Analysis of the fungal microbiota present in scales of Bothrops atrox (Serpente: Viperidae) maintained in captivity

Abstract

The Bothrops atrox snake, is widely distributed in the Amazon biome and is also kept in serpentariums, which have been facing the challenge of improving the breeding of these animals. Due to the contamination and proliferation of fungi in the microbiota of snakes in captivity, the concern for the welfare of these animals is great, since mycotic diseases in snakes can be fatal. The study sought to identify the fungal microbiota in the epidermis of B. atrox and to highlight which fungi are more prevalent in the dorsoventral region, as well as to determine whether the presence of the fungi is associated with the stage of life and the substrate where the snakes raised in the Amazonian Center are found. of Herpetology. The collection was carried out in 54 snakes, with the aid of a sterile swab, followed by sowing in petri dishes containing potato agar culture medium. Mycotic growth occurred in 6 days at room temperature. Slides were made for microscopic identification. The fungi identified colonizing the snakes were: Penicillium sp (29 samples), Aspergillus sp (27 samples), Phoma sp (1 sample), Rhizopus sp (2 samples). The puppies of the year 2017 presented a greater presence of fungi, than the puppies born in the year 2018. The newspaper as a substrate presented more fungi than the sawdust. The genera Penicillium sp and Aspergillus sp can cause pathologies such as penicilliosis and aspergillosis, in addition to spots on the epidermis and eyes. According to the results, it is suggested the application of antifungals on the snake's epidermis, in order to avoid future cases of fungal diseases.