Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in free-living Amazon River dolphins (Inia geoffrensis) from central Amazon, Brazil.

Toxoplasma gondii is an important pathogen in aquatic mammals and its presence in these animals may indicate the water contamination of aquatic environment by oocysts. Serum samples from 95 free-living Amazon River dolphins (Inia geoffrensis) from the Mamirauá Sustainable Development Reserve (RDSM), Tefé, Amazonas, Central Amazon, Brazil were tested for T. gondii antibodies using the modified agglutination test (MAT). Antibodies (MAT ≥ 25) to T. gondii were found in 82 (86.3%) dolphins with titers of 1:25 in 24, 1:50 in 56, and 1:500 in 2. Results suggest a high level contamination of the aquatic environment of the home range of these animals.

Urinary parameters of Trichechus inunguis (Mammalia, Sirenia): reference values for the Amazonian Manatee / Parâmetros urinários de Trichechus Inunguis (Mammalia, Sirenia): valores-referência para o peixe-boi da Amazônia

The Amazonian manatee, Trichechus inunguis (Natterer 1883) is endemic to the Amazon Basin and is currently considered a vulnerable species. In order to establish normality ranges of urinary parameters to help monitor the health of this species in captivity, chemical urinalyses were performed on twelve males and nine females of various age groups. Urine was collected once a month for twelve months in the tanks just after being drained, by placing stainless steel containers under the genital slit of females and applying abdominal massages to males in order to stimulate urination. Quantitative data of glucose, urea, creatinine, uric acid and amylase levels were obtained using colorimetric spectrophotometry. Dip strips were also useful for routine analyses, despite only providing qualitative results. Normal range to glucose levels, regardless of sex or age class, was 3.0 to 3.6 mg.dL-1, coinciding with qualitative values of glucose measured by dip strips. Statistical differences observed in some parameter levels suggest that some urine parameters analysed must take into consideration the sex and the age class of the animal studied, being these differences less remarkable in creatinine and amylase levels. To this last one, statistical difference was detected only in the calve's urine (7.0 to 11.5 mg.dL-1) compared to other age classes samples (4.1 to 5.3 mg.dL-1). The results presented here may be used as comparative data in future research on urinalysis in related species.(AU)

O peixe-boi da Amazônia, Trichechus inunguis (Natterer 1883) é endêmico da Bacia Amazônica e é considerado atualmente como espécie vulnerável. Com o objetivo de estabelecer valores de normalidade para os parâmetros urinários com vistas a ajudar no monitoramento da saúde desta espécie em cativeiro, foi realizada urinálise química em doze machos e nove fêmeas de várias classes etárias. A urina era coletada uma vez por mês, durante doze meses, nos tanques, logo após esvaziamento, colocando-se coletores de aço inoxidável sob o orifício genital das fêmeas e aplicando massagem abdominal nos machos para estimular a micção. Dados quantitativos dos níveis de glicose, ureia, creatinina, ácido úrico e amilase foram obtidos por meio de espectrofotometria colorimétrica. O uso de tiras reativas também foi útil para análises de rotina, apesar de somente fornecerem resultados qualitativos. A faixa de normalidade para os níveis de glicose, independente de classe etária e sexo foi de 3,0 a 3,6 mg.dL-1, coincidindo com os valores qualitativos identificados pelas tiras reativas. Diferenças estatísticas observadas nos níveis de alguns parâmetros analisados sugerem que estes devem levar em consideração o sexo e a classe etária do animal estudado. Estas diferenças foram menos marcantes nos níveis de creatinina e de amilase, sendo que para esta última foi detectada diferença estatística apenas nas urinas de filhotes lactentes (7,0 a 11,5 mg.dL-1), em comparação às amostras das demais classes etárias (4,1 a 5,3 mg.dL-1). Os resultados aqui apresentados podem ser usados como dados comparativos em futuras pesquisas sobre urinálise em espécies relacionadas.(AU)

Urinary parameters of Trichechus inunguis (Mammalia, Sirenia): reference values for the Amazonian Manatee / Parâmetros urinários de Trichechus Inunguis (Mammalia, Sirenia): valores-referência para o peixe-boi da Amazônia

The Amazonian manatee, Trichechus inunguis (Natterer 1883) is endemic to the Amazon Basin and is currently considered a vulnerable species. In order to establish normality ranges of urinary parameters to help monitor the health of this species in captivity, chemical urinalyses were performed on twelve males and nine females of various age groups. Urine was collected once a month for twelve months in the tanks just after being drained, by placing stainless steel containers under the genital slit of females and applying abdominal massages to males in order to stimulate urination. Quantitative data of glucose, urea, creatinine, uric acid and amylase levels were obtained using colorimetric spectrophotometry. Dip strips were also useful for routine analyses, despite only providing qualitative results. Normal range to glucose levels, regardless of sex or age class, was 3.0 to 3.6 mg.dL-1, coinciding with qualitative values of glucose measured by dip strips. Statistical differences observed in some parameter levels suggest that some urine parameters analysed must take into consideration the sex and the age class of the animal studied, being these differences less remarkable in creatinine and amylase levels. To this last one, statistical difference was detected only in the calve's urine (7.0 to 11.5 mg.dL-1) compared to other age classes samples (4.1 to 5.3 mg.dL-1). The results presented here may be used as comparative data in future research on urinalysis in related species.

O peixe-boi da Amazônia, Trichechus inunguis (Natterer 1883) é endêmico da Bacia Amazônica e é considerado atualmente como espécie vulnerável. Com o objetivo de estabelecer valores de normalidade para os parâmetros urinários com vistas a ajudar no monitoramento da saúde desta espécie em cativeiro, foi realizada urinálise química em doze machos e nove fêmeas de várias classes etárias. A urina era coletada uma vez por mês, durante doze meses, nos tanques, logo após esvaziamento, colocando-se coletores de aço inoxidável sob o orifício genital das fêmeas e aplicando massagem abdominal nos machos para estimular a micção. Dados quantitativos dos níveis de glicose, ureia, creatinina, ácido úrico e amilase foram obtidos por meio de espectrofotometria colorimétrica. O uso de tiras reativas também foi útil para análises de rotina, apesar de somente fornecerem resultados qualitativos. A faixa de normalidade para os níveis de glicose, independente de classe etária e sexo foi de 3,0 a 3,6 mg.dL-1, coincidindo com os valores qualitativos identificados pelas tiras reativas. Diferenças estatísticas observadas nos níveis de alguns parâmetros analisados sugerem que estes devem levar em consideração o sexo e a classe etária do animal estudado. Estas diferenças foram menos marcantes nos níveis de creatinina e de amilase, sendo que para esta última foi detectada diferença estatística apenas nas urinas de filhotes lactentes (7,0 a 11,5 mg.dL-1), em comparação às amostras das demais classes etárias (4,1 a 5,3 mg.dL-1). Os resultados aqui apresentados podem ser usados como dados comparativos em futuras pesquisas sobre urinálise em espécies relacionadas.

Non-metric characters in two species of Sotalia (Gray, 1866) (Cetacea, Delphinidae).

Analyses of non-metric characters of the skull and cervical vertebrae were performed among samples of dolphins of the genus Sotalia from the north, northeast and south Brazilian coast (S. guianensis) and also samples from the Amazon River Basin (S. fluviatilis) as part of an osteological descriptive study. The results demonstrated that there was a higher percentage of occurrence of fenestrae in the occipital region (66%) and cervical ribs in the cervical vertebrae (87%) in the riverine species. The vomer in wide shape was more frequent in the riverine species (57%), followed by the intermediate (32%) and narrow shape (11%), that was found to be more frequent in the marine species (66 to 76%). In relation to the lacerate anterior foramen, it was observed that an open/elongated shape is more common in the riverine species (88%). Most samples in the marine species present this foramen divided by a spike shaped projection (72 to 98%). The ventrally visible location of the hypoglossal foramen was more often observed externally displaced in S. guianensis (88 to 98%), while in S. fluviatilis, most samples (87%) presented this foramen internally displaced to the jugular notch, and not visible in ventral view. The fluvial species seems to present neoteny (or maintenance of juvenile characters in adults) in relation to the position of the pterygoids and in development of lacerate anterior foramen.

Non-metric characters in two species of Sotalia (Gray, 1866) (Cetacea, Delphinidae) / Caracteres não métricos nas duas espécies de Sotalia (Gray, 1866)

Analyses of non-metric characters of the skull and cervical vertebrae were performed among samples of dolphins of the genus Sotalia from the north, northeast and south Brazilian coast (S. guianensis) and also samples from the Amazon River Basin (S. fluviatilis) as part of an osteological descriptive study. The results demonstrated that there was a higher percentage of occurrence of fenestrae in the occipital region (66 percent) and cervical ribs in the cervical vertebrae (87 percent) in the riverine species. The vomer in wide shape was more frequent in the riverine species (57 percent), followed by the intermediate (32 percent) and narrow shape (11 percent), that was found to be more frequent in the marine species (66 to 76 percent). In relation to the lacerate anterior foramen, it was observed that an open/elongated shape is more common in the riverine species (88 percent). Most samples in the marine species present this foramen divided by a spike shaped projection (72 to 98 percent). The ventrally visible location of the hypoglossal foramen was more often observed externally displaced in S. guianensis (88 to 98 percent), while in S. fluviatilis, most samples (87 percent) presented this foramen internally displaced to the jugular notch, and not visible in ventral view. The fluvial species seems to present neoteny (or maintenance of juvenile characters in adults) in relation to the position of the pterygoids and in development of lacerate anterior foramen.

Este é um trabalho osteológico descritivo entre exemplares do gênero Sotalia da costa Norte, Nordeste e Sul do Brasil e exemplares fluviais da bacia amazônica, analisando caracteres não métricos no crânio e nas vértebras cervicais. A frequência de ocorrência de fenestras na região occipital (66 por cento) e de costelas cervicais (87 por cento) foi maior na espécie fluvial (S. fluviatilis). Na espécie fluvial, a forma do vômer largo foi mais frequente (57 por cento), seguida da forma intermediária (32 por cento) e estreita (11 por cento). A forma do vômer estreito foi mais frequente na espécie marinha (S. guianensis) (66 a 76 por cento). Em relação ao forâmen lacerado anterior, foi observado que a forma aberta/alongada é mais comum na espécie fluvial (88 por cento). Na espécie marinha, a maioria dos exemplares apresenta este forâmen dividido por uma projeção em forma de espinho (72 a 98 por cento). A localização do forâmen hipoglossal visível ventralmente foi mais observada em S. guianensis (88 a 98 por cento), enquanto que em S. fluviatilis, a maioria dos exemplares (87 por cento) apresentou este forâmen deslocado internamente à reentrância jugular, não podendo ser observado em vista ventral. A espécie fluvial parece apresentar neotenia (ou manutenção de caracteres juvenis no adulto) em relação ao posicionamento dos pterigoides e ao desenvolvimento do forâmen lacerado interior.

Object carrying as socio-sexual display in an aquatic mammal.

Amazon river dolphins or botos (Inia geoffrensis Blainville) were observed carrying objects in 221 social groups over a 3-year study period. Sticks, branches and clumps of grass were taken from the water surface and often repeatedly thrashed or thrown. Lumps of hard clay were collected from the river bed and held in the mouth while the carrier rose slowly above the surface and submerged again. Carriers were predominantly adult males and less often subadult males. Adult females and young dolphins rarely carried objects. Groups of dolphins in which object carrying occurred were differentially large and comprised a greater proportion of adult males and adult females. Aggression, mostly between adult males, was significantly associated with object carrying. The behaviour occurred year-round, with peaks in March and July. A plausible explanation of the results is that object carrying by adult males is aimed at females and is stimulated by the number of females in the group, while aggression is targeted at adult males and is stimulated by object carrying in the group. We infer that object carrying in this sexually dimorphic species is socio-sexual display. It is either of ancient origin or has evolved independently in several geographically isolated populations.

Determination of aldehydes in fish by high-performance liquid chromatography.

A new analytical method to determine trace volatile aldehydes isolated from the headspace of fish meat at room temperature by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) in the form of 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazone (DNPHo) derivatives has been developed. Aliquots (50 g) of the fish purée were introduced into a 500-mL glass recipient and were purged with N2 for 40 min through two SEP-PAK C18 cartridges (connected in series) coated with an acid solution of 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine. The cartridges were then eluted with acetonitrile (2 mL) and the 2,4-DNPHo formed was quantitated by HPLC-UV analysis using a Zorbax C18 column. The isolated compounds from the dynamic headspace sampling of four kinds of fish species were saturated aldehydes, formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, propanal, butanal, pentanal, and hexanal. Under optimized conditions the detection limits of the HPLC method were in the range of 0.75 nmol/g (formaldehyde) to 2.19 nmol/g (hexanal). The calibration curves were linear in the concentration range from 1.3 nmol/mL to 12.5 nmol/mL. Propanal and acetaldehyde were the major carbonyl compounds identified (ranging from 3.9 nmol/g and 10 nmol/g). This study has revealed the widespread occurrence of formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, propanal, butanal, pentanal, and hexanal in fish meat.