Congruence of local ecological knowledge (LEK)-based methods and line-transect surveys in estimating wildlife abundance in tropical forests

Effective estimation of wildlife population abundance is an important component of population monitoring, and ultimately essential for the development of conservation actions. Diurnal line-transect surveys are one of the most applied methods for abundance estimations. Local ecological knowledge (LEK) is empirically acquired through the observation of ecological processes by local people. LEK-based methods have only been recognized as valid scientific methods for surveying fauna abundance in the last three decades. However, the agreement between both methods has not been extensively analysed. We compared concomitant abundance data for 91 wild species (mammals, birds and tortoises) from diurnal line transects (9,221 km of trails) and a LEK-based method (291 structured interviews) at 18 sites in Central and Western Amazonia. We used biological and socioecological factors to assess the agreements and divergences between abundance indices obtained from both methods. We found a significant agreement of population abundance indices for diurnal and game species. This relationship was also positive regardless of species sociality (solitary or social), body size and locomotion mode (terrestrial and arboreal); and of sampled forest type (upland and flooded forests). Conversely, we did not find significant abundance covariances for nocturnal and non-game species. Despite the general agreement between methods, line transects were not effective at surveying many species occurring in the area, with 40.2% and 39.8% of all species being rarely and never detected in at least one of the survey sites. On the other hand, these species were widely reported by local informants to occur at intermediate to high abundances. Although LEK-based methods have been long neglected by ecologists, our comparative study demonstrated their effectiveness for estimating vertebrate abundance of a wide diversity of taxa and forest environments. This can be used simultaneously with line-transect surveys to calibrate abundance estimates and record species that are rarely sighted during surveys on foot, but that are often observed by local people during their daily extractive activities. Thus, the combination of local and scientific knowledge is a potential tool to improve our knowledge of tropical forest species and foster the development of effective strategies to meet biodiversity conservation goals

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A revista Gama prossegue o aprofundamento da sua linha editorial específica e dentro do projeto mais alargado de desafiar criadores a debaterem e apresentar a obra de outros criadores, dentro do espaço descentrado que é o universo dos idiomas ibéricos. Trata-se de, dentro deste tema mais abrangente, revisitar arquivos, autores de épocas um pouco recuadas, de resgatar do esquecimento o património que existe e urge apresentar, discutir, colocar em ação, fazer funcionar, pela voz dos artistas. A arte necessita de ser ativada por intermédio do pensamento, e com ele, do discurso. Há vozes silenciosas que aguardam olhos, ouvidos, inquietações, deslumbramentos. Quando uma peça é descoberta é como se voltasse a ser feita: esse é o paradoxo do documento. A arte é vestígio e ao mesmo tempo universalidade, eternidade. É local e total. É sempre, em simultâneo, sem contradição, facto e possibilidade, presença e ausência. Os vinte e quatro artigos apresentados neste número cinco da Revista Gama oferecem outros tantos pontos de vista sobre os discursos artísticos. Recupera-se obra desconhecida, mostram-se obras, descobrem-se autores desaparecidos. Aqui a arte depositou-se, precipitou-se, tornou-se visível ao resgate. O resgate, operação de amor, é feito por artistas. Os públicos estão no futuro, à nossa espera.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Predicting animal abundance through local ecological knowledge: An internal validation using consensus analysis

Given the ongoing environmental degradation from local to global scales, it is fundamental to develop more efficient means of gathering data on species and ecosystems. Local ecological knowledge, in which local communities can consistently provide information on the status of animal species over time, has been shown to be effective. Several studies demonstrate that data gathered using local ecological knowledge (LEK)-based methods are comparable with data obtained from conventional methods (such as line transects and camera traps). Here, we employ a consensus analysis to validate and evaluate the accuracy of interview data on LEK. Additionally, we investigate the influence of social and bioecological variables on enhancing data quality. We interviewed 323 persons in 19 villages in the Western and Central Amazon to determine the level of consensus on the abundance of hunted and non-hunted forest species. These villages varied in size, socio-economic characteristics and in the experience with wildlife of their dwellers. Interviewees estimated the relative abundance of 101 species with a broad spectrum of bioecological characteristics using a four-point Likert scale. High consensus was found for species population abundance in all sampled villages and for 79.6% of interviewees. The village consensus of all species abundance pooled was negatively correlated with village population size. The consensus level was high regardless of the interviewees' hunting experience. Species that are more frequently hunted or are more apparent had greater consensus values; only two species presented a low consensus level, which are rare and solitary species. We show in our study in the Amazon that information gathered by local peoples, Indigenous as well as non-Indigenous, can be useful in understanding the status of animal species found within their environment. The high level of cultural consensus we describe likely arises from knowledge sharing and the strong connection between the persons interviewed and the forest. We suggest that consensus analysis can be used to validate LEK-generated data instead of comparing these types of data with information obtained by conventional methods

Predicting animal abundance through local ecological knowledge: An internal validation using consensus analysis

Given the ongoing environmental degradation from local to global scales, it is fundamental to develop more efficient means of gathering data on species and ecosystems. Local ecological knowledge, in which local communities can consistently provide information on the status of animal species over time, has been shown to be effective. Several studies demonstrate that data gathered using local ecological knowledge (LEK)‐based methods are comparable with data obtained from conventional methods (such as line transects and camera traps). Here, we employ a consensus analysis to validate and evaluate the accuracy of interview data on LEK. Additionally, we investigate the influence of social and bioecological variables on enhancing data quality. We interviewed 323 persons in 19 villages in the Western and Central Amazon to determine the level of consensus on the abundance of hunted and non‐hunted forest species. These villages varied in size, socio‐economic characteristics and in the experience with wildlife of their dwellers. Interviewees estimated the relative abundance of 101 species with a broad spectrum of bioecological characteristics using a four‐point Likert scale. High consensus was found for species population abundance in all sampled villages and for 79.6% of interviewees. The village consensus of all species abundance pooled was negatively correlated with village population size. The consensus level was high regardless of the interviewees' hunting experience. Species that are more frequently hunted or are more apparent had greater consensus values; only two species presented a low consensus level, which are rare and solitary species. We show in our study in the Amazon that information gathered by local peoples, Indigenous as well as non‐Indigenous, can be useful in understanding the status of animal species found within their environment. The high level of cultural consensus we describe likely arises from knowledge sharing and the strong connection between the persons interviewed and the forest. We suggest that consensus analysis can be used to validate LEK‐generated data instead of comparing these types of data with information obtained by conventional methods. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog

Morphologic analysis of sperm from two neotropical primate species: comparisons between the squirrel monkeys Saimiri collinsi

Federal University of Pará - Campus Castanhal. Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. Laboratory of Wild Animal Biology and Medicine. Castanhal, PA, Pará, Brazil / Institute of Sustainable Development Mamirauá. Tefé, AM, Brazil.Federal University of Pará - Campus Castanhal. Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. Laboratory of Wild Animal Biology and Medicine. Castanhal, PA, Pará, Brazil / Ministério da Saúde. Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde. Instituto Evandro Chagas. Centro Nacional de Primatas. Ananindeua, PA, Brasil.Ministério da Saúde. Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde. Instituto Evandro Chagas. Centro Nacional de Primatas. Ananindeua, PA, Brasil.State University of Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro. Laboratory of Animal Reproduction and Breeding. Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil.Institute of Sustainable Development Mamirauá. Tefé, AM, Brazil.Institute of Sustainable Development Mamirauá. Tefé, AM, Brazil.Federal University of Pará - Campus Castanhal. Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. Laboratory of Wild Animal Biology and Medicine. Castanhal, PA, Pará, Brazil.Federal University of Pará - Campus Castanhal. Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. Laboratory of Wild Animal Biology and Medicine. Castanhal, PA, Pará, Brazil.Sperm morphometry can be applied to identify different animal groups and species and to evaluate sperm quality. Furthermore, knowledge on species-specific differences will help to enhance biological information, as well as to develop efficient reproductive technologies. The aims in the present study were to describe sperm morphometry from the recently characterized species S. collinsi and S. vanzolinii, to verify if the morphometric sperm patterns are similar or different between both species, and to determine if the sperm morphometry is affected by the levels of sperm defects using the S. collinsi as a model. Semen was collected from S. collinsi (n = 10) and S. vanzolinii (n = 2) monkeys, and sperm was submitted to morphological analysis. From the 10 samples from S. collinsi, five presented sperm of poor quality and two subgroups were formed for this species, i.e. high and poor quality sperm. Data on sperm motility and vigour were analysed, as well morphometric parameters on sperm head and tail. It was observed the normal morphometry was correlated with high quality sperm. Poor quality sperm presented smaller and 7% more ellipticity in their head, when compared with high quality sperm. Sperm from S. vanzolinii presented larger head than those from S. collinsi, but tail lengths were similar. Sperm morphometry can be used as a complementary tool to predict sperm motility and vigour for the S. collinsi species, and S. collinsi appear as a suitable model for S. vanzolinii

Morphologic analysis of sperm from two neotropical primate species: comparisons between the squirrel monkeys Saimiri collinsi and Saimiri vanzolinii

Federal University of Pará - Campus Castanhal. Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. Laboratory of Wild Animal Biology and Medicine. Castanhal, PA, Pará, Brazil / Institute of Sustainable Development Mamirauá. Tefé, AM, Brazil.Federal University of Pará - Campus Castanhal. Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. Laboratory of Wild Animal Biology and Medicine. Castanhal, PA, Pará, Brazil / Ministério da Saúde. Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde. Instituto Evandro Chagas. Centro Nacional de Primatas. Ananindeua, PA, Brasil.Ministério da Saúde. Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde. Instituto Evandro Chagas. Centro Nacional de Primatas. Ananindeua, PA, Brasil.State University of Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro. Laboratory of Animal Reproduction and Breeding. Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil.Institute of Sustainable Development Mamirauá. Tefé, AM, Brazil.Institute of Sustainable Development Mamirauá. Tefé, AM, Brazil.Federal University of Pará - Campus Castanhal. Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. Laboratory of Wild Animal Biology and Medicine. Castanhal, PA, Pará, Brazil.Federal University of Pará - Campus Castanhal. Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. Laboratory of Wild Animal Biology and Medicine. Castanhal, PA, Pará, Brazil.Sperm morphometry can be applied to identify different animal groups and species and to evaluate sperm quality. Furthermore, knowledge on species-specific differences will help to enhance biological information, as well as to develop efficient reproductive technologies. The aims in the present study were to describe sperm morphometry from the recently characterized species S. collinsi and S. vanzolinii, to verify if the morphometric sperm patterns are similar or different between both species, and to determine if the sperm morphometry is affected by the levels of sperm defects using the S. collinsi as a model. Semen was collected from S. collinsi (n = 10) and S. vanzolinii (n = 2) monkeys, and sperm was submitted to morphological analysis. From the 10 samples from S. collinsi, five presented sperm of poor quality and two subgroups were formed for this species, i.e. high and poor quality sperm. Data on sperm motility and vigour were analysed, as well morphometric parameters on sperm head and tail. It was observed the normal morphometry was correlated with high quality sperm. Poor quality sperm presented smaller and 7% more ellipticity in their head, when compared with high quality sperm. Sperm from S. vanzolinii presented larger head than those from S. collinsi, but tail lengths were similar. Sperm morphometry can be used as a complementary tool to predict sperm motility and vigour for the S. collinsi species, and S. collinsi appear as a suitable model for S. vanzolinii

Predicting animal abundance through local ecological knowledge : An internal validation using consensus analysis

Given the ongoing environmental degradation from local to global scales, it is fundamental to develop more efficient means of gathering data on species and ecosystems. Local ecological knowledge, in which local communities can consistently provide information on the status of animal species over time, has been shown to be effective. Several studies demonstrate that data gathered using local ecological knowledge (LEK)-based methods are comparable with data obtained from conventional methods (such as line transects and camera traps). Here, we employ a consensus analysis to validate and evaluate the accuracy of interview data on LEK. Additionally, we investigate the influence of social and bioecological variables on enhancing data quality. We interviewed 323 persons in 19 villages in the Western and Central Amazon to determine the level of consensus on the abundance of hunted and non-hunted forest species. These villages varied in size, socio-economic characteristics and in the experience with wildlife of their dwellers. Interviewees estimated the relative abundance of 101 species with a broad spectrum of bioecological characteristics using a four-point Likert scale. High consensus was found for species population abundance in all sampled villages and for 79.6% of interviewees. The village consensus of all species abundance pooled was negatively correlated with village population size. The consensus level was high regardless of the interviewees' hunting experience. Species that are more frequently hunted or are more apparent had greater consensus values; only two species presented a low consensus level, which are rare and solitary species. We show in our study in the Amazon that information gathered by local peoples, Indigenous as well as non-Indigenous, can be useful in understanding the status of animal species found within their environment. The high level of cultural consensus we describe likely arises from knowledge sharing and the strong connection between the persons interviewed and the forest. We suggest that consensus analysis can be used to validate LEK-generated data instead of comparing these types of data with information obtained by conventional methods. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog

A luta pelo banimento do amianto nas Américas: uma questão de saúde pública The struggle to ban asbestos in the Americas: an issue of public health

Este artigo tem como objetivo resgatar a luta pelo banimento do amianto ou asbesto nas Américas. Destacando-se a importância do amianto como um problema de Saúde Pública, pelo seu potencial carcinogênico reconhecido para os seres humanos, perpassando pela constituição de redes como contrapoderes em prol do banimento dessa fibra nociva, ressaltando a participação social nessa luta. O problema do amianto nas discussões das políticas públicas de saúde, trabalho e meio ambiente ainda permanece pouco claro no campo da Saúde do Trabalhador. Ao restringir a apenas um único campo de atuação, reduz-se a atuação das vigilâncias, como se estivesse apenas limitado ao ambiente de trabalho. É necessária então a discussão nos campos da Saúde Ambiental e da Saúde Publica. A ausência de políticas públicas contribui para a invisibilidade dos problemas relacionados ao amianto no Brasil. Hoje, as vítimas do amianto não têm suas doenças reconhecidas, e seus direitos são negados em várias instâncias do poder público. Conclui-se que a luta pelo fim da utilização dessa fibra e a redução das doenças provocadas pela mesma configuram-se um movimento político comprometido com a transformação social na busca por uma sociedade mais justa, igualitária e saudável.<br>This article has the aim of rescuing the fight for the banishment of asbestos in Americas. The authors emphasize the importance of the asbestos as a problem of Public Health, due to its carcinogenic potential to human health, passing through the constitution of nets of counterpower on behalf of the banishment of the fiber, pointing out the importance of social participation in this fight. The asbestos public policy of health, work and environment is pointed out as a central problem. There are some misconceptions in the field of Worker's Health on facing the risks and damages caused by asbestos/amiantos and it is very important not to restrict the surveillance only to workstation. The discussion must be conducted taking in account Environmental Health and Health Policies. The lack of public policy is viewed as responsible for turning invisible the problems related to asbestos in Brazil. Today, the victims of the fiber are not recognized as such and their rights are denied in several instances of the public power. We conclude that the fight of the society for the end of the use of this fiber and for the end of the countless diseases provoked by its use, it is configured in a political and social movement committed with the social transformation in the search for a society fairer, equalitarian and healthy

Disease presentation of 1312 childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus : influence of ethnicity

To evaluate the influence of ethnicity in presentation of childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (cSLE) patients. This multicenter study included cSLE patients (American College of Rheumatology criteria) followed in 27 Pediatric Rheumatology services of Brazil. Ethnicities were classified in four groups according to the parents' and all four grandparents' self-reported ethnicity. The statistical analysis was performed using the Bonferroni's correction (p < 0.0027). According to ethnic groups, 1537 cSLE patients were classified in Caucasian (n = 786), African-Latin American (n = 526), Asian (n = 8), and others/unknown (n = 217). Comparisons between 1312 African-Latin American and Caucasian revealed similar median age at cSLE diagnosis [12.2(2.6-18) vs. 12.1(0.3-18) years, p = 0.234], time interval to diagnosis [0.25(0-12) vs. 0.3(0-10) years, p = 0.034], and SLEDAI-2K score [14(0-55) vs. 14(0-63), p = 0.781] in both groups. The mean number of diagnostic criteria according to SLICC (6.47 +/- 1.911 vs. 5.81 +/- 1.631, p < 0.0001) and frequencies of maculopapular lupus rash (8% vs. 3%, p < 0.0001), palate oral ulcers (17% vs. 11%, p = 0.001), tongue oral ulcers (4% vs. 1%, p = 0.001), and nonscarring alopecia (29% vs. 16%, p < 0.0001) were significantly higher in African-Latin American, whereas malar rash (45% vs. 58%, p < 0.0001) was more frequent in Caucasian. The presence of anti-phospholipid antibody (23% vs. 12%, p < 0.0001), low complement levels (58% vs. 41%, p < 0.0001), and isolated direct Coombs test (10% vs. 5%, p = 0.001) was also significantly higher in the former group. Our study demonstrated that disease presentation severity of African-Latin American cSLE patients is comparable with Caucasian. Mucocutaneous manifestations and autoantibodies profile were the only distinctive features of the former group. The unique mixed background of Brazilian patients probably minimized race diversity spectrum of these patients381028572863CNPQ - Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e TecnológicoFAPESP – Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa Do Estado De São Paulo303752/2015-7; 301805/2013-0; 305068/2014-8; 303422/2015-72015/03756-