Predation ability of freshwater crabs: age and prey-specific differences in Trichodactylus borellianus (Brachyura: Trichodactylidae)

Freshwater crabs are rarely represented in food webs and their role in these ecosystems has been largely ignored. Trichodactylus borellianus is an omnivorous crab species that has a diverse natural trophic spectrum. This paper evaluates, in a laboratory assay, the ability of three ages of this crab to prey on three different organisms. The prey selectivity and relative importance of each prey item was also analyzed. Prey items (cladocerans, oligochaetes, and golden mussels) consisted of organisms of different shapes and mobility, representing the natural diet of this crab. Crabs were sorted according to size (juvenile, sub-adult, and adult) and increasing amounts of one prey was offered to each crab after 24 hrs of starvation. In the selectivity trial, all prey types were offered in a fixed set. Crabs in all three age categories were able to prey on all organisms. Cladocerans and oligochaetes were consumed in greater quantities compared to golden mussels when offered separately. However, only the consumption of oligochaetes exhibited a positive correlation with the crabs? size. When cladocerans and oligochaetes were offered together, more oligochaetes were consumed, both as percentage of volume and occurrence. Age-specific changes in consumption could be related to differences in the stomach capacity of the crab, the digestion time of each prey, and the predator?prey encounter probability. The selection of the most elongated prey with the lowest mobility indicated that the balance of the gain and loss of energy made it an advantageous species to prey on, as it was susceptible to predation. Additionally, the mussel, which is an invasive species, although not positively selected by T. borellianus in the present study, represented a new trophic resource for this crab.Fil: de Azevedo Carvalho, Débora. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Instituto Nacional de Limnología. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Instituto Nacional de Limnología; ArgentinaFil: Collins, Pablo Agustin. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Instituto Nacional de Limnología. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Instituto Nacional de Limnología; ArgentinaFil: de Bonis, Cristian. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Instituto Nacional de Limnología. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Instituto Nacional de Limnología; Argentin

The diel feeding rhythm of the freshwater crab Trichodactylus borellianus (Decapoda: Brachyura) in mesocosm and natural conditions

Biorhythm studies have rarely used feeding rhythms of freshwater crustaceans to assess the internal clock. Even less often, they have compared the diel rhythms of juveniles and adults. In this study, the 24-h cyclic feeding behavior of the freshwater crab Trichodactylus borellianus was investigated in mesocosm and natural field conditions during summer. Sampling occurred throughout the day and included the dawn and dusk periods. The fullness of the stomach was used to characterize the feeding cycle and was analyzed with MESOR and a three-day time series plot. The rhythms of juveniles and adults were analyzed in the field. A bimodal feeding rhythm with midday and midnight peaks was observed in adults in the field, while juveniles had an asynchronous behavior. Mesocosm animals also showed no cyclic behavior. Rhythmic responses to nonphotic cues may result from a trade-off between foraging at an optimum time and shifting the diel rhythm to avoid competition and predation risk. Juvenile feeding asynchrony could be a strategy that allows them to be active in the same habitat as adults.Fil: Azevedo Carvalho, Débora. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico - CONICET - Santa Fe. Instituto Nacional de Limnologia (i); ArgentinaFil: Collins, Pablo Agustin. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico - CONICET - Santa Fe. Instituto Nacional de Limnologia (i); Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas; ArgentinaFil: de Bonis, Cristian. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico - CONICET - Santa Fe. Instituto Nacional de Limnologia (i); Argentin

Relative growth and morphological sexual maturity size of the freshwater crab Trichodactylus borellianus (Crustacea, Decapoda, Trichodactylidae) in the Middle Paraná River, Argentina

The relative growth of a number of morphological dimensions of the South American freshwater crabTrichodactylus borellianus (Trichodactylidae) were compared and related to sexual dimorphism. Crabs werecollected from ponds in the Middle Paraná River in Argentina. A regression model with segmented relationship was used to test for relative growth between these measurements where breakpoints infer the body size at which crabs reach sexual maturity. In both sexes the carapace width and the length, height, and thickness of the right and left chelae were measured, as well as the male pleopod length and the female abdomen width. All of these measurements were found to show positive allometry with the exception of the male pleopod length and the left chelae, which did not show a breakpoint. In females the breakpoint for the abdomen width inferred a morphological sexual maturity at carapace width 6.9 mm. In males the break point for the pleopod length was at carapace width 6.6 mm, with that for the chelae measurements was between carapace widths 6.4 and 6.9 mm. The relative growth pattern in T. borellianus was found to be similar to that recorded for other species of the family Trichodactylidae.Fil: Williner, Verónica. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Instituto Nacional de Limnología. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Instituto Nacional de Limnología; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Humanidades y Ciencias. Departamento de Ciencias Naturales; ArgentinaFil: Torres, María Victoria. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Instituto Nacional de Limnología. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Instituto Nacional de Limnología; ArgentinaFil: de Azevedo Carvalho, Débora. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Instituto Nacional de Limnología. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Instituto Nacional de Limnología; ArgentinaFil: Köing, Natalia. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Humanidades y Ciencias. Departamento de Ciencias Naturales; Argentin

AFINIDADES PALEOBOTÂNICAS DE ÂMBARES CRETÁCICOS DAS BACIAS DO AMAZONAS, ARARIPE E RECÔNCAVO

The chemical composition of amber is important to Paleobotany as allow to track the resin origin, and its history through the geological time. Cretaceou amber from Amazonas Basin (Alter do Chão Formation), Araripe Basin (Santana Formation/ Crato Member) and Recôncavo Basin (Maracangalha Formation/Caruaçu Member) were chemically analyzed and observed through in sections to observe probable palinological inclusions. The chemical extraction using a methanol:dicholoromethane mixture with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) identified alkyl-benzenes, alkyl-naphtalenes, alkyl-hydronaphtalenes, parafins, phenols, carboxylic acids and terpenoids. The presence of fenchone, camphor, 16,17,19-trisnorabieta-8,11,13-triene and methyl16,17- bisnordeidroabietate, besides paleobotany data from the lithostratigraphic units where the amber were collected, allowed to attribute to Araucariaceae the probable botanic origin of the amber of Amazonas, Araripe and Recôncavo basins to the Lower Cretaceous. In the sample from Amazonas Basin it was identified fungi spores imersed in the fossil resin, a rare inclusion for ambers worldwideO estudo da composição química de âmbares é importante para a Paleobotânica, pois permite que a origem das resinas fósseis seja determinada, traçando-se a história da produção de resinas pelos vegetais através do tempo geológico. Amostras de âmbar cretácicas foram coletadas nas bacias do Amazonas (Formação Alter do Chão), Araripe (Formação Santana/Membro Crato) e Recôncavo (Formação Maracangalha/Membro Caruaçu) e estudadas quanto à sua composição química e prováveis inclusões palinológicas. A extração química por diclorometano:metanol e o uso da cromatografia gasosa acoplada à espectrometria de massas permitiu caracterizar diversas classes de compostos orgânicos nos âmbares analisados, tais como alquilbenzenos, alquilnaftalenos, alquil-hidronaftalenos, parafinas, fenóis, ácidos carboxílicos e terpenos. A presença dos terpenos fenchona, cânfora, 16,17,19-trisnorabieta-8,11,13-trieno e 16,17- bisnordeidroabietato de metila, aliado ao uso de dados paleobotânicos provenientes do registro fóssil das bacias em questão, permitiu determinar a família Araucariaceae como a provável origem botânica para os âmbares analisados. No âmbar proveniente da Bacia do Amazonas foram detectados esporos de fungos preservados em meio à resina fóssil, um registro muito raro desse tipo de inclusão orgânica em âmbar

ASPECTOS GEOQUÍMICOS DO ÓLEO DA BACIA DE SOUSA (CRETÁCEO INFERIOR), NORDESTE DO BRASIL: CONTEXTO GEOLÓGICO

The complex of cretaceous features known as Rio do Peixe basins includes the Souza, Brejo das Freiras or Triunfo-Uiraúna and Pombal basins. They are located in western region of Paraíba State, with a total area of 1,250 km2, separated by basement highs and controlled by the Portalegre (NE-SE) and Patos (E-W) shear zones. One oil sample obtained from the Sousa Formation (Lower Cretaceous) in a well located at Salguinho Farm, was analysed with chromatography. It has characteristics of a light oil, with 81,1% of saturated compounds and a predominance of C17 and C23 n-paraffins. The analysis of biomarkers indicates the presence of tricyclic and tetracyclic terpanes, the dominance of the 17(H), 21(H), 30-Hopane (C30), gammacerane/C30 17(H), 21(H), 30-Hopane (C30) ratio of 0.23, and C30 -Hopane/C30 -Hopane (moretane) ratio reaching 80%. These aspects are pointing out to a non-biodegraded mature oil from a lacustrine freshwater environment. The medium thickness of Sousa Formation is 800 meters and occurs in two thirds of the total area of Sousa Basin – the presence of this oil, is a good indicative of a new exploratory area for the Brazilian sedimentary basins.A Bacia de Sousa compreende, juntamente com as bacias de Brejo das Freiras ou Triunfo-Uiraúna e Pombal, um complexo de bacias, as quais são também conhecidas como bacias do Rio do Peixe. Compreendem uma área de 1.250 km2 no extremo oeste do Estado da Paraíba, sendo separadas pelos altos do embasamento cristalino e controladas pelas Zonas de Cisalhamento de Portalegre (NE-SW) e de Patos (E-W). Uma amostra de óleo, recuperada de um poço na Formação Sousa (Cretáceo Inferior), localidade Sítio Salguinho, analisada através de técnicas cromatográficas apresentou características de um óleo leve, com 81,1% de compostos saturados, predomínio de parafinas em C17 e C23. Na análise dos biomarcadores observou-se a presença de terpanos tricíclicos e tetracíclicos, o predomínio do 17(H), 21(H), 30-Hopano (C30) e razão Gamacerano/17(H), 21(H), 30-Hopano(C30) de 0,23 e a razão Hopanos / Moretanos em C30 alcançando 80%. Essas características apontam para um óleo não biodegradado maturo de ambiente lacustre de água doce. Em função da espessura média da Formação Sousa ser de 800 m e ocupar cerca de dois terços da área total da bacia, pode representar de futuro uma nova fronteira exploratória para o território brasileiro

Caracterização das infecções de sítio cirúrgico em pacientes submetidos à neurocirurgia em um hospital público entre 2017 a 2019

Introduction: Surgical site infections in patients undergoing neurological procedures contribute to the development of complications, as they constitute a serious threat to patient safety. Objective: To characterize the profile of surgical site infections in patients undergoing neurosurgery at a teaching hospital in Paraná. Method: Retrospective study, from a documentary, quantitative source, carried out from January 2017 to December 2019. Data were collected and organized in tables and analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: 100.0% (n = 439) infections were reported and, of these, 10.0% (n = 44) were part of the sample. There was a predominance of males 72.7% (n = 32) and the average age of  the participants was 31.2 years. The average hospital stay was 82.5 days. The implantation of peritoneal or external ventricular bypass was the surgical procedure performed in 40.9% (n = 18) of the patients and according to the potential for contamination, 100.00% of the surgeries were classified as clean. There were 68.1% (n = 30) infections clinically defined as infection of the surgical organ cavity site, with a prevalence of 33 75.0% (n = 33) cases. The prevalent microorganism was Pseudomonas spp. with 42.9% (n = 6). For the outcome of the cases, 29.5% (n = 13) of the patients developed other infections, 93.1% (n = 41) were discharged from the hospital and 6.8% (n = 3) patients died. Conclusions: SSIs directly influence the health of neurological patients, requiring the implementation of strategies aimed at reducing statistics and promoting patient safety.Introdução: As infecções de sítio cirúrgico em pacientes submetidos a procedimentos neurológicos contribuem para o desenvolvimento e complicações, pois constituem séria ameaça à segurança do paciente. Objetivo: Caracterizar o perfil das infecções de sítio cirúrgico em pacientes submetidos a neurocirurgias em um hospital-escola do Paraná. Método: Estudo retrospectivo, de fonte documental, quantitativo, realizado no período de janeiro de 2017 a dezembro de 2019. Os dados foram coletados e organizados em tabelas e analisados por meio de estatística descritiva. Resultados: Foram notificadas 439 infecções de sítio cirúrgico e, destas, 10,0% (n = 44) fizeram parte da amostra. Houve predomínio do sexo masculino, 72,7% (n = 32), e a média de idade dos participantes foi de 31,2 anos. O tempo médio de internação foi de 82,5 dias. O implante de derivação ventricular peritoneal ou externa foi o procedimento cirúrgico realizado em 40,9% (n = 18) dos pacientes e, segundo o potencial de contaminação, 100,0% das cirurgias foram classificadas como limpas. Foram 68,1% (n = 30) de infecções clinicamente definidas como infecção de sítio cirúrgico de órgão cavidade, prevalecendo em 33 (75,0%) casos. O microrganismo prevalente foi Pseudomonas spp., com 42,9% (n = 6). Para o desfecho dos casos, 29,5% (n = 13) dos pacientes desenvolveram outras infecções, 93,1% (n = 41) tiveram alta hospitalar e 6,8% (n = 3) dos pacientes evoluíram a óbito. Conclusões: As infecções de sítio cirúrgico influenciam diretamente a saúde do paciente neurológico, sendo necessária a implementação de estratégias que visem reduzir as estatísticas e promovam a segurança do paciente

Protein and cellulose level in diet. Effects on enzymatic activity, metabolite and amino acid profiles in freshwater anomurans Aegla uruguayana (Decapoda: Anomura)

The aims of this study were to evaluate the short-term effects of artificial diets with different protein: cellulose ratios (D1 = 60:0, D2 = 45:15 and D3 = 30:30) on the enzymatic activity and metabolite profile and to probe the suitability of the amino acid profile of the different diets in Aegla uruguayana. The different artificial diets affected the digestive total protease and amylase activities in a short period of time. Lipases were not affected by the diets. In the haemolymph, an effect of the diet was found in glucose and triglyceride measurements. Particularly, the glucose of the organisms fed D1 was significantly lower than that of organisms fed D2, without significant differences in D3. The concentrations of triglycerides were different among organisms subjected to the treatments, indicating a greater concentration in organisms fed D2 than in those fed D1. In muscle tissue, the concentration of glycogen followed the same trend as haemolymphatic glucose, indicating that the organisms fed D2 had a higher concentration of this metabolite compared to the rest. The amino acid profile of muscle tissue of wild and fed aeglids had a high and significant correlation in all cases, showing few changes in the short-term feeding regime. Some changes were observed mainly in aeglids fed D3, which exhibited the lowest amounts of methionine, lysine and arginine and the highest amounts of aspartic + glutamic acids. In addition, D2 has a good quality of EAA, fulfilling almost all the requirements of a wild aeglid.Fil: Musin, Gabriela Eliana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Instituto Nacional de Limnología. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Instituto Nacional de Limnología; ArgentinaFil: de Azevedo Carvalho, Débora. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Instituto Nacional de Limnología. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Instituto Nacional de Limnología; ArgentinaFil: Viozzi, María Florencia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Instituto Nacional de Limnología. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Instituto Nacional de Limnología; ArgentinaFil: Mora, Maria Celeste. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Instituto Nacional de Limnología. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Instituto Nacional de Limnología; ArgentinaFil: Collins, Pablo Agustin. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Instituto Nacional de Limnología. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Instituto Nacional de Limnología; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas; ArgentinaFil: Williner, Verónica. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Instituto Nacional de Limnología. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Instituto Nacional de Limnología; Argentin

Composição molecular e origem paleobotânica de âmbares da bacia do Araripe, Formação Santana

The terpenoid composition of seven amber samples from Araripe Basin (Santana Formation, Crato Member) has been analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry to determine their botanical origin. The diterpenoids, which have been identified in the fossil resin extracts are derived primarily from the abietane class, e.g., dehydroabietane, 4-epidehydroabietol, 16,17,18-trisnorabieta-8,11,13-triene, 7-oxo-16,17,19-trisnorabieta-8,11,13-trieno, dehydroabietic acid, ferruginol, hinokiol and hinokione. Their composition is certainly typical for conifers, and angiosperms can be excluded as the botanical source, as no triterpene was identified. The terpenoid characteristics strongly support a relationship to the Araucariaceae or Podocarpaceae families. In addition, the fossil record of the embedding sediments (pollen and fossil leaves) also supports the proposal of these paleobotanical origins for the ambers

Novas ocorrências de âmbar provenientes da Bacia do Araripe (Formação Santana, Membro Crato)

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Infectious Causes of Abortion, Stillbirth and Neonatal Death in Bitches

Problems in gestational development in dogs can be determined by infectious and non‐infectious causes. Among the non‐infectious causes, trauma during pregnancy, genetic characteristics of the animal, deficit nutrition, thyroid dysfunction, maternal problems and hormonal disorders are found. The majority of the cases are in relation to infectious diseases, one should consider viral, bacterial, fungal and protozoal, which can interfere directly or indirectly in the foetal development. The progression of foetal development may be affected by the direct action of the microorganisms to overcome the placenta, but they are also able to affect pregnancy and release placental toxins by inflammatory processes and, may still cause maternal pathologies, which entail problems such as hyperthermia, hypoxia and endotoxemia, which can result in abortion. Several diseases can trigger pregnancy loss in dogs. This action can be direct by microorganisms, as well as indirectly triggering other problems that lead to abortion. This chapter discusses the infectious aetiologies of reproductive failures (abortion, stillbirth and neonatal death) in bitches