implications for conservation planning in a Neotropical Hotspot

Covre, A. C., Lourenço-De-Moraes, R., Campos, F. S., & Benedito, E. (2022). Spatial relationships between fishes and amphibians: implications for conservation planning in a Neotropical Hotspot. Environmental Management, 70(6), 978–989. https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-1479895/v1, https://doi.org/10.1007/s00267-022-01707-7 ---- This work received financial support from CAPES (Finance Code 001), CNPq (151473/2018-8), FCT (PTDC/CTA-AMB/28438/2017), and MagIC/NOVA IMS (UIDB/04152/2020).Species distribution patterns are widely used to guide conservation planning and are a central issue in ecology. The usefulness of spatial correlation analysis has been highlighted in several ecological applications so far. However, spatial assumptions in ecology are highly scale-dependent, in which geographical relationships between species diversity and distributions can have different conservation concerns. Here, an integrative landscape planning was designed to show the spatial distribution patterns of taxonomic and functional diversity of amphibians and fishes, from multiple species traits regarding morphology, life history, and behavior. We used spatial, morphological, and ecological data of amphibians and fishes to calculate the functional diversity and the spatial correlation of species. Mapping results show that the higher taxonomic and functional diversity of fishes is concentrated in the West Atlantic Forest. Considering amphibians, are located in the East portion of the biome. The spatial correlation of species indicates the regions of the Serra do Mar and the extreme southern part of the Central Corridor as the main overlapped species distribution areas between both groups. New key conservation sites were reported within the Brazilian Atlantic Forest hotspot, revealing cross-taxon mismatches between terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems. This study offers useful spatial information integrating suitable habitats of fishes and amphibians to complement existing and future research based on terrestrial and freshwater conservation. New priorities for biodiversity conservation in rich-species regions highlight the importance of spatial pattern analysis to support land-use planning in a macroecological context.authorsversionpublishe

Global conservation prioritization areas in three dimensions of crocodilian diversity

Lourenço-De-Moraes, R., Campos, F. S., Cabral, P., Silva-Soares, T., Nobrega, Y. C., Covre, A. C., & França, F. G. R. (2023). Global conservation prioritization areas in three dimensions of crocodilian diversity. Scientific Reports, 13(1), 1-13. [2568 ]. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-28413-6. --- Funding: This work was supported by the 715 Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), under the project - 716 UIDB/04152/2020 - Information Management Research Center (MagIC/NOVA IMS), 717 and the European Union-Next Generation EU. This study was financed in part by the 718 CAPES - Finance Code 001.Crocodilians are a taxonomic group of large predators with important ecological and evolutionary benefits for ecosystem functioning in the face of global change. Anthropogenic actions affect negatively crocodilians' survival and more than half of the species are threatened with extinction worldwide. Here, we map and explore three dimensions of crocodilian diversity on a global scale. To highlight the ecological importance of crocodilians, we correlate the spatial distribution of species with the ecosystem services of nutrient retention in the world. We calculate the effectiveness of global protected networks in safeguarding crocodilian species and provide three prioritization models for conservation planning. Our results show the main hotspots of ecological and evolutionary values are in southern North, Central and South America, west-central Africa, northeastern India, and southeastern Asia. African species have the highest correlation to nutrient retention patterns. Twenty-five percent of the world's crocodilian species are not significantly represented in the existing protected area networks. The most alarming cases are reported in northeastern India, eastern China, and west-central Africa which include endangered species with low or non-significant representation in the protected area networks. Our highest conservation prioritization model targets southern North America, east-central Central America, northern South America, west-central Africa, northeastern India, eastern China, southern Laos, Cambodia, and some points in southeastern Asia. Our research provides a global prioritization scheme to protect multiple dimensions of crocodilian diversity for achieving effective conservation outcomes.publishersversionpublishe

Global conservation prioritization areas in three dimensions of crocodilian diversity

Crocodilians are a taxonomic group of large predators with important ecological and evolutionary benefits for ecosystem functioning in the face of global change. Anthropogenic actions affect negatively crocodilians' survival and more than half of the species are threatened with extinction worldwide. Here, we map and explore three dimensions of crocodilian diversity on a global scale. To highlight the ecological importance of crocodilians, we correlate the spatial distribution of species with the ecosystem services of nutrient retention in the world. We calculate the effectiveness of global protected networks in safeguarding crocodilian species and provide three prioritization models for conservation planning. Our results show the main hotspots of ecological and evolutionary values are in southern North, Central and South America, west-central Africa, northeastern India, and southeastern Asia. African species have the highest correlation to nutrient retention patterns. Twenty-five percent of the world's crocodilian species are not significantly represented in the existing protected area networks. The most alarming cases are reported in northeastern India, eastern China, and west-central Africa, which include threatened species with low or non-significant representation in the protected area networks. Our highest conservation prioritization model targets southern North America, east-central Central America, northern South America, west-central Africa, northeastern India, eastern China, southern Laos, Cambodia, and some points in southeastern Asia. Our research provides a global prioritization scheme to protect multiple dimensions of crocodilian diversity for achieving effective conservation outcomes

Morphological evaluation of fetal membranes and placenta of wild life Mazama gouazoubira deer in the first third of pregnancy

Mazama gouazoubira, o veado-catingueiro, é uma espécie de cervídeo de porte pequeno, que pode ser encontrado na América do Sul, desde o sul do Uruguai até o norte de Mato Grosso, no Brasil. Este estudo teve como objetivo descrever as membranas fetais e a placenta de M. gouazoubira no terço inicial de gestação. As amostras coletadas foram analisadas macroscopicamente e microscopicamente. O exame do útero demonstrou uma gestação univitelina e um embrião com crown-rump de 13mm. Na análise do embrião pode ser observado o olho pigmentado, as saliências auriculares, o mesonefro e e metanefro em desenvolvimento, o fígado e sua proeminência externa, o estômago, os membros torácicos e os brotos dos membros pélvicos. A placenta apresentou-se oligocotiledonária e no útero puderam ser observadas nove carúnculas. O saco gestacional mediu 15cm de comprimento e, como observado no início da gestação dos ruminantes domésticos, os cotilédones não puderam ser identificados macroscopicamente. Uma fraca adesão foi observada entre as carúnculas e a membrana corioalantóica (cotilédones) que formavam os placentônios. A membrana corioalantóica demonstrou um alantóide bem vascularizado composto por uma fina camada de células de núcleos e citoplasmas alongados. Na outra face da membrana, o cório foi composto por células cúbicas, de citoplasmas escassos e núcleos grandes e arredondados, características de células trofoblásticas. Envolvendo o embrião visualizou-se o saco amniótico constituído de duas camadas passíveis de separação mecânica, que apresentaram morfologia similar, sendo formadas por um epitélio pavimentoso avascular. Não foi observado saco vitelino no estágio gestacional do espécime estudado. Conclui-se que a placenta de M. gouazoubira é oligocotiledonária, como observado em outros cervídeos, e que as membranas fetais apresentam semelhanças com a de outros ruminantes, incluindo as características citológicas. Estudos adicionais são necessários para determinar a presença do saco vitelino e quando ocorre sua regressão.Mazama gouazoubira is a small-sized deer, which can be found in South America, from southern Uruguay to the north of Mato Grosso, Brazil. This study aimed to describe the fetal membranes and placenta of M. gouazoubira in the first third of pregnancy. Samples collected were macroscopically and microscopically analyzed. Uterus examination demonstrated univitelinic gestation with an embryo measuring a crown-rump length of 13mm. In the embryo analysis we could identify the pigmented eye, auricular hillocks, mesonephron and early metanephron, liver and its external prominence, stomach, thoracic members and buds of pelvic members. Placenta was oligocotyledonary and nine caruncles were found in the uterus. Gestational sac measured 15cm in length, and, as observed in the early gestation of domestic ruminants, cotyledons could not be identified macroscopically. A weak adhesion was found between caruncles and chorioallantoic membrane (cotyledons) forming the placentomes. The chorioallantoic membrane showed a well-vascularized allantoid composed by a thin layer of cells with stretched nucleus and cytoplasm. On the other side of the membrane, the chorion was composed by cubic cells with scant cytoplasm and large-rounded nuclei, features of trophoblast cells. Involving the embryo we identified a two-layered amniotic sac. Layers could be mechanically separated and had similar morphology, showing a non-vascularized squamous epithelium. There was no yolk sac in the gestational stage of this specimen. We concluded that the placenta of M. gouazoubira is an oligocotyledonary placenta, as observed in others cervids, and that the fetal membranes showed similarities with those from other domestic ruminants, including cytological characteristics. Further studies are required in order to determine the presence of the yolk sac and its regression time

Produção da banana nanicão (musa sp.) em função de tipos e doses de biofertilizantes

 O uso de biofertilizantes na fruticultura vem sendo estudado em diferentes regiões do Brasil, por serem consideradas fontes de nutrientes para as culturas de fácil acesso e de baixo custo. O trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o crescimento vegetativo da bananeira (Musa sp.) 'Nanica' submetida à aplicação via radicular de diferentes tipos e dosagens de biofertilizantes. O experimento foi conduzido, em condições de campo no Centro de Ciências Humanas e Agrárias (CCHA) da Universidade Estadual da Paraíba (UEPB), Campus Catolé do Rocha. O delineamento experimental foi de blocos casualizados no esquema fatorial 5 x 10, sendo 5 tipos de biofertilizantes (B1 = Esterco bovino (EB); B2 = EB+ farinha de rocha (FR); B3 = EB + FR+ leguminosa (L); B4 = EB+FR+ cinza de madeira (C); e B5 = EB+FR +L+C) e 10 doses (0; 0,3; 0,6; 0,9; 1,2; 1,5; 1,8; 2,1; 2,4 e 2,7 L planta-1 aplicação-1) com quatro repetições.Foramavaliado duranteo 1º e o 2º ciclodacultura, a altura da planta, o diâmetro do caule, o número de folhas ea área foliar unitária e total. Para as variáveis estudadas as dosagens de biofertilizantes não apresentaram efeitos significativos, porém os tipos de biofertilizantes foram significativos colaborando ao aumento da área foliar da planta

Produção da bananeira nanica (1º ciclo) em função da aplicação de doses de biofertilizantes líquidos

Objetivou-se com este trabalho, estudar os efeitos de 5 tipos e 10 doses de biofertilizantes na produção da bananeira Nanica (1º ciclo). O experimento foi conduzido, em condições de campo, no CCHA, pertencente a Universidade Estadual da Paraíba-UEPB, Campus Catolé do Rocha-PB. O delineamento experimental adotado foi o de blocos casualizados, com 50 tratamentos, no esquema fatorial 5 x 10, com quatro repetições, totalizando 200 parcelas experimentais. O valor do número de frutos por planta aumentou com o incremento da dose do biofertilizante B4 até um limite ótimo; o peso total de pencas por cacho aumentou linearmente com o incremento da dose de biofertilizante, atingindo o valor maior máximo na dose máxima; o peso médio de penca aumentou linearmente com o incremento da dose do biofertilizante B2, atingindo o maior valor na dose máxima; o peso médio do fruto e o peso do fruto médio aumentaram linearmente com o aumento da dose do biofertilizante B5, atingindo os maiores valores na dose máxima; a aplicação de (B5) proporcionou maior peso médio do fruto e peso do fruto médio

Rate-Induced Transitions in Networked Complex Adaptive Systems: Exploring Dynamics and Management Implications Across Ecological, Social, and Socioecological Systems

Complex adaptive systems (CASs), from ecosystems to economies, are open systems and inherently dependent on external conditions. While a system can transition from one state to another based on the magnitude of change in external conditions, the rate of change -- irrespective of magnitude -- may also lead to system state changes due to a phenomenon known as a rate-induced transition (RIT). This study presents a novel framework that captures RITs in CASs through a local model and a network extension where each node contributes to the structural adaptability of others. Our findings reveal how RITs occur at a critical environmental change rate, with lower-degree nodes tipping first due to fewer connections and reduced adaptive capacity. High-degree nodes tip later as their adaptability sources (lower-degree nodes) collapse. This pattern persists across various network structures. Our study calls for an extended perspective when managing CASs, emphasizing the need to focus not only on thresholds of external conditions but also the rate at which those conditions change, particularly in the context of the collapse of surrounding systems that contribute to the focal system's resilience. Our analytical method opens a path to designing management policies that mitigate RIT impacts and enhance resilience in ecological, social, and socioecological systems. These policies could include controlling environmental change rates, fostering system adaptability, implementing adaptive management strategies, and building capacity and knowledge exchange. Our study contributes to the understanding of RIT dynamics and informs effective management strategies for complex adaptive systems in the face of rapid environmental change.Comment: 25 pages, 4 figures, 1 box, supplementary informatio

The Trypanosoma cruzi vitamin C dependent peroxidase confers protection against oxidative stress but is not a determinant of virulence.

BACKGROUND: The neglected parasitic infection Chagas disease is rapidly becoming a globalised public health issue due to migration. There are only two anti-parasitic drugs available to treat this disease, benznidazole and nifurtimox. Thus it is important to identify and validate new drug targets in Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent. T. cruzi expresses an ER-localised ascorbate-dependent peroxidase (TcAPx). This parasite-specific enzyme has attracted interest from the perspective of targeted chemotherapy. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: To assess the importance of TcAPx in protecting T. cruzi from oxidative stress and to determine if it is essential for virulence, we generated null mutants by targeted gene disruption. Loss of activity was associated with increased sensitivity to exogenous hydrogen peroxide, but had no effect on susceptibility to the front-line Chagas disease drug benznidazole. This suggests that increased oxidative stress in the ER does not play a significant role in its mechanism of action. Homozygous knockouts could proceed through the entire life-cycle in vitro, although they exhibited a significant decrease in their ability to infect mammalian cells. To investigate virulence, we exploited a highly sensitive bioluminescence imaging system which allows parasites to be monitored in real-time in the chronic stage of murine infections. This showed that depletion of enzyme activity had no effect on T. cruzi replication, dissemination or tissue tropism in vivo. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: TcAPx is not essential for parasite viability within the mammalian host, does not have a significant role in establishment or maintenance of chronic infections, and should therefore not be considered a priority for drug design

Antipsychotic prescribing for vulnerable populations: a clinical audit at an acute Australian mental health unit at two-time points

Background: Antipsychotics are recognised as a critical intervention for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Guidelines globally endorse the routine practice of antipsychotic monotherapy, at the minimum effective dose. Even in treatmentresistant schizophrenia, clozapine use is endorsed before combining antipsychotics. This aim of this study was to review antipsychotic polytherapy alone, high-dose therapy alone, polytherapy and highdose prescribing patterns in adults discharged from an inpatient mental health unit at two time-points, and the alignment of this prescribing with clinical guideline recommendations. Additionally, associations with polytherapy and high-dose antipsychotic prescribing, including patient and clinical characteristics, were explored. Methods: A retrospective clinical audit of 400 adults (200 patients at two different time-points) discharged with at least one antipsychotic. Preliminary findings and education sessions were provided to physicians between Cohorts. Outcomes (polytherapy alone, high-dose therapy alone, polytherapy and high-dose therapy) were compared between study Cohorts using chi-squared and rank-sum tests. Associations between outcomes and covariates were assessed using multivariable logistic regression. Results: Most patients (62.5%) were discharged on a single antipsychotic within the recommended dose range. There was a clear preference for prescribing second generation antipsychotics, and in this respect, prescribing is aligned with current evidence-based guidelines. However, sub-optimal prescribing practices were identified for both Cohorts in relation to polytherapy and high-dose antipsychotic rates. Involuntary treatment, frequent hospitalisations and previous clozapine use significantly increased the risk of all three prescribing outcomes at discharge. Conclusions: In a significant minority, antipsychotic prescribing did not align with clinical guidelines despite increased training, indicating that the education program alone was ineffective at positively influencing antipsychotic prescribing practices. Further consideration should be given when prescribing antipsychotics for involuntary patients, people with frequent hospitalisations, and those who have previously trialled clozapine

BLOG LITERÁRIO: : O uso da tecnologia digital como instrumento de interação entre os alunos do IFC e a comunidade

O Blog é uma ferramenta de comunicação digital cuja adesão tem sido cada vez maior entre os jovens. Além de abrigar textos de gêneros diversos, nele, o blogueiro constrói-se e constrói uma relação com o leitor por meio de publicações ou posts. Levando-se em consideração o acesso, cada vez mais irrestrito, dos jovens à internet e a afinidade deles com o gênero blog, o presente projeto objetiva criar um blog literário no qual os alunos do IFC e a comunidade externa publiquem textos de tipologias diversas. Espera-se, com isto, ampliar o espaço de diálogo entre os envolvidos, bem como estimular a produção escrita em Língua portuguesa