| 1. |
- Nogueira, C. C., et al.
(författare)
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Atlas of Brazilian Snakes: Verified Point-Locality Maps to Mitigate the Wallacean Shortfall in a Megadiverse Snake Fauna
- 2019
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Ingår i: South American Journal of Herpetology. - : Brazilian Herpetological Society. - 1808-9798. ; 14
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Accurate and detailed species distribution maps are fundamental for documenting and interpreting biological diversity. For snakes, an ecologically diverse group of reptiles, syntheses and detailed data on distribution patterns remain scarce. We present the first comprehensive collection of detailed, voucher-based, point-locality, range maps for all described and documented Brazilian snakes, with the major aim of mitigating the Wallacean shortfall and as a contribution towards a better understanding of this rich, threatened, and poorly studied megadiverse fauna. We recorded a total of 412 snake species in Brazil on the basis of an extensive and verified point-locality database of 163,498 entries and 75,681 unique records (available here as Online Supporting Information). Our results reveal previously undocumented patterns of distribution, sampling effort, richness, and endemism levels, resulting in a more objective view of snake diversity in the Neotropics. Apart from these achievements, we understand that the most relevant and enduring contribution of the present atlas is to stimulate researchers to publish corrections, additions, and new discoveries.
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| 2. |
- Braz, H. B., et al.
(författare)
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Reproductive Biology of the Fossorial Snake Apostolepis gaboi (Elapomorphini): A Threatened and Poorly Known Species from the Caatinga Region
- 2019
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Ingår i: South American Journal of Herpetology. - : Brazilian Herpetological Society. - 1808-9798. ; 14:1, s. 37-47
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Knowledge of reproductive biology is essential to understand the intrinsic traits of any species and to elaborate effective conservation strategies, particularly for threatened species. Despite recent advances, knowledge on the reproductive biology of snakes remains deficient for most species, especially for tropical fossorial taxa. Apostolepis gaboi is a psammophilous, fossorial, and threatened snake endemic of the Quaternary Sand Dunes of the Sao Francisco River, Caatinga domain. Here, we present information on its reproductive biology based on macroscopic and microscopic data obtained from the examination of all specimens preserved in Brazilian museums. Specifically, we addressed sexual maturity, sexual dimorphism, clutch size, timing of gametogenesis, activity of the sexual segment of the kidney (SSK), and female sperm storage. Apostolepis gaboi is one of the smallest species of the genus. Females attain sexual maturity at larger body sizes and grow larger than males. However, adult females have relatively shorter tails than males. We found no sexual dimorphism in body circumference and head size. Clutch size is small and averages 4.5 eggs. All males from the wet season showed testes in spermiogenesis, ductus deferentia packed of sperm, and SSK hypertrophied and secretory. Secondary vitellogenesis also occurs in the wet season. Moreover, females in early vitellogenesis from the wet season showed sperm stored in the posterior infundibulum. Mating occurs in the second half of the wet season, as suggested by the finding of aggregations of sperm in the uterine lumen of a female in early secondary vitellogenesis. Mating is associated with gonadal activity in males. Sperm storage confers flexibility for females to ovulate at the most suitable time in an unpredictable habitat such as the Caatinga. Apostolepis gaboi exhibits similarities (association between mating and spermiogenesis, small clutch) and differences (absence of sexual dimorphism in head size and stoutness) compared with another Elapomorphini species. Lastly, we argue that some of the intrinsic traits of A. gaboi (small clutch and small body size) may increase its vulnerability to extinction, raising additional concerns to its conservation.
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| 3. |
- Braz, H. B., et al.
(författare)
-
Reproductive Biology of the Fossorial Snake Apostolepis gaboi (Elapomorphini): A Threatened and Poorly Known Species from the Caatinga Region
- 2019
-
Ingår i: South America Journal of herpetology. - 1808-9798. ; 14:1
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Knowledge of reproductive biology is essential to understand the intrinsic traits of any species and to elaborate effective conservation strategies, particularly for threatened species. Despite recent advances, knowledge on the reproductive biology of snakes remains deficient for most species, especially for tropical fossorial taxa. Apostolepis gaboi is a psammophilous, fossorial, and threatened snake endemic of the Quaternary Sand Dunes of the São Francisco River, Caatinga domain. Here, we present information on its reproductive biology based on macroscopic and microscopic data obtained from the examination of all specimens preserved in Brazilian museums. Specifically, we addressed sexual maturity, sexual dimorphism, clutch size, timing of gametogenesis, activity of the sexual segment of the kidney (SSK), and female sperm storage. Apostolepis gaboi is one of the smallest species of the genus. Females attain sexual maturity at larger body sizes and grow larger than males. However, adult females have relatively shorter tails than males. We found no sexual dimorphism in body circumference and head size. Clutch size is small and averages 4.5 eggs. All males from the wet season showed testes in spermiogenesis, ductus deferentia packed of sperm, and SSK hypertrophied and secretory. Secondary vitellogenesis also occurs in the wet season. Moreover, females in early vitellogenesis from the wet season showed sperm stored in the posterior infundibulum. Mating occurs in the second half of the wet season, as suggested by the finding of aggregations of sperm in the uterine lumen of a female in early secondary vitellogenesis. Mating is associated with gonadal activity in males. Sperm storage confers flexibility for females to ovulate at the most suitable time in an unpredictable habitat such as the Caatinga. Apostolepis gaboi exhibits similarities (association between mating and spermiogenesis, small clutch) and differences (absence of sexual dimorphism in head size and stoutness) compared with another Elapomorphini species. Lastly, we argue that some of the intrinsic traits of A. gaboi (small clutch and small body size) may increase its vulnerability to extinction, raising additional concerns to its conservation. © 2019 Brazilian Society of Herpetology.
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| 4. |
- do Canto, A. M., et al.
(författare)
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Immunohistochemical analysis of BRAF V600E mutation in ameloblastomas
- 2019
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Ingår i: Clinical Oral Investigations. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1432-6981 .- 1436-3771. ; 23:2, s. 779-784
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the presence of BRAF V600E mutation in mandible ameloblastomas by correlating clinical and imaging data on the cases studied.MethodsEighty-four cases diagnosed as mandibular ameloblastoma were selected for analysis. The specimens were submitted to immunohistochemistry for detection of BRAF V600E mutated protein. Clinical-pathological data such as age, gender, tumour size, mandibular location, radiographic aspects, histological type and sub-type, and tumour status were collected. The clinical-pathological parameters were categorised and analysed according to BRAF V600E detection.ResultsOf the 84 patients, 78.6% (66 cases) demonstrated positivity for anti-BRAF V600E antibody, whereas 18 were negative (21.4%). The correlation between BRAF expression and variables showed statistical significances for mandibular location (P=0.0353) and tumour size (P=0.008), whereas no statistical significance was observed for gender, age, radiographic aspect, histological pattern, histological sub-type and tumour status. Multivariate logistic regression revealed a significant risk for BRAF positivity in tumours with posterior mandibular location (OR=7.23, P=0.0451) and size >4cm (OR=7.29, P=0.0150).ConclusionBRAF V600E mutation is common in mandibular ameloblastomas, especially in cases of tumours larger than 4cm and in the posterior region of the mandible. In addition, this mutation can occur regardless of histological type of the tumour, age, gender, radiographic aspect and tumour status.Clinical significanceThe association between clinical-pathologic features and BRAF V600E mutation in ameloblastomas may provide directions for the treatment of this neoplasia. The use of BRAF inhibitors for targeted therapy could lead to an establishment of an alternative compared to the resective surgery.
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