Abstract Identifying risk areas for envenomation by animals is relevant for public health, such as strategic distribution of antivenoms. Coral snakes are highly diverse in the Amazon, inhabit natural and human-modified environments, and the outcome of the cases tends to be serious and potentially lethal due to their neurotoxic venom. By integrating species’ geographical records and environmental variables, we used species distribution modeling to predict the distribution of coral snake species in the Brazilian Amazonia. We analyzed the relationship between the predicted distribution of coral snake species, along with envenomation data in the region, to propose actions to reduce the number of cases and to provide tools for a better policy of public health. We conclude that the entire Amazon shows high environmental suitability for coral snakes, and such suitability explains little about the incidence of cases. This is probably due to the low human density in the Amazon and to coral snake traits such as secretive habits and non-agressive behavior. Differently from other venomous snakes, the scenario regarding coral snakebites precludes the detection of prominent geographical areas of concern and demands a broad and equitable availability of health centers throughout Amazonia and along other areas of occurrence of the genus Micrurus. antivenoms humanmodified modified environments venom variables region nonagressive non agressive behavior Micrurus

RESUMEN El mapache cangrejero es considerado uno de los carnívoros neotropicales menos estudiados, debido a sus hábitos nocturnos y discretos que dificultan las observaciones sobre su comportamiento. Esta especie es considerada una especie frugívora-omnívora, con hábitos oportunistas, que se alimenta desde invertebrados hasta otros mamíferos y lagartos. En este documento, proporcionamos un nuevo informe de depredación por un mapache cangrejero sobre una rana paradójica (Pseudisplatensis) y presentamos una revisión bibliográfica detallada sobre su dieta. Recopilamos un total de 14 artículos publicados de 1986 a 2019, de los cuales se utilizaron ocho estudios para caracterizar la dieta de P. cancrivorus. La dieta de P. cancrivorus estuvo constituida por 96 taxones animales y 35 vegetales. Nuestro registro de depredación sobre una rana refuerza la dieta generalista y oportunista conocida de P. cancrivorus y es además la primera evidencia de actividad diurna para el mapache cangrejero en el Pantanal y el primer informe de depredación sobre P. platensis por parte de un mamífero.

ABSTRACT The crab-eating raccoon (Procyon cancrivorus) is considered one of the less-studied Neotropical carnivores. Observations about its behavior are difficult as it is mainly nocturnal, shy, and inconspicuous. This species is considered opportunistic, with a frugivorous-omnivorous diet. It is known to feed on fruits and invertebrates as well as small mammals and lizards. Herein, we describe a first direct observation of a crab-eating raccoon hunting for frogs during the daytime. It is also a first record of predation on a paradoxal frog (Pseudisplatensis) by P. cancrivorus. We further present a detailed literature review about its diet. We compiled a total of 14 papers published from 1986 to 2019, including eight studies that characterize the diet of P. cancrivorus. According to these studies, the diet of P. cancrivorus constitutes of 35 vegetal taxa and 96 animal taxa. Thus, the here presented record of predation on a frog by P. cancrivorus is not only the first visual description of this behavior, it also reinforces the knowledge about its generalist and opportunistic diet. It is further the first evidence of the daytime behavior for the crab-eating raccoon in the Pantanal.

RESUMEN Ofiofagia es un hábito alimenticio común en serpientes, sin embargo, hay pocos registros de este comportamiento para el género Bothrops. En el presente trabajo reportamos el primer caso de depredación de Bothrops moojeni en Amerotyphlops brongersmianus. Nuestro registro refuerza el conocimiento del hábito generalista de Bothrops moojeni e indica una dieta oportunista de esta especie.

ABSTRACT Ophyophagy is a common feeding habit in snakes; however, there are few records of this behavior for the genus Bothrops. Here, we report the first case of predation of Bothrops moojeni upon Amerotyphlops brongersmianus. Our record reinforces the known generalist habit of Bothrops moojeni and indicates an opportunistic diet.

Resumo As características estruturais e ecológicas da vegetação herbácea fazem com que ela seja sensível às alterações do ambiente, atuando como indicador da qualidade ambiental. No entanto, o estudo dessa comunidade ainda é incipiente em regiões neotropicais. Este estudo descreve a florística e os aspectos fitossociológicos da vegetação herbácea terrícola na mata ciliar de sete rios, no município de Urussanga, sul do estado de Santa Catarina, além de analisar e quantificar o status do conhecimento científico relacionado às herbáceas terrícolas no Brasil. Foram levantadas 320 unidades amostrais de 4 m², nas quais todos os indivíduos foram identificados e dados relacionados aos parâmetros fitossociológicos foram coletados. A amostragem resultou em 58 táxons, 38 pertencentes às angiospermas e 20 às samambaias, distribuídos em 25 famílias botânicas. Poaceae apresentou maior riqueza, com 11 espécies. Estruturalmente, destacaram-se Goeppertia monophylla (Vell.) Borchs. e S. Suárez, Blechnum brasiliense Desv. e Heliconia farinosa Raddi. A forma de vida mais frequente foi a hemicriptófita reptante. Os resultados revelam uma elevada riqueza de herbáceas terrícolas adaptadas às condições climáticas das matas ciliares, contribuindo para a diversidade da flora regional. Quanto à produção científica, foram encontrados 50 trabalhos indexados nas bases de dados eletrônicas (1990 a 2015), com destaque ao ano de 2011, que teve maior produção científica enfocando as herbáceas terrícolas. Embora com baixo número, a quantidade de indexações tende a crescer, em virtude do avanço da tecnologia de acesso às bases de dados e pela crescente adesão de periódicos em portais de busca.

Abstract The structural and ecological characteristics of herbaceous vegetation make it sensitive to environmental changes, acting as environmental quality indicator. However, studies of the herbaceous community are as yet rare in neotropical regions. This paper describes the floristics and phytosociology of terrestrial herbaceous vegetation in the riparian forest of seven rivers near the town of Urussanga, Southern Santa Catarina, Brazil, and also analyzes and quantifies the status of scientific knowledge related to terrestrial herbaceous vegetation in Brazil. The study selected 320 sampling units of 4 m²; species were identified and related data regarding phytosociological parameters were collected. The sampling discovered 58 taxa, of which 38 belonged to angiosperms and 20 to ferns, distributed in 25 botanical families. Poaceae was the most prevalent with 11 species. Structurally, Goeppertia monophylla (Vell) Borchs and S. Suárez, Blechnum brasiliense Desv and Heliconia farinosa Raddi stood out. The most common form of life was reptant hemicryptophyte. The results indicate a richness of terrestrial herbaceous vegetation adapted to the climatic conditions of a riparian forest, contributing to diversity of the regional flora. Regarding scientific production, 50 papers were found in electronic databases (1990-2015), with 2011 as the year with greatest scientific production regarding terrestrial herbaceous vegetation. Nevertheless, despite the low number of indexed papers found regarding terrestrial herbaceous vegetation, the amount tends to increase due to advancements in database access technology.