Survey on Limnic Gastropods: Relationships between Human Health and Conservation.

The present work aimed to study ecological aspects related to the distribution pattern of medically important and native freshwater mollusks, found in a rural municipality in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Malacological captures were carried out in aquatic environments (lentic and lotic) from 46 locations between October 2018 and September 2019. The collected specimens were subjected to taxonomic identification and evaluation for infection with trematode larvae. Qualitative data were used to analyze the similarity and the odds ratios between the environmental variables. In total, 1125 specimens were sampled, belonging to the following species: Biomphalaria glabrata, B. tenagophila, B. straminea, B. kuhniana, B. cousini, Biomphalaria sp., and Drepanotrema cimex (Planorbidae), Stenophysa marmorata (Physidae), Omalonyx sp. (Succineidae), Pseudosuccinea columella (Lymnaeidae), and Pomacea sp. (Ampullaridae). Echinostome, strigeocercaria, and xiphidiocercaria types of larval trematodes were detected in S. marmorata and D. cimex. Of note was the similarity in the distribution of S. marmorata, a supposedly endangered species, with that of the medically important Biomphalaria species, with the two sharing environments. This complex scenario led us to reflect on and discuss the need for the control of important intermediate hosts, as well as the conservation of endangered species. This relevant issue has not yet been discussed in detail, in Brazil or in other countries that recommend snail control.

EnvRtype: a software to interplay enviromics and quantitative genomics in agriculture.

Envirotyping is an essential technique used to unfold the nongenetic drivers associated with the phenotypic adaptation of living organisms. Here, we introduce the EnvRtype R package, a novel toolkit developed to interplay large-scale envirotyping data (enviromics) into quantitative genomics. To start a user-friendly envirotyping pipeline, this package offers: (1) remote sensing tools for collecting (get_weather and extract_GIS functions) and processing ecophysiological variables (processWTH function) from raw environmental data at single locations or worldwide; (2) environmental characterization by typing environments and profiling descriptors of environmental quality (env_typing function), in addition to gathering environmental covariables as quantitative descriptors for predictive purposes (W_matrix function); and (3) identification of environmental similarity that can be used as an enviromic-based kernel (env_typing function) in whole-genome prediction (GP), aimed at increasing ecophysiological knowledge in genomic best-unbiased predictions (GBLUP) and emulating reaction norm effects (get_kernel and kernel_model functions). We highlight literature mining concepts in fine-tuning envirotyping parameters for each plant species and target growing environments. We show that envirotyping for predictive breeding collects raw data and processes it in an eco-physiologically smart way. Examples of its use for creating global-scale envirotyping networks and integrating reaction-norm modeling in GP are also outlined. We conclude that EnvRtype provides a cost-effective envirotyping pipeline capable of providing high quality enviromic data for a diverse set of genomic-based studies, especially for increasing accuracy in GP across untested growing environments.

Soil catenas in a pilot sub-basin in the region of Itajubá, Minas Gerais state, Brazil, for environmental planning / Catenas de solo em sub-bacia piloto na região de Itajubá, Minas Gerais, Brasil, para planejamento ambiental

Systemic studies that allow the environmental characterization of pilot sub-basins are essential to guide their management, which are the basis for adequate environmental planning. The José Pereira sub-basin has an area of approximately 40 km² and is located in the municipality of Itajubá, south of the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. This area was chosen as a pilot sub-basin for this study because it holds an important forest remnant, the Serra dos Toledos Biological Reserve, and part of the urban area of the municipality in the process of expansion, as well as a rural area where inappropriate and intensive agricultural activities are practiced. In this scenario, this atudy examined the soil catenas of this sub-basin to serve as an important instrument of planning for this unit. Eight soil catenas distributed into three topo-morphological compartments were studied. According to the generated soil map, Haplic Cambisols occupy 26% of the sub-basin, in mountainous relief; Red and Red-Yellow Latosols, 6% of the area, predominating in the flat-to undulating relief; Haplic Gleysols, 7% of the area, in the lowlands, in flat relief and at the footslope. Finally,Red and Red-Yellow Argisols were the predominant classes, occurring in almost 50% of the sub-basin, underundulating and strongly undulating reliefs. Based on the combined results, a model of local evolution of the sub-basin soils was proposed: the younger soils, Haplic Cambisol and Haplic Gleysol, occupy the positions of convex top and floodplain, respectively. In the upper and lower thirds of the landscape, the predominance of Red Argisol is related to constant renewal of soil material, preventing it from reaching the latosolic stage. In addition, part of these Argisols has a Bw horizon below Bt horizon in rugged relief. Moreover, in the landscape lower third, Latosols are present, even in areas with steep slope.

Estudos sistêmicos que possibilitem a caracterização ambiental de sub-bacias hidrográficas pilotos são essenciais para direcionar sua gestão, sendo fundamentais para um adequado planejamento ambiental. A sub-bacia José Pereira possui uma área aproximada de 40 km² e se insere no município de Itajubá, sul do Estado de Minas Gerais, Brasil. Esta área foi escolhida como sub-bacia piloto para este estudo, pois possui um importante remanescente florestal, a Reserva Biológica Serra dos Toledos, assim como parte da área urbana do município em processo de expansão, além de uma área rural com uso de práticas agropecuárias inadequadas e intensivas. Desta forma, o presente trabalho teve como objetivo estudar as catenas de solos desta sub-bacia, para servir como importante instrumento de planejamento desta unidade. Oito catenas de solos distribuídas em três compartimentos topomorfológicos foram estudadas. De acordo com o mapa de solos gerado, os Cambissolos Háplicos ocupam 26% da sub-bacia, estando sob relevo montanhoso; os Latossolos Vermelho e Vermelho Amarelo, 6% da área, predominando no relevo plano a ondulado; os Gleissolos Háplicos, com 7% da área, estando nas baixadas, em relevo plano e nos sopés das encostas; e as classes dos Argissolos Vermelho e Vermelho Amarelo foram as predominantes, distribuídas por 56% da sub-bacia, ocupando relevo ondulado e forte ondulado. Com base nos resultados conjuntos obtidos propôs-se um modelo de evolução local dos solos da sub-bacia: os solos mais jovens, Cambissolo Háplico e Gleissolo Háplico, ocupam as posições de topo convexo e a planície de inundação, respectivamente. Nos terços superior e inferior da encosta ocorre o predomínio de Argissolo Vermelho, o qual está relacionado à renovação constante de material do solo, impedindo que o estágio latossólico seja atingido. Além disso, parte significativa desses Argissolos apresenta horizonte Bw abaixo do horizonte [...].

Soil catenas in a pilot sub-basin in the region of Itajubá, Minas Gerais state, Brazil, for environmental planning / Catenas de solo em sub-bacia piloto na região de Itajubá, Minas Gerais, Brasil, para planejamento ambiental

Systemic studies that allow the environmental characterization of pilot sub-basins are essential to guide their management, which are the basis for adequate environmental planning. The José Pereira sub-basin has an area of approximately 40 km² and is located in the municipality of Itajubá, south of the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. This area was chosen as a pilot sub-basin for this study because it holds an important forest remnant, the Serra dos Toledos Biological Reserve, and part of the urban area of the municipality in the process of expansion, as well as a rural area where inappropriate and intensive agricultural activities are practiced. In this scenario, this atudy examined the soil catenas of this sub-basin to serve as an important instrument of planning for this unit. Eight soil catenas distributed into three topo-morphological compartments were studied. According to the generated soil map, Haplic Cambisols occupy 26% of the sub-basin, in mountainous relief; Red and Red-Yellow Latosols, 6% of the area, predominating in the flat-to undulating relief; Haplic Gleysols, 7% of the area, in the lowlands, in flat relief and at the footslope. Finally,Red and Red-Yellow Argisols were the predominant classes, occurring in almost 50% of the sub-basin, underundulating and strongly undulating reliefs. Based on the combined results, a model of local evolution of the sub-basin soils was proposed: the younger soils, Haplic Cambisol and Haplic Gleysol, occupy the positions of convex top and floodplain, respectively. In the upper and lower thirds of the landscape, the predominance of Red Argisol is related to constant renewal of soil material, preventing it from reaching the latosolic stage. In addition, part of these Argisols has a Bw horizon below Bt horizon in rugged relief. Moreover, in the landscape lower third, Latosols are present, even in areas with steep slope.(AU)

Estudos sistêmicos que possibilitem a caracterização ambiental de sub-bacias hidrográficas pilotos são essenciais para direcionar sua gestão, sendo fundamentais para um adequado planejamento ambiental. A sub-bacia José Pereira possui uma área aproximada de 40 km² e se insere no município de Itajubá, sul do Estado de Minas Gerais, Brasil. Esta área foi escolhida como sub-bacia piloto para este estudo, pois possui um importante remanescente florestal, a Reserva Biológica Serra dos Toledos, assim como parte da área urbana do município em processo de expansão, além de uma área rural com uso de práticas agropecuárias inadequadas e intensivas. Desta forma, o presente trabalho teve como objetivo estudar as catenas de solos desta sub-bacia, para servir como importante instrumento de planejamento desta unidade. Oito catenas de solos distribuídas em três compartimentos topomorfológicos foram estudadas. De acordo com o mapa de solos gerado, os Cambissolos Háplicos ocupam 26% da sub-bacia, estando sob relevo montanhoso; os Latossolos Vermelho e Vermelho Amarelo, 6% da área, predominando no relevo plano a ondulado; os Gleissolos Háplicos, com 7% da área, estando nas baixadas, em relevo plano e nos sopés das encostas; e as classes dos Argissolos Vermelho e Vermelho Amarelo foram as predominantes, distribuídas por 56% da sub-bacia, ocupando relevo ondulado e forte ondulado. Com base nos resultados conjuntos obtidos propôs-se um modelo de evolução local dos solos da sub-bacia: os solos mais jovens, Cambissolo Háplico e Gleissolo Háplico, ocupam as posições de topo convexo e a planície de inundação, respectivamente. Nos terços superior e inferior da encosta ocorre o predomínio de Argissolo Vermelho, o qual está relacionado à renovação constante de material do solo, impedindo que o estágio latossólico seja atingido. Além disso, parte significativa desses Argissolos apresenta horizonte Bw abaixo do horizonte [...].(AU)

Seroprevalence of Rickettsia rickettsii and Rickettsia parkeri in dogs during a Brazilian Spotted Fever outbreak in the State of Rio de Janeiro / Soroprevalência de Rickettsia rickettsii e Rickettsia parkeri em cães durante um surto de Febre Maculosa Brasileira no Estado do Rio de Janeiro

The present paper is the first to perform this evaluation in dogs from the cities of Natividade, Porciuncula and Varre-Sai. The aim of this study is to search for Spotted Fever Group Rickettsia in canine sera using indirect immunofluorescence assay and to identify the probable causative agent of sera reactions in animals. Of the 253 sampled canines, 67.59% (171/253) were seroreactive for Rickettsia rickettsii and 11.07% (28/253) for Rickettsia parkeri, both in dilution 1:64. Titration of tested sera against R. rickettsii antigens reached 1:131.072 and, for R. parkeri, 1:4.096. We conclude that dogs are important sentinels for R. rickettsii infection, and can be infected regardless of sex, age, the habit of visiting woodlands or being in direct contact with equines and capybaras. Serological diagnosis has highlighted many dogs infected by R. rickettsii, and ambient conditions, such as the presence of flowing water bodies, was important for the occurrence of Brazilian Spotted Fever in the northwestern of Rio de Janeiro State.(AU)

O presente trabalho é o primeiro a ser realizado com cães nos municípios de Natividade, Porciúncula e Varre-Sai e tem por objetivo pesquisar Rickettsias do Grupo da Febre Maculosa em soros de cães, por meio da reação de imunofluorescência indireta, e identificar o provável agente causador da reação sorológica nos animais. Dos caninos amostrados, 67,59% (171/253) foram sororreativos para Rickettsia rickettsii e 11,07% (28/253) para Rickettsia parkeri, ambos em diluição de 1:64. A titulação dos soros testados contra antígenos de R. rickettsii chegou a 1:131.072, e para R. parkeri, 1:4.096. Conclui-se que cães são importantes sentinelas para a infecção por R. rickettsii, independente de sexo, idade, hábito de visitar ambientes florestais ou de estarem em contato direto com equinos e capivaras. O diagnóstico sorológico permitiu evidenciar muitos cães infectados por R. rickettsii, e condições ambientais, como a presença de áreas ribeirinhas, foram importantes para a ocorrência de Febre Maculosa Brasileira na região noroeste do Estado do Rio de Janeiro.(AU)

Seroprevalence of Rickettsia rickettsii and Rickettsia parkeri in dogs during a Brazilian Spotted Fever outbreak in the State of Rio de Janeiro / Soroprevalência de Rickettsia rickettsii e Rickettsia parkeri em cães durante um surto de Febre Maculosa Brasileira no Estado do Rio de Janeiro

The present paper is the first to perform this evaluation in dogs from the cities of Natividade, Porciuncula and Varre-Sai. The aim of this study is to search for Spotted Fever Group Rickettsia in canine sera using indirect immunofluorescence assay and to identify the probable causative agent of sera reactions in animals. Of the 253 sampled canines, 67.59% (171/253) were seroreactive for Rickettsia rickettsii and 11.07% (28/253) for Rickettsia parkeri, both in dilution 1:64. Titration of tested sera against R. rickettsii antigens reached 1:131.072 and, for R. parkeri, 1:4.096. We conclude that dogs are important sentinels for R. rickettsii infection, and can be infected regardless of sex, age, the habit of visiting woodlands or being in direct contact with equines and capybaras. Serological diagnosis has highlighted many dogs infected by R. rickettsii, and ambient conditions, such as the presence of flowing water bodies, was important for the occurrence of Brazilian Spotted Fever in the northwestern of Rio de Janeiro State.(AU)

O presente trabalho é o primeiro a ser realizado com cães nos municípios de Natividade, Porciúncula e Varre-Sai e tem por objetivo pesquisar Rickettsias do Grupo da Febre Maculosa em soros de cães, por meio da reação de imunofluorescência indireta, e identificar o provável agente causador da reação sorológica nos animais. Dos caninos amostrados, 67,59% (171/253) foram sororreativos para Rickettsia rickettsii e 11,07% (28/253) para Rickettsia parkeri, ambos em diluição de 1:64. A titulação dos soros testados contra antígenos de R. rickettsii chegou a 1:131.072, e para R. parkeri, 1:4.096. Conclui-se que cães são importantes sentinelas para a infecção por R. rickettsii, independente de sexo, idade, hábito de visitar ambientes florestais ou de estarem em contato direto com equinos e capivaras. O diagnóstico sorológico permitiu evidenciar muitos cães infectados por R. rickettsii, e condições ambientais, como a presença de áreas ribeirinhas, foram importantes para a ocorrência de Febre Maculosa Brasileira na região noroeste do Estado do Rio de Janeiro.(AU)

Land Use and Environmental Zoning of Mixed Ombrophilous Forests for Sustainable Use (Irati National Forest, Brazil Southern Region)

ABSTRACT An environmental zoning proposal due to the demand to develop strategies to ensure biodiversity scenarios for the remaining mixed ombrophilous forests was carried out for the Irati National Forest, a legally protected area for sustainable use located in southern Brazil. To identify land use and cover, Ikonos PSM images dated from December 2004, based on the interpretation of visual character and vectorization of orbital data were used. Qualitative and quantitative classifications identified six types of land and cover use: native forest, forestry, capoeira grass, wetland, araucaria plantation, and anthropic. The native forest relative to the mixed ombrophilous forest was the prevailing type of land cover. The environmental zoning proposal defined seven zones of use, some that involved several potentially harmful activities to the biodiversity of the Irati National Forest. The environmental zone proposal, based on ecosystem conservation, outlined specific factors that enhanced ecosystem and community viability, supporting the design and evaluation of the management plan of the Irati National Forest.

Water pollution and distribution of the black fly (Diptera: Simuliidae) in the Atlantic Forest, Brazil / Contaminación del agua y distribución de la mosca negra (Díptera: Simuliidae) en el bosque Atlán&tico, Brasil

Abstract:Black flies have medical importance because some species are vectors of the Onchocerciasis and Mansonelosis, nevertheless, their ecology and potential use as bioindicators is still poorly studied in the Neotropical Region. In Brazil, bioindicators use is strongly focused in a multimetrical ecological index approach; this way, we investigated the black fly spatial distribution, in relation to abiotic factors correlated to water quality, to provide baseline information for their utilization as standalone indicators of lotic systems integrity. We have tested the hypothesis that environmental changes related to urbanization, lead to decreased abundance and loss in the number of species of the black fly fauna. The sampling was conducted in 10 urban and 10 preserved streams during the dry season (August-September) of 2012, in the mountainous region of Teresópolis, State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The streams were characterized for their environmental integrity conditions and physico-chemical properties of water. In each stream, five different rapid points were sampled in a section of 50 meters, 10 meters apart from each other. The black flies were sampled with a kick-net sampler on rocky substrates. The material was separated and the larvae were sorted in morphotypes, and later, the final instar specimens were dissected and identified with the help of taxonomical literature at species level. A total abundance of 488 larvae from nine species were collected, 5 (1.02 %) in extremely impacted streams, 470 (96.31 %) in intermediate streams and 13 (2.66 %) in preserved streams. The visual evaluation (HII) differed in rela&tion to the water physico-chemical evaluation, in which more variation in the characterization of the sampling sites was observed. In Canonical Correspondence Analysis Simulium subpallidum, S. inscrustatumand S. pertinaxwere significantly associated with intermediate values of most of the variables, and then to intermediate impacted sites. On the other hand, Lutzsimulium hirticosta, S. subnigrumand Simuliumsp. A were associated to low values of chemical variables, and then to more preserved sites. Most studies on the bioindicator potential of Simuliidae have suggested an approach to agricultural impacts, while our results, on the other hand, showed that Simuliidae species were present in streams with intermediate urban pollution impacts, but absent in heavily impacted sites. Thus, our data suggested that some species are associated to more pristine breeding sites, such as L. hirticostaand Simuliumsp. A, while others may be good bioindicators of moderately impacted streams, such as S. pertinax, S. subnigrumand S. subpallidum.

Resumen:Aunque las moscas negras tienen importancia médica debido a que algunas de sus especies son vectores de la Oncocercosis y Mansonelosis, su ecología y su potencial como bioindicadores es aún poco estudiado en la Región Neotropical. En Brasil el uso de bioindicadores se centra principalmente en un índice ecológico multimétrico, en este estudio investigamos la distribución espacial de las moscas negras y su relación con los factores abióticos, para su utilización como indicadores de la integridad de los sis&temas lóticos. En este sentido, hemos probado la hipótesis de que los cambios ambientales relacionados con la urba&nización conducen a la disminución de la abundancia y la pérdida de especies de la mosca negra. El muestreo se llevó a cabo en la región montañosa del Estado de Río de Janei&ro, Brasil, en 10 zonas urbanas y 10 arroyos conservados durante la estación seca (agosto-septiembre) de 2012. Los arroyos se caracterizaron por sus condiciones de integridad del ambiente y las propiedades físico-químicas de agua. Las moscas negras se muestrearon en sustratos rocosos con un kick-net sampler.El material se separó y las larvas se ordenaron por morfotipos y más tarde los especímenes en último estadio se disectaron e identificaron con la ayuda de la literatura taxonómica a nivel de especie. Una abundancia total de 488 larvas de nueve especies fueron recolectadas, 5 (1.02 %) en arroyos muy afectados, 470 (96.31 %) en intermedios y 13 (2.66 %) en conservados. La evaluación visual (HII) difiere de la físico-química del agua, en la que se observó una mayor variación. En el Análisis Correspon&dencia Canónica, Simulium subpallidum, S. inscrustatumy S. pertinaxestaban asociadas significativamente con sitios de impacto intermedio, para la mayoría de las variables. Por otro lado, Lutzsimulium hirticosta, S. subnigrumy Simuliumsp. A se asocian con valores bajos de las varia&bles químicas, relacionado a sitios más conservados. La mayoría de los estudios sobre el potencial bioindicador de Simuliidae tienden a enfocarse en los impactos agrícolas, mientras que nuestros resultados, por otro lado, sugieren que las especies de Simuliidae están presentes en arroyos con impactos intermedios de contaminación urbana, pero ausentes en los sitios fuertemente afectados. Por lo tanto, nuestros datos sugieren que algunas especies tales como L. hirticostay Simuliumsp. A están asociadas a lugares de reproducción más prístinos, mientras que otras pueden ser bioindicadores de arroyos moderadamente afectados, como S. pertinax, S. subnigrumy S. subpallidum.

Ecogeografia de populações de erva-baleeira (Varronia curassavica) no Norte e Vale do Jequitinhonha em Minas Gerais / Ecogeography populations of Cordia (Varronia curassavica) in North and Jequitinhonha Valley in Minas Gerais, Brazil

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar as condições ecogeográficas e edafoclimáticas dos ambientes de ocorrência da erva-baleeira (Varronia curassavica) nas mesorregiões Norte e Vale do Jequitinhonha de Minas Gerais. O estudo foi efetuado em 15 sítios de ocorrência dessa espécie, localizados em 14 municípios sob o bioma Cerrado e ocorreu nos tipos de vegetação Cerrado, Caatinga, restinga e floresta. Os sítios estão localizados predominantemente entre 495 e 895m de altitude, e as plantas localizam-se sempre na parte inferior da topossequência. A precipitação média anual variou de <1.000mm a 1.500mm e a temperatura média anual variou de <19 a 24°C. A espécie tolera solos fortemente ácidos e com alta saturação de alumínio, ocorrendo em diferentes níveis de fertilidade e classes de solo. Nas mesorregiões Norte e Vale Jequitinhonha de Minas Gerais, a erva-baleeira não apresentou condições ecogeográficas e edafoclimáticas específicas para a sua ocorrência.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the ecogeographic and edaphoclimatic conditions of the environments of occurrence of Cordia (Varronia curassavica) at the mesoregions Northern and Jequitinhonha Valley in Minas Gerais. The study was conducted in 15 places of occurrence of this species, located in 14 municipalities under the Cerrado biome and occurred in the Cerrado, Caatinga, marsh and, forest vegetation types. The places are located predominantly between 495 and 895m of altitude, and the plants are located always at the bottom of the top sequence. The annual average rainfall ranged from <1,000mm to 1,500mm and the annual average temperature ranged from <19 to 24°C. The species tolerates acid soils with high aluminum saturation, occurring at different fertility levels and soil types. In the mesoregions Northern and Jequitinhonha Valley in Minas Gerais the Cordia showed no ecogeographic and climatic specific conditions for its occurrence.

Ecogeografia de populações de erva-baleeira (Varronia curassavica) no Norte e Vale do Jequitinhonha em Minas Gerais / Ecogeography populations of Cordia (Varronia curassavica) in North and Jequitinhonha Valley in Minas Gerais, Brazil

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar as condições ecogeográficas e edafoclimáticas dos ambientes de ocorrência da erva-baleeira (Varronia curassavica) nas mesorregiões Norte e Vale do Jequitinhonha de Minas Gerais. O estudo foi efetuado em 15 sítios de ocorrência dessa espécie, localizados em 14 municípios sob o bioma Cerrado e ocorreu nos tipos de vegetação Cerrado, Caatinga, restinga e floresta. Os sítios estão localizados predominantemente entre 495 e 895m de altitude, e as plantas localizam-se sempre na parte inferior da topossequência. A precipitação média anual variou de <1.000mm a 1.500mm e a temperatura média anual variou de <19 a 24°C. A espécie tolera solos fortemente ácidos e com alta saturação de alumínio, ocorrendo em diferentes níveis de fertilidade e classes de solo. Nas mesorregiões Norte e Vale Jequitinhonha de Minas Gerais, a erva-baleeira não apresentou condições ecogeográficas e edafoclimáticas específicas para a sua ocorrência.(AU)

The objective of this study was to evaluate the ecogeographic and edaphoclimatic conditions of the environments of occurrence of Cordia (Varronia curassavica) at the mesoregions Northern and Jequitinhonha Valley in Minas Gerais. The study was conducted in 15 places of occurrence of this species, located in 14 municipalities under the Cerrado biome and occurred in the Cerrado, Caatinga, marsh and, forest vegetation types. The places are located predominantly between 495 and 895m of altitude, and the plants are located always at the bottom of the top sequence. The annual average rainfall ranged from <1,000mm to 1,500mm and the annual average temperature ranged from <19 to 24°C. The species tolerates acid soils with high aluminum saturation, occurring at different fertility levels and soil types. In the mesoregions Northern and Jequitinhonha Valley in Minas Gerais the Cordia showed no ecogeographic and climatic specific conditions for its occurrence.(AU)