Latest Articles from Neotropical Biology and Conservation Latest 11 Articles from Neotropical Biology and Conservation https://neotropical.pensoft.net/ Thu, 28 Mar 2024 12:22:59 +0200 Pensoft FeedCreator https://neotropical.pensoft.net/i/logo.jpg Latest Articles from Neotropical Biology and Conservation https://neotropical.pensoft.net/ Recent observations of Dermochelys coriacea (Vandelli, 1761), in the waters of Pacific Panama https://neotropical.pensoft.net/article/81465/ Neotropical Biology and Conservation 17(1): 103-110

DOI: 10.3897/neotropical.17.e81465

Authors: Eric E. Flores

Abstract: The situation of the Eastern Tropical Pacific subpopulation of the leatherback sea turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) is critical due to the drastic declines of nesting females. Evidence of the presence of leatherback sea turtles along the Pacific coast of Panama is anecdotal and is based on the local knowledge of local residents. I present here an uncommon observation of a subadult and an adult D. coriacea in the waters off the coast of Azuero Peninsula in central Panama. These observations indicate the need for intensive surveys along this coast that in part may rely on key local informants to urgently implement conservation efforts for this species.

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Short Communication Tue, 22 Mar 2022 12:15:09 +0200
Strandings of sea turtles on beaches around the oil capital in Brazil https://neotropical.pensoft.net/article/68662/ Neotropical Biology and Conservation 16(4): 521-538

DOI: 10.3897/neotropical.16.e68662

Authors: Raísa da Silva Costa Rêgo, Eric Azevedo Cazetta, Caio Henrique Gonçalves Cutrim, Amanda Soares Miranda, Ana Paula Albano Araújo, Vinícius Albano Araújo

Abstract: The south-western region of the Atlantic Ocean has feeding and nesting areas for the five species of sea turtles registered in Brazil, which are in different degrees of extinction threat, mainly due to anthropogenic factors. Fishing and the ingestion of solid waste, were identified as causing stranding and the mortality of sea turtles. In this work, data from the monitoring of beaches in the Municipalities of Macaé and Rio das Ostras, important oil zone in Brazil, in the north-central region of the State of Rio de Janeiro, were used in order to analyse the effects of seasonality on the sea turtle stranding. The monitoring was carried out daily from September 2017 to June 2019, in a study area covering 23.8 km long beach. Stranding data were obtained from active (n = 126) and passive (n = 66) monitoring of beaches and included the records of Chelonia mydas (n = 151), Caretta caretta (n = 23), Lepidochelys olivacea (n = 14), Dermochelys coriacea (n = 2) and Eretmochelys imbricata (n = 1). The largest stranding record occurred in the summer (n = 61) and spring (n = 60), a period compatible with the reproductive season of the species. The results obtained in this study emphasise the importance of the analysis of strandings of sea turtles, which provide relevant data on the biology of the group, the intra and interspecific dynamics and the state of conservation of these animals.

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Research Article Fri, 17 Dec 2021 09:44:50 +0200
Ecology and morphology of the dwarf bromeliad boa Ungaliophis panamensis (Squamata, Boidae, Ungaliophiinae) in Costa Rica and Panama https://neotropical.pensoft.net/article/57872/ Neotropical Biology and Conservation 16(2): 317-331

DOI: 10.3897/neotropical.16.e57872

Authors: Todd R. Lewis, Rowland K. Griffin, Irune Maguregui Martin, Alex Figueroa, Julie M. Ray, Josh Feltham, Paul B. C. Grant

Abstract: Ecological and morphological data on Ungaliophis panamensis is extremely limited as this species is rarely encountered. These knowledge gaps have been advanced in this study where data was analysed from a small sample of snakes collected in two tropical forested environments in Costa Rica and Panama. Standardised major axis testing and a Bayesian latent variable ordination revealed that the species is sexually dimorphic, closely associated with tree trunks in natural forested areas, and occasionally discovered in rural buildings. Although further investigation into its natural history is warranted, this study shows that even with just a few individuals it is possible to elucidate ecological information that is relevant to the conservation of snake species.

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Research Article Tue, 18 May 2021 14:24:29 +0300
Nest site selection and nesting behavior of the mud turtle Kinosternon scorpiodes (Testudines, Kinosternidae) in Palo Verde National Park, Costa Rica: implications for management https://neotropical.pensoft.net/article/60754/ Neotropical Biology and Conservation 16(2): 273-287

DOI: 10.3897/neotropical.16.e60754

Authors: José M. Mora, Franklin E. Castañeda

Abstract: Habitat selection is the process whereby individuals preferentially use, or occupy, a non-random set of available habitats. At the same time, nest site selection is defined as the placement of eggs by females at sites differing from random sites within a delimited area. We located 59 nests of the mud turtle Kinosternon scorpioides in Palo Verde National Park (PVNP) in Northwestern Costa Rica. We compared eight microhabitat variables at nest sites against those at random sites. Females significantly placed their eggs at sites with more understory, leaf litter cover, and greater leaf litter depth than in random sites. Additionally, females selected sites with lower air and soil temperature and lower air humidity. Palo Verde NP is subject to active management actions designed to control invasive plant species in the wetland, namely cattail (Thypha domingensis Pers.). The main actions have been cattle grazing, controlled fires, and mechanical crushing of vegetation. We found that habitat quality in nesting areas is being threatened by at least one of these actions: cattle grazing. This is detrimental for three microhabitat traits that turtles select for nesting sites: understory cover, leaf litter cover, and leaf litter depth. The continued degradation of microhabitats at nesting areas of K. scorpioides at PVNP could be affecting recruitment due to embryo survivorship.

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Research Article Wed, 12 May 2021 10:04:35 +0300
An annotated list of the reptiles of the highland grassland of Tandilia Mountains, Argentina https://neotropical.pensoft.net/article/60629/ Neotropical Biology and Conservation 16(1): 185-204

DOI: 10.3897/neotropical.16.e60629

Authors: David Gustavo Vera, Diego Omar Di Pietro, Germán Tettamanti, Manuel Eirin, Clara Trofino Falasco, María Florencia Aranguren, Jorge Daniel Williams, Federico Pablo Kacoliris, Igor Berkunsky

Abstract: The study of biodiversity is a fundamental step to develop conservation strategies. Reptile populations are immersed in a global crisis, due to anthropic disturbances. Almost the entire Pampa ecoregion in Argentina was modified for agricultural and livestock activities, the only remnants of mountain native grasslands in Buenos Aires province being the Tandilia and Ventania mountain systems. Ventania reptiles have been exhaustively researched in last years, while Tandilia counts with fewer studies. We presented an actualized reptiles list of the Tandilia Mountain System. We used five data sources to collect presence records: literature, fieldwork, museum collection, citizen science, and a online database. The composition of reptiles from the Tandilia Mountain range includes 26 species in 12 families. Due to the presence of several endemic reptiles, and the representativeness of more than half of the reptiles of Pampa Ecoregion, Tandilia would be useful to determine conservation priority areas to conserve the native grassland and their reptile fauna.

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Research Article Tue, 9 Mar 2021 10:25:36 +0200
Filling gaps in the southern range of the endangered snake Philodryas agassizii: new localities in Tandilia highland grassland, Argentina https://neotropical.pensoft.net/article/51815/ Neotropical Biology and Conservation 15(3): 351-357

DOI: 10.3897/neotropical.15.e51815

Authors: David Gustavo Vera, Igor Berkunsky, Germán Tettamanti, Manuel Eirin, Federico Pablo Kacoliris, Diego Omar Di Pietro

Abstract: Philodryas agassizii is an endangered snake of shrubland and grasslands well preserved in Argentina, Paraguay, Brazil, and Uruguay. In the southeastern area of its range, this snake was only found associated with highland grassland of the Tandilia and Ventania mountain systems, Argentina. In this work, we described six new records of Philodryas agassizii from the Tandilia Mountain System, which represent four new localities for the species. These records extend the known range of Philodryas agassizii in the Tandilia mountain system, 100 km from the closest previously known site.

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Short Communication Tue, 18 Aug 2020 10:20:42 +0300
Use of microhabitat and activity patterns of two lizard species from a seasonal dry forest in northern Colombia https://neotropical.pensoft.net/article/49713/ Neotropical Biology and Conservation 15(2): 153-164

DOI: 10.3897/neotropical.15.e49713

Authors: Pedro Luis Atencia, Cristian José Castillo, Luis Fernando Montes

Abstract: In this work, the microhabitat use and activity patterns of two lizard species with sympatric distribution were evaluated in a dry forest fragment within the department of Sucre, northern Colombia. Data was collected in May, June, September and October of 2017, using the active search method limited by time (7:00 and 19:00 hours). Substrates used, spatial distribution and time of capture were recorded for individuals of the species Loxopholis rugiceps (Cope 1869) and Lepidoblepharis sanctaemartae (Ruthven 1916). Complementarily, environmental and physical parameters were recorded, which allowed us to characterise the microhabitats of the species. A total of 276 lizards were recorded, 177 belonging to the species Loxopholis rugiceps and 99 to Lepidoblepharis sanctaemartae. The results showed similar resource use by the two species for the spatial dimension, with both exploiting different terrestrial elements mainly from the interior forest, followed by the riverbed stream and forest edge. Differences were found in the daily activity patterns between species, with individuals of L. sanctaemartae more frequently recorded in the morning hours and L. rugiceps in the afternoon hours. The activity patterns did not differ by age groups: juveniles and adults. Both species were more frequently found in the litter substrate within the forest, followed by rocks and bare ground. Our results indicate that both species are tolerant to matrix conditions, however, they require internal forest conditions to exploit food resources and refuge.

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Research Article Mon, 8 Jun 2020 14:22:11 +0300
New defensive behaviour of the false coral snake Oxyrhopus rhombifer Duméril, Bibron & Duméril, 1854 (Serpentes, Dipsadidae) in south-eastern Brazil https://neotropical.pensoft.net/article/48564/ Neotropical Biology and Conservation 15(1): 71-76

DOI: 10.3897/neotropical.15.e48564

Authors: Clodoaldo Lopes de Assis, Jhonny José Magalhães Guedes, Letizia Miriam Gomes de Jesus, Renato Neves Feio

Abstract: Anti-predator mechanisms are essential for species survival and the description of defensive behaviour may improve our understanding about the ecology, biology and evolution of species. Herein, we describe new anti-predator behaviour for the False Coral Snake Oxyrhopus rhombifer in south-eastern Brazil, through direct observation of a juvenile specimen under laboratory settings. We recorded 10 types of defensive behaviour, seven of which are new records for this species and one of them (body vibration) is the first report for Brazilian snakes. Such behaviour may be explained by ontogeny or physical constraints. We highlight that O. rhombifer may be capable of recognising different threat levels imposed by predators and, accordingly, adjusting its defensive behaviour.

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Short Communication Thu, 19 Mar 2020 10:52:46 +0200
Rediscovery of the enigmatic forest racer snake, Dendrophidion boshelli Dunn, 1944 (Serpentes, Colubridae): actions for the conservation of a critically endangered species https://neotropical.pensoft.net/article/39572/ Neotropical Biology and Conservation 14(4): 577-589

DOI: 10.3897/neotropical.14.e39572

Authors: Julian Andrés Rojas-Morales, Mateo Marín-Martínez, Juan Camilo Zuluaga-Isaza

Abstract: Dendrophidion boshelli is a poorly known and endemic snake species from the Middle Magdalena river valley in Colombia. It was described in 1944 based on a single specimen from the municipality of Caparrapí, department of Cundinamarca. Since the original description, only three additional specimens have been established. As part of the results of a herpetological monitoring in the Miel I Hydroelectric project, department of Caldas-Colombia, three additional specimens of D. boshelli were found in 2014–2015. The specimens represent the second known population of the species. We presented morphological data and pholidosis; description of the coloration in life, and a description of the habitat. Recently, D. boshelli was included as a Critically Endangered (CR) species in the Red Book of Reptiles of Colombia, and the IUCN Redlist. For this reason, to promote the local conservation of this and other endemic and threatened species in the Miel I area, we suggested some actions at the local level, such as establishing a conservation area with legal status in the Middle Manso River basin, which is a tributary of the Miel I Hydroelectric project.

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Research Article Mon, 30 Dec 2019 10:36:36 +0200
Oviposition observation of Tropidodryas serra (Serpentes: Dipsadidae) https://neotropical.pensoft.net/article/35410/ Neotropical Biology and Conservation 14(1): 137-141

DOI: 10.3897/neotropical.14.e35410

Authors: Edelcio Muscat, Elsie Rotenberg, Iberê Farina Machado

Abstract: Tropidodryas serra is an endemic snake from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest and despite its wide distribution, little is known about its ecology. Tropidodryas serra is an oviparous snake, but there are few available data on its reproductive cycle. In this paper, we present the first report of oviposition of T. serra in captivity with successfully hatching. A pregnant female was captured in the area of Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) Dacnis Project, Ubatuba-SP, southeastern Brazil, and held captive. The spawning of 7 eggs and the development of offspring were observed. The eggs (measuring 4x1.35 cm in average) hatched in 90 days, with 6 healthy neonates and 1 stillborn. Based on a unique successful hatching of T. serra eggs in captivity, the present study confirmed with naturalistic data reproductive characteristics of the species, such as egg laying in December and low number of atresic eggs, corroborating that the species should present few reproductive events and concentrated throughout the rainy season.

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Short Communication Fri, 12 Apr 2019 16:50:03 +0300
Effect of sand granulometry on the egg hatchling success of the sea turtle Caretta caretta https://neotropical.pensoft.net/article/34836/ Neotropical Biology and Conservation 14(1): 43-54

DOI: 10.3897/neotropical.14.e34836

Authors: Maria Fernanda Tacchi, Fernanda Peres Quirino, Diego Júnior Martins Ferreira, Lílian Gomes Afonso, Federico Tognin, Daniel Negreiros

Abstract: The environmental characteristics of nesting sites of sea turtles may directly interfere with the egg hatchling success. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the factors that affect the success of hatchling in the nests of the loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta). Data from 37 nests of C. caretta from the coast of Mata de São João, Bahia, northeastern Brazil, were obtained from TAMAR, Sauípe station. Samples of sand were collected in each nest to determine the granulometry. A significant negative relationship was found between the stillborn rate and the fine sand ratio (r2 = 0.119; p = 0.036), indicating that a larger fraction of fine sand had a positive effect on nest hatchling success. The egg laying date also had a significant influence on the rate of stillbirths (r2 = 0.163; p = 0.013), with a trend towards a higher stillbirth rate, the later the laying date of the eggs. There is indication that the transfer of eggs to sites with more favorable characteristics may be considered as a potential alternative to increase the hatchling success rate of C. caretta eggs.

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Research Article Thu, 11 Apr 2019 14:30:00 +0300