Helminths associated to tadpoles of Hylidae (Amphibia: Anura) from reserva Florestal Adolpho Ducke, Central Amazon

Abstract

The greater diversity of biological species on the planet is concentrated in tropical regions. However, the biota of these areas is still relatively subsampled, including helminths parasites of amphibians, which is a true "invisible zoo". Despite the wide variety of amphibians, the helminthfauna is known about 20% of frog species. Most of records are from researches conducted with adult amphibians. For larval stages, tadpoles, there are some records in Brazil where it was found the Cosmocercidae Gyrinicola chabaudi parasitizing the frog Leptodactylus latrans. The life cycle of amphibians has two distinct phases, resulting in morphological and behavioral changes that end up favoring the exchange of different groups of parasites over the habitats used by hosts. Considering the need to increase knowledge about the diversity of helminths associated with larval stages of amphibians, this project aims to describe and characterize the composition of helminth fauna associated with tadpoles and adults of the species of anurans from Hylidae family in Reserva Florestal Adolpho Ducke, Central Amazon. It will be sampled three points in permanent streams and three in temporary ponds during dry season and a rainy season. They will be collected 20 tadpoles and 10 adult anurans of each species at each sample point; all organs will be checked for helminths presence. At the end, it will be evaluated for differences in helminth communities between species of tadpoles and adults, the dry and rainy seasons and between permanent and temporary ponds. (AU)