Abstract:We present the first record of the Dipsadidae snakes Xenopholis scalaris for the state of Rio de Janeiro and a general distribution map for this species. This record for the Brazilian Atlantic Forest expands the known geographical distribution of X. scalaris and reveals that its populations might not be isolated or disjunctive, but rather rare in this biome. We also provide some recommendations for future conservation of X. scalaris.

We present the first record of the Dipsadidae snakes Xenopholis scalaris for the state of Rio de Janeiro and a general distribution map for this species. This record for the Brazilian Atlantic Forest expands the known geographical distribution of X. scalaris and reveals that its populations might not be isolated or disjunctive, but rather rare in this biome. We also provide some recommendations for future conservation of X. scalaris.

Studying species interactions in nature often requires elaborated logistics and intense fieldwork. The difficulties in such task might hinder our ability to answer questions on how biotic interactions change with the environment. Fortunately, a workaround to this problem lies within scientific collections. For some animals, the inspection of preserved specimens can reveal the scars of past antagonistic encounters, such as predation attempts. A common defensive behaviour that leaves scars on animals is autotomy, the loss of a body appendage to escape predation. By knowing the collection site of preserved specimens, it is possible to assess the influence of organismal biology and the surrounding environment in the occurrence of autotomy. We gathered data on tail loss for 8189 preserved specimens of 33 snake and 11 amphisbaenian species to investigate biological and environmental correlates of autotomy in reptiles. We applied generalized linear mixed effect models to evaluate whether body size, sex, life‐stage, habitat use, activity pattern, biome, tropicality, temperature and precipitation affect the probability of tail loss in limbless reptiles. We observed autotomy in 23.6% of examined specimens, with 18.7% of amphisbaenian and 33.4% of snake specimens showing tail loss. The probability of tail loss did not differ between snakes and amphisbaenians, but it was higher among large‐sized specimens, particularly in adults and females. Chance of tail loss was higher for diurnal and arboreal species, and among specimens collected in warmer regions, but it was unaffected by biome, precipitation, and tropicality. Autotomy in limbless reptiles was affected by size‐dependent factors that interplay with ontogeny and sexual dimorphism, although size‐independent effects of life‐stage and sex also shaped behavioural responses to predators. The increase in probability of tail loss with verticality and diurnality suggests a risk‐balance mechanism between species habitat use and activity pattern. Although autotomy is more likely in warmer regions, it seems unrelated to seasonal differences in snakes and amphisbaenians activity. Our findings reveal several processes related to predator–prey interactions involving limbless reptiles, demonstrating the importance of scientific collections to unveil ecological mechanisms at different spatio‐temporal scales.

BackgroundThe Atlantic Forest is a hotspot for biodiversity, an area which houses high species richness and endemism, but with high level of threat. With reference to the herpetofauna, until recently there has been no detailed information regarding diversity of snakes recorded in the Atlantic Forest, the number of endemic species and their distribution ranges. While these basic data were missing, large areas of original forest have continued to be lost to increased urbanization and human population, representing a severe threat to the biodiversity.New informationWe recorded 28 snake species in our study area. Dipsadidae was the richest family with 14 species, followed by Colubridae (eight species), Boidae (two species), Viperidae (two species), and Anomalepididae, Elapidae and Typhlopidae (one species each). Most species were forest inhabitants (61%), of which 13 are endemic to the Atlantic Forest. There were no clearly defined species clusters regarding species composition. None of the species recorded in Niterói are listed as threatened in the Brazilian Redlist. However, most of them are strongly associated with forested areas and, perhaps, are not adapted to live in small fragments. Thus, more initiatives should be implemented to evaluate the true conservation status of these species in order to better protect them.

Atractus potschi es una pequeña serpiente endémica de Brasil. Su distribución está restringida a los biomas Mata Atlántica y Caatinga, en los estados de Alagoas, Bahia y Sergipe. Expandimos su distribución en el interior en 270 km desde el registro más cercano. Esta es también un nuevo registro en la margen izquierda del río São Francisco.

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The rare Amazonian snake Eutrachelophis papilio is known from only five individuals, from four localities, belonging to its type-series, the more recent collected over 10 years ago. Here, we expand its distribution and describe its color in life for the first time. We also provide an estimate of its distribution area using the minimum convex polygon method and identify the values of anthropic pressure within its known distribution range with the Human Footprint Index. The new occurrence is located 291 km from the nearest known locality and its distribution is associated with pristine forests. Considering its rarity, and the absence of demographic and biological data, we suggest that the species should be classified as Data Deficient by IUCN criteria.

Reptiles are largely preyed by other reptiles, mammals, and birds, including birds of prey (Alencar et al. 2012, Spencer et al. 2014, Cortes-Gomez et al. 2015. Consequently, reptiles developed a set of defense mechanisms to avoid predation, such as cryptic or aposematic coloration (Caro 2014).However, these strategies may not always be efficient, especially against specialized birds of prey.There are records on birds of prey finding, capturing, and ingesting different cryptic or aposematic reptiles