Morphological and molecular characteristics do not confirm popular classification of the Brazil nut tree in Acre, Brazil

In the State of Acre, the Brazil nut tree, Bertholletia excelsa (Lecythidaceae), is classified by the local population into two types according to morphological characteristics, including color and quality of wood, shape of the trunk and crown, and fruit production. We examined the reliability of this classification by comparing morphological and molecular data of four populations of Brazil nut trees from Vale do Rio Acre in the Brazilian Amazon. For the morphological analysis, we evaluated qualitative and quantitative information of the trees, fruits, and seeds. The molecular analysis was performed using RAPD and ISSR markers, with cluster analysis. Significant differences were found between the two types of Brazil nut trees for the characters diameter at breast height, fruit yield, fruit size, and number of seeds per fruit. Despite the significant correlation between the morphological characteristics and the popular classification, we observed all possible combinations of morphological characteristics in both types of Brazil nut trees. In some individuals, the classification did not correspond to any of the characteristics. The results obtained with molecular markers showed that the two locally classified types of Brazil nut trees did not differ genetically, indicating that there is no consistent separation between them.12340184027Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuaria (EMBRAPAunits Acre and Recursos Geneticos e Biotecnologia)Fundacao de Tecnologia do Estado do Acre (FUNTAC)Instituto Internacional de Educacao do Brasil (IIEB)Gordon and Betty Moore Foundatio

Tabagismo e consumo de álcool em estudantes universitários: prevalência e fatores associados Smoking and alcohol consumption among university students: prevalence and associated factors

O presente estudo teve o objetivo de verificar a prevalência de tabagismo e consumo de álcool entre estudantes da Universidade Federal de Pelotas (UFPel), além de investigar os fatores associados a esses comportamentos. A amostra foi composta por 485 alunos que ingressaram na UFPel em 2008. Os alunos foram selecionados de maneira aleatória entre cursos de todas as áreas da UFPel e responderam a um questionário pré-testado na sala de aula, sob supervisão da equipe de pesquisa. Dos indivíduos entrevistados, 53,9% eram do sexo feminino e 42,3% tinham menos de 20 anos. Em relação ao consumo de álcool, 75% da amostra o utilizam pelo menos uma vez por mês; a prevalência de risco para o alcoolismo foi de 6,2%. Em relação ao tabagismo, 10,2% dos estudantes relataram fumar regularmente ou nos fins-de-semana. Além disso, mais de 90% dos fumantes e dos que consomem bebidas alcoólicas iniciaram o hábito antes de ingressar na universidade. O tabagismo apresentou uma relação direta com a idade e inversa com a autopercepção de saúde. Em relação ao álcool, estudantes que moram com amigos relataram um maior consumo. Os dados sugerem a necessidade de intervenções no meio acadêmico. Entretanto, cabe destacar que as ações para a população adolescente como um todo devam ser priorizadas, pois mais de 90% dos alunos adquiriram os hábitos antes de ingressarem na universidade, demonstrando que o início do consumo está ocorrendo em idades mais precoces.<br>The study aimed to estimate the prevalence of smoking and alcohol intake among university students from the Federal University of Pelotas, Brazil (UFPel), as well as to investigate factors associated with both habits. The sample included 485 students who were admitted to the university in 2008. Students were sampled randomly across all schools of the UFPel campus, and answered a pre-tested questionnaire, which was administered in the classroom by a member of the research team. Of the individuals interviewed, 53.9% were females and 42.3% were under 20 years. Regarding alcohol intake, 75% used alcohol once a month or less frequently, and the prevalence of risk for abusive alcohol intake was 6.2%. Regarding smoking, 10.2% reported smoking regularly or on weekends. More than 90% of those who smoked or used alcohol started before entering the university. Smoking was directly related to age and inversely related to self-rated health. In terms of alcohol intake, those who lived with friends were more likely to use it. Our data suggest the need for implementing strategies to promote healthy lifestyles among university students. However, the fact that more than 90% of individuals started to smoke or drink before entering the university suggests that interventions should target adolescents as a whole, and not only those who are university students, because onset of smoking and alcohol intake seems to occur at earlier ages

Data from: Genetic variation and structure in the neotropical tree, Manilkara zapota (L) P. Royen (Sapotaceae) used by the ancient Maya

Manilkara zapota is a tropical tree species that was used by the ancient Maya in construction of their temples and as a source for fruit. Although this has been supported by ethnographic and paleoethnobotanical data, we used genetic approaches to estimate variation and structure in modern populations of this neotropical tree species to discern if genetic patterns were consistent with earlier influences of ancient Maya management or if they could be explained by the natural history of the species. Nine microsatellite markers, consisting of seven novel markers and two markers identified in a related species, were used to characterize the genetic diversity and population genetic structure in three populations of M. zapota collected from reforested, historically urbanized ancient Maya ceremonial centers in Guatemala and Belize, from home gardens in Guatemala, and from a number of cultivars. Levels of genetic variation were slightly higher in forest populations (H O = 0.447) than in gardens (0.430) and cultivated varieties of M. zapota (0.351). We observed low but significant population substructuring (θ = 0.01) between sites 90 km apart, and minimal evidence of inbreeding. Substantial levels of genetic diversity with minimal genetic structure in M. zapota are consistent with movement of the ancient Maya as they possibly carried fruits and seedlings during immigration, but they may more likely reflect natural processes such as seed and pollen being dispersed widely throughout the tropical forest