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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 Projects on river basin integration are keen social-economical drivers in dry regions like the Brazilian semiarid, however, there are concerning ecological impacts implied in those projects. In a long-term analysis, ichthyofauna colonization and spread through the East Axis of the São Francisco River Integration Project (SFIP) was monitored to assess possible impacts on the receiving Paraíba River basin. The fish were collected semiannually (2012 to 2021) from 19 sites in the São Francisco (SF) and Paraíba (PB) basins. A total of 69 fish species were recorded, with distinct fish assemblages between SF (n = 50), PB (n = 35), and the SFIP artificial reservoirs (n = 25). The SFIP reservoirs were colonized by species from the donor basin (SF). In a pioneer finding, Anchoviella vaillanti was recorded for the first time in the receiving basin and it is in the process of establishment. The two SF species that reached PB through the SFIP canals (A. vaillanti and Moenkhausia costae) may be using their year-round reproduction and wide diet to successful spread and colonize the new environment. Since we detected species with potential to reach the receiving basin and became invasives, the implementation of barriers to contain their spread are recommended.

Polymorphic variations may act on chromatic alterations, which in excess cause hyperpigmentation (melanic individuals), and when deficient are responsible for hypopigmentation (albinism, leuctic or piebald individuals) and may be associated with ecological aspects, physiology and other biological processes. In Brazil, leucism has been observed in a few carnivorous species and may represent a sporadic event in this group of animals, since chromatic alterations of hypopigmentation can cause negative effects on individuals, such as increased vulnerability to predation. Nevertheless, an individual of Cerdocyon thous with leucism was observed on the premises of the Campus of Agricultural Sciences of UNIVASF, a rural area of Petrolina, Pernambuco. When seen, the canidae exhibited the same behavioral characteristics as other normal specimens and fled to adjacent areas with natural vegetation.

http://dx.doi.org/10.5007/2175-7925.2014v27n2p217 Durante as atividades de resgate de fauna do Projeto de Integração do Rio São Francisco com as bacias do nordeste setentrional foram capturados 39 exemplares de Psychosaura agmosticha (Rodrigues, 2000) em localidades nos estados do Ceará, Paraíba e Pernambuco, região Nordeste do Brasil. Relacionamos estes registros aos encontrados na literatura e constatamos a espécie em quatro formações fitofisionômicas distintas: Dunas arenosas do rio São Francisco, caatinga arbustiva, caatinga arbórea e formações de florestas residuais e ecotonais. A ampliação da distribuição geográfica e os novos registros de ocorrência de P. agmosticha, bem como sua ocorrência em diferentes formações fitofisionômicas da Caatinga e em áreas de florestas residuais e ecótonos, demonstram que, apesar de sua distribuição geográfica ser mais ampla do que se conhecia, seu padrão de distribuição relictual ainda se mantém, em virtude da ocorrência de P. agmosticha estar relacionada à ocorrência de bromélias. Contudo, o endemismo da espécie para o bioma Caatinga parece não ser absoluto.