Composition and patterns of distribution of snakes from the Rio Claro-SP municipality and its application against ophidism

• Grant number: 25/09831-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: July 01, 2025
• End date: June 30, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Zoology - Taxonomy of Recent Groups
• Principal Investigator: Thaís Barreto Guedes da Costa
• Grantee: Wagner Vinnicius Ferreira Santos
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências (IB). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Rio Claro. Rio Claro , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 21/07161-6 - Evolution and biogeography of the herpetofauna: patterns, process and implications for conservation in a scenario of environmental and climate changes, AP.JP

Abstract

Despite recent advances, the knowledge about the species composition and geographic distribution patterns of snakes is still based on incomplete data. Thus, our understanding about the group is restricted to a limited subset of data that is more biased and deficient in areas far from large cities and research centers (Hortal et al., 2008. Oikos; Guedes et al., 2018. Global Ecology and Biogeography; Nogueira et al. 2019. South American Journal of Herpetology). Such deficiencies bias the recognition of distribution patterns on a regional and global scale; the consolidation of curated data (species and occurrence lists) on snake species at a local scale is a crucial source of information in the preparation of diversity syntheses at broader geographic scales. Furthermore, knowing the species and distribution of snakes of medical importance is essential to identify areas at risk of bites, and such data can be compared with data related to the geographic pattern of snakebites. One way to present and consolidate a list of snake species at the municipal level is to collect data from biological collections and scientific literature; additionally, databases on snakebite accidents can be obtained from public databases (e.g., the Notifiable Diseases Information System, SINAN) and/or via the Zoonoses Center of the Municipal Secretariat. This study aims to: (1) Prepare a complete and updated list of snake species with confirmed occurrence within the limits of the municipality of Rio Claro-SP; (2) Prepare, if possible, detailed maps of the distribution of these species in the municipality; (3) Map the distribution of snakebite accidents (10-year period, from 2013 to 2023) and compare the results obtained with the distribution of the species in the municipality.