Sixteen Nerodia rhombifera were used in each of two experiments investigating operant conditioning of the tongue flicker response. A yoked pair design was utilized throughout phases of baseline, continuous reinforcement, partial reinforcement, and extinction. During partial reinforcement, one-half of the experimental animals were reinforced FR-4 and the other half were reinforced continuously. Control subjects were treated as were their experimental partners, with the exception of noncontingent reinforcement. Statistical comparisons between means for groups during the CRF phase, partial reinforcement phase, and extinction phase were nonsignificant. However, because some snakes in the experimental groups appeared to show increases in response rate during CRF and FR conditions, the possibility exists that modification of task parameters will produce positive results in future research.

As doenÃas cardÃacas constituem a principal causa de mortalidade em paÃses desenvolvidos e ocupam uma posiÃÃo de destaque em paÃses em desenvolvimento, sendo no Brasil a segunda causa de morte. Na busca por sua identificaÃÃo, diversos exames podem ser feitos, dentre eles o ECG (eletrocardiograma), medicina nuclear e o ecocardiograma de esforÃo (ECE). Este Ãltimo à preferÃvel por ser um mÃtodo de baixo custo, comparando-se com medicina nuclear, alÃm de ser um mÃtodo nÃo evasivo. Por estas razÃes à muito utilizado no diagnÃstico preciso de isquemia (perda de elasticidade muscular), inclusive na sua intensidade. Entretanto, o diagnÃstico por ECE à realizado por uma anÃlise visual de um vÃdeo por um especialista, portanto subjetivo. Esta dissertaÃÃo descreve um mÃtodo de segmentaÃÃo do ventrÃculo esquerdo em ecocardiogramas, utilizando-se de contornos ativos (snakes) na tentativa de tornar o ECE o mais objetivo possÃvel, permitindo uma medida automÃtica do volume do ventrÃculo esquerdo atravÃs da anÃlise do ECE a fim de detectar a isquemia. TÃcnicas de eliminaÃÃo de ruÃdo speckle sÃo implementadas e confrontadas, pois o ECE à sempre contaminado por este tipo de ruÃdo, resultando em uma anÃlise visual de difÃcil percepÃÃo. Tais tÃcnicas utilizam a transformada wavelets na construÃÃo dos filtros, sendo entÃo, implementados e avaliados quatro diferentes algoritmos, tomando-se como parÃmetro o tempo de processamento e a relaÃÃo sinal/ruÃdo. Desenvolvesse tambÃm uma tÃcnica de detecÃÃo do ventrÃculo esquerdo, usando o mÃtodo dos contornos ativos (snakes). Resultados parciais sÃo obtidos, permitindo uma detecÃÃo de bordas do miocÃrdio interno representando as paredes do ventrÃculo esquerdo. / The cardiac illnesses represent the most of death cause in developed countries and one of the commonest in developing countries, which is the case of Brazil. In order to detect them, different existing methods can be applied. Among them, the ECG (electrocardiogram), methods developed from nuclear medicine and echocardiogram of effort (ECE). This last one is preferred due to its low cost, in comparison with the nuclear medicine and its non-invasive ability. For these reasons, ECE is used to diagnostic the isquemia (muscular elasticity loss). But the diagnostic is done by a specialist through the visualization of a video, and is consequently subjective. This master degree dissertation describes a segmentation method of the left ventricle in ecocardiograms, using the active contours model (snake), in order to the ECE becomes more objective, allowing an automatic measure of left ventricle and consequently the detection of isquemia. Denoising techniques are implemented because this kind of image is corrupted by the speckle noise, what is harmful for analises. Wavelet-based technics are developed and four algorithms are compared in measuring the time of execution and the resulting signal to noise ratio. From the resulting denoised images, a technique for left ventricle border detection is developed using the snake methods. Partial results show an effective result for the detection of intern myocardium borders which represent the left ventricle.

Dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Master’s Degree in Technology: Homoeopathy, Durban University of Technology, 2010. / Provings are an essential element in the development of the homoeopathic medicine knowledge base and scope of practice. There are many South African indigenous plants and animals that can play a role in homoeopathy but need to be proved first. Several indigenous snake venoms have already been proved as homoeopathic remedies, so the proving of Dendroaspis angusticeps venom expands this particular knowledge base. Aim The aim of this study was to determine the effect of a homoeopathic dose of the venom of the Dendroaspis angusticeps on healthy individuals in order to elicit and document the resulting mental and physical symptomotology, so that it may be prescribed to those that require it based on the Law of Similars. The other aims of this study were to compare the proving symptoms of Dendroaspis angusticeps 30CH to the toxicology of Eastern Green Mamba venom and to analyze the remedy picture in relation to the doctrine of signatures. The thirtieth centesimal potency of the remedy was hypothesised to produce clearly observable signs and symptoms in provers (healthy volunteers). The symptoms obtained from the proving were also compared to the doctrine of signature analysis of Dendroaspis angusticeps to help clarify the nature of this snake and to expand the remedy picture of the substance and facilitate our understanding of the remedy in light of the toxicology of the venom and the doctrine of signatures. vii Methodology The homoeopathic proving of Dendroaspis angusticeps 30CH was carried out as a randomised, double blind, placebo-controlled trial. The proving population consisted of 30 provers. Twenty four of the provers were in the experimental group and they received the potentised snake venom. Six provers were in the control group and they received the placebo. As this was a double blind, placebo-controlled trial, neither the individuals taking part in the study nor the researcher had any knowledge of who received placebo or the active remedy. Provers were also unaware of the substance being proven or the potency in which it was prepared. Results Provers recorded their symptoms in a journal over a period of 5 weeks and were monitored regularly by the researcher. At the completion of the proving period, the researcher collected all the recorded data and each journal was assessed by the researcher to determine the suitability of the recorded symptoms. The symptoms were then translated into the language of the materia medica and the repertory and a remedy picture was formulated. Thereafter a comparison was made to the nature of the snake by means of the doctrine of signatures and the toxicology of the venom as an attempt to broaden the repertoire of our knowledge of the action of the remedy. Provers experienced a wide range of symptoms particularly on the mental and emotional spheres including feelings of powerful assertion and confidence; cheerful and excited energy; spiritual and prayerful feelings; seductive, sensual and extravagant mannerisms; desire to dance and heightened energy; clairvoyant natures and desires to be in nature as well as pronounced irritability, anger and sadness. Other symptoms included desire to be alone and withdrawn feelings; quarrelsome natures; desire to kill; deceitful ways; intolerance to injustice; poor concentration; thoughts of the past; confusion and antagonism of the will and anxious thoughts. Delusions, fears and thoughts of death also manifested in provers. There was a marked polarity of symptoms as: Anger, rage, irritability vs calmness / spirituality; Sadness / depression vs cheerfulness / joy; Poor concentration / forgetful vs mental power / mental clarity; Alone / withdrawn vs desire to be touched, caressed; and Prostration, exhaustion vs energetic. On the physical sphere there were marked symptoms produced in the head area with a wide range of headaches. Eye symptoms were also vast in the inflammation, heaviness and ptosis of the eyes. Throat symptoms manifested as pharyngitis and sore throat. Toxicological symptoms included vertigo, ptosis, pain in different areas, inflammation, vomiting, blurred vision, slurred speech, difficulty breathing and difficult swallowing. Back pain and lower back pain were also key symptoms. Sleep difficulties and sleepiness were experienced by provers. Dream symptoms were the most prevalent in this proving. Dreams were repetitive in provers in the dreams of changing places and being in many places and unfamiliar places. There were marked dreams of sexuality, death, spirituality, friendships, colours, snakes, weddings, fighting and killings and past recollections. Conclusion Dendroaspis angusticeps 30CH thus did produce clearly observable signs and symptoms in healthy volunteers as hypothesised. The correlation of the proving symptoms to the toxicology of the venom and the doctrine of signatures also illustrated the themes of this remedy and aided in development of the remedy picture for this new addition to the knowledge base of indigenous South African substances and their homoeopathic application. / M

The Sonorini is a diverse assemblage of cryptozoic to fossorial snakes. Molecular and morphological evidence is ambiguous as to whether the tribe is monophyletic or consists of two or more independent clades. Morphological analysis, using Coluber constrictor and Liochlorophis vernalis as outgroups, indicates that the genera Conopsis, Ficimia, Gyalopion, Pseudoficimia, Stenorrhina, and Sympholis form the sister group to Chilomeniscus, Chionactis, and Sonora. This clade, in turn, is sister to Scolecophis and Tantilla. The putative genera Geagras and Tantillita are nested within the Tantilla calamarina and T. taeniata species groups, respectively.Each of the three major clades contains one or more highly fossorial forms that appear to be independently derived. Morphometric and natural history data from museum specimens, field studies, and the literature indicate that taxa with highly fossorial morphologies specialize on buried prey. Sympholis is at least a part-time commensal of leaf-cutting ants that feeds on beetle grubs; Chilomeniscus is a soil burrower that feeds on burrowing roaches and vermiform beetle larvae, whereas other members of the Ficimia and Sonora clades feed on various combinations of arachnids, orthopterans, and beetle grubs. Geagras redimitus, presumably a detritus burrower, feeds on vermiform beetle larvae, whereas Scolecophis and most Tantilla feed on centipedes. At least three other Tantilla species, including T. gracilis, T. relicta, and T. vermiformis, show parallel trends towards miniaturization, fossorial morphology, and diet of insect larvae.

Patterns of genetic diversity in natural systems are influenced by landscape heterogeneity over spatial and temporal scales. Certain natural or anthropogenic landscape features may facilitate or impede organism dispersal and subsequent gene flow. Characterizing the geographical distribution of genetic diversity and identifying the factors contributing to population genetic structure is imperative for maintaining functional connectivity between isolated populations across a fragmented landscape. In this study, I combined genetic data and high-resolution land cover information to investigate patterns of population genetic structure in the threatened eastern hog-nosed snake (Heterodon platirhinos) at its northern range limit in Ontario, Canada. First, using putatively neutral microsatellite markers, I found evidence of genetic differentiation between two geographically disjunct regional populations: in the Carolinian region of southwestern Ontario, and along the eastern shoreline of Georgian Bay. Spatial and non-spatial Bayesian clustering algorithms also detected population genetic structure within each regional population. I found evidence of weak structure within Georgian Bay, roughly corresponding to regions north and south of Parry Sound. A genetic cluster at Wasaga Beach, located at the southern terminus of Georgian Bay, was highly differentiated from other populations, despite its geographic proximity to Georgian Bay. Excess homozygosity and reduced allelic diversity in Wasaga Beach compared to other sampled populations imply a population bottleneck event. Secondly, I inferred the role of landscape features on eastern hog-nosed snake dispersal and subsequent gene flow in the Georgian Bay regional population. Using techniques derived from electrical circuit theory, I estimated pairwise resistance distances between individuals by assigning costs to landscape features that are predicted to impede hog-nosed snake movement: open water, wetland, settlement and agriculture, and roads. Landscape features did not influence genetic structure within Wasaga Beach. However, I found weak evidence for an effect of landscape features, particularly open water and roads, on gene flow in eastern Georgian Bay. This study is the first to examine potential factors driving population genetic structure of eastern hog-nosed snakes and provides an empirical foundation for future tests of demographic models and spatially explicit simulations of gene flow. / Thesis (Master, Biology) -- Queen's University, 2012-10-30 11:58:05.094

EVOLUTIONARY AND DEVELOPMENTAL ASPECTS OF DENTITION OF SQUAMATE REPTILES Summary of the PhD. thesis Dentition and its evolutionary modifications played important roles during the radiation of reptiles. It is generally accepted that a plesiomorphic state for reptiles is represented by homodont, polyphyodont dentition with conical or cylindroconical teeth. However, in contrast to mammalian dentition which is the object of intensive research, reptilian dentition is studied only rarely. I therefore focused on developmental and evolutionary aspects of squamate dentition and used histological, immunohistochemical and in situ hybridization methods, computerised tomography, rentgenography and scanning electron microskopy. The goals of this work were as following: (a) to choose the model taxa representing squamate lineages relevant from a phylogenetic position as well as possessing dissimilar types of dental adaptations; (b) to evaluate using of these taxa as model species; (c) in these taxa describe basic odontogenic features. As a species with generalized dentition gecko Paroedura picta was chosen, the up coming reptilian model species with features also present in a wide spectrum of other lizards. I focused mainly on the developmental differences between teeth of the null and functional generations, development...

O desenvolvimento de biossensores é um tema de pesquisa bastante promissor, uma vez que permite monitorar diversas classes de substâncias, que muitas vezes apresentam grande interesse nas mais diversas áreas da ciência. Biossensores são pequenos dispositivos que utilizam componentes biológicos como elementos de reconhecimento, ligados a um sistema dedetecção, transdução e amplificação do sinal gerado na reação com o analito-alvo. Podem ser utilizados diversos elementos, sendo os principais, atualmente, aqueles baseados em aptâmeros e nanomateriais, por sua alta especificidade e sensibilidade. Seu potencial de utilização varia desde a detecção e tratamento de doenças ou a medição de componentes nos fluidos biológicos, até o monitoramento ambiental e prevenção de contaminação e bioterrorismo. Neste projeto foi desenvolvido um biossensor eletroquímico cujo objetivo é identificar toxinas inoculadas em pacientes que sofreram acidentes com animais peçonhentos. Foram utilizados os anticorpos/imuniglobulinas comerciais e a peçonha bruta de jararaca (Bothrops) para fazer o estudo/desenvolvimento do biossensor. Neste trabalho foram apresentados os resultados da imobilização dos anticorpos (imunoglobulinas) sobre o eletrodo de trabalho, bem como sua resposta eletroquímica utilizando voltametria cíclica. As soluções utilizadas foram de NaCl 0,9% e tampão fosfato (0,1 mol.L-1) com pH=7,4 por ser bem próximo ao pH fisiológico, pois, posteriormente quer se investigar em plasma sanguíneo. Os voltamogramas cíclicos e a microscopia eletrônica de varredura mostraram a diferença do eletrodo com e sem a imobilização das imunoglobulinas, evidenciando que o biossensor é eficaz para o sistema analisado, sendo promissor aos estudos. Com o biossensor construído, foi investigada a resposta eletroquímica relativa à interação antígeno-anticorpo (veneno-soro) para analisar a interação específica entre eles, sendo o resultado positivamente o esperado. / The development of biosensors is a research topic very promising, since it allows you to monitor various classes of substances, which often exhibit great interest in several areas of science. Biosensors are small devices that use biological recognition elements and components, bound to a selfAdetecting system, transduction and amplification of the signal generated in the reaction with the target analyte it. Various elements, the main currently those based on aptamers and nanomaterials for their high specificity and sensitivity can be used. Their potential use varies from the detection and treatment of diseases or measurement of components in biological fluids to the environmental monitoring and contamination prevention and bioterrorism. In this project we developed an electrochemical biosensor whose objetico is inoculated identify toxins in patients who have suffered accidents with poisonous animals. Antibodies / commercial imuniglobulinas and the crude venom of pit viper (Bothrops) were used to study / development of the biosensor. In this work the results of immobilization of antibodies (immunoglobulins) on the working electrode and its electrochemical response using cyclic voltammetry were presented. The solutions used were 0.9% NaCl and phosphate buffer (0.1 mol L-1) of pH = 7.4 to be close to physiological pH and therefore further investigated whether in blood plasma. Cyclic voltammetry and scanning electron microscopy showed the difference of the electrode with and without immobilization of immunoglobulins, indicating that the biosensor is effective for the system analyzed, and promising to studies. With the biosensor constructed, we investigated the electrochemical response on the antigen-antibody (venom antiserum) interaction to analyze the specific interaction between them, the result being positively expected.

A espécie Bothrops atrox é responsável por grande parte dos acidentes no estado do Amazonas. No entanto, ainda são poucos os estudos sobre as toxinas que compõem o veneno dessa serpente, os mecanismos envolvidos na sintomatologia dos acidentes, bem como de formas de inibição. Os soros antiveneno utilizados atualmente com o objetivo de neutralizar as atividades sistêmicas e locais dos venenos mostraram reatividade cruzada entre componentes dos venenos de serpentes do gênero Bofhrops (MOURA DA SILVA et al., 1990). No entanto alguns componentes do veneno não apresentaram essa reatividade (SILES-VILARROEL et al.., 1974), mostrando a existência de toxinas espécie específicas.Os venenos de serpentes estão sujeitos a grandes variações induzidas por diversos aspectos ontogenéticos e influencia do habitat. Assim, essas variações podem gerar toxinas espécie específicas cujos mecanismos de ação ainda são desconhecidos e que os anticorpos presentes nos antivenenos disponíveis não sejam capazes de reconhecer e neutralizar eficientemente. O gênero Bothrops possui espécies extremamente variáveis, algumas de difícil classificação taxonõmica, e novas espécies têm sido descobertas recentemente. Como contribuição para o acúmulo de informações a respeito das diferentes composições do veneno do gênero Bothrops, e para o conhecimento de toxinas já isoladas e as ainda não isoladas na espécie tipo Bothrops atrox, foi construída uma biblioteca de cDNA da glândula de veneno.Os dados obtidos são importantes para a elaboração de um painel da expressão gênica dessa espécie e permitirá a identificação de toxinas que podem ser comuns ou não ao veneno de outras espécies do gênero. Aliado a isso, esses dados permitirão a correlação com o estudo proteõmico, e possivelmente fornecerão subsídios para a melhoria da terapêutica empregada no tratamento dos casos envenamento na região. / The species Bothrops atrox is responsible for most accidents in state of Amazonas. However, there are few studies on toxins that make up the venom of this snake, mechanisms involved in symptomatology of accidents, as well as inhibition forms. Sera antivenom currently used in order to neutralize the systemic and local activities of the venoms showed cross-reactivity between components of the venom of Bothrops (MOURA DA SILVA et al., 1990). However some components of the venom showed no reactivity (SILES-VILARROEL et al., 1974), indicating the existence of species-specific toxins. Snake venoms are subject to large variations induced by several aspects and influences of ontogenetic habitat. Thus, these variations can produce toxins whose mechanisms of species-specific action are still unknown and antibodies present in available antivenoms maybe not are capable to recognize and neutralize some toxins efficiently. Bothrops species have highly variable, some of difficult taxonomic classification and new species have been discovered recently. As a contribution to gain of information about of different compositions of Bothrops venom and to knowledge of toxins not yet isolated and the isolated in Bothrops atrox type species we constructed a venom gland cDNA library . The data obtained are important for the development of gene expression panel of this species and enable the identification of toxins common or not in the venom of other species. These data will allow correlation with the proteomic study, and possibly provide input for improving the therapeutic used in the treatment of accidents cases in the region.

A jararaca-ilhoa (Bothrops insularis) é uma serpente endêmica e criticamente ameaçada de extinção que atualmente possui uma população estimada de 2.100 indivíduos restritos a uma única ilha no Estado de São Paulo, a Ilha da Queimada Grande. Esta vulnerabilidade levou à criação de um programa de reprodução em cativeiro para a espécie que, entre outras ações, propõe o desenvolvimento e aplicação de biotécnicas reprodutivas, tais como avaliação e preservação seminal e inseminação artificial. Este trabalho teve como objetivos: (1) avaliar três diluidores (HAM F-10, ACP-120® e BWW) em três diluições diferentes (1:100, 1:200 e 1:500 µL) e determinar qual o melhor protocolo de incubação para o sêmen de B. insularis; (2) avaliar um protocolo de inseminação artificial na espécie e (3) avaliar três diferentes sistemas de refrigeração (geladeira, banho-maria em geladeira e isopor tipo BotuFLEX® )a fim de determinar qual deles é capaz de preservar melhor a motilidade do sêmen da jararaca-ilhoa por um período de até 48 h. Verificamos que as amostras de sêmen diluídas com o meio HAM F-10 na diluição 1:100 µL apresentaram os melhores resultados para motilidade e motilidade progressiva e, desta forma, foi o protocolo de diluição seminal eleito para a inseminação artificial realizada. O protocolo de inseminação artificial foi realizando de maneira segura e minimamente invasiva nos animais, no entanto, até o momento não houve detecção de prenhez nas fêmeas inseminadas. A refrigeração se mostrou um método eficiente para a manutenção da motilidade e motilidade progressiva do sêmen de B. insularis por até 48 h pois, no período de duração do experimento, não foi verificada queda significativa nos parâmetros avaliados em nenhum dos sistemas de refrigeração. Foi observada, ao longo deste trabalho, uma alta incidência de decapitações nos espermatozoides de boa parte dos machos, o que pode comprometer seriamente a fertilidade do plantel estudado. Acreditamos, com os resultados deste projeto, ter elucidado questões fundamentais acerca do melhor diluidor e diluição a ser utilizada na manipulação do sêmen de B. insularis, assim como ter demonstrado que protocolos de refrigeração seguros e versáteis são capazes de manter a motilidade seminal por até 48 h, permitindo a troca de material genético entre diferentes plantéis no Brasil ou até mesmo com a população nativa da Ilha da Queimada Grande. O conhecimento gerado a partir deste estudo também servirá como base para estudos que visem o estabelecimento e aprimoramento de outras biotécnicas reprodutivas e a criação, em um futuro breve, de um banco de germoplasma da espécie. / The golden lancehead (Bothrops insularis) is a venomous pitviper endemic from Ilha da Queimada Grande, a small island located 40 miles off the coast of southeastern Brazil. Due to its small population (about 2000 individuals), highly restricted range, continuous decrease in habitat quality and illegal trading, B. insularis is currently listed as critically endangered in the IUCN Red List. As a consequence, efforts have been directed towards the development of a captive breeding program that involves both natural and assisted reproduction. Nonetheless, successful application of assisted reproductive technologies such as artificial insemination and semen cryopreservation in B. insularis requires a clear understanding of the reproductive physiology of this species, particularly aspects of sperm quality and production, and conservation. Thus, this study aims on: (1) determining which extenders (ACP-120, BWW and HAM-F10) and dilutions are better suited for maintenance of sperm motility; (2) testing an artificial insemination protocol in B. insularis maintained in captivity; (3) evaluating three different cooling systems (refrigerator, water bath on refrigerator and BotuFLEX®) to determine which one is able to preserve the semen motility of the golden lancehead for a period up to 48 hours. We found that semen samples diluted with HAM F-10 medium at a 1: 100µL dilution had the best motility and progressive motility results. To date, no pregnancies have been detected in inseminated females. Therefore, further studies and the improvement of this protocol for the species are required. We observed that all three cooling methods work successfully, maintaining the motility and progressive semen motility without significant changes for 48h, which demonstrates versatility in the preservation and transportation of this material, including from field work. With our results, we have elucidated fundamental questions about both the best diluent and dilution to be used, as well as refrigeration systems that ensure the maintenance of semen motility up to 48 hours. This is crucial for allowing the exchange of genetic material between different Brazilian Institutions and the income of material from Ilha da Queimada Grande, what may minimize problems due to consanguinity, besides serving as a basis for future studies on seminal cryopreservation protocols and the creation of germplasm banks.

Os processos ecológicos e biogeográficos podem influenciar a composição de espécies em comunidades. A ecologia diz respeito às interações entre espécies e o ambiente enquanto que a biogeografia está relacionada à ocupação dos ambientes pelas espécies pertencentes ao pool regional. A dispersão fornece oportunidade para que as espécies ocupem diferentes ambientes, mas o modo como as espécies interagem entre si e com o ambiente é crucial para a permanência da espécie em uma taxocenose. Dentro desse contexto, este estudo busca entender qual processo, ecológico, histórico ou ambos tem influenciado na estrutura de comunidades de serpentes neotropicais com diferentes tipos de vegetação (áreas florestadas e abertas) usando métodos filogenéticos e fenotípicos. Nós detectamos diferentes padrões de estrutura filogenética nas comunidades da Amazônia (disperso) e dos Campos Sulinos (agregado). No entanto, é possível perceber que comunidades de baixas latitudes tendem a ter estrutura dispersa e comunidades de altas latitudes tendem a ter estrutura agregada. O mesmo padrão foi observado através da análise fenotípica. Além disso, dentre os atributos mensurados o tamanho do corpo é o único que está associado com o tipo de vegetação. Este resultado pode ser uma consequência da maior proporção de espécies arborícolas em taxocenoses florestadas. Essas espécies geralmente são maiores que as terrícolas e as fossoriais. Espécies que utilizam o mesmo habitat são morfologicamente similares. A influência da biogeografia nas comunidades de serpentes é um resultado da distribuição de espécies das três principais linhagens de serpentes da região Neotropical. As espécies de Colubridae e Dipsadinae contribuem mais para a riqueza de espécies em latitudes mais baixas enquanto que Xenodontinae contribui mais nas taxocenoses de altas latitudes. Isto pode explicar o padrão filogenético disperso encontrado nas comunidades de baixa latitude porque estas comunidades são compostas principalmente por espécies de duas linhagens diferentes enquanto que as comunidades de altas latitudes são basicamente compostas por uma única linhagem (o que resultaria em um padrão filogenético agregado). Isso pode explicar também a pequena diferença morfológica entre as comunidades de latitude maior devido à inércia filogenética. Nossos resultados destacam a importância da biogeografia na estruturação de comunidades, corroborando a atual hipótese de que a biogeografia é mais importante para moldar a estrutura de comunidades do que os fatores ecológicos / Both ecological and biogeographical process can influence assemblages\' composition. Ecology may affect interactions among species and their environment while biogeography affects species\' immigration from regional species\' pool. Immigration provides an opportunity to arrive in different localities but the way in which species interact with their environment is a crucial factor in order for a species to thrive. This study aims to understand which processes, ecological, historical or both, have influenced the structure of Neotropical snakes\' assemblages in different vegetation types (forested and open areas), using a phylogenetic and phenotypic approach. We detected different patterns of phylogenetic structure in assemblages from Amazonian rainforest (evenness) and Brazilian Campos Grasslands (clustered) but it is also possible to perceive that assemblages from lower latitudes are evenly structured and assemblages from higher latitudes are clustered, the same being true when we consider their phenotypic structure. Moreover, considering all measured traits body size is the only feature related to vegetation type (open and forested areas). This result may be a consequence of the microhabitat used by a high proportion of species - since arboreal and semi-arboreal species are primarily encountered in forested areas (when compared to open areas), and these species are normally larger than terrestrial and/or fossorial species. Furthermore, species within use the same habitat have similar morphologies. The influence of biogeography in snakes\' assemblages is a result of the species\' distribution from major snakes\' lineages in Neotropics. The lineages Colubridae and Dipsadinae contribute more to assemblages\' richness at lower latitude whereas Xenodontinae contributes more at higher latitudes. This may explain the phylogenetic evenness pattern encountered in assemblages from lower latitudes, since these assemblages are composed mainly by species from two different lineages, while assemblages from higher latitudes are basically composed by one lineage. Although the difference among species\' morphology is smaller in assemblages from higher latitudes due probably to evolutionary constraints. Our results highlight the importance of biogeography in shaping assemblage structure, corroborating the current hypothesis that biogeography is more important in shaping assemblages than ecology