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Daniel Passos

Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido, Ciências Animais, Adjunct

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Biologist (CRBio 77.876/05). Bachelor (2011) in Biological Sciences by Universidade Federal do Ceará - UFC. Master (2014) and Doctor (2016) in Ecology and Evolution by Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro - UERJ. Cooperator researcher of Núcleo Regional de Ofiologia da UFC since 2007. Cooperator researcher of Laboratório de Ecologia de Vertebrados do Instituto de Biologia Roberto Alcântara Gomes since 2012. Expert in Biology of Reptiles and Amphibians (Herpetology), specially lizards and snakes (Squamata) from Caatinga, semiarid domain from northeastern Brazil. Acts, mainly, in the following themes: Ecology, Behavior, Taxonomy and Biodiversity Conservation.

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Nicolas Pelegrin

Universidad Nacional de Córdoba

Suelem Muniz Leão

Universidad Nacional de Córdoba

Raiana Cristina

Leonardo Ribeiro

Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco

BEATRIZ FERNANDES LIMA LUCIANO

Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia

Agustin Martinelli

Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro (UFTM)

UVA Universidade Veiga de Almeida

Universidade de Brasília - UnB

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Papers by Daniel Passos

Tail trifurcation in the lizard Salvator merianae (Squamata: Teiidae) investigated by computer tomography

Dangerous neighborhood: saurophagy between syntopic Tropidurus lizards

Saurophagy constitutes an important source of mortality among lizards and has been reported for t... more Saurophagy constitutes an important source of mortality among lizards and has been reported for the genus Tropidurus. However, the extension of this behavior remains unknown. Herein, we record the predation of T. jaguaribanus by its congener T. hispidus. This is the first report of saurophagy among different species of syntopic Tropidurus. Furthermore, whereas published records of saurophagy tend to be directed against juveniles, this case involved two adult individuals.

Diversity and seasonal dynamic of a lizard assemblage in a Neotropical semiarid habitat

We assessed the lizard assemblage from a priority conservation Caatinga area from northeastern Br... more We assessed the lizard assemblage from a priority conservation Caatinga area from northeastern Brazil, through a pluriannual ecological approach, to expand the understanding on biodiversity patterns of Neotropical semiarid habitats. The studied area presented one of the richest lizard faunas among Caatinga sites, being composed primarily by species typical from open landscapes. The local species composition was more similar to assemblages from adjacent Caatinga ecoregions than to those from other areas within the same ecoregion. The inventoried lizard assemblage consisted of a few common species and a majority of low abundance ones, and its overall richness and abundance did not differ between rainy and dry months. Our findings demonstrated that the composition of lizard assemblages did not match with the current proposed Caatinga ecoregions, and revealed that the studied assemblage followed a lognormal species-abundance distribution, showing no significant seasonal fluctuation in richness and abundance.

Challenges and perspectives for studies on home range of lizards from South America

A new species of Tropidurus (Squamata,Tropiduridae) of the semitaeniatus group from a semiarid area in northeastern Brazil

A new species of Tropidurus of the semitaeniatus group is described from northeastern Brazil. Tro... more A new species of Tropidurus of the semitaeniatus group is described from northeastern Brazil. Tropidurus sp. nov. is morphologically similar to other species of the group in the marked dorsoventral flattening of the body, and the presence of a series of sublabial shields that are larger than the adjacent scales. It is distinguished by a single middorsal longitudinal light stripe that extends from the snout to the scapular region. The new species appears to have the largest body size of the group. The new species inhabits the Vale do Jaguaribe, in the eastern part of the state of Ceará, where there are many fissured rocky outcrops surrounded by hypoxerophytic caatinga vegetation.

Efficiency of snake sampling methods in the Brazilian semiarid region

The choice of sampling methods is a crucial step in every field survey in herpetology. In countri... more The choice of sampling methods is a crucial step in every field survey in herpetology. In countries where time and financial support are limited, the choice of the methods is critical. The methods used to sample snakes often lack objective criteria, and the traditional methods have apparently been more important when making the choice. Consequently researches using not-standardized methods are frequently found in the literature. We have compared four commonly used methods for sampling snake assemblages in a semiarid area in Brazil. We compared the efficacy of each method based on the cost-benefit regarding the number of individuals and species captured, time, and financial investment. We found that pitfall traps were the less effective method in all aspects that were evaluated and it was not complementary to the other methods in terms of abundance of species and assemblage structure. We conclude that methods can only be considered complementary if they are standardized to the objectives of the study. The use of pitfall traps in short-term surveys of the snake fauna in areas with shrubby vegetation and stony soil is not recommended.

Basking in shadows and climbing in the darkness: microhabitat use, daily activity and thermal ecology of the gecko Phyllopezus periosus RODRIGUES, 1986

by Daniel Passos and Carlos Frederico Duarte Rocha

Dissimilar ab ovo: Sexual dimorphism of Philodryas nattereri Steindachner, 1870 hatchlings and juveniles

On the natural history of the poorly known Neotropical lizard Hemidactylus agrius (Squamata: Gekkonidae)

by Daniel Passos and Conrado Galdino

Hemidactylus agrius is a rare gecko from semi-arid formations of northeastern Brazil. We provide ... more Hemidactylus agrius is a rare gecko from semi-arid formations of northeastern Brazil. We provide herein relevant information on the natural history of this Neotropical gecko species, regarding microhabitat use, sexual dimorphism and feeding habits of a population from a typical semi-arid Caatinga area. The majority of H. agrius were found inactive beneath barks of trees during daylight, evidencing that this kind of microhabitat seem suitable retreat sites. There was no sexual dimorphism for morphological characters of H. agrius, except for body width, with females having wider bodies than males, what might be related to fecundity. The most important consumed prey was orthopterans, and the trophic niche overlap between sexes did not differ from expected by chance. The dietary composition of males and females seems explained neither by differences in head shape nor of dissimilar microhabitat use. Our findings expanded the knowledge on the poorly known H. agrius, thereby contributing to understand the natural history of Hemidactylus lizards with small geographical range.

Indirect evidence of predation and intraspecific agression in three sympatric lizard species from a semi-arid area in northeastern Brazil

Leptodeira annulata. Reproduction / Mating Aggregation

Levels of helminth infection in the flat lizard Tropidurus semitaeniatus from north-eastern Brazil

by Daniel Passos and Conrado Galdino

Parasites represent a great, unknown component of animal biodiversity. Recent efforts have begun ... more Parasites represent a great, unknown component of animal biodiversity. Recent efforts have begun to uncover patterns of infection by helminth parasites in several Neotropical lizards. The present study reports, for the first time, levels of helminth infection in a population of the flat lizard Tropidurus semitaeniatus. One hundred and thirty-nine lizards were examined and evidence of five intestinal helminth species was found, comprising four species of nematodes, one species of cestode and an unidentified encysted larval nematode. The most frequently occurring species was the intestinal nematode Parapharyngodon alvarengai, which did not exhibit differences in prevalence and intensity of infection relative to host sex or age/body size. Furthermore, helminth species richness was not related to host body size.

Predation of Hemidactylus mabouia (Squamata: Gekkonidae) by Guira guira (Cuculiformes: Cuculidae) in northeastern Brazil

The accurate identification of natural predators may contribute to the understanding of prey's de... more The accurate identification of natural predators may contribute to the understanding of prey's defensive strategies. We reported the predation record of the exotic lizard Hemidactylus mabouia by the native bird Guira guira in a perianthropic forest patch in Fortaleza municipality, Ceará state, northeastern Brazil. Our findings expand the knowledge on natural history of H. mabouia through identification of its natural predator, and of G. guira by adding a lizard species to its list of consumed preys.

Calangos e lagartixas: concepções sobre lagartos entre estudantes do Ensino Médio em Fortaleza, Ceará, Brasil

by Daniel Passos, Laís Machado, and Bernadete Beserra

As concepções culturais influenciam as atitudes humanas em relação aos animais, e sua compreensão... more As concepções culturais influenciam as atitudes humanas em relação aos animais, e sua compreensão é essencial para se entender o impacto dos seres humanos sobre a fauna. Neste trabalho, inventariamos concepções sobre lagartos segundo estudantes dos estágios finais da Educação Básica, avaliando sua relação com o atual estado do conhecimento científico e interpretando os casos em discordância. Realizamos entrevistas com estudantes do terceiro ano do Ensino Médio sobre aspectos gerais relacionados a concepções, conhecimentos e usos tradicionais de lagartos. Entrevistamos 38 estudantes que compartilharam 85 concepções distintas. Embora muitas das concepções inventariadas tenham apresentado coerência com os conhecimentos científicos atuais, existiram algumas incongruências. De forma geral, os produtos desta pesquisa forneceram subsídios para a valorização dos lagartos, além de reforçar a necessidade da inclusão de ações de educação ambiental na Educação Básica, como ferramentas para enriquecer o conhecimento sobre a biodiversidade, bem como esclarecer e desmistificar possíveis concepções errôneas.

Ecologia e história natural das serpentes de uma área de Caatinga no nordeste brasileiro

We studied a snake assemblage from an area of Caatinga with shrub and tree vegetation to describe... more We studied a snake assemblage from an area of Caatinga with shrub and tree vegetation to describe the natural history of the snake species. A total of 636 individuals among 22 species from four families were recorded. The distribution of species abundances is log-normal; and the composition presents typical species from the Caatinga, with Oxybelis aeneus (Wagler, 1824) and Philodryas nattereri Steindachner, 1870 being the most common. The natural history of each species is described based on information regarding activity patterns, diet, habitat use, reproduction, and defensive repertoire obtained during the study, as well as on information available in the literature. The study area is located in a priority region for conservation and our results emphasize that conservation policies should be implemented in the region.

Helminths infection patterns in a lizard (Tropidurus hispidus) population from a semiarid Neotropical area. Association between female reproductive allocation and parasite loads

Ecology of Philodryas nattereri in the Brazilian semi-arid region

We describe, through hypothesis testing and observations on life-history traits, the ecology of t... more We describe, through hypothesis testing and observations on life-history traits, the ecology of the snake Philodryas nattereri in a semi-arid region in north-east Brazil, where it is widespread and occurs at high abundance. We document sexual dimorphism in snout-vent length and relative tail length. The species is diurnal and semi-arboreal, and most active during the warmest periods of the day. It is active year-round, with peaks of activity during periods of maximum precipitation and temperature. Adults feed on a variety of prey types, whereas juveniles are lizard specialists. The reproductive season extends over at least nine months of the year. We conclude that, due to its high abundance, foraging skills and fecundity, P. nattereri is a major predator in the Brazilian semi-arid region.

Helminth fauna of two gecko lizards, Hemidactylus agrius and Lygodactylus klugei (Gekkonidae), from Caatinga biome, northeastern Brazil

This study presented data on helminth fauna of two gecko lizards, Hemidactylus agrius and Lygodac... more This study presented data on helminth fauna of two gecko lizards, Hemidactylus agrius and Lygodactylus klugei, from Caatinga biome in northeastern Brazil. It was found four helminth species parasitizing H. agrius, cistacanth of Centrorhynchidae (Acanthocephala) and the nematodes Physalopteridae (larvae), Parapharyngodon alvarengai (Pharyngodonidae) and Skrjabinelazia sp. (Seuratidade). The host Lygodactylus klugei presented two helminth species, one individual of Mesocoelium monas (Trematoda: Mesocoeliidae) in the small intestine and one encysted larvae of Physalopteridae (Nematoda: Physalopteridae) attached at stomach wall. The lizard species showed a low prevalence and low richness of helminths. Moreover, H. agrius presented a low intensity of infection. The foraging mode, arboreal habit and a restricted composition of diet could favoring the low prevalence, low infection rates and low richness of helminths found in these geckonid host species.

Activity patterns of the Brown Vine snake Oxybelis aeneus (Wagler, 1824) (Serpentes, Colubridae) in the Brazilian semiarid

The Brown Vine snake, Oxybelis aeneus (Wagler, 1824), is widely distributed from the United State... more The Brown Vine snake, Oxybelis aeneus (Wagler, 1824), is widely distributed from the United States to Argentina. 113 specimens encountered in the field and 39 individuals from scientific collections were analyzed and we determined patterns of diet, habitat use, and daily and seasonal activity. Oxybelis aeneus can be found to be active year round, especially during the dry and warmer months. Daily temperature poorly describes its activity as it seems to be more active around 31 to 35°C. During the hours of inactivity the species tends to chose higher branches than when active. The snakes choose spiny trees as retreat sites and spineless trees as foraging sites. We suggest that the high abundance of O. aeneus makes it an appropriate model organism for studies on activity patterns of snakes in semi-arid environments.

Frugivory of Momordica charantia (Cucurbitaceae) by Ameivula ocellifera (Squamata:Teiidae) in coastal area of northeastern Brazil

Tail trifurcation in the lizard Salvator merianae (Squamata: Teiidae) investigated by computer tomography

Dangerous neighborhood: saurophagy between syntopic Tropidurus lizards

Saurophagy constitutes an important source of mortality among lizards and has been reported for t... more Saurophagy constitutes an important source of mortality among lizards and has been reported for the genus Tropidurus. However, the extension of this behavior remains unknown. Herein, we record the predation of T. jaguaribanus by its congener T. hispidus. This is the first report of saurophagy among different species of syntopic Tropidurus. Furthermore, whereas published records of saurophagy tend to be directed against juveniles, this case involved two adult individuals.

Diversity and seasonal dynamic of a lizard assemblage in a Neotropical semiarid habitat

We assessed the lizard assemblage from a priority conservation Caatinga area from northeastern Br... more We assessed the lizard assemblage from a priority conservation Caatinga area from northeastern Brazil, through a pluriannual ecological approach, to expand the understanding on biodiversity patterns of Neotropical semiarid habitats. The studied area presented one of the richest lizard faunas among Caatinga sites, being composed primarily by species typical from open landscapes. The local species composition was more similar to assemblages from adjacent Caatinga ecoregions than to those from other areas within the same ecoregion. The inventoried lizard assemblage consisted of a few common species and a majority of low abundance ones, and its overall richness and abundance did not differ between rainy and dry months. Our findings demonstrated that the composition of lizard assemblages did not match with the current proposed Caatinga ecoregions, and revealed that the studied assemblage followed a lognormal species-abundance distribution, showing no significant seasonal fluctuation in richness and abundance.

Challenges and perspectives for studies on home range of lizards from South America

A new species of Tropidurus (Squamata,Tropiduridae) of the semitaeniatus group from a semiarid area in northeastern Brazil

A new species of Tropidurus of the semitaeniatus group is described from northeastern Brazil. Tro... more A new species of Tropidurus of the semitaeniatus group is described from northeastern Brazil. Tropidurus sp. nov. is morphologically similar to other species of the group in the marked dorsoventral flattening of the body, and the presence of a series of sublabial shields that are larger than the adjacent scales. It is distinguished by a single middorsal longitudinal light stripe that extends from the snout to the scapular region. The new species appears to have the largest body size of the group. The new species inhabits the Vale do Jaguaribe, in the eastern part of the state of Ceará, where there are many fissured rocky outcrops surrounded by hypoxerophytic caatinga vegetation.

Efficiency of snake sampling methods in the Brazilian semiarid region

The choice of sampling methods is a crucial step in every field survey in herpetology. In countri... more The choice of sampling methods is a crucial step in every field survey in herpetology. In countries where time and financial support are limited, the choice of the methods is critical. The methods used to sample snakes often lack objective criteria, and the traditional methods have apparently been more important when making the choice. Consequently researches using not-standardized methods are frequently found in the literature. We have compared four commonly used methods for sampling snake assemblages in a semiarid area in Brazil. We compared the efficacy of each method based on the cost-benefit regarding the number of individuals and species captured, time, and financial investment. We found that pitfall traps were the less effective method in all aspects that were evaluated and it was not complementary to the other methods in terms of abundance of species and assemblage structure. We conclude that methods can only be considered complementary if they are standardized to the objectives of the study. The use of pitfall traps in short-term surveys of the snake fauna in areas with shrubby vegetation and stony soil is not recommended.

Basking in shadows and climbing in the darkness: microhabitat use, daily activity and thermal ecology of the gecko Phyllopezus periosus RODRIGUES, 1986

by Daniel Passos and Carlos Frederico Duarte Rocha

Dissimilar ab ovo: Sexual dimorphism of Philodryas nattereri Steindachner, 1870 hatchlings and juveniles

On the natural history of the poorly known Neotropical lizard Hemidactylus agrius (Squamata: Gekkonidae)

by Daniel Passos and Conrado Galdino

Hemidactylus agrius is a rare gecko from semi-arid formations of northeastern Brazil. We provide ... more Hemidactylus agrius is a rare gecko from semi-arid formations of northeastern Brazil. We provide herein relevant information on the natural history of this Neotropical gecko species, regarding microhabitat use, sexual dimorphism and feeding habits of a population from a typical semi-arid Caatinga area. The majority of H. agrius were found inactive beneath barks of trees during daylight, evidencing that this kind of microhabitat seem suitable retreat sites. There was no sexual dimorphism for morphological characters of H. agrius, except for body width, with females having wider bodies than males, what might be related to fecundity. The most important consumed prey was orthopterans, and the trophic niche overlap between sexes did not differ from expected by chance. The dietary composition of males and females seems explained neither by differences in head shape nor of dissimilar microhabitat use. Our findings expanded the knowledge on the poorly known H. agrius, thereby contributing to understand the natural history of Hemidactylus lizards with small geographical range.

Indirect evidence of predation and intraspecific agression in three sympatric lizard species from a semi-arid area in northeastern Brazil

Leptodeira annulata. Reproduction / Mating Aggregation

Levels of helminth infection in the flat lizard Tropidurus semitaeniatus from north-eastern Brazil

by Daniel Passos and Conrado Galdino

Parasites represent a great, unknown component of animal biodiversity. Recent efforts have begun ... more Parasites represent a great, unknown component of animal biodiversity. Recent efforts have begun to uncover patterns of infection by helminth parasites in several Neotropical lizards. The present study reports, for the first time, levels of helminth infection in a population of the flat lizard Tropidurus semitaeniatus. One hundred and thirty-nine lizards were examined and evidence of five intestinal helminth species was found, comprising four species of nematodes, one species of cestode and an unidentified encysted larval nematode. The most frequently occurring species was the intestinal nematode Parapharyngodon alvarengai, which did not exhibit differences in prevalence and intensity of infection relative to host sex or age/body size. Furthermore, helminth species richness was not related to host body size.

Predation of Hemidactylus mabouia (Squamata: Gekkonidae) by Guira guira (Cuculiformes: Cuculidae) in northeastern Brazil

The accurate identification of natural predators may contribute to the understanding of prey's de... more The accurate identification of natural predators may contribute to the understanding of prey's defensive strategies. We reported the predation record of the exotic lizard Hemidactylus mabouia by the native bird Guira guira in a perianthropic forest patch in Fortaleza municipality, Ceará state, northeastern Brazil. Our findings expand the knowledge on natural history of H. mabouia through identification of its natural predator, and of G. guira by adding a lizard species to its list of consumed preys.

Calangos e lagartixas: concepções sobre lagartos entre estudantes do Ensino Médio em Fortaleza, Ceará, Brasil

by Daniel Passos, Laís Machado, and Bernadete Beserra

As concepções culturais influenciam as atitudes humanas em relação aos animais, e sua compreensão... more As concepções culturais influenciam as atitudes humanas em relação aos animais, e sua compreensão é essencial para se entender o impacto dos seres humanos sobre a fauna. Neste trabalho, inventariamos concepções sobre lagartos segundo estudantes dos estágios finais da Educação Básica, avaliando sua relação com o atual estado do conhecimento científico e interpretando os casos em discordância. Realizamos entrevistas com estudantes do terceiro ano do Ensino Médio sobre aspectos gerais relacionados a concepções, conhecimentos e usos tradicionais de lagartos. Entrevistamos 38 estudantes que compartilharam 85 concepções distintas. Embora muitas das concepções inventariadas tenham apresentado coerência com os conhecimentos científicos atuais, existiram algumas incongruências. De forma geral, os produtos desta pesquisa forneceram subsídios para a valorização dos lagartos, além de reforçar a necessidade da inclusão de ações de educação ambiental na Educação Básica, como ferramentas para enriquecer o conhecimento sobre a biodiversidade, bem como esclarecer e desmistificar possíveis concepções errôneas.

Ecologia e história natural das serpentes de uma área de Caatinga no nordeste brasileiro

We studied a snake assemblage from an area of Caatinga with shrub and tree vegetation to describe... more We studied a snake assemblage from an area of Caatinga with shrub and tree vegetation to describe the natural history of the snake species. A total of 636 individuals among 22 species from four families were recorded. The distribution of species abundances is log-normal; and the composition presents typical species from the Caatinga, with Oxybelis aeneus (Wagler, 1824) and Philodryas nattereri Steindachner, 1870 being the most common. The natural history of each species is described based on information regarding activity patterns, diet, habitat use, reproduction, and defensive repertoire obtained during the study, as well as on information available in the literature. The study area is located in a priority region for conservation and our results emphasize that conservation policies should be implemented in the region.

Helminths infection patterns in a lizard (Tropidurus hispidus) population from a semiarid Neotropical area. Association between female reproductive allocation and parasite loads

Ecology of Philodryas nattereri in the Brazilian semi-arid region

We describe, through hypothesis testing and observations on life-history traits, the ecology of t... more We describe, through hypothesis testing and observations on life-history traits, the ecology of the snake Philodryas nattereri in a semi-arid region in north-east Brazil, where it is widespread and occurs at high abundance. We document sexual dimorphism in snout-vent length and relative tail length. The species is diurnal and semi-arboreal, and most active during the warmest periods of the day. It is active year-round, with peaks of activity during periods of maximum precipitation and temperature. Adults feed on a variety of prey types, whereas juveniles are lizard specialists. The reproductive season extends over at least nine months of the year. We conclude that, due to its high abundance, foraging skills and fecundity, P. nattereri is a major predator in the Brazilian semi-arid region.

Helminth fauna of two gecko lizards, Hemidactylus agrius and Lygodactylus klugei (Gekkonidae), from Caatinga biome, northeastern Brazil

This study presented data on helminth fauna of two gecko lizards, Hemidactylus agrius and Lygodac... more This study presented data on helminth fauna of two gecko lizards, Hemidactylus agrius and Lygodactylus klugei, from Caatinga biome in northeastern Brazil. It was found four helminth species parasitizing H. agrius, cistacanth of Centrorhynchidae (Acanthocephala) and the nematodes Physalopteridae (larvae), Parapharyngodon alvarengai (Pharyngodonidae) and Skrjabinelazia sp. (Seuratidade). The host Lygodactylus klugei presented two helminth species, one individual of Mesocoelium monas (Trematoda: Mesocoeliidae) in the small intestine and one encysted larvae of Physalopteridae (Nematoda: Physalopteridae) attached at stomach wall. The lizard species showed a low prevalence and low richness of helminths. Moreover, H. agrius presented a low intensity of infection. The foraging mode, arboreal habit and a restricted composition of diet could favoring the low prevalence, low infection rates and low richness of helminths found in these geckonid host species.

Activity patterns of the Brown Vine snake Oxybelis aeneus (Wagler, 1824) (Serpentes, Colubridae) in the Brazilian semiarid

The Brown Vine snake, Oxybelis aeneus (Wagler, 1824), is widely distributed from the United State... more The Brown Vine snake, Oxybelis aeneus (Wagler, 1824), is widely distributed from the United States to Argentina. 113 specimens encountered in the field and 39 individuals from scientific collections were analyzed and we determined patterns of diet, habitat use, and daily and seasonal activity. Oxybelis aeneus can be found to be active year round, especially during the dry and warmer months. Daily temperature poorly describes its activity as it seems to be more active around 31 to 35°C. During the hours of inactivity the species tends to chose higher branches than when active. The snakes choose spiny trees as retreat sites and spineless trees as foraging sites. We suggest that the high abundance of O. aeneus makes it an appropriate model organism for studies on activity patterns of snakes in semi-arid environments.

Frugivory of Momordica charantia (Cucurbitaceae) by Ameivula ocellifera (Squamata:Teiidae) in coastal area of northeastern Brazil