When misinterpretation leads to sexism: perspectives on gender disparity in Brazilian Herpetology

Authors

  • Luisa Maria Diele Viegas Author
  • Olívia Gabriela dos Santos Araújo Author
  • Bianca Von Muller Berneck Author
  • Cinthia Aguirre Brasileiro Author
  • Elizângela Silva Brito Author
  • Tuliana O. Brunes Author
  • Thais Helena Condez Author
  • Laisla Cagliari Costa Author
  • Fernanda Dias Silva Author
  • Jéssica Fenker Author
  • Eliza Maria Xavier Freire Author
  • Samanta Iop Author
  • Elaine Maria Lucas Author
  • Marcelle Mongin Aquino Author
  • Juliane Petry de Carli Monteiro Author
  • Rachel Montesinos Author
  • Thais Queiroz Morcatty Author
  • Luciana B. Nascimento Author
  • Caroline Bastistim Oswald Author
  • Renata M. Pirani Author
  • Ana Cecilia Holler del Prette Author
  • Quezia Ramalho Author
  • Eletra de Souza Author
  • Mariane Targino Author
  • Maria Tereza C. Thomé Author
  • Beatriz Diogo Vasconcelos Author
  • Mariana M. Vasconcellos Author
  • Fernanda P. Werneck Author
  • Helga Correa Wiederhecker Author
  • Gisele R. Winck Author
  • Juliana Zina Author
  • Ana Carolina Calijorne Lourenço Author

Abstract

In a recent article published in Nature Communications, AlShebli et al. (2020) analyzed the mentor-protégé relationship in scientific collaborations. Specifically, they examined the impact of gender on scientific careers and concluded that women scientists should rely on male guidance for a successful career and higher publication impact. Here, we respond to these authors criticizing the superficial interpretation of their findings and the likely disastrous impact for the fight for gender equity in academia, focusing on the field of Brazilian Herpetology. Our goal is to highlight women’s role as mentors in Herpetology, contextualizing the gender gap in our field with the literature in gender studies.

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Published

2026-05-06

How to Cite

MARIA DIELE VIEGAS, Luisa et al. When misinterpretation leads to sexism: perspectives on gender disparity in Brazilian Herpetology. Herpetologia Brasileira, [S. l.], v. 9, n. 3, p. 86–99, 2026. Disponível em: https://hb.sbherpetologia.org.br/index.php/hb/article/view/115. Acesso em: 15 jun. 2026.