Farinha de vísceras de aves na alimentação de alevinos de piavuçu (Leporinus macrocephalus)

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Desempenho produtivo da tilápia do nilo em tanques-rede numa represa pública: modelo empírico de classificação

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

A bio-economic appraisal of pair trawl fisheries off southeastern Brazil

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Effects of caffeine and used coffee grounds on biological features of Aedes aegypti (Diptera, Culicidae) and their possible use in alternative control

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Ganho de peso e alterações anatomopatológicas de tilápia-do-nilo arraçoadas com farelo de cacau

The experiment was carried out on the Laboratory of Fish Nutrition - F.M.V.Z., Campus Botucatu - integrated to the UNESP Aquaculture Center, with the main purpose of evaluating the effects of the use of cocoa meal (Theobroma cacao) on diets for Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fingerlings. Six diets with increasing levels of cocoa meal (CM): 0% CM; 4% CM; 8% CM; 12% CM; 16% CM and 20% CM were fed for 120 days to the fingerlings, in a completely randomized design. Results showed no significant adverse effect of cocoa meal on weight gain (p>0.05), but there were restrictions to its use on diet, as it was found pathological effects on liver and also behavior disturbs caused by alkaloids present on the product.

Chemical communication, aggression, and conspecific recognition in the fish Nile tilapia

The chemical modulation of agonistic behavior and conspecific recognition were tested in juveniles of the fish Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.). After a 7-day isolation period, the fish were grouped (four individuals per aquarium) for 7 days. Then fish of alpha and beta ranks (previously matched for similar size) were paired in a neutral territory for analysis of their agonistic interaction. Pairs composed of alpha and beta fish were established with either fish from the same group (familiar) or from two different groups (unfamiliar). The pairs were tested in contiguous compartments, either with water exchange between the compartments or in the absence of water exchange. In each condition the fish were separated by a transparent glass partition. Twelve pairs were tested in each experimental condition. Fish behavior was videotaped and the following variables were analyzed: (a) frequency of and time spent in agonistic patterns, (b) latency to start fighting, and (c) duration of swimming. Water exchange between compartments decreased agonistic interactions. This effect, however, was more pronounced in pairs of fish coming from the same group (in this case, subordinate fish spent less time in confrontations than dominant ones). We conclude that chemical communication decreases aggression in this species by (1) inducing an alarm reaction and (2) increasing conspecific recognition (thus stabilizing the dominance hierarchy). (C) 1997 Elsevier B.V.

Molecular modeling and small angle X-ray scattering studies of Hoplosternum littorale cathodic haemoglobin

Considerable interest is currently focused on fish haemoglobins in order to identify the structural basis for their diversity of functional behavior. Hoplosternum littorale is a catfish that presents bimodal gill (water)/gut (air) -breathing, which allows this species to survive in waters with low oxygen content. The hemolysate of this fish showed the presence of two main haemoglobins, cathodic and anodic. This work describes structural features analyzed here by integration of molecular modeling with small angle X-ray scattering. Here is described a molecular model for the cathodic haemoglobin in the unliganded and liganded states. The models were determined by molecular modeling based on the high-resolution crystal structure of fish haemoglobins. The structural models for both forms of H. littorale haemoglobin were compared to human haemoglobin. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

CONTROL OF ADIPOSE-TISSUE LIPOLYSIS IN ECTOTHERM VERTEBRATES

Lipolytic activity of fish (Hoplias malabaricus), toad (Bufo paracnemis), and snake (Philodryas patagoniensis) adipose tissue was investigated in vivo and in vitro. Catecholamines or glucagon did not affect the release of free fatty acids (FFA) by incubated fish and toad adipose tissue. Catecholamines also failed to activate snake adipose tissue lipolysis, which even decreased in the presence of epinephrine. However, glucagon stimulated both the lipolytic activity of reptilian tissue in vitro and the mobilization of FFA to plasma when administered to snakes in vivo. The release of FFA from incubated fish, amphibian, and reptilian adipose tissue increased markedly in the presence of cAMP or xanthine derivatives, inhibitors of phosphodiesterase. Forskolin or fluoride, activators of specific components of the adenylate cyclase system, strongly stimulated toad adipose tissue lipolysis. The data suggest that adipocyte triacylglycerol lipase of ectotherm vertebrates is activated by a cAMP-mediated phosphorylation and that the organization of the membrane-bound adenylate cyclase system is similar to that of mammals.

Influence of condensed tannins from Brazilian semi-arid legumes on ruminal degradability, microbial colonization and ruminal enzymatic activity in Saanen goats

The present study aimed at determining the influence of condensed tannins present in the Brazilian legume species Mimosa hostilis, Mimosa caesalpinifolia and Bauhinia cheilantha on ruminal degradability, microbial colonization and enzymatic activity. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) was used to reduce the astringency and concentration of soluble condensed tannins. Four ruminally-cannulated Saanen goats (60 +/- 8 kg BW) were fed, in two experimental periods, with a hay diet based on the studied legumes treated or non-treated with PEG. Voluntary intake, microbial colonization, DM, CP, NDF, and ruminal degradability of PEG treated and non-treated forage leaves, as well as pH, ammonia and 1,4 P-endoglucanase activity of the rumen content were evaluated. Astringency and soluble tannin concentration of the studied legumes were reduced by approximately 70% and 50%, respectively, with PEG treatment. Average DM intake was higher for the treated diet (16.76 g DM/kg BW/day against 13.06 g DM/kg BW/day). Percentile values for degradation parameters and for potential and effective degradabilities of DM, CP and NDF were also affected by the tannins, but at different intensities. Electron microscopic observations of ruminally-incubated legume leaves showed a more effective microbial colonization of PEG-treated leaves for all legume species. A decrease in pH and an increase in ammonia concentration and in endoglucanase activity in the ruminal content was also observed for PEG-treated diets at all sampling periods. Condensed tannins of the studied legume species have influenced the adhesion conditions, colonization and enzymatic activity of the microbial ecosystem, and consequently the ruminal degradation of the different dietary fractions. For this reason, the reduction in condensed tannin would be of great importance to improve the nutrition of ruminant feeding of these species. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Embryos of common thresher shark Alopias vulpinus in southern Brazil, south Atlantic Ocean

Eight embryonic thresher sharks Alopias vulpinus (53.9-124 cm total length) were collected from two females caught by commercial longline off southern Brazil in September and November 2004. Morphometric measurements are provided. (c) 2006 the Authors.

Environmental cadmium exposure and metabolic responses of the Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus

The contamination of water by metal compounds is a worldwide environmental problem. This study was undertaken to evaluate the impact of short-term cadmium exposure on metabolic patterns of the freshwater fish Oreochromis niloticus. The fish were exposed to 320, 640, 1280 and 2560 mug/l sublethal concentrations of Cd++ (CdCl2) in water for 7 days. The specific activities of the enzymes phosphofructo kinase (PFK-E.C.2.7.1.11.), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH-E.C.1.1.1.27.) and creatine kinase (CK-E.C.2.7.3.2.) were decreased in white muscle after cadmium treatments, indicating decreases in the capacity of glycolysis in this tissue. Cadmium exposure induced increased glucose concentration in white muscle of fish. on the other hand, cadmium exposure at sublethal concentrations increased phosphofructo kinase and LDH in red muscle of fish. Cadmium significantly decreased total protein concentrations in liver and white muscle regardless of tissue glycogen levels. The data suggest that cadmium acts as a stressor, leading to metabolic alterations similar to those observed in starvation. (C) 2001 Elsevier B.V. Ltd. All rights reserved.

Chemical composition and tenderness of longissimus dorsi muscle from non- castrated Murrah buffaloes slaughtered at different weights

Buffalo meat production has been arising interest breeder and emerges as alternative to consumer, more and more demanding of the quality products. Thus, this research was conducted to study the chemical composition and tenderness of Longissimus dorsi muscle from 10 non-castrated Murrah buffaloes slaughtered at different weights. The research was carried in feedlot of School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science of the São Paulo State University, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil. Animals were divided in two groups, received diet ad libitum and slaughtered when reached 450 and 500 kg of live weight. The experiment design was completely randomized, with five repetitions to each treatment. Meat sample from Longissimus dorsi muscle, taken between 12(th) and 13(th) ribs, were carried analysis of moisture, crude protein, fat, ash, Longissimus muscle area (LMA), fat thickness (FT), marbling, calorie and tenderness. It did not have significant difference between the groups. Average values at of 76.0; 20.7; 2.1 and 1.2 of moisture, crude protein, fat and ash respectively, were obtained. Calorie, tenderness, LMA, FT and marbling were obtained at average values of 132 kca1/100g; 3.94 kgf; 34.2 cm(2); 5.9 mm and 2 points, respectively. Values obtained for tenderness are similar in the literature and has been proving that buffalo meat is tender (< 5kgf). Positive correlation was observed between the protein percentage and the shear force of the meat. The buffalo meat is excellent alternative source of red protein of high biological value to feeding of Brazilian consumers.

Contributions of ethnobiology to the conservation of tropical rivers and streams

1. This study aimed to link basic ethnobiological research on local ecological knowledge (LEK) to the conservation of Brazilian streams, based on two case studies: original data on LEK of fishermen about freshwater fish in the Negro River, Amazon, and previously published data about LEK of farmers on the ecological relationship between forest and streams in the Macabuzinho catchment, Atlantic Forest.2. Information was obtained from fishermen through interviews using standard questionnaires containing open-ended questions. Informants for interview were selected either following some defined criteria or applying the 'snowball' method.3. Fishermen's LEK about the diets and habitats of 14 fish species in the Negro River provided new biological information on plant species that are eaten by fish, in addition to confirming some ecological patterns from the biological literature, such as dependence of fish on forests as food sources.4. In the Atlantic Forest, a comparison between farmers' LEK and a rapid stream assessment in the farmers' properties indicated that farmers tended to overestimate the ecological integrity of their streams. Farmers recognized at least 11 forest attributes that correspond to the scientific concept of ecosystem services. Such information may be useful to promote or enhance dialogue among farmers, scientists and managers.5. These results may contribute to the devising of ecosystem management measures in the Negro River, aimed to conserve both rivers and their associated floodplain forests, involving local fishermen. In the Atlantic Forest, we proposed some initiatives, such as to allow direct economic use of their forests to conciliate conflicting perceptions of farmers about ecological benefits versus economic losses from reforestation. Despite their cultural, environmental and geographical differences, the two study cases are complementary and cost-effective and promising approaches to including LEK in the design of ecological research. Copyright (C) 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

A QUANTITATIVE APPROACH TO SUBSIDIZE THE PRECAUTIONARY MANAGEMENT of THE SMALL-SCALE FISHERIES IN ITAIPU RESERVOIR, BRAZIL

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)