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The Painted Coral Snake Micrurus corallinus is one of the Brazilian species kept in captivity to obtain venom for antivenom production. Difficulties in establishing a sizeable breeding colony make it necessary to find alternatives that increase the reproductive efficiency of captive individuals. Here, we tested a semen collection protocol and characterize the seminal parameters of captive M. corallinus. We collected semen during the mating season of the species (spring-summer) and were successful at every first attempt. Spermatozoa of M. corallinus are elongated and filiform, and the midpiece is the longest part. Sperm motility and progressive motility reached values of 80% and 3.6%, respectively, during the reproductive period of this species. Our results will allow further studies to improve husbandry, reproductive rates, and conservation of captive M. corallinus.

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A total of 86 proven cases of Tomodon dorsatus bites admitted to Hospital Vital Brazil (HVB) of Butantan Institute, in São Paulo, Brazil, between 1945 and 2018, were retrospectively analyzed. The cases included were those in which the snake was brought to HVB and was correctly identified. Of the 86 cases of snake bites, it was possible to describe the sex of the snake in 52 cases; 31 (59.6%) snakes were male. Only 52 snakes out of 86 could be studied because of their preservation status. The length of snakes (snout-vent length) ranged from 180 to 770 mm. Of the 86 snakes, 72 could be distinguished as adults (n = 63, 87.5%) or juveniles (n = 9, 12.5%). Most bites occurred in the spring and summer seasons (n = 57, 66.3%) and during warmer periods of the day (n = 61, 72.6%), between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. The mean (±standard deviation) age of the victims was 26.9 ±â€¯17.2 years, and 60 (69.8%) were men. Approximately 90% of the patients sought medical care within 6 h after the bite. Both upper (n = 45, 52.3%) and lower (n = 37, 43.0%) limbs were the most frequently bitten, particularly the feet and hands (n = 54, 62.8%). The local clinical manifestations were pain (n = 55, 64.0%), transitory bleeding (n = 23, 26.7%), erythema (n = 22, 25.6%), edema (n = 14, 16.3%), paresthesia (n = 9, 10.5%), and ecchymosis (n = 3, 3.5%). Only 10 (11.6%) patients reported non-specific systemic symptoms characterized by transient dizziness or mild headache, and 21 (24.4%) patients showed no evidence of envenomation. A 20 min whole blood clotting test was performed in 31 (36.0%) patients on admission and all of them had coagulable blood. Supportive treatment was offered to 38 (44.2%) patients, namely, antiseptic (n = 20, 23.3%), antihistamines (n = 12, 14.0%), and analgesics (n = 9, 10.5%). Four (4.7%) patients were inappropriately treated with Bothrops antivenom before their admission to HVB. No sequelae or relevant complications were observed in patients, and the prognosis was benign. Therefore, although T. dorsatus bites can cause mild local symptomatology, it is important that health professionals know how to make the correct diagnosis to avoid unnecessary use of antivenom.

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The genus Hepatozoon represents one of six genera in the hemogregarine group. Some studies in snakes indicated effects in the host, from slight influences on fitness to severe effects on growth rate, reproduction and offspring survival rates. Diagnosis and identification are usually through blood smear analyses; but not all infected animals show parasitemia. Based on this, the present study established an adapted molecular protocol to identify Hepatozoon spp. to be used as a complementary test for routine diagnoses at the Clinical Analysis Laboratory at São Paulo Zoological Park Foundation. The study was conducted with 113 individuals. Microscopical analysis and molecular techniques were used to identify the parasite. Microscopic analyses showed 13.3% of the samples to be positive. The first pair of primers, targeting 18S rRNA gene, amplified parasite DNA in 6.3% of the samples. The second pair of primers, targeting Apicoplast fragment, were used only on samples that were identified microscopically as being positive, detecting the presence of parasite DNA in 93.3% of these. Phylogenetic analysis of the resulting sequences found five clusters for the 18S gene and five clusters for the Apicoplast fragment. Studies involving Hepatozoon spp. are still scarce and limited, mainly in snakes and the impacts of this parasite on the vertebrate host, so diagnostic studies are essential for wildlife conservation, especially in ex situ work.

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A total of 86 proven cases ofTomodon dorsatusbites admitted to Hospital Vital Brazil (HVB) of ButantanInstitute, in São Paulo, Brazil, between 1945 and 2018, were retrospectively analyzed. The cases included werethose in which the snake was brought to HVB and was correctly identified. Of the 86 cases of snake bites, it waspossible to describe the sex of the snake in 52 cases; 31 (59.6%) snakes were male. Only 52 snakes out of 86could be studied because of their preservation status. The length of snakes (snout–vent length) ranged from 180to 770 mm. Of the 86 snakes, 72 could be distinguished as adults (n = 63, 87.5%) or juveniles (n = 9, 12.5%).Most bites occurred in the spring and summer seasons (n = 57, 66.3%) and during warmer periods of the day(n = 61, 72.6%), between 9A.M. and 3P.M. The mean ( ± standard deviation) age of the victims was 26.9 ± 17.2 years, and 60 (69.8%) were men.Approximately 90% of the patients sought medical care within 6 h after the bite. Both upper (n = 45, 52.3%)and lower (n = 37, 43.0%) limbs were the most frequently bitten, particularly the feet and hands (n = 54,62.8%). The local clinical manifestations were pain (n = 55, 64.0%), transitory bleeding (n = 23, 26.7%), er-ythema (n = 22, 25.6%), edema (n = 14, 16.3%), paresthesia (n = 9, 10.5%), and ecchymosis (n = 3, 3.5%).Only 10 (11.6%) patients reported non-specific systemic symptoms characterized by transient dizziness or mildheadache, and 21 (24.4%) patients showed no evidence of envenomation. A 20 min whole blood clotting test wasperformed in 31 (36.0%) patients on admission and all of them had coagulable blood. Supportive treatment wasoffered to 38 (44.2%) patients, namely, antiseptic (n = 20, 23.3%), antihistamines (n = 12, 14.0%), and an-algesics (n = 9, 10.5%). Four (4.7%) patients were inappropriately treated withBothropsantivenom before theiradmission to HVB. No sequelae or relevant complications were observed in patients, and the prognosis wasbenign. Therefore, althoughT. dorsatusbites can cause mild local symptomatology, it is important that healthprofessionals know how to make the correct diagnosis to avoid unnecessary use of antivenom.

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Imantodes cenchoa (Duméril, 1853) is an arboreal, nocturnal and oviparous xenodontine snake, which feeds on amphibians and lizards. It is found in Central and South America, including northern and central Brazil. In this work, we investigated the relationship between topographic anatomy and habitat in I. cenchoa. Twenty specimens (13 non pregnant females and 7 males) were examined. The topographic anatomy study was realized through observations of the internal anatomy, particularly the position and size of lung, heart, liver, left and right gonads and left and right kidneys. Results showed that all the organs are located in a posterior position in relation to the snout vent length (SVL). The centre of gravity is found at about 74% of SVL in both males and females. In males, no positive allometry was observed among the positions of the organs. Negative allometry in females was observed regarding the position of the anterior tip of the left kidney, the anterior and posterior tips of the right kidney and in both ovaries. In males, negative allometry is present in the position of all the organs. The distance between the last follicle and the cloaca was 8.78% of SVL. Our data corroborate the idea that the posterior position of all internal organs is linked to a habitat specialization of a snake, linking the arboreal species I. cenchoa with a relatively posterior internal topography.

Imantodes cenchoa (Duméril, 1853) es una serpiente xenodontinea, arbórea, noctura y ovípara, que se alimenta de anfibios y largartos. Se encuenta en América Central y del Sur, incluyendo las partes Norte y Central de Brasil. En este trabajo, investigamos la relaciones entre la Anatomía Topográfica y hábitat en I. cenchoa. Fueron examinados 20 especímenes (13 hembras no preñadas y 7 machos). El estudio de la Anatomía Topográfica fue realizada a través de observaciones de la anatomía interna, particularmente la posición y tamaño del pulmón, corazón, hígado, gónadas y riñones derechos e izquierdos. Los resultados mostraron que todos los órganos están localizados en una posición posterior, en relación a la entrada de la longitud del hocico(SVL). El centro de gravedad se encuentra a 74% de SVL en machos y hembras. En los machos, no fue observada alometría positiva entre la posición de los órganos. Fue observada alometría negativa en las hembras, considerando la posición del extremo anterior del riñón izquierdo, los extremos anterior y posterior del riñón derecho y ambos ovarios. En machos, se presentó alometría negativa en la posición de todos los órganos. La distancia entre el último folículo y la cloaca fue 8.78% de SVL. Nuestros datos corroboran la idea que la posición posterior de todos los órganos internos está marcada por una especialización al hábitat de una serpiente, marcando la especie arbórea I. cenchoa con una especial topografía interna posterior.

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Enfoca a criaçäo do Horto Oswaldo Cruz, proposta pelo Dr. Arthur Neiva, que assume a direçäo do Serviço Sanitário do Estado de Säo Paulo em 1916. O objetivo do horto botânico seria o cultivo de plantas de importância médica e o fornecimento de recursos à medicina, orientaçäo do público na cura de moléstias e açäo contra o charlatanismo.(AU)

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A dieta e o comportamento alimentar da seprente-coral Erythrolamprus aesculapii, do sudeste e sul brasileiro, säo aqui descritos. Erythrolamprus aesculapii utiliza principalmente colubrídeos terrícolas na sua alimentaçäo. As etapas principais da seqüência predatória consistem em captura, manipulaçäo e ingestäo, na qual a presa é habitualmente engolida viva, a partir da cauda. Durante a manipulaçäo E. aesculapii parece tirar proveito das tentativas de fuga da serpente apresada para alcançar sua porçäo posterior. A presença de indivíduos opistóglifos nas populaçöes de E. aesculapii provavelmente é vantajosa para a subjugaçäo de serpentes, uma presa difícil de lidar e potencialmente perigosa

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The venom of P. olfersii has high hemorrhagic, edema-inducing and fibrin(ogen)olytic activities. It is devoid of thrombin-like, procoagulant, phospholipase A2 and platelet aggregating enzymes. The main activities are metalloproteinases inhibited by metal chelators (EDTA and 1,10-phenanthroline) and sulfhydryl compounds (DTT and cysteine). The hemorrhagic and fibrinogenolytic enzymes were partially purified by gel filtration on HPLC. The hemorrhagic activity of the venom was neutralized by commercial horse antivenoms to Bothrops species, as well as by rabbit antisera specific for hemorrhagic factors isolated from these Bothrops venoms. No immunoprecipitin reactions were obtained, indicating that the few epitopes of the P. olfersii hemorrhagin are involved in these neutralization reactions. The fibrinogenolytic enzyme cleaves A á-chain more quickly than the B â-chain of human fibrinogen. The venom also solubilizes fibrin. This solubilization appears to occur from the hydrolysis of unpolymerized á-chain and cross-linked ã-ã dimer. The fibrin peptide products are distinct from those produced by plasmin.

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