A global reptile assessment highlights shared conservation needs of tetrapods.

Comprehensive assessments of species' extinction risks have documented the extinction crisis1 and underpinned strategies for reducing those risks2. Global assessments reveal that, among tetrapods, 40.7% of amphibians, 25.4% of mammals and 13.6% of birds are threatened with extinction3. Because global assessments have been lacking, reptiles have been omitted from conservation-prioritization analyses that encompass other tetrapods4-7. Reptiles are unusually diverse in arid regions, suggesting that they may have different conservation needs6. Here we provide a comprehensive extinction-risk assessment of reptiles and show that at least 1,829 out of 10,196 species (21.1%) are threatened-confirming a previous extrapolation8 and representing 15.6 billion years of phylogenetic diversity. Reptiles are threatened by the same major factors that threaten other tetrapods-agriculture, logging, urban development and invasive species-although the threat posed by climate change remains uncertain. Reptiles inhabiting forests, where these threats are strongest, are more threatened than those in arid habitats, contrary to our prediction. Birds, mammals and amphibians are unexpectedly good surrogates for the conservation of reptiles, although threatened reptiles with the smallest ranges tend to be isolated from other threatened tetrapods. Although some reptiles-including most species of crocodiles and turtles-require urgent, targeted action to prevent extinctions, efforts to protect other tetrapods, such as habitat preservation and control of trade and invasive species, will probably also benefit many reptiles.

Patterns, biases and prospects in the distribution and diversity of Neotropical snakes.

Motivation: We generated a novel database of Neotropical snakes (one of the world's richest herpetofauna) combining the most comprehensive, manually compiled distribution dataset with publicly available data. We assess, for the first time, the diversity patterns for all Neotropical snakes as well as sampling density and sampling biases. Main types of variables contained: We compiled three databases of species occurrences: a dataset downloaded from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF), a verified dataset built through taxonomic work and specialized literature, and a combined dataset comprising a cleaned version of the GBIF dataset merged with the verified dataset. Spatial location and grain: Neotropics, Behrmann projection equivalent to 1° × 1°. Time period: Specimens housed in museums during the last 150 years. Major taxa studied: Squamata: Serpentes. Software format: Geographical information system (GIS). Results: The combined dataset provides the most comprehensive distribution database for Neotropical snakes to date. It contains 147,515 records for 886 species across 12 families, representing 74% of all species of snakes, spanning 27 countries in the Americas. Species richness and phylogenetic diversity show overall similar patterns. Amazonia is the least sampled Neotropical region, whereas most well-sampled sites are located near large universities and scientific collections. We provide a list and updated maps of geographical distribution of all snake species surveyed. Main conclusions: The biodiversity metrics of Neotropical snakes reflect patterns previously documented for other vertebrates, suggesting that similar factors may determine the diversity of both ectothermic and endothermic animals. We suggest conservation strategies for high-diversity areas and sampling efforts be directed towards Amazonia and poorly known species.

Isolation and sequencing of Orthoflavivirus ilheusense from mosquitoes collected in the Brazilian cerrado, West-Central region, Brazil.

The Orthoflavivirus ilheusense (ILHV) is an arbovirus that was first isolated in Brazil in 1944 during an epidemiologic investigation of yellow fever. Is a member of the Flaviviridae family and it belongs to the antigenic complex of the Ntaya virus group. Psorophora ferox is the primary vector of ILHV and this study presents the isolation and phylogenetic analysis of ILHV in a pool of Ps. ferox collected in the state of Goiás in 2021. Viral isolation tests were performed on Vero cells and C6/36 clones. The indirect immunofluorescence test (IFI) was used to confirm the positivity of the sample. The positive sample underwent RT-qPCR, sequencing, and phylogenetic analysis. This is the first report of ILHV circulation in this municipality and presented close relationship between this isolate and another ILHV isolate collected in the city of Belém (PA).

The Importance of Entomo-Virological Investigation of Yellow Fever Virus to Strengthen Surveillance in Brazil.

The largest outbreak of sylvatic yellow fever virus (YFV) in eight decades was recorded in Brazil between 2016-2018. Besides human and NHP surveillance, the entomo-virological approach is considered as a complementary tool. For this study, a total of 2904 mosquitoes of the Aedes, Haemagogus and Sabethes genera were collected from six Brazilian states (Bahia, Goiás, Mato Grosso, Minas Gerais, Pará, and Tocantins) and grouped into 246 pools, which were tested for YFV using RT-qPCR. We detected 20 positive pools from Minas Gerais, 5 from Goiás, and 1 from Bahia, including 12 of Hg. janthinomys and 5 of Ae. albopictus. This is the first description of natural YFV infection in this species and warns of the likelihood of urban YFV re-emergence with Ae. albopictus as a potential bridge vector. Three YFV sequences from Hg. janthinomys from Goiás and one from Minas Gerais, as well as one from Ae. albopictus from Minas Gerais were clustered within the 2016-2018 outbreak clade, indicating YFV spread from Midwest and its infection in a main and likely novel bridging vector species. Entomo-virological surveillance is critical for YFV monitoring in Brazil, which could highlight the need to strengthen YFV surveillance, vaccination coverage, and vector control measures.

Global Protected Areas as refuges for amphibians and reptiles under climate change.

Protected Areas (PAs) are the cornerstone of biodiversity conservation. Here, we collated distributional data for >14,000 (~70% of) species of amphibians and reptiles (herpetofauna) to perform a global assessment of the conservation effectiveness of PAs using species distribution models. Our analyses reveal that >91% of herpetofauna species are currently distributed in PAs, and that this proportion will remain unaltered under future climate change. Indeed, loss of species' distributional ranges will be lower inside PAs than outside them. Therefore, the proportion of effectively protected species is predicted to increase. However, over 7.8% of species currently occur outside PAs, and large spatial conservation gaps remain, mainly across tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests, and across non-high-income countries. We also predict that more than 300 amphibian and 500 reptile species may go extinct under climate change over the course of the ongoing century. Our study highlights the importance of PAs in providing herpetofauna with refuge from climate change, and suggests ways to optimize PAs to better conserve biodiversity worldwide.

Lung diffusing capacity relates better to short-term progression on HRCT abnormalities than spirometry in mild asbestosis.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary function tests (PFT), particularly spirometry and lung diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DL(CO) ), have been considered useful methods for the detection of the progression of interstitial asbestos abnormalities as indicated by high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT). However, it is currently unknown which of these two tests correlates best with anatomical changes over time. METHODS: In this study, we contrasted longitudinal changes (3-9 years follow-up) in PFTs at rest and during exercise with interstitial abnormalities evaluated by HRCT in 63 ex-workers with mild-to-moderate asbestosis. RESULTS: At baseline, patients presented with low-grade asbestosis (Huuskonen classes I-II), and most PFT results were within the limits of normality. In the follow-up, most subjects had normal spirometry, static lung volumes and arterial blood gases. In contrast, frequency of DL(CO) abnormalities almost doubled (P < 0.05). Twenty-three (36.5%) subjects increased the interstitial marks on HRCT. These had significantly larger declines in DL(CO) compared to patients who remained stable (0.88 vs. 0.31 ml/min/mm Hg/year and 3.5 vs. 1.2%/year, respectively; P < 0.05). In contrast, no between-group differences were found for the other functional tests, including spirometry (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These data demonstrate that the functional consequences of progression of HRCT abnormalities in mild-to-moderate asbestosis are better reflected by decrements in DL(CO) than by spirometric changes. These results might have important practical implications for medico-legal evaluation of this patient population.

Skeletal muscle structure and function in response to electrical stimulation in moderately impaired COPD patients.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To determine the structural and functional consequences of high-frequency neuromuscular electrical stimulation (hf-NMES) in a group of moderately impaired outpatients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). DESIGN: A prospective, cross-over randomized trial. SETTING: An university-based, tertiary center. PATIENTS AND MATERIALS: Seventeen patients (FEV(1)=49.6+/-13.4% predicted, Medical Research Council dyspnoea grades II-III) underwent 6-weeks hf-NMES (50Hz) and sham stimulation of the quadriceps femoris in a randomized, cross-over design. Knee strength was measured by isokinetic dynamometry (peak torque) and leg muscle mass (LMM) by DEXA; in addition, median cross-sectional area (CSA) of type I and II fibres and capillary-fibre ratio were evaluated in the vastus lateralis. The 6-min walking distance (6MWD) was also determined. RESULTS: At baseline, patients presented with well-preserved functional capacity, muscle strength and mass: there was a significant relationship between strength and type II CSA (P<0.05). NMES was not associated with significant changes in peak torque, LMM or 6MWD as compared to sham (P>0.05). At micro-structural level, however, electrical stimulation increased type II, but decreased type I, CSA; no change, however, was found in the relative fibre distribution or capillary:fibre ratio (P<0.05). There was no significant association between individual changes in structure and function with training (P>0.05). Post-NMES increase in type II CSA was inversely related to baseline mass and strength (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: NMES may promote a modest degree of type II muscle fibre hypertrophy in COPD patients with well-preserved functional status. These micro-structural changes, however, were not translated into increased volitional strength in this sub-population.

The global distribution of tetrapods reveals a need for targeted reptile conservation.

The distributions of amphibians, birds and mammals have underpinned global and local conservation priorities, and have been fundamental to our understanding of the determinants of global biodiversity. In contrast, the global distributions of reptiles, representing a third of terrestrial vertebrate diversity, have been unavailable. This prevented the incorporation of reptiles into conservation planning and biased our understanding of the underlying processes governing global vertebrate biodiversity. Here, we present and analyse the global distribution of 10,064 reptile species (99% of extant terrestrial species). We show that richness patterns of the other three tetrapod classes are good spatial surrogates for species richness of all reptiles combined and of snakes, but characterize diversity patterns of lizards and turtles poorly. Hotspots of total and endemic lizard richness overlap very little with those of other taxa. Moreover, existing protected areas, sites of biodiversity significance and global conservation schemes represent birds and mammals better than reptiles. We show that additional conservation actions are needed to effectively protect reptiles, particularly lizards and turtles. Adding reptile knowledge to a global complementarity conservation priority scheme identifies many locations that consequently become important. Notably, investing resources in some of the world's arid, grassland and savannah habitats might be necessary to represent all terrestrial vertebrates efficiently.

Publisher Correction: The global distribution of tetrapods reveals a need for targeted reptile conservation.

In this Article originally published, owing to a technical error, the author 'Laurent Chirio' was mistakenly designated as a corresponding author in the HTML version, the PDF was correct. This error has now been corrected in the HTML version. Further, in Supplementary Table 3, the authors misspelt the surname of 'Danny Meirte'; this file has now been replaced.

Conserving Biogeography: Habitat Loss and Vicariant Patterns in Endemic Squamates of the Cerrado Hotspot.

Little is known about the threat levels and impacts of habitat loss over the Cerrado Squamate fauna. The region is under severe habitat loss due to mechanized agriculture, accelerated by changes in the Brazilian National Forest Code. The Squamate fauna of the Cerrado is rich in endemics and is intrinsically associated with its surrounding microhabitats, which make up a mosaic of phitophysiognomies throughout the region. Herein we evaluate current conservation status of Squamate biogeographic patterns in the Brazilian Cerrado, the single savanna among global biodiversity hotspots. To do so, we first updated point locality data on 49 endemic Squamates pertaining to seven non-random clusters of species ranges in the Cerrado. Each cluster was assumed to be representative of different biogeographic regions, holding its own set of species, herein mapped according to their extent of occurrence (EOO). We then contrasted these data in four different scenarios, according to the presence or absence of habitat loss and the presence or absence of the current protected area (PA) cover. We searched for non-random patterns of habitat loss and PA coverage among these biogeographic regions throughout the Cerrado. Finally, with the species EOO as biodiversity layers, we used Zonation to discuss contemporary PA distribution, as well as to highlight current priority areas for conservation within the Cerrado. We ran Zonation under all four conservation scenarios mentioned above. We observed that habitat loss and PA coverage significantly differed between biogeographic regions. The southernmost biogeographic region is the least protected and the most impacted, with priority areas highly scattered in small, disjunct fragments. The northernmost biogeographic region (Tocantins-Serra Geral) is the most protected and least impacted, showing extensive priority areas in all Zonation scenarios. Therefore, current and past deforestation trends are severely threatening biogeographic patterns in the Cerrado. Moreover, PA distribution is spatially biased, and does not represent biogeographic divisions of the Cerrado. Consequently, we show that biogeographic patterns and processes are being erased at an accelerated pace, reinforcing the urgent need to create new reserves and to avoid the loss of the last remaining fragments of once continuous biogeographic regions. These actions are fundamental and urgent for conserving biogeographic and evolutionary information in this highly imperiled savanna hotspot.

Diversity, natural history, and geographic distribution of snakes in the Caatinga, Northeastern Brazil.

The present study is a synthesis on snake diversity and distribution in the Caatinga region of northeastern Brazil, providing an updated species list and data on natural history and geographic distribution. Our study is based on the careful revision of 7,102 voucher specimens, housed in 17 herpetological collections, complemented by data on taxonomic literature. We recorded a total of 112 snake species in the Caatinga, belonging to nine families: Anomalepididae, Leptotyphlopidae, Typhlopidae, Aniliidae, Boidae, Viperidae, Elapidae, Colubridae, and Dipsadidae. Our list includes at least 13 never recorded species for this region, as well as distribution records for all species known from the Caatinga (including expansion and new records of distribution). The snake assemblage of the Caatinga is complex, sharing species with other continental open areas (38.4%), forested areas (27.7%), and both open and forested areas (32.1%). The richest areas were isolated plateaus, followed by contact areas, semi-arid caatinga, and sandy dunes of the São Franscisco River. We identified 22 Caatinga endemic species with the sandy dunes of São Franscico River showing the highest endemism level (12 species, with six endemic species restricted to the area) followed by semi-arid caatinga, and isolated plateaus (eight endemic species each, and six and three endemic species with restricted distribution to each area, respectively). Most species show relatively restricted ranges in parts of the Caatinga. The snake assemblage in Caatinga includes mainly terrestrial species (38.4%), followed by fossorial/cryptozoic (26.8%), arboreal/semi-arboreal (26.8%), and aquatic/semi-aquatic (7.1%) species. Vertebrates are the most important dietary item (80.4%), with 56.6% of species being generalist consumers of this kind of prey; 24.4% are frog-eaters, 7.8% prey on caecilians/amphisbaenians, 6.7% lizard-eaters, 3.3% mammal-eaters, and 1.1% are fish-eaters. Only 18.7% of the snakes eat invertebrate prey, as arthropods, annelids, and mollusks. In relation to time of activity, 35.7% of snakes are both diurnal and nocturnal, 33.0% are strictly nocturnal, and 30.4% are diurnal. The data provided herein increase the list of Caatinga snake species from 50 to 112, and includes detailed maps and information on geographic distribution. The Caatinga snake assemblage shows high richness and endemism levels, and our results highlight the usefulness of basic natural history data and revision of voucher specimens as baseline information for biogeographic studies and conservation strategies. 

Restricted-range fishes and the conservation of Brazilian freshwaters.

BACKGROUND: Freshwaters are the most threatened ecosystems on earth. Although recent assessments provide data on global priority regions for freshwater conservation, local scale priorities remain unknown. Refining the scale of global biodiversity assessments (both at terrestrial and freshwater realms) and translating these into conservation priorities on the ground remains a major challenge to biodiversity science, and depends directly on species occurrence data of high taxonomic and geographic resolution. Brazil harbors the richest freshwater ichthyofauna in the world, but knowledge on endemic areas and conservation in Brazilian rivers is still scarce. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Using data on environmental threats and revised species distribution data we detect and delineate 540 small watershed areas harboring 819 restricted-range fishes in Brazil. Many of these areas are already highly threatened, as 159 (29%) watersheds have lost more than 70% of their original vegetation cover, and only 141 (26%) show significant overlap with formally protected areas or indigenous lands. We detected 220 (40%) critical watersheds overlapping hydroelectric dams or showing both poor formal protection and widespread habitat loss; these sites harbor 344 endemic fish species that may face extinction if no conservation action is in place in the near future. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: We provide the first analysis of site-scale conservation priorities in the richest freshwater ecosystems of the globe. Our results corroborate the hypothesis that freshwater biodiversity has been neglected in former conservation assessments. The study provides a simple and straightforward method for detecting freshwater priority areas based on endemism and threat, and represents a starting point for integrating freshwater and terrestrial conservation in representative and biogeographically consistent site-scale conservation strategies, that may be scaled-up following naturally linked drainage systems. Proper management (e. g. forestry code enforcement, landscape planning) and conservation (e. g. formal protection) of the 540 watersheds detected herein will be decisive in avoiding species extinction in the richest aquatic ecosystems on the planet.

Asbestos-related disease: progression of parenchymal abnormalities on high-resolution CT.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the changes over time in the pattern and extent of parenchymal abnormalities in asbestos-exposed workers after cessation of exposure and to compare 3 proposed semiquantitative methods with a careful side-by-side comparison of the initial and the follow-up computed tomography (CT) images. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 52 male asbestos workers (mean age+/-SD, 62.2 y+/-8.2) who had baseline high-resolution CT after cessation of exposure and follow-up CT 3 to 5 years later. Two independent thoracic radiologists quantified the findings according to the scoring systems proposed by Huuskonen, Gamsu, and Sette and then did a side-by-side comparison of the 2 sets of scans without awareness of the dates of the CT scans. RESULTS: There was no difference in the prevalence of the 2 most common parenchymal abnormalities (centrilobular small dotlike or branching opacities and interstitial lines) between the initial and follow-up CT scans. Honeycombing (20%) and traction bronchiectasis and bronchiolectasis (50%) were seen more commonly on the follow-up CT than on the initial examination (10% and 33%, respectively) (P=0.01). Increased extent of parenchymal abnormalities was evident on side-by-side comparison in 42 (81%) patients but resulted in an increase in score in at least 1 semiquantitative system in only 16 (31%) patients (all P>0.01, signed test). CONCLUSIONS: The majority of patients with previous asbestos exposure show evidence of progression of disease on CT at 3 to 5 years follow-up but this progression is usually not detected by the 3 proposed semiquantitative scoring schemes.

Geologia e geomorfologia da estação ecológica Serra Geral do Tocantins / Geology and geomorphology of Serra Geral do Tocantins ecological station

Este trabalho trata de descrição básica da paisagem existente na Estação Ecológica Serra Geral do Tocantins, localizada na porção oriental do Estado do Tocantins e extremo oeste do Estado da Bahia, Brasil Central. Dois fatores do meio físico são abordados: a geologia, composta por litotipos sedimentares, e as formas de relevo, dada a predominância de chapadões e morros testemunhos na região, famosa pela presença das Dunas do Jalapão ao norte. Tal interação, esculturada sob clima típico de savana, produziu uma série de mosaicos com imensas peculiaridades paisagísticas. A Serra Geral do Tocantins é um planalto sedimentar esculpido na Bacia Sedimentar do Parnaíba. A área da Estação é caracterizada por pacotes de sedimentos predominantemente continentais, posteriores ao derrame basáltico ocorrido durante a Reativação Wealdeniana Juro-Cretácea. São arenitos de colorações brancas a vermelhas, extremamente friáveis, oriundos das acumulações de paleoclimas secos (áridos a semi-áridos) do Mesozóico, possivelmente contemporâneos ao Deserto Botucatu existente na Bacia do Paraná, embora as camadas mais superiores possam estar associadas a ambiente flúvio-lacustre. As formas de relevo envolvem uma seqüência de chapadas e patamares caracterizando formas estruturais com rebordos festonados e rampas escalonadas em formas erosivas. As chapadas são constituídas por sedimentos cretáceos e configuram grandes unidades de relevo em mesa penetradas por vales pedimentados, com bordas escarpadas e anfiteatros largos, que atacados por ciclos de erosão pós-cretáceos resultaram em patamares escalonados e arrasados em pediplanos que descem rumo ao curso do Rio Tocantins. A presença de inúmeros relevos residuais colabora nos contrastes geomorfológicos. Os processos morfogenéticos predominantemente mecânicos podem ser divididos em quatro fases de esculturação que resultaram na dissecação diferenciada. A compartimentação do relevo permite apontar algumas considerações sobre a distribuição geográfica da fauna na área da Estação Ecológica e seu entorno, pois em parte esta relação pode ser determinada pelos escalonamentos topográficos decorrentes do aparecimento das unidades geomorfológicas. A maior barreira geográfica foi criada durante o Neoproterozóico, separando as formas de relevo dos patamares escalonados; os basculamentos mesozóicos produziram os chapadões que, pela erosão mecânica, formaram pedimentos que foram aos poucos coalescidos durante o Cretáceo Superior até o Terciário Superior; tal processo resultou nos relevos residuais que, juntamente com a reativação de falhas antigas, favoreceu o isolamento entre os compartimentos biológicos; este processo continuou durante o Quaternário em razão das alternâncias climáticas de períodos semi-áridos a úmidos, promovendo a retomada da erosão mecânica e a formação de planícies fluviais.

This work presents a basic description of Serra Geral do Tocantins Ecological Station, located in the eastern part of Tocantins State and western part of Bahia State, Central Brazil. Two main factors of physical environment are treated: geology, composed by sedimentary litotypes, and the relief forms, due to predominance of mesetas and inselbergs in the region, famous for Jalapão Dunes in the north. This interaction, sculpted under typical savanna climate, has turned out into a mosaic series with immense landscape peculiarities. Serra Geral do Tocantins is a sedimentary plateau sculpted at Sedimentary Basin of Parnaiba. The Ecological Station's area is featured by sedimentary packs mainly continental, subsequent from basaltic extrusion that occurred during Wealdenian Reactivation in the Jura-Cretaceous period. It is composed by sandstones whose colors changes from pale to red ones, extremely friable, originated from dry paleoclimate accumulations (arid to semi-arid ones) of Mesozoic. It is possible to be related to contemporary dry Mesozoic period of Parana's Basin (Botucatu Desert), though upper layers can be from fluvial-lake environment. The relief forms involve mesetas and level sequences characterized by structural features with retreated edges and step levels into erosive forms. The mesetas are filled with cretaceous sediments and configure great plateau relief units penetrated by pedimented valleys, with scarped edges and large amphitheatres. Its attack by post-cretaceous erosion resulted into step levels whose softened surface produced pediplains that run to Tocantins River course. The very existence of considerable numbers of residual landforms contributes to the geomorphologic contrast. The predominance of the mechanical morphogenetic process can be divided into four sculptural phases resulting in differential dissection. Based on relief compartments it is possible to point out some considerations about the geographical distribution of the fauna in the Ecological Station's area and its surroundings, because at least part of it can be related to the topographic step-levels forms originated from geomorphological units. The biggest geographical barrier was created during Neoproterozoic, dividing the step-levels relief forms; the Mesozoic tilting produced the mesetas which by mechanical erosion formed pediments that suffered coalescence from Upper Cretaceous to Upper Tertiary. This process resulted into residual landforms, whose action in combination with ancient faults reactivations helped the isolation of biological compartments; continuing during Quaternary due to alternations of semi-arid to humid periods, mechanical erosion was initiated again and fluvial plains were formed.

Répteis do Estado de São Paulo: conhecimento atual e perspectivas / Reptiles from São Paulo State: current knowledge and perspectives

Elaboramos uma lista das espécies de répteis do Estado de São Paulo com base nos registros confirmados de exemplares depositados nas três maiores coleções científicas do estado, complementando esta informação com a bibliografia disponível. Registramos a presença de 212 espécies de répteis no Estado de São Paulo, distribuídas em 23 famílias, incluindo 12 quelônios, três crocodilianos e 197 Squamata (142 serpentes, 44 "lagartos" e 11 anfisbenas). Destas, onze são endêmicas do Estado de São Paulo (Mesoclemmys cf. vanderhaegei, Amphisbaena sanctaeritae, Mabuya caissara, Mabuya macrorhyncha, Liotyphlops caissara, Liotyphlops schubarti, Corallus cropanii, Atractus serranus, Phalotris lativittatus, Bothropoides alcatraz, Bothropoides insularis). Entre os Squamata, quatro lagartos e uma serpente correspondem a espécies ainda não descritas. Destas 212 espécies, 32 estão incluídas na Lista das Espécies Ameaçadas do Estado de São Paulo, enquanto que apenas nove constam na Lista das Espécies Ameaçadas do Brasil. A riqueza de répteis atualmente registrada no Estado de São Paulo representa cerca de 30% da riqueza conhecida para o grupo em todo o território brasileiro, que abrange 721 espécies. Entretanto, concluímos que estudos mais detalhados sobre a taxonomia e a distribuição de espécies bem como os esforços de coleta em áreas com lacunas de amostragem devem ainda aumentar o número de espécies de répteis no estado.

The present study provides a list of species of reptiles known to occur in the State of São Paulo, based on specimens with confirmed localities, housed in the three largest scientific collections of the state, and published information. We registered the presence of 212 species of reptiles within the boundaries of the state that belong to 23 families and include 12 chelonians, three crocodilians, and 197 squamates (142 snakes, 44 "lizards," and 11 amphisbenians). Eleven species are endemic to the State of São Paulo (Mesoclemmys cf. vanderhaegei, Amphisbaena sanctaeritae, Mabuya caissara, Mabuya macrorhyncha, Liotyphlops caissara, Liotyphlops schubarti, Corallus cropanii, Atractus serranus, Phalotris lativittatus, Bothropoides alcatraz, Bothropoides insularis). Within Squamata, four lizards and one snake correspond to valid species that are still in need of formal description. Thirty-two species are included in the List of Threatened Species from the State of São Paulo, while only nine belong to the Brazilian List of Threatened Species. Reptile species richness for the state represents already approximately 30% of species richness known to occur in all the Brazilian territory, which includes 721 species. However, we conclude that more detailed taxonomic and distributional studies as well as more surveys targeting poorly known localities will have the effect of augmenting the number of species for the state.

Anfíbios da Estação Ecológica Serra Geral do Tocantins, região do Jalapão, Estados do Tocantins e Bahia / Amphibians from Estação Ecológica Serra Geral do Tocantins, Jalapão region, Tocantins and Bahia States

A porção norte do domínio do Cerrado é uma das áreas historicamente menos conhecidas com relação à sua biodiversidade. Recentemente, alguns estudos tem revelado valores de riqueza comparáveis a outras regiões dentro do domínio. A Estação Ecológica Serra Geral do Tocantins (EESGT) está localizada na região do Jalapão, porção Nordeste do Cerrado, e faz parte do maior bloco de áreas protegidas neste domínio. Neste estudo descrevemos a riqueza e composição de espécies de anfíbios da EESGT, discutindo-as em um contexto biogeográfico, e caracterizamos o uso de sítios reprodutivos pelas espécies de anfíbios registradas em relação às fitofisionomias e aos tipos de corpos d'água. Utilizamos os métodos de busca ativa e armadilhas de queda, no período considerado como o auge da estação reprodutiva para a maior parte das espécies do Cerrado. Foram registradas 36 espécies de anfíbios na EESGT, totalizando 39 espécies conhecidas para a região do Jalapão. Aplicando o estimador Jackknife, sugerimos uma riqueza potencial de 42 espécies para a EESGT. A maior parte das espécies registradas é endêmica ou fortemente associada ao Cerrado, seguidas pelas espécies de ampla distribuição no Brasil ou América do Sul. A maior parte da espécies se reproduz em poças temporárias localizadas em áreas abertas, embora existam espécies que ocorrem exclusivamente em matas de galeria e utilizem corpos d'água lóticos para se reproduzir.

The Northern part of Cerrado is one of the biologically poorest known areas in the domain. Recent studies revealed richness values that are as high as those from other sites in the domain. The Estação Ecológica Serra Geral do Tocantins is located in a region known as Jalapão, in Northeastern Cerrado, and it is included in the largest set of protected areas in the domain. We describe amphibian richness and species composition in EESGT, and discuss it in a biogeographic context. We also describe breeding sites focusing on phytophysiognomy and types of water bodies. We sampled amphibians through active search and pitfall traps, during the peak of breeding season for most of the anuran species in Cerrado. We registered 36 species, which coupled with former studies results in a regional richness of 39 species known for Jalapão. After applying Jackknife estimator, we suggest a potential richness of 42 species for the EESGT. Most registered species are endemic or strongly associated to Cerrado, followed by species widespread in Brazil or South America, and those associated with Caatinga. Most species breed in temporary ponds located in open areas, although there are some forest specialists, and stream-breeding species.

Répteis da Estação Ecológica Serra Geral do Tocantins, Brasil Central / Reptiles of Serra Geral do Tocantins Ecological Station, Central Brazil

Os Cerrados sul-americanos abrigam alta diversidade de répteis, incluindo elevado número de endemismos. No entanto, o conhecimento desta diversidade é ainda incompleto frente à acelerada transformação das paisagens naturais no Brasil central. Constituem, portanto, uma das regiões prioritárias para estudo e conservação da biodiversidade mundial. Estudos intensivos sobre a fauna de répteis do Cerrado são necessários e urgentes para melhor compreensão dos processos que levaram à sua origem e distribuição e para subsidiar ações de conservação. Por meio de métodos padronizados, amostramos duas regiões ainda inexploradas da Estação Ecológica Serra Geral do Tocantins, situada na região do Jalapão. Registramos 45 espécies de répteis para a EESGT e entorno, o que representa uma riqueza alta e comparável à de outras regiões bem amostradas do Cerrado. Curvas de acumulação e estimadores indicam que a riqueza local de lagartos e anfisbenídeos aproxima-se da riqueza real enquanto a de serpentes é subestimada. A distribuição não-aleatória das espécies na paisagem concorda com evidências anteriores sugerindo utilização diferencial dos hábitats pelos répteis. Reunindo os resultados do presente estudo com os de levantamentos prévios realizados na região, registramos 88 espécies de répteis para o Jalapão sendo oito registros novos que incluem Bachia oxyrhina uma espécie recém descrita da região. As espécies da área apresentam três padrões gerais de distribuição: (1) espécies endêmicas do Cerrado, (2) espécies compartilhadas com domínios da diagonal de formações abertas sul-americanas, e (3) espécies de ampla ocorrência, compartilhadas também com ecossistemas florestais. Prevalecem espécies de ampla distribuição, porém é grande o número de espécies típicas do Cerrado, incluindo cinco possivelmente endêmicas do Jalapão, e há contribuição importante da fauna da Caatinga. A distribuição dos répteis em escala local e regional demonstra a necessidade de considerar a heterogeneidade paisagística para o planejamento de diretrizes visando à conservação em regiões do Cerrado. Por sua grande extensão, posição biogeográfica e complexidade de relevo e tipos de hábitat, a EESGT tem papel fundamental para a preservação e conhecimento da diversidade de répteis do Cerrado.

The South American Cerrado harbors a rich reptilian fauna with high number of endemics. However, knowledge of this diversity is still incipient in front of accelerated transformation of natural landscapes, which makes the domain a "hotspot" for study and conservation of global biodiversity. Studies on the reptile fauna of Cerrado are urgently needed for a better understanding of the processes that led to their origin and distribution and to support conservation planning. We used standard methods to sample two unexplored regions of the Serra Geral do Tocantins Ecological Station (EESGT), located in the Jalapão region of the Cerrado domain. We recorded 45 species of reptiles for the EESGT and surroundings, which represents high species richness, comparable to other well-sampled regions of the Cerrado. Accumulation curves and estimators indicate that sampled richness of lizards and amphisbaenas are close to real values. However, current sampling underestimates snake richness. The non-random distribution of species in the landscape agrees with previous evidence suggesting differential use of habitats by Cerrado reptiles. Combining the results of this study with those of previous surveys conducted in the region, we recorded 88 species of reptiles for the Jalapão region with eight new records, including Bachia oxyrhina, a recent described species of this region. We found three general patterns of distribution: (1) species endemic of the Cerrado domain, (2) species shared with the domains of the South American diagonal of tropical open formations, (3) species widely distributed, also shared with forest ecosystems. Species of wide distribution prevails in the region, but there is large number of species typical of the Cerrado, possibly including five endemics to Jalapão, and there is an important contribution of the Caatinga fauna. The distribution of reptile species in local and regional scales shows the need to consider the landscape heterogeneity for adequate conservation planning in the Cerrado region. Because of the physical and biotic characteristics, EESGT has a key role in the preservation and knowledge of the diversity of Cerrado reptiles.

Vertebrados da Estação Ecológica Serra Geral do Tocantins: faunística, biodiversidade e conservação no Cerrado brasileiro / Vertebrate fauna of Estação Ecológica Serra Geral do Tocantins: biodiversity and conservation in the Brazilian Cerrado hotspot

Inventários e estudos faunísticos detalhados sobre vertebrados são uma das fontes mais relevantes de dados para interpretações de padrões detalhados de diversidade biológica. Dados básicos e de boa qualidade sobre faunística são ainda mais urgentes em regiões pouco estudadas e sob intensa ameaça antrópica, tais como a região do Cerrado, um dos 34 hotspots globais para a conservação da biodiversidade. Apresentamos aqui uma síntese dos resultados dos inventários de vertebrados na Estação Ecológica Serra Geral do Tocantins (~716.000 ha), a segunda maior unidade de conservação em todo o Cerrado. Foram registradas 450 espécies de vertebrados na EESGT e entorno imediato, incluindo 17 espécies ameaçadas, 50 espécies endêmicas do Cerrado e 11 espécies com distribuição potencialmente restrita. Do total de espécies amostradas, 180 são novos registros para a região do Jalapão. Ao menos 12 espécies amostradas foram consideradas potenciais espécies novas, das quais quatro foram descritas recentemente, a partir do material obtido no inventário. Os resultados evidenciam que a EESGT é uma das mais importantes áreas protegidas no Brasil central, contribuindo para a persistência de espécies ameaçadas, dependentes dos últimos grandes blocos contínuos de vegetação nativa de Cerrado. Nossos resultados indicam ainda que a conservação da EESGT e suas principais subunidades é crucial para a representatividade do sistema de áreas protegidas do Cerrado, protegendo potenciais endemismos restritos que aliam alta vulnerabilidade intrínseca e valor como indicadores de padrões e processos biogeográficos formadores da rica e cada vez mais ameaçada fauna Neotropical.

Basic taxonomic and distributional data on vertebrates are one of the most useful and reliable sources of information for conservation planning. Biological data are even more relevant in rich and highly threatened regions such as the Brazilian Cerrado, one of the least studied global biodiversity hotspots. Herein we provide a summary of the results of a vertebrate survey at Estação Ecológica Serra Geral do Tocantins (~716.000 ha), the second largest protected area in the Cerrado region. We recorded 450 species in EESGT and surroundings, including 17 threatened species, 50 Cerrado endemics and 11 potential restricted-range species. Our results also added 180 new vertebrate records for the Jalapão region. At least 12 species were considered potential undescribed taxa; four of these were recently described based on specimens obtained in the present study. Our results indicate that EESGT is among the most biologically relevant protected areas in the Cerrado. Proper management will favor the persistence of threatened vertebrates dependent on the last remaining large blocks of pristine Cerrado savannas. Moreover, EESGT and its major biological subunits contribute decisively to the representativeness of the reserve system in the Cerrado, conserving presumed narrow endemics with high intrinsic vulnerability and high potential value as indicators of biogeographic processes of diversification in rich and complex Neotropical biotas.

Impactos potenciais das mudanças propostas no Código Florestal Brasileiro sobre os répteis brasileiros / Potential impacts of changes in the Brazilian Forest Code on reptiles

Avaliamos os impactos potenciais sobre a fauna brasileira de répteis (721 espécies descritas até o momento), caso sejam adotadas mudanças propostas por um substitutivo do atual Código Florestal Brasileiro. A possibilidade de compensação ambiental (obrigação legal no caso de degradação de habitats naturais) em bacias ou microbacias distintas daquelas degradadas seria uma das modificações do código vigente que prejudicaria a manutenção da diversidade de répteis. Alguns gêneros de répteis são compostos por espécies que raramente co-ocorrem em uma mesma área. Assim, ações de conservação em escalas reduzidas, em unidades naturais como microbacias, seriam mais adequadas para representar a variação da composição de espécies entre áreas. O substitutivo prevê a exclusão de topos de montanhas como Área de Preservação Permanente (APP), bem como a redução da largura das matas marginais a cursos d´água (que também são APPs). Diversos répteis brasileiros estão restritos a áreas de altitude, ao passo que outros vivem somente ou principalmente em matas de galeria ou áreas ripárias. Assim, a perda de habitat nessas áreas deve tornar alguns répteis vulneráveis a extinção. A proposta também autoriza a recuperação de Reservas Legais (RL) usando espécies de plantas exóticas. Há evidências que muitos répteis brasileiros não conseguem sobreviver em ambientes alterados pelo homem, incluindo as florestas constituídas por espécies exóticas. A proposta também tornará possível compensar RL dentro de unidades de conservação. Entretanto, as unidades de conservação existentes não seriam suficientes para a manutenção da diversidade de répteis no Brasil (principalmente porque muitas espécies têm distribuição restrita). Se adotadas, as mudanças propostas ao Código Florestal Brasileiro terão fortes impactos sobre a fauna de répteis brasileira, um importante componente do patrimônio natural do país. Além disso, moléculas com potencial farmacêutico, presentes nos venenos de muitas espécies, poderão ser perdidas.

We evaluate the potential impacts on Brazilian reptiles (721 species already described), if the proposed changes in the Brazilian Forest Code are approved. The possibility of environmental compensation (a legal obligation in case of disturbance of natural habitats) in basins or micro basins different from that in which the disturbance occurred would have harmful effects on reptile diversity. Some reptile genera include species that rarely co-occur in space. Thus, conservation action planning based on naturally smaller scales, such as micro basins, is most suitable to maintain species composition across large regions. The proposed changes also include the removal of mountaintops as Areas of Permanent Preservation (APP, areas which must be permanently protected, despite the fact that they are not part of a park), as well as a reduction in the width of gallery forests and protected riparian habitats (which are APPs). Many Brazilian reptiles are restricted to high elevation areas, whereas others dwell only or mostly in gallery forests and riparian areas. Thus, the habitat loss that would result from these two changes could make some reptiles vulnerable to extinction. The proposed changes also include allowing the restoration of the Legal Reserves (LR, the reserves of natural vegetation which landowners have to keep in private areas) using exotic plant species. There are evidences that many Brazilian reptiles are not able to persist in human-modified environments like forests composed of exotic trees. The proposed changes also allow the compensation of disturbances imposed on LR inside existing protected areas. However, existing protected areas are not sufficient for the maintenance of reptile diversity in Brazil (mainly because many species have restricted distributions). If approved, the proposed changes in the code will impose significant negative effects on the Brazilian reptile fauna, an important component of the country's natural heritage. Furthermore, unknown molecules with potential for pharmaceutical use could also be lost.