Genotypic characterization of ten microsatellite loci in two Brazilian free range (Caipira) chicken lines

This study aimed to investigate the genetic variability of two Brazilian free range (Caipira) chickens lines using microsatellites analysis of ten loci. It was collected a total of 99 blood samples, which 49 were from Paraiso Pedres (PP) and 50 were from Rubro Negra (RN) lines. The amplification of the DNA fragments was performed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and the genotyping was conduct using ABI 3130 sequencer. The allele number variation was among 3 (LEI0254) to 32 (LEI0212) in the PP line, and 4 (LEI0254) to 31 (LEI0212) in the RN line. The allelic average per locus was 13.3 and 13.1 in the PP and RN lines, respectively. The average observed and the expected heterozygosity were 0.650 and 0.820 in the PP line, and 0.671 and 0.804 in the RN line. All of the analyzed loci were informative (PIC>0.5). These results indicate that these free-range animals have a high genetic variability, at least for the majority of the analyzed loci, and this genetic variation is higher than the commercial chickens and similar for the no-commercial birds.

Genetic structure and historical diversification of catfish Brachyplatystoma platynemum (Siluriformes: Pimelodidae) in the Amazon basin with implications for its conservation

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

DNA barcoding in pencilfishes (lebiasinidae: nannostomus) reveals cryptic diversity across the brazilian Amazon

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Morphological aspects of Henneguya aequidens n. sp (Myxozoa: Myxobolidae) in Aequidens plagiozonatus Kullander, 1984 (Teleostei: Cichlidae) in the Amazon region, Brazil

A new species of Myxosporea, Henneguya aequidens sp. n. (Myxozoa: Myxobolidae), was described based on its ultrastructural features. This is a parasite of the freshwater fish Aequidens plagiozonatus, in the Peixe-boi River, Para, Brazil. This parasite was found in the gills, in the form of whitish ellipsoid cysts with mature spores inside them. The average spore body was 15 +/- 0.9 mu m in length (n = 30) and 6 +/- 0.8 mu m in width (n = 30), and the tail measured 27 +/- 0.5 mu m in length (n = 15). The spores showed typical features of the genus Henneguya with two valves of equal size and two symmetrical polar capsules of 3 +/- 0.3 mu m in length and 2 +/- 0.3 mu m in width. Each polar capsule had a polar filament forming a helix from the apical region to the polar caps, with four to six turns. Based on the ultrastructural differences in morphology of these spores, the location of the parasite, and its host specificity, this parasite was described as a new species.

Combining ALOS/PALSAR derived vegetation structure and inundation patterns to characterize major vegetation types in the Mamiraua Sustainable Development Reserve, Central Amazon floodplain, Brazil

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

Effects of the flooding gradient on tree community diversity in varzea forests of the purus river, central Amazon, Brazil

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Occurrences of anti-Toxoplasma gondii and anti-Neospora caninum antibodies in sheep from four districts of Tocantins state, Brazilian Legal Amazon Region

Toxoplasmosis and neosporosis have been recognized as economically important diseases with considerable impact on the livestock industry. Little is known concerning the occurrence of Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum in sheep from Tocantins state, Brazil. Here, we investigated antibodies against these parasites and associated factors in 182 sheep from Araguaina, Santa Terezinha do Tocantins, Arguianopolis and Palmeiras do Tocantins districts, Tocantins. Sheep sera were assayed for T. gondii and N. caninum IgG antibodies by indirect fluorescence antibody test (IFAT), using cut-off point at a dilution of 1: 40 and 1: 25 respectively. The prevalence of seropositive animal for T. gondii was 13.74% and 13.74% for N. caninum. None of the characteristics studied including reproductive problems, presence of cats, presence of dogs and veterinary care (p>0.05) was associated with occurrence of T. gondii or N. caninum infection. Only breed was identified as associated factor for the occurrence of toxoplasmosis in sheep (p<0.05). The present study is the first report on serum occurrence of T. gondii and N. caninum in sheep from the state of Tocantins, Brazil.

Parasitic infections in ornamental cichlid fish in the Peruvian Amazon

The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and seasonal distribution of the main parasite species in Amazonian ornamental cichlids that affect their trade. The study was conducted from August 2007 to September 2009. We sampled 3042 specimens from 9 different species, of which 9.47% had at least one type of external parasite. 81.25% of the cases occurred in the dry season. Crenicichla anthurus (28.57%) was the most parasitized, followed by Aequidens diadema (26.32%), Pterophyllum scalare (22.69%), Cichlasoma sp. (9.52%), Apistogramma sp. (3.88%) and Symphysodon aequifasciatus (3.66%). Monogenea was the most abundant group of parasites, occurring in 66.67% of the cases, of which 96.88% occurred in the dry season. This parasite infested 95.68% of Pterophyllum scalare, 76.67% of Apistogramma sp, 33.33% of Cichlasoma sp. and 23.81% of Symphysodon aequifasciatus cases. Ichthyophthirius multifiliis infested 100% of Aequidens diadema, 76.19% of Symphysodon aequifasciatus, 66.67% of Cichlasoma sp, 41.67% of Crenicichla anthurus and 23.33% of Apistogramma sp cases. Myxosporidia infested 58.33% of Crenicichla anthurus. Trichodina infested 4.32% of Pterophyllum scalare. The prevalence of these parasites is related to the season, preferred habitat, fish behavior, individual susceptibility and handling of animals during transportation by fishermen.

Description of 90 inbred lines of castor plant (Ricinus communis L.)

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Description of immatures associated with adults of two species of Macrogynoplax Enderlein and one species of Enderleina Jewett (Plecoptera: Perlidae) of the Brazilian Amazon

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

Mapping surface deformation in open pit iron mines of Carajas Province (Amazon Region) using an integrated SAR analysis

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

Effects of nemorosone, isolated from the plant Clusia rosea, on the cell cycle and gene expression in MCF-7 BUS breast cancer cell lines

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

Humoral immune responses against the malaria vaccine candidate antigen Plasmodium vivax AMA-1 and IL-4 gene polymorphisms in individuals living in an endemic area of the Brazilian Amazon

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Two new species of Pseudancistrus (Siluriformes, Loricariidae) from the Amazon basin, northern Brazil

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