Light Detection And Ranging (LiDAR), as well as many other applications and sensors, involve segmenting sparse sets of points (point clouds) for which point density is the only discriminating feature. The segmentation of these point clouds is challenging for several reasons, including the fact that the points are not associated with a regular grid. Moreover, the presence of noise, particularly impulsive noise with varying density, can make it difficult to obtain a good segmentation using traditional techniques, including the algorithms that had been developed to process LiDAR data. This dissertation introduces novel algorithms and frameworks based on statistical techniques and image analysis in order to segment and extract surfaces from sparse noisy point clouds. We introduce an adaptive method for mapping point clouds onto an image grid followed by a contour detection approach that is based on an enhanced version of region-based Active Contours Without Edges (ACWE). We also proposed a noise reduction method using Bayesian approach and incorporated it, along with other noise reduction approaches, into a joint framework that produces robust results. We combined the aforementioned techniques with a statistical surface refinement method to introduce a novel framework to detect ground and canopy surfaces in micropulse photon-counting LiDAR data. The algorithm is fully automatic and uses no prior elevation or geographic information to extract surfaces. Moreover, we propose a novel segmentation framework for noisy point clouds in the plane based on a Markov random field (MRF) optimization that we call Point Cloud Densitybased Segmentation (PCDS). We also developed a large synthetic dataset of in plane point clouds that includes either a set of randomly placed, sized and oriented primitive objects (circle, rectangle and triangle) or an arbitrary shape that forms a simple approximation for the LiDAR point clouds. The experiment performed on a large number of real LiDAR and synthetic point clouds showed that our proposed frameworks and algorithms outperforms the state-of-the-art algorithms in terms of segmentation accuracy and surface RMSE. / Ph. D.

The genus Chrysopelea encompasses the "flying" snakes. This taxon has the ability to glide via lateral aerial undulation and dorsoventral body flattening, a skill unique to this group, but in addition to other functions common to all colubrids. The skin must be extensible enough to allow this body shape alteration and undulation, and strong enough to withstand the forces seen during landing. For this reason, characterizing the mechanical properties of the skin may give insight to the functional capabilities of the skin during these gliding and landing behaviors. Dynamic and viscoelastic uniaxial tensile tests were combined with a modified particle image velocimetry technique to provide strength, extensibility, strain energy, and stiffness information about the skin with respect to orientation, region, and species, along with viscoelastic parameters. Results compared with two other species in this study and a broader range of species in prior studies indicate that while the skin of these unique snakes may not be specifically specialized to deal with larger forces, extensibility, or energy storage and release, the skin does have increased strength and energy storage associated with higher strain rates. The skin also has differing properties with respect to dorsoventral location, and regional differences in strength in the circumferential orientation. This may indicate that, although the properties of the skin may not be different, the rate at which the skin is strained in the different species may vary, thus altering the apparent properties of the skin during specific behaviors. / Master of Science

A vegetação do Tocantins é predominantemente Cerrado (91%), e menos de 10% correspondem a formações ombrófilas e floresta estacional. A facilidade da retirada de vegetação do solo de cerrados convertendo-o para uso extensivo de monoculturas e pecuária intensificam a perda de micro hábitats. O presente estudo possibilitou um checklist através do levantamento de dados primários, in loco, para as localidades de Taquaruçu (Distrito de Palmas) e Araguaína, estes representam os dois biomas presentes no estado – Cerrado e Amazônia, respectivamente – e secundários por meio de registros fotográficos de colaboradores, e da compilação de estudos locais e fronteiriços que apresentam interação faunística de serpentes para o Tocantins. A lista de serpentes alcançou 96 espécies distribuídas em 9 famílias: Anomalepididae (1 sp.), Leptotyphlopidae (6 spp.), Typhlopidae (1 sp.), Aniliidae (1 sp.), Boidae (8 spp.), Colubridae (17 spp.), Dipsadidae (53 spp.), Elapidae (4 spp.) e Viperidae (5 spp.), das famílias de serpentes existentes no Brasil não foi representada apenas Tropidophiidae. Existe predominância de espécies típicas do Cerrado, também sendo observada a existência de espécies dos biomas confrontantes, com algumas representantes amazônicas registradas nas regiões centrais e sul do estado, seguindo as matas de galeria da bacia Araguaia-Tocantins. Outros dados que merecem importância são para a espécie Siagonodon acutirostris que possui distribuição geográfica restrita ao Tocantins; a ampliação de distribuição para Araguaína das espécies Apostolepis nelsonjorgei, até então, registrada no Tocantins na Estação Ecológica Serra Geral do Tocantins e Porto Nacional, e Corallus batesii sendo o terceiro registro para o norte do estado. A riqueza total de espécies registradas é similar com o resultado de estudos de outros pontos do Cerrado. Foi elaborado o mapa do estado utilizando programas de geoprocessamento para caracterizar os 63 municípios, onde se obteve registros, e também para demonstrar quais pontos estão sem estudos ou registros para futuros levantamentos de dados que auxiliarão em lista mais ampla e completa para o Tocantins. Essa caracterização das espécies locais além de criar uma forma para orientar os populares quanto às espécies de serpentes, que habitam o ambiente onde residem, avalia a riqueza contribuindo para o conhecimento da fauna local e, sobretudo, visa uma relação mais harmoniosa para que a valorização da natureza progrida nos seres humanos. / The vegetation of Tocantins is predominantly Cerrado (91%), and less than 10% correspond to ombrophilous formations and seasonal forest. The easy removal of vegetation from the soil, from savannas, converting it to extensive use of monocultures and livestock intensifies the loss of microhabitats. The present study made possible a checklist through the collection of primary data, in loco, for the localities of Taquaruçu (District of Palmas) and Araguaína, these represent the two biomes present in the state – Cerrado and Amazon, respectively – and secondary ones through registers And the compilation of local and border studies that present a faunal interaction of snakes to the Tocantins. The list of snakes reached 96 species distributed in 9 families: Anomalepididae (1 sp.), Leptotyphlopidae (6 spp.), Typhlopidae (1 sp.), Aniliidae (1 sp.), Boidae (8 spp.), Colubridae (17 spp.), Dipsadidae (53 spp.), Elapidae (4 spp.) and Viperidae (5 spp.), of the snake families in Brazil were not represented only Tropidophiidae. There is a predominance of species typical of the Cerrado, also being observed the existence of species of the confronting biomes, with some Amazonian representatives registered in the central and southern regions of the state following the gallery forests of the Araguaia-Tocantins basin. Other data that deserve importance are for the species Siagonodon acutirostris that has geographic distribution restricted to Tocantins; The extension of distribution to Araguaína of the species Apostolepis nelsonjorgei, previously recorded in Tocantins at the Serra Geral do Tocantins and Porto Nacional Ecological Station, and Corallus batesii being the third record in the north of the state. The total richness of recorded species is similar with the results of studies from other points in the Cerrado. The state map was elaborated using geoprocessing programs to characterize the 63 municipalities, where records were obtained, and also to demonstrate which points are without studies or records, for future surveys of data that will aid in a broader and more complete list for Tocantins. This characterization of local species, besides creating a way to guide people about the species of snakes that inhabit the environment where they live, evaluates the wealth contributing to the knowledge of the local fauna and, above all, aim at a more harmonious relationship so that the valorization of nature progresses in humans.

Metabolic rate (MR) and digestive duration are thermally dependant, and energy usage changes as body temperature (Tb) changes. Increased Tb during digestion causes a rapid increase in VO2 and a shorter postprandial metabolic response known as specific dynamic action (SDA). SDA is the additional energy expended above standard metabolic rate (SMR) to carry out functions associated with meal digestion and assimilation. SDA is affected by prey size, prey type and body mass (Mb). Liquid meals require less energy to digest and assimilate than intact prey items resulting in a lower metabolic scope and reduced postprandial metabolic response. Digestive efficiency and metabolism are also affected by the level of dietary specialization which can lead to increased digestive efficiency in terms of duration and energy used for digesting preferred prey items. Here, I investigated the effects of Mb, Tb and ontogeny on standard and digestive MR of two dietary specialists, Dasypeltis scabra and D. inornata. Dasypeltis scabra, found throughout South Africa, and D. inornata, endemic to the eastern parts of South Africa and western part of Swaziland, digest only the liquid contents of freshly laid bird eggs and should have a lower energy cost of digestion and assimilation than other snake species consuming intact prey containing bones, fur or chitinous carapace. To test the effect of changes in Tb on the metabolic response of Dasypeltis, pre- and postprandial metabolic responses of adult D. inornata and adult and neonate D. scabra were compared. SMR and SDA were quantified at five ambient temperatures 20, 25, 27, 30, 32°C using closed system respirometry. SMR was measured for 3 days twice a day at 08h00 and 20h00. Thereafter, snakes were fed a meal of chicken egg equivalent to 20% of Mb and oxygen uptake (VO2) was measured for an additional 5 days at 08h00 and 20h00, and then once a day at 08h00 for an additional 7 – 10 days. Increased Tb resulted in increases in metabolic response variables for all groups. Variation in Tb significantly affected SDA (kJ kg-1) of D. scabra adults and neonates and D. inornata adults. There were few significant interspecific and ontogenetic differences across all temperature trials. Within five days after meal consumption for all groups at 32°C, postprandial VO2 rates peaked at 3.16 - 3.73 times preprandial rates (scope), lower than most other snake species. The optimal digestion temperature appears to be around 32°C in terms of duration, but may be higher to optimize digestion. Across the range of temperatures (20 - 32°C) and masses (3.98 – 71.33g), the duration of significantly elevated VO2 was on average 1.5 - 2 days longer for D. scabra adults and neonates than D. inornata. Digestion duration ranged from 6.5 - 13.5 days for D. inornata and from 7.5 - 16.5 days for D. scabra adults and neonates. Digestive duration was longer for D. scabra than other snake species that consume meals of intact prey of similar size, at the same temperature. Dasypeltis species expended less total energy for digestion and used a smaller proportion of total energy consumed for digestion than other snake species at similar temperatures. Lower maintenance and digestive costs suggest that energy is conserved for allocation to other functions during periods of low prey availability. In addition, Dasypeltis species may rely on thermoregulation to capitalize on reduction in energy output and to increase energy savings between meals. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2009.

Submitted by ÉRICO FERNANDO DE OLIVEIRA MARTINS null (profericomartins@gmail.com) on 2017-10-20T20:50:58Z No. of bitstreams: 1 TESE_PPGCC_EFOM_FINAL.pdf: 19920753 bytes, checksum: 0914bc57a7e2e403ee03d576a74e8e57 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Luiz Galeffi (luizgaleffi@gmail.com) on 2017-10-23T19:41:39Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 martins_efo_dr_prud.pdf: 19920753 bytes, checksum: 0914bc57a7e2e403ee03d576a74e8e57 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-10-23T19:41:39Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 martins_efo_dr_prud.pdf: 19920753 bytes, checksum: 0914bc57a7e2e403ee03d576a74e8e57 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-08-25 / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Mato Grosso (FAPEMAT) / Os processos convencionais de extração de rodovias em imagens digitais não costumam fazer uso de informações a priori e normalmente não há uma preocupação a respeito da padronização necessária para que os resultados das extrações sejam utilizados em Infraestruturas de Dados Espaciais (IDE). Por consequência, os resultados dessas extrações acabam sendo geometricamente robustos, porém fragmentados em relação ao contexto e a seu padrão de estrutura, ou seja, necessitarão de um grande esforço do operador humano para que possam se tornar elegíveis à IDE, contrariando uma das principais motivações para o desenvolvimento de métodos (semi-) automáticos de extração, que é desonerar o operador humano de tarefas repetitivas e enfadonhas. Neste contexto a hipótese motivadora desta pesquisa levanta a questão: “adaptando processos clássicos de extração de rodovias para a integração de dados geoespaciais preexistentes, será possível apresentar um método para atualização sistemática de malha rodoviária em área rural, que seja capaz de preservar informações e estruturas preexistentes? ”. Como resposta é apresentado aqui um método para a atualização da malha rodoviária em formato vetorial, advinda de bases de dados cartográficas elaboradas segundo uma IDE, por meio da integração de diferentes tipos de dados, preservando sua integridade. No decorrer das três etapas em que está organizado o método o arquivo vetorial sofrerá uma série de modificações geométricas, configuradas em distintos processos, começando com uma conflação vetor-para-vetor com o mapa de rodovias inferido a partir de trajetórias de deslocamento com objetivo de identificar ramos ausentes na malha e agregá-los (Expansão da Malha); seguida de uma conflação vetor-para-vetor com os segmentos de eixo de rodovias extraídos de uma imagem sintética obtida a partir das imagens RapidEye (Ajuste da Malha Expandida); finalizando com a etapa de refino pela aplicação das snakes de redes sobre a malha ajustada e a imagem sintética (Refino da Malha Ajustada) e por fim uma atribuição da componente altimétrica por meio de um Modelo Digital de Superfície, resultando em um arquivo vetorial geometricamente atualizado e expandido para o espaço tridimensional, com estrutura e atributos preservados. Os experimentos realizados demonstraram a robustez do método, com a média do RMSE da malha inicial em 50,86 m, alcançando 18,72 m na primeira etapa do método (expansão da malha), reduzindo para 7,25 m na etapa seguinte (ajuste da malha), e para 3,74 m na etapa final (refino da malha). Assim, o processo finaliza com um RMSE médio de 3,74 m e um desvio-padrão de 2,86 m, que permite o enquadramento da malha resultante no PEC-PCD 1:50.000 classe A, devidamente adequado aos padrões da IDE. / Conventional road extraction processes in digital imagery do not usually make use of a priori information and there is usually no concern about the standardization required for extraction results to be used in Spatial Data Infrastructures (SDI). As a result, these extractions turn out to be geometrically robust but fragmented in relation to the context and their structure pattern, that is, they will require a great effort from the human operator so that they can become eligible for SDI, contrary to one of the main motivations for the development of (semi) automatic extraction methods, which is to deprive the human operator of repetitive and tedious tasks. In this context the motivating hypothesis of this research raises the question: "adapting classic processes of road extraction for the integration of preexisting geospatial data, it will be possible to present a method for systematic updating of road network in rural area, which is able to preserve preexisting information and structures? ". A method for updating the road network in vector format from cartographic databases elaborated according to an SDI is presented here, through the integration of different types of data, preserving its integrity. During the three stages in which the method is organized the vector file will undergo a series of geometric modifications, configured in different processes, starting with a vector-to-vector conflation with the road map inferred from displacement paths with the objective of identify missing branches in the mesh and aggregate them (Mesh Expansion); followed by vector-to-vector conflation with the segments of road axes extracted from a synthetic image obtained from the RapidEye (Expanded Mesh Adjustment) images; finishing with the refining step by applying the network snakes on the adjusted mesh and the synthetic image (Refining the Adjusted Mesh) and finally an assignment of the altimetric component through a Digital Surface Model, resulting in a vector file geometrically updated and expanded for the three-dimensional space with preserved structure and attributes. The experiments showed the robustness of the method, with the average RMSE of the initial mesh in 50.86 m, reaching 18.72 m in the first step of the method (mesh expansion), reducing to 7.25 m in the next step (mesh adjustment), and to 3.74 m in the final step (mesh refining). Thus, the process ends with an average RMSE of 3.74 m and a standard deviation of 2.86 m, which allows framing of the resulting mesh in the 1: 50,000 Class A PEC-PCD, duly adapted to SDI standards. / FAPEMAT: 231463/2013

The life history and reproductive ecology of the pygmy rattlesnake, Sistrurus miliarius barbouri was studied from January, 1984 to June, 1987 at Long Pine Key, Everglades national Park. This sample exhibits no sexual dimorphism except for relative to hail lengths; mean adult size was about 47 cms. Females do however comprise the majority of the snakes over 50 cms. S.m. barbouri show no habitat preference between the four habitat types. They are active year-round theater clearly second half of the year snakes. The species activity peak is in October which marks the end of the wet season and the climax and water table level. In addition, gravid females are active in February and March. While wise and juveniles also show a small peak of activity in May, the onset of the wet season. In the fall ovary length and egg size is small where is the test's size is large suggesting meeting in the fall. Eggs are yoked and enlarged in February and March but are still in the ovaries. Birth of the young occurs in July. Sperm retention is suggested. Mean hatchling size is larger than that cited by Klauber (1956). Growth rate in the first year of life is estimated to be approximately 82% Age of sexual maturity is estimated to be three years.

O presente trabalho trata-se do desenvolvimento de um programa para de análise de imagens de topografia corneana de sistemas comerciais, para ser implementado no topógrafo corneano para Lâmpada de Fenda, em desenvolvimento no Laboratório de Instrumentação Oftálmica - EESC/USP e no Laboratório de Física Oftálmica - FMRP/USP. O programa foi desenvolvido em C++, utilizando a plataforma Windows, e fornece mapas axiais de topografia corneana. O programa foi testado em esferas de calibração e em olhos humanos, apresentando um fator de correlação de 0,9998 para as medidas em esferas e um erro inerente estimado em 3%. Os mapas de topografias axiais em olhos humanos foram comparados com os mapas gerados por sistemas comerciais e o padrão visual de forma e relevo estão em concordância. / This work is about a software for the analisys of corneal topography images provided by commercial available systems to be implemented in a corneal topographer for slit lamps under evelopment at Laboratório de Instrumentação Oftálmica . EESC/USP e no Laboratório de Física Oftálmica . FRMP/USP. The software was developed in Borland C++ Builder for Windows and provides the corneal topography axial maps. The software has been tested in calibration spheres and in human eyes, presenting a correlation factor of 0,9998 for the measurements performed in the spheres and an inherent error of 3%. The axial topographic maps form the exams performe in human eyes have been compared to the axial maps provided by the commercial available system and the visual pattern as well as the relief are in accordance.

Movements of animals presumably reflect their changing needs and the changing availability of necessary resources. In cold climates, snakes often make long seasonal migrations between hibernacula and summer habitats, Finding suitably deep hibernacula with minimal delay could be critical. I hypothesized that such animals should have highly developed navigational ability. By contrast, snakes living in mild climates can hibernate in shallow sites and probably do not migrate; if so, they might be expected to show poorly developed orientation mechanisms!. The objectives of this study were to determine movement patterns and navigational ability of garter snakes (Thamnophis) living in a mild climate and compare them with a congeneric population known to be migratory. From 1986 - 1988 I examined, using mark-recapture, movement behaviour of two populations of garter snakes at Spectacle Lake Provincial Park (SLPP) on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, focusing on several components typically associated with migratory behaviour - distances travelled, population directionality, fidelity to seasonal sites, distinctness of seasonal habitats, and route directness. Thamnophis sirtalis, the common garter snake, is the most widely distributed North American snake species and high latitude populations are migratory. Thamnophis ordinoides, the northwestern garter snake, is restricted to the Pacific northwest and migratory behaviour has never been reported. Both species displayed combinations of traits clearly suggesting nonmigratory behaviour. These included short-distance (< 500 m), random movements, a lack of den fidelity, and variation in the maintenance of specific home ranges between successive years. Home ranges overlapped between individuals, averaged less than 0.3 ha measured over a single active season, and were not clearly distinct from denning areas. Although some directionality of movement was evident, it was likely related to foraging strategy and unlike the typical unidirectional movements undertaken by migrating snakes, Sexual and reproductive differences in any of these traits generally were not significant. The navigational abilities of a migratory population of T. sirtalis from Wood Buffalo National Park (WBNP) in northern Alberta were examined as were those of the nonmigratory populations of snakes from SLPP. Displacement studies were carried out during the active seasons of 1986 - 1988 to determine the level of orientational abilities present in each population and to examine potential orientation cues. Snakes were displaced from their home range and tested in an arena under a variety of conditions, The results demonstrated that T. sirtalis from both SLPP and WBNP possessed advanced navigational abilities. Advanced skills may be absent in T. ordinoides. Thamnophis sirtalis at both study sites demonstrated time-compensated solar orientation as determined by 6 hr phase-delayed tests. Pheromone trails produced by recently copulated females (but not unmated females) also provided an orientation guide for displaced WBNP males, but results from SLPP were less conclusive. Thamnophis ordinoides did not respond in a discernible way to either cue. Navigational skills thus vary relatively little between migrating and nonmigrating populations of the same species but may be poorly developed in completely nonmigratory species. / Graduate

O presente trabalho trata-se do desenvolvimento de um programa para de análise de imagens de topografia corneana de sistemas comerciais, para ser implementado no topógrafo corneano para Lâmpada de Fenda, em desenvolvimento no Laboratório de Instrumentação Oftálmica - EESC/USP e no Laboratório de Física Oftálmica - FMRP/USP. O programa foi desenvolvido em C++, utilizando a plataforma Windows, e fornece mapas axiais de topografia corneana. O programa foi testado em esferas de calibração e em olhos humanos, apresentando um fator de correlação de 0,9998 para as medidas em esferas e um erro inerente estimado em 3%. Os mapas de topografias axiais em olhos humanos foram comparados com os mapas gerados por sistemas comerciais e o padrão visual de forma e relevo estão em concordância. / This work is about a software for the analisys of corneal topography images provided by commercial available systems to be implemented in a corneal topographer for slit lamps under evelopment at Laboratório de Instrumentação Oftálmica . EESC/USP e no Laboratório de Física Oftálmica . FRMP/USP. The software was developed in Borland C++ Builder for Windows and provides the corneal topography axial maps. The software has been tested in calibration spheres and in human eyes, presenting a correlation factor of 0,9998 for the measurements performed in the spheres and an inherent error of 3%. The axial topographic maps form the exams performe in human eyes have been compared to the axial maps provided by the commercial available system and the visual pattern as well as the relief are in accordance.

Orientador: Lucia Helena O'Dwyer / Coorientador: Karina dos Santos Paduan / Banca: Reinaldo José da Silva / Banca: Paulo Eduardo Martins Ribolla / Banca: Rui Seabra Ferreira Junior / Banca: Lúcio André Viana Dias / Resumo: Hepatozoon spp. são os protozoários intracelulares mais frequentemente encontrados em serpentes. Tendo em vista a variedade de formas parasitando tais animais e as divergências dos dados encontrados em literatura, o objetivo deste estudo foi tentar separar espécies de Hepatozoon de serpentes, testando oligonucleotídeos que amplifiquem regiões genômicas menos conservadas, detectando diferenças entre as espécies, bem como realizar as caracterizações morfológicas, morfométricas e moleculares de Hepatozoon spp. de serpentes naturalmente infectadas. Para tal, foram utilizadas serpentes doadas ao Centro de Estudos de Venenos e Animais Peçonhentos (CEVAP) da Universidade Estadual Paulista de Botucatu que, em exames de rotina, mostraram-se positivos para tais parasitas. O sangue foi coletado por punção da veia caudal, foram confeccionados esfregaços sanguíneos e uma alíquota foi congelada a -20°C, para posterior extração do DNA. As caracterizações morfológicas e morfométricas foram realizadas utilizando um software especializado para análise de imagens. Dos 215 espécimes investigados, foram eleitos cinco exemplares de Crotalus durissus terrificus, nos quais foi visualizado um tipo de gamonte em cada espécime. Pela análise morfológica e morfométrica, estes gamontes foram agrupados em três populações. As alterações provocadas por tais parasitas, nas hemácias, também foram analisadas. Para a caracterização molecular das espécies de Hepatozoon através de sequenciamento genético, foram testados sete pares de oligonucleotídeos que amplificam regiões distintas do gene rDNA utilizando-se a técnica da PCR. Os testes realizados apontaram os pares de oligonucleotídeos HepF300/Hep900 e HEMO1/HEMO2 como eficientes em amplificar e caracterizar regiões genômicas Hepatozoon spp. de serpentes... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Hepatozoon spp. are the most frequent intracellular protozoa found in snakes. Given the variety of forms parasitizing these animals and differences of the data found in literature, the aim of this study was to attempt to separate Hepatozoon species of snakes, testing oligonucleotides that amplify less reliable genomic regions, detecting differences among species, as well as perform the morphological, morphometric and molecular characterization of Hepatozoon spp. of naturally infected snakes. For this purpose, were used snakes donated to Center for the Study of Venoms and Venomous Animals of the São Paulo State University/Botucatu (CEVAP) that, in routine were detected positive for such parasites. Blood was collected by the tail vein puncturing, blood smears were prepared and an aliquot was frozen at -20° C for subsequent DNA extraction. The morphological and morphometric characterization were performed by using a specialized image analysis software. Of the 215 investigated animals, five specimens of Crotalus durissus terrificus were elected, in which were found five parasitic forms that, by morphometric analysis, were grouped into three populations. The changes caused by these parasites in red blood cells were also analyzed. For the molecular characterization of Hepatozoon species through genetic sequencing, were tested seven pairs of primers that amplify different regions of the rDNA gene using the PCR technique. Only the primers HepF300/Hep900 and HEMO1/HEMO2 were efficient in amplifying and characterizing genomic regions of snakes Hepatozoon spp.. The best results were achieved when the sequences amplified from the both primers were analyzed together and the results were associated with the morphology and... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Doutor