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.

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.

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.

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.

Metazoan Endoparasites of the Gecko Phyllopezus periosus (Squamata: Phyllodactylidae) Inhabiting the Rock Cliffs of a Waterfall Canyon in the Semi-Arid Region from Northeastern Brazil.

PURPOSE: This study describes the composition and infection patterns of macro endoparasites associated with the lizard Phyllopezus periosus. METHODS: We collected 115 P. periosus over 12 expeditions on the rocky cliffs of the Missão Velha waterfall canyon in northeastern Brazil. Specimens were collected by hand, during active searches conducted between 18:00 h and 23:30 h. The infection patterns were estimated using prevalence, total abundance, and mean intensity of infection for all parasites found. RESULTS: A total of 4256 parasites were collected from 104 hosts, resulting in an exceptionally high overall prevalence of 90.4%. No significant ontogenetic difference in the prevalence of infection was detected. Although juveniles exhibited a high parasite prevalence their parasite loads were significantly lower compared to adults. Six species of endoparasites were found; among these, the nematode Spauligodon oxkutzcabiensis was the most common endoparasite in the digestive tract, while the pentastomid Raillietiella mottae was the only species found in the respiratory tract. CONCLUSIONS: Infection rates in Gekkota species appear to correlate with body size, with larger individuals generally exhibiting a higher prevalence. This pattern was also observed across separate populations of P. periosus and other geckos from distinct ecological domains. The dominance of the monoxenous S. oxkutzcabiensis highlights potential transmission mechanisms, suggesting that behaviors such as limb licking after feeding may contribute to its prevalence. The occurrence of Physalopteroides venancioi, Oswaldocruzia sp., Parapharyngodon sp., Physaloptera sp., infecting P. periosus are new records for this host. These findings significantly contribute to the knowledge of host-parasite dynamics in geckos.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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).

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.

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.

The herpetofauna of the Serra do Urubu mountain range: a key biodiversity area for conservation in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest

The Serra do Urubu mountain range is considered a key biodiversity area. It is situated in the Pernambuco Endemism Center, one of the most threatened regions of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. However, despite the high importance of this area little research on its herpetofauna has been performed. The present study presents an inventory of the herpetofauna of the region, through bibliographic review, searches in museum collections and field expeditions to the RPPNs Frei Caneca and Pedra D’Antas, in the municipalities of Jaqueira and Lagoa dos Gatos. The conservation status of the amphibians of the region is discussed. Five expeditions, between 2012 and 2013 were made. The methods employed were visual transect surveys, acoustic census and pitfall traps. We recorded a total of 46 amphibian species, belonging to nine families: Craugastoridae (3 spp.), Bufonidae (3 spp.), Ranidae (1 sp.), Hylidae (25 spp.), Leptodactylidae (8 spp.), Odontophrynidae (1 sp.), Hemiphractidae (2 spp.), Phyllomedusidae (2 spp.) and Microhylidae (1 sp.). We recorded 42 species of squamates: 16 species of lizards families Phyllodactylidae (1 sp.), Gekkonidae (1 sp.), Gymnophthalmidae (1 sp.), Polychrotidae (1 sp.), Leiosauridae (1 sp.), Tropiduridae (3 spp.), Dactyloidae (2 spp.), Diploglossidae (2 spp.), Teiidae (2 spp.), Scincidae (1 sp.), and Iguanidae (1 sp.); and 24 species of snakes: Boidae (3 spp.), Colubridae (2 spp.), Dipsadidae (13 spp.), Elapidae (2 spp.), Typhlopidae (1 sp.), and Viperidae (3 spp.). The occurrence of rare and/or threatened species such as the snakes Dipsas sazimai, Lachesis muta and Sibynomorphus sp. and the amphibians Hylomantis granulosa, Chiasmocleis alagoana, Boana freicanecae and Phyllodytes gyrinaethes reinforces the need for conservation measures at this highly threatened region of the Atlantic Forest.

O complexo da Serra do Urubu é considerado uma área chave para a conservação da biodiversidade, estando inserida no Centro de Endemismo de Pernambuco, uma das subregiões mais ameaçadas da Mata atlântica brasileira. Porém, apesar da alta importância dessa área, estudos relacionados com a herpetofauna local ainda são escassos. Para a elaboração da lista da herpetofauna da Serra do Urubu, foram feitas consultas na bibliografia, buscas em coleções herpetológicas e expedições de campo para a RPPN de Pedra D’Antas e RPPN Frei Caneca, localizadas nos municípios de Jaqueira e Lagoa dos Gatos. Uma discussão sobre o status de conservação dos anfíbios da região também foi realizada. Foram feitas cinco expedições entre os anos de 2012 e 2013, utilizando as metodologias de busca ativa em transectos lineares, censo auditivo e armadilhas de interceptação e queda. No total foram registrados 46 espécies de anfíbios anuros, pertencentes a nove famílias: Craugastoridae (3 spp.), Bufonidae (3 spp.), Ranidae (1 sp.), Hylidae (25 spp.), Leptodactylidae (8 spp.), Odontophrynidae (1 sp.), Hemiphractidae (2 spp.), Phyllomedusidae (2 spp.) e Microhylidae (1 sp.).Com relação aos répteis foram registradas 42 espécies, sendo 16 de lagartos: Phyllodactylidae (1 sp.), Gekkonidae (1 sp.), Gymnophthalmidae (1 sp.), Polychrotidae (1 sp.), Leiosauridae (1 sp.), Tropiduridae (3 spp.), Dactyloidae (2 spp.), Diploglossidae (2 spp.), Teiidae (2 spp.), Scincidae (1 sp.), Iguanidae (1 sp.); e 24 de serpentes: Boidae (3 spp.), Colubridae (2 spp.), Dipsadidae (13 spp.), Elapidae (2 spp.), Typhlopidae (1 sp.), Viperidae (3 spp.). Espécies consideradas raras e/ou ameaçadas de extinção como as serpentes Dipsassazimai, Lachesis muta e Sibynomorphussp. e os anfíbios Hylomantis granulosa, Chiasmocleis alagoana, Boana freicanecae e Phyllodytes gyrinaethes,reforçam a necessidade de conservação dessa região de Mata Atlântica extremamente ameaçada.

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

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.(AU)

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.(AU)

The herpetofauna of the Serra do Urubu mountain range: a key biodiversity area for conservation in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest

The Serra do Urubu mountain range is considered a key biodiversity area. It is situated in the Pernambuco Endemism Center, one of the most threatened regions of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. However, despite the high importance of this area little research on its herpetofauna has been performed. The present study presents an inventory of the herpetofauna of the region, through bibliographic review, searches in museum collections and field expeditions to the RPPNs Frei Caneca and Pedra DAntas, in the municipalities of Jaqueira and Lagoa dos Gatos. The conservation status of the amphibians of the region is discussed. Five expeditions, between 2012 and 2013 were made. The methods employed were visual transect surveys, acoustic census and pitfall traps. We recorded a total of 46 amphibian species, belonging to nine families: Craugastoridae (3 spp.), Bufonidae (3 spp.), Ranidae (1 sp.), Hylidae (25 spp.), Leptodactylidae (8 spp.), Odontophrynidae (1 sp.), Hemiphractidae (2 spp.), Phyllomedusidae (2 spp.) and Microhylidae (1 sp.). We recorded 42 species of squamates: 16 species of lizards families Phyllodactylidae (1 sp.), Gekkonidae (1 sp.), Gymnophthalmidae (1 sp.), Polychrotidae (1 sp.), Leiosauridae (1 sp.), Tropiduridae (3 spp.), Dactyloidae (2 spp.), Diploglossidae (2 spp.), Teiidae (2 spp.), Scincidae (1 sp.), and Iguanidae (1 sp.); and 24 species of snakes: Boidae (3 spp.), Colubridae (2 spp.), Dipsadidae (13 spp.), Elapidae (2 spp.), Typhlopidae (1 sp.), and Viperidae (3 spp.). The occurrence of rare and/or threatened species such as the snakes Dipsas sazimai, Lachesis muta and Sibynomorphus sp. and the amphibians Hylomantis granulosa, Chiasmocleis alagoana, Boana freicanecae and Phyllodytes gyrinaethes reinforces the need for conservation measures at this highly threatened region of the Atlantic Forest.(AU)

O complexo da Serra do Urubu é considerado uma área chave para a conservação da biodiversidade, estando inserida no Centro de Endemismo de Pernambuco, uma das subregiões mais ameaçadas da Mata atlântica brasileira. Porém, apesar da alta importância dessa área, estudos relacionados com a herpetofauna local ainda são escassos. Para a elaboração da lista da herpetofauna da Serra do Urubu, foram feitas consultas na bibliografia, buscas em coleções herpetológicas e expedições de campo para a RPPN de Pedra DAntas e RPPN Frei Caneca, localizadas nos municípios de Jaqueira e Lagoa dos Gatos. Uma discussão sobre o status de conservação dos anfíbios da região também foi realizada. Foram feitas cinco expedições entre os anos de 2012 e 2013, utilizando as metodologias de busca ativa em transectos lineares, censo auditivo e armadilhas de interceptação e queda. No total foram registrados 46 espécies de anfíbios anuros, pertencentes a nove famílias: Craugastoridae (3 spp.), Bufonidae (3 spp.), Ranidae (1 sp.), Hylidae (25 spp.), Leptodactylidae (8 spp.), Odontophrynidae (1 sp.), Hemiphractidae (2 spp.), Phyllomedusidae (2 spp.) e Microhylidae (1 sp.).Com relação aos répteis foram registradas 42 espécies, sendo 16 de lagartos: Phyllodactylidae (1 sp.), Gekkonidae (1 sp.), Gymnophthalmidae (1 sp.), Polychrotidae (1 sp.), Leiosauridae (1 sp.), Tropiduridae (3 spp.), Dactyloidae (2 spp.), Diploglossidae (2 spp.), Teiidae (2 spp.), Scincidae (1 sp.), Iguanidae (1 sp.); e 24 de serpentes: Boidae (3 spp.), Colubridae (2 spp.), Dipsadidae (13 spp.), Elapidae (2 spp.), Typhlopidae (1 sp.), Viperidae (3 spp.). Espécies consideradas raras e/ou ameaçadas de extinção como as serpentes Dipsassazimai, Lachesis muta e Sibynomorphussp. e os anfíbios Hylomantis granulosa, Chiasmocleis alagoana, Boana freicanecae e Phyllodytes gyrinaethes,reforçam a necessidade de conservação dessa região de Mata Atlântica extremamente ameaçada.(AU)

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.