Biodiversity of helminths associated with amphibians and reptiles from RPPN Foz do Aguapeí, municipality of Paulicéia, São Paulo, Brazil

Abstract

The helminth communities associated with amphibians and reptiles are generally characterized by low species richness. However, features of the habitat and host of the local community can affect the composition and structure of component communities of helminths. Factors such as the specificity of the parasite to the host and the geographical distance between host populations contribute to the composition and structure of helminth communities associated with amphibians. Additionally, in studies of helminth fauna associated with different host species is also necessary to take into account the phylogenetic relationships among host species. The main objective of this project is to characterize the composition and structure of helminth component communities associated with amphibians and reptiles in a region composed of biome transition from Atlantic Forest to Cerrado in a protected area (Reserva Particular do Patrimônio Nacional - Foz Aguapeí) in the northwestern state of São Paulo, municipalities of Paulicéia, Castilho and São João do Pau d'Alho. (AU)