Geastrum saccatum was described by Fries in 1829 and represents the first record of the genus for Brazil. The description proposed by Fries is succinct, making it difficult to understand the definition of the species. The characteristics and illustrations do not allow G. saccatum to be identified in a way that is critical for the accuracy of the taxon name. Fries did not indicate the type at the time of publication and did not indicate where the specimen was deposited. Currently, G. saccatum is considered the second most recorded species of the genus in Brazil, according to Brazilian databases. Due to its proximity to G. lageniforme and G. triplex, G. saccatum is commonly confused and mistakenly deposited in Brazilian herbaria. Thus, the objective of this work was to verify and circumscribe the species G. saccatum using Brazilian materials. A loan of exsiccates identified as G. saccatum was requested from Brazilian herbarium collections: JPB, UFRN-Fungos, URM, ICN and RB-Jabot. The specimens were analyzed macro and microscopically at the Laboratório de Sistemática de Fungos at UFBA. The procedures for molecular analysis were carried out at the Laboratório de Genética e Evolução Vegetal at UFBA. Primers ITS5/ITS4 and ITS1/ITS4, and LR0R/LR5r were used. The analysis of the responses obtained was carried out using specific software to generate phylogenetic trees. Phylogenetic analysis was performed with concatenated data in CIPRES and MrBayes, with Maximum Likelihood Analysis (ML) and Bayesian Analysis, respectively. 168 exsiccates identified as G. saccatum were not proven (Appendix 2). Of these, it was possible to obtain 30 sequences from the ITS region and 46 from the LSU, including contaminations. From morphological and phylogenetic analyses, some materials were identified as G. triplex, others it was not possible to identify the specific level due to the conditions of the material, and some it was only possible to confirm that they were not G. saccatum due to the morphological characteristics presented. Four new species of Geastrum have been proposed within Section Corollina, in addition to a lectotypification and epityfication being proposed for Geasturm saccatum. From these analyses, it is necessary to generate new data, including other primers, to confirm the identification of specimens within the G. saccatum complex, as well as to understand the subsections within the Corollina section.

Big genera, also known as megadiverse genera, are generally defined as those with more
than 500 accepted species. The size of many of these big genera has changed significantly through (i) the
description of new species; (ii) division of non-monophyletic genera; (iii) grouping or lumping of genera into a
broader concept. The current number of large genera is unknown, and the most recent size estimates of these
genera are significantly out of date. Therefore, we developed an R-language package to mine Kew's taxonomically
verified global database Plants of the World Online (POWO) to provide an up-to-date list of megadiverse
Leguminosae genera and summarize: (i) the current number of species; (ii) taxonomic history of major changes in
the number of species recognized in each genus; (iii) the mechanisms behind changes in the size of genera from
molecular phylogenetic advances in recent decades; and (iv) provide genera distribution maps in different
countries and botanical regions of the world, as a first step to identify possible patterns and determinants of the
global distribution of megadiverse legumes. We found that the major genera in the Leguminosae family are 

Astragalus, Acacia, Crotalaria, Indigofera, Lupinus, Mimosa and Oxytropis, and not all of them are globally
distributed in the tropical region. Additionally, we found that the greatest changes in the size of these big genera
are due to taxonomic changes over the years.

Nuclear Receptors (NRs) belong to a superfamily of transcription factors, activated by ligands, and act regulating the expression of several genes and involved on cellular functions, such as: development, homeostasis, reproduction, growth, apoptosis and metabolism. NRs possibly arose from a chimerical recombination of genes that were present 800 million years ago. The aim of this work is to describe the possible origin and evolutionary patterns of NRs in chordates. We search  the available genomic databases and the use of a set of software for analysis of DNA and protein sequences. We use PAML 4.9 package for standard evolutionary analysis.  We verified the synteny conservation using the Genomicus browser (93V). We characterized the NRs in 289 chordates, found 22 NRs in cephalochordates, 17 NRs in Urochordates, 39 NRs in angatas and 46 NRs to 76 genes in vertebrates, birds and fish, respectively. The data revealed that the sequences of DBDs remained conserved throughout the evolutionary process. For 45 NRs the best model is M1 (neutral), and for two genes, NR4A1 and RORC, the best model is M8 (selection ), but only 10% of the sites of these genes are under relaxed constrain. We found a conserved synteny in most tetrapod orthologs. Our phylogenetic analyzes cluster genes according to their functional groups. Our  analysis support the hypothesis that the first NRs were lipid sensors with low affinity,  and through duplications, gene losses, and neofunctionalization events originated new NRs.

Recent molecular studies have recovered the Chapada Diamantina clade, endemic to the Espinhaço Range, Brazil, comprising 31 species distributed in six clusters. However, some clusters obtained low support and five species were segregated from their genera. Among the tools for solving taxonomic problems, the anatomical characters of vegetative organs have shown to be important morphological markers of evolutionary processes. Thus, this study aims to describe the leaf anatomy of representatives of six clusters of the Chapada Diamantina clade (Asteraceae). Different populations of 16 species distributed in six genera belonging to the clade were analyzed, besides two species representing the external group. The collected materials were deposited in the Herbário ALCB and also fixed in 70% FAA, to obtain the paradhermal sections from the dissociation by Franklin's method and transversal sections from material included in Historesin and later sectioned in rotary microtome. Staining was done according to the usual techniques for both forms of obtaining the sections, which were later analyzed and photomicrographed under light and scanning electron microscopy at LAVIM-UFBA and IGM-FIOCRUZ, respectively. Among the main results: a) The position of the secretory channels in the main vein associated with the vascular bundles is a probable synapomorphy for the clade (vs. secretory channels dispersed in the fundamental parenchyma); b) Hypoestomatic leaf blades and the presence of stomata in stomatal crypts supported the genera Lasiolaena and Stylotrichium as sister groups; c) Epidermal cell contour and amphistomatic blades corroborated the inclusion of Arrojadocharis praxeloides and Lasiolaena pereirae in the genus Agrianthus; d) Type XI tector trichomes are exclusive to Bishopiella elegans; e) Type VII tector trichomes are exclusive to Lasiolaena; f) Isobilateral mesophyll and accessory bundles in the vein are exclusive to Eupatoriae sp. nov.; g) The species presented macro and micromorphological characters that have adaptive values to the rupestrian field vegetation, such as coriaceous, imbricate leaves, reduced leaf area, thick cuticle, high density of trichomes, stomata in crypts, hypodermis and extension of sheath in the mesophyll. From the analysis of the leaf anatomy of the species of the Chapada Diamantina clade, we concluded that the leaf anatomical characters corroborated most of the groupings proposed in the molecular phylogeny, besides reflecting important adaptations to the campos rupestres, vegetation in which all species are endemic.

The morphological characteristics of seeds, such as fleshy projections, indumentum, texture, ornamentation, color, and internal structures, are frequently used in taxonomic studies. Therefore, this study aimed to discuss the importance of external morphological characteristics of seeds and their taxonomic potential for non-monocotyledonous Angiosperms occurring in Brazil through a systematic literature review. The study was conducted by (1) identifying the number of published articles on taxonomy and evolution of non-monocotyledonous Angiosperms in Brazil that used seeds in their studies; (2) analyzing the origin of seeds used in taxonomic studies; (3) identifying which families and respective hierarchical levels use the external morphological characteristics of seeds as a tool in identification and taxonomic classification; and (4) identifying the external morphological characteristics of seeds used in identification and classification at levels lower than the family level. For the past 66 years, 256 articles were found that used seeds in taxonomic and evolutionary studies. The main strategy in seed studies was field collection (38%), followed by seeds from field and herbarium collections (30%), seeds preserved in herbaria (26%), and seeds from seed banks (6%). Seed morphological characteristics were most commonly used in species identification (52.8%), followed by genera (25.7%) and families (8.2%), and they are valuable for the taxonomy of 67 families of non-monocotyledonous Angiosperms in Brazil. The external morphological characteristics that stand out as important in taxonomy are shape, followed by length, width, coloration, and fleshy projections. The results of this study demonstrate that the external morphological characteristics of seeds have significant potential as a taxonomic tool for non-monocotyledonous Angiosperms in Brazil.

Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) have high ecological importance for forming associations with the roots of most existing plant species. Around 90% of plant species make this type of association, called mycorrhizae. AMF allow greater absorption of nutrients from the soil by expanding the root system of vegetables through their mycelium, providing the host with greater tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses. Comanthera mucugensis is a plant popularly known as evergreen, having high importance for the Mucugê region, in Chapada Diamantina - Bahia. Considering the sociocultural importance of evergreens combined with their ecological importance, it is important to know how this species interacts with the soil microbiota, mainly understanding the diversity of AMF in areas affected and not affected by fire events. In this sense, knowledge about the occurrence and distribution of AMF species becomes important to understand the dynamics in these locations. Thus, the objective of this work was to determine the diversity of AMF in the rhizosphere of C. mucugensis in the municipality of Mucugê, in areas affected and not affected by fire. The study was carried out in the Chapada Diamantina National Park and in the Always-Viva Project, located in the municipality of Mucugê. Soil samples were collected in 9 areas: 3 areas called control (CO 01, CO 02 and CO 03), 3 in an area that went through fire in 2015 (A1, A2 and A3) and 3 that went through fire in 2020 (A4, A5 and A6). Glomerospores were extracted from 50 g of soil using the wet sieving technique, and then quantified and separated by morphotypes and mounted on slides with PVLG and PVLG and Melzer for morphological analysis and identification of AMF species. All ecological analyzes and statistics were conducted with the help of R. Thirty-three AMF species were identified, distributed across 14 genera and 10 families. The Acaulosporaceae family was the most representative with 10 species. The lowest number of glomerospores and greatest diversity of AMF was observed in AAF, reducing the effect of fire on these parameters. The PERMANOVA analysis showed that the AAF area has a different composition of the AMF community from the other areas, which may be selecting species and causing habitat loss. These results infer that fire affects the production of glomerospores and modifies the AMF community present in the soil.

Acoustic signals mediate many interactions, such as mate choice and territory defense in numerous animals. Stochastic and deterministic forces shape divergence in acoustic signals that can drive behavior discrimination in many pathways. Acoustic discrimination influenced by signal divergence can create behavior barriers to gene flow, therefore, with the potential to play a crucial role in speciation and the evolutionary process. Nonetheless, the understanding of how selective regimes drive acoustic divergence and, by consequence, influence behavior response is poorly studied in birds with innate vocalization (for example, suboscines passerines). In suboscines birds, vocalizations are considered innate, and divergence signal from cultural evolution is low or less possible. Therefore, these birds are an excellent system to test the effects of stochastic and determinist processes in acoustic evolution and behavior discrimination without the impact of cultural learning. Here, we tested the effects of stochastic and deterministic processes shaping acoustic divergence in suboscines passerines, specifically in spinetails of the Synallaxis ruficapilla complex that are endemic to the Atlantic Forest. Additionally, we tested the role of signal divergence and phylogenetic relationships in the behavior discrimination through playback experiments. To test evolutionary forces acting in vocal divergence, we analyzed the vocal sampling covering a broad region within the complex's geographic distribution. To test biological relevance and behavior discrimination, we conducted playback experiments in three isolated populations covering the principal clades of the complex. Our results indicate that vocal variation in the ruficapilla complex does not mirror phylogenetic relationships. Instead, stochastic processes, sexual selection, geographic space, and habitat emerge as candidates to explain a puzzling vocal variation in the complex. Additionally, our results show that song discrimination in suboscine through playback is symmetric, and clades of ruficapilla complex similarly exhibited strong behavioral responses to the conspecific songs. The pattern of response to heterospecific does not show a significant statistical difference. Still, the tendency of behavior response to heterospecific in each clade can be clues leading to possible paths followed by the group in recent historical evolution. Surprisingly, we found no significant relationship between phylogenetic or acoustic similarity with behavior response. Our results suggest that evolutionary processes can shape distinct elements of the song in specific ways with the potential to play a crucial role in the acoustic discrimination of suboscine passerines.

Geological changes through the Quaternary have impacted watercourses, climate, and coastal areas, which drove the evolutionary diversification of many organisms. In coastal landscapes during the Pleistocene and Holocene, these transformations caused notable impacts due to sea level variation and the dynamics of these recent habitats. The study of fauna in these environments allows to comprehend how historical factors have shaped the current species diversity. In this dissertation we analyzed the genetic and phenotypic variation in populations of the lizards Tropidurus hygomi, Glaucomastix abaetensis, and Glaucomastix itabaianensis that are endemic and sympatric species inhabiting a short sandy coastal range in the northern coastal region of Bahia and the coast of Sergipe. The dissertation encompasses two chapters. In the first chapter we employed an integrated approach using different biotic and abiotic data sources to better understand the diversification of these species. We explored the phenotype variation using linear morphological characters from the limbs and body and geometric morphometrics of the head of individuals. We compared these data with climatic information to identify correlations between morphological variation and climate. We addressed gaps in the spatial sampling from previous studiesof these lizards to assess population structure. Our results identified five and three well-supported lineages for T. hygomi and G. abaetensis/itabaianensis, respectively. We found morphological suport for different mitochondrial lineages in both lizards’ groups, as well as correlation of morphological variation with climatic data. Our findings revealed cryptic diversity and a complex evolutionary history associated with the formation of these restinga environments. In the second chapter, we obtained subgenomic data of these species through the ddRADseq approach to infer spatial-temporal diversification in these restinga formations. Our data revealed a high level of population structure with the presence of eight genetic groups in each taxon (T. hygomi and G. abaetensis/itabaianensis). Historical demographic analyses indicated synchronous population decline in all groups in the last 10,000 to 50,000 years ago. We observed a possible association of these patterns with the elements of the restinga landscapes where these species are restricted. The presence of mangrove regions at river mouths fragments the continuous distribution of white sand dunes and exhibits spatial concordance with the observed genetic groups. Late Quaternary climate changes are linked to the population decline of these species, with the influence of rising sea levels reducing available habitats and increased wind incidence promoting blowout dune remodeling. Finally, the results of this dissertation revealed hidden diversity and a complex evolutionary history in a short range of dunes along the Brazilian coast. Our findings also have direct implications for future management and conservation plans for these threatened species, aiming to mitigate anthropogenic disturbances that jeopardize these lizards.

In Porifera, growth is considered indeterminate and disorganized, in opposition to the preferential growth zones observed in many modular invertebrates. But are sponges that simple? Understanding whether body regionalization is present in sponges is important to comprehend the evolution of the body plans in metazoans. Here, we are investigating this issue by comparing the morphometry, histology, and the transcriptome (RNAseq, de novo) of two body regions of the repent sponge Cladocroce caelum (Haplosclerida): proximal (with developed aquiferous system modules) and distal regions (the hypothetical growth zone). We observed by in situ measurements that the growth is carried out preferentially at the distal region . We found differences in the histological composition between regions, with a predominance of choanocytes (maintenance cells, 47.6%) at the proximal region, and archaeocytes (totipotent cells, 65.3%) at the distal one. We recovered 99% of orthologous predicted genes for Eukarya and 94% for Metazoa in the transcriptome of the species. Almost all genes related to germ line and stem cells and developmental signalling pathways found in other sponges were expressed in both regions of C. caelum. However, among 140,614 transcripts, only 60 were significantly differentially expressed between regions: 21 were upregulated at the proximal region, while 39 at the distal one. Thus, the comparison of these three characteristics of between these two regions showed differences, which may indicate some regionalization in the sponge body. Our results indicate that despite the differences in the body plan of sponges compared to other invertebrates, these animals can share specialized growth zones.

In plants, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) act in defense against infection, predation and as attractors or repellants for herbivores. Several agricultural pests and pathogenic disease vectors that afflict agriculture are insects that use VOCs in locating and choosing host plants. Citrus farming, an important agricultural practice worldwide, is currently affected by Huanglongbing (HLB), a devastating disease caused by systemic bacteria of the Candidatus Liberibacter genus. Diaphorina citri Kuwayama 1908 is a vector for HLB bacteria. The management of HLB is difficult, costly and population control of D. citri is essential for the management of the disease. Due to the severity of HLB and the adverse effects caused by the intensive use of pesticides, we approach in this work an alternative line of research that aims to understand and use VOCs produced by plants to improve the control of natural populations of D.citri. In Brazil, Bahia, which occupies fourth place in the national ranking of citrus production, is considered a disease-free zone, but the presence of D. citri has been reported in the area and there is an imminent risk of the disease being introduced into its orchards. The citrus industry in Bahia is of a family nature and its common the intercropping of citrus with other agricultural species. In this work, we investigate the profile of VOCs in three intercrops used in citrus farming in Bahia: common bean cv. 'Mulatinho' (Phaseolus vulgaris L.); cassava cv. 'Aipim Eucalyptus' (Manihot esculenta Crantz) and yellow passion fruit cv. 'Flavicarpa' (Passiflora edulis Sims.) genotype Embrapa BGP 418. For this purpose, 3 plants of each species were obtained and each specimen was sampled 3 times. The headspace solid-phase extraction technique (HS-SPME) was used and the compounds were separated by gas chromatography coupled to a mass spectrometer (GC-MS). The identification of analytes was performed by injecting a homologous series of n-alkanes (C7 to C20), calculating the Kovats indices, comparing the mass spectra obtained in the analyzes with NIST spectra and injecting commercial analytical standards. The data obtained were evaluated through principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical clustering (HCA). Overall, 24 VOCs were identified in the three species, 21 compounds for yellow passion fruit, 14 for cassava and 20 for common bean. Most of the compounds belonged to the class of aldehydes and alcohols and the species were grouped together in PCA and HCA. Qualitative differences were observed in the VOC profile of the three varieties when compared to VOC profiles described in the literature for the same species. In this work, we also carried out a literature review on the line of research addressed in the study, concluding that HLB is a complex pathosystem, in which the use of natural or synthetic odors in the management of D. citri is affected by several factors. However, progress can already be found on the effects and preferences of D. citri for certain plants and its VOCs involved. Authors point out the need for more research focused on the application of laboratory results in the field and on the functionality of the use of certain chemical products in the daily lives of workers.

The life history includes all the behavioral, physiological adaptations, and strategies of
organisms, as well as the individual responses (fitness) to the environment, contributing
to the reproductive success of the species. The life histories of marine invertebrates are
diverse and can provide many opportunities for testing hypotheses about how and why
modes of reproduction, development, and behavior evolve in different lineages. Although
sponges are extremely important in structuring benthic and reef communities, many
aspects of their life histories remain unknown. Thus, this thesis aimed to investigate
various aspects of the life history of the genus Aplysina and understand which
interspecific characteristics are determined by the evolutive history and/or by the
influence of the environment in which sponges live. In Chapter 1, we determined the
population density and growth rate (GR) of each species and investigated how these
processes are influenced by environmental factors. The results showed that A. solangeae
was the most abundant species, followed by A. fulva, and A. insularis. Furthermore,
population dynamics (density, size, and GR) can be influenced by a combination of
environmental variables, but this influence is usually species-specific. In chapter 2, we
determined the mode of reproduction, reproductive period, and fecundity of each species,
and investigated how these traits are influenced by environmental factors. We observed
that the reproduction of the three species was continuous throughout the studied period.
Among the three species, A. solangeae was the one that produced the largest amount of
reproductive elements, followed by A. fulva and A. insularis. The reproductive aspects
investigated were similar among the species, varying only in some specific
characteristics, such as gamete size, periodicity, and the influence of environmental
variables. These reproductive aspects are apparently conserved in the genus. In chapter
3, we investigated if there was a trade-off between gamete production (oocytes and
spermatic cysts) and the growth rate of the individuals of each species. We did not observe
a trade-off between reproduction and GR for any analyzed species. The absence of a
trade-off between these life history traits may be related to the limited number of
reproductive elements, and, perhaps, the asexual reproduction that is observed in the
genus. These important population data add new information, until now unknown or
scarce, for the genus Aplysina. Moreover, we are showing that in general aspects the
observed data are conserved within the genus. However, the modulation of the reproductive and population dynamics by the environmental variables seems to be more
species-specific. These new data allow further comprehension of the evolution of
sponges, and also for planning putative management protocols for obtaining the many
natural products produced by sponges of the genus Aplysina.

Characidium includes 83 valid species and is considered a monophyletic genus widely distributed in rivers in South America. Variations in color pattern and external morphology, as well as the fact that many populations in the literature have been identified only at the genus level, suggest that some of the Characidium species actually represent species complexes. This thesis addresses delimitation issues involving Characidium species in freshwater ecoregions with rivers that drain in northeastern Brazil, an area that remains poorly studied when it comes to the genus. Chapters one, two, and three deal with the description of three new species of the genus, expanding the number of species found in rivers draining the ecoregions of interest. In chapter four, a taxonomic study using an integrative approach with morphological and molecular data was conducted, aiming to delimitate the species of the genus Characidium in the rivers of these ecoregions and to discuss the relationships between them and between them and other congeners, as well as their distribution pattern. For this purpose, in addition to the morphological approach, a molecular phylogenetic analysis and three molecular delimitation analyzes of species based on the mitochondrial marker cytochrome oxidase I were performed. Thus, 15 Operational Evolutionary Units (OTUs) were delimited as species hypotheses supported by morphological data and by the results of at least one method of molecular delimitation: 10 correspond to valid species already known for the studied areas, four are morphotypes similar to already described species but with features that do not allow their identification as such, and one UTO corresponds to a potential new species yet to be described. Furthermore, incongruities between the results of morphological and molecular data were found in the delimitation of C. bahiense, C. bimaculatum, C. gomesi, and some proposed morphotypes. The results also suggest that Characidium species from ecoregions that include rivers draining northeastern Brazil do not form a monophyletic group, since some species studied are more closely related to species from other ecoregions. Finally, in chapter 5, the intraspecific limits involving disjunct populations of C. bahiense and the history of diversification of these populations were investigated through a multilocus molecular approach and morphological data. Also in this chapter, reconstruction data from coastal paleodrainages during the Last Glacial Maximum, and possible river captures, were used to investigate the distribution of genetic variation found for this species. The results show the occurrence of mitonuclear discordance, in which two proposed lineages based on mtDNA appear as structured and non-monophyletic. Multilocus analyses, including nuclear markers, however, recover the monophyly of these lineages and show a recent diversification among the populations of the species. Morphological data indicate that all specimens of C. bahiense analyzed are conspecific. Nonetheless, the results suggest that the current distribution of C. bahiense may have been directly influenced by changes in the course of the São Francisco River and by geomorphological events of river captures between the basins where the species occurred during the Pleistocene. All the results obtained herein are part of a pioneering study carried out with the family Crenuchidae, where most of the work has focused on species from the Amazon.

The assemblage of Chironomidae associated with vegetation is fundamental for the dynamics of energy flow. In addition to the influence of leaf debris, environmental variation at different spatial scales is also an essential factor in structuring Chironomidae assemblages. The goals of this study were: i) to evaluate the effects of the temporal variability of the entrance of allochthonous vegetation and the interactions of leaf debris on the succession of Chironomidae assemblages in an annual cycle of a stream in the Cerrado and; ii) to evaluate the structure and taxonomic and trophic composition of an assemblage of Chironomidae larvae associated with leaf detritus in a tropical stream in different seasonal periods. The leaves were collected in two different protocols in the Boiadeiro stream (Cerrado) in the dry, rainy, and transition periods (rainy-dry and dry-rainy). In the 1^st protocol, the leaves were collected for 30 days and were subsequently incubated in the stream to evaluate the process of colonization by Chironomidae and loss of vegetation mass after 90 days. In the 2^nd protocol, the leaves were collected for 30 days. Afterward, they were incubated in this stream to evaluate the colonization process by Chironomidae and microbial activity after 30 days. In the 1^st study, 485 individuals were identified. The dry and dry-rainy transition periods showed lower richness and abundance for functional trophic groups (FTG). The composition of FTG of Chironomidae showed that the temporal variation between the periods was mediated by the time of exposure of leaf debris in the stream, being more segregated in the dry and rainy periods.  In the 2^nd study, 3,892 individuals were identified. Chironomidae richness was positively associated with the amount of aquatic fungal conidia in leaf debris. The larvae with the collector-gatherer habit were the most abundant and diversified. In the dry season, the highest values of abundance and total richness were recorded, while in the rainy season, there was the highest taxonomic variability of Chironomidae. In conclusion, the colonization of leaf debris by Chironomidae larvae was regulated by the period of permanence of allochthonous plant material in the stream. The higher environmental variations in the rainy season associated with an increase in the biomass of decomposing organisms increased taxonomic variability and reduced the abundance and total richness of Chironomidae larvae.

Bryozoans are aquatic invertebrates, predominantly marine, filter-feeding, sessile and colonial. Cheilostomatida Busk, 1852 is the most successful evolutionary group with more than half of the 8,000 known species. In Cheilostomatida, the family Smittinidae Levinsen, 1909 is considered the most diverse, with more than 300 species widely reported in all seas and oceans, colonizing natural and artificial substrata and with taxa related to bioinvasion events. Among Smittinidae genera, Parasmittina Osburn, 1952 is the most diverse, with 129 described species. In the Atlantic, 30 species are known and 11 of these occur in the Southwestern Atlantic. Most species have never been revised based on current techniques for taxonomy of marine bryozoans and many records have been attributed to species complexes. Thus, the aims of this work were to morphologically characterize species of Parasmittina from the Southwestern Atlantic, including port areas of Brazil; determine the native / cryptogenic / exotic status of each species; reassess the traditional morphological characters used for taxonomy and, finally, present an identification key to the Atlantic species. Eleven species were recognized – one species from Argentina, four species previously described from Brazilian coast (P. abrolhosensis Ramalho, Taylor, Moraes, Moura, Amado–Filho & Bastos, 2018, P. alba Ramalho, Muricy & Taylor, 2011, P. distincta Ramalho, Taylor, Moraes, Moura, Amado–Filho & Bastos, 2018, P. ligulata (Ridley, 1881), P. simpulata Winston, Vieira & Woollacott), five species mainly known from the Indo–Pacific (P. bimucronata (Hincks, 1884), P. longirostrata Liu in Liu, Yin & Ma, 2001, P. pinctatae Liu in Liu, Yin & Ma, 2001, P. serrula Soule & Soule, 1973 and P. winstonae Liu in Liu, Yin & Ma, 2001) and a new species, P. falciformis n. sp. At least three species, P. alba, P. distincta and P. simpulata, are here recognized as part of species complexes that need further investigations. Among five Indo–Pacific species, two are assigned as exotic (P. longirostrata and P. serrula) in SW Atlantic, but other three are assigned as cryptogenic (P. bimucronata, P. pinctatae and P. winstonae). Taxonomic considerations and morphological characterization of other Parasmittina species are provided.

Phylogenies with incongruent topologies commonly reflect different evolutionary processes that genes and species
may undergo, especially within low-resolution groups, such as Piresia, a South American herbaceous bamboo
genus. Diversification in Piresia is likely recent and associated with hybridization, polyploidization, sympatric
speciation and tropical forest dynamics; likely creating intricate phylogenetic relationships with paraphyletic/cryptic
species. This study explored phylogenetic reconstructions, using gene and species trees from different molecular
markers to better estimate relationships within the genus, especially in the Atlantic Forest (AF), the most
problematic lineage. We applied a biogeographic approach to understand the processes influencing the
evolutionary history of the genus. We recovered the disjunction between species from the Amazonia (AM) and AF,
and the low taxonomic resolution within the latter. However, our analyses indicated that divergence between
datasets may be associated with plastidial DNA homoplasy. Therefore, we suggest the non-inclusion of certain
markers in future studies. Moreover, the incongruence between gene and species trees confirms the
paraphyletism of a well-defined species, P. leptophylla, probably by incomplete lineage sorting or differential
selective pressures associated with climatic adaptation, suggesting this species need recircumscription. The
biogeographic analyses indicate that Piresia originated during the Pliocene, diversified in the Pleistocene, probably
influenced by climatic fluctuations.

Despite the crisis that taxonomy has been facing, with reduced financial and personnel resources, and a huge deficit in the training of new taxonomists, every year, all over the world, thousands of species are described and named. Much of this progress is possible thanks to the incorporation and integration of new technological tools into traditional descriptive taxonomic works. After more than 250 years of hegemonic use of morphological data, currently new methods and data to delimit, discover and identify species are gaining a lot of space in the field of traditional taxonomy, including molecular, biogeographic and ecological analyses, being complementary to morphological ones. This approach is defined as integrative taxonomy (combination between different sources of evidence). The integrative approach is particularly useful in the study of biodiversity hotspots, such as diverse environments in tropical regions, as well as in the study of groups that are known to have a high number of cryptic species, such as the stingless eusocial bees (Tribe Meliponini). An interesting case is that of the fire bee Oxytrigona tataira (Smith, 1863), which has the species O. cagafogo (Müller, 1874) as its junior synonym, however the researcher who proposed the synonymy did not mention what evidence led him to make such a decision. Furthermore, the original description of this species is very succinct and the indication of the type locality is incomplete, only the country where the specimens were collected is informed, in this case Brazil. This species in question is considered by different taxonomists as a species of complex taxonomy, of dubious status and in need of taxonomic reassessment. In this sense, we use an integrative approach, combining morphological study, wing geometric morphometry analysis and species distribution modeling, to unveil the true identity of O. tataira. For the morphological study, 923 specimens of Oxytrigona from 14 Brazilian states were studied. The Lectotype of Trigona tataira Smith, 1863 (= O. tataira) was also examined. The type material of Trigona cagafogo Müller, 1874 (= O. cagafogo) cannot be examined as it is lost. However, specimens collected in Blumenau - Santa Catarina, located approximately 40Km from the type locality of O. cagafogo, which corresponds to Itajaí - Santa Catarina, were studied. For the wing geometric morphometry analysis, the right anterior wing of 10 workers from 47 colonies sampled was used, making a total of 470 analyzed wings. For the modeling of species distribution, the occurrence records of all Oxytrigona specimens studied were used, which corresponded to 106 unique occurrence records, and the environmental variables were downloaded from an online database. All specimens examined in the present study were sampled in places where the natural occurrence of O. tataira and O. cagafogo has been reported in the literature. In the morphological study, we identified three distinct morphotypes. Morphotype 1 is restricted to the north of the Northeast Region and north of Tocantins State (recognized as the North region), occurring in the phytogeographic domains of Caatinga and Cerrado and also in Mata Atlântica enclaves that exist in the highlands of Ceará. Morphotype 2 is widely distributed in the Mata Atlântica phytogeographic domain, from the south of the country to the south of the Northeast, however, in the states of Bahia and Minas Gerais, it enters the Caatinga and Cerrado domains. And morphotype 3 occurs in the Southeast and South of the country, present in the Southeast in an ecotone area (Mata Atlântica - Cerrado) and in the South in an Mata Atlântica area. The results of the wing geometric morphometric analysis (Canonical Variable Analysis, Mahalanobis Distance and Discriminant Functions) corroborate the morphological study, with the delimitation of three groups (three morphotypes). As well as with the results of the species distribution modeling, although a small overlap was observed between part of the niches of morphotypes 1 and morphotype 2. Morphotype 1 corresponds to the species Oxytrigona tataira Smith (1863), whose studied specimens agree perfectly with the discretion provided by Smith (1863) and also with the type specimen of Trigona tataira Smith, 1863, which is deposited at the BMNH. Morphotype 2 corresponds to the species Oxytrigona cagafogo (Müller, 1874), which differs consistently from O. tataira, and morphologically agrees perfectly with the description provided by Müller (1874), for which we propose the revalidation of its status taxonomic as a valid species. And morphotype 3 that has consistent differences from the two previous ones and does not agree with the description of any species of Oxytrigona formally described to date, and, therefore, we are proposing in the present study as a new species for Oxytrigona.

Ambush-foraging vertebrate animals that fed infrequently present alterations considered extreme in the periods of food transition. In the organism these changes occur at different levels due to digestion and are quite evident in the organs related to the gastrointestinal tract. Considering these changes, the analyze of the morphological differences, patterns of substrate modification and issues related to mitochondrial functionality are necessary to understand aspects of the regulation of this process. From this perspective, Boa constrictor being an ambush-foraging snakes, with the ability to withstand long periods of fasting, fit as suitable models for this type of study. Thus, the following thesis aimed to analyze and relate morphological and biochemical aspects between the periods of food transition in Boa constrictor. Two experiments were realized following the standardization: (1) the boas were kept fasting for 2 months; (2) and the fed groups received an amount of food equivalent to 30% of their body mass in mice. In the first experiment (chapters 1, 2 and 3) 23 individuals of Boa constrictor, were kept fasted and subsequently divided into five treatments. The 0DPF group (days post-feeding; fasting, n = 5) was euthanized after the fasting period, while other treatments were fed and euthanized in the following times: 1DPF (n = 5), 2DPF (n = 5), 3DPF (n = 4) and 6DPF (n = 4). Blood was collected from these animals for plasma analysis, and stomach, intestine, liver, heart, lung, and kidney were removed, and their masses were determined for morphological and biochemical analyzes. The second experiment (chapter 4) the boas were divided into two treatments, fasting (control, n = 5) and 2DPF (fed, n = 4) and liver was collected, and the aspects of the mitochondrial functionality were analyzed. In the Chapter 1, masses and organ morphology changes were verified as a result of feeding after the fasting period. The results showed the relationship between the change in morphology and the periods of organ activity. In the Chapter 2, modification of energy substrates (glucose, protein, and lipid) during the food transition process and replacement of substrates of energy reserves were evaluated, also analyzing enzymes related to gluconeogenic pathway. As a result, it was observed that the B. constrictor modify and mobilize the substrates at the beginning of digestion, as well as for the maintenance of the process. In addition, in a few days already begin to replenish the glycogen stocks. In Chapter 3, the activity of enzymes related to glycolytic and oxidative pathways was analyzed, in addition to the relationship with the mitochondrial volume density in tissues. As results it was observed that the intestine has higher oxidative capacity at the beginning of the digestive process compared to the stomach and liver, while the liver seems to have greater glycolytic activity. Mitochondrial volume density did not differ between tissue treatments and did not correlate with the activity of CS. Perhaps the alteration in metabolism seen in the postprandial period may be related to mitochondrial characteristics such as shape and bioenergetics. Chapter 4 analyzed the mitochondrial functionality in the liver of boas considering fasting and fed treatments. The results showed an increase in mitochondrial functionality in the fed group, which is in accordance with the increase in metabolic rate after feeding in these animals, previously known in the literature. In addition, boas’ mitochondria seem adapted to fasting period, when compare your functionality basal values with mammals (mice and rat). Thus, this study broadens the understanding of the processes related to feeding in snakes, from an integrative approach, relating patterns of modification of energetic substrates considering biochemistry and morphology, in different stages of digestion. At the same time, it combined these results with the regulation of enzymes associated with substrate and energy production pathways. Finally, we analyzed a new aspect in this transition period, related to mitochondrial morphofunctionality in snakes.

Freshwater fish are particularly suitable to infer evolutionary processes that have determined the spatial patterns of diversification in the Neotropical region. Some Neotropical ecoregions are particularly interesting because of their high number of hydrographic basins and the heterogeneity of habitats associated with high rates of species endemism. This is the case of the Northeastern Mata Atlântica (NMA) ecoregion, currently composed of eight main basins in the coastal zone of eastern Brazil. In addition to this, the São Francisco (SF) ecoregion, although composed of a single main river, runs through a great diversity of habitats along the Brazilian crystalline shield up to its mouth in northeastern Brazil, comprising a rich ichthyofauna. However, the diversification hypotheses that gave rise to the diversity of fish in these ecoregions are intricate and need further studies. In turn, the genus Hypostomus is widespread along the Neotropical region and is composed of a high number of species, which makes it an excellent model for biogeographic studies. In this thesis, we investigated the molecular systematics based on multiloci and cytogenetic data, as well as the diversification process of Hypostomus in the NMA and SF ecoregions based on tests of hypotheses such as isolation by distance (IBD), isolation by topographical resistance (IBRtop), isolation by environment (IBE) and hydrogeological hypothesis. In the first chapter, we investigated the phylogenetic relationships among three endemic species (H. jaguar, H. unae and H. chrysostiktos) from the coastal basins between the Paraguaçu river and the Recôncavo Sul basin, focusing on species delimitation based on morphological, morphometric, cytogenetic and molecular data. In this chapter, we suggested the reallocation of H. chrysostiktos to the genus Pterigoplichthys as supported by all the methods. Thus, P. chrysostiktos represents the first species of this genus validated for the coastal basins of NMA. In the second chapter, we reconstructed the phylogenetic relationships of 20 species that occur in the NMA and SF ecoregions in relation to the other congeners over their entire distribution range, totaling 151 putative species. According to these analyses, we expanded the phylogenetic groups recognized for NMA and SF (H. asperatus, H. auroguttatus, H. regani, H. plecostomus, H. punctatus) by recognizing an additional species group named H. paulinus and by the identification of an exclusive clade, endemic to SF ecoregion (H. velhochico). We also demonstrated that the taxonomic diversity of the genus within NMA was influenced by several adjacent ecoregions. On the other hand, the SF ecoregion was strongly influenced by the ichthyofauna of at least three large nearby ecoregions. Furthermore, we revealed poorly resolved species within both regions and possible synonyms that should be taxonomically revisited. In the third chapter, we estimated the role of river capture events and environmental heterogeneity in the diversification of the group Hypostomus asperatus. By testing different biogeographic hypotheses, we found that the evolutionary relationship between lineages was strongly correlated with the highest number of capture events across basins. Additionally, environmental predictors (precipitation, elevation, topography and hydroclimate) were recovered as the main influencers on the genetic structure of this group, followed by little influence of geographic distance. In the fourth chapter, we explore an endemic clade to the SF ecoregion (Hypostomus velhochico), recorded based on molecular data for the first time (Chapter 2). Cytogenetic data in this taxon revealed an unprecedented pattern for the genus representing the lowest diploid number ever described for Hypostomus. Besides being useful for the delimitation of species, chromosomal and molecular data allowed debating about the karyotypic diversification process of the group. In general, it was observed that river capture events and environmental predictors played a key role in the diversification of Hypostomus along NMA and SF, which should be tested in other taxa from these ecoregions. Finally, it is worth emphasizing the need for proper conservation plans of basins along the semiarid region, which tend to present unique populations and undescribed species, as verified in Hypostomus. 

The family Amphoriscidae is one of the problematic groups within the Class Calcarea. The most recent study on the phylogeny of this family points to its non-monophyly. However, it is still considered as a valid taxon as, in calcareous sponges, groups previously proposed on the basis of morphological data are commonly rejected by phylogenetic analyses. The lack of deep knowledge on the morphology of several species is a limiting factor on the proposition of a new system of classification, and, possibly, taxonomic revisions are the best way to resolve such question. Amphoriscidae is composed of three genera: Amphoriscus, Leucilla and Paraleucilla and the present study is structured in three chapters, one for each genus of Amphoriscidae. In general, chapters focused on resolutions of erroneous identifications, records of dubious occurrences, absence of type material, and descriptions of new species. For Amphoriscus, a new species to science was proposed, discussions on dubious occurrence were done (such as A. cylindrus and its new geographical distribution). In addition, realocations of species to another Order and the recognition of one species as incertae sedis complement new discoveries for the genus. Similarly, the results raised in the present study regarding to Leucilla include: designation of a neotype, the description of new species to science, realocation of some species into other genus of Amphoriscidae and the first photographic records of the skeletal organization for several species of Leucilla. Finally, the chapter on the most recent genus of the family, Paraleucilla, shows a novelty, pentactines, which was identified in species described more than a century ago and also in recently described ones. Inferences about the presence of these spicules were done. In addition, two new species of Paraleucilla containing pentactines are proposed. Amphoriscidae is composed of recently described species and others of more than a century of existence, and regardless when they were proposed, for most of them it was possible to discover characteristics not reported in their original descriptions. Therefore, the chapters of the present thesis contributed not only for a best knowledge on the species described by past taxonomists, but also bring new insights on the information contained in the great majority of the species currently composing the family.

The subfamily Hypoptopomatinae, family Loricariidae, is represented by organisms popularly known as “cascudinhos” due to their small body size, usually shorter than 70mm. The fishes grouped in that subfamily are distinguished especially by the presence of an exposed scapular girdle in adults, a plesiomorphic characteristic to the group. The genus Parotocinclus Eigenmann & Eigenmann, 1889 currently possess 33 valid species, and was elevated to the status of genus inside Hypoptopomatinae thanks to the presence of a well developed adipose fin. The monophyly of Parotocinclus has been questioned in the last two decades, however, descriptions of new species continued to be made to the group. The genus has its highest richness values to the Amazon region and coastal drainages of Brasil, from the Northeast to the Southeast of the country. To the Northeastern Freshwater Mata Atlantica ecoregion (NMAF) 10 valid species of Parotocinclus have been described. Preliminary analysis  of the fish collections holding material collected in the NMAF have revealed populations of Parotocinclus indentified only to the generic level, which could be caused by the difficulty in the establishment of geographical and taxonomic delimitations, or the presence of new species for science. The present work aimed to realize a taxonomic review of the species of Parotocinclus present in the NMAF, with an update of the geographical distribution of the valid species and the addition of information in their descriptions and diagnosis. Moreover, the present study also aimed to describe new species and to propose a new identification key to the species present in the studied area. Lots of Parotocinclus belonging to the “Museu de História Natural da Bahia” and other institutions (e.g., Universidade de São Paulo, Universidade Federal da Paraíba) were examined. The species were identified based on specific literature and morphological and osteological analysis. When not related to any of the already described species, the taxon was here nominated as morphotype or diagnosed as a new species to the genus. Besides the 10 species of Parotocinclus already described, the taxonomic review also brings a description of a new species and some morphotypes indicated as possible new species to the NMAF. Moreover, two new species were described in two different chapters, with comments about a new sexual dimorphic trait related to the olfactory system and discussing new descriptions of Parotocinclus characterized by the presence of absent or rudimentary adipose fins.           

Trichoptera Kirby, 1813 is an order of aquatic insects, currently constituted by 83 families, 765 genera and about 16,800 valid species, being the seventh largest in number of species among all insect orders and the largest among those originally aquatic. In the Neotropical Region 3,262 species of Trichoptera are described, 795 of which occur in Brazil. Among the species occurring in the national territory, there are 16 families, five from the suborder Annulipalpia and 11 from the suborder Integripalpia. Among the Integripalpia, Calamoceratidae Ulmer 1905 has approximately 200 described species, distributed in eight living genera, only two of which occur exclusively in the Neotropical Region: Banyallarga Navás 1916 and Phylloicus Müller 1880, the latter the only one that occurs in Brazil. Currently 25 species of Phylloicus are registered for Brazil, of these, only eight were registered in the Northeast Region of the country. Thus, the objective of the present work is to expand the taxonomic knowledge about the genus Phylloicus by updating the species occurring in Northeast Brazil, including the description of five new species. The identified specimens came from the collections of the Museum of Natural History of Bahia (UFBA) and the Zoological Collection of Maranhão (CZMA), as well as collections made. For specific identification, the males had their abdomens removed and cleared (potassium hydroxide 10% and lactic acid 85%). Five new species are described and seven species are registered, two of these (P. major and P. pirapo) represent new records for Bahia (first record of P. major for the Northeast Region), one for Ceará (P. fenestratus) and another (P. bidigitatus), for the states of Pernambuco and Sergipe, constituting the first records of its kind in these two states. With this work the number of species occurring in the Northeast Region of Brazil rises from eight to 13, with the addition of the record of five new species (four occurring in the Bahia and one in the Ceará), and addition and invalidation of occurrence for P. major ( Bahia) and P. abdominalis,  respectively.

The Brazilian coast is extremely diverse in marine ecosystems, which probably contributes for the richness of sponge species on our coast, whether in shallow or deep waters, reefs or mangroves, rocky shore and even on muddy substrates. Ancorinidae (Astrophorina, Tetractinellida, Demospongiae) is among the Demospongiae families described for Brazil, currently containing 16 genus distributed around the world and approximately 400 valid species, the family is characterized by its subradial skeleton, by the presence of long oxea and triaenes as megascleres and asters, streptasters and microrabds such as microscleres. In this work, we present two new species of Ancorinidae typical of unconsolidated bottoms, one of the genus Stelletta, collected in deep waters in the State of Rio Grande do Sul (190m) in bio debris on a mud or fine sand bottom, including a taxonomic key of Brazilian species, and a new species of Tribrachium collected in shallow water from Bahia State, the second species of the genus, accompanied by a morphological taxonomic review of its type-species, Tribrachium schmidti Weltner, 1882, based on the study of the neotype and a collection from the northern and southern coast of Bahia.

Squamata exhibit a wide range of reproductive patterns, from continuous to seasonal
reproduction. The organisms have limited resources, which can be competitively allocated
to different functions, leading them to the trade-off. The high reproductive activity can
make the organisms more susceptible to parasitism, which can also affect the hosts
reproduction. The abundance and composition of parasitic faunas are influenced by
morphological and environmental characteristics. Thus, we described the reproductive
activity of Ameivula ocellifera and Glaucomastix itabaianensis. In addition, we evaluated
whether parasites infection/infestation causes negative effects on the reproductive
conditions of these lizards species. Finally, we investigated how the geographic
distribution (Caatinga and restinga) and the size of the lizards Ameivula nigrigula and A.
ocellifera affect the abundance and composition of their parasites. Our results showed that
despite being sympatric species, A. ocellifera and G. itabaianensis have continuous and
non-continuous reproduction, respectively. The oviposition of G. itabaianensis was
recorded in the transition period, between the dry and rainy seasons, which may be
associated with the presence of microclimate conditions favorable to the embryonic
development and survival of the offspring. As for A. ocellifera, its reproductive activity
showed a phylogenetic relationship at the species level, and with temperature, an important
factor in regulating the testicular activity of the lizards. The species studied showed
different prevalence of endo- and ectoparasites that may be associated with differences in
the space use by these hosts. In general, there was no effect of infection/infestation on the
reproductive patterns of G. itabaianensis and A. ocellifera. However, the reproductive
females of G. itabaianensis showed a high rate of infection, indicating that the
reproductive activity could make them more susceptible to infection. For the abundance of
parasites in A. nigrigula and A. ocellifera, this biological condition was not influenced by
the body size of the lizards. Environmental factors such as temperature, light and humidity
are considered variables that explain the distribution, survival and development of
parasites. Thus, the two microhabitats studied (Caatinga and restinga) presented different
environmental variables that may explain the differences found in the abundance of
parasites in A. nigrigula and A. ocellifera.

The genus Phyllodytes Wagler, 1830 is composed of fourteen species, eight of which have the external morphology of their tadpoles described in the literature, and only P. gyrinaethes has its chondrocranium and hyobranchial skeleton described. The lack of studies in literature on Phyllodytes, especially with respect to the internal morphology, mainly motivates this work. In order to shed light on taxonomy and phylogenetic issues, this study demonstrates the characteristics that might aid in the taxonomy of larvae with emphasis on the chondrocranium and the hyobranchial skeleton. The species described and compared in this work are: P. acuminatus, P. brevirostris, P. edelmoi, P. gyrinaethes, P. luteolus, P. maculosus, P. melanomystax, P. praeceptor, P. punctatus, P. wuchereri and a new species of the Phyllodytes genus. Our findings suggest the morphology of the chondrocranium and the hyobranchial skeleton in Phyllodytes is generally conserved in many aspects with respect to the subfamily, such as: (i) cornua trabeculae short; (ii) articulation of the cornua trabeculae with the suprarostral cartilage exactly at the point of connection between the pars alaris and the pars corporis; (iii) robust Meckel's cartilage and sigmoid "S" format; (iv) palatoquadrate long and parallel to the braincase; (v) quadrangular otic capsule superimposed on the processus ascendens; (v) ceratobranchialia IV fused to planum hypobranchiales and (vi) truncated processus urobranchialis. Furthermore, the characters of the chondrocranium and hyobranchial skeleton shared between the Phyllodytes and the subfamily Lophyohylinae are: (i) short cornua trabeculae; (ii) suprarostral cartilage with pars corporis and pars alaris forming a flat and wide structure; (iii) presence of the processus oticus; (iv) quadrangular otic capsule superimposed on the processus ascendens; (v) ceratobranchialia IV fused to planum hypobranchiales and (vi) truncated processus urobranchialis. In contrast, the dissimilar characteristics among the species are: (i) suprarostral cartilage format; (ii) pars corporis shape; (iii) cornua trabeculae format; width of planum ethmoidale; (iv) processus lateralis trabeculae undeveloped or absent; (v) palatoquadrate format; (vi) fenestra subocularis shape; (vii) presence or absence of processus anterolateralis of the otic capsule; (viii) presence or absence of the processus posterolateral of the otic capsule; (ix) presence or absence of processus oticus; (x) quadrangular otic capsule superimposed on processus ascendens; (xi) planum hypobranchiales format and (xii) presence or absence of the copula I. Hence, Phyllodytes intraspecific is a key issue to be considered in future studies. Since larvae's morphological characters play a key role in understanding the phylogeny and the specie delimitation with respect to Phyllodytes, we suggest as a conclusion that similar studies be extrapolated to other species from the Lophyohylinae subfamily.

The color polymorphism is an important issue that promote speciation and Evolution species, due its efficiency to be correlated with other traits like morphology, physiology, anatomy or behavior. In ectothermic, the coloration can influence thermorregulatory process, improving environment exploration, geographic distribution and habitat use efficiency. Despite of that, there aren’t studies about ecological influences in polychromatic snakes to Neotropical region. For this reason, the present work analyzed the polychromatic variation in Xenodon merremii along of the Brazil. Our hypothesis is environment gradient must influence the polychromatism in this species. To that, we described the morphotypes found in Brazil, verified if the polychromatism is related with altitudinal, climatic and phytophisionomic conditions, analyzed if the morphotypes exhibited spatial autocorrelation and we tested if different morphotypes exhibited differences in shape of the body. We utilized the geographic position to quantify the number of individuals in each phytophisionomy and altitude and analyzed if they differed through Kruskal-Wallis test, the climatic niche was analyzed through of PCA-env and the spatial autocorrelation was tested realizing the Moran’I correlogram. To test if there were differences between polychromatic patterns and morphometric parameters, we realized the PERMANOVA test. It was described ten morphotypes of Xenodon merremii along of the Brazil and our analyses didn’t find any relation between altitudes, phytophisionomies and morphotypes, which influenced to negative spatial autocorrelation found it. However, the climatic niche showed partial segregation between them, being the variables most important were BIO11, BIO01, BIO09 (first axis), BIO17, BIO19 and BiO14 (second axis). The morphotypes most black showed some difference morphometrics when compared the other ones, being length and width head the variables most important, respectively. Our results suggest that the morphotypes of Xenodon merremii must undergo other types of selection (visually oriented predators, for example), which must explain the different frequencies in variables studied. The habitat heterogeneity in Brazil must promote the high overlap between morphotypes of this species what contribute to presence of gene flow along of populations. Moreover, this can have influenced in morphometric variables, due broader availability of prey and, possibly, distinct physiological process between them. Despite of these results, we can see the black patterns trying out areas less hot that other ones, through a balance between altitude and phytophisionomy. Therefore, different selection forces under the morphotypes of Xenodon merremii can explain the success this species in to utilize broader distribution and more studies testing predation and cryptic ability between morphotypes must clarify better these questions.

The reef environments, common in coastal areas, have been undergoing from anthropic impacts, and it is necessary to know them to preserve. In the state of Bahia, coral reefs extend discontinuously for 1.000km, where research and management projects are developed. But, many studies are still needed in order to protect these environments from existing impacts. In this scenario, the faunistic taxonomic inventories arise by assisting in the knowledge of the community and subsidizing projects of conservation and maintenance of the reef environments. Ophiuroidea is one of the most well-known and abundant group of benthic reef fauna. In the state of Bahia, about 50 species of brittle stars are recorded, from Praia do Forte to the region of Abrolhos, representing little more than 2% of the known species of the world. In order to record the Ophiuroidea fauna of reef environments along the coast of Bahia, collections were made in nine reef areas, during 2013–2018. The specimens of brittle stars were manually collected in phytal, sponges and cnidarians, during low tide (> 0.5m). From this material, 709 specimens were analyzed and identified in six families and 18 species. The presence of a small population of the non-indigenous genus Ophiothela was recorded in the entrance of Todos os Santos Bay, and its impact on the sampled reef is still not well known. Common species of reef environments were collected in dense populations (e.g. Amphipholis januarii, A. squamata, O. savignyi and O. ophiactoides). In addition, we recorded the occurrence of juveniles and species with signs of recent disc regeneration, demonstrating the importance of reef environments in the protection, reproduction and development of brittle stars. Therefore, we emphasize the need of preservation of reefs and their fauna of Ophiuroidea, mainly in environments still little known, as the deep reef areas.

In this work we present a faunistic inventary on caddisflies of Brejo de Altitude of Triunfo, rainforest enclave located within the Caatinga domain, Sertão do Baixo Pajeú, Pernambuco state. The specimens were collected by manual collection (larvae and pupae), light UV/White, light pan traps, Pennsylvania traps, Malaise traps, and entomologic nets. Were collected 4.395 specimens, distributed in 6 families, 9 genera, and 11 species. Among these, Cyrnellus kozepes Oláh, 2016, constitute new records for Brazil. New records for the Northeast region: Metrichia peluda Santos, Takiya & Nessimian, 2016, Neotrichia feolai Santos & Nessimian, 2009, and Oxyethira tica Holzenthal & Harris, 1992 and for Pernambuco state: Chimarra sp. nov. (in description for Rio Grande do Norte state) e Cyrnellus fraternus (Banks, 1905). Moreover, is described and illustrated Helicopsyche (Feropsyche) triunfensis sp. nov. and their immature stages, associated using the metamorphotype method. The presente work increases 1 species of Trichoptera to Brazil, the Northeast region now has 140 species, and Pernambuco from 30 to 37.

The phylum Nematoda is one of the major groups of meiofauna, which can occur either parasitizing other beings or living freely in sediments of aquatic environments. These animals have great ecological importance in nutrient cycling, trophic chain structure, and are excellent bioindicators of environmental quality. This study describes a new species of the genus Oncholaimellus and presents a preliminary taxonomic inventory of marine nematodes in Itapuã beach, Salvador city, Bahia State, Brazil. The study was conducted at two points of Itapuã beach, at four tidal stages. The samples were packaged, fixed, and processed at the UFBA Geoecology Laboratory of Marine Sediment. The material was washed, separated through 500- and 45-µm sieves, and stored in containers with 5% neutral formalin. The nematofauna was counted, separated, diaphanized, and mounted on slides. A total of 17 morphotypes were identified and recorded, covering 6 orders, 11 families, and 16 genera, out of which Enoplolaimus, Haliplectus, and Cynura were the most abundant. Four new records were found for Bahia: Bolbolaimus, Longicyatholaimus, Chromadorina, and Thalassironus. A new species of Oncholaimellus is described. An updated dichotomous key, a pictorial key, and a preliminary taxonomic inventory of genera were prepared for the studied beach

Symbiotic relationships are present at the most diverse biological levels, involving interspecific associations, whether mutualistic, commensal or parasitic. Coral reefs are environments of remarkable productivity, responsible for sheltering, breeding and nourishing a range of organisms that, in many scenarios, live in symbiosis with their hosts. Amidst the invertebrates, decapod crustaceans stand out as one of the most diverse and numerous groups associated with corals, of the Scleractinia order, with which, at least five families of brachyuran crabs are obligatory symbiosis.

The family Cryptochiridae, stands out for its morphological peculiarities and lifestyle. At the final stage of larval development, thses crabs settle on the colonies inducing changes in coral growth, giving rise to their dwellings, called galls, pits cavities or tunnels.

Currently, from the 21 known genera, only five, namely Troglocarcinus, Opecarcinus, Cecidocarcinus, Detocarcinus, and Kroppcarcinus have been recorded for the Atlantic Ocean. Among which, only four species Troglocarcinus corallicola, T. hirsutus, Opecarcinus hypostegus, and Kroppcarcinus siderastreicola have been registered for Brazil. Therefore, the present study describes a new species of Opecarcinus to Southwestern Atlantic Ocean, with a taxonomic identification key for the Atlantic Cryptochiridae. Additionally, a nomenclatural review of the housing categories built by the gall crabs was included in the scope of this work.

Correct species delimitation is fundamental to biodiversity knowledge. The genus Astyanax has a complex taxonomy and most of its species don’t have a good taxonomic or geographical delimitation and are often identified only to genus level. Moreover, currently the genus is not considered as a monophyletic group. According to the literature, more than 10 species of Astyanax are known to the rio Paraguaçu basin, Bahia, Brazil, being a surprisingly high number, considering the size of this basin. However, these species were identified only at genus level. This PhD thesis deals with that issue and is divided into three chapters. In chapters one and two, respectively two and one new species of Astyanax are described, with sufficient morphological characteristics for their diagnosis from all congeners, increasing the number of described species of Astyanax to six in the rio Paraguaçu, all endemic to the basin and with restricted distribution to the Chapada Diamantina region. In the third chapter, a study was carried out with an integrative approach (morphological and molecular data), aiming to delimit the independent evolutionary lineages of the genus Astyanax in the rio Paraguaçu basin. In this chapter, besides listing the lineages and their distributions, we investigate the processes that led to the diversification of the group and the possible causes of incongruences found between the results obtained from the different data. An integrative approach, with morphological and molecular data, was carried to delimit the Astyanax lineages of the rio Paraguaçu basin, discuss their relationships and discuss their distribution patterns. Molecular analyzes were based on COI, a mitochondrial molecular marker, and four species delimitation methods were implemented. All six species of Astyanax previously known for the Paraguaçu basin were recovered and 12 additional lineages of the genus were evidenced. Strong genetic structure was found, allowing the recognition of two very divergent main clades, composed of genetically structured lineages. Incongruences between molecular and morphological data suggest the occurrence of different processes, including recent speciation events, incomplete lineage sorting, possible mitochondrial DNA introgression and recurrence of morphological convergences. The intricate hydrographic network of the upper rio Paraguaçu, in the Chapada Diamantina region, associated with river capture events should be strongly related to the high number of lineages and distribution of Astyanax species in the rio Paraguaçu basin. Sixteen of the 18 lineages are considered endemic, reinforcing the high endemism of the ichthyofauna in this basin.

Thousands of xenobiotics are introduced daily into aquatic ecosystems. Nevertheless, even after decades of research and monitoring of chemical contamination, knowledge about the effects on aquatic organisms and ecosystems is still limited. In this sense, the use and development of markers of biological effects (biomarkers) that act as early warning signs of adverse environmental changes in aquatic ecosystems have been increasing.

Bioassays using biomarkers contribute to the understanding of how xenobiotics affect organisms, help in the deduction of their mechanisms of action, as well as in the categorization and general evaluation of effects. Fish are the most diverse class of vertebrates and their use in ecotoxicological studies allows us to extrapolate the results to an ecological level, and it is still possible to link the results to human health. In this sense, this work aimed to evaluate, through bioassays with biochemical and molecular biomarkers, the effect of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) oil on the Gambusia yucatana in 72 and 96 h regimes.

This thesis is divided into two chapters where Chapter 1 analyzes the results of a series of biomarkers of biotransformation and oxidative stress in the liver, and neurotoxicity in the brain of Gambusia yucatana exposed to different concentrations of PAHs (4.37, 17.46, 34.95 µg. L^-1) on a 96h regime,, where biological measurements investigated include biomarkers of chemical contamination already validated in other species. We evaluated the activities of detoxification enzymes related to phase I biotransformation, such as etoxyresorufin-O-desethylase (EROD), and phase II activity, such as glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity. We evaluated the activity of antioxidant defense system enzymes, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and thiobarbituric acid (TBARS) activity as an indirect measure of lipid peroxidation. Our results demonstrated that some PAHs, eg. benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P), pyrene, fluoranthene, acenaphthene and anthracene) could be bioaccumulated and metabolized to G. yucatana mainly at a concentration of 34.95 µg. L^-1 where the mentioned PAHs were present in water under the measured concentrations of 5.24, 3.14, 4.19, 0.03 and 2.79 µg. L^-1, respectively. The enzymes SOD and GPx, responsible for antioxidant defense were induced, indicating a possible mechanism of oxidative stress. Our results also showed that the acute effect of PAHs on AChE activity was very significant in all treatments. We believe that AChE activity may be a suitable exposure biomarker for PAHs. However, we do not know the mechanism of action. But as our results are intriguing, and for us there is no doubt that PAHs affect AChE activity, we recommend that studies be conducted to understand the mechanism of action by which PAHs affect AChE activity.

Chapter 2 analyzes the biomarker results of biotransformation and endocrine disruption (ED) in the liver of G. yucatana exposed to different concentrations of PAHs (3.89, 9.27, 19.51 µg. L^-1) on a 72 h regime, through the expression of specific genes related to these processes. The biological measures used were the expression of estrogenic response genes, vitellogenin (VTG I and II), estrogen receptors (ERα and β) and CYP3A. We also use the gene encoding the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), which participates in the process of producing the enzymes of the CYP1A subfamily of CYP450 monoxigenase, the main biotransformation system of PAHs in phase I of the biotransformation. The β-actin gene expression was used as a reference for the quantification of gene responses. Our results demonstrate the effects of PAHs as xenoestrogenic compounds and EDs on G. yucatana reproduction. Reproductive changes, such as increases in hepatic expression of VTG, ER and CYP3A were found in male fish, mainly at concentrations of 9.27, 19.51 µg. L^-1. The same pattern was found in AhR liver expression, demonstrating an increase in the metabolism of G. yucatana xenobiotics. B[a]P was the PAH that presented the highest concentration in water, so we believe it was one of the main responsible for the effects presented in G. yucaytana. However, as the effect of PAHs may be enhanced in the presence of other PAHs, we believe that the combined effects of a mixture of PAHs should continue to be addressed in order to understand what the actual effects they have on the environment.

We believe that due to oil exploration in the Gulf of Mexico, G. yucatana is at risk of oil spill accidents and is constantly under the chronic action of PAHs dissolved in water, as the Gulf of Mexico is continuously at levels PAHs above environmental levels. Our results are significant, and we believe that the use of the environmental contamination biomarkers evaluated is a tool that can be used for the development of PAH environmental pollution monitoring programs in the Gulf of Mexico, as a decline in a endemic fish populations, such as G. yucatana, require urgent action.

Trichoptera Kirby, 1813 is the most diverse order of exclusively aquatic insects with 17,031 species described, within 739 genera, and 61 families. These organisms occur in freshwater environments and constitute the sister-group of Lepidoptera Linnaeus, 1758, forming the suborder Amphiesmenoptera Kiriakoff, 1948. The family Hydrobiosidade Ulmer, 1905 was erected by Ulmer as a subfamily in Rhyacophilidae Stephens, 1836 in 1905 and is actually composed by 56 genera and 436 described species. Atopsyche is the most diverse genus of the family with 142 described species and a Neotropical distribution, occurring from the southwestern United States to Uruguay. The genus is composed by the subgenera Atopsyche (Atopsyche), Atopsyche (Atopsaura) Ross, 1953 e Atopsyche (Dolochorema) Banks, 1913, and the two first genera have five species groups: A. (Atopsyche) tripunctata Banks, 1905, A. (Atopsyche) bolivari Banks, 1924i, A. (Atopsaura) batesi Banks, 1938, A. (Atopsaura) longipennis Ulmer, 1905, A. (Atopsaura) falina Ross & King, 1952. Ross & King (1952) revised the genus when it had only 22 species and proposed a relationship hypothesis among these species, and this proposition was criticized by Schmid (1989) in a second review of the genus. In this way, the aim of the present study was to propose a taxonomical review of Atopsyche. For this, we collected the specimens with Pantrap UV/white lights, white light sheet and Malaise trap. The specimens were preserved in 70% alcohol and in dried with naphthalene. The genitalia were removed, diaphanized, studied in stereoscope microscope, and illustrated in a camara lucida. These illustrations were scanned and vectored in Adobe® Illustrator® CS6. Scanning Electron Microscope was made on Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz). The specimens studied were analyzed in 14 national and international institutions through a visit or loan. In total, 735 specimens of 119 species were studied, of which 152 specimens were deposited at the Museu de Zoologia of the Universidade Federal da Bahia, allocated on the Aquatic Entomology Laboratory (LEAq). The other 583 individuals came from visits and loans from 13 other institutions. The Chapter 1 includes the description of A. (Atopsyche) bravoi Gomes & Calor, 2019, A. (Atopsaura) beckeri Gomes & Calor, 2019 and A. (Atopsaura) japi Gomes & Calor, 2019, redescription of A. (Atopsaura) usingeri Denning, 1968, illustrated morphological variations and a new record of A. (Atopsaura) antisuya Schmid, 1989 for Bahia State, moreover a new record for Pernambuco State and a morphological variation of A. (Atopsaura) diamantina Gomes & Calor, 2016. Chapter 2 is composed by the taxonomical review of Atopsyche, which consisting of the synonymy list of 142 species on genus, taxonomical and geographical upgrades, and taxonomical remarks. Additionally, this chapter also be composed by the description of A. (Atopsaura) n. sp. 1 and the redescription of A. (Atopsaura) plancki, with the distribution map of both species.

The advertisement call is the most common type of call in anurans produced by males to attract conspecific females, playing an important role in the pre-zygotic reproductive isolation mechanism through encoding information into acoustic parameters related to species-specific recognition and male quality. The acoustics parameters can vary at intraspecific and interspecific level, and may be associated to geographic distribution and/or to phylogenetic history of taxa. Here, we described the variation of the advertisement call at different levels in lineages of the Pristimantis with distribution in the Atlantic Forest (AF) in order to comprehend whether those variation can delimitate the lineages, and to investigate the existence of correlation of acoustic variation pattern with spatial and phylogenetic pattern. We analyzed 439 advertisement calls from 30 males of eight evolutionary lineages of the AF Pristimantis. To describe within-male variation, and to seek for acoustic, spatial and phylogenetic pattern correlation, we calculated the call coefficient of variation, performed analysis under an exploratory approach, followed by linear discriminant analysis (LDA) and Mantel correlation test. The advertisement call structure of the genus Pristimantis in the AF is characterized by complex mating repertoire, composed of 19 types of notes and repertoire size with 55 types of call syntax, evidencing the high acoustic variability. The dominant frequency, minimum and maximum fundamental frequency and amplitude ratio acoustic parameters presented low within-male variation, being classified as static or intermediate property. The call shape, pulse number, pulse duration and pulse rate parameters were classified as dynamic property. We found that lineages of AF Pristimantis can be discriminated through combination of advertisement call parameters. The acoustic similarity failed to reflect the internal relationship of AF Pristimantis lineages, however the acoustic variation among populations can be predicted (in part) by geographical distance. We suggested that elements of acoustic communication system in lineages of AF Pristimantis could be under different local selection pressure, implying diversity of evolutionary pattern. Thus, our finding indicate that bioacoustics discipline can be a useful tool to delimitate species, but not always it is reliable predictor of phylogeographic structure of clades.

Calcareous sponges are among the main marine organisms that compose the benthic community and execute a fundamental function in these ecosystems. Nevertheless, few studies have been developed in order to improve our knowledge on diversity and distribution of these species, mainly in marine conservation areas. The recently proposed Municipal Marine Park of Barra lacks biological data to support its creation, mainly because it is a region with constant aggravating factors due to the anthropogenic action tha lead to the loss of biodiversity, still poorly known. In this context, the goals of the present study were (1) to describe and identify the species of calcareous sponges found in the Park, (2) to describe new species, and (3) to contribute with scientific embasement for the proposal of creation of the Municipal Marine Park of Barra. The taxonomic descriptions were based on the preparation of dissociated spicules slides, and skeletal and tangential sections of the cortex, for use in micrometry of the spicules and illustrative pictures. A total of 54 individuals were collected, from 2007 to 2018, on the extension of the coast of Barra, including the Park and its overflow area. Despite the short coastline, with 2.5 km of extension, the results showed 10 species of calcareous sponges: Ascandra sp. nov., Borojevia trispinata, Borojevia tenuispinata, Clathrina antofagastensis, Clathrina sp. nov. 1., Clathrina sp. nov. 2., Heteropia sp. nov., Leucandra serrata, Leucilla sp. nov. and Sycon avus, of which five are new to science. Borojevia and Ascandra represent the first occurrence of the genera in the Todos os Santos Bay, and the species: Borojevia trispinata, Borojevia tenuispinata, Clathrina antofagastensis, Leucandra serrata and Sycon avus represent the first occurrence in the study area. The sampled areas showed similarity of species, despite the physical differences of the environment. The knowledge about the diversity and distribution of calcareous sponges in the area of the Municipal Marine Park of Barra increased from one to 11 species. Thus, the need for environmental protection actions becomes evident. The creation of a conservation unit can insure that the aggravating factors caused by the anthropogenic actions are controlled and mitigated, with management plans, environmental education and incentive of scientific research. 

The taxonomy of Scleractinia has been traditionally supported by the analysis of corallum, and the corallite structures. However, the variation of the diagnostic traits, influenced by genetic and environmental mechanisms, seems to influence, critically, the delimitation of congeners, among which a great morphological overlapping is regularly observed. Favia gravida Verrill 1868 is a shallow-water coral, widely distributed along the Brazilian coast, with northern and southwern boundaries defined for the Parcel Manoel Luiz (MA) and the sandstone reefs of the Espirito Santo State, respectivelly. In Bahia (12oS), colonies of F. gravida present extracalicinal budding, an unusual pattern for the description of the genus. In addition to the atypical budding, an irregular model of growth is observed, i.e., phaceloid – in fact, among the Brazilian corals, phaceloid corallites are described solely for Mussismilia harttii (Verrill, 1868). Thus, in the presente study, new morphological patterns for F. gravida from populations of the Bahia State littoral are analyzed, and compared. Three chapters were elaborated. The first one describes the new features of F. gravida, qualitatively. In the second one, na interpopulational and interspecific analysis was elaborated, involving the congeners F. gravida and F. fragum. It was used a non-parametric (Kruskal-Wallis) statistics, and a canonical discriminant analysis, supported by the following variables: number of corallites per cm2, corallite diameter, columella diameter, diameter of the calice, number of septa, number of cycles, and distance between adjacent corallites. Furthermore, in the third one, micromorphological structures of both species were examined, using scanning electron microscopy images. Besides corroborating the identity of the Atlantic Favia species, the results refute a recent article that restricts the occurrence of phaceloid growth in F. gravida to the populations of Ascension Island (7oS). Finally, canonical analysis suggests that morphological patterns are interchangeable among the populations studied, although one may suggest that unique patterns are apparently occurring on the most conserved, and distant reefs of the coast.

Copepods are present in habitats with the most variable environmental conditions. They also have a great number of variable relations with such an economic, social and ecological importance. Among the parasitic copepods, the order Siphonostomatoida stands out by its great morphological variability, diversity and great evolutionary success due to the mouth structure of these animals, named siphon, formed by the fusion of labium and labro, and a mandible stylet-like; allowing them to suck nutrients from their host bodies. Entomolepididae is a small family of copepods that has been found associated with corals and tunicates, but the majority of these copepods was found associated with sponges. In the first chapter, a new genus is described to the subfamily Parmulodinae; among other features it has a three-segmented biramous fourth leg with only three setae on distal margin. The new genus was found associated with the octocoral Phyllogorgia dilatata. In the second chapter two new species of Cryptopontius are described, on of the three most specious genus in the family Artotrogidae, associated with the sponge Clathria (Thalysias) curacaoensis and the octocoral Phyllogorgia dilatata. These animals were found associated with sponges, corals, bryozoans, ascidians and algae. Among other features Cryptopontius sp. nov. 1 has a 9-segmented antennule, 2 setae on the exopodal segment of antenna and both lobes of maxillula, and 9 elements on the third exopodal segment of leg 4. Cryptopontius sp. nov. 2 has 5 proximal segments fused to ancestral segments IX-XII, 2 setae on free segment of leg 5 and 8 elements on the third exopodal segment of leg 1. Therefore, in the first chapter, the new genus increase the distribution of the subfamily Parmulodinae, recorded for the first time in the South Atlantic. The family Entomolepididae was represented only by the species of the genus Spongiopsyllus, subfamily Entomlepinae. Three species of Artotrogidae were already known to the Brazilian coast – two species of Cryptopontius and one of Bradypontius. These two new species expands the distribution of the genus Cryptopontius from Pernambuco coast to Todos-os-Santos Bay.

The Ciliophora is monophyletic taxon of eukaryotic, heterotrophic and unicellular organisms. Studies on diversity of marine ciliates are important for the advancement of taxonomic works. This is a study on morphological and taxonomic aspects of marine ciliates from five beaches in the city of Salvador, Bahia. This dissertation is divided into two chapters. The first chapter consists of describing a methodological protocol that recommends the use of cyanobacteria in clonal cultures of ciliates for in vivo observations and the preparation of silver impregnation techniques with fixation of a representative number of these organisms without depending on constant collections. The second chapter consists of an inventory of ciliates recorded on five beaches in Salvador: Ondina, Rio Vermelho, Piatã, Itapuã and Stella Maris. The collected material was kept in polyethylene bags, stored in containers at temperature between 24º to 26º, transported to the laboratory where they were kept in aquaria with aeration. There were 34 genera, distributed in 9 Classes: Karyorelictea, Heterotrichea, Armophorea, Litostomatea, Nassophorea, Prostomatea, Oligohymenophorea, Protocruziea and Spirotrichea. Eighteen species were photographed in vivo and fixed to produce permanent slides by using the silver impregnation techniques. This study identifies and characterizes the ciliate species present on the Atlantic coast of Salvador. In this way, the initial results of this work proved the richness and diversity of these organisms in this region of Brazil. Thus, there is a need to invest more in research focused on marine and freshwater ciliates from this region of Brazil.

The reproductive activity of frogs of tropical seasonal regions is mainly associated with the humid period in these areas there is a strong influence of temperature and rainfall in the season of reproductive activity, being the Anurans concentrated in hot and rainy periods, although many species of tropical frogs can breed throughout the year, the rain seems to be the primary extrinsic factor in control of the reproductive patterns of these species affecting the time and duration of reproductive period and setting, in a way, a reproductive seasonality causing different types of reproductive cycles the discontinuous, potentially still and continuous. The song features direct influence on reproductive success of the species of Anurans, as it is responsible for the attraction of individuals to the sites of mating and laying eggs, the type of vocalization most commonly issued in the reproductive sites, is the advertisement (advertisement call) being an attribute unique to the males, to specific recognition. The genus Phyllodytes with distribution only in Brazil is in the family Hylidae (Anura), Phyllodytes punctatus is endemic state of Sergipe being monotypic within the genus that has no information about any aspect of their biology. The objectives of this work is to analyze and characterize the vocal repertoire of males of P. punctatus, describe the reproduction, spermatogenesis, evaluate the histological changes of testes of males over several months of the year and analyze the stages of reproductive females, based on the number of mature follicles on environmental gradients in a restinga extension in the State of Sergipe. The analysis of the structure of the show notes and the group allocated multipulsadas P. luteolus and the analysis of variance showed that the environmental gradients influence the reproductive cycle of males of P. punctatus checking gametogênico cycle, and that the number of females post-vitellogenc oocytes has positive relationship with the snout-vent length.