Origin and evolution of snakes and their diversification in the Neotropics: a multidisciplinary approach

• Grant number: 11/50206-9
• Support type: BIOTA-FAPESP Program - Thematic Grants
• Duration: December 01, 2011 - November 30, 2016
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Zoology
• Principal researcher: Hussam El Dine Zaher
• Grantee: Hussam El Dine Zaher
• Home Institution: Museu de Zoologia (MZ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Pesquisadores principais: Erika Hingst-Zaher ; Marcio Roberto Costa Martins ; Ricardo Jannini Sawaya
• Associated grant(s): 14/02805-9 - Anatomy and phylogenetic relationships of a new theropod dinosaur from the early Cretaceous of Brazil and the diversification of abelisaurid dinosaurs in the early Cretaceous of Gondwana, AV.EXT
• Associated scholarship(s): 15/05047-0 - Taxonomic revision and phylogeny of the genus Apostolepis Cope, 1862 (Serpentes, Dipsadidae, Xenodontinae, Elapomorphini), BP.DR; 14/14364-7 - Embryonic development of the venom-delivery system in snakes: a morphological and molecular approach with emphasis on its secondary loss or reduction, BP.PD; 14/11855-0 - Ecology and natural history of snakes of Atlantic Forest at Sete Barras, south of São Paulo, BP.MS; + associated scholarships 14/01733-4 - Morphological description and phylogeny of a lizard (Reptilia, Squamata) from the lower Miocene, Chichínales formation, General Roca, Rio Negro province, Argentina, BP.MS; 13/04170-8 - Historical biogeography of the snakes from open landscapes in South America, BP.PD; 12/24755-8 - Phylogenetic analysis and evolution of head forms of Amphisbaenia (Reptilia, Squamata), BP.DR; 12/15273-0 - Evolutionary biology and conservation of vipers, BE.PQ; 12/19858-2 - Conservation biogeography of Brazilian snakes, BP.PD; 12/13327-5 - Phylogeny of the tribe Tachymenini Bailey, 1967 (Serpentes, Dipsadidae, Xenodontinae), BP.DR; 12/11997-3 - Taxonomic revision of the tribe Dipsadini (Serpentes: Dipsadidae: Dipsadinae), BP.DR; 12/12587-3 - Feeding behavior and mechanisms in goo-eaters snakes (Dipsadidae: Dipsadinae), and its infralabial gland secretion characterization., BP.PD; 12/09156-0 - Phylogenetic systematics, biogeography and taxonomic review of the Bothrops jararaca (Serpentes, Viperidae) group, BP.PD - associated scholarships

Abstract

We aim to describe phylogenetic, biogeographic and ecological patterns of snakes while focusing mainly on the Neotropical fauna. Further, we will explore the evolutionary processes involved in the origin of these patterns. We will use a multidisciplinary approach to investigate the evolution of the species throughout a time interval that extends from the Cretaceous to the Recent. The project will synthesize several distinct and complimentary approaches including that will encompass palaeontology, molecular biology, biogeography, comparative ecology, geometrical morphometries, comparative anatomy and embryology. To assess the origin of snakes we will use a total evidence approach (Kluge, 1989) to infer their initial diversification. This will involve a study of key fossils that represent critical groups, such as the Pachyophiidae, Madtsoidae and North American "boo ids" and their affinities with extant groups. This analysis will be extended to the Colubroides, the most speciose group of extant snakes. For this group, we will produce a phylogeny that encompasses most species in the Neotropical irradiation of the Dipsadidae, which represents one of the most speciose lineages within the Colubroides. The phylogenies of the main groups, involving fossils and present forms, and the Colubroides and Neotropical Dipsadidae will provide the historical framework required for ecological and biogeographical studies. Finally, the origin, evolution and biology of snakes provide fascinating, high-profile topics for scientific knowledge and the dissemination of educational material. In terms of educational materials, we will prepare two main products: a series of short films introducing, explaining and exploring the most intriguing features of the evolution and biology of snakes, and books and related material to be used by teachers in primary and secondary schools. (AU)

Scientific publications

(62)

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

FRANCA, DANIELLA P. F.; BARBO, FAUSTO E.; SILVA-JUNIOR, NELSON J.; SILVA, HELDER L. R.; ZAHER, HUSSAM. A new species of Apostolepis (Serpentes, Dipsadidae, Elapomorphini) from the Cerrado of Central Brazil. Zootaxa, v. 4521, n. 4, p. 539-552, NOV 16 2018. (15/05047-0, 11/50206-9)

DAL VECHIO, FRANCISCO; PRATES, IVAN; GRAZZIOTIN, FELIPE G.; ZAHER, HUSSAM; RODRIGUES, MIGUEL TREFAUT. Phylogeography and historical demography of the arboreal pit viper Bothrops bilineatus (Serpentes, Crotalinae) reveal multiple connections between Amazonian and Atlantic rain forests. Journal of Biogeography, v. 45, n. 10, p. 2415-2426, OCT 2018. (11/50206-9, 03/10335-8, 11/50146-6)

GUEDES, THAIS B.; BARBO, FAUSTO E.; FRANCA, DANIELLA; ZAHER, HUSSAM. Morphological variation of the rare psammophilous species Apostolepis gaboi (Serpentes, Dipsadidae, Elapomorphini). Zootaxa, v. 4418, n. 5, p. 469-480, MAY 10 2018. (15/05047-0, 13/04170-8, 14/18837-7, 11/50206-9)

GUEDES, THAIS B.; SAWAYA, RICARDO J.; ZIZKA, ALEXANDER; LAFFAN, SHAWN; FAURBY, SOREN; PYRON, R. ALEXANDER; BERNILS, RENATO S.; JANSEN, MARTIN; PASSOS, PAULO; PRUDENTE, ANA L. C.; et al. Patterns, biases and prospects in the distribution and diversity of Neotropical snakes. GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND BIOGEOGRAPHY, v. 27, n. 1, p. 14-21, JAN 2018. (13/04170-8, 11/50206-9, 14/23677-9, 15/20215-7, 14/18837-7)

ESQUERRE, DAMIEN; DONNELLAN, STEPHEN; BRENNAN, IAN G.; LEMMON, ALAN R.; LEMMON, EMILY MORIARTY; ZAHER, HUSSAM; GRAZZIOTIN, FELIPE G.; KEOGH, J. SCOTT. Phylogenomics, Biogeography, and Morphometrics Reveal Rapid Phenotypic Evolution in Pythons After Crossing Wallace's Line. Systematic Biology, v. 69, n. 6, p. 1039-1051, NOV 2020. (11/50206-9)

BARBO, FAUSTO E.; GRAZZIOTIN, FELIPE G.; SAZIMA, IVAN; MARTINS, MARCIO; SAWAYA, RICARDO J.. A NEW AND THREATENED INSULAR SPECIES OF LANCEHEAD FROM SOUTHEASTERN BRAZIL. Herpetologica, v. 68, n. 3, p. 418-429, SEP 2012. (11/50206-9)

SILVA, FERNANDA MAGALHAES; DA COSTA PRUDENTE, ANA LUCIA; MACHADO, FABIO ANDRADE; SANTOS, MARINA MEIRELES; ZAHER, HUSSAM; HINGST-ZAHER, ERIKA. Aquatic adaptations in a Neotropical coral snake: A study of morphological convergence. JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGICAL SYSTEMATICS AND EVOLUTIONARY RESEARCH, v. 56, n. 3, p. 382-394, AUG 2018. (11/21674-4, 16/50127-5, 11/50206-9)

DE SA, RAFAEL; TONINI, JOAO; VAN HUSS, HANNAH; LONG, ALEX; CUDDY, TRAVIS; FORLANI, MAURICIO; PELOSO, PEDRO; ZAHER, HUSSAM; HADDAD, CELIO. Multiple connections between Amazonia and Atlantic Forest shaped the phylogenetic and morphological diversity of Chiasmocleis Mehely, 1904 (Anura: Microhylidae: Gastrophryninae). Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, v. 130, p. 198-210, JAN 2019. (11/50206-9, 13/50741-7)

BARBO, FAUSTO E.; GASPARINI, JOAO LUIZ; ALMEIDA, ANTONIO P.; ZAHER, HUSSAM; GRAZZIOTIN, FELIPE G.; GUSMAO, RODRIGO B.; FERRARINI, JOSE MARIO G.; SAWAYA, RICARDO J.. Another new and threatened species of lancehead genus Bothrops (Serpentes, Viperidae) from Ilha dos Franceses, Southeastern Brazil. Zootaxa, v. 4097, n. 4, p. 511-529, APR 4 2016. (11/50206-9, 12/09156-0)

NOBREGA, ROMULO PANTOJA; MONTINGELLI, GIOVANNA GONDIM; TREVINE, VIVIAN; FRANCO, FRANCISCO LUIS; VIEIRA, GUSTAVO H. C.; COSTA, GABRIEL C.; MESQUITA, DANIEL OLIVEIRA. Morphological variation within Thamnodynastes pallidus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Serpentes: Dipsadidae: Xenodontinae: Tachymenini). HERPETOLOGICAL JOURNAL, v. 26, n. 2, p. 165-174, APR 2016. (11/50206-9, 12/13327-5)

PIRES, MATHEUS GODOY; DA SILVA, JR., NELSON JORGE; FEITOSA, DARLAN TAVARES; DA COSTA PRUDENTE, ANA LUCIA; PEREIRA FILHO, GENTIL ALVES; ZAHER, HUSSAM. A new species of triadal coral snake of the genus Micrurus Wagler, 1824 (Serpentes: Elapidae) from northeastern Brazil. Zootaxa, v. 3811, n. 4, p. 569-584, JUN 5 2014. (11/50206-9, 12/19753-6)

MARTINS, ITAMAR A.; ZAHER, HUSSAM. A new species of the highland frog genus Holoaden (Amphibia, Strabomantidae) from cloud forests of southeastern Brazil. Zootaxa, v. 3599, n. 2, p. 178-188, JAN 4 2013. (02/13602-4, 11/50206-9)

MOLINA, FLAVIO B.; MACHADO, FABIO A.; ZAHER, HUSSAM. Taxonomic validity of Mesoclemmys heliostemma (McCord, Joseph-Ouni & Lamar, 2001) (Testudines, Chelidae) inferred from morphological analysis. Zootaxa, n. 3575, p. 63-77, DEC 7 2012. (02/13602-4, 11/50206-9)

FEITOSA, DARLAN TAVARES; DA SILVA, JR., NELSON JORGE; PIRES, MATHEUS GODOY; ZAHER, HUSSAM; DA COSTA PRUDENTE, ANA LUCIA. A new species of monadal coral snake of the genus Micrurus (Serpentes, Elapidae) from western Amazon. Zootaxa, v. 3974, n. 4, p. 538-554, JUN 24 2015. (11/50206-9)

DE OLIVEIRA, LEONARDO; GUERRA-FUENTES, RICARDO ARTURO; ZAHER, HUSSAM. Embryological evidence of a new type of seromucous labial gland in neotropical snail-eating snakes of the genus Sibynornorphus. ZOOLOGISCHER ANZEIGER, v. 266, p. 89-94, 2017. (14/14364-7, 11/50206-9)

DAL VECHIO, FRANCISCO; TEIXEIRA, JR., MAURO; RECODER, RENATO SOUSA; RODRIGUES, MIGUEL TREFAULT; ZAHER, HUSSAM. A herpetofauna do Parque Nacional da Serra das Confusões, Piauí, Brasil, com uma lista regional para uma área ecotonal entre o Cerrado e a Caatinga. Biota Neotropica, v. 16, n. 3, 2016. (11/50206-9)

STENDER-OLIVEIRA, FERNANDA; MARTINS, MARCIO; MARQUES, OTAVIO A. V.. Food Habits and Reproductive Biology of Tail-Luring Snakes of the Genus Tropidodryas (Dipsadidae, Xenodontinae) from Brazil. Herpetologica, v. 72, n. 1, p. 73-79, MAR 2016. (11/50206-9)

GUEDES, THAIS B.; SAWAYA, RICARDO J.; NOGUEIRA, CRISTIANO DE C.. Biogeography, vicariance and conservation of snakes of the neglected and endangered Caatinga region, north-eastern Brazil. Journal of Biogeography, v. 41, n. 5, p. 919-931, MAY 2014. (13/04170-8, 11/50206-9, 12/19858-2)

ZAHER, HUSSAM; DE OLIVEIRA, LEONARDO; GRAZZIOTIN, FELIPE G.; CAMPAGNER, MICHELLE; JARED, CARLOS; ANTONIAZZI, MARTA M.; PRUDENTE, ANA L.. Consuming viscous prey: a novel protein-secreting delivery system in neotropical snail-eating snakes. BMC Evolutionary Biology, v. 14, MAR 25 2014. (11/50206-9, 12/12587-3)

BIRSKIS-BARROS, IRINA; ALENCAR, LAURA R. V.; PRADO, PAULO I.; BOHM, MONIKA; MARTINS, MARCIO. Ecological and Conservation Correlates of Rarity in New World Pitvipers. DIVERSITY-BASEL, v. 11, n. 9, SEP 2019. (12/22197-8, 18/14091-1, 16/14292-1, 15/21259-8, 12/02038-2, 11/50206-9, 12/15398-7)

KLACZKO, JULIA; MONTINGELLI, GIOVANNA G.; ZAHER, HUSSAM. A combined morphological and molecular phylogeny of the genus ChironiusFitzinger, 1826 (Serpentes: Colubridae). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, v. 171, n. 3, p. 656-667, JUL 2014. (02/13602-4, 11/50206-9, 11/17070-6)

FORLANI, MAURICIO C.; TONINI, JOAO F. R.; CRUZ, CARLOS A. G.; ZAHER, HUSSAM; DE SA, RAFAEL O.. Molecular and morphological data reveal three new cryptic species of Chiasmocleis (Mehely1904) (Anura, Microhylidae) endemic to the Atlantic Forest, Brazil. PeerJ, v. 5, FEB 21 2017. (11/50206-9)

DOS SANTOS, MARINA MEIRELES; DA SILVA, FERNANDA MAGALHAES; HINGST-ZAHER, ERIKA; MACHADO, FABIO ANDRADE; ZAHER, HUSSAM EL DINE; DA COSTA PRUDENTE, ANA LUCIA. Cranial adaptations for feeding on snails in species of Sibynomorphus (Dipsadidae: Dipsadinae). ZOOLOGY, v. 120, p. 24-30, FEB 2017. (11/50206-9, 11/21674-4)

TERESA C. S. ÁVILA-PIRES; CRISTIANO DE C. NOGUEIRA; MARCIO MARTINS. A new ‘horned’ Stenocercus from the highlands of southeastern Brazil, and redescription of Stenocercus tricristatus (Reptilia: Tropiduridae). Zoologia, v. 36, 2019-06-06. (15/20215-7, 11/50206-9)

ZAHER, HUSSAM; POL, DIEGO; NAVARRO, BRUNO A.; DELCOURT, RAFAEL; CARVALHO, ALBERTO B.. An Early Cretaceous theropod dinosaur from Brazil sheds light on the cranial evolution of the Abelisauridae. COMPTES RENDUS PALEVOL, v. 19, n. 6, p. 101-115, OCT 12 2020. (11/50206-9, 14/02805-9, 02/13602-4)

TREVINE, VIVIAN C.; CAICEDO-PORTILLA, JOSE RANCES; HOOGMOED, MARINUS; THOMAS, ROBERT A.; FRANCO, FRANCISCO L.; MONTINGELLI, GIOVANNA G.; OSORNO-MUNOZ, MARIELA; ZAHER, HUSSAM. new species of Thamnodynastes Wagler, 1830 from western Amazonia, with notes on morphology for members of the Thamnodynastes pallidus group (Serpentes, Dipsadidae, Tachymenini. Zootaxa, v. 4952, n. 2, p. 235-256, APR 9 2021. (11/50206-9, 15/08318-5, 12/13327-5)

JUAN CAMILO ARREDONDO; FELIPE G. GRAZZIOTIN; GUSTAVO J. SCROCCHI; MIGUEL TREFAUT RODRIGUES; SANDRO LUÍS BONATTO; HUSSAM ZAHER. Molecular phylogeny of the tribe Philodryadini Cope, 1886 (Dipsadidae: Xenodontinae): Rediscovering the diversity of the South American Racers. Papéis Avulsos de Zoologia (São Paulo), v. 60, 2020-11-13. (11/50206-9, 16/50127-5, 03/10335-8, 11/50146-6)

RIVERA, DANIELLE; PRATES, IVAN; FIRNENO, JR., THOMAS J.; RODRIGUES, MIGUEL TREFAUT; CALDWELL, JANALEE P.; FUJITA, MATTHEW K.. hylogenomics, introgression, and demographic history of South American true toads (Rhinella. Molecular Ecology, v. 31, n. 3, DEC 2021. (13/50297-0, 12/15754-8, 03/10335-8, 17/08357-6, 11/50206-9, 11/50146-6)

FIORILLO, BRUNO F.; DA SILVA, BRUNO R.; MENEZES, FREDERICO ALCANTARA; MARQUES, V, OTAVIO A.; MARTINS, MARCIO. Composition and Natural History of Snakes from Eta Farm region, Sete Barras, south-eastern Brazil. ZOOKEYS, n. 931, p. 115-153, APR 30 2020. (14/23267-5, 11/50206-9, 14/11855-0)

ZAHER, HUSSAM; PRUDENTE, ANA L. C.. The enigmatic Amazonian genus Eutrachelophis: morphological evidence and description of new taxa (Serpentes: Dipsadidae: Xenodontini). Amphibia-Reptilia, v. 41, n. 2, p. 215-231, MAY 2020. (11/50206-9, 18/11902-9)

PIATTI, LILIANA; ROSAUER, DAN F.; NOGUEIRA, CRISTIANO DE C.; STRUSSMANN, CHRISTINE; FERREIRA, VANDA LUCIA; MARTINS, MARCIO. Snake diversity in floodplains of central South America: Is flood pulse the principal driver?. ACTA OECOLOGICA-INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY, v. 97, p. 34-41, MAY 2019. (11/50206-9, 12/19858-2)

GLAUDAS, XAVIER; GLENNON, KELSEY L.; MARTINS, MARCIO; LUISELLI, LUCA; FEARN, SIMON; TREMBATH, DANE F.; JELIC, DUSAN; ALEXANDER, GRAHAM J.. Foraging mode, relative prey size and diet breadth: A phylogenetically explicit analysis of snake feeding ecology. Journal of Animal Ecology, v. 88, n. 5, p. 757-767, MAY 2019. (11/50206-9)

MASON, ANDREW J.; GRAZZIOTIN, FELIPE G.; ZAHER, HUSSAM; LEMMON, ALAN R.; LEMMON, EMILY MORIARTY; PARKINSON, CHRISTOPHER L.. Reticulate evolution in nuclear Middle America causes discordance in the phylogeny of palm-pitvipers (Viperidae: Bothriechis). Journal of Biogeography, v. 46, n. 5, p. 833-844, MAY 2019. (16/50127-5, 11/50206-9)

BRUNO FERRETO FIORILLO; CAROLINA SCONFIENZA FARIA; BRUNO ROCHA SILVA; MARCIO MARTINS. Anuros de áreas preservadas e perturbadas de Mata Atlântica na região da Fazenda Etá, município de Sete Barras, Estado de São Paulo, Brasil. Biota Neotropica, v. 18, n. 4, 2018-07-16. (14/11855-0, 14/23267-5, 11/50206-9)

SANTOS, MARCUS THADEU T.; DE MAGALHAES, RAFAEL F.; LYRA, MARIANA L.; SANTOS, FABRICIO R.; ZAHER, HUSSAM; GIASSON, LUIS O. M.; GARCIA, PAULO C. A.; CARNAVAL, ANA CAROLINA; HADDAD, CELIO F. B.. Multilocus phylogeny of Paratelmatobiinae (Anura: Leptodactylidae) reveals strong spatial structure and previously unknown diversity in the Atlantic Forest hotspot. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, v. 148, JUL 2020. (17/26162-8, 13/50741-7, 11/50206-9, 14/50342-8, 13/50297-0)

AZEVEDO, JOSUE A. R.; GUEDES, THAIS B.; NOGUEIRA, CRISTIANO DE C.; PASSOS, PAULO; SAWAYA, RICARDO J.; PRUDENTE, ANA L. C.; BARBO, FAUSTO E.; STRUSSMANN, CHRISTINE; FRANCO, FRANCISCO L.; ARZAMENDIA, VANESA; et al. Museums and cradles of diversity are geographically coincident for narrowly distributed Neotropical snakes. ECOGRAPHY, v. 43, n. 2, NOV 2019. (11/50206-9, 13/04170-8, 14/23677-9, 15/20215-7)

NOGUEIRA, CRISTIANO C.; ARGOLO, ANTONIO J. S.; ARZAMENDIA, VANESA; AZEVEDO, JOSUE A.; BARBO, FAUSTO E.; BERNILS, RENATO S.; BOLOCHIO, BRUNA E.; BORGES-MARTINS, MARCIO; BRASIL-GODINHO, MARCELA; BRAZ, HENRIQUE B.; et al. Atlas of Brazilian Snakes: Verified Point-Locality Maps to Mitigate the Wallacean Shortfall in a Megadiverse Snake Fauna. South American Journal of Herpetology, v. 14, n. 1, p. S1-S274, DEC 2019. (13/04170-8, 15/21259-8, 14/18837-7, 11/50206-9, 15/20215-7, 14/23677-9, 18/15926-0, 12/09156-0, 12/19858-2, 18/14091-1)

AUGUSTA, BRUNO GONCALVES; ZAHER, HUSSAM. Enamel dentition microstructure of Mariliasuchus amarali (Crocodyliformes, Notosuchia), from the Upper Cretaceous (Turonian-Santonian) of the Bauru Basin, Brazil. CRETACEOUS RESEARCH, v. 99, p. 255-268, JUL 2019. (11/50206-9)

AVILA-PIRES, TERESA C. S.; NOGUEIRA, CRISTIANO DE C.; MARTINS, MARCIO. A new `horned' Stenocercus from the highlands of southeastern Brazil, and redescription of Stenocercus tricristatus (Reptilia: Tropiduridae). Zoologia, v. 36, MAY 14 2019. (11/50206-9, 15/20215-7)

ZAHER, HUSSAM; MURPHY, ROBERT W.; ARREDONDO, JUAN CAMILO; GRABOSKI, ROBERTA; MACHADO-FILHO, PAULO ROBERTO; MAHLOW, KRISTIN; MONTINGELLIL, GIOVANNA G.; QUADROS, ANA BOTTALLO; ORLOV, NIKOLAI L.; WILKINSON, MARK; et al. Large-scale molecular phylogeny, morphology, divergence-time estimation, and the fossil record of advanced caenophidian snakes (Squamata: Serpentes). PLoS One, v. 14, n. 5, MAY 10 2019. (02/13602-4, 07/52144-5, 11/50206-9, 12/24755-8, 16/50127-5)

MONTINGELLI, GIOVANNA G.; GRAZZIOTIN, FELIPE G.; BATTILANA, JAQUELINE; MURPHY, ROBERT W.; ZHANG, YA-PING; ZAHER, HUSSAM. Higher-level phylogenetic affinities of the Neotropical genus Mastigodryas Amaral, 1934 (Serpentes: Colubridae), species-group definition and description of a new genus for Mastigodryas bifossatus. JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGICAL SYSTEMATICS AND EVOLUTIONARY RESEARCH, v. 57, n. 2, p. 205-239, MAY 2019. (11/50206-9)

BURBRINK, FRANK T.; GRAZZIOTIN, FELIPE G.; PYRON, R. ALEXANDER; CUNDALL, DAVID; DONNELLAN, STEVE; IRISH, FRANCES; KEOGH, J. SCOTT; KRAUS, FRED; MURPHY, ROBERT W.; NOONAN, BRICE; et al. Interrogating Genomic-Scale Data for Squamata (Lizards, Snakes, and Amphisbaenians) Shows no Support for Key Traditional Morphological Relationships. Systematic Biology, v. 69, n. 3, p. 502-520, MAY 2020. (11/50206-9)

GRABOSKI, ROBERTA; ARREDONDO, JUAN C.; GRAZZIOTIN, FELIPE G.; DA SILVA, ARIANE A. A.; PRUDENTE, ANA L. C.; RODRIGUES, MIGUEL T.; BONATTO, SANDRO L.; ZAHER, HUSSAM. Molecular phylogeny and hemipenial diversity of South American species of Amerotyphlops (Typhlopidae, Scolecophidia). ZOOLOGICA SCRIPTA, v. 48, n. 2, p. 139-156, MAR 2019. (03/10335-8, 16/50127-5, 11/50206-9)

GRABOSKI, ROBERTA; PEREIRA FILHO, GENTIL ALVES; ARAUJO DA SILVA, ARIANE AUXILIADORA; DA COSTA PRUDENTE, ANA LUCIA; ZAHER, HUSSAM. A new species of Amerotyphlops from Northeastern Brazil, with comments on distribution of related species. Zootaxa, v. 3920, n. 3, p. 443-452, FEB 23 2015. (11/50206-9, 12/19753-6)

RIBEIRO, SIRIA; SANTOS-, JR., ALFREDO P.; ZAHER, HUSSAM. A new species of Leposternon Wagler, 1824 (Squamata, Amphisbaenia) from northeastern Argentina. Zootaxa, v. 4034, n. 2, p. 309-324, OCT 29 2015. (11/50206-9)

STUGINSKI, DANIEL RODRIGUES; NAVAS, CARLOS ARTURO; DE BARROS, FABIO CURY; GREGO, KATHLEEN FERNANDES; MARTINS, MARCIO; DE CARVALHO, JOSE EDUARDO. The Role of Feeding Specialization on Post-Prandial Metabolic Rate in Snakes of the Genus Bothrops. ZOOLOGICAL SCIENCE, v. 35, n. 4, p. 373-381, AUG 2018. (11/50206-9, 08/57898-0, 08/57712-4, 08/57687-0)

MARITZ, BRYAN; PENNER, JOHANNES; MARTINS, MARCIO; CRNOBRNJA-ISAILOVIC, JELKA; SPEAR, STEPHEN; ALENCAR, LAURA R. V.; SIGALA-RODRIGUEZ, JESUS; MESSENGER, KEVIN; CLARK, RULON W.; SOORAE, PRITPAL; et al. Identifying global priorities for the conservation of vipers. Biological Conservation, v. 204, n. A, SI, p. 94-102, DEC 2016. (11/50206-9, 12/02038-2)

ALENCAR, LAURA R. V.; QUENTAL, TIAGO B.; GRAZZIOTIN, FELIPE G.; ALFARO, MICHAEL L.; MARTINS, MARCIO; VENZON, MERICIEN; ZAHER, HUSSAM. Diversification in vipers: Phylogenetic relationships, time of divergence and shifts in speciation rates. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, v. 105, p. 50-62, DEC 2016. (11/50206-9, 12/04072-3, 12/02038-2)

GUEDES, THAIS B.; NOGUEIRA, CRISTIANO; MARQUES, OTAVIO A. V.. Diversity, natural history, and geographic distribution of snakes in the Caatinga, Northeastern Brazil. Zootaxa, v. 3863, n. 1, p. 1-93, SEP 19 2014. (11/50206-9, 12/19858-2, 13/04170-8)

POL, DIEGO; NASCIMENTO, PAULO M.; CARVALHO, ALBERTO B.; RICCOMINI, CLAUDIO; PIRES-DOMINGUES, RICARDO A.; ZAHER, HUSSAM. A New Notosuchian from the Late Cretaceous of Brazil and the Phylogeny of Advanced Notosuchians. PLoS One, v. 9, n. 4, APR 2 2014. (11/50206-9)

HUSSAM ZAHER; FELIPE G. GRAZZIOTIN; ROBERTA GRABOSKI; RICARDO G. FUENTES; PAOLA SÁNCHEZ-MARTINEZ; GIOVANNA G. MONTINGELLI; YA-PING ZHANG; ROBERT W. MURPHY. Phylogenetic relationships of the genus Sibynophis (Serpentes: Colubroidea). Papéis Avulsos de Zoologia (São Paulo), v. 52, n. 12, p. 141-149, 2012-00-00. (02/13602-4, 11/50206-9)

FRANCO, FRANCISCO L.; TREVINE, VIVIAN C.; MONTINGELLI, GIOVANNA G.; ZAHER, HUSSAM. A new species of Thamnodynastes from the open areas of central and northeastern Brazil (Serpentes: Dipsadidae: Tachymenini). SALAMANDRA, v. 53, n. 3, p. 339-350, AUG 15 2017. (11/50206-9, 12/13327-5)

WILSON, JEFFREY A.; POL, DIEGO; CARVALHO, ALBERTO B.; ZAHER, HUSSAM. The skull of the titanosaur Tapuiasaurus macedoi (Dinosauria: Sauropoda), a basal titanosaur from the Lower Cretaceous of Brazil. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, v. 178, n. 3, p. 611-662, NOV 2016. (11/51167-7, 11/50206-9)

ROLL, URI; FELDMAN, ANAT; NOVOSOLOV, MARIA; ALLISON, ALLEN; BAUER, AARON M.; BERNARD, RODOLPHE; BOHM, MONIKA; CASTRO-HERRERA, FERNANDO; CHIRIO, LAURENT; COLLEN, BEN; et al. The global distribution of tetrapods reveals a need for targeted reptile conservation. NATURE ECOLOGY & EVOLUTION, v. 1, n. 11, p. 1677-1682, NOV 2017. (11/50206-9, 15/20215-7, 12/19858-2)

VIEIRA DE ALENCAR, LAURA RODRIGUES; MARTINS, MARCIO; BURIN, GUSTAVO; QUENTAL, TIAGO BOSISIO. Arboreality constrains morphological evolution but not species diversification in vipers. PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES, v. 284, n. 1869, DEC 20 2017. (11/50206-9, 12/04072-3, 12/02038-2, 14/03621-9)

DE OLIVEIRA, LEONARDO; DA COSTA PRUDENTE, ANA LUCIA; ZAHER, HUSSAM. Unusual Labial Glands in Snakes of the Genus Geophis Wagler, 1830 ( Serpentes: Dipsadinae). Journal of Morphology, v. 275, n. 1, p. 87-99, JAN 2014. (11/50206-9)

TREVINE, VIVIAN; FORLANIL, MAURICIO C.; HADDAD, CELLO F. B.; ZAHER, HUSSAM. Herpetofauna of Paranapiacaba: expanding our knowledge on a historical region in the Atlantic forest of southeastern Brazil. Zoologia, v. 31, n. 2, p. 126-146, APR 2014. (11/50206-9, 08/50928-1)

DAMASCENO, E. M.; HINGST-ZAHER, E.; ASTUA, D.. Bite force and encephalization in the Canidae (Mammalia: Carnivora). JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY, v. 290, n. 4, p. 246-254, AUG 2013. (11/50206-9)

SCANFERLA, AGUSTIN; ZAHER, HUSSAM; NOVAS, FERNANDO E.; DE MUIZON, CHRISTIAN; CESPEDES, RICARDO. A New Snake Skull from the Paleocene of Bolivia Sheds Light on the Evolution of Macrostomatans. PLoS One, v. 8, n. 3, MAR 1 2013. (11/50206-9)

GRAZZIOTIN, FELIPE G.; ZAHER, HUSSAM; MURPHY, ROBERT W.; SCROCCHI, GUSTAVO; BENAVIDES, MARCO A.; ZHANG, YA-PING; BONATTO, SANDRO L.. Molecular phylogeny of the New World Dipsadidae (Serpentes: Colubroidea): a reappraisal. CLADISTICS, v. 28, n. 5, p. 437-459, OCT 2012. (02/13602-4, 11/50206-9)

COSTA, HENRIQUE C.; CELSA SENARIS, JOSEFA; ROJAS-RUNJAIC, FERNANDO J. M.; ZAHER, HUSSAM; GARCIA, PAULO C. A.. Redescription of the rare South American worm lizard Amphisbaena rozei (Squamata: Amphisbaenidae). Amphibia-Reptilia, v. 39, n. 1, p. 21-30, 2018. (11/50206-9)

COSTA, HENRIQUE C.; VELASQUEZ, SOFIA; ZAHER, HUSSAM; GARCIA, PAULO C. A.. Updated Diagnosis of Amphisbaena metallurga and A. sanctaeritae and First Record of A. hiata in Brazil (Squamata: Amphisbaenidae). South American Journal of Herpetology, v. 14, n. 3, p. 233-241, DEC 2019. (11/50206-9)