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Abstract In the Atlantic Forest, species distributions are not uniform. The biome has been divided into 8 biogeographic sub-regions, such as the Pernambuco Center of Endemism (PCE), in northeastern Brazil. Nísia Floresta National Forest (Flona) is a protected area situated in the municipality of Nísia Floresta, Rio Grande do Norte state, harboring native vegetation (Atlantic Forest and "Restingas or Tabuleiros") as well regenerating areas, with experimental plots of exotic plants for timber production. Herein, we present, for the first time, a species list of the herpetofauna surveyed at Flona over the past 10 years, using a standardized, long-term sampling design along with visual encounter surveys. We conducted monthly surveys across the area using 84 pitfall traps randomly distributed in 21 arrays throughout the forest's three phytogeographic zones (Restinga, Atlantic Forest, and Regeneration). In addition, we characterized ground-dwelling herpetofauna community diversity across these three zones over the course of an entire year. We collected a total of 39 species of reptiles (among lizards, snakes, chelonians, alligators, and amphisbaenians) and 24 species of frogs. The most frequent family found for reptiles was Dipsadidae, followed by Colubridae. In frogs, Leptodactylidae was the most common, followed by Hylidae. Herpetofaunal diversity in regeneration areas is smaller than forests, which in turn are marginally less diverse than the Restinga. Community descriptors such as equity, presence of exclusive species, and differences in abundances and composition indicate that distinct management strategies for each zone are needed for this protected area. At last, albeit smaller, diversity in regenerating areas is similar to natural areas, a reassuring result considering the significant deforestation the Atlantic Forest has suffered and the urgent need for restoration initiatives.

Resumo Na Mata Atlântica, as distribuições de espécies não são uniformes. O bioma foi dividido em 8 sub-regiões biogeográficas, como o Centro de Endemismo de Pernambuco (CEP), no nordeste do Brasil. A Floresta Nacional de Nísia Floresta (Flona) é uma área protegida situada no município de Nísia Floresta, no Estado do Rio Grande do Norte, abrigando vegetação nativa (Mata Atlântica e "Restingas ou Tabuleiros"), bem como áreas em regeneração, com parcelas experimentais de plantas exóticas para produção de madeira. Aqui, apresentamos, pela primeira vez, uma lista de espécies da herpetofauna levantada na Flona ao longo dos últimos 10 anos, utilizando uma amostragem padronizada e de longo prazo, juntamente encontros visuais e ocasionais. Realizamos levantamentos mensais em toda a área utilizando 84 armadilhas de queda distribuídas aleatoriamente em 21 conjuntos ao longo das três zonas fitogeográficas da floresta (Restinga, Mata Atlântica e Regeneração). Além disso, caracterizamos a diversidade da herpetofauna terrestre nessas três zonas ao longo de um ano inteiro. Coletamos um total de 39 espécies de répteis (entre lagartos, serpentes, quelônios, crocodilianos e anfisbênios) e 24 espécies de anfíbios. A família mais frequente encontrada para os répteis foi Dipsadidae, seguida por Colubridae. Para anfíbios, Leptodactylidae foi a mais comum, seguida por Hylidae. A diversidade da herpetofauna em áreas de regeneração é menor do que em florestas, que por sua vez são marginalmente menos diversas do que a Restinga. Descritores da comunidade, como equidade, presença de espécies exclusivas e diferenças em abundâncias e composição indicam que estratégias de manejo distintas para cada área são necessárias para esta área protegida. Por fim, embora menor, a diversidade em áreas de regeneração é semelhante às áreas naturais, um resultado animador considerando o significativo desmatamento que a Mata Atlântica sofreu e a urgente necessidade de iniciativas de restauração.

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Abstract We present the first detailed inventory of the lizard fauna of Alto Sertão region, west of Sergipe state, based on three field expeditions carried out by the authors and specimens deposited at the Herpetological Collection of Universidade Federal de Sergipe. The three inventories were carried out between 2010 and 2016, in the municipalities of Canindé de São Francisco, Poço Redondo, Monte Alegre de Sergipe, Nossa Senhora da Glória, and Porto da Folha. In total, we sampled 9,485 lizards of 19 species (10 families) of which 10 are new records for the study area. The most abundant species were Ameivula ocellifera, Tropidurus hispidus and T. semitaeniatus. Thirteen species were considered as widely distributed in Caatinga, five presented a relictual distribution and one was exotic. We suggest that future research focus mainly on non-sampled areas and should prioritize the municipalities of Gararu, Nossa Senhora da Glória and Nossa Senhora de Lourdes since they are localities with little or no sampling records.

Resumo Apresentamos o primeiro inventário detalhado da fauna de lagartos da região do Alto Sertão sergipano, nordeste do Brasil, a partir de três expedições de campo realizadas pelos autores e exemplares depositados na Coleção Herpetológica da Universidade Federal de Sergipe. Os três inventários foram realizados entre 2010 e 2016, nos municípios de Canindé de São Francisco, Poço Redondo, Monte Alegre de Sergipe, Nossa Senhora da Glória e Porto da Folha. No total, foram amostrados 9.487 lagartos de 19 espécies (10 famílias), das quais 10 são novos registros para a área de estudo. As espécies mais abundantes foram Ameivula ocellifera, Tropidurus hispidus e T. semitaeniatus. Treze espécies foram consideradas com ampla distribuição na Caatinga, cinco apresentaram distribuição relictual e uma exótica. Sugerimos que futuras pesquisas se concentrem principalmente em áreas não amostradas e priorizem os municípios de Gararu, Nossa Senhora da Glória e Nossa Senhora de Lourdes por se tratarem de localidades com pouca ou nenhuma amostragem.

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We compared lizard endoparasite assemblages between the Atlantic Forest and naturally isolated forest enclaves to test the ecological release hypothesis, which predicts that host specificity should be lower (large niche breadth) and parasite abundance should be greater for parasites from isolated forest enclaves (poor assemblages) than for parasites from the coastal Atlantic Forest (rich assemblages). Parasite richness per specimen showed no difference between the isolated and non-isolated areas. Parasite abundance did not differ between the isolated and non-isolated areas but showed a positive relationship with parasite richness considering all areas (isolated and non-isolated). Furthermore, host specificity was positively related to parasite richness. Considering that host specificity is inversely proportional to the host range infected by a parasite, our results indicate that in assemblages with greater parasite richness, parasites tend to infect a smaller range of hosts than do those in simple assemblages. In summary, our study partially supports the ecological release hypothesis: in assemblages with greater parasite richness, lizard parasites from Atlantic Forest are able to increase their parasite abundance (per host), possibly through facilitated infection; however, the amplitude of infected hosts only expands in poor assemblages (lower parasite richness).

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Abstract: Although anuran tadpoles are widely distributed and abundant in tropical aquatic habitats, there is a lack of taxonomic keys for the Atlantic Forest. Herein, we developed a dichotomous key for identifying the tadpoles for all species with known larval phase and already recorded in the Atlantic Forest north of the São Francisco River. We analyzed discrete characteristics of 1,042 tadpoles encompassing 63 species of 28 genera from 32 localities. The user-friendly key includes illustration and pictures, and it is a significant step towards improving our knowledge of tadpoles of the Atlantic Forest.

Resumo: Embora os girinos de anuros sejam amplamente distribuídos e abundantes em habitats aquáticos tropicais, não há chaves taxonômicas suficientes para as espécies da Mata Atlântica. Aqui, desenvolvemos uma chave dicotômica para identificar os girinos de todas as espécies com fase larval conhecida e já registradas nesse bioma, ao norte do rio São Francisco. Nós analisamos características discretas de 1.042 girinos pertencentes a 63 espécies (28 gêneros) de 32 localidades. Esta chave de identificação inclui ilustrações e imagens, sendo um passo significativo para um melhor conhecimento dos girinos da Mata Atlântica.

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Spatial patterns of genetic variation can help understand how environmental factors either permit or restrict gene flow and create opportunities for regional adaptations. Organisms from harsh environments such as the Brazilian semiarid Caatinga biome may reveal how severe climate conditions may affect patterns of genetic variation. Herein we combine information from mitochondrial DNA with physical and environmental features to study the association between different aspects of the Caatinga landscape and spatial genetic variation in the whiptail lizard Ameivula ocellifera. We investigated which of the climatic, environmental, geographical and/or historical components best predict: (1) the spatial distribution of genetic diversity, and (2) the genetic differentiation among populations. We found that genetic variation in A. ocellifera has been influenced mainly by temperature variability, which modulates connectivity among populations. Past climate conditions were important for shaping current genetic diversity, suggesting a time lag in genetic responses. Population structure in A. ocellifera was best explained by both isolation by distance and isolation by resistance (main rivers). Our findings indicate that both physical and climatic features are important for explaining the observed patterns of genetic variation across the xeric Caatinga biome.

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Currently, plastics are recognized as a major pollutant of the marine environment, representing a serious threat to ocean wildlife. Here, we examined the occurrence and effects of plastic ingestion by sea turtles found stranded along the coast of Paraíba State, Brazil from August 2009 to July 2010. Ninety-eight digestive tracts were examined, with plastic found in 20 (20.4%). Sixty five percent (n = 13) of turtles with plastic in the digestive tract were green turtles (Chelonia mydas), 25% (n = 5) were hawksbills (Eretmochelys imbricata), and 10% (n = 2) were olive ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea). More plastic was found in the intestine (85%) than in other parts of the gastrointestinal tract. We observed complete blockage of the gastrointestinal tract due to the presence of plastic in 13 of the 20 turtles that had ingested plastic. No correlation was found between the curved carapace length (CCL) and the number or mass of the plastic ingested items. Significant differences were found between the intake of hard and soft plastic and the ingestion of white/transparent and colored plastic, with soft and white/transparent plastics being more commonly ingested. This study reveals the serious problem of plastic pollution to sea turtles at the area.

Atualmente, os plásticos são reconhecidos como um dos principais poluentes do ambiente marinho, representando uma séria ameaça para a vida marinha. Neste trabalho, nós examinamos a ocorrência e os efeitos da ingestão de plástico por tartarugas marinhas encontradas encalhadas ao longo da costa do estado da Paraíba, Brasil, de agosto de 2009 a julho de 2010. Noventa e oito tratos gastrointestinais foram examinados e plásticos foram encontrados em 20 (20,4%). Sessenta e cinco por cento (n = 13) das tartarugas com plástico no trato gastrointestinal eram da espécie verde (Chelonia mydas), 25% (n = 5) eram da espécie pente (Eretmochelys imbricata) e 10% (n = 2) eram da espécie oliva (Lepidochelys olivacea). Foi encontrado mais plástico no intestino (85%) do que em outras partes do trato gastrointestinal. Observou-se o completo bloqueio do trato gastrointestinal, devido à presença de plástico, em 13 das 20 tartarugas que ingeriram plástico. Não foi encontrada correlação entre o comprimento curvilíneo de carapaça (CCC) e o número ou massa dos itens plásticos ingeridos. Diferenças significativas foram encontradas entre a ingestão de plástico rígido e flexível e entre a ingestão de plástico branco/transparente e colorido, com os flexíveis e brancos/transparentes sendo ingeridos com mais frequência. Este estudo revelou o grave problema da poluição por resíduos plásticos para as tartarugas marinhas nesta área.

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Currently, plastics are recognized as a major pollutant of the marine environment, representing a serious threat to ocean wildlife. Here, we examined the occurrence and effects of plastic ingestion by sea turtles found stranded along the coast of Paraíba State, Brazil from August 2009 to July 2010. Ninety-eight digestive tracts were examined, with plastic found in 20 (20.4%). Sixty five percent (n = 13) of turtles with plastic in the digestive tract were green turtles (Chelonia mydas), 25% (n = 5) were hawksbills (Eretmochelys imbricata), and 10% (n = 2) were olive ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea). More plastic was found in the intestine (85%) than in other parts of the gastrointestinal tract. We observed complete blockage of the gastrointestinal tract due to the presence of plastic in 13 of the 20 turtles that had ingested plastic. No correlation was found between the curved carapace length (CCL) and the number or mass of the plastic ingested items. Significant differences were found between the intake of hard and soft plastic and the ingestion of white/transparent and colored plastic, with soft and white/transparent plastics being more commonly ingested. This study reveals the serious problem of plastic pollution to sea turtles at the area.(AU)

Atualmente, os plásticos são reconhecidos como um dos principais poluentes do ambiente marinho, representando uma séria ameaça para a vida marinha. Neste trabalho, nós examinamos a ocorrência e os efeitos da ingestão de plástico por tartarugas marinhas encontradas encalhadas ao longo da costa do estado da Paraíba, Brasil, de agosto de 2009 a julho de 2010. Noventa e oito tratos gastrointestinais foram examinados e plásticos foram encontrados em 20 (20,4%). Sessenta e cinco por cento (n = 13) das tartarugas com plástico no trato gastrointestinal eram da espécie verde (Chelonia mydas), 25% (n = 5) eram da espécie pente (Eretmochelys imbricata) e 10% (n = 2) eram da espécie oliva (Lepidochelys olivacea). Foi encontrado mais plástico no intestino (85%) do que em outras partes do trato gastrointestinal. Observou-se o completo bloqueio do trato gastrointestinal, devido à presença de plástico, em 13 das 20 tartarugas que ingeriram plástico. Não foi encontrada correlação entre o comprimento curvilíneo de carapaça (CCC) e o número ou massa dos itens plásticos ingeridos. Diferenças significativas foram encontradas entre a ingestão de plástico rígido e flexível e entre a ingestão de plástico branco/transparente e colorido, com os flexíveis e brancos/transparentes sendo ingeridos com mais frequência. Este estudo revelou o grave problema da poluição por resíduos plásticos para as tartarugas marinhas nesta área.(AU)

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We compare lizard assemblages of Cerrado and Amazonian savannas to test the ecological release hypothesis, which predicts that niche dimensions and abundance should be greater in species inhabiting isolated habitat patches with low species richness (Amazonian savannas and isolated Cerrado patches) when compared with nonisolated areas in central Cerrado with greater species richness. We calculated microhabitat and diet niche breadths with data from 14 isolated Cerrado patches and Amazon savanna areas and six central Cerrado populations. Morphological data were compared using average Euclidean distances, and lizard abundance was estimated using the number of lizards captured in pitfall traps over an extended time period. We found no evidence of ecological release with respect to microhabitat use, suggesting that historical factors are better microhabitat predictors than ecological factors. However, data from individual stomachs indicate that ecological release occurs in these areas for one species (Tropidurus) but not others (Ameiva ameiva, Anolis, Cnemidophorus, and Micrablepharus), suggesting that evolutionary lineages respond differently to environmental pressures, with tropidurids being more affected by ecological factors than polychrotids, teiids, and gymnophthalmids. We found no evidence that ecological release occurs in these areas using morphological data. Based on abundance data, our results indicate that the ecological release (density compensation) hypothesis is not supported: lizard species are not more abundant in isolated areas than in nonisolated areas. The ecology of species is highly conservative, varying little from assemblage to assemblage. Nevertheless, increases in niche breadth for some species indicate that ecological release occurs as well.

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