One more place to call home: the invasive bivalve Mytilopsis leucophaeata reaches the Maricá-Guarapina lagoon system (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) / Mais um lugar para chamar de casa: o bivalve invasor Mytilopsis leucophaeata alcança o sistema lagunar Maricá-Guarapina (Rio de Janeiro, Brasil)

Abstract Mytilopsis leucophaeata is an estuarine bivalve native from the Gulf of Mexico and Southeast USA, and it was introduced in Europe, Asia, Caribbean, South America and Northeast USA, showing massive colonization skills. In Brazil, the single invasion records of M. leucophaeata occur in the city of Rio de Janeiro, i.e., in the Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon and in the Marapendi Lagoon. We conducted a new series of fieldworks in estuaries from the Rio de Janeiro state in order to evaluate the propagation of this invasive bivalve, aiming sites with proper salinities for the establishment of M. leucophaeata. A new record is given for the Maricá-Guarapina lagoon system, where M. leucophaeata mainly colonizes hard substrata (such as piers and rocks), reaching a mean density up to 43,375 specimens/m2; however, aggregates of M. leucophaeata were also observed in the soft substratum. Based on mitochondrial sequences, the taxonomic identification of the invasive bivalve was confirmed. The associated fauna to the agglomerates of M. leucophaeata in the lagoon system comprises amphipods, barnacles, tanaidaceans, isopods, crabs, polychaetes and snails. The expansion of M. leucophaeata requires a continuous investigation due to the great circulation of boats in the littoral of the Rio de Janeiro state and the increased chance of new introductions.

Resumo Mytilopsis leucophaeata é um bivalve estuarino originário do Golfo do México e Sudeste dos EUA, tendo sido introduzido na Europa, Ásia, Caribe, América do Sul e Nordeste dos EUA, e apresentando massiva capacidade de colonização. No Brasil, os únicos registros de invasão de M. leucophaeata ocorrem no município do Rio de Janeiro, i.e., na Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas e na Lagoa de Marapendi. Este estudo propõe um novo levantamento de campo em estuários fluminenses para avaliar a propagação desse bivalve invasor, visando locais com salinidade propícia para o estabelecimento de M. leucophaeata. Um novo registro é feito para o complexo lagunar Maricá-Guarapina, onde M. leucophaeata coloniza principalmente substratos duros (como píers e rochas), chegando a uma densidade média de 43.375 indíviduos/m2; porém, agregados de M. leucophaeata também foram observados em substrato inconsolidado. Com base em sequências mitocondriais, a identificação taxonômica do bivalve invasor foi confirmada. A fauna associada aos aglomerados de M. leucophaeata no complexo lagunar compreende anfípodes, cracas, tanaidáceos, isópodes, caranguejos, poliquetas e gastrópodes. A expansão de M. leucophaeata demanda uma investigação contínua devido ao alto fluxo de embarcações no litoral fluminense e elevada probabilidade de novas introduções.

Differences in Wildlife Roadkill Related to Landscape Fragmentation in Central Brazil.

The interaction between animal movement and roads is pervasive, but little is known of the effects of the land-use patterns in roadside landscapes on roadkill events. Here, we compared wildlife roadkill along two road stretches that cross landscapes with different land-use patterns, including the presence of protected areas in Central Brazil. Sampling was conducted in 2017 and 2018 in two seasons (dry and rainy). We expected roadkill events to be more frequent bordering the protected area. Roadkill occurred more frequently in the rainy season in the unprotected landscape. Birds were most frequently recorded in the unprotected (44%, n = 76) than in the protected landscape (37%, n = 48). The least recorded group in the unprotected landscape was Squamata (11%, n = 18), while mammals were less detected in the protected landscape (14%, n = 18). Classes 'agriculture' and 'savanna' were related to amphibian roadkill numbers. For Squamata, we observed the effect of the presence of forests in the protected landscape. Bird roadkill was affected by protection level, while the presence of pasture and the level of protection explained mammal roadkill. Differences in roadkill patterns reinforce the need for long-term management of this source of mortality for the Cerrado fauna.

Mammal richness and diversity in Serra do Facão region, Southeastern Goiás state, central Brazil / Riqueza e diversidade de mamíferos na Região da Serra do Facão, sudeste do estado de Goiás, Brasil central

At least 251 mammal species are recorded for the Brazilan cerrado, which, therefore, is the third richest Brazilian biome. Most mammal surveys in Brazilian cerrado result from studies performed opportunistically and in short time periods. The aims of the present study were (1) provide a checklist for the mammalian fauna based on a five-year sampling in Serra do Facão region, Southeastern Goiás state; (2) compare small non-flying mammals diversity in open and forest areas and (3) compare species diversity before and after the flood caused by a hydroelectric reservoir filling. The data was gathered in 19 sampling periods, from May 2008 to September 2013. We sampled open and forest habitats and captured non-flying small mammals with Sherman and Tomahawk live traps and pitfalls; bats were sampled with mist-nets; large mammals were recorded with camera traps, and by direct observations and track surveys in field. We found 20 species of small non-flying mammals, 10 species of bats and 33 species of larger mammals. Species diversity was greater for forest than open habitats, and was also greater before than after the complete reservoir filling. About 10% of the recorded species are included in the Brazilian official list of threatened species. The total richness represents 25% of all cerrado mammal fauna, highlighting the importance of this area for regional mammal fauna conservation.

Há 251 espécies de mamíferos de ocorrência confirmada no cerrado, o terceiro bioma brasileiro em riqueza de espécies. A maioria dos inventários da mastofauna do cerrado é resultado de estudos oportunísticos, com curta duração. Os objetivos do presente estudo foram (1) inventariar a mastofauna durante cinco anos de amostragens na região do Aproveitamento Hidrelétrico da Serra do Facão, no sudeste do estado de Goiás; (2) Comparar a diversidade de pequenos mamíferos em áreas abertas e florestais e (3) comparar a diversidade da mastofauna antes e depois da inundação causada pelo enchimento do reservatório do empreendimento hidrelétrico. A coleta de dados foi realizada em 19 campanhas de amostragem, entre maio de 2008 e setembro de 2013. Os pequenos mamíferos não voadores foram amostrados com armadilhas Sherman e Tomahawk, e armadilhas de queda; morcegos foram amostrados com redes de neblina; e os mamíferos de maior porte foram amostrados com armadilhas-fotográficas, observações diretas e observações de vestígios. Foram registradas 20 espécies de pequenos mamíferos não-voadores, 10 espécies de morcegos e 33 de mamíferos de maior porte. A diversidade de pequenos mamíferos não voadores foi maior em ambientes florestais que em abertos, e foi também maior antes do que depois do enchimento do reservatório da hidroelétrica. Cerca de 10% das espécies registradas estão incluídas na lista oficial dos mamíferos ameaçados de extinção. O total de espécies representa 25% da fauna de mamíferos do cerrado, o que demonstra a importância da área para conservação da mastofauna regional.

Morfometria das fibras das folhas de Astrocaryum murumuru var. murumuru Mart. (ARECACEAE) / Leaf fibers morphometry of Astrocaryum murumuru var. murumuru Mart. (ARECACEAE)

A análise morfométrica das fibras das folhas de Astrocaryum murumuru var. murumuru Mart. revelou que as fibras do pecíolo apresentaram comprimento e espessura da parede superiores às regiões da ráquis e folíolo, com médias variando de 1.266,09 µm a 3.270,56 µm e 5,56 µm a 10,67 µm, respectivamente. Em relação ao índice de Runckel e coeficiente de flexibilidade, as regiões pecíolo e ráquis obtiveram valores considerados favoráveis para sua utilização na indústria papeleira e, o índice de enfeltramento demonstrou que provavelmente as fibras dessas regiões apresentarão uma boa resistência ao rasgo quando submetidas às avaliações físico-mecânicas. Diante dos resultados, a espécie se revela promissora como fonte alternativa de matéria-prima para a produção de papel, sendo necessários, entretanto, estudos de resistências físico-mecânicas a consolidação deste pré-diagnóstico.

The analysis morphometric of the leaf fibers of Astrocaryum murumuru var. murumuru Mart. demonstrated that the petiole's fibers had presented length and wall thickness superiors than the rachis and leaflets, with yours means varying of 1.266,09 µm to 3.270,56 µm and 5,56 µm to 10,67 µm, respectively. In relation the index of Runckel and flexibility's coefficient the petiole and rachis had gotten values considered favorable for its use in the paper industry and, the felting index it probably demonstrated that the fibers of these regions will present good crash resistance when submitted to the evaluations physical-mechanical. therefore, the results show the species is a alternative source of raw material to produce paper, but its necessary to do physical-mechanical resistance studies to consolidate this pre diagnostic.

Boophilus microplus: the pattern of bovine immunoglobulin isotype responses to high and low tick infestations.

Cattle present variable levels of resistance to ticks and the immune correlates of these heritable phenotypes must be known in order to develop effective vaccines. The antibody responses to tick salivary antigens were examined in cattle of tick-susceptible (Holstein) and tick-resistant (Nelore) breeds. After heavy infestations, levels of IgG1 and IgG2 antibodies decreased in Holsteins and remained the same in Nelores. Conversely, levels of IgE antibodies increased in Holsteins. Different sizes of tick burdens modulated the IgG1 antibody response in a susceptible breed (Aberdeen): levels were higher than in controls in heavily infested animals, but not in those undergoing intermediary or minimal infestations. The three experimental groups presented similar levels of IgG2 antibodies. Levels of IgE antibodies were higher only in animals undergoing intermediate infestations. These results indicate that tick infestations suppress the IgG antibody response in susceptible breeds, that IgE antibodies are not protective, and that the dose of tick saliva modulates the isotype of host antibody responses.

Gene discovery in Boophilus microplus, the cattle tick: the transcriptomes of ovaries, salivary glands, and hemocytes.

The quest for new control strategies for ticks can profit from high throughput genomics. In order to identify genes that are involved in oogenesis and development, in defense, and in hematophagy, the transcriptomes of ovaries, hemocytes, and salivary glands from rapidly ingurgitating females, and of salivary glands from males of Boophilus microplus were PCR amplified, and the expressed sequence tags (EST) of random clones were mass sequenced. So far, more than 1,344 EST have been generated for these tissues, with approximately 30% novelty, depending on the the tissue studied. To date approximately 760 nucleotide sequences from B. microplus are deposited in the NCBI database. Mass sequencing of partial cDNAs of parasite genes can build up this scant database and rapidly generate a large quantity of useful information about potential targets for immunobiological or chemical control.