First records of dive durations for a hibernating sea turtle

The first published record, from the early 1970s, of hibernation in sea turtles is based on the reports of the indigenous Indians and fishermen from Mexico, who hunted dormant green turtles (Chelonia mydas) in the Gulf of California. However, there were no successful attempts to investigate the biology of this particular behaviour further. Hence, data such as the exact duration and energetic requirements of dormant winter submergences are lacking. We used new satellite relay data loggers to obtain the first records of up to 7 h long dives of a loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) overwintering in Greek waters. These represent the longest dives ever reported for a diving marine vertebrate. There is strong evidence that the dives were aerobic, because the turtle surfaced only for short intervals and before the calculated oxygen stores were depleted. This evidence suggests that the common belief that sea turtles hibernate underwater, as some freshwater turtles do, is incorrect.

Living on the edge: how philopatry maintains adaptive potential.

Without genetic variation, species cannot cope with changing environments, and evolution does not proceed. In endangered species, adaptive potential may be eroded by decreased population sizes and processes that further reduce gene flow such as philopatry and local adaptations. Here, we focused on the philopatric and endangered loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) nesting in Cape Verde as a model system to investigate the link between adaptive potential and philopatry. We produced a dataset of three complementary genomic regions to investigate female philopatric behaviour (mitochondrial DNA), male-mediated gene flow (microsatellites) and adaptive potential (major histocompatibility complex, MHC). Results revealed genetically distinct nesting colonies, indicating remarkably small-scale philopatric behaviour of females. Furthermore, these colonies also harboured local pools of MHC alleles, especially at the margins of the population's distribution, which are therefore important reserves of additional diversity for the population. Meanwhile, directional male-mediated gene flow from the margins of distribution sustains the adaptive potential for the entire rookery. We therefore present the first evidence for a positive association between philopatry and locally adapted genomic regions. Contrary to expectation, we propose that philopatry conserves a high adaptive potential at the margins of a distribution, while asymmetric gene flow maintains genetic connectivity with the rest of the population.

Employing sea-level rise scenarios to strategically select sea turtle nesting habitat important for long-term management at a temperate breeding area

Management strategies to protect endangered species primarily focus on safeguarding habitats currently perceived as important (due to high-density use, rarity or contribution to the biological cycle), rather than sites of future ecological importance. This discrepancy is particularly relevant for species inhabiting beaches and coastal areas that may be lost due to sea-level rise over the next 100 years through climate change. Here, we modelled four sea-level rise (SLR) scenarios (0.2, 0.6, 0.9 and 1.3 m) to determine the future vulnerability and viability of nesting habitat (six distinct nesting beaches totalling about 6 km in length) at a key loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) rookery (Zakynthos, Greece) in the Mediterranean. For each of the six nesting beaches, we identified (1) the area of beach currently used by turtles, (2) the area of the beach anticipated to become inundated under each SLR, (3) the area of beach anticipated to become unsuitable for nesting under each SLR, (4) the potential for habitat loss under the examined SLR, and (5) the extent to which the beaches may shift in relation to natural (i.e. cliffs) and artificial (i.e. beach front development) physical barriers. Even under the most conservative 0.2 m SLR scenario, about 38% (range: 31–48%) total nesting beach area would be lost, while an average 13% (range: 7–17%) current nesting beach area would be lost. About 4 km length of nesting habitat (representing 85% of nesting activity) would be lost under the 0.9 m scenario, because cliffs prevent landward beach migration. In comparison, while the other 2 km of beach (representing 15% nests) is also at high risk, it has the capacity for landward migration, because of an adjoining sand-dune system. Therefore, managers should strengthen actions on this latter area, as a climatically critical safeguard for future sea turtle nesting activity, in parallel to regularly assessing and revising measures on the current high-use nesting habitats of this important Mediterranean loggerhead population.

Análise de marcas de crescimento ósseo e estimativas de idade para Chelonia mydas (Linnaeus, 1758) no litoral do Rio Grande do Sul

A tartaruga-verde, Chelonia mydas, possui ampla distribuição geográfica circuntropical, ocorrendo em toda zona costeira brasileira. A espécie está incluída em diversas listas de animais ameaçados de extinção, sendo assim fundamental a elaboração de modelos demográficos que possam vir a subsidiar futuros planos de manejo. Contudo, muitos aspectos referentes à história de vida destes animais ainda são pouco conhecidos, por serem animais marinhos de difícil observação, especialmente durante o período que despendem nas áreas de alimentação e durante as grandes migrações. As tartarugas marinhas apresentam características, em seu ciclo de vida, que dificultam a realização de estudos de marcação e recaptura, para determinação de parâmetros importantes como crescimento e determinação de idade. Por esta razão, muitos estudos envolvendo determinação de idade utilizando linhas cíclicas de crescimento presentes nos tecidos rígidos - esqueletocronologia, vêm sendo acumulados para esta espécie. Muito pouco se sabe sobre quaisquer aspectos relacionados às etapas do ciclo de vida das tartarugas marinhas que habitam o litoral do Rio Grande do Sul, deste modo, este estudo tem como principal objetivo avaliar a técnica histológica utilizada usualmente nas análises de esqueletocronologia em tartarugas marinhas a fim de verificar a ocorrência de crescimento cíclico nos ossos e de se obter estimativas de idade para a população local. As amostras são provenientes de tartarugas-verdes encalhadas no litoral norte do Rio Grande do Sul e coletadas, de forma sistemática entre Torres e Mostardas, de março de 1994 a setembro de 2003. Os 89 exemplares (35%) de tartarugas-verdes registrados indicam que a espécie é a segunda em número de ocorrências, sendo menos freqüente apenas que Caretta caretta (54%). Foi verificada apenas a ocorrência de exemplares juvenis (ccc = 29,0 a 52,0 cm, média = 38,9cm), que estão iniciando o período de desenvolvimento costeiro. A técnica avaliada não apresentou os resultados esperados, necessitando de algumas modificações metodológicas. A partir da observação dos cortes histológicos pôde-se constatar a presença de linhas de crescimento ósseo em apenas onze dos vinte e quatro indivíduos que apresentaram resultados satisfatórios na preparação histológica, indicando que a deposição das linhas pode ser variável e dependente de fatores ambientais. Nos onze indivíduos puderam ser distinguidas de uma a cinco linhas de crescimento, indicando uma idade entre 1 e 5 anos para o término da fase no ambiente pelágico. Com estes resultados obteve-se o primeiro registro da presença de linhas de crescimento ósseo, assim como, a primeira estimativa de idade para a população de Chelonia mydas no início de sua fase de desenvolvimento costeiro no Brasil.

Caracterização da captura incidental de tartarugas marinhas pela pesca de espinhel pelágico no Nordeste do Brasil

The marine turtles biological characteristics and the impact they have been suffering in consequence of human activities have caused in the last decades the decrease of populations to unsustainable levels. All four of the species described in this paper are registered as endangered in a list by IUCN: Caretta caretta, Lepidochelys olivacea, Chelonia mydas, Dermochelys coriacea. The main causes of such impact include several fishing activities, mostly the surface longline. This paper discusses the monitoring of two foreigner longline fleet along the North East Brazilian coast between October of 2004 and September of 2005. Both operated in the West South Atlantic, one using the Chinese technique and the other the American. The American method s target species is the swordfish (Xiphias gladius), and it is characterized by using squid as bait, J 9/0 offset 5º hook, light sticks and night soaking. It also operates in shallower waters than the Chinese method. The source of information about the efforts and the catches came from onboard observers and were used to calculate the catching rate of turtles over 1000 hooks (CPUE). The American equipment caught more turtles (CPUE = 0,059; N= 103), mainly D. coriacea, while the Chinese longline caught mainly the L. olivacea and presented a CPUE= 0,018 (N= 89). The hooks were most frequently found attached to the mouth of C. caretta, C. mydas, and L. olivacea. The D. coriacea were most frequently caught by hooks externally attached to different parts of their body. There was no significant difference between the hook type catching and most turtles were still alive when released. The results suggest a greater potential of turtle catching by the American method. Besides the statistic tests have showed less interaction between the Chinese equipment and marine turtles, the catches of this fishing technique could have been underestimated due to miscommunication between the onboard observer and the vessel s crew plus the retrieve of the longline during night time

Tartarugas marinhas da Bacia Potiguar/RN: diagnóstico, biologia alimentar e ameaças

This work aimed to study the diversity and distribution of marine sea turtles stranded in Potiguar Basin, Rio Grande do Norte, as well as aspects related to feeding behavior associated with human impacts. The study was conducted through the analysis of data from stranded animals, recorded in a daily monitoring in an area bounded on the north by the municipality of Aquiraz, in the state of Ceará, and the east by the municipality of Caicara do Norte, in the state of Rio Grande do Norte. Stranded dead animals were necropsied and for the analysis of the diet of animals, esophagus, stomach and intestines were fixed in 10% formalin and after that, the stomach contents were sorted and stored in 70% alcohol. Representative fragments of these organs were removed for making histological slides, with a view to histological characterization of the digestive tract. 2.046 occurrences of turtles were recorded during the period from 01/01/2010 to 31/12/2012. The Chelonia mydas species showed the highest number of records and it was observed in 66.81 % (N = 1,367) of cases; followed by Eretmochelys imbricata with 4.45 % (N = 91) and by Lepidochelys olivacea with 1.22% (N = 25). The Caretta caretta and Dermochelys coriacea species were, respectively, 0.93 % (N = 19) and 0.05 % (N = 1) records of strandings. In 26.54 % of cases, it was not possible to identify the species. Regarding the spatial distribution, the stretch A was the one that had the highest number of strandings and a larger number of records were registered in the warm months of the year. The dietary analysis showed that C. mydas fed preferentially on algae; C. caretta had a diet with a predominance of the item "coral´s fragments" and E. imbricata species showed preference for an animal origin material. Related to this anthropic interaction, 57.14 % (n = 76) of animals that died at the rehabilitation s base, showed cause of death due to complications from ingesting debris. According to the data presented, the Potiguar Basin presents itself as an area with important diversity and distribution of marine sea turtle as well is characterized as a feeding and nidification area for these species

Efetividade da finasterida no tratamento da síndrome da dor pélvica crônica: revisão sistemática e metanálise

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Estudo da helmintofauna de tartarugas marinhas procedentes da costa brasileira

Pós-graduação em Biologia Geral e Aplicada - IBB

Análise histopatológica de biópsia prostática guiada pelo ultrassom transretal com 10 e 12 fragmentos: ensaio clínico prospectivo controlado

Pós-graduação em Bases Gerais da Cirurgia - FMB

Pré-sal e o novo marco regulatório: um estudo sobre o fundo social

This work intends to discuss about the current happenings in oil sector, and how the recent discovery of huge oil reserves on the layer known as Pre-Sal can positively transform in the socioeconomic context, the country. The impact of this huge quantity of natural resources it depends on the legislative policies adopted for the exploration and production (E & P) in the Pre-Salt layer, and the way in which laws are imposed for distribution of such resources. Therefore, it is made a shortly background of the laws from oil exploration, production and distribution, since the monopoly of Petrobras, to nowadays. To this end, an analysis is performed about the Oil Law, and about the possible legislative changes with the new Regulatory Framework. This monograph attempts to prove, based on historical data, socioeconomic facts, and international experiences, using either comparative statistical, that with the discovery in the Pre-Salt area, the best way to optimize the use of these resources, mainly the reduction of social inequality and economic contrasts, a legacy from colonization, would directly those recipes to a National Development Fund, the Social Fund, established by law for the new Regulatory Framework

Short-term prophylaxis with ciprofloxacin in extended 16-core prostate biopsy

Objective: To evaluate the safety, efficacy and possible complications of 16-core transrectal prostate biopsies using two doses of ciprofloxacin for prophylaxis of infectious complications.Materials and Methods: Sixteen-core prostate biopsies were performed on a number of patients with different signs of potential prostate cancer. Complications were assessed both during the procedure and one week later. After the procedure, urine samples were collected for culture. The rate of post-biopsy complications, hospital visits and hospitalizations were also analyzed. Ciprofloxacin (500 mg) was administered two hours before, and eight hours after the procedure.Results: The overall rate of post-biopsy complications was 87.32%, being 5.4% of those considered major complications due to hemorrhage, or to urinary retention. Eight patients required hospital treatment post-biopsy. Fever occurred in just one patient (0.29%). There was no incidence of orchitis, epididymitis, prostatitis, septicemia, hospitalization, or death. The urine culture showed positive results in five patients (2.15%).Conclusion: One-day prophylaxis with ciprofloxacin proved to be safe and effective in the prevention of infectious complications following 16-core prostate biopsies.

Sedoanalgesia with midazolam and fentanyl citrate controls probe pain during prostate biopsy by transrectal ultrasound

To assess the pain intensity of patients administered midazolam and fentanyl citrate before undergoing transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy. This was a study in patients with different indications for prostate biopsy in whom 5 mg of midazolam and 50 µg of fentanyl citrate was administered intravenously 3 minutes before the procedure. After biopsy, pain was assessed by use of a visual analogue scale (VAS) in three stages: VAS 1, during probe introduction; VAS 2, during needle penetration into prostate tissue; and VAS 3, in the weeks following the exam. Pain intensity at these different times was tested with stratification by age, race, education, prostate volume, rebiopsy, and anxiety before biopsy. Pain was ranked according to the following scores: 0 (no pain), 1-3 (mild pain), 4-7 (moderate pain), and 8-10 (severe pain). Statistical analysis was performed by using Kruskal-Wallis and Wilcoxon two-tailed tests with a significance of 5%. Pain intensity was not influenced by any risk factors. The mean VAS 1 score was 1.95±1.98, the mean VAS 2 score was 2.73±2.55, and the mean VAS 3 score was 0.3±0.9, showing greater pain at the time of needle penetration than in other situations (VAS 2>VAS 1>VAS 3, p=0.0013, p=0.0001, respectively). Seventy-five percent of patients reported a VAS pain scale of less than 3.1 or mild pain. Intravenous sedation and analgesia with midazolam and fentanyl citrate is a good method for reducing pain caused by prostate biopsy, even during probe insertion.

Ecosistemas errantes: Epibiontes como indicadores biogeográficos de tortugas marinas de Canarias

Programa de doctorado: Ecología y gestión de recursos vivos marinos

Probabilidades de daño por viento Zonda en la floración de frutales, vid y olivos

La agricultura de Mendoza está expuesta a daños producidos por viento Zonda, cuya frecuencia y magnitud no han sido suficientemente estudiadas. Por ello se ha procurado determinar las características de los vientos Zonda y la probabilidad de que sean afectados cultivos de vid, olivo y frutales. Se tuvieron en cuenta los Zondas registrados durante 44 años (1958-2002) por la estación agrometeorológica Chacras de Coria de la Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias de la UNCuyo, en el período de floración de las principales variedades de los cultivos mencionados. El análisis se realizó cada diez días mediante los parámetros que se consignan a continuación: Salto térmico: diferencia entre las temperaturas máximas del día anterior y del día con Zonda, subdividido en las siguientes categorías: leve: 1 a 5 °C; fuerte: 6 a 10 °C; severo: mayor de 10 °C. Poder secante: evaporación del día del evento subdividido en las siguientes categorías: pequeño: 1 a 6 mm/día; grande: 7 a 12mm/día; muy grande: superior a 12 mm/día. Duración del evento, subdividido en las siguientes categorías: corta: 1a 8 hs; larga: 9 a 16 hs; muy larga: superior a 16 hs. La interacción y combinación de estos parámetros en sus diversas magnitudes determina el efecto dañino del Zonda representado a través del Índice Climático de Peligrosidad (ICP) de los vientos, que demues tra que todo el período estudiado tiene algún grado de riesgo. Se concluye que: El 47 % del total de casos de viento Zonda corresponde a agosto y la primera semana de septiembre. Las probabilidades de ocurrencia de un salto térmico severo están circunscriptas a agosto y primeros días de septiembre. En todo el período existen probabilidades superiores al 2 % de que ocurra un Zonda con poder secante muy grande. Eventos de muy larga duración tienen relativamente alta probabilidad de ocurrencia en agosto y primeros días de septiembre. Se puede determinar la probabilidad de daño para un cultivo confrontado los valores del ICP con la fenodata de plena floración correspondiente, lo cual constituye una herramienta para la defensa pasiva. Se suministran las fenodatas de las principales variedades de vid, olivo, duraznero y ciruelo, que son las especies cultivadas más importantes en el área de influencia de la estación agrometeorológica de Chacras de Coria.