Banca de DEFESA: DARCIANE MARIA DE AMORIM

Uma banca de DEFESA de DOUTORADO foi cadastrada pelo programa.
STUDENT : DARCIANE MARIA DE AMORIM
DATE: 23/02/2023
TIME: 09:00
LOCAL: UFRPE
TITLE:

Helminthfauna and food composition of species of the Amphisbaenidae family (Squamata, Amphisbaenia) from Brazil

KEY WORDS:

Amphisbaenia, endoparasites, helminths, eating habits, diet.

PAGES: 1
BIG AREA: Ciências Biológicas
AREA: Zoologia
SUMMARY:

Amphisbaenia is a group of Squamata consisting of species with morphological adaptations for a fossorial lifestyle. Their diet is mainly composed of arthropods, with some species having a more selective diet, while others are considered generalists. The way of life of amphisbaenians can also influence parasitism, and these individuals can act as hosts for several groups of endoparasites. This study aimed to analyze the helminth fauna and food composition of 13 species of the Amphisbaenidae family (Amphisbaena alba, A. camura, A. darwinii, A. kingii, A. mertensii, A. munoai, A. nana, A. pretrei , A. prunicolor, A. tiaraju, A. trachura, A. vermicularis and Leposternon polystegum), from the Northeast, Southeast, Midwest and South regions of Brazil. Only specimens borrowed from scientific collections were used. As for the helminthfauna, 24 helminth taxa were registered, for the Nematoda (17 spp.), Trematoda (5 spp.), Cestoda (1 sp.) and Acanthocephala (n= 1 sp.) groups. All amphisbaenians presented new records of helminths, totaling 55 new occurrences, including the first record of Rhabdias spp. and cystacanthus of Acanthocephala infecting amphisbaenians. The nematode Paradollfusnema amphisbaenia (infecting 8 spp.) and the fluke Pneumotrema cf. travassosi (infecting 5 spp.) were the most frequent helminth species in the analyzed amphisbaenians. With regard to food composition, individuals had a diet characteristic of generalist predators and consumed mainly termites, cockroaches, beetle larvae and ants. A table is also presented updating the previous records of helminths and the main items that make up the diet for the species of the Amphisbaenia group. Due to the fossorial habit, research involving amphisbaenia is only possible, mainly, through partnerships with curators of scientific collections. In this sense, this study can also contribute with information about feeding habits and patterns of infection by helminths that can be used in the elaboration of conservation strategies for amphisbaenia.

COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
Presidente - GERALDO JORGE BARBOSA DE MOURA
Interna - JAQUELINE BIANQUE DE OLIVEIRA
Externa à Instituição - DÉBORA PARCIANO DE CASTRO - UECE
Externa à Instituição - GABRIELA FELIX DO NASCIMENTO SILVA - UNIVASF
Externo à Instituição - REINALDO JOSÉ DA SILVA - UNESP