ABSTRACT
Ticks parasitize a wide variety of wild animals, including amphibians and reptiles. In addition to the possibility of microorganism transmission to these hosts, ticks can also cause severe bleeding, and high parasitism can lead to death. Therefore, knowing the diversity of ticks parasitizing amphibians and reptiles is important for conservation and preservation measures for these vertebrates. In the present study, we report parasitism by ticks in amphibians and reptiles from different Brazilian biomes (Amazon, Caatinga, Cerrado and Atlantic Forest). Ticks were collected from amphibians and reptiles deposited from the Herpetological Collection of the Federal University of Maranhão (UFMA), São Luís (Maranhão State), the State University Santa Cruz (UESC), Ilhéus (Bahia State), and the Federal University of São Francisco Valley (Univasf), Petrolina (Pernambuco State). Additionally, ticks were collected from amphibians and reptiles captured and road-killed in the Amazon biome, at Maranhão and Amapá States. Specimens of ticks were photographed under a Zeiss stereomicroscope (5.1 zoom). Map with the locations were made using the Qgis program. Overall, 1973 specimens of amphibians and reptiles were examined. A total of 927 ticks were collected: 98 larvae, 421 nymphs and 408 adults. Six species of ticks were identified: Amblyomma rotundatum and Amblyomma dissimile the most frequent, and Amblyomma cajennense sensu stricto, Amblyomma sculptum, Amblyomma nodosum and Amblyomma humerale, occasionally. Surprisingly, a total of twelve males of A. rotundatum were collected. Here we report new records of association between cold-blooded animals and ticks and reinforce the absence of A. dissimile in the Caatinga, Cerrado and Atlantic Forest biomes. Additionally, we report new records of A. rotundatum males on reptiles in the Amazon biome. This last record allows us to speculate about a possible association of A. rotundatum males with reptiles and the Amazon biome.
ABSTRACT
We describe for the first time the advertisement calls of three Elachistocleis species (E. surumu, E. magna, E. carvalhoi) and provide additional data on the calls of three other species (E. matogrosso, E. helianneae, E. muiraquitan). Additionally, we evaluate intraspecific variation in morphology and color patterns, and comment on species diagnosis in the genus. The advertisement calls of the six species of Elachistocleis have a stereotyped temporal and spectral structure, which consists of a long sustained multipulsed note with an upsweep in frequency at its onset, followed by a constant frequency along the note. Newly collected Elachistocleis from northern and western Brazil showed intraspecific variation in morphology and coloration that had not been previously reported. Coloration was listed as a diagnostic feature in the original descriptions of the Elachistocleis species evaluated in this study, but color patterns were variable in some species and sometimes did not allow for species differentiation. Our results indicated that the three species with greater degrees of morphological similarity (E. helianneae, E. matogrosso, E. muiraquitan) differed in microtemporal and spectral traits of their calls. Moreover, pulse duration in E. helianneae was very distinct, lasting approximately twice the average pulse duration in calls of the other species studied. Therefore, pulse duration might be an informative trait when assigning specimens to E. helianneae, which is widely distributed across Amazonian lowland forests and in a region of Amazonian savanna. Our results bring novelties on species diagnosis and intraspecific variation in Elachistocleis based on acoustic evidence and morphological/color patterns, and accentuate the importance of taking into consideration multiple lines of evidence as a means for accurate species-level identification in this genus of Neotropical frogs.
Subject(s)
Anura , Vocalization, Animal , Acoustics , Animals , BrazilABSTRACT
Peixes limpadores removem ectoparasitas, tecido doente ou ferido, muco e escamas da superfície corporal de outros peixes, sendo portanto de fundamental importância para a manutenção do equilíbrio e da saúde dos peixes do ecossistema recifal. Na costa brasileira são registradas 24 espécies de peixes limpadores, das quais se destaca Elacatinus figaro, uma das espécies de limpadores mais especializada. Este estudo registrou a diversidade de clientes e o período de atividade de limpeza de Elacatinus figaro nos recifes de coral dos Parrachos de Muriú, Rio Grande do Norte. Foram registradas 21 espécies de clientes pertencentes a 11 famílias, das quais 15 espécies (68,4 por cento do total de espécies) são ativas durante o dia, cinco (25,3 por cento) têm atividade noturna e uma (5,3 por cento) atividade diurna e noturna. Os clientes mais frequentes de E. figaro foram espécies de Haemulidae (25,6 por cento) e Pomacentridae (22,8 por cento) e a categoria trófica planctófago/invertívoro foi a mais representativa (23,6 por cento). A atividade de limpeza teve início entre 05h14 e 06h28 e término entre 17h13 e 17h25. Os tamanhos dos clientes de E. figaro variaram de 7-40 cm com média de 12-30 cm de comprimento total. Um total de 127 ± 3 interações de limpeza e 34 ± 1,7 minutos utilizados na limpeza por estação por dia (2-6 indivíduos de E. figaro) foi registrado.
Cleaner fishes remove ectoparasites, injured tissue, mucus and scales from the body surface of other fishes. This behavior is important for the maintenance and health of reef fish species. In the Brazilian coast there are 24 cleaner fish species, with Elacatinus figaro (a goby endemic to Brazil) being recognized as one of the most specialized. This study records the diversity of clients and the daily cleaning activity of Elacatinus figaro on coral reefs of Parrachos de Muriú, Rio Grande do Norte, Northeast Brazil. A total of 21 species belonging to 11 families were recorded, with 15 species of clients (68.4 percent of total) active during the day, five (25.3 percent) with nocturnal activity and one (5.3 percent) with diurnal and nocturnal activity. The most frequent clients recorded were grunts (Haemulidae; 25.6 percent of all cleaning events) and damselfishes (Pomacentridae; 22.8 percent), whereas planktivores/invertivores was the most frequently attended trophic category (23.6 percent). Cleaning activity started between 05h14-06h28 AM and ended between 5h13-5h25 PM. Size of clients ranged 7-40 cm (total length) and most individuals were medium-sized (12-30 cm). A total of 127 ± 3 cleaning events and 34 ± 1.7 minutes of cleaning activity were estimated per cleaning station per day (2-6 individuals of E. figaro).
ABSTRACT
O japim, Cacicus cela é uma espécie de Passeriformes que se reproduz em colônias e habita floresta úmida, floresta secundária incluindo floresta decídua e mata de galeria. O objetivo deste trabalho foi descrever aspectos da reprodução dessa espécie na Área de Proteção Ambiental do rio Curiaú, Macapá, Brasil. Oito colônias foram monitoradas em áreas antropizadas e em mata de galeria durante a estação reprodutiva. O tempo médio de construção dos ninhos foi de 19,8 ± 8,3 dias. A altura dos ninhos em relação ao solo variou de 4,0 a 8,0 metros em diferentes colônias. Considerando todos os ninhos, inclusive os que foram perdidos ou abandonados antes da fêmea fazer a postura, as colônias variaram de 11 a 115 ninhos, com média de 52,7 ± 38,7 ninhos. A estação reprodutiva teve início no mês de outubro. A razão sexual encontrada nos dados de captura foi de (1 macho: 2,7 fêmeas). Somente fêmeas foram vistas incubando os ovos e alimentando os ninhegos. Os cantos mais imitados pelos indivíduos de C. cela foram de aves das famílias Psittacidae, Falconidae, Ramphastidae e Cuculidae.(AU)
The yellow-rumped cacique Cacicus cela is a Passeriformes that breeds in colonies being common in secondary forest and woodland, including deciduous forest and gallery woodland. The purpose of this study was to describe several aspects of the reproduction of this species in the Curiaú Protection Area, Macapá, Brazil. Eight colonies were monitored in altered areas and gallery woodland during the breeding season. The building mean time was 19.8 ± 8.3 days. The height of the nests in relation to the ground varied of 4.0 the 8.0 meters in different colonies. Considering all the nests, also the ones that lost or had been abandoned before the female making the position, the colonies had varied of 11 the 115 nests, with 52.7 ± 38.7 nests. The reproductive station had beginning in the October month. The sex ratio in the capture data was of (1 male: 2.7 females). The incubation and fledgling was females. The song types more imitated by the individuals of C. cela were of birds of the families Psittacidae, Falconidae, Ramphastidae and Cuculidae.(AU)
Subject(s)
Animals , Reproduction , Birds , Parks, Recreational , BiologyABSTRACT
O japim, Cacicus cela é uma espécie de Passeriformes que se reproduz em colônias e habita floresta úmida, floresta secundária incluindo floresta decídua e mata de galeria. O objetivo deste trabalho foi descrever aspectos da reprodução dessa espécie na Área de Proteção Ambiental do rio Curiaú, Macapá, Brasil. Oito colônias foram monitoradas em áreas antropizadas e em mata de galeria durante a estação reprodutiva. O tempo médio de construção dos ninhos foi de 19,8 ± 8,3 dias. A altura dos ninhos em relação ao solo variou de 4,0 a 8,0 metros em diferentes colônias. Considerando todos os ninhos, inclusive os que foram perdidos ou abandonados antes da fêmea fazer a postura, as colônias variaram de 11 a 115 ninhos, com média de 52,7 ± 38,7 ninhos. A estação reprodutiva teve início no mês de outubro. A razão sexual encontrada nos dados de captura foi de (1 macho: 2,7 fêmeas). Somente fêmeas foram vistas incubando os ovos e alimentando os ninhegos. Os cantos mais imitados pelos indivíduos de C. cela foram de aves das famílias Psittacidae, Falconidae, Ramphastidae e Cuculidae.
The yellow-rumped cacique Cacicus cela is a Passeriformes that breeds in colonies being common in secondary forest and woodland, including deciduous forest and gallery woodland. The purpose of this study was to describe several aspects of the reproduction of this species in the Curiaú Protection Area, Macapá, Brazil. Eight colonies were monitored in altered areas and gallery woodland during the breeding season. The building mean time was 19.8 ± 8.3 days. The height of the nests in relation to the ground varied of 4.0 the 8.0 meters in different colonies. Considering all the nests, also the ones that lost or had been abandoned before the female making the position, the colonies had varied of 11 the 115 nests, with 52.7 ± 38.7 nests. The reproductive station had beginning in the October month. The sex ratio in the capture data was of (1 male: 2.7 females). The incubation and fledgling was females. The song types more imitated by the individuals of C. cela were of birds of the families Psittacidae, Falconidae, Ramphastidae and Cuculidae.
Subject(s)
Animals , Birds , Parks, Recreational , Reproduction , BiologyABSTRACT
This study presents the epidemiological profile of snake poisoning accidents notified to the Health Department of the State of Amapá. For this, 909 records over the period from 2003 to 2006 were analyzed. The greatest frequency of bites was in the year 2004, with 255 cases recorded, followed by the year 2006 with 246 cases. The largest numbers of patients were in the age range between 20 and 34 years (30%). The genera Bothrops and Crotalus accounted for 67.5% and 0.7% of the accidents, respectively. Snakes that are considered non-venomous caused 0.2% of the accidents, and it was not possible to identify the species in 31.2% of the cases. Male individuals were more affected (80.6%). The highest incidence of bites was on the lower limbs (68%). The accidents mostly occurred in rural areas (62.7%), during balanced work circumstances (60%) or leisure activities (15.6%). The time elapsed from the bite to attending the patient was 12 hours (29%). Among the snake poisoning accidents, 263 were classified as mild, 187 as moderate and 193 as serious.
Subject(s)
Snake Bites/epidemiology , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Animals , Brazil/epidemiology , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Infant , Male , Middle Aged , Rural Population , Seasons , Severity of Illness Index , Snake Bites/classification , Urban Population , Young AdultABSTRACT
O presente trabalho apresenta o perfil epidemiológico dos acidentes ofídicos notificados junto à Secretaria do Estado de Saúde do Estado do Amapá. Para isso, foram analisadas 909 fichas durante o período de 2003 a 2006. A maior freqüência de picadas foi no ano de 2004 com registro de 255 casos, seguido pelo ano de 2006 com 246 casos. Os números mais expressivos de pacientes encontram-se nas faixas etárias compreendidas entre 20 e 34 anos (30 por cento). Os gêneros Bothrops e Crotalus foram responsáveis por 67,5 por cento e 0,7 por cento dos acidentes, respectivamente. Serpentes consideradas não peçonhentas causaram 0,2 por cento dos acidentes e em 31,2 por cento dos casos não foi possível a identificação da espécie. Indivíduos do sexo masculino (80,6 por cento) foram os mais atingidos. A maior incidência de picadas foi nos membros inferiores (68 por cento). Os acidentes ocorreram, em sua maioria, na área rural (62,7 por cento), em circunstâncias equilibradas de trabalho (60 por cento) e lazer (15,6 por cento). O tempo decorrido entre a picada e o atendimento ao paciente foi de 12 horas (29 por cento). Dos acidentes ofídicos, 263 foram classificados como leves, 193 graves e 187 moderados.
This study presents the epidemiological profile of snake poisoning accidents notified to the Health Department of the State of Amapá. For this, 909 records over the period from 2003 to 2006 were analyzed. The greatest frequency of bites was in the year 2004, with 255 cases recorded, followed by the year 2006 with 246 cases. The largest numbers of patients were in the age range between 20 and 34 years (30 percent). The genera Bothrops and Crotalus accounted for 67.5 percent and 0.7 percent of the accidents, respectively. Snakes that are considered non-venomous caused 0.2 percent of the accidents, and it was not possible to identify the species in 31.2 percent of the cases. Male individuals were more affected (80.6 percent). The highest incidence of bites was on the lower limbs (68 percent). The accidents mostly occurred in rural areas (62.7 percent), during balanced work circumstances (60 percent) or leisure activities (15.6 percent). The time elapsed from the bite to attending the patient was 12 hours (29 percent). Among the snake poisoning accidents, 263 were classified as mild, 187 as moderate and 193 as serious.
Subject(s)
Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Animals , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Infant , Male , Middle Aged , Young Adult , Snake Bites/epidemiology , Brazil/epidemiology , Rural Population , Seasons , Severity of Illness Index , Snake Bites/classification , Urban Population , Young AdultABSTRACT
Peixes limpadores removem ectoparasitos, tecido doente, muco e escamas provenientes do corpo de outras espécies de peixes, sendo, portanto de fundamental importância para a manutenção do equilíbrio e da saúde dos peixes do ecossistema recifal. Estas interações de limpeza são conhecidas para cerca de 100 espécies de peixes, distribuídas em 19 famílias. O bodião de Noronha, Thalassoma noronhanum (Boulenger, 1890) é um labrídeo associado aos recifes de coral e endêmico da província brasileira, sendo considerado planctófago, zoobentófago e limpador de diversas espécies de peixes recifais. Foram registradas atividades de limpeza em 9 clientes na reserva biológica do Atol das Rocas. A atividade de limpeza ocorreu diariamente, entre as 06:13 e 18:15h, em locais determinados e conspícuos denominados estações de limpeza, tendo sido mais freqüentes durantes as marés baixas. Nas estações, a maioria dos clientes observados nos eventos de limpeza eram herbívoros (66,7 por cento), seguidos pelos carnívoros (22,3 por cento) e planctófagos (11,0 por cento) (AU)
Cleaner fishes remove ectoparasites, injured tissue, mucus and scales from the body surface of other fishes. This habit is important for the maintenance and health of reef fish species. This cleaning interactions is known for about 100 species of fish, distributed in 19 families. The Noronha wrasse, Thalassoma noronhanum (Boulenger, 1890) is a reef-associated labrid endemic to the Brazilian coast, being regarded as a planktivore, a zoobenthivore, and a cleaner of several reef fishes. Was recorded cleaning 9 client fish species at Atol das Rocas Biological Reserve. The cleaning symbiosis occurred daily, between the 06:13 and 18:15h, in definitive and conspicuous places called stations of cleanness, having been more frequent the low tides. In the stations, the majority of the clients observed in the cleaning events was herbivores (66,7 percent), followed for the carnivores (22,3 percent) and planktivorous (11,0 percent).(AU)
