Natural history of the coral snake Micrurus Pyrrhocryptus Cope 1862 (Elapidae) from semideciduous forests of western Brazil.

Coral snakes in the genus Micrurus are widely distributed in the Neotropics, with more than 50 species already described in this region. They are primarily ground or leaf litter dwellers, feed on snakes or other elongate vertebrates, and tend to reproduce during the rainy season. We present data on the biology of Micrurus pyrrhocryptus from two semideciduous forests of Mato Grosso do Sul state, western Brazil. Two snake species were consumed: the dipsadid Sibynomorphus lavillai and the typhlopid Typhlops brongersmianus. Sexual dimorphism is marked in M. pyrrhocryptus. with males attaining larger sizes and having longer tails. Activity was concentrated in the wet season, when reproduction occurs. The defensive behavior in this species is similar to that displayed by other Micron's, although less pronounced.

Squamata, Elapidae, Micrurus surinamensis (Cuvier, 1817): new records and distribution map in the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil, with notes on diet and activity period.

We report six new records of M. surinamensis and present the map of distribution with known records for this species of semiaquatic coral snake in the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil.

Predation on the lizard Ameiva ameiva (Sauria: Teiidae) by a coral snake Micrurus frontalis (Serpentes: Elapidae) in Brazil.

We report a case of elapid predation on a lizard in Brazilian Savannah. A subterranean coral snake (Micrurus frontalis) was found preying a green lizard (Ameiva ameiva) in Southeastern Brazil.

Endoparasites infecting the semiaquatic coral snake Micrurus surinamensis (Squamata: Elapidae) in the southern amazonian region, Mato Grosso state, Brazil

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Biological characterization of the Amazon coral Micrurus spixii snake venom: isolation of a new neurotoxic phospholipase A2

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

New reports on parasitism by Haplometroides buccicola (Digenea, Plagiorchiidae) in Brazilian snakes

The occurrence of Haplometroides buccicola (Digenea, Plagiorchiidae) in the esophagus of two Brazilian snakes is reported in the present study. The trematodes were collected from one Micrurus corallinus (Elapidae) and one Phalotris lativittatus (Colubridae); both snakes were found in Botucatu city, São Paulo State, Brazil. Morphological and morphometric analyses of the trematodes are presented. For the first time Micrurus corallinus has been recorded as a host for H. buccicola and this is the second time that P. lativittatus has been reported as a host for this trematode species.

Snakes from coastal islands of State of São Paulo, Southeastern Brazil

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Oxygen-uptake in snakes - is there a reduction in fossorial species

Oxygen uptake of the fossorial blind snake (Typhlops reticulatus) and the semifossorial coral snake (Micrurus ibiboboca) was measured at 20 and 30 degrees C. Oxygen uptake of blind snakes was within the normal range, whereas oxygen uptake of coral snakes was in the lower end of values reported for snakes. The results do not support the hypothesis of reduced oxygen uptake in fossorial reptiles.

Oral microbiota of Brazilian captive snakes

The present work aimed to determine the oral microbiotic composition of snakes from Sao Jose do Rio Preto city, São Paulo State, Brazil. Ten snake species, comprising the families Boidae, Colubridae, Elapidae and Viperidae, were submitted to microbiological examination of their oral cavity, which indicated positivity for all buccal samples. Gram-negative bacilli, gram-negative cocci bacilli, gram-positive bacilli and gram-positive cocci were isolated from the snakes. Among isolated bacterium species, the occurrence of coagulase-negative staphylococci in the buccal cavity of Crotalus durissus (Viperiade), Eunectes murinus (Boidae), Mastigodryas bifossatus (Colubridae) and Bacillus subtilis, common to oral cavity of Bothrops alternatus (Viperidae) and Phalotris mertensi (Colubridae), was detected. It was observed higher diversity of isolated bacteria from the oral cavity of Micrurus frontalis (Elapidae) and Philodryas nattereri (Colubridae), as well as the prevalence of gram-positive baccillus and gram-positive cocci. The composition of the oral microbiota of the studied snakes, with or without inoculating fangs, is diverse and also related to the formation of abscesses at the bite site in the victims of the ophidian accidents, and to pathogenic processes in the snakes that host these microorganisms.

O mimetismo entre serpentes de padrão coral na Serra do Mar

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)