Padrões temporais e grau de diversificação cariotípica em espécies atlânticas da família Acanthuridae (Perciformes)

The Acanthuridae family is a representative group from the marine fish that plays a key role in ecological dynamics of coral reefs. Three species are common along coastal reefs of Western Atlantic: Acanthurus coeruleus, Acanthurus bahianus and Acanthurus chirurgus. In the present study, cytogenetic data are presented for these three species Acanthurus based on classical cytogenetic methods and mapping of repetitive sequences such as ribosomal 18S and 5S rDNA and telomeric repeats to improve their karyotype evolutionary analyses. The cytogenetic pattern of these species indicated sequential steps of chromosomal rearrangements dating back 19 to 5 millions of years ago (M.a.) that accounted for their interspecific differences. A. coeruleus (2n=48; 2sm+4st+42a), A. bahianus (2n=36; 12m+2sm+4st+18a) and A. chirurgus (2n=34; 12m+2sm+4st+16a) share an older set of three chromosomal pairs that were originated through pericentric inversions. A set of six large metacentric pairs formed by Robertsonian (Rb) translocations found in A. bahianus and A. chirurgus and a putative in tandem fusion found in A. chirurgus are more recent events. The lack of interstitial telomeric sequences (ITS) in spite of several centric fusions in A. bahianus and A. chirurgus might be related to the long period of time after their occurrence (estimated in 5 M.a.). Furthermore, the homeologies among the chromosome pairs bearing ribosomal genes, in addition to other structural features, highlight large conserved chromosomal regions in the three species. Our findings indicate that macrostructural changes occurred during the cladogenesis of these species were not followed by conspicuous microstructural rearrangements in the karyotypes.

Avaliação anti-inflamatória e antipeçonhenta das espécies Hancornia speciosa e Mimosa tenuiflora em modelos experimentais de inflamação e envenenamento induzidos por Bothrops jararaca e Tityus serrulatus

Accidents caused by venomous animals represents a significant and serious public health problem in certain regions of Brazil, as well as in other parts of the world by the frequency with which they occur and the mortality they cause. The use of plant extracts as an antidote for poisoning cases is an ancient practice used in many communities that have no access to antivenom. Medicinal plants represent an important source of obtaining bioactive compounds able to assist directly in the treatment of poisoning or indirectly supplementing serum therapy currently used. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of extracts, fractions and isolated compounds from M. tenuiflora and H. speciosa in the inflammatory process induced by carrageenan and the venom of B. jararaca and T. serrulatus. The results showed that both M. tenuiflora and H. speciosa were capable of inhibiting cell migration and cytokines levels in peritonitis induced by carrageenin and venom of T. serrulatus. In poisoning by B. jararaca model, mice treated with the plants in studies decreased the leukocyte influx into the peritoneal cavity. Finally the M. tenuiflora and H. speciosa had antiphlogistic activity, reducing edema formation and exerted inhibitory action of leukocyte migration in local inflammation induced by the venom of B. jararaca. Through of Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) analysis was possible identified the presence of flavonoids ,saponins and/or terpenes in aqueous extract of M. tenuiflora. By High Performance Liquid Chromatography analysis, it was possible to identify the presence of rutin and chlorogenic acid in aqueous extract of H. speciosa. We conclude that the administration of extracts, fractions and isolated compounds of H. speciosa and M. tenuiflora resulted in inhibition of the inflammatory process in different experimental models. This study demonstrates for the first time the effect of M. tenuiflora and H. speciosa in inhibition of the inflammation caused by B. jararaca and T. serrulatus venom.

Morfometria, variação anual no peso e demografia do Tico-tico-rei-cinza (Lanio pileatus: thraupidae) em dois ambientes de caatinga no nordeste do Brasil

The caatinga is considered the only exclusively Brazilian biome, with a total area of 735.000km². It is estimated that about 59% of this area has already been removed and only 2% are protected in conservations units. The region is characteristic by strong seasonality and heterogeneity in their environments. This paper sets generate information on morphological and population patterns Lanio pilatus in two areas of caatinga of Estação Ecológica do Seridó (ESEC – Seridó), Serra Negra do Norte - RN. Data collection was performed in six phases between July 2012 and December 2014, covering the end of the dry and rainy seasons in the region. The captures were performed with nets and individuals captured were marked with metal rings and measured (weight, wing length, tail, tarsus, culmen and tip of the bill to nostril). Through these measures, we observed that only males of open area range in weight during the dry and rainy season, youngs were significantly lower for all parameters measured, and males were larger than females in three characteristics (weight, wing length and tail) in open area and only one (wing length) in the closed area. The population parameters were generated from the mark-capture-recapture technique by program MARK, using the techniques of robust design and CJS. The survival probability of detection and population estimates varied with time. Only individuals of open area fluctuated in their estimates during the study. Overall, the environment was a great mediator of results which increases the need for more studies on the life history of the species in the region.