Assessing the genetic structure of Oryza glumaepatula populations with isozyme markers

To assess the genetic diversity and genetic structure parameters, nine populations of Oryza glumaepatula from the Amazon biome, four from the Pantanal biome, and one collected at Rio Xingu, Mato Grosso, totaling 14 populations and 333 individuals were studied with isozyme markers. Six loci were evaluated showing a moderate allozyme variability (A = 1.21, P = 20.7%, H_o = 0.005, H_e = 0.060). The populations from the Pantanal biome showed higher diversity levels than the Amazon biome. High genetic differentiation among the populations, expected for self-fertilizing species, was observed (F_ST=0.763), with lower differentiation found among the Pantanal populations (F_ST=0.501). The average apparent outcrossing rate was higher for the Pantanal populations (t _a = 0.092) than for the Amazonian populations (t _a = 0.003), while the average for the 14 populations was 0.047, in accordance with a self-fertilization mating system.

Genetic characterisation of populations of the critically endangered Goliath grouper (Epinephelus itajara, Serranidae) from the Northern Brazilian coast through analyses of mtDNA

The Goliath grouper (Epinephelus itajara) is one of the most endangered species of fish of the subfamily Epinephelinae. Slow to develop and mature, and dependent on mangrove habitats for breeding, the species also suffers intense harvesting, which has reduced drastically in numbers in many areas. To contribute to the understanding of the characteristics of E. itajara populations, we conducted a molecular genetics study of the species, focusing on populations from the Northern Brazilian coast. The mtDNA control region (D-loop) of 116 individuals from five localities (Bragança, Ajuruteua, Parnaíba, Fortaleza and Natal) was analysed, and a sequence of 499 base pairs identified. Analyses of the sequences indicated that genetic variability was generally lower in E. itajara than in other endangered species of the genus. AMOVA found no significant grouping structure among the populations. Nested Clade Analysis revealed a significant association between genetic variability and geographic distribution among only three populations (Ajuruteua, Parnaíba and Natal). Genetic diversity was higher in populations from the Amazon region, which may be related to the better conservation of mangrove habitats in this area. Therefore, the present study could be used for the implementation of conservation and management measures in order to protect and consolidate these populations.

Caminho das águas: proposta para o aproveitamento de um subproduto ictiológico na Reserva Extrativista Mãe Grande de Curuçá, Pará, Brasil

Este estudo visa investigar a possibilidade da ampliação da cadeia produtiva dos recursos pesqueiros em uma Reserva Extrativista, na Amazônia, com foco em melhores perspectivas econômicas à população haliêutica. O eixo central da pesquisa é: até que ponto o extrativismo pode contribuir para o desenvolvimento local da Amazônia, impactando no modo de vida de populações tradicionais, associando inovação tecnológica a um instrumento político, calcado nos preceitos da sustentabilidade. Nesse sentido, o estudo se fundamentou no neoextrativismo como estratégia para a manutenção dos recursos naturais no universo da RESEX e sua relação com a justiça social, segurança ambiental e viabilidade econômica. O objeto da pesquisa é o aproveitamento de um subproduto ictiológico, hoje tratado como descarte na RESEX MGC, PA. A escolha do objeto de estudo recai sobre a necessidade de maior inserção de populações tradicionais em um contexto econômico pela ótica da sustentabilidade, além da relevância sóciopolítica da reserva extrativista: um instrumento de gestão ainda recente, criado no sentido da proteção das bases culturais e naturais de tais populações. Ainda que o Comércio Justo venha apontando sinais de fortalecimento, não se percebeu ações nessa direção. Deste modo, buscou-se caracterizar a cadeia produtiva a partir da pesca artesanal, investigando a viabilidade social, ambiental e econômica da expansão dessa cadeia e oportunidades para a inserção do ictiocouro. Pretende-se contribuir com a reflexão quanto ao neoextrativismo enquanto estratégia para o desenvolvimento local e consolidação das RESEX.

Genetic structure of red-handed howler monkey populations in the fragmented landscape of Eastern Brazilian Amazonia

We genotyped 15 microsatellite loci in order to evaluate the effects of habitat fragmentation, caused by flooding of the Tucuruí reservoir, on the genetic structure of Alouatta belzebul in eastern Amazonia. The analysis included two populations sampled in 1984, representing both margins of the Tocantins river, and three populations sampled 18 years later. Minimal differences in the diversity levels between present-day (Ho = 0.62-0.69 and AR = 6.07-7.21) and pre-flooding (Ho = 0.60-0.62 and AR = 6.27-6.77) populations indicated there was no significant loss of genetic variability, possibly because of successful management strategies applied during the flooding. The changes observed were limited to shifts in the composition of alleles, which presumably reflect the admixture of subpopulations during flooding. Given this, there were significant differences in the Rst values (p = 0.05) in all but one between-site comparison. Both present-day and original populations showed a deficit of heterozygotes, which suggests that this may be typical of the species, at least at a local level, perhaps because of specific ecological characteristics. The relatively large number of private alleles recorded in all populations may be a consequence of the Wahlund effect resulting from population admixture or a process of expansion rather than the loss of rare alleles through genetic drift. Additionally, the levels of genetic variability observed in this study were higher than those reported for other species of Neotropical primates, suggesting good fitness levels in these A. belzebul populations. Regular genetic monitoring of remnant populations, especially on islands, should nevertheless be an integral component of long-term management strategies.