Hematologic parameters of captive Bothrops atrox (Squamata: viperidae)

The breeding of venomous snakes in captivity for research purposes and mainly as a source of pharmaceutical products highlights the need to determine hematological parameters for monitoring and ensuring a healthy breeding populationThe complete blood count is used to help diagnose alterations such as anemia, inflammatory diseases, parasitemia, hematopoietic disorders, hemostatic and toxicological changes, as well as bacterial and viral inclusions. Thus, the objective of this study was to define reference parameters for complete blood count in Bothrops atrox snakes. Blood samples were collected from 20 specimens of B. atrox from the Pentapharm do Brasil commercial breeding facility for laboratory examination. Mean values and standard deviation were: hematocrit 33.6 ± 5.47%, hemoglobin 10.81 ± 2.07g/dL, total number of erythrocytes 0.59 ± 0.1 x 106/mm3, leukocytes 11387.5 ± 3279.2/mm3 and thrombocytes 28175 ± 6320/mm3. No significant difference was observed between males and females and heterophils were the predominant leukocyte cell type.

Aerobic bacteria in oral cavity of Lancehead snakes (Bothrops atrox) with stomatitis / Bactérias aeróbicas da cavidade oral de jararaca-do-norte (Bothrops atrox) com estomatite

Stomatitis is a common disease found on snake farms, and Gram-negative bacilli are the main etiological agents that play an important role as secondary sources of viral or parasitic infections. The purpose of this work was to identify the aerobic bacteria in the oral cavity of Bothrops atrox with stomatitis. Samples for microbiological examination were collected from 12 snakes bred on a commercial snake farm for venom extraction. Samples of the secretion in the oral cavity of each serpent presenting stomatitis were collected from fang sheath, using a cotton swab with sterile alginate. The samples were incubated and cultured on Petri dishes containing blood agar and XLD agar using the agar depletion technique. Bacterial growth occurred in all analyzed samples collected from the oral cavity of Bothrops atrox with stomatitis, and some of the samples contained more than one microorganism. The following Gram-negative bacteria were isolated: Escherichia coli (26.31%), Citrobacter spp. (21.05%), Proteus spp. (15.78%) and Salmonella spp. (10.52%). The only Gram-positive bacterium that was isolated was Staphylococcus spp., which was present in 26.31% of the analyzed samples.

A estomatite é uma das doenças mais frequentes em criatórios comerciais de serpentes, sendo os bacilos Gram-negativos os principais agentes etiológicos com importante papel, como fontes secundárias, nas infecções virais ou parasitárias. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi analisar as bactérias aeróbicas presentes na cavidade oral em serpentes da espécie Bothrops atrox. Utilizaram-se 12 amostras colhidas com auxílio de swab estéril na região da bainha da presa, em serpentes que apresentaram estomatite, em um criatório comercial. As amostras foram cultivadas em Ágar-sangue e Ágar XLD. Em todas as amostras analisadas, houve crescimento de, pelo menos, um microrganismo. As bactérias Gram-negativas isoladas foram Escherichia coli (26,31%), Citrobacter spp. (21,05%), Proteus spp. (15,78%) e Salmonella spp. (10,52%). A única bactéria Gram-positiva isolada foi a Staphylococcus spp., presente em 26,31% das amostras analisadas.

Esqueletogênese dos ossos da coluna vertebral, costelas e esqueleto abdominal em embriões de Caiman Yacare (Daudin, 1802) (Crocodylia: Alligatoridae) / Skeletogenesis of the vertebral column bones, ribs and inscriptional ribs in embryos of Caiman yacare (Crocodylia: Alligaroridae)

Dentre os répteis, os lagartos e os testudines são o foco de inúmeras investigações que contemplam o estudo de sua ontogenia, contudo, descrições do desenvolvimento e da sequência de ossificação em crocodilianos são escassas. Assim, objetivou-se investigar o padrão de formação e a sequência de ossificação das vértebras e costelas em Caiman yacare (DAUDIN, 1802). Embriões foram coletados em intervalos regulares e submetidos ao protocolo de diafanização e coloração por Aliarina red S. O processo de ossificação da coluna vertebral ocorre no sentido crânio-caudal a partir dos 33 dias. As vértebras se formam a partir de centros de ossificação distintos para os centros, o arco e as apófises. O pró-atlas se forma a partir de dois centros de ossificação distintos que se fundem até o fim do período de incubação. A fusão dorsal dos processos transversos ocorre parcialmente aos 51 dias, dando origem ao diminuto esboço do processo espinhoso. No embrião de 57 dias a articulação entre as costelas, o sacral e o ílio não estava evidente. A morfologia e tamanho das vértebras caudais variam consideravelmente no sentido crânio-caudal. Todas apresentam os processos hemais e iniciam sua ossificação até os 48 dias. C. yacare apresenta um número variado de costelas abdominais, que se ossificam ainda durante o período embrionário. O padrão da esqueletogênese de C. yacare é congruente com de outros répteis, embora existam algumas variações, com particular ênfase na remodelação de estruturas, o que possivelmente reflete as variações do período de incubação entre os diversos répteis relatados.

Among reptiles, lizards and Testudines are the focus of numerous investigations that include the study of its ontogeny, however, descriptions of development and ossification sequence in crocodilians are scarce. Thus, it was aimed to investigate the pattern of training and sequence of ossification of the vertebrae and ribs in Caiman yacare (Daudin, 1802). Embryos were collected at regular intervals and submitted to the protocol of clearing and staining Aliarina red S. The process of ossification of the vertebral column occurs in the craniocaudal direction from the 33 days. The vertebrae are formed from separate ossification centers for the centers, the arch and the transverse processes. The proatlas is formed from two separate ossification centers that fuse to the end of the incubation period. The fusion of dorsal transverse process is partly to 51 days, giving rise to a small sketch of the spinous process. In the embryo of 57 days the link between the ribs, the sacrum and the ilium was not evident. The morphology and size of caudal vertebrae vary considerably in the craniocaudal direction. All have the hemal processes and initiate its ossification up to 48 days. C. yacare has a varied number of abdominal ribs, which ossify even during the embryonic period. The pattern of skeletogenesis C. yacare is consistent with other reptiles, although some variations, with particular emphasis on the remodeling of structures, which possibly reflects the variations in incubation period among the various reptiles reported.