Potencial de controle da erva-de-Santa-Maria sobre Pratylenchus brachyurus

O emprego de plantas antogônicas tem sido uma alternativa no controle de fitonematóides. O efeito da erva-de-Santa-Maria (ESM) sobre a população de Pratylenchus brachyurus foi avaliado em teste in vitro e em dois experimentos em condições de casa de vegetação. No teste in vitro, utilizou-se extrato de ESM em quatro concentrações (20; 2; 0,2 e 0,02%), em suspensões contendo 500 exemplares de P. brachyurus. Após 48 h, os nematóides vivos foram coletados e contados. Verificou-se que a ESM possui ação nematicida, sendo observada maior mortalidade de juvenis de P. brachyurus quando comparada com o controle químico (aldicarb). Nos experimentos em casa de vegetação, plantas de ESM e soja foram inoculadas com 1.500 e 5.000 nematóides, respectivamente, e, após 45 dias, a parte aérea (PA) foi incorporada ao solo, seguindo-se os seguintes tratamentos: incorporação da PA da ESM; incorporação da PA da soja; e sem incorporação da PA. Após um mês, cada vaso recebeu uma planta de soja, para atuar como indicador biológico de parasitismo. Após 45 dias, avaliou-se a população final do nematóide presente nas raízes de soja e no solo e as massas seca da PA e fresca de raízes da soja. Houve redução da população do nematóide nos tratamentos com ESM, mas foi observada fitotoxidez em plantas de soja.

Reação de Brachiaria spp. e Panicum maximum a Pratylenchus brachyurus

O sistema plantio direto é utilizado em extensas áreas agrícolas do Brasil, condição que pode propiciar o aumento dos danos causados pelos fitonematóides na cultura principal, na dependência da reação das plantas utilizadas como coberturas vegetais. O capim-colonião (Panicum maximum) e as braquiárias (Brachiaria spp.) podem ser utilizadas em áreas infestadas por Meloidogyne incognita e M. javanica, pois não são hospedeiras dessas espécies, mas sua resposta ao nematóide Pratylenchus brachyurus tem sido pouco estudada. Por essa razão, dois experimentos de casa de vegetação foram realizados, com o objetivo de caracterizar a reação de cinco espécies e um híbrido de braquiária [Brachiaria decumbens, B. brizantha, B. humidicola, B. dyctioneura, B. ruziziensis e capim 'Mulato' (B. ruziziensis x B. brizantha)] e dois cultivares de P. maximum ('Mombaça' e 'Tanzânia') ao nematóide P. brachyurus. Os experimentos foram semelhantes, diferindo pela origem dos isolados de P. brachyurus, Pb20 oriundo de raízes de quiabeiro e Pb24 de algodoeiro. A população final dos nematóides do substrato e das raízes foi avaliada 118 dias após a inoculação para Pb20 e 131 dias para Pb24. Os resultados mostraram que todas as poáceas testadas hospedam P. brachyurus, mas em diferentes graus. Capim-colonião e capim 'Mulato' mostraram ser bons hospedeiros de P. brachyurus, com fator de reprodução (FR = Pf/Pi) entre 4,96 e 12,17 para Pb20 e entre 10,38 e 13,18 para Pb24, devendo assim ser evitados como coberturas vegetais em campos infestados com esse nematóide. Por seu turno, B. dyctioneura provou ser mau hospedeiro de P. brachyurus, com FR = 1,01 - 1,32.

Efeito do teor de matéria orgânica do solo, cultura de cobertura e sistema de plantio no controle de Pratylenchus brachyurus em soja

No controle do nematoide das lesões (Pratylenchus brachyurus), têm sido indicadas algumas estratégias visando redução dos níveis populacionais, e outras que estimulam o desenvolvimento radicular, assim, objetivou-se, neste trabalho, identificar os benefícios das interações entre culturas de cobertura, teor de matéria orgânica do solo e sistemas de plantio. Foram escolhidas 2 áreas com infestação natural do nematoide e implantadas as culturas de cobertura Crotalaria spectabilis, Pennisetum glaucum (milheto ADR 300), Brachiaria decumbens, milho (híbrido 'Formula'), além de tratamentos com e sem capina química. A testemunha foi o alqueive (capina periódica). O plantio das coberturas foi realizado no dia 22/02/2010, e, no dia 3/11/2010, foi implantada a cultura da soja. Cada ensaio contou com parcelas de 6 m e 10 linhas (espaçamento de 0,45 m). O delineamento utilizado foi o de blocos ao acaso, com 4 repetições. Como sub parcelas, foram utilizados o plantio direto e o convencional da soja e das coberturas, com a utilização de uma grade aradora. As avaliações constaram de massa seca de culturas de cobertura, níveis populacionais de nematoides, massa verde de raízes, massa seca de parte aérea e rendimento de grãos. De acordo com os resultados obtidos, a matéria orgânica do solo apresentou benefícios, com diminuição da taxa de multiplicação de P. brachyurus, além disso, houve interação com a cultura de cobertura e o método de plantio. O plantio convencional reduziu os níveis de infecção nas avaliações até 40 dias após a emergência (40 DAE), contudo, na avaliação seguinte (70 DAE), os níveis no plantio direto foram menores, evidenciando atributos positivos desta técnica de plantio. Dentre as culturas de cobertura, C. spectabilis apresentou maior antagonismo a P. brachyurus. A testemunha capinada e a capina química evitaram a multiplicação, mas o nematoide manteve níveis suficientes para causar prejuízos.

Reação de acessos e cultivares de Brachiaria spp. e Panicum maximum à Pratylenchus brachyurus

A utilização de gramíneas forrageiras em sistemas de integração lavoura-pecuária tem sido cada vez mais frequente no Brasil. Entretanto, alguns genótipos forrageiros podem hospedar fitonematoides, contribuindo para manter populações elevadas destes organismos no solo. Objetivando-se avaliar a reação de acessos e cultivares de Brachiaria spp. (B. ruziziensis, B. brizantha cvs. BRS Piatã e BRS Paiaguás, B. humidicola cv. BRS Tupi, e os genótipos B4 e HBGC 331) e Panicum maximum (cvs. Tanzânia-1 e Massai e os genótipos PM32, PM36, PM45 e PM46) à Pratylenchus brachyurus, realizou-se este trabalho. Como testemunhas utilizaram-se o milho BRS 2020 (suscetível) e milheto ADR 300 (resistente) à P. brachyurus. Os experimentos foram conduzidos em casa de vegetação, na Embrapa Gado de Corte, Campo Grande-MS, em blocos casualizados com sete repetições, de maio a setembro de 2011 e de março a maio de 2012. Utilizaram-se cinco plantas por vaso, que foram inoculadas com 1.000 espécimes de P. brachyurus. Após 90 dias, avaliaram-se as populações de nematoides na raiz e no solo, com a finalidade de obtenção da população final dos nematoides e o fator de reprodução (FR). Determinou-se ainda a reação dos genótipos em relação à porcentagem de redução do FR. Com exceção de B. humidicola cv. BRS Tupi, com FR de 0,98 e 0,44, no primeiro e segundo experimentos, respectivamente, todos os materiais avaliados permitiram a multiplicação do nematoide. Em relação à porcentagem de redução do FR, apenas a B. humidicola cv. BRS Tupi e o milheto ADR 300 foram classificados como moderadamente resistentes, com reduções de, no máximo 90,58% e 94,73%, no primeiro e segundo experimento, respectivamente. Entre os genótipos de forrageiras estudados a maioria mostrou-se suscetível à P. brachyurus, apesar de variação do grau de suscetibilidade entre os mesmos. Dessa forma, em áreas com histórico de presença de P. brachyurus, a B. humidicola cv. BRS Tupi pode ser indicada nos sistemas de integração e/ou em rotação de culturas, como estratégia de manejo para a redução populacional de P. brachyurus.

Pathogenicity of Pratylenchus brachyurus to rubber rootstocks

The pathogenicity of Pratylenchus brachyurusto rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) rootstocks was studied in two experiments: 1) opencross seedlings of 'Tjir 1' x 'Tjir 16' were inoculated with zero, 7,700 or 23,100 nematodes per plant; 2) illegitimate seedlings of 'GT 1', 'RRIM 527' and 'RRIM 600' were inoculated with zero or 12,800 nematodes per plant. After 195 (1st experiment) or 105 days after inoculation (2nd experiment), P. brachyurusdid not affect the relative growth percentage in terms of plant height in both experiments but significantly diminished the stem diameter percentage and increased the stomatal resistance of 'GT 1' , 'RRIM 527' and 'RRIM 600'.

Abdominal and pelvic ultrasound study of the maned wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus)

The aim of the present study was the ultrasound characterization of the abdominal and pelvic regions of five maned wolves kept in captivity at the Triage Center of Wild Animals of the Federal University of Viçosa (Centro de Triagem de Animais Silvestres, Universidade Federal de Viçosa). This characterization included descriptions of ultrasonographic aspects and measurements of various structures using B-mode ultrasound. Biometric data were collected to assess the existence of significant linear correlations between these measurements and the measurements obtained by ultrasound. Additionally, hematological and serum biochemistry evaluations of the animals were performed. The ultrasound findings were similar to those available in the literature on domestic dogs, which were used for comparison as a result of the lack of published data regarding maned wolves. The latter species showed characteristics closely resembling those of the former, differing in the spleen and left renal cortex echogenicities, in the appearance of the prostatic and testicular regions and in the hepatic portal vein morphology. In the current study, the biometric values were similar to those previously published; however, no data regarding thoracic perimeter, modified crown-rump length or thoracic depth were found in the literature for this Canidae species. Statistical analysis showed the existence of a strong negative correlation between the modified crown-rump length and left renal length, between the modified crown-rump length and the right renal volume, between the thoracic perimeter and the height at the cranial pole of the left adrenal gland and between the thoracic perimeter and the height at the caudal pole of the left adrenal gland. Laboratory findings, including segmented neutrophil, eosinophil, monocyte and lymphocyte counts and the serum levels of glucose, ALT, alkaline phosphatase, urea, total protein, globulin, creatine phosphokinase, triglyceride, sodium, phosphate, potassium and chloride, were inconsistent with values found by other authors. The ultrasound is a diagnostic imaging method that must be further explored in the medicine of wild animals; therefore, additional research in this area is required.

Comparison of serum hormone levels of captive and free-living maned wolves Chrysocyon brachyurus

Serum hormone levels were compared between captive and free-living maned wolves and seasonal variations of sex hormones were studied. Blood samples were collected from 16 male and 26 female adult animals from Brazilian zoos, and from 30 male and 24 female free-living adults to determine serum progesterone and testosterone by radioimmunoassay. Serum testosterone concentrations varied (P < 0.05) across seasons for 16 captive males, being higher in autumn (2184.7 ± 355.1 pg/mL) than in summer (1080.7 ± 205.4 pg/mL), winter (1270.1 ± 276.6 pg/mL) and spring (963.9 ± 248.1 pg/mL), although they did not differ between summer, winter and spring. Testosterone concentration of 30 free-living males differed (P < 0.05) between autumn (824.1 ± 512.2 pg/mL), winter (14.4 ± 8.0 pg/mL) and spring (151.9 ± 90.5 pg/mL). Comparison between captive and free-living animals showed no difference in autumn (P > 0.05). Sixteen captive males showed higher testosterone concentration during winter and spring compared with 30 free-living animals (P < 0.05). Progesterone concentration varied among seasons in 26 captive females (P < 0.05), being higher in autumn (15.3 ± 3.1 ng/mL) than in summer (6.6 ± 1.5 ng/mL), winter (5.3 ± 3.1 ng/mL) and spring (4.3 ± 0.7 ng/mL). Progesterone concentration of 24 free-living females varied between autumn (17.1 ± 6.0 ng/mL) and winter (1.7 ± 0.3 ng/mL) (P < 0.05), but we could not obtain data for spring or summer. No difference in progesterone levels was observed between captive and free-living females in autumn and winter.

Feeding habits of the maned wolf, Chrysocyon brachyurus (Carnivora: Canidae), in southeast Brazil

The feeding habits of the maned wolf were studied in southeast Brazil to understand its response towards changes in the environment and in relation to its prey. By occurrence, miscellaneous fruits, small mammals and wolf`s fruit were the most consumed items. Armadillos, small mammals and wolf`s fruit ( Solanum lycocarpum) provided most of the ingested biomass. While wolf`s fruit and small mammals were mainly consumed in the dry season, other miscellaneous fruits were taken mostly in the wet season. There was selectivity in the predation on some small mammal species. The maned wolf`s diet followed patterns similar to those found in more pristine areas.

Detecção ultrassonográfica do ovário fetal em loba-guará (Chrysocyon brachyurus): relato de caso

Identificaram-se, por ultrassonografia, os ovários fetais e o sexo dos fetos em uma loba-guará. Ao exame ultrassonográfico, foi possível identificar estruturas fetais e realizar medidas (relação entre diâmetro cranial e abdominal dos fetos) que indicavam idade fetal de 59 dias. Observaram-se: estruturas torácicas e abdominais formadas, diafragma, membros, estruturas do crânio definidas, coluna vertebral, medula, costelas, batimentos cardíacos normais, movimentação fetal, câmaras e valvas cardíacas, grandes vasos, rins, peristaltismo intestinal e ovários fetais. O exame ultrassonográfico foi eficaz nessa espécie, pois foi possível observar estruturas fetais para a avaliação da viabilidade fetal e, também, identificou-se a imagem ovariana em um dos fetos, mostrando-se importante para estudos de sexagem fetal.

Reaction of sugarcane genotypes to Pratylenchus brachyurus and P. zeae

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Susceptibility of winter crops to Pratylenchus brachyurus and effect on the nematode population in the maize crop

The aim of this study was to evaluate the susceptibility of winter crops to Pratylenchus brachyurus and their effect on the population of phytonematodes in the maize. To study the effect of the plants on nematodes, an experiment was set up in sandy, naturally-infested soil. The area was divided into strips, consisting of six blocks of 16 treatments, with eight winter treatments, subdivided on the basis of the fertilizer used (organic: bird litter, and synthetic: NPK). The initial nematode population was determined by sampling the soil (100 cm(3)) and weeds (10 g of root). The winter treatments put in place (bristle oats, chickpea, vetch bean, common bean, oilseed radish, wheat, intercropped bristle oats + oilseed radish and fallow), and the nematode population determined 100 days after sowing. Subsequently, two maize crops (summer and short season) were planted, and the nematode population in the soil and roots determined during crop full bloom. To evaluate the susceptibility of winter crops to nematodes, an experiment was conducted under controlled conditions, determining the nematode reproduction factor (RF) in the treatments described above. Both in the field and under controlled conditions, it was observed that the bristle oats, oilseed radish and intercropped oats + oilseed radish exhibited lower reproduction rates for P. brachyurus. In the field, lower population of nematodes was observed with the application of bird litter. Under controlled conditions, the highest RF were observed in the fallow plot and under common bean and chickpea, in that order.

OSLERUS OSLERI (COBBOLD, 1876) INFECTION IN MANED WOLF (CHRYSOCYON BRACHYURUS, ILLIGER, 1815)

Oslerus osleri is a small nematode that infects the respiratory tract of domestic and wild canids and is responsible for causing chronic nodular tracheobronchitis. This paper aims to report a case of parasitism by O. osleri in a free-living maned wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus) that was struck by a motor vehicle. Fecal samples were collected, and the presence of spiral larvae, with S-shaped tails, was observed on flotation. This characteristic was compatible with the Filaroididae Family larvae of O. osleri. Although the animal did not show clinical signs of respiratory system impairment, a tracheobronchoscopy was performed. Semitransparent nodules, 5 mm in diameter, containing adult parasites were observed in the third distal portion of the trachea, cranial to the carina. Larval morphological characteristics and the nodular locations were compatible with an O. osleri respiratory tract infection.

EVIDENCE of A FAILED PREDATION ATTEMPT on A GUIANA DOLPHIN, Sotalia guianensis, BY A BULL SHARK, Carcharhinus leucas, IN BRAZILIAN WATERS.

Even though shark-cetacean interactions have been the subject of numerous studies worldwide, several ecological aspects such as competition, predation risk and co-evolution remain unclear. on February 16th, 2008, during a photo-identification survey to investigate population parameters of Guiana dolphins, Sotalia guianensis, in estuarine waters of Parana State (25[degree]S; 48[degree]W), Brazil, an adult dolphin was photographed without its dorsal fin. A detailed analysis of the healed area on the injured dolphin showed that the circular, crescent-shaped outlined wound was provoked by the bite of a bull shark, Carcharhinus leucas. Wound shape, prey-predator distributional patterns (sympatry) and feeding habits of the shark species here considered were indicative of the species' identity. The wound is likely to be the result of a failed predation attempt. Interactions between C. leucas and S. guianensis should be expected, since they are sympatric along almost all of their distribution range in the tropical and subtropical western South Atlantic. The presented observation adds S. guianensis to the list of cetacean species involved in interactions with large coastal predatory sharks.

Diet of the maned wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus) and its role in seed dispersal on a cattle ranch in Brazil

The maned wolf Chrysocyon brachyurus is the largest canid inhabiting South America. Its geographic distribution includes the open fields of Brazil's central area, which is currently undergoing agricultural expansion. The diet of the maned wolf and its seasonal variation was determined on a dairy cattle ranch (Sao Luis farm, 566 ha) in the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil. From January to December faeces of the maned wolf were collected monthly (n = 150 scats; 397 food item occurrences). Twenty-nine taxa were identified from scats, 18 of animal origin (46% or 183 occurrences) and 11 of plants (54% or 214 occurrences). The fruits of Solanum lycocarpum were the dominant food item in our study (29%). Mammals contributed 13%, arthropods 12%, birds 11% and reptiles 2% of the food items. Arthropods and fruits were prevalent in the rainy season and mammals in the dry season. As expected for a heavily fanned region, frugivory results were at the lower end of the diversity scale (9-33 species) and included four old garden species. No previous study of the diet of maned wolf has registered as many species of Solanaceae as this one. Although dietary richness was lower, the main food items (wolf fruit, armadillos, rodents, birds) were the same as study sites in 'cerrado' and upland meadows. In this region, the open habitats occupied by the maned wolf were previously covered by Atlantic forest, suggesting that landscape modification such as cattle ranching has opened new frontiers for distribution expansion of the maned wolf. The impact of loss of dietary richness and the increase in Solanaceae on the survival of the maned wolf need to be evaluated.

Diet of the maned wolf, Chrysocyon brachyurus (Mammalia : Canidae), during wet and dry seasons at Ibitipoca State Park, Brazil

Analysis of 141 seats of maned wolf Chrysocyon brachyurus collected in a region of upland forest and meadows of south-eastern Brazil yielded 351 food items in the wet season (60 seats) and 407 in the dry season (81 seats). Scarabaeidae and rodents were the most frequent animal food in both seasons, complemented by birds in the wet season and unidentified mammals in the dry season. Seeds revealed Solanum lycocarpum to be the most frequent plant food in the dry season and an Annonaceae and a Cactaceae the most frequent in the wet season. A total of 33 seed morphospecies were retrieved. Although our results reveal some shared and some divergent trends from dietary studies undertaken in savanna ('cerrado') areas, we found a very high frequency of potentially harmful tourists' garbage. This highlights the necessity for better environmental education and confirms that the maned wolf is a generalist and opportunist omnivore.