Morphological and molecular evidence of the occurrence of Artibeus amplus (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae) in Brazil

Artibeus amplus Handley, 1987 is a little-known bat species endemic to northern South America. There are confirmed records of the species for Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, and Suriname. In this study, we report the occurrence of A. amplus in Brazil based on the collection of two specimens captured in the municipalities of Cantá and Caracaraí in the state of Roraima. We also found a museum specimen from the state of Amazonas. The specimens were identified based on morphology and mitochondrial Cytochrome b gene analysis. After this contribution, the number of bat species in Brazil is 182. Surveys in other areas in the north of the country, such as the state of Pará, in addition to a comprehensive review of museum specimens, is needed to investigate the distribution of the species in areas where it has not been found yet.

Abelisauroidea (Theropoda, Dinosauria) from Africa: a review of the fossil record

The Continental African abelisauroid theropod dinosaur fossil record from the Jurassic-Cretaceous periods is becoming increasingly better understood, and offers great insight into the evolution and biogeography of this long-lived group of carnivores. Abelisauroidea is among the most familiar groups of theropod dinosaurs from Gondwana, with fossil records in South America, Australia, India and Africa, along with Europe. The objective of the present study is to review the fossil record of abelisauroids in continental Africa. Based on the literature and records from the online databases "The Paleobiology Database" and "The Theropod Database", we review the distribution of these theropods in Africa and comment on their evolution. The African continent is a major region of importance when it comes to 26 Abelisauroidea fossil findings, including records of both major subdivisions of the clade: the Abelisauridae and Noasauridae families. The oldest Abelisauroidea fossil record found in Africa dates from the Late Jurassic, while the final records date from the end of the Cretaceous. This indicates that clade was the longest surviving lineage of the large theropods of Africa, and they filled a variety of ecological roles, including apex predators, at the end of the Cretaceous, when tyrannosaurids occupied similar niches in the northern continents.

Reprodução ex situ de felinos silvestres e seus desafios / Challenges of ex situ reproduction in wild cats

A reprodução ex situ de felinos silvestres assegura a sobrevivência das espécies ameaçadas por meio do estabelecimento e manutenção de populações viáveis em cativeiro. O conhecimento da biologia reprodutiva básica é essencial para o desenvolvimento de planos de manejo reprodutivo (PMRs) eficientes, seja pela reprodução natural ou pela aplicação de técnicas de reprodução assistida (TRAs). Os PMRs visam garantir a representatividade das espécies quanto à variabilidade genética e demográfica baseada nos studbooks. Entretanto, o pareamento de animais selecionados pelos PMRs deve levar em conta, além de fatores genéticos e demográficos, fatores comportamentais e o fenótipo dos animais, uma vez que pode haver consequências negativas caso descendentes de gerações futuras sejam reintroduzidos na natureza. As TRAs estão cada vez mais sendo desenvolvidas para auxiliar na manutenção de populações geneticamente viáveis ex situ que possam contribuir geneticamente com populações in situ. A criopreservação de sêmen e a inseminação artificial (IA) são as TRAs utilizadas atualmente pelos PMR nacionais e internacionais, no entanto, são muitos os desafios para que as populações cativas se reproduzam de maneira adequada visando a manutenção de uma população viável que possa contribuir com populações de vida livre no futuro.(AU)

Reproductive management plans are essential to ensure that imperiled populations maintain adequate genetic and demographic variability and remain representative of the species as a whole. Basic reproductive biology knowledge is essential for the development of efficient reproductive management plans (PMPs), either through natural breeding or through assisted reproductive techniques (ARTs). The PMPs aim to ensure the representativeness of the species in terms of genetic and demographic variability based on studbooks. However, the specific animal pairings should be maintaining adequate genetic, behavioral and the phenotype of the animals, ensuring proper reintroduction of animals into the wild. ARTs have been explored as a means to enhance the conservation of endangered species, focused on maintaining genetic diversity through enhanced animal propagation. Semen cryopreservation and artificial insemination (AI) are used by national and international PMRs, however, there are many challenges for captive populations reproduction in order to maintain a viable population that can contribute for freeliving populations in the future.(AU)

Occurrence of the mite Acanthonyssus proechimys (Mesostigmata: Macronyssidae) on a spiny rat in Brazil / Ocorrência do ácaro Acanthonyssus proechimys (Mesostigmata: Macronyssidae) em um echimídeo no Brasil

Macronyssid mites are ectoparasites of terrestrial vertebrates. We slide-mounted and re-examined mite material collected in a 1987-1989 expedition to Maracá Ecological Station, Roraima State, Brazil. The specimens were identified as Acanthonyssus proechimys Yunker and Saunders (Mesostigmata: Macronyssidae), which were collected parasitizing a South American spiny rat, Proechimys sp. This represents the first record of Acanthonyssus in Brazil.(AU)

Os ácaros macronissídeos são ectoparasitas de vertebrados terrestres. Nós montamos e reexaminamos material de ácaros coletado em uma expedição entre 1987-1989 à Estação Ecológica de Maracá, Estado de Roraima, Brasil. Os espécimes foram identificados como Acanthonyssus proechimys Yunker e Saunders (Mesostigmata: Macronyssidae), que haviam sido coletados parasitando um echimídeo sul-americano, Proechimys sp. Este é o primeiro registro de Acanthonyssus no Brasil.(AU)

35 years behind the scenes: range extension of the rare Gros manticore, Morunasaurus groi (Squamata, Hoplocercidae), in Colombia

Abstract Morunasaurus is a genus of Neotropical iguanid lizards of the family Hoplocercidae, inhabiting Central and northwestern South America. Their phylogenetic relationships are not completely clear but being presumably paraphyletic. Its type species, M. groi, is very rare, known only from two single localities and a handful of specimens. Here I report a new occurrence of this species for Colombia, which constitutes the southeastern record to the date, extending the species range by about 175 km and 510 m altitudinally. Additionally, I discuss about the intraspecific differences in coloration between Panamanian and Colombian specimens.

35 years behind the scenes: range extension of the rare Gro's manticore, Morunasaurus groi (Squamata, Hoplocercidae), in Colombia

Abstract Morunasaurus is a genus of Neotropical iguanid lizards of the family Hoplocercidae, inhabiting Central and northwestern South America. Their phylogenetic relationships are not completely clear but being presumably paraphyletic. Its type species, M. groi, is very rare, known only from two single localities and a handful of specimens. Here I report a new occurrence of this species for Colombia, which constitutes the southeastern record to the date, extending the species range by about 175 km and 510 m altitudinally. Additionally, I discuss about the intraspecific differences in coloration between Panamanian and Colombian specimens.

35 years behind the scenes: range extension of the rare Gros manticore, Morunasaurus groi(Squamata, Hoplocercidae), in Colombia

Morunasaurus is a genus of Neotropical iguanid lizards of the family Hoplocercidae, inhabiting Central and northwestern South America. Their phylogenetic relationships are not completely clear but being presumably paraphyletic. Its type species, M. groi, is very rare, known only from two single localities and a handful of specimens. Here I report a new occurrence of this species for Colombia, which constitutes the southeastern record to the date, extending the species range by about 175 km and 510 m altitudinally. Additionally, I discuss about the intraspecific differences in coloration between Panamanian and Colombian specimens.(AU)

Scorpions (Arachnida, Scorpiones) from the state of Acre, southwestern Brazilian Amazon / Escorpiones (Aracnida, Scorpiones) del estado de Acre, suroeste de la Amazonía brasileña

Aunque Brasil tiene una de las diversidades de escorpiones más altas del mundo, la fauna de escorpiones de la región amazónica sigue siendo relativamente poco descrita. En este estudio, actualizamos la lista de especies de escorpiones para el estado de Acre, en el suroeste de la Amazonía brasileña, en base a una revisión de los registros contenidos en colecciones de arácnidos brasileños y un estudio de la literatura relevante. Registramos la ocurrencia de siete especies de escorpiones pertenecientes a dos familias (Buthidae y Chactidae), entre las cuales informamos tres nuevos registros (Ananteris sp., Tityus (Tityus) gasci y Chactopsis cf. insignis) para Acre. Los resultados presentados aquí hacen una contribución importante al conocimiento acerca de la diversidad de escorpiones en los bosques amazónicos de Acre.(AU)

Although Brazil has one of the highest scorpion diversities worldwide, the scorpion fauna of the Amazon region remains relatively poorly described. In this study, we updated the list of scorpion species from the state of Acre, in the southwestern Brazilian Amazon, based on a revision of records contained in Brazilian arachnid collections and a survey of the relevant literature. We recorded the occurrence of seven scorpion species belonging to two families (Buthidae and Chactidae) among which we report three new records (Ananteris sp., Tityus (Tityus) gasci, and Chactopsis cf. insignis) for Acre. The results presented herein make an important contribution to the knowledge on scorpion diversity in the Amazonian forests of Acre.(AU)

First record of the Mediterranean mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis (Bivalvia, Mytilidae) in Brazil

The genus Mytilus comprises a large number of bivalve mollusk species distributed throughout the world and many of these species are considered invasive. In South America, many introductions of species of this genus have already taken place, including reports of hybridization between them. Now, the occurrence of the Mediterranean mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis is reported for the first time from the Brazilian coast. Several specimens of this mytilid were found in a shellfish growing areas in Florianópolis and Palhoça, Santa Catarina State, Brazil. Morphological analysis of the shells and molecular analysis through sequencing of the cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (COI) confirmed the taxonomic identification. The species is known for its great invasive potential and can become a major environmental problem for seafood business and coastal communities, as it can compete and even hybridize with local species.

Ampliação da área de ocorrência do gato—palheiro Leopardus braccatus (Carnivora, Felidae) no estado de Minas Gerais, Brasil / Extension of the area of occurrence of the Pantanal cat Leo-pardus braccatus (Carnivora, Felidae) in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil

O gato-palheiro Leopardus braccatus é um pequeno felídeo não muito maior que um gato doméstico encontrado na Argentina, Brasil, Paraguai e Uruguai. A fragmentação do seu habitat tem sido considerada a maior ameaça para a espécie na maior parte de sua área de distribuição. Nesta nota técnica, apresentamos um novo registro visual da espécie para a porção mais sudoeste do estado de Minas Gerais, Brasil.

The Pantanal cat Leopardus braccatus is a small-sized felid not much larger than a domestic house cat found in Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. Its habitat fragmentation has been considered the greatest threat to the specie throughout most of its range. In this technical note, it was presented a new visual record of the specie for the more southwestern portion of Minas Gerais state, Brazil.

Rhizoglyphus echinopus (Acari: Acaridae) associated with Atta sexdens (Insecta: Formicidae) / Rhizoglyphus echinopus (Acari: Acaridae) associado a Atta sexdens (Insecta: Formicidae)

Four deutonymphs of bulb mites (hypopus) from Rhizoglyphus echinopus (Fumouze & Robin) (Acari: Acaridae) were found attached to the head of Atta sexdens in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. This mite species is commonly associated with ornamental plants and trees with bulbs, corms and tubers. The results of this study provided an insight into the phoretic relationship between mites and ants, indicating the role of the latter in the dispersion of the first. Despite the abundant and diverse mite fauna existing in ants, little is known about their diversity, biology, ecology and the nature of their associations.(AU)

Quatro deutoninfas de ácaros do bulbo (hipopus) da espécie Rhizoglyphus echinopus (Fumouze & Robin) (Acari: Acaridae) foram encontradas fixadas na cabeça de formigas da espécie Atta sexdens no Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. Essa espécie de ácaro está comumente associada a plantas ornamentais e plantas com bulbos e tubérculos. Os resultados desse estudo fornecem uma visão sobre a relação forética entre ácaros e formigas, indicando o papel destas últimas na dispersão dos primeiros. Apesar da abundância e da fauna diversa do ácaro em formigas, pouco se sabe sobre a diversidade, a biologia, a ecologia e a natureza dessa associação.(AU)

First record of the Mediterranean mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis (Bivalvia, Mytilidae) in Brazil

The genus Mytilus comprises a large number of bivalve mollusk species distributed throughout the world and many of these species are considered invasive. In South America, many introductions of species of this genus have already taken place, including reports of hybridization between them. Now, the occurrence of the Mediterranean mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis is reported for the first time from the Brazilian coast. Several specimens of this mytilid were found in a shellfish growing areas in Florianópolis and Palhoça, Santa Catarina State, Brazil. Morphological analysis of the shells and molecular analysis through sequencing of the cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (COI) confirmed the taxonomic identification. The species is known for its great invasive potential and can become a major environmental problem for seafood business and coastal communities, as it can compete and even hybridize with local species.(AU)

Rhizoglyphus echinopus (Acari: Acaridae) associated with Atta sexdens (Insecta: Formicidae) / Rhizoglyphus echinopus (Acari: Acaridae) associado a Atta sexdens (Insecta: Formicidae)

Four deutonymphs of bulb mites (hypopus) from Rhizoglyphus echinopus (Fumouze & Robin) (Acari: Acaridae) were found attached to the head of Atta sexdens in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. This mite species is commonly associated with ornamental plants and trees with bulbs, corms and tubers. The results of this study provided an insight into the phoretic relationship between mites and ants, indicating the role of the latter in the dispersion of the first. Despite the abundant and diverse mite fauna existing in ants, little is known about their diversity, biology, ecology and the nature of their associations.(AU)

Quatro deutoninfas de ácaros do bulbo (hipopus) da espécie Rhizoglyphus echinopus (Fumouze & Robin) (Acari: Acaridae) foram encontradas fixadas na cabeça de formigas da espécie Atta sexdens no Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. Essa espécie de ácaro está comumente associada a plantas ornamentais e plantas com bulbos e tubérculos. Os resultados desse estudo fornecem uma visão sobre a relação forética entre ácaros e formigas, indicando o papel destas últimas na dispersão dos primeiros. Apesar da abundância e da fauna diversa do ácaro em formigas, pouco se sabe sobre a diversidade, a biologia, a ecologia e a natureza dessa associação.(AU)

Ampliação da área de ocorrência do gato—palheiro Leopardus braccatus (Carnivora, Felidae) no estado de Minas Gerais, Brasil / Extension of the area of occurrence of the Pantanal cat Leo-pardus braccatus (Carnivora, Felidae) in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil

O gato-palheiro Leopardus braccatus é um pequeno felídeo não muito maior que um gato doméstico encontrado na Argentina, Brasil, Paraguai e Uruguai. A fragmentação do seu habitat tem sido considerada a maior ameaça para a espécie na maior parte de sua área de distribuição. Nesta nota técnica, apresentamos um novo registro visual da espécie para a porção mais sudoeste do estado de Minas Gerais, Brasil.(AU)

The Pantanal cat Leopardus braccatus is a small-sized felid not much larger than a domestic house cat found in Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. Its habitat fragmentation has been considered the greatest threat to the specie throughout most of its range. In this technical note, it was presented a new visual record of the specie for the more southwestern portion of Minas Gerais state, Brazil.(AU)

Redescription and new records of Synopia ultramarina Dana (Amphipoda: Synopiidae) from off the northeastern Brazil, with comments on its morphological variations / Redescrição e novos registros de Synopia ultramarina Dana (Amphipoda: Synopiidae) do nordeste do Brasil, com comentários sobre suas variações morfológicas

Synopia ultramarina Dana, 1853 is considered a circumtropical species and was originally described based on material collected from two localities near halfway between the southwestern Africa and northeastern Brazil. The species is redescribed here with samples from Fernando de Noronha Archipelago, Pernambuco state, northeastern Brazil. The material examined was collected by SCUBA diving, from rhodolith beds, in Ressureta Channel, between Meio and Rata Islands. Additional material was collected from off Ceará state coast, during environmental consultancies, by Petrobras S. A., and off Pernambuco state coast, during the Project REVIZEE NE IV. Discussion on morphological variations of the species is presented, based on the studied material and previous descriptions in the literature.(AU)

Synopia ultramarina Dana, 1853 é considerada uma espécie circumtropical e foi originalmente descrita com material coletado em duas localidades, a meio caminho entre o sudoeste da África e o nordeste do Brasil. A espécie é redescrita aqui com amostras do Arquipélago de Fernando de Noronha, estado de Pernambuco, nordeste do Brasil. O material estudado foi coletado por mergulho autônomo, em camas de rodolitos, no canal Ressureta, entre as ilhas do Meio e Rata. Material adicional foi coletado ao largo da costa do estado do Ceará, durante consultorias ambientais coordenadas pela Petrobras S. A., e ao largo da costa do estado de Pernambuco, durante o Projeto REVIZEE NE IV. É apresentada discussão sobre as variações morfológicas da espécie, baseada no material estudado e em descrições prévias na literatura.(AU)

Redescription and new records of Synopia ultramarina Dana (Amphipoda: Synopiidae) from off the northeastern Brazil, with comments on its morphological variations / Redescrição e novos registros de Synopia ultramarina Dana (Amphipoda: Synopiidae) do nordeste do Brasil, com comentários sobre suas variações morfológicas

Synopia ultramarina Dana, 1853 is considered a circumtropical species and was originally described based on material collected from two localities near halfway between the southwestern Africa and northeastern Brazil. The species is redescribed here with samples from Fernando de Noronha Archipelago, Pernambuco state, northeastern Brazil. The material examined was collected by SCUBA diving, from rhodolith beds, in Ressureta Channel, between Meio and Rata Islands. Additional material was collected from off Ceará state coast, during environmental consultancies, by Petrobras S. A., and off Pernambuco state coast, during the Project REVIZEE NE IV. Discussion on morphological variations of the species is presented, based on the studied material and previous descriptions in the literature.

Synopia ultramarina Dana, 1853 é considerada uma espécie circumtropical e foi originalmente descrita com material coletado em duas localidades, a meio caminho entre o sudoeste da África e o nordeste do Brasil. A espécie é redescrita aqui com amostras do Arquipélago de Fernando de Noronha, estado de Pernambuco, nordeste do Brasil. O material estudado foi coletado por mergulho autônomo, em camas de rodolitos, no canal Ressureta, entre as ilhas do Meio e Rata. Material adicional foi coletado ao largo da costa do estado do Ceará, durante consultorias ambientais coordenadas pela Petrobras S. A., e ao largo da costa do estado de Pernambuco, durante o Projeto REVIZEE NE IV. É apresentada discussão sobre as variações morfológicas da espécie, baseada no material estudado e em descrições prévias na literatura.

Redescription and new records of Synopia ultramarina Dana (Amphipoda: Synopiidae) from off the northeastern Brazil, with comments on its morphological variations

ABSTRACT Synopia ultramarina Dana, 1853 is considered a circumtropical species and was originally described based on material collected from two localities near halfway between the southwestern Africa and northeastern Brazil. The species is redescribed here with samples from Fernando de Noronha Archipelago, Pernambuco state, northeastern Brazil. The material examined was collected by SCUBA diving, from rhodolith beds, in Ressureta Channel, between Meio and Rata Islands. Additional material was collected from off Ceará state coast, during environmental consultancies, by Petrobras S. A., and off Pernambuco state coast, during the Project REVIZEE NE IV. Discussion on morphological variations of the species is presented, based on the studied material and previous descriptions in the literature.

RESUMO Synopia ultramarina Dana, 1853 é considerada uma espécie circumtropical e foi originalmente descrita com material coletado em duas localidades, a meio caminho entre o sudoeste da África e o nordeste do Brasil. A espécie é redescrita aqui com amostras do Arquipélago de Fernando de Noronha, estado de Pernambuco, nordeste do Brasil. O material estudado foi coletado por mergulho autônomo, em camas de rodolitos, no canal Ressureta, entre as ilhas do Meio e Rata. Material adicional foi coletado ao largo da costa do estado do Ceará, durante consultorias ambientais coordenadas pela Petrobras S. A., e ao largo da costa do estado de Pernambuco, durante o Projeto REVIZEE NE IV. É apresentada discussão sobre as variações morfológicas da espécie, baseada no material estudado e em descrições prévias na literatura.

Taxonomic revision of Megalothoraca (Diptera: Richardiidae) with description of a new species, synonyms and new combination

A taxonomic revision of Megalothoracha Hendel, 1911 is provided, including a description of Megalothoraca rosalyae Wendt, sp. nov. from Colombia. The genus encompasses large species from Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia (new record), and each species was described based either on males or females. These species can be diagnosed by long and slender mid and hind legs and wing longer than body, vein R2+3 with two strong curves on apical third, and short spurious vein medially. And males have costal vein conspicuously bowed anteriorly and thickened on medial portion. The following nomenclatural changes are made: Megalothoraca hendeli Enderlein, 1912, syn. nov. is a junior synonym of M. pterodontida Hendel, 1911; Batrachophthalmum teleopsis (Hennig, 1938) comb. nov. is transferred from Megalothoraca, and Batrachophthalmum quimbaya Carvalho, Wolff & Wendt, 2011, syn. nov. is a junior synonym of B. teleopsis. A key to species and illustrations of the female and male terminalia are provided.

Taxonomic revision of Megalothoraca (Diptera: Richardiidae) with description of a new species, synonyms and new combination

A taxonomic revision of Megalothoracha Hendel, 1911 is provided, including a description of Megalothoraca rosalyae Wendt, sp. nov. from Colombia. The genus encompasses large species from Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia (new record), and each species was described based either on males or females. These species can be diagnosed by long and slender mid and hind legs and wing longer than body, vein R2+3 with two strong curves on apical third, and short spurious vein medially. And males have costal vein conspicuously bowed anteriorly and thickened on medial portion. The following nomenclatural changes are made: Megalothoraca hendeli Enderlein, 1912, syn. nov. is a junior synonym of M. pterodontida Hendel, 1911; Batrachophthalmum teleopsis (Hennig, 1938) comb. nov. is transferred from Megalothoraca, and Batrachophthalmum quimbaya Carvalho, Wolff & Wendt, 2011, syn. nov. is a junior synonym of B. teleopsis. A key to species and illustrations of the female and male terminalia are provided.(AU)

Record of the rare Caribbean mud eel, Pythonichthys sanguineus (Heterenchelyidae, Anguilliformes), in the region of the Amazon Reef / Registro da rara enguia de lama do Caribe, Pythonichthys sanguineus (Heterenchelyidae, Anguilliformes) na região dos Recifes da Amazônia

As they spend most of their time buried in the substrate and are not a fishery resource, heterenchelyids are seldom seen. These eels are characterized by their greatly reduced eyes, which are covered by semi-transparent skin, the absence of a pectoral fin or lateral line, and no pores on the head or body. Pythonichthys sanguineus is a particularly poorly-known species, with only eight scientific records from Cuba, Puerto Rico, Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, and Suriname. The present study is based on six adult specimens of P. sanguineus captured by vessels of the shrimp trawling fleet along the northern Brazilian coast, in the vicinity of the Amazon Reef. We provide meristic, morphometric and DNA barcoding data. These findings provide insights into the distribution of the species off the northern Brazilian coast and contribute to the discussion about the southern limit of the Greater Caribbean fauna. (AU)

Heterenchelídeos passam a maior parte do tempo enterrados no substrato e raramente são vistos, não representando recursos pesqueiros importantes. Essas enguias são caracterizadas por seus olhos muito reduzidos e cobertos por pele semi-transparente, ausência de nadadeiras peitorais ou linha lateral, e ausência de poros na cabeça ou no corpo. Pythonichthys sanguineus é uma espécie particularmente pouco conhecida, com apenas oito registros em coleção zoológica para Cuba, Porto Rico, Colômbia, Venezuela, Guiana e Suriname. O presente estudo é baseado em seis espécimes adultos de P. sanguineus capturados pela frota industrial de arrasto de camarão-rosa na costa norte do Brasil, ao largo dos Recifes da Amazônia. Apresentamos dados merísticos, morfométricos e de DNA barcoding dos exemplares examinados. O registro fornece informações importantes sobre a distribuição da espécie na costa norte do Brasil, e contribui para a discussão sobre o limite sul da fauna do Grande Caribe.(AU)