Abstract in English:

ABSTRACT Ephydrini comprises 118 species (plus seven nomina dubia species) that are distributed in all biogeographical regions except Antarctica. The tribe currently includes 13 genera, of which three (Calocoenia Mathis, Ephydra Fallén, Paracoenia Cresson) include subgenera. The subgenus Ephydra and three other genera (Neoephydra Mathis, Notiocoenia Mathis, Setacera Cresson) include species groups. Representatives of all these groupings (genera, subgenera, and in most cases also species groups) are included in the phylogenetic analysis and taxonomic treatment. To test the monophyly of Ephydrini and to understand phylogenetic relationships among genera, a cladistic analysis was performed using equal and implicit character weightings based on the morphology of adult males and females. Species of all 13 genera of Ephydrini from different geographical regions were included to account for morphological and phylogenetic diversity. Also included in the analysis are species of the other tribes of the subfamily Ephydrinae to provide greater perspective on the phylogenetic position of Ephydrini within the subfamily and to serve as outgroups. In our analyses, cladograms from both equal weighting and implied weighting resulted in cladograms of 261 steps in length. The tribes Ephydrini, Dagini, and Scatellini were recovered as monophyletic lineages. The tribe Dagini is the sister lineage to the node giving rise to the tribes Scatellini and Ephydrini, and the latter two tribes were recovered as sister groups. Within Ephydrini, the implied weighting cladogram provided higher resolution among terminal taxa with the same number of steps and is thus our preferred cladogram. In this cladogram, all currently valid genera, including subgenera and species groups, were recovered as monophyletic lineages. Thus, no taxonomic changes are needed at the genus-group level. In the taxonomic section, the tribe Ephydrini is characterized, as are all included genera within the tribe. In addition, keys to all genera, subgenera, and species groups are provided to facilitate their identification.

Abstract in English:

ABSTRACT Urbanization may significantly impact wild population dynamics, even in protected green spaces. From 2016 to 2018, we accessed an assemblage of freshwater turtles isolated in an urban remnant of the Atlantic Forest, southern Brazil. We captured turtles by active search, hookless fishing, and funnel trap, and we marked them individually. Using a capture-mark-recapture method, we estimated population density, and movement, including home range size and habitat selection. Home ranges were estimated using the 100% minimum convex polygon method and habitat selections through eigenanalysis. We captured 41 specimens of Phrynops geoffroanus (Schweigger, 1812), 35 Trachemys dorbigni (Duméril & Bibron, 1835), and 20 Trachemys scripta elegans (Wied-Neuwied, 1839). The invasive T. dorbigni showed the highest density (1.72 individual/ha), followed by the native P. geoffroanus (1.36 individual/ha) and the invasive T. scripta elegans (0.87 individual/ha). Home range sizes for P. geoffroanus and T. dorbigni ranged between 0.04-0.48 ha, with the latter species covering the longest distance (525.8 m). All three species showed a preference for habitats influenced by human presence (walkways). Our findings highlight the anthropic influence on the movement of the freshwater turtle assemblage and underscore the need for enhanced protection of native species and control of invasive turtles. This study provides essential baseline data for future researches and management of urban areas.

Abstract in English:

ABSTRACT Habitat loss and fragmentation is the greatest threat to global biodiversity and is especially acute in biodiversity hotspots such as the Atlantic Forest of Brazil. Because the Brazilian fauna suffers from ongoing human impacts both inside and outside protected areas and their buffer zones, inventories of the faunal assemblages in these areas remain vital. Based on field surveys and the examination of museum specimens, we report on the herpetofauna of the buffer zone of Parque Estadual da Serra da Tiririca, located in the Brazilian state of Rio de Janeiro. Across nine sampling areas during 2017 and 2018, we documented 30 species of anurans, one caecilian, 18 snakes, eight lizards, and one crocodilian. This assemblage includes the first record for five species from the protected area. Our inventory offers fundamental information that can promote actions to maintain populations of these taxonomic groups and their habitats within and outside of this protected area.

Abstract in English:

ABSTRACT The Atlantic Forest has one of the richest avifaunas in the world, with endemic, migratory and endangered taxa. However, some of the ornithological knowledge produced there has yet to be organized and published, hindering effective conservation actions. For example, a study concluded in 2005 documented 213 species for Parque das Neblinas (PN), a private reserve located in the Serra do Mar in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, but there has been no update since. We retrieved, organized, and technically evaluated ornithological data produced for PN over the last 20 years, including that from articles, online platforms, occasional lists and a systematic inventory logging 250 field hours. Data consolidation resulted in 293 bird species for PN, including 88 endemic and nine threatened with extinction. Two-hundred and fifty-seven species were recorded by different researchers and bird observers while 141 were recorded by the field inventory, which added 24 species to the total list, showing great potential for new research. The PN bird community is typical of the São Paulo plateau, with the occurrence of species from coastal lowlands as well as drier areas in the interior, and represents an important area for the conservation of Atlantic Forest birds that is also suitable for bird observation and photography.

Abstract in English:

ABSTRACT Knowledge of neotropical freshwater gastrotrichs, especially in Brazil, has gained momentum in the past decades, with new species being discovered yearly, accumulating in the last 30 years more than 10% of known species worldwide. Nevertheless, there is still much to accomplish in the field, with large geographical gaps to be filled, especially in continental countries such as Brazil. In the present study, we report the partial results of an expedition that, for the first time, sampled the inland waters of Alagoas, Bahía, and Pernambuco states, Northeast Region, Brazil, and found ten species belonging to five genera of Chaetonotidae. We report the first occurrence in Brazil of Chaetonotus majestuosus Grosso & Drahg, 1984, originally described from Argentina, and the second record in Brazil of Chaetonotus dadayi Schwank, 1990, originally found in Paraguay, and the first occurrence beyond ‘terra typica’ of Heterolepidodermella jureiense Kisielewski, 1991, originally discovered in Southeastern Brazil. Furthermore, we report members of species in conformity to species originally described in European countries Chaetonotus cf. persetosus Zelinka, 1889, and Chaetonotus cf. oculifer Kisielewski, 1981, although further investigations are needed to confirm the occurrence of such widespread lineages. Finally, we list three putative undescribed species related to Lepidochaetus aff. zelinkai (Grünspan, 1908), Chaetonotus aff. hoanicus Schwank, 1990 and Chaetonotus aff. acanthocephalus Valkanov, 1937. This new survey increases the list of northeast Brazilian freshwater gastrotrichs to 13 species.

Abstract in English:

ABSTRACT Due to the hematophagous habits of females, some species of black fly (Diptera: Simuliidae) cause economic losses and health damages to humans and livestock. Several bioinsecticides based on the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis (Bti) have been widely used to control the populations of these insects. This study evaluates the susceptibility of black fly larvae to a new Bti solid effervescent formulation, comparing it with a commercial standard formulation, Vectobac® liquid formulation, under laboratory conditions. Also, the diversity of Simuliidae, and aspects of the water quality, were analyzed from streams in the municipality of Cascavel, state of Paraná, Brazil. Larvae were collected from streams in the urban and rural areas of Cascavel. In laboratory, larvae were exposed of the Bti formulations. Eighteen hours after application of the formulations, larval mortality was evaluated. The control group did not exceed 20% mortality, for concentrations of 50 and 60 mg/L, the mean mortality rates were 50.6% and 64.2%, respectively, and neither differed significantly from the Vectobac®. Samples from streams showed external fecal contamination during the eight weeks of monitoring, and water quality parameters that could interfere with the efficacy of Bti application at the site. The following species of black flies were collected and identified in the two watersheds sampled: Simulium pertinax, S. subpallidum, S. nigrimanum, S. rubrithorax, S. perflavum, and S. inaequale. The bioecological aspects of the breeding site were investigated and are presented here. This is the first report of black fly species for the municipality of Cascavel. The potential of the solid effervescent formulation was proven under laboratory conditions and the bioecological evaluations demonstrated the relevance of environmental diagnosis and monitoring in the optimization of control protocols for Simuliidae.

Abstract in English:

ABSTRACT The detectability of birds may shift seasonally in response to changes in environmental conditions and social interactions. Seasonal variation in bird behavior may influence the findings of avifaunal inventories, by making it difficult to detect some species, especially the rarest ones. We investigated how variation in rainfall patterns affects the detection of bird species in a fragment of tropical forest in the most threatened region of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, in its northern extreme. The data were collected between January and September 2018, and October to December 2019, during which, two observers walked transects within a forest fragment. Considering the complete set of species studied, detection correlated negatively with rainfall, with a decrease in detection of bird species two months before the onset of the rainy season, between February and June. We identified distinct patterns of variation in bird detection. While 10 bird taxa were detected throughout the year, others were detected more frequently during the dry season, or at the onset of the rainy season. A positive correlation was found between rainfall and the detection of Momotus momota marcgravianus Pinto & Camargo, 1961, Xiphorhynchus atlanticus (Cory, 1916), and Xenops minutus alagoanus Pinto, 1954. Negative correlations, with reduced detection, were found in relation to the onset of the rainy season in the detection of Hemitriccus griseipectus naumburgae (Zimmer, 1945) and Chiroxiphia pareola (Linnaeus, 1766). The combined detection of these species was more frequent between the peak of the dry season and the onset of the rainy season. We recommend scheduling future surveys in the study region during this period to maximise the likelihood of detecting the greatest number of species.

Abstract in English:

ABSTRACT Length-weight relationships (LWR) and length-length relationships (LLR), along with length at first maturity (L50), were estimated for 24, 25, and 16 freshwater fish species, respectively, caught in the Salto Osório Reservoir, Iguassu River Basin, Paraná State, Brazil. Sampling was conducted over a 20-year period at three sites within the reservoir’s influence area. Significant differences in LWR between sexes were observed in 15 fish species. Isometric growth (b = 3) was recorded in six species, with an average b-value of 2.87 (SE ± 0.06). The average b-value for LLR was 1.143 (SE ± 0.020), with significant differences between sexes found in 14 species. Length at first maturity was estimated for 16 species, with significant sex-based differences in L50 observed in two species. This study provides the first references for LWR, LLR, and L50 in nine, 12, and 10 species, respectively, as well as new maximum total lengths for 20 species. These parameter estimates can support assessments of species conservation status and inform models of fish growth, reproduction, and fisheries management.

Abstract in English:

ABSTRACT Two new species of Dasineura Rondani, 1840 from Brazil are described and illustrated based on specimens from the Entomological Collection of Museu Nacional, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (MNRJ): D. capsicicola sp. nov. and D. microstachysae sp. nov. The former attacks bud flowers of Capsicum annuum L. (Solanaceae), a plant economically important, commonly known as sweet pepper and the latter induces leaf galls on Microstachys corniculata (Vahl.) Griseb. (Euphorbiaceae), both plant species native to Brazil. Dasineura capsicicola, has 12-13 flagellomeres in male, 12-14 in female and 8th tergite divided longitudinally, pupa with long apical setae, long prothoracic spiracle, and dorsal spines present on the second to eighth abdominal segments, larva with two-toothed spatula without lateral projections. Dasineura microstachysae, has 15 flagellomeres in male, 14-15 in female, pupa with dorsal spines on the second to eighth abdominal segments, and larval spatula without prominent teeth. The new gall midges are compared with other congeneric Brazilian species and a key to segregate them is presented. Furthermore, the male of Dasineura tavaresi Maia, 1996 is described for the first time and label data from the holotype are corrected herein.

Abstract in English:

ABSTRACT Anura, one of the most studied taxa regarding intersexual selection, has been considered a model for experiments on female preferences for decades. Despite this, there is still much to learn about most species and different topics. We describe the current state of knowledge on anuran intersexual selection (e.g., most studied taxa, themes, types of signals, and traits) through a scientometric review. Our survey identified and classified 521 studies published between 1975 and 2022, and a yearly publication rate of 10.85 articles. Most studies were classified into the research themes of mating preferences (314) or mating success (180), while only a few fit into selection analysis (52) or signal recognition (22). In studies on mating preferences, acoustic features were the most explored, especially the female’s preference for the dominant frequency (79). Even though a considerable diversity was embraced in our survey (203 species), we found that most efforts concentrate on a small set of species (nearly 40% of the records are about the 10 most studied species). Of those, Engystomops pustulosos (63) and Dryophytes versicolor (60) are by far the most studied. Considering the type of signal, acoustic communication was explored more often (292 studies) in comparison to visual (35), acoustic-visual (23), and chemical (2) signals. Our findings in this review point to a considerable bias in anuran intersexual selection studies regarding species, themes, and types of signals studied, which we discuss. We also make recommendations for future studies.

Abstract in English:

ABSTRACT Ampullariids are freshwater snails distributed widely in tropical and subtropical regions of Asia, Africa, and the Americas. Asolene d’Orbigny, 1838, Felipponea Dall, 1919, Marisa Gray, 1824, and Pomacea Perry, 1810 constitute the New World genera. Despite their importance and wide distribution, the species limits are still confusing, especially in less studied genera such as Asolene. The original description of Asolene meta (Ihering, 1915) was based on a single shell, from the municipality of Barra, state of Bahia, northeast Brazil, but provided few characteristics to reliably distinguish it from congenerics. We redescribe A. meta based on topotypes and additional specimens from other localities of the São Francisco Basin, where this species is endemic. The combined characters of shell morphology (thick shell and wide and deep umbilicus), the respiratory siphon, and egg morphology (oviposition under water and non-calcareous eggs) confirmed A. meta as a valid species within Asolene. Key anatomical characters include, in males, a penis sheath with two accessory glands on the dorsal surface, one rugose apical and one smooth, a rounded internal basal gland, as well as one gland on the external basal surface; and in females, the pallial oviduct dominating the floor of the mantle cavity, a muscular, oval elongated seminal receptacle, two blind diverticula of the albumen gland and spiral lamellae on the capsule gland, embedded within a mass of parenchymal tissue, peach colored in live specimens. This is the first description of the internal anatomy of A. meta, the only species of the genus known to occur in northeast Brazil, extending from west of Bahia to Pernambuco.

Abstract in English:

ABSTRACT Low/cold ambient temperatures can induce hepatic damage in mammals, prompting the evolution of huddling as an adaptive strategy among small mammals to survive cold conditions in the wild. However, the specific mechanisms by which low/cold ambient temperatures and huddling influence the liver remain poorly characterized. This study examined the impact of huddling on liver glycogen and lipid metabolism in wild Brandt’s vole, Lasiopodomys brandtii (Radde, 1861) under low/cold ambient conditions. Results indicated that: (1) Compared to the Control group (CON), the Resting Metabolic Rate of the Cool separated group (CS) increased, whereas the Cool huddling group (CH) exhibited no change; (2) Liver glycogen content decreased, and glycogen phosphorylase activity increased in both the CH and CS groups compared to the CON group. However, CH showed a less pronounced reduction in glycogen content and attenuated glycogen phosphorylase hyperactivity compared to CS. Glycogen synthase activity remained consistent across all groups; (3) Compared with the CON group, the CS group exhibited decreased triglyceride content, fatty acid synthase activity, and acetyl-coenzyme A carboxylase activity. Conversely, triglyceride content and fatty acid synthase activity in CH were unchanged, while acetyl-coenzyme A carboxylase activity was higher compared to CS. Hepatic lipase activity was stable across all experimental groups. These results indicate that low/cold ambient temperatures decrease hepatic glycogen and lipid reserves in the livers of Brandt’s voles. However, huddling mitigates these effects by inhibiting glycogen breakdown and promoting lipid synthesis, thereby enhancing physiological resilience to cold stress.

Abstract in English:

ABSTRACT The assimineid Solenomphala scalaris (Heude, 1882) is present in the interface between freshwater and terrestrial habitats. It was originally described from China, but it has been recently recorded it from Singapore and Malaysia, in addition to possible records from Taiwan, Japan and Elba, Italy. Sampling efforts in four Brazilian states (Amazonas, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo and Santa Catarina) since 2009 recovered specimens similar to S. scalaris, always in anthropic sites. The shell, operculum, radula and penis largely agree with descriptions and images of S. scalaris available in the literature. The mitochondrial gene COI was sequenced for 25 specimens from Brazil, revealing that two genetic lineages (diverged by 1.9-2.5%) are widespread in that country, one of which is also present in China and Taiwan. Additional sampling in native and non-native sites is required to test whether S. scalaris is synonymous with other species from East Asia. Solenomphala scalaris is a cryptic exotic species; due to its minute shell and simple morphology, S. scalaris has most likely gone unnoticed in its introduced range.

Abstract in English:

ABSTRACT The emergence of non-native species as a threat to local biodiversity is a pressing concern that warrants immediate attention. Our study reports the first record of the non-native fish golden dorado, Salminus brasiliensis, for the Preguiças River Basin, Maranhão State, Northeastern Brazil, near the Parque Nacional dos Lençóis Maranhenses (PNLM). This discovery occurred when a single adult, measuring 77 cm in total length, was captured by artisanal fishers using gillnets in January 2024. This finding underscores the importance of ongoing monitoring efforts focused on the ichthyofauna of the Preguiças River Basin: the tributaries of the lower portion of the basin are located within and at the border of the PNLM area. Such monitoring initiatives are essential for comprehending the distribution range of S. brasiliensis and evaluating its potential impacts on local native freshwater species.

Abstract in English:

ABSTRACT Despite being crucial to forest ecosystems and biodiversity, primates globally face severe threats from trafficking, driven by demands for pets, traditional medicine, and biomedical research. Primate trafficking is a little-known issue in Bangladesh and has not been well-documented. This study investigates the recent trends and patterns of primate trafficking in Bangladesh from January 2021 to June 2024, utilizing secondary data from online news portals. We documented 19 trafficking incidents involving 32 primates across ten districts. Five species were identified as trafficked, with the capped langur, Bengal slow loris, and Western Hoolock Gibbon being the most affected. Traffickers predominantly targeted juveniles due to their manageability and appeal. Most of the animals were sourced from the Chattogram division and transported using public transport, with most interceptions made by the Bangladesh Police. Our findings highlight a structured trafficking network and call for comprehensive studies to trace the trafficking routes and economic transactions. This study underscores the urgent need for enhanced conservation measures, stricter enforcement of wildlife protection laws, and regional cooperation to combat primate trafficking effectively.

Abstract in English:

ABSTRACT We record a single juvenile specimen of a driftfish, Nomeus gronovii (Gmelin, 1789), in a shallow surf zone in the southern Brazilian waters. This is the southernmost record of N. gronovii on the South Atlantic. The specimen was identified based on morphological characters that had been unintentionally recorded with a small underwater video camera. Although the species is usually found in symbiotic association with the Portuguese man-of-war, a species of Physalia (Cnidaria: Hydrozoa), siphonophores were not found as part of this record. This finding emphasizes the role citizen scientists play in the process of recording poorly-documented species, thus helping to increase their known distribution range.