Diversity and microhabitat use of benthic invertebrates in an urban forest stream (Southeastern Brazil)

ABSTRACT This work aimed to assess the diversity and microhabitat use of benthic invertebrates in an urban forest stream in southeastern Brazilian region. The invertebrates were sampled in a headwater stream, located at the Tijuca Forest, Rio de Janeiro. Three types of microhabitats were sampled (litter, sand and stone) using a Surber sampler. Specimens were identified to the family-level and rarefaction curves were constructed for the total sampling and for each type of microhabitat. Community structure indices (abundance, taxonomic richness, diversity, and dominance) were calculated for each microhabitat. Differences among indices were tested through a repeated measure ANOVA, and differences among microhabitatsʼ composition through a PerMANOVA. A total of 9,800 specimens were registered in which Chironomidae was the most abundant. The rarefaction curves did not reach the asymptote. Community structure indices exhibited differences (RM ANOVA; p < 0.001), as well as microhabitats’ composition (PerMANOVA; p < 0.001). Abundance and taxonomic richness were the highest in litter, diversity was higher both in litter and stone, and sand had the highest dominance. Results highlighted that the variety of microhabitats may enhance local diversity and that the differences in resources availability of each type of microhabitat determine the distribution of these invertebrates.

Traditional approaches to estimate length at first maturity (L50 ) retrieve better results than alternative ones in a Neotropical heptapterid

Length at first maturity (L₅₀ ) is an important tool for the management and conservation of fish populations. Traditional approaches based on macroscopic and microscopic maturity staging exhibit high accuracy and precision, while alternative approaches (e.g., I_g -based staging, stanza changing point) are less resource-demanding. Herein, we compare four approaches to estimate L₅₀ in a population of the heptapterid Rhamdioglanis transfasciatus from Atlantic Forest streams. Fish were sampled monthly during a year by using electrofishing. We measured the length (cm), mass (g), and gonad mass (g) of each specimen, then classified their maturity status macroscopically and microscopically. Alternative approaches were strongly discordant from traditional ones. Logistic curves considering mature individuals as those displaying at least 1% of the maximum I_g in the sample greatly underestimated L₅₀ for females and overestimated L₅₀ for males. The stanza changing point derived from the polyphasic growth model underestimated L₅₀ in both cases. Despite the increasing development of less onerous approaches, it seems that they are not suitable for all fish populations and the requirements to use such approaches demand further investigation.

Variation in the structure of the ichthyoplankton community in the lower Paraíba do Sul River

ABSTRACT The Paraíba do Sul River is affected by extensive water collection for supply, organic and industrial pollution, and dams. Nonetheless, the ichthyofauna maintains biodiversity and sustains artisanal fisheries. This study analyzes the composition, abundance and distribution of fish larvae, an important approach to determine the reproductive period and spawning sites. The sampling occurred from August 2011 through February 2013 in five sites at a transect between the banks on the lower reach of the Paraíba do Sul River. A total of 5,412 larvae belonging to 20 taxa was captured. The predominant order was Characiformes. Larvae of Prochilodus spp. and Leporinus spp. were the most abundant; larvae of Brycon insignis, an endangered species, were present. Fewer larvae were collected in the second reproductive cycle during a severe drought. The absence of eggs indicates that the study area is not used for spawning, and highlights the need for studies in the main channel and in the tributaries of the Paraíba do Sul River. Fish larvae need to have access to the marginal lagoons along the lower stretch of the river, an area which is the object of disputes between fishermen and farmers.

The rise of medicalization of plants in Brazil: A temporal perspective on vernacular names

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Brazilian plant species used in folk medicine have acquired several popular names related to commercial medicines in recent decades. This fact has directly effect to the medicalization process.

AIM OF THE STUDY

Evaluate the rise of medicalized popular names of medicinal plants in Brazil.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Medicalized popular names of medicinal plants were recorded from 314 ethnobotanical articles in eleven scientific journals published between 1980 and 2017.

RESULTS

The review included 141 ethnobotanical articles containing medicalized names from 314 articles consulted. The presence of medicalized names in Brazilian ethnobotanical studies has increased significantly since the 2000s. A total of 85 medicalized popular names were recorded according with phonetic and graphical similarity. The most cited medicalized names were Anador, Insulin, Terramycin, Vick, Novalgin and Penicillin. The prevalence of medicalized name citations in ethnobotanical surveys over non-medicalized names for several species indicates the existence of medicalized plant species.

CONCLUSION

Since the 2000s, an increasing number of ethnobotanical studies revealed the appropriation of drug names by folk medicine through the changes of vernacular names of medicinal plants. This medicalization process is mostly related to the expansion of the Brazilian Unified Health System, pharmaceutical industry marketing and Non-Governmental Organizations in the last decades.

Effect of flood pulses on the trophic ecology of four piscivorous fishes from the eastern Amazon

This study investigated the effect of hydrological periods on the feeding activity and trophic interactions of four piscivorous fishes from the middle Xingu River, Brazil: pike-characid Boulengerella cuvieri, dogtooth characin Hydrolycus armatus, dogtooth characin Hydrolycus tatauaia and South American silver croaker Plagioscion squamosissimus. Repletion Index (I_R %), Alimentary Index (I_Ai %) and food web properties were calculated for each species. A total of 825 specimens were collected. The I_R showed changes in feeding intensity of B. cuvieri, H. armatus and H. tatauaia among hydrological periods. Flood pulse showed no influence on composition and importance of food items consumed. Trophic connections showed that connectivity ranged from 0.025 to 0.038. The highest number of trophic connections (75) occurred in the high-water period, when 51 food items were recorded and the lowest number of trophic connections (43) occurred in receding water, with 31 food items. In all food webs, over 45% of food items were consumed by only one species (ultra-peripheral items), which is common in piscivorous fishes.

Resource use by two electric fishes (Gymnotiformes) of the National Forest Saracá-Taquera, Oriximiná, Pará

ABSTRACT Fishes of the order Gymnotiformes have high diversity of oral and head morphology, which suggests trophic specializations within each clade. The aim of this study was to describe resource use patterns by two fish species (Gymnorhamphichthys rondoni and Gymnotus coropinae) in the National Forest Saracá-Taquera, Oriximiná - Pará, analyzing microhabitat use, diet composition, feeding strategies, niche breadth and niche overlap. Stomach contents of 101 individuals (41 G. rondoni and 60 G. coropinae), sampled in 23 headwater streams were analyzed and volume of food items was quantified to characterize their feeding ecology. Gymnorhamphichthys rondoni was captured mainly on sandy bottoms, whereas G. coropinae in crevices. Both species had a zoobenthivorous diet and consumed predominantly Sediment/Detritus and Diptera larvae, but also included allochthonous prey in their diet. These species had high niche overlap, with small variations related to the higher consumption of Ceratopogonidae larvae by G. rondoni and of Chironomidae larvae by G. coropinae. Both species had a generalist feeding strategy, but G. coropinae had a broader niche breadth. Our results demonstrate that G. rondoni and G. coropinae occupy different microhabitats but rely on similar food resources.

Sex differences on the feeding of the gobiid fish Bathygobius soporator in tide pools of Maiandeua Island, Pará, Brazil

Abstract Bathygobius soporator (Valenciennes, 1837) is one of the most common fishes in tide pools in the estuary of Pará state, and has an omnivorous feeding habit. This study examined the diet of the species in Maiandeua Island, and aimed to: (i) describe the diet of B. soporator through indexes based on the occurrence and weight of consumed items; and (ii) evaluate if there is variation in diet composition between males and females. Frequency of Occurrence, frequency of weight and Alimentary Index were calculated for each item, and differences in the diet composition of males and females were observed through multivariate analyses (ANOSIM, NMDS and SIMPER). Bathygobius soporator presented carnivorous feeding habit, eating mainly crustaceans, and differences among males and females were observed, males consuming smaller amounts of crustaceans and including algae in their diet.

Development of a collection of bacteria causing meningitis in Rio de Janeiro from 1990 to 1991

From March 1990 to December 1992, the National Institute for Quality Control of Health-INCQS Research Collection received 1476 bacterial samples isolated from human cerebrospinal fluid of patients suspect of meningitis in Rio de Janeiro, from the São Sebastião State Institute of Infectious Diseases (IEISS). Neisseria meningitidis was found in most of these materials, followed in smaller number by Haemophilus sp. and Streptococcus pneumoniae. The great majority of N. meningitidis strains was serogroup B, followed by serogroup C and a few strains of serogroup W135. More than 50% of the isolated bacterial agents came from the predominant 0-4 years age group. The majority of the strains were from patients in the region known as "Baixada Fluminense" (Low Lands). The aim of the work presented here is to obtain samples of meningitis cases in at least 70% of the State of Rio de Janeiro and develop a collaborative research between INCQS-FIOCRUZ and the IEISS, in order to set up a collection of strains for future studies. However, despite work being carried out in a rather satisfactory way, difficulties still arise and have to be overcome, to survey data.