Does the body size, sex, and reproductive modes of leaf litter anurans affect the diversity of parasites?

We describe the composition of endoparasites associated with leaf litter anurans from an Atlantic Forest area, in southeastern Brazil. We tested if body size, sex, and reproductive modes of anuran hosts influence endoparasite abundance and richness. We sampled 583 individuals from 11 anuran species and recorded 1,600 helminths from 14 taxa. The helminths that infected the greatest number of anuran host species were the nematodes Cosmocerca parva (8 spp.), Physaloptera sp. (8 spp.), and Cosmocerca brasiliense (7 spp.), and the most abundant helminth species were Physaloptera sp. (14.6%), Cosmocerca brasiliense (13.7%) and Cosmocerca parva (12.6%). Both helminth abundance and richness were positively affected by anuran body size and dependence on water for reproduction. Larger hosts can contain a higher abundance of parasites because they may provide more physical space than smaller ones, or it can simply be a function of age. Besides, parasite species richness can be highly correlated with the amount of time a host spends in association with aquatic habitats, a conservative aspect of both parasite and host natural history. Within host species, there was a positive and significant influence of body size on helminth abundance. Haddadus binotatus females had greater helminth abundance than males, probably due to sex-related differences in behavior and/or in physiology. Our data suggest that reproductive modes could also influence helminth infection parameters in other anuran communities and should be considered in detail in future analyses.

Effect of altitude and spatial heterogeneity on the host-parasite relationship in anurans from a remnant humid forest in the brazilian semiarid.

In the present study, we investigated the effect of habitat heterogeneity, elevation gradient, and phylogenetic distance of host species on the abundance and richness of anuran endoparasites, assuming that parasites follow the distribution of their hosts independently of environmental variation. We collected 192 anurans distributed in three altitude ranges: 100-200 m, 400-500 m, and 700-800 m. We performed discriminant principal component analysis to analyze the interrelationships between environmental heterogeneity and the distribution of parasite and host species in the formation of species groups in each altitude range. We estimated the niche width and parasite overlap, using host species as a variable, and assessed whether parasite abundance is more influenced by historical (distance host phylogeny) or ecological effects in each altitude category and overall. Finally, we use network analyses to understand how interactions between parasites and hosts are formed along the altitude gradient. We found 22 parasite species, and the overall prevalence of infection was 74%. In our study, we did not identify environmental (altitude gradients and heterogeneity) or phylogenetic effects acting on the parasite species diversity. Overall, our results suggest that the parasites are distributed following the dispersal of their hosts and are dispersed among most anuran species.

Revisiting the taxonomy of Rhabdias fuelleborni Travassos, 1928 (Nematoda, Rhabdiasidae) with approaches to delimitation of species and notes on molecular phylogeny.

Rhabdias fuelleborni was described by Travassos (1926), who identified it in the lungs of Rhinella gr. marina (=Bufo marinus) from São Paulo. Later, Kloss (1971) added new information on the morphology and diagnosis of the species and new data on host and localities. However, its taxonomic status remains uncertain, due in particular to the morphological uniformity of Rhabdias spp., while the original description lacks important morphological data. In the present study, we found and reevaluated the type series of R. fuelleborni, as well as examining fresh material obtained from the type host and type locality, using light and scanning electron microscopy and molecular tools. The type series was deposited by Travassos (1926), and according to museum records the type locality is Paraty, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Our morphological and molecular analyses reinforce the taxonomic validity of this species, while molecular phylogeny identified a close relationship between R. fuelleborni and Rhabdias sp.4 and Rhabdias sp. from other studies, and from bufonids. Also R. fuelleborni are sister taxa with R. cf. stenocephala from Leptodactylidae from the northeast of Brazil and R. vencesi from Boophis madagascarariensis, Madagascar, according to mitochondrial COI gene.

Endoparasites of Adelophryne maranguapensis Hoogmoed, Borges & Cascon, 1994 (Anura, Eleutherodactylidae), an endemic and threatened species from an altitude swamp in northeastern Brazil.

Adelophryne maranguapensis is an endangered anuran species endemic to the Maranguape residual mountain, Ceará State, northeaster Brazil, which is under strong anthropogenic pressure. There are still few studies on the natural history of this species that allow a better understanding of its biology and can provide the basis for conservation actions. Studies on endoparasitism are an important source for the comprehension of ecological relationships, as well as for providing information on host biology and its relevance to ecosystems. Thus, we present information about the endoparasites helminths, the relationship of parasite abundance with the size of individuals and the parasite difference between the sexes in A. maranguapensis, to elucidate some characteristics in the host-parasite relationship and the use of the area of this anuran. We analysed 107 specimens deposited in the Herpetological Collection of the Federal University of Ceará, sampled from 2010 to 2012. Total prevalence of 24.30% was recorded, and four parasitic taxa were identified, Aplectana sp., Physaloptera sp., Parapharyngodon sp. and an unidentified Ascarid. No relationship between the abundance of parasites and snout-vent length was found and the parasite difference between the sexes. Even though identification of the parasites at species level was not possible, A. maranguapensis follows a common pattern in parasitism of Neotropical species.

Helminths Infecting Sympatric Congeneric Treefrogs in Northeastern Brazil.

PURPOSE: We aimed to describe the helminth fauna associated with two sympatric congeneric treefrogs species (Boana multifasciata and Boana raniceps) from a highland marsh in northeastern Brazil. In addition, we investigate the body size influence on parasitological descriptors in these treefrogs, in which we expected that larger frogs would have greater abundance and richness helminths too, and no differences with respect to helminth composition once both hosts are exposed to similar environmental conditions. METHODS: We collected anurans during the rainy season from 11 January to 09 February 2019, using visual and auditory searches in breeding environments. We analysed the presence of ectoparasites under an epidermis, oral cavity, and endoparasites present in the organs. Using a Linear mixed-effects model we tested the relationship between the host body size (length and weight) and helminths abundance and richness. In addition, we used the ANOSIM R test to investigate the differences between the hosts with respect to helminth composition. RESULTS: We recorded 37 individuals (15 specimens of B. multifasciata and 22 of B. raniceps), in which 89.1% of them were infected by at least one helminth species. We found 355 helminths from 12 taxa parasitizing the two treefrogs, but just three parasite taxa were common to both species. All identified helminth species found in B. multifasciata are new records and four are new records for B. raniceps. In addition, we present the first record of Cosmocerca paraguayensis in Brazil. We found no support for the hypothesis that larger frogs tend to be more parasitized, at least for congeneric species, and sympatric hosts species have similar helminth composition. We also present a compilation of helminths occurring in treefrogs belonging to the Boana genus in South American, increasing our knowledge of the parasitic diversity of Neotropical anurans. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest a lack of knowledge about helminth fauna associated with amphibians even for common and widely distributed species, such as Boana spp., and demonstrate the need to deepen our knowledge about host parasitic relationships, especially in the Neotropical region.

Visceral mycobacteriosis in amphibians from the Brazilian Caatinga region.

Emerging infectious diseases in wild animals related to humans have received greater attention in recent years. Mycobacteriosis is a bacterial disease of animal and human importance. Mycobacterium gordonae infects the skin and internal organs of free-ranging amphibians and is considered the least pathogenic member of the Mycobacteriaceae to humans. However, information about its infection and pathogenesis in wild amphibians is still lacking. A total of 1306 amphibian specimens belonging to 6 families, 12 genera, and 21 species were collected and dissected during a helminthological survey of 7 municipalities in southern Ceará state, Caatinga (eco)region, northeast Brazil. Of these, 17 specimens (0.76%), belonging to 2 families and 4 species (Leptodactylus macrosternum, n = 2; L. vastus, n = 10; Pseudopaludicola pocoto, n = 2; Rhinella jimi, n = 3), presented infections that consisted of calcification nodules in the coelomic cavity, kidney, liver, lung, gut, and pancreas. The nodules were examined by histopathology and PCR. The bacteria were identified as M. gordonae by molecular analyses. Infected animals presented with hepatocellular vacuolar degeneration, karyolysis, and karyorrhexis, hepatic portal congestion, hemorrhage, mononuclear cellular infiltration, melanomacrophage center hyperplasia, and granulomas in varying stages of development with intralesional acid-fast bacilli. This study is the first report of M. gordonae in these amphibian species, in which results of molecular analyses confirmed the presence of M. gordonae in natural environments and histopathology confirmed the typical lesion of mycobacteriosis in amphibians from northeastern Brazil.

A new species of Hannemania Oudemans, 1911 (Trombidiformes: Leeuwenhoekiidae) from Brazil

Hannemania has 27 described species parasitizing amphibians in the Americas. To date, five species have been recorded from Brazil. Here, we describe a new species for the country, collected parasitising the South American white-lipped grass frog, Miranda’s white-lipped frog, basin white-lipped, Bahia dwarf frog and granular toad all from Ceará state, Brazil.

A new species of the Rhinella margaritifera (Laurenti 1768) species group (Anura, Bufonidae) from southern Brazilian Amazonia.

Neotropical toads from the Rhinella margaritifera species group have been considered a taxonomic puzzle for a long time. Because of the high morphological similarity and an unknown number of undescribed taxa among the species of this group, we did an extensive search for character distribution within all nominal taxa. Herein we describe Rhinella parecis sp. nov. a new species from Southern Brazilian Amazon. We provide a morphological diagnosis, morphometric comparisons with similar species, and a molecular phylogenetic hypothesis on the relationships of the new species. Rhinella parecis sp. nov. is assigned to the R. margaritifera group and differs from others species by snout-vent length ranging 40.7-53.5 mm in males (n=12) and 44.9-54.8 mm in females (n=4), snout rounded in dorsal view, acute with fleshy ridge extending to tip of snout in lateral view, canthal and pre-orbital crests absent, supra-orbital, parietal and supra-tympanic crests present and low, dorsolateral row of tubercles present, bony protrusion at the angle of jaws absent, tympanum evident, vertebral apophyses absent and toes half-webbed. The new species is the 20th species associated to the R. margaritifera group distributed in the Chapada dos Parecis, a probable center of endemism in states of Rondônia and Mato Grosso, Brazil.

Physaloptera nordestina n. sp. (Nematoda: Physalopteridae) parasitizing snakes from Northeastern Brazil.

Physaloptera nordestina n. sp. (Nematoda: Physalopteridae) is described from the stomach of the snakes Oxybelis aeneus (Wagler), Pseudoboa nigra (Duméril, Bibron Duméril) and Xenodon merremii (Wagler) (Squamata: Snakes), collected in northeastern Brazil. The new species has males with ornamented caudal alae connected ventrally, anterior to the cloaca, 21 caudal papillae, including four pedunculated and 13 sessile pairs (six surrounding the cloaca and three at tail), spicules sub-equal in size and with different shape. In addition, the females have the vulva located on the anterior third of the body and two to four uterine branches. Here we present the ninth species of Physaloptera that parasitizes reptiles from Brazil.

Escape o sea presa: nuevos registros y conocimiento actual sobre depredadores de ranas Pseudinae (Anura: Hylidae) en América del sur / Escape or be preyed: new records and current knowledge on predators of pseudinae frogs (anura: hylidae) in south america

ABSTRACT Neotropical amphibians play important roles as preys and predators in freshwater and terrestrial ecosystems. The subfamily Pseudinae includes small and medium-sized frogs within three genera representing 13 valid species. Most published records of predation on Pseudinae frogs are anecdotic and scarce. Herein, we provide five new reports of predation and presenting a detailed literature review on Pseudinae predation, with 15 studies published between 1983-2017. Pseudinae species were preyed at both day and night by a wide variety of predators, principally birds. Adults were preyed upon more frequently than juveniles and tadpoles. In the present study, most predators were diurnal, with birds accounting for most records. A variety of invertebrates prey on anurans, but water bugs and spiders are the most common ones. In the present study, water bugs comprised 75 % of the Pseudinae predation records by invertebrates. However, anuran predation by invertebrates remains poorly documented. Thus, the description of new cases of predation accompanied by a review of the data available in the literature is crucial to understanding Neotropical food webs.

RESUMEN Los anfibios neotropicales desempeñan papeles importantes como depredadores y presas en los ecosistemas dulce acuícolas y terrestres. La subfamilia Pseudinae incluye ranas pequeñas y medianas, distribuidas en tres géneros y representando 13 especies válidas. Los registros de depredación de Pseudinae son escasos y anecdóticos. Por lo tanto, el conocimiento de nuevos casos puede mejorar nuestra comprensión de las relaciones depredador-presa entre estas ranas y su papel en la cadena trófica. Presentamos cinco nuevos registros de depredación y revisamos los casos de depredación de la literatura, que incluyen 15 estudios publicados entre 1983 y 2017. Las especies de Pseudinae son depredadas, tanto durante el día como en la noche, por una gran variedad de depredadores, principalmente aves. Los adultos son más frecuentemente depredados que los juveniles y los renacuajos. En el presente estudio, las chinches de agua representan 75 % de los registros de depredación de Pseudinae por invertebrados. Sin embargo, depredación de anuros por invertebrados permanece poco documentada. Por lo tanto, la descripción de nuevos casos de depredación, junto a una revisión de los datos disponibles en la literatura es crucial para entender redes tróficas neotropicales.

Helminths Associated with Three Physalaemus Species (Anura: Leptodactylidae) from Caatinga Biome, Brazil.

OBJECTIVES AND DESIGN: Knowledge of which and how many species are part of an ecosystem is fundamental to understanding the diversity of organisms, including parasitic organisms that vary widely among host populations. This study describes the composition, infection patterns, and similarity in composition of helminths associated with P. albifrons, P. cicada, and P. cuvieri. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four samplings were carried out in two caatinga areas in the southern region of Ceará State, Brazil. The specimens were collected by active search, necropsied, and surveyed for helminths. The infection patterns for all helminth species found were estimated through prevalence, mean abundance, and mean intensity of infection. RESULTS: A total of 242 helminth specimens were collected from 264 hosts-100 Physalaemus albifrons with overall prevalence of 20%, 93 Physalaemus cicada with overall prevalence of 27%, and 71 Physalaemus cuvieri with overall prevalence of 15%. Ten parasite taxa with a mean of one-three parasite species per host were identified. The nematode Raillietnema spectans was present in the three host species and had the highest prevalence. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study represent 38.4% of known parasites for the species of the subfamily Leiuperinae, and 52.6% for the species of Physalaemus. Four parasite taxa (Oswaldocruzia cf. mazzai, Raillietnema spectans, Schrankiana schranki, and Cylindrotaenia americana) are new records for the host species studied, contributing to the knowledge of the parasitic interactions of amphibians of the genus Physalaemus.

On Rhinella gildae Vaz-Silva, Maciel, Bastos Pombal 2015 (Anura: Bufonidae): Phylogenetic relationship, morphological variation, advertisement and release calls and geographic distribution.

Anurans in the Rhinella margaritifera group have a long history of taxonomic confusion, mainly by morphological similarity between species and lack of acoustic and genetic data for many of the 19 described species. Herein, we presented data for Rhinella gildae based on recently collected specimens from its type locality. We provide patterns of morphological variation, measurements, advertisement and release calls and infer the phylogenetic position of R. gildae. The species geographical distribution was updated, occurring in two Amazonian localities in Maranhão state, and Cerrado areas in Maranhão and Tocantins states and also in a rainforest enclave inside Caatinga domain in Ceará state.

Helminth infections in a pair of sympatric congeneric lizard species.

We analyzed parameters of parasitism by helminths in a pair of sympatric congeneric lizard species (Tropidurus hispidus and Tropidurus semitaeniatus). Differences in their supracommunities (richness, composition, and abundance) and the influence of helminthic loads on minimum flight initiation distances and body temperatures were evaluated. We reported new findings of Piratuba digiticauda infecting T. hispidus and Oochoristica bresslaui infecting T. semitaeniatus. Parapharyngodon alvarengai was the most abundant helminth in both host species. Tropidurus hispidus individuals hosted a higher abundance and richness of helminths than T. semitaeniatus, with females of the former having larger helminthic loads than males. Dissimilarities between host species may be attributed to differences in their utilization of niche dimensions (time, food, and structural and thermal space), the occurrence of morphological differences that result in differential exposure to the sources and agents of infection, and/or differential immunological functions. Our data suggests that infection by P. alvarengai led to some limitations in locomotor performance of T. hispidus resulting in decreased minimum flight initiation distance as infection rates increased. Individuals opted for a prolonged period of immobility to avoid capture. There was a negative relationship between helminthic loads and body temperatures in T. semitaeniatus, possibly due to decreased activity and thermoregulation rates, and increased use of shelters by lizards with high infection levels to avoid predation.

Aplectana nordestina n. sp. (Nematoda: Cosmocercidae) parasitizing Leposternon polystegum (Squamata: Amphisbaenidae) from Northeastern, Brazil.

There are currently 760 reptile species known in Brazil, from which about 70 are amphisbaenians with 25 species recorded in the Brazilian northeast (Vanzolini 2002; Gomes & Maciel 2012; Costa & Bérnils, 2014; Roberto et al., 2014). Leposternon polystegum Duméril, is a widespread species distributed in the Amazon, Atlantic Forest, Cerrado, and Caatinga biomes (Porto et al., 2000; Ribeiro et al., 2011). The diet is composed mainly by ants, termites, and coleopteran larvae (Barros-Filho & Valverde, 1996; Gomes et al., 2009).

Helminth fauna of Leptodactylus syphax (Anura: Leptodactylidae) from Caatinga biome, northeastern Brazil.

Leptodactylus syphax is distributed in central, southeastern and northeastern Brazil, eastern Bolivia and southern Paraguay, occupying open areas and rock outcrops, in rock cavities and termite burrows. We collected 21 frogs from the Caatinga region of the state of Ceará, northeastern Brazil, and 7,021 helminths were recovered from 18 of these hosts (overall prevalence = 85.7%). Six helminth taxa were recovered, as follows: Aplectana membranosa (n = 3,756); Schrankiana formosula (n = 3,176); larvae of Physaloptera sp. (n = 43); unidentified nematode larvae (n = 7); digenean metacercariae of Lophosicyadiplostomum sp. (n = 2); and cystacanths of Acanthocephala (n = 37). The similarity of helminth composition between L. syphax from the Caatinga and other species of the L. fuscus group showed that some anurans were clustered according to parasite species and others according to geographic locality. This study presents new helminth records for the Neotropical region, thus helping in understanding the pattern of species distribution, and it increases the knowledge of parasites associated with amphibians.

Helminth fauna of Leptodactylus syphax (Anura: Leptodactylidae) from Caatinga biome, northeastern Brazil / Helmintofauna de Leptodactylus syphax (Anura: Leptodactylidae) do bioma da Caatinga, Nordeste do Brasil

Abstract Leptodactylus syphax is distributed in central, southeastern and northeastern Brazil, eastern Bolivia and southern Paraguay, occupying open areas and rock outcrops, in rock cavities and termite burrows. We collected 21 frogs from the Caatinga region of the state of Ceará, northeastern Brazil, and 7,021 helminths were recovered from 18 of these hosts (overall prevalence = 85.7%). Six helminth taxa were recovered, as follows: Aplectana membranosa (n = 3,756); Schrankiana formosula (n = 3,176); larvae of Physaloptera sp. (n = 43); unidentified nematode larvae (n = 7); digenean metacercariae of Lophosicyadiplostomum sp. (n = 2); and cystacanths of Acanthocephala (n = 37). The similarity of helminth composition between L. syphax from the Caatinga and other species of the L. fuscus group showed that some anurans were clustered according to parasite species and others according to geographic locality. This study presents new helminth records for the Neotropical region, thus helping in understanding the pattern of species distribution, and it increases the knowledge of parasites associated with amphibians.

Resumo Leptodactylus syphax está distribuída na região central, Sudeste e Nordeste do Brasil, Leste da Bolívia e Sul do Paraguai, ocupando áreas abertas e afloramentos rochosos, cavidades rochosas ou de cupins. Foram coletadas 21 rãs oriundas da região de Caatinga do Ceará, nordeste brasileiro, e 7.021 helmintos foram recuperados em 18 hospedeiros (prevalência geral = 85,7%). Seis taxa de helmintos foram recuperados, como segue: Aplectana membranosa (n = 3.756), Schrankiana formosula (n = 3.176), larvas de Physaloptera sp. (n = 43), larvas de nematódeos não identificado (n = 7), metacercárias de Lophosicyadiplostomum sp. (n = 2), e cistacantos de Acantocéfalos (n = 37). A similaridade da composição de helmintos entre L. syphax da Caatinga e outras espécies do grupo L. fuscus mostrou que alguns anuros foram agrupados de acordo com a espécie do parasita e outros de acordo com a localidade geográfica. Este estudo apresenta novos registros de helmintos para a região Neotropical, ajudando na compreensão do padrão de distribuição das espécies e aumenta o conhecimento sobre os parasitas associados a anfíbios.

Spatial and temporal distribution in two anuran communities in the Chapada do Araripe, Northeastern Brasil / Distribuição espacial e temporal em duas comunidades de anuros na Chapada do Araripe, Nordeste do Brasil

In this study, we report the temporal occurrence and habitat and microhabitat use by anurans in two areas located in one highland marsh (brejo-de-altitude) in northeastern Brazil. Fieldwork was carried out between September 2011 and September 2012. The recorded anurans belong to 14 species distributed in five families: Hylidae (six), Leptodactylidae (five), Bufonidae, Odontophrynidae and Pipidae (one each). Vocalization activity was seasonal and concentrated in the wetter and warmer months, but correlated to rainfall only in the top in the Chapada do Araripe. Richness and abundance of calling anurans were lower in the humid forest of the slope than in Cerradão area in the top of the Chapada do Araripe. Scinax x-signatus vocalized during nine months, and along with Dendropsophus soaresi, Phyllomedusa nordestina and Physalaemus cuvieri presented the longest periods of vocalization with the highest number of species vocalizing in at the height of the rainy season. Males were recorded vocalizing in nine different microhabitats, Adenomera sp. uses leaf litter and P. cuvieri the edge of water bodies as calling site both two sampled areas. Differences in richness and abundance of anurans between the two habitats are probably due to physical characteristics, such as presence of lentic environments.

Neste estudo são descritas a ocorrência temporal e o uso de habitat e microhabitat dos anuros de duas localidades em uma área de brejo de altitude no nordeste do Brasil. As amostragens foram realizadas entre setembro de 2011 e setembro de 2012. Foram registrados anuros pertencentes a 14 espécies distribuídas em cinco famílias: Hylidae (seis), Leptodactylidae (cinco), Bufonidae, Odontophrynidae e Pipidae (uma cada). A atividade de vocalização foi sazonal e concentrada nos meses mais úmidos e quentes, mas correlacionada somente com as chuvas no topo da Chapada do Araripe. A riqueza e abundância de anuros vocalizando foram menores na floresta úmida da encosta que na área de Cerradão do topo da Chapada do Araripe. Scinax x-signatus vocalizou durante nove meses, e juntamente com Dendropsophus minutus, D. soaresi, Phyllomedusa nordestina e Physalaemus cuvieri apresentou os períodos de vocalização mais prolongados, com maior abundancia de indivíduos vocalizando no ápice do período chuvoso. Machos de anuros foram registrados vocalizando em nove microhabitats diferentes, Adenomera sp. utiliza serrapilheira e P. cuvieri a margem dos corpos d'água como sítios de vocalização em ambas áreas amostradas. Diferenças na riqueza e abundância de anuros entre os dois habitats estudados estão associadas ès características estruturais dos mesmos, como a presença de ambientes lênticos.