RESUMO

Snakes engaged in agonistic encounters may employ visual and tactile displays that sometimes culminate in ritual combat. Here, we describe novel male-male ritual combat behaviors in South American coral snakes in the Micrurus ibiboboca complex based on the largest observational dataset of ritual combat for any species of the genus Micrurus. The dataset includes 85 photographs and four videographs from six respective observation records of male snakes. We observed four of these fights during the daytime and two during the night. All observations were random encounters in different natural environments during transitional dry seasons (i.e., early dry season between April and June in the west, and the early wet season between August and September on the east coast). During each respective period, precipitation is < 100 mm and is accompanied with decreasing and increasing temperatures, respectively. The following behaviors were observed: recognition, ascent, and alignment. These were followed by orientation, entwining and twisting, rolling, and hovering; then, oblique display stances and topping (including lyre-shaped positioning and dorsal hyperextension). The topping attempts were from high oblique display positions with one male attempting to force the head of the other down. We also observed snapping, where snake opponents twist the heads of each other creating a quick snap-like sound. We suggest these complex ritual displays communicate dominance between snakes.

RESUMO

Abstract: The main goal of this work was to investigate how the abundance and richness of Arctiinae moths varies over time, during the night. Specifically, we analyzed the following questions: (1) Is there a relationship between Arctiinae abundance and richness with the temperature and relative humidity? (2) What are the hours of activity of each species of moth? (3) Does the species composition differ over night? (4) Is it necessary to sample this group of moths throughout the night to have a representative sample of the species? We sampled the moths in Emas National Park (17°49'-18°28'S and 52°39'-53°10'W), Brazil. We selected seven sampling points in an area of savanna. At each sampling point, we collected the Arctiinae moths with a light trap (with a 15-W black light fluorescent light bulb), reflected in a white cloth (2 x 3 m) extended vertically. We sampled the moths in seven consecutive nights (one night in each sampling point, from December 13 to December 19, 2012, from 7 p.m. until 7 a.m.). We divided the samplings in twelve periods over the night, with an hour each. At each period of time, we measured the temperature and the relative humidity with a digital termohygrometer. We sampled 149 individuals belonging to 17 species of Arctiinae moths. Most species (70.5%) were active only for one or two hours at night. The species differed in terms of time activity. The higher abundance occurred at 8 p. m. (44 individuals), followed by 38 individuals at 9 p. m. and 23 at 10 p. m. The species richness was also higher in the early hours of the night. The temperature was the only variable that showed a positive and significative relationship with the Arctiinae moth abundance. The species richness was not influenced neither by the temperature nor by the relative air humidity. The possible causes of the peak of abundance and species richness in specific hours of the night are discussed.

Resumo: Este trabalho teve como objetivo principal investigar como a abundância e a riqueza de mariposas Arctiinae variam temporalmente, ao longo do período noturno. Especificamente, analisamos as seguintes questões: (1) existe relação entre a abundância e a riqueza de Arctiinae e a umidade relativa do ar e a temperatura? (2) qual é o horário de atividade de cada espécie de mariposa? (3) a composição de espécies difere ao longo da noite? (4) é necessário amostrar esse grupo de mariposas ao longo de toda a noite para ter uma amostra representativa das espécies? Realizamos as amostragens no Parque Nacional das Emas (17°49'-18°28'S e 52°39'-53°10'W), Brasil. Selecionamos sete pontos amostrais em uma área de campo cerrado. Em cada ponto, coletamos as mariposas Arctiinae utilizando uma fonte luminosa (lâmpada UV de 15 W) refletida em um pano branco (2 x 3 m) estendido na vertical. Coletamos as mariposas durante sete noites consecutivas (uma noite por ponto, entre os dias 13 e 19 de dezembro de 2012, das 19:00 até as 07:00). Dividimos o período noturno em doze faixas de uma hora. Medimos a temperatura e a umidade relativa do ar com auxílio de um termohigrômetro digital. Amostramos 149 indivíduos pertencentes a 17 espécies de mariposas Arctiinae. A maioria das espécies (70,5%) esteve ativa apenas por uma ou duas horas durante a noite. As espécies diferiram em termos de horário de atividade. O horário das 20 h apresentou uma maior abundância (44 indivíduos), seguido do horário das 21 (38) e das 22 h (23). A riqueza também foi maior nas primeiras horas da noite. Somente a temperatura foi positivamente correlacionada com a abundância de mariposas. A riqueza de mariposas não foi influenciada nem pela temperatura nem pela umidade relativa do ar. As possíveis causas das diferenças em termos de horários de atividade são discutidas..

RESUMO

La suposición general ha sido que los lagartos son activos cuando las condiciones climáticas son favorables. Homonota uruguayensis (Vaz-Ferreira & Sierra de Soriano, 1961) es la única lagartija nativa - y la lagartija nocturna - que vive en el norte de bioma Pampa. La ecología de esta especie es poco conocida y este estudio tuvo como objetivo describir su patrón de actividad diaria y anual y su relación con las temperaturas ambientales. El estudio se llevó a cabo en el extremo sur de Brasil (Rosário do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul), a partir de mayo 2010 - enero 2011, en un afloramiento rocoso situado en el bioma Pampa. El estudio totalizó cuatro excursiones de campo estacionales y 1185 horas. Los datos fueron recogidos a lo largo de los turnos de 6 horas durante el día y la noche. El área fue recorrida aleatoriamente en cada turno siempre registrandose la actividad y el microhabitat utilizado por los lagartos. A lo largo del estudio, 1541 especímenes se registraron. Homonota uruguayensis presentó hábito diurno y nocturno en las cuatro estaciones, con períodos de actividad diaria variando significativamente entre todas las estaciones en forma cíclica y multimodal, no se observó relación significativa con las temperaturas ambientales. No fue constatada diferencia entre los sexos con relación a la actividad y las clases de edad. La mayoría de los lagartos activos fue encontrada a temperaturas del aire que variaron de 14 °C a 32,9 °C (82% de lagartos activos) y a temperaturas del sustrato entre 10 °C y 32,9 °C (87% de lagartos activos).(AU)

It is generally assumed that lizards are active whenever climatic conditions are favorable. Homonota uruguayensis (Vaz-Ferreira & Sierra de Soriano, 1961) is the only native gecko - and nocturnal lizard - living in the northern Pampa biome, and its ecology is poorly known. This study aimed at describing this species pattern of daily and annual activity and its relation with environmental temperatures. The study was conducted in the extreme south of Brazil (Rosário do Sul, State of Rio Grande do Sul), between May 2010 and January 2011 at a rocky outcrop located in the Pampa biome. The study was carried out in a total of four seasonal field trips, totalizing 1185 hours of field work. The data were collected, both during the day and the night in 6-hour shifts (duration of the sampling period). The area was randomly covered at each shift to record activity and microhabitat use by the lizards. In total 1541 specimens were recorded throughout the study. Homonota uruguayensis showed diurnal and nocturnal activity in the four seasons, with periods of daily activity varying significantly between all seasons in a cyclic and multimodal pattern, with no significant relation with environmental temperatures. There was no difference in activity related to sex and age classes. Most active lizards were found when air temperatures ranged from 14 °C to 32.9 °C (82% of active lizards) and substrate temperatures ranged from 10 °C to 32.9 °C (87% of active lizards).(AU)

Assuntos

RESUMO

La suposición general ha sido que los lagartos son activos cuando las condiciones climáticas son favorables. Homonota uruguayensis (Vaz-Ferreira & Sierra de Soriano, 1961) es la única lagartija nativa - y la lagartija nocturna - que vive en el norte de bioma Pampa. La ecología de esta especie es poco conocida y este estudio tuvo como objetivo describir su patrón de actividad diaria y anual y su relación con las temperaturas ambientales. El estudio se llevó a cabo en el extremo sur de Brasil (Rosário do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul), a partir de mayo 2010 - enero 2011, en un afloramiento rocoso situado en el bioma Pampa. El estudio totalizó cuatro excursiones de campo estacionales y 1185 horas. Los datos fueron recogidos a lo largo de los turnos de 6 horas durante el día y la noche. El área fue recorrida aleatoriamente en cada turno siempre registrandose la actividad y el microhabitat utilizado por los lagartos. A lo largo del estudio, 1541 especímenes se registraron. Homonota uruguayensis presentó hábito diurno y nocturno en las cuatro estaciones, con períodos de actividad diaria variando significativamente entre todas las estaciones en forma cíclica y multimodal, no se observó relación significativa con las temperaturas ambientales. No fue constatada diferencia entre los sexos con relación a la actividad y las clases de edad. La mayoría de los lagartos activos fue encontrada a temperaturas del aire que variaron de 14 °C a 32,9 °C (82% de lagartos activos) y a temperaturas del sustrato entre 10 °C y 32,9 °C (87% de lagartos activos).

It is generally assumed that lizards are active whenever climatic conditions are favorable. Homonota uruguayensis (Vaz-Ferreira & Sierra de Soriano, 1961) is the only native gecko - and nocturnal lizard - living in the northern Pampa biome, and its ecology is poorly known. This study aimed at describing this species pattern of daily and annual activity and its relation with environmental temperatures. The study was conducted in the extreme south of Brazil (Rosário do Sul, State of Rio Grande do Sul), between May 2010 and January 2011 at a rocky outcrop located in the Pampa biome. The study was carried out in a total of four seasonal field trips, totalizing 1185 hours of field work. The data were collected, both during the day and the night in 6-hour shifts (duration of the sampling period). The area was randomly covered at each shift to record activity and microhabitat use by the lizards. In total 1541 specimens were recorded throughout the study. Homonota uruguayensis showed diurnal and nocturnal activity in the four seasons, with periods of daily activity varying significantly between all seasons in a cyclic and multimodal pattern, with no significant relation with environmental temperatures. There was no difference in activity related to sex and age classes. Most active lizards were found when air temperatures ranged from 14 °C to 32.9 °C (82% of active lizards) and substrate temperatures ranged from 10 °C to 32.9 °C (87% of active lizards).

Assuntos

RESUMO

RESUMEN La suposición general ha sido que los lagartos son activos cuando las condiciones climáticas son favorables. Homonota uruguayensis (Vaz-Ferreira & Sierra de Soriano, 1961) es la única lagartija nativa - y la lagartija nocturna - que vive en el norte de bioma Pampa. La ecología de esta especie es poco conocida y este estudio tuvo como objetivo describir su patrón de actividad diaria y anual y su relación con las temperaturas ambientales. El estudio se llevó a cabo en el extremo sur de Brasil (Rosário do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul), a partir de mayo 2010 - enero 2011, en un afloramiento rocoso situado en el bioma Pampa. El estudio totalizó cuatro excursiones de campo estacionales y 1185 horas. Los datos fueron recogidos a lo largo de los turnos de 6 horas durante el día y la noche. El área fue recorrida aleatoriamente en cada turno siempre registrandose la actividad y el microhabitat utilizado por los lagartos. A lo largo del estudio, 1541 especímenes se registraron. Homonota uruguayensis presentó hábito diurno y nocturno en las cuatro estaciones, con períodos de actividad diaria variando significativamente entre todas las estaciones en forma cíclica y multimodal, no se observó relación significativa con las temperaturas ambientales. No fue constatada diferencia entre los sexos con relación a la actividad y las clases de edad. La mayoría de los lagartos activos fue encontrada a temperaturas del aire que variaron de 14 °C a 32,9 °C (82% de lagartos activos) y a temperaturas del sustrato entre 10 °C y 32,9 °C (87% de lagartos activos).

ABSTRACT It is generally assumed that lizards are active whenever climatic conditions are favorable. Homonota uruguayensis (Vaz-Ferreira & Sierra de Soriano, 1961) is the only native gecko - and nocturnal lizard - living in the northern Pampa biome, and its ecology is poorly known. This study aimed at describing this species pattern of daily and annual activity and its relation with environmental temperatures. The study was conducted in the extreme south of Brazil (Rosário do Sul, State of Rio Grande do Sul), between May 2010 and January 2011 at a rocky outcrop located in the Pampa biome. The study was carried out in a total of four seasonal field trips, totalizing 1185 hours of field work. The data were collected, both during the day and the night in 6-hour shifts (duration of the sampling period). The area was randomly covered at each shift to record activity and microhabitat use by the lizards. In total 1541 specimens were recorded throughout the study. Homonota uruguayensis showed diurnal and nocturnal activity in the four seasons, with periods of daily activity varying significantly between all seasons in a cyclic and multimodal pattern, with no significant relation with environmental temperatures. There was no difference in activity related to sex and age classes. Most active lizards were found when air temperatures ranged from 14 °C to 32.9 °C (82% of active lizards) and substrate temperatures ranged from 10 °C to 32.9 °C (87% of active lizards).

RESUMO

Literature data suggests that Thamnodynastes strigatus (Serpentes, Dipsadidae) is a snake that actively forages for anurans near waterbodies, using several microhabitats for this activity (e.g., shrubs, soil, and water). However, herein we present dissonant data previously known to the species, both concerning type of prey and foraging strategy. A total of 72 observations were performed exclusively at night, when snakes were in vegetation near streams in 93% of the cases. Among these observations, 41 were active snakes, and most of them (97%) were in an ambush position on the vegetation, peering at fishes. On two occasions, the snakes used a lingual lure behavior in order to attract fishes. This is only the sixth species in which this behavior has been observed, and the first in South America. Therefore, we provide additional data on T. strigatus habitat activity and habitat use, as well as unpublished data on ambush and lingual lure behavior for the Neotropical genus Thamnodynastes

RESUMO

Abstract INTRODUCTION: Nyssomyia intermedia is an important vector of American cutaneous leishmaniasis. METHODS: Sand flies were captured in a Shannon trap and after landing on human collectors and retrieved monthly. Nocturnal activity was estimated using a log-linear model. RESULTS: Peak sand fly collection in the Shannon trap occurred in summer and winter, and peak fly collection on humans occurred in spring and summer. CONCLUSIONS: Ny. intermedia was captured in both the hottest and coldest months, indicating its adaptability to different seasons and the possibility of disease transmission at any time of the year in Campus Fiocruz Mata Atlântica, Brazil.

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RESUMO

This first survey of the ant fauna in a children's hospital in the city of Palmas, state of Tocantins, compares species composition, abundance and infestation rate of ants between rainy and dry seasons, day and night periods, and among 15 hospital sectors. Forty-eight collections, being 12 diurnal and 12 nocturnal in each season using five attractive baits distributed per sector, maintained for 3h per sampling. A total of 34,309 ants were collected, distributed in 12 species: Acromyrmex sp., Brachymyrmex sp., Camponotus spp. (four morphospecies), Dorymyrmex sp., Tetramorium sp., Solenopsis globularia (Creighton), Solenopsis saevissima Smith, Tapinoma melanocephalum (Fabricius) and Paratrechina longicornis (Latreille). The hospital presented an average building infestation rate (40.3 percent), when compared with hospitals from other Brazilian regions. In general, there was no difference in the species composition between seasons and the period of the day, although abundance of ants was higher at night. The dry season and the nocturnal period showed the highest infestation rate, mainly by T.melanocephalum and S.globularia. Gynecologic ward, lactation unit, preconception and pediatric ward access ramp showed higher infestation rate, although these varied between seasons. The significant infestation levels by the three species above, especially in sectors with restricted access such as lactation unit, laboratory, Intensive Care Unit e surgery center, indicate potential risks for contamination of patients by multi resistant pathogens possibly present in ants' bodies, as verified in others studies.

Assuntos