Ultrasonographic evaluation of embryo-fetal development of Saint Ines breed of ewes

Avaliou-se, por ultra-sonografia transretal, o desenvolvimento embrionário-fetal de ovinos Santa Inês, identificando o dia da primeira visualização dos principais parâmetros da gestação de sessenta ovelhas entre o 15° e o 45° dia de gestação. A identificação mais precoce e mais tardia dos parâmetros avaliados ocorreu entre os dias 15 e 19 (16,7 ± 1,3) da gestação para líquido intra-uterino, 16 e 22 (18,6 ± 1,4) para vesícula embrionária, 18 e 26 (22,8 ± 1,9) para embrião, 20 e 29 (25,1 ± 2,0) para placentomas, 24 e 29 (25,9 ± 1,4) para batimento cardíaco, 24 e 32 (27,4 ± 1,8) para membrana amniótica, 30 e 37 (33,4 ± 2,2) para diferenciação entre cabeça e tronco, 30 e 38 (34,2 ± 2,0) para movimento do feto, 32 e 39 (35,1 ± 1,5) para cordão umbilical, 34 e 39 (36,7 ± 1,5) para botão dos membros anteriores e posteriores e entre os dias 39 e 43 (40,9 ± 1,2) para globo ocular. Conclui-se que é possível identificar os primeiros sinais de gestação já no 15º dia, todavia, é prudente que o diagnóstico de gestação somente seja emitido a partir do 24º dia, quando é possível visualizar o embrião e seus batimentos cardíacos. __________________________________________________________________________________________ ABSTRACTThis study was evaluated, by transretal ultrasound, the embryonic-fetal development from days 15th to 45th of gestation visualizing the first signs of gestation in 60 Sant Inês ewes. The identification of the earliest and the latest parameters of evaluation were performed between days 15th to 19th (16.7 ± 1.3) of pregnancy for intra-uterine fluid, . embryonic vesicle between days 16th to 22nd (18.6 ± 1.4), embryo between 18th to 26th (22.8 ± 1.9), placentoms between 20th to 29th (25.1 ± 2.0), heartbeat between days 24th to 29th (25.9 ± 1.4), amniotic membrane between 24th to 32nd (27.4 ± 1.8), head and upper body differentiation between 30th to 37th (33.4 ± 2.2), fetus movement between 30th to 38th (34.2 ± 2.0), umbilical cord between 32nd to 39th (35.1 ± 1.5), button of the anterior and posterior members between 34th to 39th (36.7 ± 1.5) and ocular globe between days 39th to 43th (40.9 ± 1.2). It was concluded that the first signs of gestation can be identified as soon as day 15th days of gestation. However, it is wise diagnosing pregnancy after day 24th, when it is possible to visualize the fetus and the heart beat

Spermatic and seminal evaluation in Young Boer goats born in the rainy and dry season

Este trabalho objetivou determinar motilidade, turbilhonamento, vigor, defeitos maiores e menores dos espermatozoides de caprinos da raça Boer durante a estação chuvosa (n = 11) e seca (n = 11). Na estação chuvosa, a concentração espermática variou de 0,90 ± 1,46 x 109/mL a 2,7 x 109/mL, a motilidade progressiva de 16,0% a 62,0%, o turbilhonamento de 0,3 a 2,6 , vigor de 1,1 a 2,8 , defeitos maiores de 18,3% a 3% e menores de 16,1% a 3,4%. Na estação seca, a concentração espermática variou de 0,96 x 109/mL a 2,15 x 109/mL, a motilidade progressiva de 35,4% a 64,1%, o turbilhonamento de 1,7 a 3,1, vigor de 2,0 a 3,0, defeitos maiores de 16,9% a 4,2% e menores de 17,5% a 3,2%. Foi registrada correlação positiva (P < 0,05) entre motilidade espermática vs turbilhonamento espermático, respectivamente, para a estação chuvosa e seca, motilidade espermática vs vigor espermático bem como negativa entre motilidade progressiva vs defeitos maiores dos espermatozoides e entre motilidade progressiva e defeitos menores dos espermatozoides. Dessa forma, pode-se concluir que machos caprinos da raça Boer nascidos na estação seca têm atraso de três meses do início da maturidade sexual em comparação àqueles nascidos na estação chuvosa. __________________________________________________________________________________________ ABSTRACTThis study had the objective to distinguish spermatic and seminal parameters in animals born during the dry (n=11) and rainy (n=11) seasons. In the rainy season, the spermatic concentration ranging from 0.90 to 2.7 x 109/mL, the progressive motility from 16.0% to 62.0%, the mass movement from 0.3 to 2.6, vigor from 1.1 to 2.8, major sperm defects of 18.3% to 3 % and minor sperm defects from 16.1% to 3.4% . In the dry season, the spermatic concentration varied from 0.96 to 2.15 x 109/mL, the progressive motility from 35.4% to 64.1%, the mass movement form 1.7 to 3.1, vigor from 2.0 to 3.0, major sperm defects from 16.9% to 4.2% and minor sperm defects from 17.5% to 3.2%. It was observed positive correlation between spermatic motility versus spermatic mass movement, spermatic motility versus spermatic vigor as well as a negative correlation between motility versus major sperm defects of the spermatozoa and between motility and spermatozoa smaller defects respectively, in the rainy and dry seasons. Based on these results we conclude that Boer male goats born in dry season have sexual retardation of three months in comparison to those born in the rainy station

Fetal sexing by ultrasonography identifying the genital tubercle or external genitalia of American Alpine goats

Neste trabalho objetivou-se diagnosticar precocemente o sexo de fetos caprinos da raça Alpina Americana através da ultra-sonografia, identificando-se a posição final do tubérculo genital (TG) ou visualizando-se as estruturas anatômicas da genitália externa, bem como avaliar a acurácia da sexagem fetal resultante de exame único ou repetido. No Grupo I (GI), identificou-se o sexo levando-se em consideração o posicionamento final do TG, e no Grupo II (GII) a presença de estruturas anatômicas da genitália externa. Realizaram-se os exames por via transretal com aparelho de ultra-som (240 Parus - Pie Medical) equipado com transdutor linear de 6 e 8 MHz. No GI, 52 fetos de 32 matrizes foram monitorados em intervalos de doze horas, do 40º ao 60º dia de gestação. No GII, submeteram-se 34 fetos de 24 matrizes com gestação entre 45 e 70 dias a exame único. A acurácia da sexagem no GI foi de 100% na gestação simples, 87,5% na dupla e 66,7% na tríplice, sendo registrada diferença significativa (P 0,05) entre ambas. A migração do TG genital ocorreu, em média, no 46,4 ± 2,1 dia de gestação. Os resultados permitem concluir que a ultra-sonografia é um método apropriado para diagnosticar precocemente o sexo fetal através da identificação da posição final do TG ou da visualização de estruturas anatômicas da genitália externa e que exames repetidos não aumentam a acurácia da sexagem fetal na gestação múltipla. __________________________________________________________________________________________ ABSTRACTThe aim of this study was to diagnostic previously the gender of American Alpine fetuses by ultrasonography identifying the final position of the genital tubercle (GT) or viewing the anatomical structures of external genitalia, as well as to evaluate the accuracy of fetal sexing by single or repeated exams. In Group I (GI), the gender was defined by the final position of the GT and in Group II (GII) by the anatomical structures of external genitalia. The exami¬nations were carried out with an ultrasound device by via transrectal equipped with a linear transducer with 6.0 and 8.0 MHz. In GI, 52 fetuses of 32 goats were monitored each 12 hours, from 40th to the 60th day of pregnancy. In GII, the examination was performed only once in 34 fetuses of 24 goats with pregnancy between 45 and 70 days. The accuracy in GI was 100% in single, 87.5% in twin and 66.7% in triple pregnancy, with significant difference (P 0.05) between single and twin pregnancies. The final migration of GT occured on the 46.4 ± 2.1 days of pregnancy. The results allow to conclude that ultrasonography is a suitable method to early diagnostic the fetal sex by visualization of final position of GT or by identification of external genitalia structures and that repeated exams did not increase the accuracy of fetal sexing on the multiple pregnancy

Photography-based taxonomy is inadequate, unnecessary, and potentially harmful for biological sciences

The question whether taxonomic descriptions naming new animal species without type specimen(s) deposited in collections should be accepted for publication by scientific journals and allowed by the Code has already been discussed in Zootaxa (Dubois & Nemésio 2007; Donegan 2008, 2009; Nemésio 2009a–b; Dubois 2009; Gentile & Snell 2009; Minelli 2009; Cianferoni & Bartolozzi 2016; Amorim et al. 2016). This question was again raised in a letter supported by 35 signatories published in the journal Nature (Pape et al. 2016) on 15 September 2016. On 25 September 2016, the following rebuttal (strictly limited to 300 words as per the editorial rules of Nature) was submitted to Nature, which on 18 October 2016 refused to publish it. As we think this problem is a very important one for zoological taxonomy, this text is published here exactly as submitted to Nature, followed by the list of the 493 taxonomists and collection-based researchers who signed it in the short time span from 20 September to 6 October 2016

ATLANTIC EPIPHYTES: a data set of vascular and non-vascular epiphyte plants and lichens from the Atlantic Forest

Epiphytes are hyper-diverse and one of the frequently undervalued life forms in plant surveys and biodiversity inventories. Epiphytes of the Atlantic Forest, one of the most endangered ecosystems in the world, have high endemism and radiated recently in the Pliocene. We aimed to (1) compile an extensive Atlantic Forest data set on vascular, non-vascular plants (including hemiepiphytes), and lichen epiphyte species occurrence and abundance; (2) describe the epiphyte distribution in the Atlantic Forest, in order to indicate future sampling efforts. Our work presents the first epiphyte data set with information on abundance and occurrence of epiphyte phorophyte species. All data compiled here come from three main sources provided by the authors: published sources (comprising peer-reviewed articles, books, and theses), unpublished data, and herbarium data. We compiled a data set composed of 2,095 species, from 89,270 holo/hemiepiphyte records, in the Atlantic Forest of Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay, recorded from 1824 to early 2018. Most of the records were from qualitative data (occurrence only, 88%), well distributed throughout the Atlantic Forest. For quantitative records, the most common sampling method was individual trees (71%), followed by plot sampling (19%), and transect sampling (10%). Angiosperms (81%) were the most frequently registered group, and Bromeliaceae and Orchidaceae were the families with the greatest number of records (27,272 and 21,945, respectively). Ferns and Lycophytes presented fewer records than Angiosperms, and Polypodiaceae were the most recorded family, and more concentrated in the Southern and Southeastern regions. Data on non-vascular plants and lichens were scarce, with a few disjunct records concentrated in the Northeastern region of the Atlantic Forest. For all non-vascular plant records, Lejeuneaceae, a family of liverworts, was the most recorded family. We hope that our effort to organize scattered epiphyte data help advance the knowledge of epiphyte ecology, as well as our understanding of macroecological and biogeographical patterns in the Atlantic Forest. No copyright restrictions are associated with the data set. Please cite this Ecology Data Paper if the data are used in publication and teaching events. © 2019 The Authors. Ecology © 2019 The Ecological Society of Americ

Sexing goat fetuses with visualization of the external genitalia structures by ultrasound

Foram conduzidos dois experimentos para avaliar a eficiência da ultra-sonografia na visualização da genitália externa de fetos caprinos. No primeiro estudo determinou-se o período ideal para sexar fetos caprinos pela ultra-sonografia transretal considerando as estruturas da genitália externa. Foram monitorados diariamente, 94 fetos das raças Boer (n = 36), Parda Alpina (n = 31) e Anglo-Nubiana (n = 27), do 40o ao 60o dia de gestação, utilizando um transdutor linear de 6,0 e 8,0 MHz, para determinar o dia do posicionamento final do tubérculo genital (TG) e o primeiro dia de visualização da bolsa escrotal, pênis, tetas e clitóris. O posicionamento final do TG ocorreu no dia 47,11 ± 1,45 nos machos e no dia 45,62 ± 1,36 nas fêmeas e a visualização das estruturas da genitália externa no dia 49,42 ± 2,20 (bolsa escrotal), dia 49,37 ± 2,19 (pênis), dia 49,23 ± 1,75 (tetas) e no dia 49,98 ± 2,52 (clitóris). A bolsa escrotal, pênis, tetas e clitóris somente foram visualizadas, respectivamente, após os dias 2,28 ± 2,16, 2,23 ± 2,23, 3,62 ± 1,50 e 4,36 ± 2,27 do final da migração do TG. Os dados mostraram que a migração do TG no feto fêmea é mais precoce (P 0,05) entre as estruturas do mesmo sexo. Conclui-se que a ultra-sonografia pela via transretal é uma ferramenta importante para identificar o sexo fetal de caprinos visualizando as estruturas da genitália externa antes do 55o dia de gestação. No segundo estudo, teve-se o objetivo de determinar o período ideal de sexar fetos caprinos provenientes de gestação simples (GS) e dupla (GD), utilizando o transdutor linear de dupla freqüência (6,0 e 8,0 MHz). Foram diariamente examinados 94 fetos das raças Boer (11 GS e 25 GD), Parda Alpina (10 GS e 21 GD) e Anglo-Nubiana (8 GS e 19 GD), do 40o ao 60o dia de gestação, para determinar o dia do posicionamento final do TG e o primeiro dia de visualização da bolsa escrotal, pênis, tetas e clitóris. Na GS, o posicionamento final do TG dos fetos machos ocorreu no dia 46,83 ± 0,72 e das fêmeas no dia 45,71 ± 1,10, não havendo diferença (P > 0,05) entre feto macho e fêmea, bem como entre raças. A visualização da bolsa escrotal ocorreu no dia 49,17 ± 2,41, do pênis no dia 49,25 ± 2,09, das tetas no dia 49,06 ± 1,78 e do clitóris no dia 50,88 ± 3,26, não havendo diferença (P > 0,05) entre os dias ix de visualização. A bolsa escrotal, pênis, tetas e clitóris somente foram visualizados, respectivamente, após os dias 2,33 ± 2,35, 2,42 ± 2,19, 3,35 ± 1,46 e 5,18 ± 2,81 do final da migração do TG, não havendo diferença (P > 0,05) entre bolsa escrotal, pênis e tetas, entre tetas e clitóris, sendo a visualização do clitóris mais tardia (P 0,05) entre os dias de visualização. A bolsa escrotal, pênis, tetas e clitóris somente foram visualizados, respectivamente, após os dias 2,30 ± 2,15, 2,20 ± 2,25, 3,68 ± 1,54 e 3,82 ± 1,72 do final da migração do TG, não havendo diferença (P > 0,05) entre bolsa escrotal e pênis, entre tetas e clitóris, sendo a visualização do clitóris mais tardia (P 0.05) between same sex structures. It was concluded that ultrasound by the transrectal via is an important tool to identify the fetal sex in goat and that is possible to sex fetuses of the studied breeds before 55th day of gestation, considering only the visualization of the external genital structures. The second study the objective was to determine the ideal period to early sex goat fetuses proceeding from simple (SP) and twin (TP) pregnancy. Daily 94 fetuses of Boer (11 SP and 25 TP), Alpine Brown (10 SP and 21 TP) and Anglo-Nubian (8 SP and 19 TP) had been examined, from day 40 to 60 of gestation, to determine the day of the final positioning of the GT and the first visualization day of the scrotum, penis, nipples and clitoris, using a double frequency (6.0 and 8.0 MHz) linear transducer. The final positioning of the GT of male fetuses in the SP occurred in the day 46.83 ± 0.72 and in the females was at day 45.71 ± 1.10, with no difference (P > 0.05) between female and male fetus, as well as between breeds. The visualization of the scrotum occurred in day 49.17 ± 2.41, penis in day 49.25 ± 2.09, nipples in day 49.06 ± 1.78 and the clitoris in day 50.88 ± 3.26, having no difference (P > 0.05) between visualization days. The scrotum, penis, nipples and clitoris had been only visualized, respectively, after days 2.33 ± 2.35, 2.42 ± 2.19, 3.35 ± 1.46 and 5.18 ± 2.81 the migration end of the GT, with no difference (P > 0.05) between scrotum, penis and nipples and between nipples and clitoris, however the clitoris visualization was later (P 0.05) between the visualization days. The scrotum, penis, nipples and clitoris had been only visualized, respectively, after days 2.30 ± 2.15, 2.20 ± 2.25, 3.68 ± 1.54 and 3.82 ± 1.72 in the end of the GT migration, with no difference (P > 0.05)involving scrotum and penis, between nipples and clitoris, although the visualization of the clitoris was more delayed (P < 0.05) than the scrotum and penis. One concludes that the ultrasound by the transrectal via is an efficient to identify the goat fetal sex of the studied breeds before day 55th of gestation, only considering the visualization the external genital structures in simple and twin gestation.Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPE

Clinical, pathological and reproductive aspects in cattle poisoned by the pods of Stryphnodendron fissuratum

Foram realizados dois estudos para constatar a capacidade e os efeitos da intoxicação das favas de Stryphnodendron fissuratum em vacas prenhes com diferentes concentrações. No primeiro experimento, foram avaliadas as propriedades abortivas e os sinais clínicos da intoxicação pelas favas de S. fissuratum em oito vacas prenhes. As vacas que ingeriram três doses diárias de 3,0 g/kg de peso corporal e uma que ingeriu três doses diárias de 3,3 g/kg das vagens apresentaram sinais clínicos digestivos e abortos, porém, a dose mais elevada foi fatal. Alterações neurológicas também foram observadas nas vacas que receberam as vagens da planta. Uma vaca e outros dois bovinos que ingeriram doses totalizando 6,5 g/kg e 7,5 g/kg, respectivamente, não apresentaram sinais clínicos e pariram bezerros normais. Estes resultados demonstram que S. fisuratum provoca distúrbios digestivos e nervosos, além de aborto em bovinos. No segundo experimento, objetivou-se caracterizar as lesões macroscópicas e histopatológicas da intoxicação por S. fissuratum (Mimosoideae). Suas favas foram administradas por via oral a oito bovinos. Os bovinos que receberam doses de 9,0 g/kg e 10 g/kg morreram intoxicados. Um bovino que recebeu uma dose de 6,5 g/kg adoeceu e se recuperou. Apenas os animais que receberam uma dose de 7,5 g/kg não adoeceram. À necropsia, as principais lesões estavam associadas ao sistema digestório e consistiram em necrose do epitélio e congestão da mucosa do rúmen e abomaso. Vastas áreas de erosão e ulceração foram observadas na mucosa oral, esôfago, retículos e mucosa do abomaso. Histologicamente havia degeneração, espongiose, presença de células acantolíticas e necróticas na mucosa do rúmen, retículo e omaso. As lesões hepáticas foram caracterizadas por marcado edema de hepatócitos, vacuolização hepatocelular, focos individuais ou aleatoriamente distribuídos de necrose hepatocelular e retenção biliar. Lesões no sistema nervoso central foram identificadas no tronco cerebral e consistiram em espongiose da substância branca da medula oblonga, pedúnculos cerebelares. No cerebelo e córtex cerebral havia presença de pequenas áreas de malácia da substância branca. Estes resultados demonstram que S. fissuratum provoca distúrbios digestivos, lesões hepáticas, renais e neurológicas em bovinos.Two studies were conducted to verify the ability and the effects of intoxication beans Stryphnodendron fissuratum in pregnant cows with different concentrations. In the first experiment, the abortive properties and the clinical features of poisoning by the pods of S. fissuratum were studied in 8 pregnant cattle. One cattle that ingested 3 daily doses of 3.0 g/kg body weight and 1 that ingested 3 daily doses of 3.3 g/kg of the pods showed digestive clinical signs and aborted, but a higher dose was fatal. Signs of the digestive and central nervous system were observed in cattle that received the pods of the plant. One cattle and other two that ingested doses of 6.5 g/kg and 7.5 g/kg, respectively, did not showed clinical signs and delivered normal calves. These results demonstrate that S. fisuratum causes digestive and nervous disorders, beyond abortion in cattle. In the second experiment aimed to characterize the macroscopic and histopathological lesions of poisoning by S. fissuratum (Mimosoideae). Its pods were given orally to 8 cattle. The cattle that received doses of 9.0 g/kg and 10 g/kg died poisoned. One cattle that received dose of 6.5 g/kg recovered. Only the animals that received one dose of 7.5 g/kg did not become sick. At post-mortem examination the main lesions were digestive associated and consisted in breaking up of the epithelium and congestion of the mucosa of forestomachs and abomasum. Widespread areas of erosion and ulceration were observed at oral mucosa, esophagus, reticulums and abomasums mucosa. At these areas the main lesions were neutrophils infiltration, vacuolization of the epithelial lining, swelling and dissociation of cells with cytoplasmic eosinophilia, pyknosis, karyorrhexis and nuclear karyolysis. At the central nervous system, the main lesions were identified in the brain of goats that received 10 g/kg of pods and consisted of spongiosis of the brainstem’s white matter. The poisoning was characterized by damage to organs of digestive system, kidney and central nervous system.Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPESConselho Nacional de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico - CNP

NEOTROPICAL CARNIVORES: a data set on carnivore distribution in the Neotropics

Mammalian carnivores are considered a key group in maintaining ecological health and can indicate potential ecological integrity in landscapes where they occur. Carnivores also hold high conservation value and their habitat requirements can guide management and conservation plans. The order Carnivora has 84 species from 8 families in the Neotropical region: Canidae; Felidae; Mephitidae; Mustelidae; Otariidae; Phocidae; Procyonidae; and Ursidae. Herein, we include published and unpublished data on native terrestrial Neotropical carnivores (Canidae; Felidae; Mephitidae; Mustelidae; Procyonidae; and Ursidae). NEOTROPICAL CARNIVORES is a publicly available data set that includes 99,605 data entries from 35,511 unique georeferenced coordinates. Detection/non-detection and quantitative data were obtained from 1818 to 2018 by researchers, governmental agencies, non-governmental organizations, and private consultants. Data were collected using several methods including camera trapping, museum collections, roadkill, line transect, and opportunistic records. Literature (peer-reviewed and grey literature) from Portuguese, Spanish and English were incorporated in this compilation. Most of the data set consists of detection data entries (n = 79,343; 79.7%) but also includes non-detection data (n = 20,262; 20.3%). Of those, 43.3% also include count data (n = 43,151). The information available in NEOTROPICAL CARNIVORES will contribute to macroecological, ecological, and conservation questions in multiple spatio-temporal perspectives. As carnivores play key roles in trophic interactions, a better understanding of their distribution and habitat requirements are essential to establish conservation management plans and safeguard the future ecological health of Neotropical ecosystems. Our data paper, combined with other large-scale data sets, has great potential to clarify species distribution and related ecological processes within the Neotropics. There are no copyright restrictions and no restriction for using data from this data paper, as long as the data paper is cited as the source of the information used. We also request that users inform us of how they intend to use the data

NEOTROPICAL ALIEN MAMMALS: a data set of occurrence and abundance of alien mammals in the Neotropics

Biological invasion is one of the main threats to native biodiversity. For a species to become invasive, it must be voluntarily or involuntarily introduced by humans into a nonnative habitat. Mammals were among first taxa to be introduced worldwide for game, meat, and labor, yet the number of species introduced in the Neotropics remains unknown. In this data set, we make available occurrence and abundance data on mammal species that (1) transposed a geographical barrier and (2) were voluntarily or involuntarily introduced by humans into the Neotropics. Our data set is composed of 73,738 historical and current georeferenced records on alien mammal species of which around 96% correspond to occurrence data on 77 species belonging to eight orders and 26 families. Data cover 26 continental countries in the Neotropics, ranging from Mexico and its frontier regions (southern Florida and coastal-central Florida in the southeast United States) to Argentina, Paraguay, Chile, and Uruguay, and the 13 countries of Caribbean islands. Our data set also includes neotropical species (e.g., Callithrix sp., Myocastor coypus, Nasua nasua) considered alien in particular areas of Neotropics. The most numerous species in terms of records are from Bos sp. (n = 37,782), Sus scrofa (n = 6,730), and Canis familiaris (n = 10,084); 17 species were represented by only one record (e.g., Syncerus caffer, Cervus timorensis, Cervus unicolor, Canis latrans). Primates have the highest number of species in the data set (n = 20 species), partly because of uncertainties regarding taxonomic identification of the genera Callithrix, which includes the species Callithrix aurita, Callithrix flaviceps, Callithrix geoffroyi, Callithrix jacchus, Callithrix kuhlii, Callithrix penicillata, and their hybrids. This unique data set will be a valuable source of information on invasion risk assessments, biodiversity redistribution and conservation-related research. There are no copyright restrictions. Please cite this data paper when using the data in publications. We also request that researchers and teachers inform us on how they are using the data