Research on eye movement data classification using support vector machine with improved whale optimization algorithm / 生物医学工程学杂志

When performing eye movement pattern classification for different tasks, support vector machines are greatly affected by parameters. To address this problem, we propose an algorithm based on the improved whale algorithm to optimize support vector machines to enhance the performance of eye movement data classification. According to the characteristics of eye movement data, this study first extracts 57 features related to fixation and saccade, then uses the ReliefF algorithm for feature selection. To address the problems of low convergence accuracy and easy falling into local minima of the whale algorithm, we introduce inertia weights to balance local search and global search to accelerate the convergence speed of the algorithm and also use the differential variation strategy to increase individual diversity to jump out of local optimum. In this paper, experiments are conducted on eight test functions, and the results show that the improved whale algorithm has the best convergence accuracy and convergence speed. Finally, this paper applies the optimized support vector machine model of the improved whale algorithm to the task of classifying eye movement data in autism, and the experimental results on the public dataset show that the accuracy of the eye movement data classification of this paper is greatly improved compared with that of the traditional support vector machine method. Compared with the standard whale algorithm and other optimization algorithms, the optimized model proposed in this paper has higher recognition accuracy and provides a new idea and method for eye movement pattern recognition. In the future, eye movement data can be obtained by combining it with eye trackers to assist in medical diagnosis.

Morphological identification of Skrjabinisakis Mozgovoi, 1951 (Nematoda: Anisakidae) in Kogia sima (Cetacea: Kogiidae) from Brazilian waters / Identificação morfológica de Skrjabinisakis Mozgovoi, 1951 (Nematoda: Anisakidae) em Kogia sima (Cetacea: Kogiidae) em águas brasileiras

Abstract New morphological, morphometric and scanning electron microscopy data of a nematode of the family Anisakidae, recovered from a specimen of Kogia sima, a cetacean that died off the northern coast of Brazil, are presented in this paper. Morphological features such as the violin-shaped ventricle and short and equal spicules, as well as the distribution of post-cloacal papillae and specificity for the definitive host (Kogiidae cetaceans) demonstrate similarity to Skrjabinisakis paggiae. This research records Kogia sima and S. paggiae on the estuarine coast of Pará, northern Brazil.

Resumo São apresentados, neste trabalho, novos dados morfológicos, morfométricos e de microscopia eletrônica de varredura de um nematoide da família Anisakidae, recuperado de Kogia sima, um cetáceo que veio a óbito na costa norte do Brasil. Características morfológicas, como o ventrículo em forma de violino, espículos curtos e iguais, além da distribuição de papilas pós-cloacais e especificidade pelo hospedeiro definitivo (cetáceos Kogiidae) demonstram similaridade a Skrjabinisakis paggiae. Esta pesquisa registra Kogia sima e S. paggiae na costa estuarina paraense, norte do Brasil.

Report on Death of Dwarf Sperm Whale, Kogia sima (Order: Cetacea: Family: Kogiidae) in Vedalai Shore of Mandapam, Gulf of Mannar

Aims: Present study aims to highlight an accidental death of a male Dwarf Sperm Whale scientifically known as Kogia sima which found to be as Least Concern (LC) as per IUCN Red List data. Kogia sima represents important higher trophics of marine ecosystem which faced the several threats and conservation need in Gulf of Mannar, India. Study Design: The study undertaken during extensive coral reef monitoring survey was carried out in Gulf of Mannar under the CRAM Project of National Centre for Coastal Research (NCCR). The present report emphasize the Morphometric observation of the dead Kogia sima and try to find out possible cause of death by examining in situ investigation. Place and Duration of Study: The field study was taken in Vedalai Sea shore (N09�.626�, E79�.977�) under the Mandapam Union of Ramnathapuram District of Tamil Nadu. The male whale specimen was found on 5th May, 2019 lying dead on the sandy seashore. Methodology: Animal was photographed and morphological attributes were measured to identify the specimen. Several injuries have been highlighted in the paper which helps in investigating the cause of death. Results: The Dwarf Sperm Whale was infant and has mild damage on the mouth parts including scuff off skin from the body and severe blood clotting at major part of the right side near to pectoral fin. Death of this infant is not clear but it is assumed that the male infant has lost from his parents and came to the inshore area of Mandapam where it gets stuck with running boat or boulder rocks as this immature whale limits its diving capabilities. The necessary morphological characters and measures have been listed in Table 1. Conclusion: This unfortunate death clearly indicated that acute information on ecological behavior of Dwarf Sperm Whale is still under data collection stage in India and that previous conservation efforts in country must be reviewed in terms of role of local authorities, live stranded cetaceans and hunting or incidental killing which in future can build a road map for effective action plans to save this marine mammal.

Online challenges that emerge as a public health issue for adolescents: Assessment of psychiatric comorbidity and the importance of parenting

ABSTRACT Background: Online Challenge is neither an application nor an internet-based game; instead, users receive a link to it via chat groups on social media. Our aim is to identify the potential differences between the normal population and youth drawn to online challenges. These potential differences are the examining the parenting skills of parents of children who participate in the challenges and determining underlying psychopathologies through structured clinical interviews. Method: A questionnaire-based cross-sectional study was used to obtain further in-depth information on the comorbid psychopathology of children who play the BWC and on the parenting skills. The Development and Well Being Assessment and Alabama Parenting Questionnaire was applied to the children and their families in both the control and case groups. Results: Two groups of children and parents were recruited: a clinical sample (case) group (n = 34) and a community sample (control) group (n = 141). Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), specific phobia and CD (conduct disorder) were significantly more frequent in the clinical sample than in the community sample. The median scores for the Alabama Parenting Questionnaire (APQ) parental involvement, positive parenting, and poor monitoring/supervision subscales were significantly lower in the clinical sample than in the community sample. Conclusion: As far as we know, this study is the first to examine comorbid psychopathologies of online challenge-style games and parenting skills. We believe that as research into these subject increases, it will assist mental health professionals to develop prevention strategies and to manage cases resulting from the Blue Whale Challenge (BWC) and other online challenges that pose a serious threat to mental health and that have driven many young people to suicide worldwide.

A Novel Deep Learning-based Whale Optimization Algorithm for Prediction of Breast Cancer

HIGHLIGHTS Novel whale optimization algorithm is proposed for prediction of breast cancer. Deep learning-based WOA adjusts the CNN structure as per maximum detection accuracy. Proposed method achieves 92.4% accuracy in comparison to 90.3%. Validity of method is evaluated with magnifying factors like 40x, 100 x, 200x, 400x.

Abstract Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers among women that cause billions of deaths worldwide. Identification of breast cancer often depends on the examination of digital biomedical photography such as the histopathological images of various health professionals, and clinicians. Analyzing histopathological images is a unique task and always requires special knowledge to conclude investigating these types of images. In this paper, a novel efficient technique has been proposed for the detection and prediction of breast cancer at its early stage. Initially, the dataset of images is used to carry out the pre-processing phase, which helps to transform a human pictorial image into a computer photographic image and adjust the parameters appropriate to the Convolutional neural network (CNN) classifier. Afterward, all the transformed images are assigned to the CNN classifier for the training process. CNN classifies incoming breast cancer clinical images as malignant and benign without prior information about the occurrence of cancer. For parameter optimization of CNN, a deep learning-based whale optimization algorithm (WOA) has been proposed which proficiently and automatically adjusts the CNN network structure by maximizing the detection accuracy. We have also compared the obtained accuracy of the proposed algorithm with a standard CNN and other existing classifiers and it is found that the proposed algorithm supersedes the other existing algorithms.

La epibiosis en los grandes vertebrados marinos de México: una revisión y su relevancia ecosistémica / Epibiosis in the large marine vertebrates from Mexico: a review and their ecosystemic relevance

En este trabajo se revisan los casos de epibiosis reportados en los grandes vertebrados de México. La revisión de literatura incluye las publicaciones realizadas al mes de junio de 2018 considerando los 17 estados del litoral costero de la república mexicana. Se encontraron 21 trabajos de investigación, los cuales reportan un total de 73 especies epibiontes de flora y fauna asociados superficialmente a ocho especies de grandes vertebrados marinos: Lepidochelys olivácea, Eretmochelys imbricata, Chelonia mydas, Trichechus manatus manatus, Fe resa attenuata, Crocodylus acutus, C. moreletii, Caiman crocodilus chiapasius . El grupo epibionte dominante fueron los crustáceos, especialmente los cirrípedos. La interacción predominante fue el comensalismo, sin embargo se reconocieron grupos parasitarios como los copépodos del genero Balaenophilus que afectan principalmente a tortugas marinas. Se analizó la relevancia del estudio del biofilm, así como sus implicaciones ecológicas, taxonómicas por la presencia de nuevas especies para la ciencia y de conservación de las especies basibiontes para establecer criterios que ayuden a comprender su importancia en los ecosistemas marinos y por lo tanto fomentar su estudio en la región.

The aims of this work is review epibiosis reported on the large marine vertebrates from Mexico. The literature review include reporting cases on any of 17 states of the littoral coast of the Mexican Republic, and those published until June 2018. Twenty one papers were found, which report a total of 73 species of flora and fauna superficially associated with eight species of large marine vertebrates: Lepidochelys olivacea, Eretmochelys imbricata, Chelonia mydas, Trichechus manatus manatus, Feresa attenuata, Crocodylus acutus, C. moreletii, Caiman crocodilus chiapasius . The dominant epibiont group was the crustaceans, especially barnacles. The predominant interaction was commensalism, however, parasitic groups were recognized such as the copepods genus Balaenophilus that affects mainly to sea turtles. The relevance of the study of the biofilm, as well as the ecological implications, the presence of new marine species and the conservation of the basibionts species were analyzed to establish criteria that help to understand the importance in marine ecosystems and therefore encourage their study in the region.

Effective population size and the genetic consequences of commercial whaling on the humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) from Southwestern Atlantic Ocean

Abstract Genotypes of 10 microsatellite loci of 420 humpback whales from the Southwestern Atlantic Ocean population were used to estimate for the first time its contemporary effective (Ne) and census (Nc) population sizes and to test the genetic effect of commercial whaling. The results are in agreement with our previous studies that found high genetic diversity for this breeding population. Using an approximate Bayesian computation approach, the scenario of constant Ne was significantly supported over scenarios with moderate to strong size changes during the commercial whaling period. The previous generation Nc (Ne multiplied by 3.6), which should corresponds to the years between around 1980 and 1990, was estimated between ~2,600 and 6,800 whales (point estimate ~4,000), and is broadly compatible with the recent abundance surveys extrapolated to the past using a growth rate of 7.4% per annum. The long-term Nc in the constant scenario (point estimate ~15,000) was broadly compatible (considering the confidence interval) with pre-whaling catch records estimates (point estimate ~25,000). Overall, our results shown that the Southwestern Atlantic Ocean humpback whale population is genetically very diverse and resisted well to the strong population reduction during commercial whaling.

Analysis of humpback whale sounds in shallow waters of the Southeastern Arabian Sea: An indication of breeding habitat.

The primary objective of this work was to present the acoustical identification of humpback whales, detected by using an autonomous ambient noise measurement system, deployed in the shallow waters of the Southeastern Arabian Sea (SEAS) during the period January to May 2011. Seven types of sounds were detected. These were characteristically upsweeps and downsweeps along with harmonics. Sounds produced repeatedly in a specific pattern were referred to as phrases (PQRS and ABC). Repeated phrases in a particular pattern were referred to as themes, and from the spectrographic analysis, two themes (I and II) were identified. The variation in the acoustic characteristics such as fundamental frequency, range, duration of the sound unit, and the structure of the phrases and themes are discussed. Sound units were recorded from mid-January to mid-March, with a peak in February, when the mean SST is ~28°C, and no presence was recorded after mid-March. The temporal and thematic structures strongly determine the functions of the humpback whale song form. Given the use of song in the SEAS, this area is possibly used as an active breeding habitat by humpback whales during the winter season.

Agregaciones de alimentación del tiburón ballena, Rhincodon typus (Orectolobiformes: Rhincodontidae) en Golfo Dulce, Península de Osa, Costa Rica / Whale shark, Rhincodon typus (Orectolobifoms: Rhincodontidae) feeding aggregations in Golfo Dulce, Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica

Resumen El tiburón ballena (Rhincodon typus), es el condrictio viviente más grande del mundo, con una distribución cosmopolita, encontrándose tanto en mares tropicales como subtropicales. La Unión Mundial para la Conservación (IUCN) lo clasifico como vulnerable y con una tendencia poblacional en disminución, conocido por realizar grandes agregaciones alrededor del mundo, relacionadas a procesos oceanográficos que incrementan la productividad primaria del ambiente marino. Por primera vez, se reporta cuatro eventos de alimentación de tiburón ballena dentro de la cuenca interna de Golfo Dulce, un fiordo tropical ubicado en la costa del Pacífico Sur de Costa Rica. Los avistamientos fueron realizados en enero y agosto del 2009, marzo 2012 y enero del 2013, donde la estructura y tamaño de los grupos se mantuvo constante en el tiempo encontrándose una proporción similar de adultos y juveniles. Estas agregaciones fueron observadas en la costa occidental de Golfo Dulce en un área que abarcaba los 23km, cerca de los ríos Rincón y Tigre, siendo estos los responsables de una alta concentración de nutrientes que favorecen la presencia de comunidades planctónicas. Durante las agregaciones se observó la presencia de zooplancton en la columna de agua, copépodos (Orden: Calanoidea). Dada la vulnerabilidad del tiburón ballena, es de suma importancia la implementación de estrategias de manejo de las actividades antropogénicas que se desarrollan en el Golfo, como son las actividades turísticas, desarrollo costero, aumento del tráfico marítimo, y la pesca comercial y deportiva, que ponen en riesgo a esta especie bandera.

Abstract The zooplanktivorous whale shark (Rhincodon typus), is the largest living chondrichthyan and a cosmopolitan species, living in tropical, warm and temperate waters. It is considered vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and is known for big aggregations in many parts of the world. These are associated with particular oceanographic features where primary productivity is thought to be high. For the first time, four whale shark feeding aggregations are documented in Golfo Dulce, Costa Rica, a tropical fjord-like embayment located in the south Pacific region of the country. Observations were made in January and August 2009, March 2012 and in January 2013, Estimated group structure and size remained constant over time with an equal proportion of adults and juveniles in the same area. These aggregations were observed on the north-western coast of Golfo Dulce's inner basin, close to the Rincón and Tigre rivers. These two rivers are known to provide organic material which area important nutrients for the gulf zooplanktonic communities. During one of the observed feeding aggregations, copepods (Order: Calanoida) were seen in the water close to feeding individuals. Given the vulnerability of whale sharks, management decisions for Golfo Dulce need to include strategies to control tourism, boat circulation, commercial and sports fisheries and coastal development. Rev. Biol. Trop. 63 (Suppl. 1): 299-306. Epub 2015 April 01.

Morbillivirus de los Delfines: Patógeno re-emergente en la población de cetáceos / Dolphin Morbillivirus: Re-emerging pathogen in cetacean population / Morbillivirus dos Golfinhos: Patógeno re-emergentes em populares de cetáceos

El morbillivirus de los Delfines (DMV) es uno de los agentes más patógenos de los cetáceos; descrito por primera vez a finales de los años 80, y desde entonces ha venido causando brotes que afectan no sólo a las poblaciones de delfines sino también a las de otros cetáceos tanto en las costas de los EEUU como del mediterráneo. En la presente revisión se realizó una búsqueda de literatura científica en MedLine, SciELO, Scopus® y Google Scholar sin límite de fecha, usando descriptores tales como Cetacean morbillivirus, Pilot Whale morbillivirus, Dolphin morbilivirus, strandings, con el objetivo de presentar una actualización crítica sobre los aspectos básicos, clínicos y epidemiológicos de una de las infecciones emergentes más importantes para la fauna cetácea mundial, haciendo especial énfasis en las alternativas actuales para su diagnóstico y control. Con base en la información recopilada se concluye que hace falta no solo estudiar y cuantificar los varamientos, sino desarrollar conciencia sobre la importancia de la infección en los cetáceos y poner en marcha de planes efectivos de control que permitan mantener estas poblaciones en equilibrio biológico.

Dolphin morbillivirus (DMV) is one of the most important pathogen of cetaceans. It was first described in the late 80s, since has been causing outbreaks that affects dolphin populations and also in other cetaceans in the U.S. and in the Mediterranean sea. We conducted a bibliographic search in MedLine, SciELO, Scopus® and Google Scholar without timeline limits using MeSH terms such as Cetacean morbillivirus, Pilot Whale morbillivirus, Dolphin morbillivirus, Strandings, etc., with the aim of provide a critical update on basic, clinical and epidemiological aspects of one of the most important emerging infections for cetacean wildlife, with particular emphasis on the current alternatives for diagnosis and control. Based on the information gathered we concluded that there is not only a need to study and quantify the strandings, but we need to develop awareness of the importance of this viral infection in cetaceans and to apply effective management plans that maintain those populations in biological balance.

O morbillivirus dos Golfinhos (DMV) é um dos mais importantes agentes patógenos dos cetáceos; foi descrita pela primeira vez no final dos anos 80, e desde entáo tem provocado surtos que afetam tanto as populac.5es de golfinhos quanto as de outros cetáceos nas duas regioes litorais dos EUA mesmo que no mediterráneo. Nesta revisáo, a pesquisa bibliográfica foi realizada no Medline, Scielo, Scopus e Google Scholar®, usando descritores como Cetacean morbillivirus , Pilot Whale morbillivirus, Dolphin morbilivirus, strandings, objetivando apresentar uma atualizacáo crítica e básica dos aspectos clínicos e epidemiológicos das infectes emergentes mais importantes para a vida dos cetáceos no mundo, fazendo especial énfase nas atuais alternativas de diagnostico y controle. Concluísse, na base destas informacoes que além de estudar e quantificar os animais encalhados deve se desenvolver a consciéncia da importáncia da infeccáo em cetáceos e implementar planos de gestáo eficazes que mantenham as populacoes em equilibrio biológico.

Influence of frying oil type and chill storage on the nutritional quality of farmed great sturgeon (Huso huso) / Influência do tipo de óleo de fritura e armazenamento a frio na qualidade nutricional do esturjão branco (Huso huso) de cativeiro

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of frying oils (canola, hydrogenated sunflower and soybean oils) available commercially and chill storage on the proximate and fatty acid composition of fried slices of farmed great sturgeon (Huso huso). METHODS: Slices of farmed great sturgeon were fried for four minutes at 160ºC in a deep-fryer using different frying oils (canola, hydrogenated sunflower and soybean oils). The oil-to-slice ratio was 2:1. After frying, the slices were allowed to be air cooled for two minutes prior to analysis. For performing the analysis, each of the abovementioned batches was divided into two groups: one group was analysed immediately after frying and the second group was chill-stored at 4ºC for three days and then analysed. RESULTS: After frying, the moisture content decreased while that of fat increased. Fatty acid composition of the slices is affected by type of frying oil. Frying increased the omega-6-to-omega-3 (n-6:n-3) fatty acid ratio while decreased Eicosapentaenoic Acid (C20:5 n-3) and Docosahexaenoic Acid (C22:6 n-3) contents. Proximate and fatty acid composition of raw slices did not change after chill storage. However, in fried- and chill-stored slices, Eicosapentaenoic Acid and Docosahexaenoic Acid contents decreased, while linoleic acid content increased. CONCLUSION: The fatty acid composition of the fried slices tended to resemble that of the frying oils, indicating fatty-acid equilibrium between oils and slices and, during chill storage, it is influenced by the type of frying oil. Slices fried with canola oil had omega-6-to-omega-3 ratios in the ranges recommended for human health.

OBJETIVO: O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar o efeito de óleos de fritura (canola, girassol hidrogenado e soja) disponíveis comercialmente e do armazenamento a frio em postas fritas de beluga (Huso huso), e na composição centesimal e lipídica. MÉTODOS: Postas de beluga de cativeiro foram fritas por imersão durante quatro minutos a 160ºC utilizando-se óleos de fritura diferentes (canola, girassol hidrogenado e soja). A razão entre óleo e postas foi de 2:1. Após a fritura, permitiu-se que as postas esfriassem a temperatura ambiente por dois minutos antes da análise. Para a análise, cada um dos grupos acima foi dividido em dois subgrupos: um subgrupo foi analisado imediatamente após a fritura e o segundo subgrupo foi armazenado resfriado a uma temperatura de 4ºC por três dias e então analisado. RESULTADOS: Após a fritura, o conteúdo da umidade diminuiu enquanto que da gordura aumentou. A composição dos ácidos graxos das postas foi afetada pelo tipo de óleo utilizado na fritura. A fritura aumentou a razão omega-6 para omega-3 e diminuiu os conteúdos dos Ácidos Eicosapentaenoico (C20:5 n-3) e Docosahexaenoico (C22:6 n-3). As composições centesimal e lipídica das postas cruas não se alteraram após o armazenamento a frio. Porém, os conteúdos de Ácidos Eicosapentaenoico e Docosahexaenoico nas postas fritas e resfriadas diminuíram, enquanto que de ácido linoleico aumentou. CONCLUSÃO: A composição lipídica das postas fritas tendeu à semelhança do óleo utilizado para a fritura, indicando um equilíbrio de ácidos graxos entre os óleos e as postas. A composição lipídica das postas durante o armazenamento a frio é influenciada pelo tipo de óleo de fritura. Postas fritas com óleo de canola continham uma razão de ômega-6 para ômega-3 dentro do intervalo recomendado para a saúde humana.

Rins de Baleia Minke (Baleanoptera acutorostrata): arquitetura e estrutura / Kidney of Minke Whale (Baleanoptera acutorostrata): architecture and structure

Entre os mamíferos marinhos, a baleia é um dos animais que mais desperta atenção, especialmente no atinente ao seu sistema urinário. Este sistema segue o padrão entre os mamíferos quanto a sua constituição, entretanto, difere na morfologia renal, em número de lobos, que por sua vez, forma renículos completos, aglutinados às centenas. Esta estrutura é sustentada por tecido conjuntivo fibroso, mas altamente capaz de manter o equilíbrio hidroeletrolítico. Foram dissecados 6 pares de rins de baleia Minke (Balaenoptera acutorostrata), colhidos em 1982, Cabedelo, Estado da Paraíba, Brasil, na última pesca autorizada. Estes rins estavam conservados em formol 10% e apresentaram uma camada histológica de colágeno muito grande circundando a parede medular. O duto coletor urinário forma cálices papilares, desembocando num único centro coletor que desemboca no ureter. Verificou-se que o rim da baleia Minke apresenta característica lobulada possuindo em média 700 renículos, cada renículo possui características anatômicas e funcionais de um rim unipiramidal, com uma camada interna (medula), e uma camada externa (córtex), e irrigação independente, com formação das artérias arqueadas individualmente, como observadas em mamíferos terrestres unipiramidais. Entretanto, o conjunto destes renículos constitui ao final um rim multilobular e polipiramidal, contrariando a morfologia da maioria dos mamíferos terrestres. Não foi possível distinguir ao nível de microscopia de luz as estruturas do córtex renicular da baleia Minke. Na microscopia eletrônica de varredura foi possível visualizar uma camada cortical que fica localizada entre duas cápsulas fibrosas. Esta junção por sua vez é feita por tecido conjuntivo o qual juntamente com uma camada de colágeno e fibras elásticas, separa o córtex da medula , foram visualizados os glomérulos renais, completamente tomados pelos vasos glomerulares e dispostos em várias camadas. Percebe-se que a cavidade glomerular é praticamente um espaço virtual para onde o filtrado glomerular é drenado, não apresentando o formato globular. A vascularização intensifica-se ao chegar à região medular. A diferença entre rins de mamíferos terrestres e marinhos está na disposição dos componentes morfológicos, favorecendo a fisiologia do órgão.

Among marine mammals, whale is one of the most attention-arousing animals, especially concerning its urinary tract. This system follows the pattern of mammals with regard to its constitution, however, it differs in renal morphology and number of lobes, which, in turn, form complete reniculi, agglutinated in hundreds. This structure is supported by fibrous connective tissue, but highly capable of maintaining electrolyte balance. Six pairs of kidneys of Minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata), collected in 1982, in Cabedelo, Paraiba, Brazil, in the last fishing allowed, were dissected. These kidneys were preserved in 10% formaldehyde and they presented a very large histologic layer of collagen surrounding the medullary wall. The urinary collecting duct form papillary glasses, that reach a single collecting center which discharges in the ureter. It was found that the kidney of Minke whale has a lobe characteristic, with, on average, 700 reniculi; each reniculus has anatomical and functional characteristics of a unipyramidal kidney, with an inner layer (medulla), and an outer layer (cortex), and independent irrigation, with formation of individually arcuate arteries, as observed in unipyramidal terrestrial mammals. However, the set gathering all these reniculi constitutes, in the end, a multilobular and polipyramidal kidney, contrary to the morphology of most terrestrial mammals. It was not possible to distinguish the renicular cortex structures of the Minke whale in the level of light microscopy. Through scanning electron microscopy, it was possible to visualize a cortical layer located between two fibrous capsules. This joint, in turn, consists of connective tissue, which, along with a layer of collagen and elastic fibers, separates the cortex from the medulla; the kidney glomeruli were visualized, completely taken by the glomerular vessels and arranged into several layers. One notices that the glomerular cavity is almost a virtual space into which the glomerular filtrate is drained, and it does not present a globular shape. Vascularization is increased in the medullary region. The difference between the kidneys of terrestrial and marine mammals consists in the arrangement of morphological components, favoring the organ's physiology.

Migração de baleias-jubarte: o que falta conhecer? / Humpback Whale Migration: what else needs to be known?

As baleias ocorrem em todos os oceanos do planeta e realizam migrações entre áreas de alimentação e reprodução. Determinar rotas e destinos migratórios é essencial para estabelecer planos de conservação e estratégias de gestão. A telemetria por satélite é um método muito eficiente para estudar o comportamento e os movimentos de animais. A baleia-jubarte se reproduz no litoral central e nordeste do Brasil, desde o Rio de Janeiro até o Rio Grande do Norte. Investigando as hipóteses existentes sobre as possíveis rotas migratórias das baleias-jubarte, verificou-se que animais do Banco dos Abrolhos (16-18oS) adotam uma rota migratória relativamente retilínea e se alimentam ao sul da Convergência Antártica, em águas afastadas da costa a nordeste e leste da Georgia do Sul e das Ilhas Sandwich do Sul. Mesmo com os resultados já obtidos, ainda faz-se necessário realizar estudos adicionais para avaliar o uso do habitat nas áreas de reprodução e para verificar se os animais distribuídos em outras áreas do litoral do Brasil fazem uso das mesmas rotas migratórias e áreas de alimentação.

Whales inhabit all oceans and typically perform migrations between feeding and breeding areas. To determine migration routes and destinations is essential for the implementation of proper conservation and management plans. Satellite telemetry is an efficient method to investigate the behavior and movements of migratory animals. Humpback whales winter along the central and northeast coast of Brazil, from Rio de Janeiro to Rio Grande do Norte. This study tested hypotheses about the migratory routes and feeding destinations and discovered that whales wintering in the Abrolhos Bank (~16-18oS) adopt a relatively linear migration route and feed south of the Antarctic Convergence in offshore waters to the northeast and east of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands. Despite these results, additional studies are necessary to assess habitat use in the breeding grounds and to investigate whether whales from other areas off Brazil use the same migratory routes and feeding grounds.

Production of cloned sei whale (Balaenoptera borealis) embryos by interspecies somatic cell nuclear transfer using enucleated pig oocytes

In this study, we examined the feasibility of using subzonal cell injection with electrofusion for interspecies somatic cell nuclear transfer (iSCNT) to produce sei whale embryos and to improve their developmental capacity by investigating the effect of osmolarity and macromolecules in the culture medium on the in vitro developmental capacity. Hybrid embryos produced by the electrofusion of fetal whale fibroblasts with enucleated porcine oocytes were cultured in modified porcine zygote medium-3 to examine the effects of osmolarity and fetal serum on their in vitro developmental capacity. More than 66% of the whale somatic cells successfully fused with the porcine oocytes following electrofusion. A portion (60~81%) of the iSCNT whale embryos developed to the two- to four-cell stages, but no embryos were able to reach the blastocyst stage. This developmental arrest was not overcome by increasing the osmolarity of the medium to 360 mOsm or by the addition of fetal bovine or fetal whale serum. Our results demonstrate that sei whale-porcine hybrid embryos may be produced by SCNT using subzonal injection and electrofusion. The pig oocytes partly supported the remodeling and reprogramming of the sei whale somatic cell nuclei, but they were unable to support the development of iSCNT whale embryos to the blastocyst stage.

Occurrences of whale shark (Rhincodon typus Smith, 1828) in the Saint Peter and Saint Paul archipelago, Brazil / Ocorrências de tubarão-baleia (Rhincodon typus Smith, 1828) no arquipélago de São Pedro e São Paulo, Brasil

The Saint Peter and Saint Paul Archipelago in the central tropical Atlantic, is an important ground of whale sharks that are commonly sighted throughout the year close to the fishing boats in the adjacencies of the islands. In sightings reported between February 2000 and November 2005, the lengths of the individuals ranged between 1.8 to 14.0 m. The causes of these concentrations in the archipelago are still unclear, once there are no upwellings and plankton concentrations for feeding, and no reproductive activities were reported. Nevertheless, they could be associated to the spawning period of the abundant flying fishes, mainly in the first semester, when sightings were more frequent.

O Arquipélago de São Pedro e São Paulo situado na área central tropical do Atlântico, é um importante local de concentração de tubarões-baleia, que são vistos ao longo de todo ano, próximos às embarcações de pesca nas adjacências das ilhas. Em avistagens registradas entre fevereiro de 2000 e novembro de 2005, os comprimentos dos indivíduos variaram entre 1,8 e 14 m. As causas destas concentrações no arquipélago ainda não são claras, uma vez que não há há ressurgências e grandes concentrações de plâncton no arquipélago, e também não foram observadas atividades reprodutivas. No entanto, podem estar associadas ao período de desova dos peixes-voadores, marcadamente no primeiro semestre, quando as aparições são mais freqüentes.

First confirmed record of Feresa attenuata (Delphinidae) for the Northern Brazilian Coast / Primeiro registro confirmado de Feresa attenuata (Delphinidae) para o litoral norte do Brasil

In Brazil only one confirmed stranding is known from an emaciated specimen collected along the southeastern coast. The aim of this work is to report a recent record of a pygmy killer whale from the coast of Maranhão State, northern Brazil. On 22 October 2005, through regular surveys conducted by Projeto Cetáceos do Maranhão team, a beach-worn skull of a pygmy killer whale was found on the Mangue Seco beach, at Caju Island, Maranhão State. The specimen was identified through peculiar features, such as a short beak, 11 teeth per row in the maxile and the distance between the anterorbital notch and the end of the toothrow. This stranding suggests that pygmy killer whales may use oceanic waters close to Maranhão continental shelf. This is the second confirmed stranding of F. attenuata for the Brazilian Coast and the first along the northern coast. The present record increases our poor knowledge on the cetacean fauna of the northern Brazilian coast.

No Brasil somente um exemplar de Feresa attenuata foi coletado ao longo da costa sudeste. O objetivo deste trabalho é registrar o recente encalhe da orca-pigméia para a costa do Maranhão, litoral norte do Brasil. Em 22 de outubro de 2005, através de monitoramentos regulares conduzidos pelo Projeto Cetáceos do Maranhão, um crânio do exemplar de F. attenuata foi encontrado na praia do Mangue Seco, na Ilha do Caju, Estado do Maranhão, Brasil. O espécime foi identificado através de características peculiares, como o rostro curto, 11 pares de dentes na maxila e pela distancia entre o anterorbital e o término dos alvéolos dentares. Este encalhe sugere que a orca-pigméia pode usar águas oceânicas próximas à plataforma continental do Maranhão. Este é o segundo registro de encalhe confirmado para F. attenuata para a costa brasileira e o primeiro para a costa norte. O presente estudo contribui com o pouco conhecimento sobre os cetáceos na costa norte do Brasil.