Frederico Gustavo Rodrigues França

Boiruna sertaneja is a large snake primarily associated with the Caatinga and recognized for its pronounced ophiophagy. Nevertheless, information on its diet remains scattered across a limited number of publications and isolated records. Here, we compiled available dietary information from the scientific literature, photographs and videos published on digital platforms, and unpublished observations by the authors. Only prey identified to species level were included, whereas records predating the formal description of B. sertaneja were assessed separately because of historical taxonomic uncertainties. We documented 18 prey species belonging to 11 families and four major vertebrate groups. Snakes accounted for 50.0% of prey species richness, followed by lizards (27.8%), birds (16.7%), and amphisbaenians (5.6%). When historical records potentially attributable to the species are considered separately, the list reaches 22 species and also includes mammals. The diet was predominantly reptivorous and strongly characterized by ophiophagy, but was not exclusive, indicating sufficient trophic plasticity to include birds and potentially mammals. Audiovisual records added new prey species, including Amphisbaena alba, documented for the first time as prey of B. sertaneja. The authors’ observations also documented active predation on live birds, while audiovisual records revealed behaviors including pursuit, restraint, constriction, prey manipulation, and ingestion. Integrating conventional and digital sources expanded our knowledge of the diet and feeding behavior of B. sertaneja, highlighting the value of complementary approaches for studying the natural history of elusive and poorly sampled snakes.

We report the first documented case of attempted predation on the scaled dove (Columbina squammata) by the boa constrictor (Boa constrictor) in a restinga environment on the north coast of Paraíba, Brazil. This record contributes to the growing knowledge of the species’ diverse diet and highlights the importance of opportunistic and arboreal foraging strategies in snake–bird interactions.

This study provides the first comprehensive checklist of coral reef fishes from the Sugud Islands Marine Conservation Area (SIMCA), Sabah, Malaysia, a strictly no-take marine protected area (MPA) in the Sulu Sea. Based on underwater surveys and intercepted trawl landings conducted between 2006 and 2023, we recorded 622 species representing 73 families. The most species-rich families were Labridae (74 species), Pomacentridae (61), and Gobiidae (57), together with six other families that collectively comprised 55% of all records. The Coral Reef Fish Diversity Index (CFDI) estimated a potential richness of 647 species. Thirty-six species are listed on the IUCN Red List, including four Critically Endangered elasmobranchs, with Rhina ancylostoma (Bowmouth Guitarfish) representing the first record for SIMCA. Eight species are listed under CITES Appendix II, and three are regulated by Malaysian law. Long-term monitoring was essential for detecting cryptic, nocturnal, and wide-ranging taxa that would likely have been overlooked in short-term studies. These results demonstrate the value of sustained protection in maintaining high species diversity and provide a baseline for future biodiversity management and conservation planning in Malaysia’s Coral Triangle waters.

Mark-recapture studies using marking techniques are crucial for understanding the ecology and behavior of snakes. This review aims to identify and compare the most common marking methods employed in snake ecology research, from traditional techniques to modern, innovative approaches. These methods facilitate global research on snake individualization, tracking, and recapture. We evaluated 1.533 papers encompassing over 482 species, the reviewed studies span 78 countries, reflecting a wide geographical distribution of snake marking research. The United States, Canada, Australia, and Brazil have contributed the most studies. Among the most widely used methods, radio telemetry remains essential for despite tracking its invasiveness and associated risks for snake’s welfare. More recent innovations, such as fluorescent powder and elastomer marking, offer cost-effective, non-invasive alternatives, applicable across diverse species and habitats. Microchipping, a well-established method, continues to be a reliable option for long-term monitoring, with successful recaptures documented after over 30 years. Natural marks, recognized through photographs and drawings. This paper the importance of continually refining snake marking techniques to balance research efficacy with animal welfare. Future advancements should focus on improving durability, facilitating recapture, and minimizing disruptions to snake ecology, health, and behavior, ultimately supporting more effective autecological and population studies.

Ecological restoration is increasingly used to recover biodiversity in degraded ecosystems, yet its effectiveness for avifauna varies across contexts. We conducted an integrative review of studies assessing the effects of restoration on bird populations and communities worldwide. Search in Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar yielded 192 studies, covering forests, savannahs/grasslands, and wetlands across 37 countries. Most studies implemented active restoration, with fewer using passive or mixed approaches. Overall, restoration effects on birds were predominantly positive (81.3%) with neutral outcomes reported in 16.1% of studies and negative outcomes in 2.6%. Positive responses included increases in species richness, abundance, and community resemblance to reference habitats; however, parity with native systems often depended on long-term maintenance and successional development. Time from intervention strongly modulated outcomes, with older plantings consistently supporting higher richness and abundance. Projects relying on native vegetation tended to outperform those dominated by exotic species. Beyond taxonomic metrics, most studies assessing functional and phylogenetic diversity reported convergence toward native reference communities, though some documented losses of evolutionary history and specialization. Geographically, publications were concentrated in the United States and Australia, underscoring gaps in tropical and Global South biomes. Collectively, the evidence indicates that restoration can meaningfully advance avian conservation when actions prioritize native species, structural heterogeneity, and landscape connectivity, and when monitoring spans sufficient temporal scales to capture community assembly and demographic viability. These findings provide actionable guidance for restoration design and evaluation, and highlight priorities for future research on long-term dynamics, edge effects, predation, and specialist taxa.

Brazil ranks among the top three countries worldwide in reptile diversity, boasting more than 435 species of snakes. Snakes play a pivotal ecological role in maintaining ecosystem balance and offer potential for the bioprospecting of venom peptides for pharmaceutical applications. Despite their ecological significance, snakes continue to face indiscriminate killing, often due to widespread lack of knowledge about these animals. Consequently, protected areas assume paramount importance in snake conservation efforts, safeguarding both their populations and their habitats. Access restrictions coupled with enhanced fauna and flora protection measures within these areas mitigate adverse interactions between humans and snakes. This study aims to assess the impact of economic activities within the Environmental Protection Area of Barra do Rio Mamanguape, in northeast Brazil, on the snake community. Data documenting roadkill incidents indicate a potential rise in snake-vehicle collisions attributed to increased tourist traffic within the protected area. Additionally, events of snakes preying on domestic animals, such as chickens or small cats, heighten the risk of retaliatory killings by residents attempting to protect their pets. Thus, proactive environmental education initiatives are imperative to foster awareness among both visitors and residents regarding the vital role of snakes within the local ecosystem and the importance of their conservation.

We report on the clutch size and neonate morphology of Erythrolamprus poecilogyrus schotti, an oviparous snake species. A clutch of seven eggs was found in a rural area of Paraíba, Brazil. Neonates had an average total length of 181.29 mm and an average weight of 3.0 g, with females being larger sizes than males—a pattern consistent with the species’ known reproductive traits. Defensive behaviors observed in the neonates included cloacal discharge and substrate-burrowing. These findings offer new insights into the species’ natural history and highlight its early-life defensive strategies and developmental characteristics.

Tonatia bidens, a medium-sized bat species endemic to South America, is principally insectivorous but also consumes small terrestrial vertebrates and fruits. This report documents the first confirmed natural predation of T. bidens on a Hemidactylus mabouia lizard, observed in the urban environment of Ilhabela, São Paulo, Southeastern Brazil. The bat’s behaviour during the predation event was also recorded, providing valuable insights into its hunting strategy. This record contributes to filling gaps in knowledge about the feeding ecology and distribution of this “Data Deficient” species.

The distribution of Erythrolamprus mossoroensis (Hoge & Lima‑Verde, 1973) is currently restricted to the states of Alagoas, Bahia, Ceará, Minas Gerais, Pernambuco, and Rio Grande do Norte in Brazil. Here, we report the first record of E. mossoroensis from the municipality of Areia, state of Paraíba, based on a juvenile specimen. This new record fills a gap in the known distribution of the species and extends its range in northeastern Brazil.