Relative roles of dispersal dynamics and competition in determining the isotopic niche breadth of a wetland fish

1. The niche variation hypothesis predicts that among-individual variation in niche use will increase in the presence of intraspecific competition and decrease in the presence of interspecific competition. We sought to determine whether the local isotopic niche breadth of fish inhabiting a wetland was best explained by competition for resources and the niche variation hypothesis, by dispersal of individuals from locations with different prey resources or by a combination of the two. We analysed stable isotopes of carbon and nitrogen as indices of feeding niche and compared metrics of within-site spread to characterise site-level isotopic niche breadth. We then evaluated the explanatory power of competing models of the direct and indirect effects of several environmental variables spanning gradients of disturbance, competition strength and food availability on among-individual variation of the eastern mosquitofish (Gambusia holbrooki). 2. The Dispersal model posits that only the direct effect of disturbance (i.e. changes in water level known to induce fish movement) influences among-individual variation in isotopic niche. The Partitioning model allows for only direct effects of local food availability on among-individual variation. The Combined model allows for both hypotheses by including the direct effects of disturbance and food availability. 3. A linear regression of the Combined model described more variance than models limited to the variables of either the Dispersal or Partitioning models. Of the independent variables considered, the food availability variable (per cent edible periphyton) explained the most variation in isotopic niche breadth, followed closely by the disturbance variable (days since last drying event). 4. Structural equation modelling provided further evidence that the Combined model was best supported by the data, with the Partitioning and the Dispersal models only modestly less informative. Again, the per cent edible periphyton was the variable with the largest direct effect on niche variability, with other food availability variables and the disturbance variable only slightly less important. Indirect effects of heterospecific and conspecific competitor densities were also important, through their effects on prey density. 5. Our results support the Combined hypotheses, although partitioning mechanisms appear to explain the most diet variation among individuals in the eastern mosquitofish. The results also support some predictions of the niche variation hypothesis, although both conspecific and interspecific competition appeared to increase isotopic niche breadth in contrast to predictions that interspecific competition would decrease it. We think this resulted from high diet overlap of co-occurring species, most of which consume similar macroinvertebrates.

Diatom-based Models for Inferring Hydrology and Periphyton Abundance in a Subtropical Karstic Wetland: Implications for Ecosystem-Scale Bioassessment

We developed diatom-based prediction models of hydrology and periphyton abundance to inform assessment tools for a hydrologically managed wetland. Because hydrology is an important driver of ecosystem change, hydrologic alterations by restoration efforts could modify biological responses, such as periphyton characteristics. In karstic wetlands, diatoms are particularly important components of mat-forming calcareous periphyton assemblages that both respond and contribute to the structural organization and function of the periphyton matrix. We examined the distribution of diatoms across the Florida Everglades landscape and found hydroperiod and periphyton biovolume were strongly correlated with assemblage composition. We present species optima and tolerances for hydroperiod and periphyton biovolume, for use in interpreting the directionality of change in these important variables. Predictions of these variables were mapped to visualize landscape-scale spatial patterns in a dominant driver of change in this ecosystem (hydroperiod) and an ecosystem-level response metric of hydrologic change (periphyton biovolume). Specific diatom assemblages inhabiting periphyton mats of differing abundance can be used to infer past conditions and inform management decisions based on how assemblages are changing. This study captures diatom responses to wide gradients of hydrology and periphyton characteristics to inform ecosystem-scale bioassessment efforts in a large wetland.

Physiological performance measures and tolerance limits of estuarine indicator species in South Florida

Current water management practices in South Florida have negatively impacted many species inhabiting Florida Bay. Variable and high salinity has been identified as a key stressor in these estuaries. The comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) includes water redistribution projects that will restore natural freshwater flows to northeastern Florida Bay. My studies focused on the following central theme and hypotheses: Biological performance measures (i.e., growth, reproduction, survival), behavior (i.e., habitat preference and locomotor behavior) and diversity of estuarine fish will be controlled by changes in salinity and water quality that will occur as a result of the restoration of freshwater flow to the bay. A series of acute and subchronic physiological toxicity studies were conducted to determine the effects of salinity changes on the life stages (embryo/larval, juvenile, adult) and fecundity of four native estuarine fish (Cyprinodon variegatus, Floridichthys carpio, Poecilia latipinna, and Gambusia holbrooki). Fishe were exposed to a range of salinity concentrations (freshwater to hypersaline) based on salinity profiles in the study areas. Growth (length, weight) and survival were measured. Salinity trials included both rapid and gradual change events. Results show negative effects of acute, abrupt salinity changes on fish survival, development and reproductive success as a result of salinity stress. Other studies targeted reproduction and critical embryo-larval/neonate development as key areas for detecting long-term population effects of salinity change in Florida Bay. Adults of C. variegatus and P. latipinna were also examined for behavioral responses to pulsed salinity changes. These responses include changes in swimming performance, locomotor behavior and zone preference. Finally, an ecological risk assessment was conducted for adverse salinity conditions in northeastern Florida Bay. Using the U.S. EPA's framework, the risk to estuarine fish species diversity was assessed against regional salinity profiles from a 17-year database. Based on the risk assessment, target salinity profiles for these areas are recommended for managers.

Co-circulação dos vírus dengue tipo 1, 2 e 4 nos Estados do Rio Grande do Norte e Paraíba, 2013

Dengue is a viral disease transmitted by female mosquitoes from genus Aedes, the principal urban vector is Aedes aegypti. Actually dengue has caused, in global scale, substantial morbidity and mortality. Four serotypes (antigenically distinct) are known: DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3 and DENV-4. The objective of this study was described the epidemiological profile dengue in the states of Rio Grande do Norte (RN) and Paraíba (PB), 2013. For that, suspected cases of dengue were studied, received for Laboratory of Molecular Biology of infectious disease and cancer (LADIC-UFRN) from different Health Units from RN and PB between January and December of 2013. The viral RNA was obtained from serum samples of patient from health units from RN and PB. It were studied 478 suspected cases of dengue , 252 (52,7%) from Rio Grande do Norte and 226 (47,3%) from Paraíba, showeds a global rate of infection global prevalence of 29,7% (142/478). The co-circulation of three serotypes was observed: DENV-1 (9,8% [14/142]), DENV-2 (3,5% [5/142]) and DENV-4 (86,7% [123/142]). People between 21-30 years old were the most affected by the disease during all the period of the study, representing 63,7% of the cases in both states. The genus most affected was female, representing 63,3% of cases in both states. Pau dos Ferros, Rio Grande do Norte, had the highest circulation of disease, with 8,2% (8/97) of cases. In Paraíba, the city most affected was João Pessoa, with (80% (36/45) of cases. The months with the biggest viral circulation in RN and PB were March and August, respectively. These results are very important to understanding the dengue viral activity in RN and PB, providing data that can guide control actions of this disease in support to local control programs

Epidemiologia e caracterização molecular dos vírus Dengue circulantes no Rio Grande do Norte, 2013-2014

Dengue is an acute infectious disease, usually transmitted by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. The etiologic agents belong to the family Flaviviridae, genus Flavivirus, and occur as four antigenically related but distinct serotypes designated DENV-1, 2, 3, and 4. In Brazil, the disease represents a national public health problem. The purpose of the present study was to describe epidemiological aspects of dengue in the State of Rio Grande do Norte, from 2013 to 2014. A total of 483 blood or serum samples, collected from January 2013 to December 2014, were studied by RT-PCR for viral detection and typing. The infection was confirmed in 36.44% (176/483) of the cases studied. This study detected the circulation of three serotypes of dengue virus in Rio Grande do Norte, DENV-1, 2, and 4. The predominant serotype in 2013-2014 was the DENV-4, representing 83.51% (81/97) and 68.35% (54/79) of the positive cases, respectively. Regarding the spatial distribution, most of the cases occurred in Natal and Caicó, with 9.28% (9/97) and 18.99% (15/79), respectively. The months with the biggest viral circulation in RN were March 2013 and May 2014. The female gender was the most affected, representing 69.07% (67/97) in 2013 and 54.43% (43/79) in 2014. The most affected age groups were 21-30 years (2013) and 11-20 years (2014) with 25.77% (25/97) and 20.25% (16/79) positive cases, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that genotype V (DENV-1) and genotype II (DENV-4) circulated in the State. Our results provide information about the dynamics of DENV in the Rio Grande do Norte, important for the development of disease control strategies.

Gato-do-mato-pequeno (Leopardus tigrinus) na Caatinga: ocupação e padrão de atividade de um felídeo ameaçado e pouco conhecido na floresta tropical seca do nordeste do Brasil

While the carnivores are considered regulators and structuring of natural communities are also extremely threatened by human activities. Endangered little-spotted-cat (Leopardus tigrinus) is one of the lesser known species from the Neotropical cats. In this work we investigate the occupancy and the activity pattern of L. tigrinus in Caatinga of Rio Grande do Norte testing: 1) how environmental and anthropogenic factors influence their occupation and 2) how biotic and abiotic factors influence their activity pattern. For this we raised occurrence data of species in 10 priority areas for conservation. We built hierarchical models of occupancy based on maximum likelihood to represent biological hypotheses which were ranked using the Akaike Information Criterion (AIC). According to the results the feline occupancy is more likely away from rural settlements and in areas with a higher proportion of woody vegetation. The opportunistic killing of L. tigrinus and in retaliation for poultry predation close to residential areas can explain this result; as well as more complex vegetation structure can better serve as refuge and ensure more food. Analyzing the records of the species through circular statistics we conclude that the activity pattern is mostly nocturnal, although considerable crepuscular and a small diurnal activity. L. tigrinus activity was directly affected by the availability of small terrestrial mammals, which are essentially nocturnal. In addition, the temperatures recorded in the environment directly and indirectly affect the activity of the little-spotted-cat, as also influence the activity of their potential prey. Generally, the cats were more active when possible prey were active, and this happened at night when lower temperatures are recorded. Moreover, the different lunar phases did not affect the activity pattern. The results improve the understanding of an endangered feline inhabiting the Caatinga biome, and thus can help develop conservation and management strategies, as well as in planning future research in this semi-arid ecosystem.

O turismo de base comunitária como vetor de etnodesenvolvimento: a comunidade Mebêngôkre-Kayapó na Terra Indígena Las Casas - PA

This study aims to analyze the contribution that the future implementation of community-based tourism can provide to Mebengokre-Kayapo, people of the village Tekrejarôti, they re-inhabiting the indigenous land Las Casas, located in southern of Pará, taking into consideration that tourism is as vector of ethnodevelopment, and it can also contribute to the conservation of Sociobiodiversity and local culture through experiences that will enable the realization of acquaintanceship, where there will be sharing of the daily activities of the customs of the local people, and cultural changes, which is the aim between visitors and the community, where these ones can promote the knowledge of non-indigenous people, and to consolidate the ethnic and cultural identity thereof too. Thus, this study guided by the participatory action research, it was used data obtained in 2012, that were results from the application of interviews with the community to make the diagnosis of tourism potential. It is an exploratory and descriptive research about the topic. The field research combined with participant observation, workshops and interviews contributed to it was possible to conduct a depth analysis about the environment studied. This research has the intention to obtain concrete results in the implementation and/or promotion of a cultural practice and environmentally sustainable ruled in organizational processes that permeates the guidelines of community-based tourism, however this depends on the conditions of human and forest resources, and infrastructure conditions in the community, providing in the short and medium terms, social activities and culturally positive for the culture of this people, and providing to long term, environmental and economic landmarks. As result, it was possible to identify that the community with its cultural events, parties and ceremonies being allied to their way of life and taken from their criteria, it is able to work with the tourism within their land and it can makes the tourism, a cultural affirmation opportunity and income generation. But, it concludes that for tourism to become ,in fact, there are required to be carried out some measures, that meets the new Regulatory Instruction IN 3/2015, this IN states that for the community to work with tourism in their land, it is necessary to be prepared a visitation plan that fits the established requirements. This research is constituted as an important tool in building this visitation plan, given that it was done from the community demand and it was conducted in a participatory manner, valuing the horizontal dialogue and the autonomy of this people.

O turismo de base comunitária como vetor de etnodesenvolvimento: a comunidade Mebêngôkre-Kayapó na Terra Indígena Las Casas - PA

This study aims to analyze the contribution that the future implementation of community-based tourism can provide to Mebengokre-Kayapo, people of the village Tekrejarôti, they re-inhabiting the indigenous land Las Casas, located in southern of Pará, taking into consideration that tourism is as vector of ethnodevelopment, and it can also contribute to the conservation of Sociobiodiversity and local culture through experiences that will enable the realization of acquaintanceship, where there will be sharing of the daily activities of the customs of the local people, and cultural changes, which is the aim between visitors and the community, where these ones can promote the knowledge of non-indigenous people, and to consolidate the ethnic and cultural identity thereof too. Thus, this study guided by the participatory action research, it was used data obtained in 2012, that were results from the application of interviews with the community to make the diagnosis of tourism potential. It is an exploratory and descriptive research about the topic. The field research combined with participant observation, workshops and interviews contributed to it was possible to conduct a depth analysis about the environment studied. This research has the intention to obtain concrete results in the implementation and/or promotion of a cultural practice and environmentally sustainable ruled in organizational processes that permeates the guidelines of community-based tourism, however this depends on the conditions of human and forest resources, and infrastructure conditions in the community, providing in the short and medium terms, social activities and culturally positive for the culture of this people, and providing to long term, environmental and economic landmarks. As result, it was possible to identify that the community with its cultural events, parties and ceremonies being allied to their way of life and taken from their criteria, it is able to work with the tourism within their land and it can makes the tourism, a cultural affirmation opportunity and income generation. But, it concludes that for tourism to become ,in fact, there are required to be carried out some measures, that meets the new Regulatory Instruction IN 3/2015, this IN states that for the community to work with tourism in their land, it is necessary to be prepared a visitation plan that fits the established requirements. This research is constituted as an important tool in building this visitation plan, given that it was done from the community demand and it was conducted in a participatory manner, valuing the horizontal dialogue and the autonomy of this people.

A atuação do enfermeiro no combate à dengue e a febre chikungunya: estudo comparativo nos municípios de Parnamirim e Santa Cruz/RN

The research aimed to analyze the role of nurses in the Family Health Strategy (FHS) in the control of Dengue and Chikungunya fever in the cities of Parnamirim and Santa Cruz. It is exploratory and descriptive nature of research, with a qualitative approach, which was developed with nurses of the Family Health Strategy in the municipalities of Parnamirim and Santa Cruz. All research process followed the ethical standards laid out research in Resolution No. 466/2012 of the National Health Council about research involving human beings. Data collection was performed using a semi-structured questionnaire with open and closed questions, organized into three parts: the profile of respondents, knowledge of the disease (transmission, prevention, control) and description of practices. The actions performed by nurses are punctual performed when there is growing disease of the number of cases in order to try to reduce the number of cases. The principal methodology used for them is to talk and guidelines resulting from campaigns and home visits, using leaflets and social networks. Regarding knowledge of nurses in the city of Santa Cruz on Dengue Fever and Chikungunya, is clearly some gaps. Nursing professionals know recognize a suspected case of dengue, but get confused when trying to explain to the Chikungunya fever, exhibiting the same symptoms of dengue. Although everybody had participated in a training on Chikungunya Fever and Dengue, a very limited knowledge of nurses regarding the clinical management. It is suggested that further studies are developed on the ground a few nurses have accepted to participate in the study, so that we can identify strategies, interventions, activities and nursing actions that are consistent with the reality of working in favor of coping Aedes epidemics aegypti that have positive impact on reducing the infestation rates and may be suitable and applied in other regions.

A atuação do enfermeiro no combate à dengue e a febre chikungunya: estudo comparativo nos municípios de Parnamirim e Santa Cruz/RN

The research aimed to analyze the role of nurses in the Family Health Strategy (FHS) in the control of Dengue and Chikungunya fever in the cities of Parnamirim and Santa Cruz. It is exploratory and descriptive nature of research, with a qualitative approach, which was developed with nurses of the Family Health Strategy in the municipalities of Parnamirim and Santa Cruz. All research process followed the ethical standards laid out research in Resolution No. 466/2012 of the National Health Council about research involving human beings. Data collection was performed using a semi-structured questionnaire with open and closed questions, organized into three parts: the profile of respondents, knowledge of the disease (transmission, prevention, control) and description of practices. The actions performed by nurses are punctual performed when there is growing disease of the number of cases in order to try to reduce the number of cases. The principal methodology used for them is to talk and guidelines resulting from campaigns and home visits, using leaflets and social networks. Regarding knowledge of nurses in the city of Santa Cruz on Dengue Fever and Chikungunya, is clearly some gaps. Nursing professionals know recognize a suspected case of dengue, but get confused when trying to explain to the Chikungunya fever, exhibiting the same symptoms of dengue. Although everybody had participated in a training on Chikungunya Fever and Dengue, a very limited knowledge of nurses regarding the clinical management. It is suggested that further studies are developed on the ground a few nurses have accepted to participate in the study, so that we can identify strategies, interventions, activities and nursing actions that are consistent with the reality of working in favor of coping Aedes epidemics aegypti that have positive impact on reducing the infestation rates and may be suitable and applied in other regions.

Corpos Queer e a experiência da sexualidade: notas para o conhecimento da educação física

This study had the goal of make a dialogue between queer theory and the thoughts of the French philosopher Maurice Merleau-Ponty in the categories of body and sexuality. From this dialogue, other goals were designed, namely: identify possible recurrences of the experience of bodies and queer sexualities, designed under Merleau-Ponty’s perspective, to the knowledge of Physical Education and reflect on this domain of knowledge using the notions of queer epistemology and esthesia. The study had as methodology the phenomenological attitude proposed by Merleau-Ponty and use the reduction as technic of research. Trying linking these thoughts we used the cinema of the Spanish director Pedro Almodóvar as perceptive strategy, an exercise of look as possibility of reading the world and new ways of perceiving the human being. We appreciate three films, namely: All About My Mother (1999), The Skin I Live In (2011) and Bad Education (2004), which put us in touch with bodies and queer sexualities, with the body of esthesia, of the ecstasy, sensations and lived experiences, un type of art whose contours are not fixed or determinable, postulate by Merleau-Ponty. The philosopher, provide a rich conceptual view of the body and their sexual experience, extends and opens horizons of thought and reflection about queer experience, one experience indeterminate and contingent as a singular way of inhabiting the world. Those horizons opened by the philosopher and added to the queer perspective contribute to put in question the modes of knowledge production and the knowledge about body and sexuality in Physical Education. Finally, we point that this theoretical conversation give us clues to reflect about the reverberations of a queer epistemology for Physical Education usiging one type of knowledge guided by esthesia and sensitivity as marks of another scientific rationality.

Biochemical investigation of multicorer sediment profile PS74/129-3

To detect and track the impact of large-scale environmental changes in a the transition zone between the northern North Atlantic and the central Arctic Ocean, and to determine experimentally the factors controlling deep-sea biodiversity, the Alfred- Wegener-Institute for Polar and Marine Research (AWI) established the deep-sea long-term observatory HAUSGARTEN, which constitutes the first, and until now only open-ocean long-term station in a polar region. Virtually undisturbed sediment samples have been taken using a video-guided multiple corer (MUC) at 13 HAUSGARTEN stations along a bathymetric (1,000 - 4,000 m water depth) and a latitudinal transect in 2,500 m water depth as well as two stations at 230 and 1,200 m water depth within the framework of the KONGHAU project. Various biogenic sediment compounds were analyzed to estimate the input of organic matter from phytodetritus sedimentation, benthic activities (e.g. bacterial exoenzymatic activity), and the total biomass of the smallest sediment-inhabiting organisms (size range: bacteria to meiofauna).

Biochemical investigation of multicorer sediment profile PS74/106-3

To detect and track the impact of large-scale environmental changes in a the transition zone between the northern North Atlantic and the central Arctic Ocean, and to determine experimentally the factors controlling deep-sea biodiversity, the Alfred- Wegener-Institute for Polar and Marine Research (AWI) established the deep-sea long-term observatory HAUSGARTEN, which constitutes the first, and until now only open-ocean long-term station in a polar region. Virtually undisturbed sediment samples have been taken using a video-guided multiple corer (MUC) at 13 HAUSGARTEN stations along a bathymetric (1,000 - 4,000 m water depth) and a latitudinal transect in 2,500 m water depth as well as two stations at 230 and 1,200 m water depth within the framework of the KONGHAU project. Various biogenic sediment compounds were analyzed to estimate the input of organic matter from phytodetritus sedimentation, benthic activities (e.g. bacterial exoenzymatic activity), and the total biomass of the smallest sediment-inhabiting organisms (size range: bacteria to meiofauna).

(Tables 1, 3) Details of Agassiz trawl stations and numbers of specimens per macro- and megazoobenthic taxon collected during POLARSTERN cruise ANT-XXII/3 (ANDEEP III)

The assemblages inhabiting the continental shelf around Antarctica are known to be very patchy, in large part due to deep iceberg impacts. The present study shows that richness and abundance of much deeper benthos, at slope and abyssal depths, also vary greatly in the Southern and South Atlantic oceans. On the ANDEEP III expedition, we deployed 16 Agassiz trawls to sample the zoobenthos at depths from 1055 to 4930 m across the northern Weddell Sea and two South Atlantic basins. A total of 5933 specimens, belonging to 44 higher taxonomic groups, were collected. Overall the most frequent taxa were Ophiuroidea, Bivalvia, Polychaeta and Asteroidea, and the most abundant taxa were Malacostraca, Polychaeta and Bivalvia. Species richness per station varied from 6 to 148. The taxonomic composition of assemblages, based on relative taxon richness, varied considerably between sites but showed no relation to depth. The former three most abundant taxa accounted for 10-30% each of all taxa present. Standardised abundances based on trawl catches varied between 1 and 252 individuals per 1000 m2. Abundance significantly decreased with increasing depth, and assemblages showed high patchiness in their distribution. Cluster analysis based on relative abundance showed changes of community structure that were not linked to depth, area, sediment grain size or temperature. Generally abundances of zoobenthos in the abyssal Weddell Sea are lower than shelf abundances by several orders of magnitude.

Biochemical investigation of multicorer sediment profile PS74/108-2

To detect and track the impact of large-scale environmental changes in a the transition zone between the northern North Atlantic and the central Arctic Ocean, and to determine experimentally the factors controlling deep-sea biodiversity, the Alfred- Wegener-Institute for Polar and Marine Research (AWI) established the deep-sea long-term observatory HAUSGARTEN, which constitutes the first, and until now only open-ocean long-term station in a polar region. Virtually undisturbed sediment samples have been taken using a video-guided multiple corer (MUC) at 13 HAUSGARTEN stations along a bathymetric (1,000 - 4,000 m water depth) and a latitudinal transect in 2,500 m water depth as well as two stations at 230 and 1,200 m water depth within the framework of the KONGHAU project. Various biogenic sediment compounds were analyzed to estimate the input of organic matter from phytodetritus sedimentation, benthic activities (e.g. bacterial exoenzymatic activity), and the total biomass of the smallest sediment-inhabiting organisms (size range: bacteria to meiofauna).