Iara Alves Novelli

A New Species of Polystomoides Ward, 1917 (Monogenea: Polystomatidae) from Freshwater Chelonians (Testudines: Chelidae) in Brazil

This report describes the first occurrence of Polystomoides brasiliensis n. sp. (Monogenea: Polystomatidae), a new monogenean species in the buccal and pharyngeal cavities of the freshwater turtles in Brazil. Live monogeneans were collected from Hydromedusa maximiliani and Phrynops geoffroanus at the Mariano Procópio Museums lake, in Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Polystomoides brasiliensis differs from all other species of this genus in having 8–9 genital spines, except for Polystomoides uruguayensis, which has 8–10 genital spines. However, the new species differs morphometrically from P. uruguayensis in the greater size of the outer and inner hamuli, as well as having a testis that is proportionally greater than the pharynx and oral sucker. The current study is the first report of monogeneans in chelonians of Brazil, and the first record of helminths in H. maximiliani.

Reptilia, Testudines, Chelidae: Hydromedusa tectifera : distribution extension in Brazil

The genus Hydromedusa comprises two recognized species, H. maximiliani (Mikan, 1820) and H. tectifera Cope, 1869 from southern South America (Ernst and Barbour 1989, Fritz and Hava 2007). The geographic distribution of Hydromedusa tectifera is restricted to Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay, and Uruguay (Pritchard 1979; Ernst and Barbour 1989; Lema and Ferreira 1990; Fritz and Hava 2007). In Brazil, the range of this species was restricted to the São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Paraná, Santa Catarina, and Rio Grande do Sul states (Pritchard 1979; Ernst and Barbour 1989; Lema and Ferreira 1990; Lema et al. 2002; Ribas and Monteiro Filho 2002; Rocha et al. 2004; Santos et al. 2005; Ghizoni-Jr and Graipel 2005; Souza, 2005; Noleto et al. 2006; Pontes et al. 2006; Quintela et al. 2006; Fagundes and Bager 2007; Fritz and Havas 2007), in locations at sea level up to 1120 m above sea level (Ribas and Monteiro Filho 2002; Souza 2005; Pontes, et al. 2005; Quintela et al. 2006). According to Souza (2005) all records of this species are in the Atlantic rainforest biome. However, this species was recorded in the Pampa biome by Fagundes and Bager (2007).

Assemblage of squamate reptiles in a natural remnant of Cerrado in southern Minas Gerais, Brazil

Considered one of the most threatened biomes, the Cerrado currently has more than half of its original area converted into other types of land-use and little is known about the reptiles inhabiting this biome in Minas Gerais state. We quantified the species richness of Squamata and assessed the faunal composition in the Reserva Biologica Unilavras – Boqueirao. We recorded six snake species and 10 lizard species in the various physiognomies. The highest species richness was observed in the gallery forest, followed by the cerrado sensu stricto and rupestrian fields. Gallery forest and cerrado sensu stricto had similar compositions. The rarefaction curves suggest it is possible that other species may occur in the study area as well as new occurrence records of some species and the distribution expansion of others for this biome in Minas Gerais.

Reptilia, Squamata, Gymnophthalmidae, Heterodactylus imbricatus Spix, 1825: Filling gaps in the state of Minas Gerais

Heterodactylus imbricatus occurs in southeastern of Brazil in areas of high altitude Atlantic rainforest. We collect one adult female and one adult male of this species in Reserva Biologica Unilavras - Boqueirao, in municipality of Ingai (MG). The habitat encompasses riparian forest associated with Cerrado biome.

Morphological and histological characterization of sexual segment of the kidney in Notomabuya frenata (Cope, 1862) and Aspronema dorsivittatum (Cope, 1862) (Squamata, Mabuyidae)

The kidneys in two viviparous species of Neotropical lizards, Notomabuya frenata and Aspronema dorsivittatum (Mabuyidae), were investigated by light and scanning electron microscopy in order to determine the presence of the sexual segment of the kidney (SSK) and to study its morphology. The individuals used in this study belong to the Herpetological Collection of the Herpetology Laboratory - Reptiles of the Federal University of Juiz de Fora (CHUFJF-Reptiles) and they were collected between the years 2008 and 2012 from the Cerrado region in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The SSK was present only in sexually mature males (with sperm in the testes / epididymis), whereas it was absent in sexually immature males. The nephron in both species consists of renal corpuscle, proximal convoluted tubule, distal convoluted tubule, collecting duct and sexual segment of the kidney. The SSK of the analyzed species were coated with a simple columnar epithelium, with high cells, basal nucleus and in the apical portion innumerable secretory granules. This study adds to the knowledge on reproductive biology and structures related to reproductive strategies of both lizard species and viviparous Neotropical lizards.

Evaluation of injuries caused by anthropic action in snakes from Brazil

Human behavior toward wild animals is defined by cultural influences and often is affected by lack of knowledge, mainly in situations of confrontation. The present study was conducted between 2008 and 2013, involving analysis of snakes that had suffered injuries belonging to the reptile collections of Centro Universitário de Lavras and Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora. The injuries were classified according to location on the body. Among the 449 specimens analyzed, 245 specimens showed injury to some part of the body. The nonvenomous snakes were the most representative and had a higher rate of injury (66.3%) than the venomous ones (18.2%). The body region where the greatest percentage of injuries was recorded was the anterior (39.6%), followed by the middle (36.5%) and posterior (8.4%). We believe this fact may have resulted due the lack of knowledge on how to differentiate species. Studies of the relationship between schooling level and contact with environmental education activities demonstrate reduction of attacks on these animals. This fact indicates that the preservation of many species is related to awareness and education of the population.