is Article 31, which rules upon the formation of specific or subspecific epithets for personal names, by the use of nomina (sensu Dubois 2007) under genitive case. As discussed by Dubois (2007), this has erroneously led several authors to assume that the aforementioned nomina should exclusively end in "-i" if dedicated to a man (or -orum, for plural), and in "-ae" if dedicated to a woman (or -arum, for plural) (being also important to state that this provision is sensitive on whether the chosen nomina is a modern personal name (Art. 31.1.2) or not (Art. 31.1.1)), leading to several independent proposed emendations to these names, which authors have considered as "wrong", under the Code; the author then, proceeds to conduce a careful and extensive literature review on matter, proposing an amendment to the Code, correcting several unjustified emends, and highlighting that "[...] the stem of such a nomen is determined by the action of the original author when forming the genitive, and should be preserved by subsequent authors. Any subsequent demonstrably intentional change in the stem or ending of this nomen, other than correction of an inadvertent spelling error, must be considered an unjustified emendation [...]" (Dubois 2007: 64).

A case of an unjustified Aphid name emendation

The norms regarding validity and formulation of specific epithets in Zoology are ruled by the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN 1999), a published convention of the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature, that operates under a vast array of underlying nomenclatural principles. One of its components is Article 31, which rules upon the formation of specific or subspecific epithets for personal names, by the use of nomina (sensu Dubois 2007) under genitive case. As discussed by Dubois (2007), this has erroneously led several authors to assume that the aforementioned nomina should exclusively end in "-i" if dedicated to a man (or -orum, for plural), and in "-ae" if dedicated to a woman (or -arum, for plural) (being also important to state that this provision is sensitive on whether the chosen nomina is a modern personal name (Art. 31.1.2) or not (Art. 31.1.1)), leading to several independent proposed emendations to these names, which authors have considered as "wrong", under the Code; the author then, proceeds to conduce a careful and extensive literature review on matter, proposing an amendment to the Code, correcting several unjustified emends, and highlighting that "[...] the stem of such a nomen is determined by the action of the original author when forming the genitive, and should be preserved by subsequent authors. Any subsequent demonstrably intentional change in the stem or ending of this nomen, other than correction of an inadvertent spelling error, must be considered an unjustified emendation [...]" (Dubois 2007: 64).

A case of an unjustified Aphid name emendation

The norms regarding validity and formulation of specific epithets in Zoology are ruled by the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN 1999), a published convention of the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature, that operates under a vast array of underlying nomenclatural principles. One of its components is Article 31, which rules upon the formation of specific or subspecific epithets for personal names, by the use of nomina (sensu Dubois 2007) under genitive case. As discussed by Dubois (2007), this has erroneously led several authors to assume that the aforementioned nomina should exclusively end in "-i" if dedicated to a man (or -orum, for plural), and in "-ae" if dedicated to a woman (or -arum, for plural) (being also important to state that this provision is sensitive on whether the chosen nomina is a modern personal name (Art. 31.1.2) or not (Art. 31.1.1)), leading to several independent proposed emendations to these names, which authors have considered as "wrong", under the Code; the author then, proceeds to conduce a careful and extensive literature review on matter, proposing an amendment to the Code, correcting several unjustified emends, and highlighting that "[...] the stem of such a nomen is determined by the action of the original author when forming the genitive, and should be preserved by subsequent authors. Any subsequent demonstrably intentional change in the stem or ending of this nomen, other than correction of an inadvertent spelling error, must be considered an unjustified emendation [...]" (Dubois 2007: 64).

New records of the rare Troschel's Pampas Snake, Phimophis guianensis (Serpentes: Dipsadidae) in Brazil.

The Troschel's Pampas Snake, Phimophis guianensis (Troschel, 1848), is widely distributed in Amazonian Savannas at northern South America and a small portion of southern Central America, being recorded to Brazil based on three historical records, that ranged from 1997 to 2002, in Amapá and Pará states. In this study, we revise all known records of P. guianensis, providing an updated distribution map, and the first record to Roraima state.

New records of the rare Troschel’s Pampas snake, Phimophis guianensis (Serpentes: Dipsadidae) in Brazil

The Troschel’s Pampas Snake, Phimophis guianensis (Troschel, 1848), is widely distributed in Amazonian Savannas at northern South America and a small portion of southern Central America, being recorded to Brazil based on three historical records, that ranged from 1997 to 2002, in Amapá and Pará states. In this study, we revise all known records of P. guianensis, providing an updated distribution map, and the first record to Roraima state.

New records of the rare Troschel’s Pampas Snake, Phimophis guianensis (Serpentes: Dipsadidae) in Brazil

The Troschel’s Pampas Snake, Phimophis guianensis (Troschel, 1848), is widely distributed in Amazonian Savannas at northern South America and a small portion of southern Central America, being recorded to Brazil based on three historical records, that ranged from 1997 to 2002, in Amapá and Pará states. In this study, we revise all known records of P. guianensis, providing an updated distribution map, and the first record to Roraima state.