Ilha das Cobras: a perspectiva da mídia digital acerca de aspectos biológicos e ecológicos da jararaca-ilhoa (Bothrops insularis)

The internet is one of the world’s main communication channels these days. Unfortunately, because of its accessibility, this digital media also enables the circulation of biased and unreliable information, like fake news. Snakes, for example, are, to this day, target of the sensationalist media, which pictures them as scary and violent animals and makes people kill them because they think they’re evil beings. This may cause many snake species to be endangered, including the golden lancehead pit viper (Bothrops insularis). This species is endemic to Ilha da Queimada Grande and is object of misinformation on the part of many national and international communication channels. In this sense, this study aimed to identify false information about the biology and ecology of B. insularis disseminated by digital media in the last ten years, and, later, clarify them based on reliable sources to demystify the species in question. Incorrect data about the venom, habits, population size, diet, morphology, and reproduction of B. insularis were collected from internet sources and stored in tables and graphics, and then the frequency with which the data about each considered topic were found was calculated. A bibliographic survey was conducted to identify and clarify the wrong information that were found. A total of 174 false information about B. insularis was collected, given that 113 were about its venom (64,9%), 32 about its population size (18,4%), 12 about its habits (6,9%), eight about its diet (4,6%), seven about its body size (4%) and two about its reproduction (1,1%). These results highlight the necessity to invest even more in scientific divulgation and environmental education projects to bring people closer to these animals and make them understand their ecological roles and the importance of conserving all species of snakes, especially the endangered island species.

A internet é considerada atualmente um dos principais meios de comunicação do mundo. Paradigmaticamente, entretanto, decorrente de sua acessibilidade, essa mídia digital também permite a circulação de informações tendenciosas, pouco confiáveis ou inverídicas, como é o caso das fake news. As serpentes, por exemplo, são até hoje alvo da mídia sensacionalista, que as retrata como animais assustadores e violentos, fazendo com que as pessoas as matem por acharem que são seres maldosos. Isso acaba colocando em risco inúmeras espécies de serpentes, venenosas ou não, incluindo a jararaca-ilhoa (Bothrops insularis), endêmica da Ilha da Queimada Grande, a qual é objeto de desinformação por parte dos diversos veículos de comunicação digitais nacionais e internacionais. Desse modo, este estudo teve como objetivo identificar informações falsas referentes à biologia e ecologia de B. insularis veiculadas em meios digitais nos últimos dez anos e, posteriormente, esclarecê-las com base em fontes bibliográficas confiáveis para desmistificar a espécie estudada. Foi realizado um levantamento de fontes da internet que contivessem informações incorretas sobre o veneno, hábito, tamanho populacional, alimentação, morfologia e reprodução de B. insularis. Os resultados foram organizados em tabelas e gráficos, e foi calculada a frequência com que os dados sobre cada tópico analisado foram encontrados. Para a identificação e posterior esclarecimento dessas informações, foi realizado um levantamento bibliográfico em fontes científicas. Foram coletadas 174 informações falsas sobre B. insularis, sendo 113 sobre o veneno (64,9%), 32 sobre o tamanho populacional (18,4%), 12 sobre o hábito (6,9%), oito sobre a alimentação (4,6%), sete sobre o comprimento do corpo (4%) e duas sobre a reprodução (1,1%). Estes resultados evidenciam a necessidade de investir ainda mais em projetos de divulgação científica e educação ambiental, a fim de aproximar as pessoas desses animais e fazê-las entender sua função ecológica e a importância de conservar as diversas espécies ofídicas, em especial as insulares ameaçadas de extinção.

Evaluation of KIM-1 as an early biomarker of snakebite-induced AKI in mice.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is one of the most important complications of bothropic poisoning and its early identification remains challenging. The nephrotoxicity of Bothrops insularis venom (BinsV) was previously described by our research group. In this study, we continued to evaluate the effect of BinsV on kidney function in mice and LLC-MK2 proximal tubule cells, evaluating KIM-1 protein as an early AKI biomarker. Male Swiss mice were inoculated with BinsV intramuscularly and observed for 24 h in a metabolic cage model. Urine and blood were collected for biochemical analyses and the kidneys were examined for oxide-reducing balance and submitted to histological analysis. LLC-MK2 cells incubated with BinsV were assessed for cell viability and cell death mechanism by flow cytometry. Histological analysis of the kidneys indicated AKI and the oxide-reducing analyses demonstrated a decreasing in reduced glutathione (GSH) levels and an increasing on Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. BinsV was cytotoxic to LLC-MK2 and the cytometry analyses suggested necrosis. Within 24 h after the envenomation, urinary creatinine did not increase, but the urinary levels of KIM-1 increased. In conclusion, we found AKI evidence in the kidney tissue and the increase in the KIM-1 levels suggest it can be used as an early AKI biomarker.

Deworming protocols of island snakes kept in capitivity at the Butantan Institute

Bothrops insularis and B. alcatraz are critically endangered species inhabiting two different coastal islands of the state of São Paulo. Although they are closely related species, they show distinct morphological characteristics due to their isolation from the continent. There is a general lack of studies on conservation and captive husbandry of these species, including their parasites. Our aim was to evaluate the deworming protocols used in B. insularis and B. alcatraz in captivity. We evaluated three deworming protocols through fecal examination: (1) adult B. insularis were treated with ivermectin and praziquantel, (2) adult B. alcatraz were treated with ivermectin, and (3) juvenile B. insularis and B. alcatraz were treated with ivermectin. The snakes are kept in the Laboratory of Ecology and Evolution at the Instituto Butantan (São Paulo, Brazil) for conservation purposes. To evaluate the deworming protocols, we performed the Willis-Mollay (1921) technique. After treating with the first protocol, 19% of the animals showed only eggs of a pseudoparasite (Syphacia obvelata). After the second protocol, 75% of the animals showed cestodes (Ophiotaenia sp.). After the third protocol, 32% of the animals showed only the pseudoparasite, S. obvelata. The pseudoparasite was found only in B. insularis individuals that ate adult mice in captivity. However, cestode eggs were found only in those adult snakes of the second protocol that did not receive praziquantel. Based on the negative results for pathogenic parasites, we conclude that the first protocol was effective for adult snakes whereas the third protocol was effective for juveniles.

The golden lancehead Bothrops insularis (Serpentes: Viperidae) relies ontwo seasonally plentiful bird species visiting its island habitat

Adult individuals of the island pitviper Bothrops insularis have a diet based onbirds. We analysed bird species recorded in the gut of this snake and found that it relies on two out of 41 bird species recorded on the island.When present, these two prey species were among the most abundant passerine birds on the island. A few other migrant birds were very occasionally recorded as prey. A resident bird species(Troglodytes musculus) is the most abundant passerine on the island, but seems able to avoid predation by the viper. Bothrops insularis is most commonly found on the ground. However, during the abundance peak of the tyrannid passerine Elaeniachilensis on the island, more snakes were found on vegetation than on the ground. We suggest that one cause may be that these birds forage mostly on vegetation, and thus cause the snakes to search for prey on this arboreal substratum.

Sexual dimorphism in development and venom production of the insular threatened pit viper Bothrops insularis (Serpentes Viperidae) of Queimada Grande Island, Brazil

Bothrops insularis is a threatened snake endemic to Queimada Grande Island, southern coast of São Paulo, Brazil, and the occurrence of sexual abnormalities in females (females with functional ovaries and rudimentary hemipenis) has been reported in this population. To date there are few data regarding developmental features of this particular species. The aim of this study was to follow some developmental features in specimens maintained in captivity for seven years in the Herpetology Laboratory at Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, Brazil. We verified a pronounced sexual dimorphism in development and venom production in the specimens analyzed. In this regard, females showed greater length, mass and amount of venom in comparison to males. Our results suggest a possible niche partitioning between the sexes that reduces (or minimizes) intraspecific disharmonic interactions (eg. competition) on their small living area (Queimada Grande Island). Taken together, our data suggest that males and females probably are divergent in their diets, with females feeding preferentially on endothermic prey (such as migratory birds), while males maintain the juvenile diet (with the major items being ectothermic prey).

Bothrops insularis venomics: a proteomic analysis supported by transcriptomic-generated sequence data

A joint transcriptomic and proteomic approach employing two-dimensional electrophoresis, liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry was carried out to identify peptides and proteins expressed by the venom gland of the snake Bothrops insularis, an endemic species of Queimada Grande Island, Brazil. Four protein families were mainly represented in processed spots, namely metalloproteinase, serine proteinase, phospholipase A2 and lectin. Other represented families were growth factors, the developmental protein G10, a disintegrin and putative novel bradykinin-potentiating peptides. The enzymes were present in several isoforms. Most of the experimental data agreed with predicted values for isoelectric point and Mr of proteins found in the transcriptome of the venom gland. The results also support the existence of posttranslational modifications and of proteolytic processing of precursor molecules which could lead to diverse multifunctional proteins. This study provides a preliminary reference map for proteins and peptides present in Bothrops insularis whole venom establishing the basis for comparative studies of other venom proteomes which could help the search for new drugs and the improvement of venom therapeutics. Altogether, our data point to the influence of transcriptional and post-translational events on the final venom composition and stress the need for a multivariate approach to snake venomics studies.

Ação broncodilatadora e anti-inflamatória do 1, 8-cineol em modelo experimental de asma em cobaias [manuscrito] / Bronchodilator and anti-inflammatory action of 1, 8-cineole in experimental model of asthma in guinea pigs

Dentre as doenças obstrutivas das vias aéreas, a asma envolve processos broncoconstritores e inflamatórios, ambos fisiologicamente reversíveis. O uso terapêutico do 1,8-cineol (eucaliptol) nessa disfunção vem sendo estudado nos últimos anos. Nesse estudo, objetivou-se avaliar o efeito do eucaliptol na contratilidade da musculatura lisa das vias aéreas de cobaias sensibilizadas e desafiadas com antígeno, bem como estudar seus efeitos nos parâmetros fisiopatológicos das vias aéreas na fase inflamatória pós-desafio. Foram utilizados anéis de traquéia montados em câmara para órgão isolado para estudar a contratilidade. Os parâmetros inflamatórios foram estudados por meio de análise histológica, contagem das células inflamatórias, níveis de citocinas e de MPO no lavado broncoalveolar. Adicionalmente, foram verificadas as pressões inspiratória e expiratória e a freqüência respiratória desses animais, bem como o transporte mucociliar (TMC). O 1,8-cineol (6 x 10-6 a 2 x 10-2 M) induziu relaxamento concentração-dependente no tônus basal de preparações de animais naive com epitélio íntegro, cujo valor de pD2 correspondeu a 2.23 [2.10 – 2.37]. Em preparações com epitélio removido ou ainda em tecidos com o epitélio íntegro, mas na presença de L-NAME, TEA, TTX ou propranolol, não foram observadas alterações significativas da potência ou do efeito máximo (Emax) induzido por 1,8-cineol. O 1,8-cineol (6,5 x 10-6 a 6,5 x 10-3 M) foi capaz de reverter significativamente a resposta contrátil histaminérgica...

Avaliação dos efeitos renais e vasculares do veneno da bothrops insularis e de frações isoladas [Manuscrito] / Assessment of renal and cardiovascular effects of the venom of Bothrops insularis and isolated fractions [manuscript]

Foram investigados os efeitos do veneno da serpente Bothrops insularis e de suas frações, lectina, L-aminoácido oxidase, trombina símile e fosfolipase A2, no rim isolado e sistema vascular de rato. As frações foram purificadas a partir de uma combinação de procedimentos cromatográficos, usando colunas de HPLC de exclusão molecular, troca iônica, fase reversa e colunas de baixa pressão de afinidade. Foi utilizada a perfusão de rim isolado de rato e a solução de Krebs-Henseleit modificada (Bowman, 1970; Fonteles et al. 1998). Parâmetros selecionados da função renal foram avaliados durante as condições experimentais, com a infusão do veneno e suas frações, aos 60, 90 e 120 minutos. Os primeiros 30 minutos serviram de controle interno. No leito arterial sistêmico de rato (Ferreira, 1965) a pressão arterial foi avaliada por manômetro conectado por cânula à artéria carótida comum, e o veneno injetado na veia jugular. Os registros foram realizados a cada 10 minutos após a administração de doses crescentes do veneno, até a infusão da dose de 300μg, aos 60 minutos. Na Perfusão do leito arterial mesentérico isolado de rato (McGregor, 1965), utilizou-se a solução de Krebs-Henseleit em fluxo constante de 4mL/minuto. A pressão de perfusão foi registrada manometricamente. A avaliação estatística foi determinada por análise de variância (ANOVA) e teste de Bonferroni, com nível de significância menor de 5%. No rim, o grupo tratado com o veneno apresentou redução em todos os parâmetros avaliados, com exceção da absorção de potássio. Com a lectina a pressão de perfusão aumentou inicialmente e caiu em seguida, juntamente com o fluxo urinário e o ritmo de filtração glomerular...