Biology and ecology of the lionfish Pterois volitans/Pterois miles as invasive alien species: a review.

The lionfish is an exotic invasive fish native to the Indo-Pacific, which is established in the western Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. Lionfish can affect native fishes and invertebrates through direct predation or competition for food. The present review aims to analyze the most relevant characteristics of the biology and ecology of lionfish as an invasive alien species, with an emphasis on Cuba. We provide a current view of the well-known lionfish as a successful invasive fish, and we put in this context the information regarding lionfish in Cuban waters, enriching the background knowledge, and giving novel and relevant information. The compilation of numerous publications on the subject has allowed for a more complete analysis of essential aspects of this invader in the Cuban archipelago. The consulted literature records that the first report of lionfish in Cuba occurred in 2007; subsequently, sightings of lionfish were reported in numerous localities. In 2010, the lionfish was considered an invasive alien species, which currently is established in various habitats, at depths up to 188 m, throughout the Cuban archipelago (e.g., coral reefs, mangroves, seagrass beds, submerged artificial structures). In addition, it has reached very high densities (12.42 ind./100 m2), which exceed those reported in the Indo-Pacific as well as in many locations in the Western Atlantic. It has been confirmed that the lionfish in Cuba also presents numerous characteristics that guarantee its success as an invader, among them: less quantity and diversity of parasites than other Atlantic fishes found in similar environments, a high number of gametes in the gonads, reproductive activity during all year and wide diet. The most important fish families for the lionfish diet in Cuba have been Pomacentridae, Gobiidae, Scaridae, Holocentridae, Mullidae, Labridae and Acanthuridae; and the most important crustacean orders are Decapoda, Mysida, Stomatopoda and Isopoda. In Cuba, as in the entire invaded region, numerous investigations have been directed to evaluate the impact of this invader on ecosystems, and although there is enough information, their results differ. Additional studies are required to assess the impact of lionfish as a predator after several years of invasion on a larger geographic scale in Cuba and other areas of the region. This knowledge will allow the development of more effective control strategies. Periodic lionfish culling have been carried out in Cuban MPAs as a control strategy, and some positive results have been observed, such as the average size reduction; however, further efforts are still required. Due to the importance of the study of lionfish as an invader, this review is a necessity as it provides, for the first time, a comprehensive analysis of lionfish information and results from Cuba, which is adequately contrasted with previous studies of other areas, particularly, from the Greater Caribbean.

Newcastle disease vaccination in captive-bred wild birds.

The breeding of wild birds in captivity assumes an increasingly important role in conservation due to the loss of species and their habitats. Providing the environmental and nutritional needs of species kept in captivity is the key for achieving success in such initiatives. Among the flock health practices, we highlight here wild bird vaccination, a scarcely studied subject. This study clinically and serologically evaluates the effect of applying a vaccination protocol against Newcastle disease in three groups of ornamental wild birds. The responses observed in 10 ornamental chickens were compared to those recorded in 12 ring-neck pheasants (Phasianus colchicus), 6 psittacines (2 cockatiels Nymphicus hollandicus, 2 lorikeets Trichoglossus haematodus molucanos, and 2 eastern rosellas Platycercus eximius), and 6 touracos (2 guinea Tauraco persa, 2 white-cheeked Tauraco leucotis, and 2 violet Musophaga violacea). One drop of each live Newcastle HB1 and La Sota vaccines were ocularly instilled on the 1st and 21st experimental days, respectively. On the 112th day, one shot of an inactivated oily Newcastle vaccine was intramuscularly injected. Serum samples were submitted to the Newcastle disease virus antibody Test Kit ELISA-BioChek. Except for the psittacines, other bird species showed a considerable increase in the antibody titers. However, their mean antibody titers differed significantly (P < 0.05) from that recorded in the chickens.

Planejamento de restauro de qualidade ecologica de duas ribeiras litorais / Restoration plan of the ecological quality of two coastal streams

Este trabalho faz parte de um projeto de restauro de bacias e baseia-se em uma pré-classificação do estado ecológico das mesmas através da metodologia KT, que permite a divisão do sistema fluvial em segmentos fluviais designados Unidades Fisiográficas Homogêneas e a identificação do nível de degradação dos mesmos através da mensuração das pressões humanas locais. A partir dos dados obtidos, podem ser propostas as medidas de recuperação fluvial necessárias para um "bom estado" ecológico de cada unidade. O projeto busca cumprir os objetivos das convenções internacionais de proteção ao meio ambiente e atingir as metas da Diretiva Quadro da Água. Este trabalho desenvolve uma carta sintética expondo o estado de conservação dos segmentos fluviais das bacias da Ribeira do Falcão e da Ribeira da Mata (região das Ribeiras do Oeste, Litoral Centro de Portugal), caracterizando e quantificando o seu nível de degradação, identificando suas respectivas causas e propondo soluções. .

This working paper is part of a watershed restoration project and is based on a pre-classification of ecological status of same by KT methodology, which allows the division of the river system in river segments designated Physiographic Units Homogeneous and identifies the level of their degradation by measuring the local human pressures. From the data obtained may be proposed river restoration measures needed for a "good status" of each ecological unit. The project seeks to achieve the objectives of international conventions to protect the environment and achieve the goals of the Water Framework Directive. This paper develops a synthetic letter exposing the state of conservation of the segments of the river basins of the Hawk and Ribeira da Mata da Ribeira (Ribeira region of West, Central Coast of Portugal), characterizing and quantifying the level of degradation, identifying their respective causes and proposing solutions.

Productivity of the sugarcane and definition of specific zones of soil management / Produtividade da cana-de-açúcar e definição de zonas específicas de manejo do solo

The correct spatial intervention in the administration of the plantation, arising from specific areas of soil mapping, can increase your productivity as well as profitability and yields in agriculture. The spatial and Pearsons relationships between sugarcane attributes and chemical attributes of a Typic Tropustalf were studied in the growing season of 2010, in Suzanápolis, State of São Paulo, Brazil (202733 S lat.; 510805 W long.), in order to obtain the attributes that had the best sugarcane productivity relationship. To this end, a geostatistical grid containing 118 sample points was installed for soil and plant data collection in an area of 10.5 ha with the third crop cut. The productivity of sugarcane (PRO) represented the attribute of the plant, while the attributes of the soil were: K+, Ca+2, Mg+2 and organic matter at depths of 0-0.20 m and 0.20-0.40 m. Relationships were calculated between the PRO and the attributes of the soil. Semivariograms were adjusted for all attributes, obtaining the respective krigings and the cross-validations. It was also made the cokrigings between the PRO and the soil attributes. The levels of the soil organic matter, for their evident substantial correlations, Spermans Rho and spatial, with the productivity of sugarcane, are indicators of two specific areas of soil management strongly associated with the productivity of sugarcane. I

A correta intervenção espacial na administração da lavoura, decorrente das zonas específicas de manejo do solo, aumenta sua produtividade e a lucratividade agrícola. No ano de 2010, no município de Suzanápolis, no estado de São Paulo (2027"33"" S lat.; 5108"05"" W long.), foram empregadas correlações (espaciais e de Pearson), entre atributos da cana-de-açúcar e alguns químicos de um ARGISSOLO VERMELHO Distrófico, visando encontrar aquele que se correlacionasse bem com a produtividade agrícola. Para tanto, instalou-se a malha geoestatística para a coleta de dados do solo e da planta, com 118 pontos amostrais, num talhão de 10,5 ha com a cana-de-açúcar de terceiro corte. A produtividade de cana-de-açúcar (PRO), ATR, BRI e POL representaram os atributos da planta, enquanto que do solo foram: K+, Ca+2, Mg+2 e matéria orgânica do solo, nas profundidades de 0-0,20 m e 0,20-0,40 m. Estabeleceram-se correlações lineares, simples e múltiplas, entre a PRO e os atributos do solo. Foram modelados semivariogramas para todos os atributos, obtendo-se as respectivas krigagens e validações cruzadas. Também foram estabelecidas as cokrigagens entre a PRO e os demais atributos. Os teores de matéria orgânica do solo, por evidenciarem substanciais correlações, Pearson e espaciais, com a produtividade de colmos de cana-de-açúcar, são indicadores de duas zonas específicas de manejo do solo fortement

Productivity of the sugarcane and definition of specific zones of soil management / Produtividade da cana-de-açúcar e definição de zonas específicas de manejo do solo

The correct spatial intervention in the administration of the plantation, arising from specific areas of soil mapping, can increase your productivity as well as profitability and yields in agriculture. The spatial and Pearsons relationships between sugarcane attributes and chemical attributes of a Typic Tropustalf were studied in the growing season of 2010, in Suzanápolis, State of São Paulo, Brazil (202733 S lat.; 510805 W long.), in order to obtain the attributes that had the best sugarcane productivity relationship. To this end, a geostatistical grid containing 118 sample points was installed for soil and plant data collection in an area of 10.5 ha with the third crop cut. The productivity of sugarcane (PRO) represented the attribute of the plant, while the attributes of the soil were: K+, Ca+2, Mg+2 and organic matter at depths of 0-0.20 m and 0.20-0.40 m. Relationships were calculated between the PRO and the attributes of the soil. Semivariograms were adjusted for all attributes, obtaining the respective krigings and the cross-validations. It was also made the cokrigings between the PRO and the soil attributes. The levels of the soil organic matter, for their evident substantial correlations, Spermans Rho and spatial, with the productivity of sugarcane, are indicators of two specific areas of soil management strongly associated with the productivity of sugarcane. I

A correta intervenção espacial na administração da lavoura, decorrente das zonas específicas de manejo do solo, aumenta sua produtividade e a lucratividade agrícola. No ano de 2010, no município de Suzanápolis, no estado de São Paulo (2027"33"" S lat.; 5108"05"" W long.), foram empregadas correlações (espaciais e de Pearson), entre atributos da cana-de-açúcar e alguns químicos de um ARGISSOLO VERMELHO Distrófico, visando encontrar aquele que se correlacionasse bem com a produtividade agrícola. Para tanto, instalou-se a malha geoestatística para a coleta de dados do solo e da planta, com 118 pontos amostrais, num talhão de 10,5 ha com a cana-de-açúcar de terceiro corte. A produtividade de cana-de-açúcar (PRO), ATR, BRI e POL representaram os atributos da planta, enquanto que do solo foram: K+, Ca+2, Mg+2 e matéria orgânica do solo, nas profundidades de 0-0,20 m e 0,20-0,40 m. Estabeleceram-se correlações lineares, simples e múltiplas, entre a PRO e os atributos do solo. Foram modelados semivariogramas para todos os atributos, obtendo-se as respectivas krigagens e validações cruzadas. Também foram estabelecidas as cokrigagens entre a PRO e os demais atributos. Os teores de matéria orgânica do solo, por evidenciarem substanciais correlações, Pearson e espaciais, com a produtividade de colmos de cana-de-açúcar, são indicadores de duas zonas específicas de manejo do solo fortement

Avaliação quantitativa e qualitativa da fitomassa de leguminosas para uso como cobertura de solo

Twelve species of tropical legumes (Crotalaria juncea L, Cajanus cajan L, Cajanus cajan (L) Millsp, Calopogonium mucunoides L, Canavalia ensiformis L, Dolichos lab lab L, Pueraria phaseoloides L, Macroptilium atropurpureum L, Leucaena leucocephala L, Clitoria ternatea L, Styzolobium aterrimum L, Styzolobium cinereum Piper and Tracy) was evaluated for use as green manure or cover crops in an experiment in Alagoinha-PB, Brazil. The used experimental design was a ramdomized complete block design, with 12 treatments in plots of 20m2, with three repetitions .The largest biomass quantities were produced for Leucaena leucocephala, Cajanus cajan, Styzolobium aterrimum, Pueraria phaseoloides, Canavalia ensiformis and Clitoria ternatea, while Crotalaria juncea, produced the smallest biomass. The biomass of Pueraria phaseoloides, was shown with better quality for the incorporation.

Para uso como adubo verde em um experimento em Alagoinha-PB, avaliaram-se doze espécies de leguminosas: crotalária (Crotalaria juncea L), guandu (Cajanus cajan L), guandu anão (Cajanus cajan (L) Millsp), calopogônio (Calopogonium mucunoides L), feijão-de-porco (Canavalia ensiformis L), lab-lab (Dolichos lab lab L), kudzu tropical (Pueraria phaseoloides L), siratro (Macroptilium atropurpureum L), leucena (Leucaena leucocephala L), cunhã (Clitoria ternatea L), mucuna preta (Styzolobium aterrimum L), e mucuna cinza (Styzolobium cinereum Piper e Tracy), no DBC com 12 tratamentos, em parcelas de 20m2, com três repetições. Constataram-se as maiores produções de fitomassa para leucena, guandu, mucuna preta, kudzu tropical, feijão-de-porco e cunhã, enquanto que para a crotalária, a menor produção. A fitomassa do kudzu tropical mostrou-se com melhor qualidade para a incorporação.

Avaliação quantitativa e qualitativa da fitomassa de leguminosas para uso como cobertura de solo

Twelve species of tropical legumes (Crotalaria juncea L, Cajanus cajan L, Cajanus cajan (L) Millsp, Calopogonium mucunoides L, Canavalia ensiformis L, Dolichos lab lab L, Pueraria phaseoloides L, Macroptilium atropurpureum L, Leucaena leucocephala L, Clitoria ternatea L, Styzolobium aterrimum L, Styzolobium cinereum Piper and Tracy) was evaluated for use as green manure or cover crops in an experiment in Alagoinha-PB, Brazil. The used experimental design was a ramdomized complete block design, with 12 treatments in plots of 20m2, with three repetitions .The largest biomass quantities were produced for Leucaena leucocephala, Cajanus cajan, Styzolobium aterrimum, Pueraria phaseoloides, Canavalia ensiformis and Clitoria ternatea, while Crotalaria juncea, produced the smallest biomass. The biomass of Pueraria phaseoloides, was shown with better quality for the incorporation.

Para uso como adubo verde em um experimento em Alagoinha-PB, avaliaram-se doze espécies de leguminosas: crotalária (Crotalaria juncea L), guandu (Cajanus cajan L), guandu anão (Cajanus cajan (L) Millsp), calopogônio (Calopogonium mucunoides L), feijão-de-porco (Canavalia ensiformis L), lab-lab (Dolichos lab lab L), kudzu tropical (Pueraria phaseoloides L), siratro (Macroptilium atropurpureum L), leucena (Leucaena leucocephala L), cunhã (Clitoria ternatea L), mucuna preta (Styzolobium aterrimum L), e mucuna cinza (Styzolobium cinereum Piper e Tracy), no DBC com 12 tratamentos, em parcelas de 20m2, com três repetições. Constataram-se as maiores produções de fitomassa para leucena, guandu, mucuna preta, kudzu tropical, feijão-de-porco e cunhã, enquanto que para a crotalária, a menor produção. A fitomassa do kudzu tropical mostrou-se com melhor qualidade para a incorporação.