Global wildlife trade permeates the Tree of Life

Legal and illegal wildlife trade is a multibillion dollar industry that is driving several species toward extinction. Even though wildlife trade permeates the Tree of Life, most analyses to date focused on the trade of a small selection of charismatic vertebrate species. Given that vertebrate taxa represent only 3% of described species, this is a significant bias that prevents the development of comprehensive conservation strategies. In this short contribution, we discuss the significance of global wildlife trade considering the full diversity of organisms for which data are available in the IUCN database. We emphasize the importance of being fast and effective in filling the knowledge gaps about non-vertebrate life forms, in order to achieve an in-depth understanding of global trading patterns across the full canopy of the Tree of Life, and not just its most appealing twig.Peer reviewe

Wildlife collection for scientific purposes

Illegal transfer of wildlife has 2 main purposes: trade and scientific research. Trade is the most common, whereas scientific research is much less common and unprofitable, yet still important. Biopiracy in science is often neglected despite that many researchers encounter it during their careers. The use of illegally acquired specimens is detected in different research fields, from scientists bioprospecting for new pharmacological substances, to taxonomists working on natural history collections, to researchers working in zoos, aquariums, and botanical gardens. The practice can be due to a lack of knowledge about the permit requirements in different countries or, probably most often, to the generally high level of bureaucracy associated with rule compliance. Significant regulatory filters to avoid biopiracy can be provided by different stakeholders. Natural history collection hosts should adopt strict codes of conduct; editors of scientific publications should require authors to declare that all studied specimens were acquired legally and to cite museum catalog numbers as guarantee of best practices. Scientific societies should actively encourage publication in peer-reviewed journals of work in which specimens collected from the wild were used. The International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature could require newly designated types based on recently collected specimens to be accompanied by statements of deposition in recognized scientific or educational institutions. We also propose the creation of an online platform that gathers information about environmental regulations and permits required for scientific activities in different countries and respective responsible governmental agencies and the simplification of the bureaucracy related to regulating scientific activities. This would make regulations more agile and easier to comply with. The global biodiversity crisis means data need to be collected ever faster, but biopiracy is not the answer and undermines the credibility of science and researchers. It is critical to find amodus vivendithat promotes compliance with regulations and scientific progress.Peer reviewe

Sphingomyelinase D Activity in Sicarius tropicus Venom : Toxic Potential and Clues to the Evolution of SMases D in the Sicariidae Family

The spider family Sicariidae includes three genera, Hexophthalma, Sicarius and Loxosceles. The three genera share a common characteristic in their venoms: the presence of Sphingomyelinases D (SMase D). SMases D are considered the toxins that cause the main pathological effects of the Loxosceles venom, that is, those responsible for the development of loxoscelism. Some studies have shown that Sicarius spiders have less or undetectable SMase D activity in their venoms, when compared to Hexophthalma. In contrast, our group has shown that Sicarius ornatus, a Brazilian species, has active SMase D and toxic potential to envenomation. However, few species of Sicarius have been characterized for their toxic potential. In order to contribute to a better understanding about the toxicity of Sicarius venoms, the aim of this study was to characterize the toxic properties of male and female venoms from Sicarius tropicus and compare them with that from Loxosceles laeta, one of the most toxic Loxosceles venoms. We show here that S. tropicus venom presents active SMases D. However, regarding hemolysis development, it seems that these toxins in this species present different molecular mechanisms of action than that described for Loxosceles venoms, whereas it is similar to those present in bacteria containing SMase D. Besides, our results also suggest that, in addition to the interspecific differences, intraspecific variations in the venoms' composition may play a role in the toxic potential of venoms from Sicarius species.Peer reviewe

Can we really predict a catastrophic worldwide decline of entomofauna and its drivers?

Peer reviewe

Searching the web builds fuller picture of arachnid trade

Trade in arachnids includes millions of individuals and over 1264 species, with over 70% of individuals coming from the wild. Wildlife trade is a major driver of biodiversity loss, yet whilst the impacts of trade in some species are relatively well-known, some taxa, such as many invertebrates are often overlooked. Here we explore global patterns of trade in the arachnids, and detected 1,264 species from 66 families and 371 genera in trade. Trade in these groups exceeds millions of individuals, with 67% coming directly from the wild, and up to 99% of individuals in some genera. For popular taxa, such as tarantulas up to 50% are in trade, including 25% of species described since 2000. CITES only covers 30 (2%) of the species potentially traded. We mapped the percentage and number of species native to each country in trade. To enable sustainable trade, better data on species distributions and better conservation status assessments are needed. The disparity between trade data sources highlights the need to expand monitoring if impacts on wild populations are to be accurately gauged and the impacts of trade minimised.Peer reviewe

Standardised spider (Arachnida, Araneae) inventory of Kilpisjarvi, Finland

Background A spider taxonomy and ecology field course was organised in Kilpisjarvi Biological Station, northern Finland, in July 2019. During the course, four 50 x 50 m plots in mountain birch forest habitat were sampled following a standardised protocol. In addition to teaching and learning about spider identification, behaviour, ecology and sampling, the main aim of the course was to collect comparable data from the Kilpisjarvi area as part of a global project, with the purpose of uncovering global spider diversity patterns. New information A total of 2613 spiders were collected, of which 892 (34%) were adults. Due to uncertainty of juvenile identification, only adults are included in the data presented in this paper. The observed adult spiders belong to 51 species, 40 genera and 11 families, of which the Linyphiidae were the most rich and abundant with 28 (55%) species and 461 (52%) individuals. Lycosidae had six species and 286 individuals, Gnaphosidae five species and 19 individuals, Thomisidae four species and 24 individuals, Theridiidae two species and 23 individuals. All other six families had one species and less than 40 individuals. The most abundant species were the linyphiid Agnyphantes expunctus (204) and the lycosids Pardosa eiseni (164) and Pardosa hyperborea (107).Peer reviewe

Síndrome da rede axilar e suas associações com linfedema e déficit de amplitude de movimento em mulheres submetidas à cirurgia do câncer de mama

Introdução: O câncer de mama é a neoplasia mais frequente na mulher brasileira e controle das morbidades pós tratamento têm estimulado investigações para melhor qualidade de vida. Objetivos: Determinar a frequência da síndrome da rede axilar (SRA) e associação com linfedema e déficit na amplitude de movimento (DAM) da articulação do ombro após abordagem cirúrgica da axila. Métodos: Entre dezembro de 2011 a setembro de 2012, foram incluídas 97 mulheres tratadas cirurgicamente para câncer de mama no Hospital de Câncer de Pernambuco, Brasil. Foram realizadas procura dos cordões axilares, goniometria da articulação do ombro e perimetria dos membros superiores ipsilateral e contralateral a mama afetada. Para comparação entre valores goniométricos e perimétricos, usou-se o teste “t” de Student e análise de variância Lévené. Os testes Qui quadrado e exato de Fisher foram utilizados para comparação de proporções. Adotou-se nível de significância p ≤ 0.05. O trabalho foi aprovado pelo Comitê de Ética de Pesquisa em Seres Humanos. Resultados: SRA foi diagnosticada em 28 (28,86%) mulheres, destas, 15 (53,57%) apresentavam linfedema. Houve redução significante na maioria das movimentações no membro ipsilateral comparado com o seu contralateral. Conclusões: Houve expressivo número de mulheres diagnosticadas com SRA e associação com início precoce de alterações na perimetria, além de redução significante da amplitude de movimento dos ombros

Fuzapladib in a randomized controlled multicenter masked study in dogs with presumptive acute onset pancreatitis

We read with interest the article by Steiner et al,1 that claims that administration of fuzapladib is safe and effective in reducing 2 clinical scores in dogs with acute pancreatitis (AP). We commend Steiner et al for their efforts in addressing a critical need in veterinary medicine. This letter, however, raises significant concerns regarding the methodology and interpretation of the study results