Gastrointestinal symbionts of chimpanzees in Cantanhez National Park, Guinea-Bissau with respect to habitat fragmentation

One of the major factors threatening chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes verus) in Guinea-Bissau is habitat fragmentation. Such fragmentation may cause changes in symbiont dynamics resulting in increased susceptibility to infection, changes in host specificity and virulence. We monitored gastrointestinal symbiotic fauna of three chimpanzee subpopulations living within Cantanhez National Park (CNP) in Guinea Bissau in the areas with different levels of anthropogenic fragmentation. Using standard coproscopical methods (merthiolate-iodine formalin concentration and Sheather's flotation) we examined 102 fecal samples and identified at least 13 different symbiotic genera (Troglodytella abrassarti, Troglocorys cava, Blastocystis spp., Entamoeba spp., Iodamoeba butschlii, Giardia intestinalis, Chilomastix mesnili, Bertiella sp., Probstmayria gombensis, unidentified strongylids, Strongyloides stercoralis, Strongyloides fuelleborni, and Trichuris sp.). The symbiotic fauna of the CNP chimpanzees is comparable to that reported for other wild chimpanzee populations, although CNP chimpanzees have a higher prevalence of Trichuris sp. Symbiont richness was higher in chimpanzee subpopulations living in fragmented forests compared to the community inhabiting continuous forest area. We reported significantly higher prevalence of G. intestinalis in chimpanzees from fragmented areas, which could be attributed to increased contact with humans and livestock.

Repartição do Habitat entre Psitacídeos Simpátricos no Sul da Amazônia

Estudaram-se de agosto de 1977 a junho de 1979 16 espécies de Psitacídeos na região do Núcleo Pioneiro Humboldt (10019' S, 590 12' W), alto rio Aripuanã, MT, Brasil. Verificou-se que diferentes tamanhos de corpo e peso dão acesso a espectros alimentares diferentes. Com respeito ao peso, as 16 espécies podem ser divididas em quatro grupos:55 até 110g: Tuit huetii, Pyrrhura picta, Brotogeris chrysopterus, Pyrrhura rhodogaster, Aratinga weddellii.140 até 300g: Aratinga leucophthalmus, Pionopsitta barrabandi, Pionus menstruus, Deroptyus accipitrinus.360 até 600g: Ara severa, Ara manilata, Amazona ochrocephala, Amazona farinosa.950 até 1350g: Ara ararauna, Ara macao, Ara chloroptera.As estratégias alimentares variam dentro de cada grupo de peso: Ara manilata é especialista puro, Tuit huetti, Brotogeris chrysopterus, Pionopsitta barrabandi, Ara severa e Ara ararauna são especialistas parciais. Os especialistas parciais têm bicos relativamente compridos e estreitos. Com respeito às proporções do bico, Brotogerischrysopterus é mais especializado do que Tuit huetii no mesmo grupo de peso.As espécies muito próximas morfologicamente, como Ara chloroptera e Ara macao ou Pyrruhura rhodogaster e Pyrrhura picta, podem ser reconhecidas principalmente pelo modo com que exploram o habitat. Ara chloroptera se encontra nas estratos superiores da floresta, junto às copas de árvores muito altas, com maior freqüência do que Ara macao. Pyrrhura rhodogaster visita mais freqüentemente matas densas e vegetação secundária do que Pyrrhura picta. Diferenças sazonais de abundância e épocas diferentes de reprodução separam as duas espécies de Amazona. Amazona ochrocephala é mais comum e inclusive cria os seus filhotes na época seca, enquanto que Amazona farinosa reproduz e se torna mais comum na época chuvosa.

Habitat preferences, diet, feeding strategy and social organization of the black spider monkey [Ateles paniscus paniscus Linnaeus 1758] in Surinam

A Socioecological Field Study.This monograph reports on a 26 month socioecological study of black spider monkeys (Ateles paniscus paniscus)in the Raleigh-vallen — Voltzberg Nature Reserve, Surinam. It recognizes the fundamental importance of food to the behavior and the regulation of population density fox this primate. It clarifies the complex temporal and spatial effects of tropical rain forest food sources on the behavior of a group of spider monkeys, concentrating on food category, food plant identity and phenology, and quantity, density and dispersion of the most important food sources. In addition, the present study describes habitat choice, optimal feeding strategy and sexual behavior of the spider monkey, and discusses implications of diet for social behavior. This study is also fundamental to conservation. Specialized in eating mature fruits, the spider monkey is a very important dispersal agent for many trees and lianes, particularly canopy species. However, the spider monkey is probably the most vulnerable monkey species in Surinam and it is disappearing rapidly throughout the remainder of its range. Unfortunately, it is large and noisy and can be easily tracked and hunted. It is largely restricted to undisturbed high forest, and consequently habitat destruction has more effect on it than on most other species. Together with its slow reproductive rate (a female gives birth only once every four or five years), this means that the species is poorly adapted to recover from exploitation. In order to implement proper measures for conservation, data on forest type preferences, diet and social behavior of the species, or on closely related species, in undisturbed areas, such as the one described in this monograph, are essential tools for assessing the potential of proposed protected areas.

Produtividade sazonal da floresta e atividade de forrageamento animal em habitat de terra firme da Amazônia

Durante 13 meses (de janeiro de 1986 a janeiro de 1987), quatro trilhas, de aproximadamente 2,5 km de comprimento cada uma, cortando diferentes ambientes de mata de terra firme, foram seguidas diariamente por um mínimo de dois pesquisadores para observar animais forrageando no chão o em diferentes estratos da floresta. O local de estudo foi em porção de floresta protegida em Tucuruí, estado do Pará. Foram investigadas por observação contínua no campo as tendências sazonais de utilização de ítens de alimentos preferidos demonstrados por quelôneos: os jabutis Geochelone carbonaria, G. denticulata e a aperema Platemys platicephala; por roedores: o quatipuru Sciurus gilvigularis e a cutia Dasyprocta aguti; por cervídeos: o veado-mateiro Mazama americana e o veado fuboca Mazama guazoubira; e por primatas: o macaco-prego Cebus apella, o guariba Alouatta belzebul, o cuxiú Chiropotes satanas , o macaco-mão-de-ouro Saimiri sciureus, e o sagui preto Saguinus midas. Todos esses animais foram estudados através de observação contínua nessas trilhas de transectos, estabelecidas na mata de terra firme. As observações foram feitas pela manhã entre 06:00 e 10:00 horas e à tarde, entre 15:00 e 19 horas. O estudo demonstrou que as dietas dessas espécies animais de habitat de terra firme depende da disponibilidade de alimento na floresta na estação do ano. A importância desses ítens de alimento é demonstrada pela mudança sazonal da atividade de forrageamento, dependendo do ítem alimentar em oferta. Os jabtutis (Geochelone carbonaria e G. denticulata) alimentam-se basicamente de frutos disponíveis entre setembro e janeiro, sendo esses mesmo frutos compatilhados por cutia (Dasyprocta aguti), enquanto o macaco-prego (Cebus apella) expande sua dieta baseada em frutas, em dois picos, um entre janeiro e março, com um máximo de atividade em fevereiro, e outro pico entre julho e dezembro. Essas mesmas frutas são também compartilhadas por Chiropotes satanas. Embora o guariba (Alouatta belzebul) seja observado comendo grande porcentagem de folhas, nas estações de produção de frutos, porém, durante os dois picos anuais, (fevereiro e dezembro) tornam-se oportunisticamente frugívoros.

Notes on the ethnoicthyology of fishermen from the Tocantins river (Brazil)

Ethnobiology includes the study of how populations perceive and classify organisms. This study focuses on the utilization and classification of fishes by fishermen from the Tocantins river. The study area is located between the cities of Imperatriz and Estreito (Maranhão and Tocantins States). Interviews with fishermen and collection of fish species were performed from October 1987 to June 1988. The criteria used by fishermen to classify fish species are mainly morphological, such as related to body shape and coloration. Fish habitat is also an information used in folk classification. Terrestrial plants and animals are a reference for some fish names. Fishermen showed a deeper knowledge and detailed classification of species of fish used for food, sale, or medicine. Folk classification represents the knowledge a population has on its environment, and it is more detailed on species which are part of its realized niche as indicated by this study.

On occurrence, habitat specificity and natural history of adult tiger beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Cicindelinae) near Manaus, Central Amazonia, and key to the larvae of tiger beetle genera

Over a seven year period from 1991 to 1997, 22 species of tiger beetles, representing nine genera, were recorded near Manaus, Brazil. In the Whitewaterfloodplains along the Rio Solimões-Amazonas (Ilha de Marchantaria), three diurnal species inhabit inundation forests and six species (two diurnal, four nocturnal) live in open areas. Data on their natural history and adaptation to living conditions in floodplains are presented. Fifteen species were located on non-flooded uplands (Reserva Florestal A. Ducke). Five diurnal species inhabit the forest floor, two species are canopy dwellers, and eight species (seven diurnal, one nocturnal) live in open areas on whitesand or laterite. Only one species, Pentacomia lacordairei, was found in both floodplain and upland forests. A key to the larvae of tiger beetle genera located near Manaus is presented.

Utilization of waste materials to improve asphalt mixtures performance

This study aims to develop an innovative bitumen with large quantities of waste materials to improve asphalt mixtures performance. Different amounts of waste motor oil and waste HDPE were added to a new bitumen. The bitumen modified with 10% of waste motor oil and 5% of HDPE showed promising characteristics (high softening point temperatures and penetration slightly higher than the conventional bitumen). After the selection of the most promising modified bitumen, three asphalt mixtures were produced with different bitumens (namely conventional bitumen, commercial modified bitumen and the selected modified bitumen). Beyond that, this modified bitumen improved some mechanical characteristics of the asphalt mixture where it was used, in comparison to conventional and modified asphalt mixtures.

The food spectrum of the cardinal - tetra (Paracheirodon axelrodi, Characidae) in its natural habitat

The cardinal tetra (Paracheirodon axelrodi) is the most intensively commercialized ornamental fish from the Rio Negro Basin (Amazonas State, Brasil). Analysis of the stomach and gut contents of fish caught in their natural habitats show conclusively that the cardinal is essentially a predator, feeding on the mesofauna that adheres to submerged litter, roots and waterplants. Microcrustacea and chironomid larvae (Diptera) were the most frequently ingested prey, while algae intake was relatively infrequent. It is argued that the relatively small size of the cardinals captured in their natural habitat is due to the annual migrations imposed by the inundation cycles, rather than to resource limitation, because it is known from earlier investigations of similar habitats, that these plant substrates are densely colonized by the aquatic mesofauna. Cardinals raised in captivity are larger and have higher rates of growth.

Influência das condições do habitat sobre a estrutura de herbáceas aquáticas na região do Lago Catalão, Manaus, AM

Na Amazônia, as herbáceas aquáticas são encontradas em todas as tipologias de água, mas sua abundância pode ser influenciada pelas condições limnológicas de cada ambiente. Assim, este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a influência das condições do habitat sobre a estrutura de herbáceas aquáticas na região do Lago Catalão, Manaus, AM. Foram avaliadas sete transecções em ambientes de água branca (AB), nove em água decantada (AD) e sete em água mista (AM). Em cada transecção foram identificadas as herbáceas aquáticas, estimada a área de cobertura relativa, calculada a frequência de ocorrência e avaliadas as variáveis turbidez, condutividade elétrica, pH e profundidade. A variação na profundidade indicou que os ambientes de AD e AM eram mais profundos do que AB, já águas mais ácidas e com menor condutividade foram registradas na AM. Foram registrados 32 táxons de herbáceas aquáticas sendo as espécies mais frequentes Paspalum repens, Salvinia auriculata, Pistia stratiotes e Lemna valdiviana. Entre as espécies levantadas, 50% foram comuns aos três ambientes. Por outro lado, algumas espécies ocorreram exclusivamente em ambientes de AB, em AD e em AM. Na AB foram mais frequentes as formas flutuantes, que também apresentaram a maior cobertura neste ambiente; na AD e na AM as emersas apresentaram maior frequência e cobertura. A AM apresentou maior riqueza de herbáceas aquáticas em relação aos demais ambientes. As variações registradas indicam que as condições limnológicas dos rios de água branca e preta podem determinar a estrutura da comunidade de herbáceas aquáticas, mesmo em pequenas escalas espaciais.

Spawning habitat selection by Octopus vulgaris: new insights for a more effective management of this resource

The selection of spawning habitat of a population of Octopus vulgaris that is subject to a small-scale exploitation was studied in the Cíes Islands within the National Park of the Atlantic Islands of Galicia (NW Spain). The technique used was visual censuses by scuba diving. We conducted 93 visual censuses from April 2012 to April 2014. The total swept area was 123.69 ha. Habitat features (season, depth, zone, bottom temperature, swept area, bottom substrate type, and creels fishing impact) were evaluated as predictors of the presence/absence of spawning dens using GAM models. O. vulgaris has a noteworthy preference for spawning in areas with hard bottom substrate and moderate depth (approximately 20 m). The higher density of spawning dens (1.08ha−1) was found in a surveyed area of 50.14ha located in the northeastern part of the northern Cíes Island. We propose to protect the area comprised from Punta Escodelo to Punta Ferreiro between 5 and 30 m depth. This area has a surface of 158 ha equivalent to 5.98% of the total marine area of the Cíes islands. The strengths and weaknesses of a management strategy based on the protection of the species’ spawning habitat are discussed.

Utilización de biomarcadores para la evaluación integrada de la calidad del agua de la cuenca del río Suquía.Utilization of biomarkers for the integrated evaluation of water quality of the Suquía River Basin.

En los últimos años el grupo de investigación ha caracterizado la calidad de los cuerpos de agua, detectando gradientes de calidad ambiental que se manifiestan por la aparición de tóxicos que generan cambios en la calidad del agua, sedimento y especialmente en la biota. El presente proyecto propone una evaluación integrada de la contaminación de los recursos hídricos abarcando el estudio de las causas de la contaminación y las respuestas biológicas que se producen ante dichas alteraciones. Por ello nuestro objetivo principal es evaluar la contaminación de los recursos acuáticos a través del desarrollo y aplicación de diversas herramientas. El enfoque multidisciplinario del mismo permitirá integrar los análisis de las diferentes áreas de estudio, con el fin de brindarán soluciones al problema generalizado de la contaminación acuática. El fin último es alcanzar una mejor valoración de los cambios temporales y espaciales en la calidad de las cuencas hídricas. Se propone analizar la presencia y concentración de tóxicos en agua, suelo, sedimento y biota conjuntamente con la evaluación de los efectos sobre los organismos a diferentes niveles de organización, lo que permitirá determinar y seleccionar los indicadores más eficientes de la contaminación ambiental. Se desarrollarán biomarcadores moleculares basados en expresión genética en la biota acuática y biomarcadores morfológicos, histológicos y bioquímicos. Además se evaluará el efecto del estrés tóxico sobre los hábitos natatorios de peces utilizando un software recientemente desarrollado por el grupo. También se intensificará la búsqueda de biomarcadores específicos de disrupción endocrina en peces tales como aromatasa, vitelogenina, parámetros estáticos y dinámicos de espermatozoides y comportamiento de cortejo y cópula. Así, el plan propuesto brindará un conjunto de herramientas, con diverso grado de complejidad, para ser usadas en la correcta evaluación del impacto ambiental de las actividades humanas. El grupo de trabajo pretende realizar una fuerte contribución a los conocimientos de base para crear conciencia sobre el problema de las diferentes cuencas en estudio, a fin de llevar a cabo un control sostenido de la calidad de los recursos acuáticos.

Defining habitat characteristics influencing the distribution, density and growth of Plaice (Pleuronectes Platessa) and Dab (Limanda Limanda) on west of Ireland nursery grounds

Plaice (Pleuronectes platessa, L.) and dab (Limanda limanda, L.) are among the most abundant flatfishes in the north-eastern Atlantic region and the dominant species in shallow coastal nursery grounds. With increasing pressures on commercial flatfish stocks in combination with changing coastal environments, better knowledge of population dynamics during all life stages is needed to evaluate variability in year-class strength and recruitment to the fishery. The aim of this research was to investigate the complex interplay of biotic and abiotic habitat components influencing the distribution, density and growth of plaice and dab during the vulnerable juvenile life stage and to gain insight in spatial and temporal differences in nursery habitat quality along the west coast of Ireland. Intraspecific variability in plaice diet was observed at different spatial scales and showed a link with condition, recent growth and morphology. This highlights the effect of food availability on habitat quality and the need to consider small scale variation when attempting to link habitat quality to feeding, growth and condition of juvenile flatfish. There was evidence of trophic, spatial and temporal resource partitioning between juvenile plaice and dab allowing the co-existence of morphologically similar species in nursery grounds. In the limited survey years there was no evidence that the carrying capacity of the studied nursery grounds was reached but spatial and interannual variations in fish growth indicated fluctuating environments in terms of food availability, predator densities, sediment features and physico-chemical conditions. Predation was the most important factor affecting habitat quality for juvenile plaice and dab with crab densities negatively correlated to fish condition whereas shrimp densities were negatively associated with densities of small-sized juveniles in spring. A comparison of proxies for fish growth showed the advantage of Fulton’s K for routine use whereas RNA:DNA ratios proved less powerful when short-term environmental fluctuations are lacking. This study illustrated how distinct sets of habitat features can drive spatial variation in density and condition of juvenile flatfish highlighting the value of studying both variables when modeling habitat requirements. The habitat models generated in this study also provide a powerful tool to predict potential climate and anthropogenic impacts on the distribution and condition of juveniles in flatfish nurseries. The need for effective coastal zone management was emphasized to ensure a sustainable use of coastal resources and successful flatfish recruitment to the fishery.