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Vieira SEM, Grego KF, Blank MH, Novaes GA, Rodrigues FDS, Silveira GPMD, Castro RAD, Sant'Anna SS, Pereira RJG. Ejaculate characteristics over seasons in five species of lancehead pitvipers (Bothrops spp) kept in captivity. Zoo Biol 2023; 42:119-132. [PMID: 35652411 DOI: 10.1002/zoo.21713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Revised: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Due to their major medical importance in Latin America, lancehead pitvipers are frequently kept and bred in captivity for venom extraction to the production of antivenom serums. Nevertheless, despite the great contribution given to captive breeding, much of the knowledge of Bothrops' reproductive biology derived from sporadic and insufficient data provided by zoological collections. Thus, we aimed to investigate seasonal changes in gonadosomatic index (GSI) and seminal parameters (e.g., volume, concentration, motility, viability, and acrosome integrity) of five species of lancehead pitvipers from different biomes and phylogenetic groups, maintained in the indoors serpentarium at Butantan Institute (Brazil). Patterns of variation in GSI and semen parameters differed from one species to another, suggesting that captive populations should perhaps be managed distinctly to maximize reproductive success. Furthermore, in none of the studied species did changes in GSI occur concomitantly with seminal variations. GSI remained unaltered year-round for Jararaca (Bothrops jararaca) and Brazilian lancehead (Bothrops moojeni), whereas it peaked in the autumn for Common lancehead (Bothrops atrox), Jararacussu (Bothrops jararacussu), and Whitetail lancehead (Bothrops leucurus). But surprisingly, the scenario was inverted when we estimated the total number of motile spermatozoa per season, as Jararaca and Brazilian lancehead displayed seasonal differences and the other species did not vary throughout the year. Potential ecological and evolutionary factors underlying these differences were also discussed in the present article. Together, these findings can help to better define breeding management strategies for each species in captivity, in addition to optimizing the future use of artificial insemination and semen cryopreservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samira E M Vieira
- Laboratory of Herpetology, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Kathleen F Grego
- Laboratory of Herpetology, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Marcel H Blank
- Study Group for Avian Multiplication-GEMA, Department of Animal Reproduction, College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Gabriel A Novaes
- Study Group for Avian Multiplication-GEMA, Department of Animal Reproduction, College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | - Rafael A de Castro
- Laboratory of Herpetology, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Sávio S Sant'Anna
- Laboratory of Herpetology, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ricardo J G Pereira
- Study Group for Avian Multiplication-GEMA, Department of Animal Reproduction, College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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França RC, Morais M, França FGR, Rödder D, Solé M. Snakes of the Pernambuco Endemism Center, Brazil: diversity, natural history and conservation. Zookeys 2020; 1002:115-158. [PMID: 33363430 PMCID: PMC7746674 DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1002.50997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2020] [Accepted: 04/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The Atlantic Forest is one of the largest and richest tropical rainforests on the planet, being one of the 25 world priorities for conservation. The Atlantic Forest portion located north of the São Francisco River corresponds to the Pernambuco Endemism Center (PEC). We describe the snake composition of the PEC, providing information about the diversity, natural history and geographical distribution of the species, based on records from five scientific collections and additional information from the literature. A total of 78 species of snakes distributed in eight families was registered in the Pernambuco Endemism Center. The Caatinga is the Brazilian biome that most shares species with the PEC, followed by Cerrado. On the other hand, seven species are considered endemic of this region. Most of the snake species in the PEC have been registered in forest (94.8%), followed by “Brejos Nordestinos” (46.1%), Tabuleiros (43.5%), Restingas (14.1%) and Mangroves (5.1%). The PEC snake fauna includes mainly terrestrial species (60.2%) and cryptozoic and/or fossorial species (21.7%), but also presents a high richness of semi-arboreal and arboreal species (29.5%). Vertebrates are the main food item consumed by the species (78% of species), among the main prey are mammals, lizards, and amphibians. Most species show a strictly nocturnal activity period (50%), followed by strictly diurnal (38%). The PEC is the most degraded and least known region of the Atlantic Forest, yet it has revealed a high richness of snake species, including seven endemic species. It is emphasized that regional conservation efforts need to be intensified, because few forests in the region are formally protected, and the majority consist of small and poorly protected fragments, which means that many species in the region may be in risk of extinction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafaela C França
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ecologia e Conservação da Biodiversidade, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Rodovia Jorge Amado, Km 16, CEP 45662-900 Ilhéus, Bahia, Brazil.,Herpetology Section, Zoologisches Forschungsmuseum Alexander Koenig, Adenauerallee 160, 53113 Bonn, Germany
| | - Mayara Morais
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Zoologia, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, 11 Rodovia Jorge Amado, Km 16, CEP 45662-900 Ilhéus, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Frederico G R França
- Departamento de Engenharia e Meio Ambiente, Centro de Ciências Aplicadas e Educação, Universidade Federal da Paraíba - UFPB, Av. Santa Elizabete, s/n - Centro. CEP 58297-000, Rio Tinto, PB, Brazil
| | - Dennis Rödder
- Herpetology Section, Zoologisches Forschungsmuseum Alexander Koenig, Adenauerallee 160, 53113 Bonn, Germany
| | - Mirco Solé
- Herpetology Section, Zoologisches Forschungsmuseum Alexander Koenig, Adenauerallee 160, 53113 Bonn, Germany.,Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Rodovia Jorge Amado, km,16, 45662-900 Ilhéus, Bahia, Brazil
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Nery NM, Luna KP, Fernandes CFC, Zuliani JP. An overview of Bothrops erythromelas venom. Rev Soc Bras Med Trop 2017; 49:680-686. [PMID: 28001213 DOI: 10.1590/0037-8682-0195-2016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2016] [Accepted: 10/14/2016] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
This review discusses studies on the venom of Bothrops erythromelas published over the past 36 years. During this period, many contributions have been made to understand the venomous snake, its venom, and its experimental and clinical effects better. The following chronological overview is based on 29 articles that were published between 1979 and 2015, with emphasis on diverse areas. The complexity of this task demands an integration of multidisciplinary research tools to study toxinology. This science is in need of renewed conceptual and experimental platforms aimed at obtaining a profound understanding of the highly complex pathophysiology of snakebite envenoming and toxins isolated from snakes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neriane Monteiro Nery
- Laboratório de Imunologia Celular Aplicada à Saúde, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rondônia, Porto Velho, Brazil
| | - Karla Patrícia Luna
- Departamento de Biologia, Universidade Estadual da Paraíba, Campina Grande, Paraíba, Brazil
| | - Carla Freire Celedônio Fernandes
- Laboratório de Imunologia Celular Aplicada à Saúde, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rondônia, Porto Velho, Brazil.,Centro de Pesquisa em Medicina Tropical, Porto Velho, Rondônia, Brazil
| | - Juliana Pavan Zuliani
- Laboratório de Imunologia Celular Aplicada à Saúde, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rondônia, Porto Velho, Brazil.,Departamento de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Rondônia, Porto Velho, Rondônia, Brazil
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Abstract
The reproductive biology of Bothrops erythromelas, a small pit viper from the Caatinga, a semiarid biome in Brazil, is described based on analysis of individuals deposited in zoological collections. Males are smaller and also attain sexual maturity at a smaller size than females. Female reproductive cycle is seasonal with an extended period of secondary vitellogenesis and births occurring in a restricted period from late spring to early summer. Sperm storage in females may probably occur in infundibular tubular glands and uterine muscular twisting (UMT), which is a polymorphic condition within B. erythromelas. Seasonal spermatogenesis in males is variable with some intraspecific variation regarding the male reproductive stage per season. Most males are reproductively active during spring/summer and reproductively quiescent during autumn/winter, although some individuals vary (e.g., show testicular spermatogenesis and active sexual segment of the kidneys (SSK) during winter). The SSK could be identified in every male. Most males showed highly hypertrophied SSK in spring/summer and moderately hypertrophied SSK in autumn/winter. The ampulla ductus deferentis was observed and histochemical reactions were conducted. We discuss the probable influence of the unique environmental conditions of the Caatinga region and phylogenetic inertia in the reproductive patterns of this snake species.
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Natural History ofBothrops itapetiningaeBoulenger, 1907 (Serpentes: Viperidae: Crotalinae), an Endemic Species of the Brazilian Cerrado. J HERPETOL 2014. [DOI: 10.1670/12-191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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Vanzolini PE, Calleffo MEV. A taxonomic bibliography of the South American snakes of the Crotalus durissus complex (Serpentes, Viperidae). AN ACAD BRAS CIENC 2002; 74:37-83. [PMID: 11960177 DOI: 10.1590/s0001-37652002000100005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
A survey is made of the taxonomic literature on South American rattlesnakes (genus Crotalus, family Viperidae). Two main areas are emphasized: the attribution of the names proposed in the eighteenth century by Linnaeus and Laurenti, and the current scheme of division in subspecies. The attribution of names is examined based on the original descriptions and on relevant previous and contemporary literature. The presently adopted scheme, proposed by Klauber (1941, 1972) is found not entirely satisfactory, but reasonable enough--besides being hallowed by use. The scheme of geographical differentiation, intrinsically important and with broad practical implications (differentiation of the venom) is found to be the culmination of a long series of deficient analyses, and in urgent need of proper investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulo E Vanzolini
- Museu de Zoologia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, 04299-970, Brasil.
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Marques OA. Biologia reprodutiva da cobra-coral Erythrolamprus aesculapii Linnaeus (Colubridae), no Sudeste do Brasil. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 1996. [DOI: 10.1590/s0101-81751996000300022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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