A decrease in taxonomic and functional diversity of dung beetles impacts the ecosystem function of manure removal in altered subtropical habitats.

The loss of biodiversity-caused mainly by habitat destruction-is one of the environmental problems with major repercussions on ecosystem functioning. Nevertheless, our understanding of the functional consequences of habitat changes on the communities and ecosystems remains limited to a small number of case studies. We evaluated the change in taxonomic and functional diversity of copro-necrophagous beetles (Scarabaeinae) and their relationship with the varying environmental factors present in four habitats with different degrees of disturbance. Furthermore, we evaluated how changes in taxonomic and functional diversity affect the rates of excrement removal. The collections were carried out at four locations in the state of Santa Catarina, Southern Brazil, on natural systems with different degrees of disturbances (forests in advanced and initial succession) and agroecosystems (silviculture and pastures dedicated to livestock). We collected a total of 1266 dung beetles distributed in 35 species and classified into 11 functional groups. The taxonomic and functional diversity analyses showed that habitats that still maintain an arboreal stratum do not present differences between them, in contrast to habitats dedicated to livestock where there was a significant loss of species and functional groups. The distance between the trees, as well as the air and soil temperatures were determining factors in the selection of species and functional groups. Some of these environmental factors explain the differences in functional traits, represented as varying abundances of the species found. The rates of manure removal from the ecosystem were positively correlated to taxonomic and functional richness as well as biomass of beetles. Thus, we can conclude that habitats with tree strata have the capacity to preserve a larger proportion of the regional set of species as well as the important ones, while preserving the taxonomic and functional diversity and the ecosystem functions, such as the excrement removal rate.

Castor cake as organic fertilizer to control gastrointestinal nematodes in pasture-raised sheep / Torta de mamona como adubo orgânico para o controle de nematoides gastrintestinais em ovinos criados a pasto

Gastrointestinal parasitism is one of the factors that discourages farmers from raising small ruminants in cultivated pastures. To validate a soil treatment strategy to control the free-living stages of gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN), castor cake (CC) was used as a fertilizer on a pasture where sheep grazed on guinea grass under continuous stocking. On day zero, the pasture was divided into three paddocks, contaminated by GIN and treated, respectively, with CC divided into two applications (2CC1/2), CC in a single application (CC1) and organic compost in a single application (control). On day 21, eight GIN-free sheep were placed in each paddock. On day 58, significant differences (P 0.05) were observed: reduction of up to 66.10% in larvae.g-1 of dry mass in pastures fertilized with CC, decrease of up to 60.72% in infection rates among the animals in the groups treated with CC, higher average daily weight gain (over 185 g.day-1) and packed cell volume (over 26%) in the groups treated with CC, when compared to the control (128 g.day-1; 20.9%). In view of the results, the use of CC, mainly CC1, as a fertilizer for guinea grass pastures, under continuous stocking, proved to be promising, with 63.41% effectiveness in controlling worm infestations.(AU)

O parasitismo gastrintestinal é um dos fatores que fragiliza a exploração de pequenos ruminantes em pastagens cultivadas. Objetivando validar a estratégia de tratamento do solo para o controle dos estágios de vida livre de nematoides gastrintestinais (NGI), a torta de mamona (TM) foi utilizada como adubo, com ovinos pastejando em capim-tanzânia sob lotação contínua. No dia zero, o pasto foi dividido em três piquetes, contaminados por NGI e tratados, respectivamente, com TM parcelada em duas aplicações (2TM1/2), TM em uma única aplicação (TM1) e composto orgânico em única aplicação (testemunha). No dia 21, cada piquete recebeu oito ovinos livres de NGI. No dia 58, observaram-se diferenças significativas (P 0,05): redução de até 66,10% de larvas.g-1 de massa seca nas pastagens adubadas com TM; redução de até 60,72% da infecção dos animais nos grupos tratados com TM; ganho de peso médio diário (acima de 185 g.dia-1) e volume globular (acima de 26%) superior nos grupos tratados com TM, quando comparados com a testemunha (128 g.dia-1; 20,9%). Diante dos resultados, o uso da TM, principalmente TM1, como adubo em pasto de capim-tanzânia, sob lotação contínua, mostrou-se promissor, com eficácia de 63,41% para controlar a verminose.(AU)

Enterobacteria associated with houseflies (Musca domestica) as an infection risk indicator in swine production farms.

Houseflies (Musca domestica) spend part of their life development on animal or human manure. Manure is high in pathogenic microbes; thus, houseflies have been known as a mechanical vector for various important zoonotic diseases. Therefore, the present study showcases captured houseflies from intensive swine production regions (which are areas of high manure concentration) in Southern Brazil, and analyses their bodies' to the presence of Escherichia coli and Salmonella sp. and the sensitivity of these bacteria to various antibiotics. Additionally, Quantitative Microbiology Risk Assessment was performed simulating the contamination of lettuce by flies' bacteria and subsequent lettuce consumption by an adult human being. Houseflies were captured in swine buildings and farm houses from five farms. E. coli quantification values ranged from 104 to 106 CFU/20 flies, and all sampling sites had positive results from bacteria presence in the collected houseflies. On the other hand, Salmonella sp. presence was observed in only three farms, where the quantification ranged from 102 to 105 CFU/20 flies. The bacteria showed to be resistant to at least two from the four tested antibiotics (ampicillin, Cefalotin, Ciprofloxacin and Norfloxacin) antibiotics used in human or veterinary medicine. Infection probability analyses showed risk of human infection by E.coli, indicating possible transmission of zoonotic pathogens through flies. In this context, it was possible to conclude that there is a need for flies control, especially in swine farms where zoonotic pathogens can be abundant, to minimize the health impact of the vectorization of enteric bacteria.

Amblyomma parvitarsum (Acari: Ixodidae): localities, hosts and host-parasite ecology.

Only a few aspects of the biology of Amblyomma parvitarsum Neumann are known. Adults of this hard tick species are parasites of South American camelids in the Andean plateau of Argentina, Bolivia, Peru and Chile and also in the Argentine Patagonia, but they have been also rarely found on other artyodactils and two species of birds. The larva has been collected from reptiles in northern Chile, whereas the hosts for the nymph remain unknown. On nine localities included within Altitude Tropical and Perarid Mediterranean ecoregions in northern Chile, we analyzed 237 reptiles, 285 birds, 624 rodents and 52 camelids for infestation with A. parvitarsum to calculate seasonal prevalence of this tick. We also reviewed the literature of this tick and three entomological collections for obtaining and summarizing all the information to date about this tick. None of the analyzed birds and rodents were parasitized with A. parvitarsum; however, seven over a total of ten reptile species that we caught were infested with the larva. In the camelid species Lama glama and Vicugna pacos we collected adult specimens of this tick. Larval prevalence was higher during fall (75 %) in Liolaemus pleopholis in the Altitude Tropical ecoregion. We also collected adult specimens of A. parvitarsum from camelid manure heaps during summer in Salar de Surire and Llullaillaco localities. Additionally, we also reviewed the literature of this tick and examined specimens in three entomological collections for obtaining and summarizing all the information to date about this tick. By this study, nine localities and seven new hosts are added for A. parvitarsum and we confirm reptiles as specific hosts of this tick larva.

Copper, nickel and zinc accumulations in lettuce grown in soil amended with contaminated cattle manure vermicompost after sequential cultivations.

The Cu, Ni and Zn accumulations in leaves and roots of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L) grown in soil amended with natural and contaminated cattle manure vermicompost were evaluated. The vermicompost residues containing relatively high metal concentrations used in this work were obtained from a previous experiment, in which vermicompost was applied to removing metals from electroplating wastes. Sequential lettuce cultivations were conducted in pots containing the residual substrates from the first cultivation by adding metal-enriched vermicompost residues. In general, the Cu, Ni and Zn concentrations in leaves and roots of lettuce plants grown in vermicompost enriched with these metals were higher than in the treatment using the natural vermicompost. The metal concentrations in leaves from treatments with natural vermicompost were below the critical concentrations of toxicity to plants. However, the metal concentrations in leaves of the third cultivation in which metal-enriched vermicompost was applied were greater than the upper limit that causes plant toxicity, but no visual damage was observed in the plants. Treatment with Zn-enriched vermicompost resulted in toxicity symptoms, but plant damage did not result in the death of the plant. The chemical fractionation of Cu, Ni and Zn in residues from lettuce cultivation was evaluated by using a sequential extraction procedure and metal concentrations were increased in the different chemical fractions according to the increase of vermicompost dose.

Viability of Bovine`s Strongyloidea eggs in a System of Anaerobic Biodigestion

Cattle Strongyloidea egg-viability was studied in closed system of anaerobic biodigestion. Two thirds of a biodigestor were filled with liquified manure from eight Hosltein cows, nacturally infected. For 10 consecutive weeks of observation, the biodigestor internal temperature varied from 24ºC to 28ºC and external temperature, from 26ºC to 33ºC. All the effluent samples showed a constant pH of 7. The samples of the effluent were weekly collected, in a total of 10, and submitted to techniques to detect the presence and viability of the helminth eggs. It was detected a 35-day egg viability. The infective larvae of Haemonchus, Cooperia and Oesophagostomum genus were found until the 14th day of observation and the infective larvae of Trichostrongylus and Ostertagia genus, until the 35th day. Therefore, liquefied cattle manure containing Strongyloidea eggs must remain under anaerobic conditions for at least 35 days before its safe return to the environment.

Histoplamosis asociada a cuevas en Venezuela / Outbreak of cave-associated acute pulmonary histoplasmosis in Venezuela

Una extensa epidemia de histoplasmosis pulmonar aguda ocurrió entre un grupo de estudiantes de bachillerato quienes visitaron dos cámaras de la Cueva "Alfredo Jahn", localizada en el estado Miranda, aproximadamente a 100 Km al Este de Caracas. En ella habitan varias especies de murciélagos, incluyendo el clásico vampiro (desmodus rotundus) y en su suelo se acumula una cantidad considerable de guano. Treinta y cuatro estudiantes y un profesor penetraron en la cueva "Alfredo Jahn" permaneciendo en ella aproximadamente 20 minutos. Veintiocho de los estudiantes (17 hembras, 11 varones; con un rango de edad entre 15-18 años y una mediana de 17 años) pudieron ser estudiados en detalle desde el punto de vista clínico e inmunológico. De los 28 estudiante evaluados, 20 (71,4 por ciento) desarrollaron enfermedad aguda y 64,3 por ciento de éstos la presentaron dentro de los 10 a 28 días (mediana: 14 días) posteriores a la exposición. En 2 (7,1 por ciento) casos que permanecieron asintomáticos, fue posible demostrar alteraciones en la Rx de tórax y/o en los resultados de laboratorio clínico. El profesor de 39 años de edad, un hombre previamente sano, también enfermó 14 días después de la exposición. Los signos y síntomas entre los 20 estudiantes enfermos incluyeron fiebre (77,7 por ciento), tos no productiva (72,2 por ciento) cefalea (66,6 por ciento), nauseas y vómitos (50 por ciento), rash (38,8 por ciento), dolor abdominal (38,8 por ciento), astenia (33,3 por ciento), dolor torácico (22,2 por ciento), dispnéa (16,6 por ciento), mialgias (16,6 por ciento) y en un caso (5,5 por ciento) eritema nodoso. El 46,4 por ciento de los 28 estudiantes y el 65 por ciento de aquellos que desarrollaron anormalidades clínicas o de laboratorio mostraron un test de inmunodifusión específico positivo dentro de las siguientes 6-12 semanas. El agente causal no fue recuperado en cultivos realizados a partir de diversas muestras de suelo colectados tres meses después del brote.

Levaduras asociadas con el hábitat natural de Histoplasma capsulatum en Guerrero, México / Yeasts associated to natural habitat of Histoplasma capsulatum in Guerrero, Mexico

Objetivo: En el presente trabajo, primero que sobre el tema se ha realizado en México, se registran las especies de levaduras encontradas en diferentes sustratos colectados en espacios cerrados y abiertos (que representan los nichos ecológicos en que se desarrolla Histoplasma capsulatum var. capsulatum). Material y métodos: Los sustratos a partir de los cuales se hizo el aislamiento de levaduras se obtuvieron en distintas localidades de los municipios de Quechultenango y Olinalá, en el estado de Guerrero. Resultados y discusión: De guano de murciélago muestreado en grutas y cuevas se aislaron Candida Catenulata, C. ciferrii, C famata, C. guillermondii y Rhodotorula spp.; del suelo de una mina únicamente se aisló C. ciferril. Las especies C. albicans, C. ciferrii y C. tropicalis se aislaron de suelo con excretas de gallináceas, y C. famata, Cryptococcus albidus var. albidus, Trichosporon beigelii t Trichosporon spp. de suelo con excretas de gallo. Del intestino de murciélagos insectívoros únicamente se aisló C. famata, y, de murciélagos polinívoros C. lipolytica, Cr. abidus var. albidus y Trichosporon spp. De cada una de estas especies se mencionan sus características distintivas, así como los diferentes ambientes y sustratos de los cuales han sido aisladas

Hongos filamentosos asociados con el hábitat natural de Histoplasma capsulatum en Guerrero, México / Filamentous fungi associated to natural habitat of Histoplasma capsulatum in Guerrero, Mexico

Objetivo: Se determinaron los hongos filamentosos asociados a los ambientes y sustratos de donde se ha aislado Histoplasma capsulatum, a partir de muestras de guano e intestino de murciélagos, así como de excretas de aves de corral Material y métodos: Las muestras procedieron de varias grutas y otras localidades de Guerrero, México, principalmentes de juxtlahuaca y Olinalá. Resultados y discusión: Del guano de murciélago se aislaron, además de H. capsulatum, ascomicetas como Aphanoascus fulvescens, Gymnascella citrina, Gymnoascus dankaliensis (Onygenales) y Cheatomidium fimeti (Sordariales); Hongos conidiales, como Aspergillus flavo-furcatis, A. terreus, A. terreus var. aureus, varias especies no determinadas de Penicillium, Malbranchea aurantiaca y Sporothrix sp. De las excretas de gallo de pelea se aisló Phoma sp. Del intestino de murciélagos insectívoros, hematófagos, nectarívoros y frugívoros se aislaron varias especies de hongos conidiales, como Aspergillus candidus, A. flavofurcatis, A. sulphureus, A. sydowii, A. terreus, A. versicolor, Apergillus sp., M. aurantiaca, Gliomastis murorum y Scopulariopsis sp.; y sólo un ascomicete, Ch. fimeti. Se comentan ciertas propiedades biológicas de los hongos encontrados, la mayoría de ellos registrados por primera vez por estos sustratos y ambientes en México