NEOTROPICAL XENARTHRANS: a data set of occurrence of xenarthran species in the Neotropics

Xenarthrans – anteaters, sloths, and armadillos – have essential functions for ecosystem maintenance, such as insect control and nutrient cycling, playing key roles as ecosystem engineers. Because of habitat loss and fragmentation, hunting pressure, and conflicts with 24 domestic dogs, these species have been threatened locally, regionally, or even across their full distribution ranges. The Neotropics harbor 21 species of armadillos, ten anteaters, and six sloths. Our dataset includes the families Chlamyphoridae (13), Dasypodidae (7), Myrmecophagidae (3), Bradypodidae (4), and Megalonychidae (2). We have no occurrence data on Dasypus pilosus (Dasypodidae). Regarding Cyclopedidae, until recently, only one species was recognized, but new genetic studies have revealed that the group is represented by seven species. In this data-paper, we compiled a total of 42,528 records of 31 species, represented by occurrence and quantitative data, totaling 24,847 unique georeferenced records. The geographic range is from the south of the USA, Mexico, and Caribbean countries at the northern portion of the Neotropics, to its austral distribution in Argentina, Paraguay, Chile, and Uruguay. Regarding anteaters, Myrmecophaga tridactyla has the most records (n=5,941), and Cyclopes sp. has the fewest (n=240). The armadillo species with the most data is Dasypus novemcinctus (n=11,588), and the least recorded for Calyptophractus retusus (n=33). With regards to sloth species, Bradypus variegatus has the most records (n=962), and Bradypus pygmaeus has the fewest (n=12). Our main objective with Neotropical Xenarthrans is to make occurrence and quantitative data available to facilitate more ecological research, particularly if we integrate the xenarthran data with other datasets of Neotropical Series which will become available very soon (i.e. Neotropical Carnivores, Neotropical Invasive Mammals, and Neotropical Hunters and Dogs). Therefore, studies on trophic cascades, hunting pressure, habitat loss, fragmentation effects, species invasion, and climate change effects will be possible with the Neotropical Xenarthrans dataset

Classification of areas associated with soybean yield and agrometeorological variables through fuzzy clustering

E.C. Araújo, J.A. Johann, M.A. Uribe-Opazo, and E.C.G. Camargo. 2013. Classification of areas associated with soybean yield and agrometeorological variables through fuzzy clustering. Cien. Inv. Agr. 40(3): 617-627. This study aimed to apply an approach based on fuzzy clustering for the classification of areas associated with soybean yield combined with the following agrometeorological variables: rainfall, average air temperature and average global solar radiation. The study was conducted with 48 municipalities in the western region of Paraná State, Brazil, with data from the crop-year 2007/2008. Through the fuzzy c-means algorithm, it was possible to form groups of municipalities that were similar in soybean yield using the Method of Decision by the Higher Degree of Relevance (MDMGP) and Method of Decision by Threshold β (β MDL). Subsequently, the identification of the appropriate number of clusters was obtained using Modified Partition Entropy (MPE). To measure the degree of similarity for each cluster, the Cluster Similarity Index (ISCl) was constructed and implemented. From the perspective of this study, the method used was adequate, allowing the identification of clusters of municipalities with degrees of similarities between 63 and 94%.E.C. Araújo, J.A. Johann, M.A. Uribe-Opazo e E.C.G. Camargo. 2012. Clasificación de las áreas asociadas con la producción de la soya y de las variables agrometeorológicas, usando el agrupamiento difuso. Cien. Inv. Agr. 40(3): 617-627. Este trabajo tuvo como objetivo aplicar un enfoque basado en el análisis de agrupamiento fuzzy para la clasificación de áreas asociadas con la productividad de la soya, juntamente con las variables meteorológicas: nivel de precipitaciones, temperatura media del aire y la media de la radiación solar. El estudio se llevó a cabo con la participación de 48 municipios de la región oeste del Estado de Paraná, Brasil, con los datos de la temporada de cultivo del año 2007/2008. Mediante el algoritmo Fuzzy C-Means, fue posible formar grupos de municipios similares al rendimiento de la soya, utilizando el método de decisión de mayor grado de relevancia (MDMGP) y el método de decisión por Threshold β (MDL β). Seguidamente, se obtuvo la identificación del número apropiado de conglomerados utilizando la entropía de particiones modificada. Para medir el grado de similitud de cada grupo, se definió el Índice de Similitud de Agrupamiento (ISC). Dentro de la perspectiva de este estudio, el método utilizado se presentó adecuado, lo que permitió identificar grupos de municipios con grados de similitudes en el orden de 63 a 94%

Involvement of Cholinergic and Opioid System in γ-Terpinene-Mediated Antinociception

The literature shows that the monoterpenes are great candidates for the development of new drugs for the treatment of various pathological processes, including painful conditions. The gamma terpinene (γ-TPN) is a monoterpene present in plant species that have multiple pharmacological properties and has structural similarity to antinociceptive monoterpenes, such as limonene and alpha-phellandrene. The γ-TPN molecular mass was evaluated by mass spectrometry and showed a pseudomolecular ion with m/z 137.0 Da. The animals did not present any signs of acute toxicity at 2 g/kg, p.o. γ-TPN (1.562 to 50 mg/kg, p.o.) showed an antinociceptive effect in the formalin, capsaicin, and glutamate tests. γ-TPN has antinociceptive action when administered by others routes in glutamate test. To eliminate a possible sedative effect of γ-TPN, the open field and rota-rod test were conducted and the γ-TPN did not show muscle relaxant activity or central depressant effect. To investigate the mechanisms of action, the animals were pretreated with naloxone, glibenclamide, atropine, mecamylamine, or L-arginine in the glutamate test. γ-TPN antinociception was inhibited in the presence of naloxone, glibenclamide, atropine, and mecamylamine. The results suggest that the γ-TPN (p.o.) produced antinociceptive effect in models of chemical nociception through the cholinergic and opioid systems involvement