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

Risk profiles and one-year outcomes of patients with newly diagnosed atrial fibrillation in India: Insights from the GARFIELD-AF Registry.

BACKGROUND: The Global Anticoagulant Registry in the FIELD-Atrial Fibrillation (GARFIELD-AF) is an ongoing prospective noninterventional registry, which is providing important information on the baseline characteristics, treatment patterns, and 1-year outcomes in patients with newly diagnosed non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). This report describes data from Indian patients recruited in this registry. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 52,014 patients with newly diagnosed AF were enrolled globally; of these, 1388 patients were recruited from 26 sites within India (2012-2016). In India, the mean age was 65.8 years at diagnosis of NVAF. Hypertension was the most prevalent risk factor for AF, present in 68.5% of patients from India and in 76.3% of patients globally (P < 0.001). Diabetes and coronary artery disease (CAD) were prevalent in 36.2% and 28.1% of patients as compared with global prevalence of 22.2% and 21.6%, respectively (P < 0.001 for both). Antiplatelet therapy was the most common antithrombotic treatment in India. With increasing stroke risk, however, patients were more likely to receive oral anticoagulant therapy [mainly vitamin K antagonist (VKA)], but average international normalized ratio (INR) was lower among Indian patients [median INR value 1.6 (interquartile range {IQR}: 1.3-2.3) versus 2.3 (IQR 1.8-2.8) (P < 0.001)]. Compared with other countries, patients from India had markedly higher rates of all-cause mortality [7.68 per 100 person-years (95% confidence interval 6.32-9.35) vs 4.34 (4.16-4.53), P < 0.0001], while rates of stroke/systemic embolism and major bleeding were lower after 1 year of follow-up. CONCLUSION: Compared to previously published registries from India, the GARFIELD-AF registry describes clinical profiles and outcomes in Indian patients with AF of a different etiology. The registry data show that compared to the rest of the world, Indian AF patients are younger in age and have more diabetes and CAD. Patients with a higher stroke risk are more likely to receive anticoagulation therapy with VKA but are underdosed compared with the global average in the GARFIELD-AF. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION-URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT01090362

Características morfométricas de Talitroides topitotum (Burt) (Crustacea, Amphipoda, Talitridae) na Serra do Mar, Guaratuba, Paraná, Brasil Morphometric characteristics of Talitroides topitotum (Burt) (Crustacea, Amphipoda, Talitridae) from Serra do Mar, Guaratuba, Paraná, Brazil

Um estudo sobre as relações morfométricas entre o comprimento cefálico (Lc) e o comprimento total do corpo (Lt), e o número de artículos do flagelo do primeiro e segundo pares de antenas e o comprimento total do corpo foi realizado em uma população de Talitroides topitotum (Burt, 1934), no entorno da Usina Hidroelétrica de Guaricana, Guaratuba, Paraná. O objetivo foi auxiliar na inferência do comprimento do corpo a partir do comprimento cefálico e da idade relativa dos exemplares pela contagem do número de artículos de seus flagelos antenais. Um total de 975 exemplares foi coletado e fotografado, dos quais os artículos dos flagelos direito e esquerdo das antenas 1 e 2 foram contados e os comprimentos do segmento cefálico e do corpo foram medidos. Houve uma correlação linear entre o comprimento do segmento cefálico e o comprimento total do corpo definido pela equação Lc = 0,0506Lt + 0,3297; r² = 0,9577. Diferenças significativas foram observadas entre os números de artículos dos flagelos direito e esquerdo de ambas as antenas. A diferença foi de até quatro artículos no primeiro par de antenas e de doze no segundo. O maior número de artículos entre os dois flagelos mostrou uma correlação com a distribuição das classes de comprimento total do corpo com a equação a1 = 4,3463Lt0,4264 para o primeiro par de antenas, e a2 = 10,5700Lt0,3581 para o segundo par. Foi possível inferir o estágio relativo de desenvolvimento de T. topitotum pelas medidas do comprimento do segmento cefálico. Entretanto, somente o maior número de artículos entre os flagelos direito e esquerdo constitui parâmetro de referência para inferir a idade relativa dos indivíduos desta espécie.<br>A research on the relationship between the cephalic segment length (Lc) and total body length (Lt), and between the number of articles in the antenna flagellum and the total body length was conducted in a population of the terrestrial amphipod Talitroides topitotum (Burt, 1934) from Serra do Mar, Guaratuba, Paraná. It aimed to help the inference of the body length by measuring only the cephalic segment, and to know the relative age of individuals by counting the number of articles in their antenna flagellum. A total of 975 amphipods were caught with Malaise nets; they were photographed, the article number of the flagellum of the right and left antennae 1 and 2 was counted and cephalic segment length and their total body length was taken. There was a linear correlation between cephalic segment length and total body length defined through the equation Lc = 0.0506Lt + 0.3297; r² = 0.9577. There was a significant difference in the article number between the right and left flagellum, for both pairs of antennae. The difference was at most four articles for the fist antenna pair and twelve articles for the second one. The highest number of these articles between right and left flagellum showed a linear correlation with the total body length classes and it was expressed by the equation a1 = 4.3463Lt0.4264 for the first pair of antenna, and a2 = 10.5700Lt0.3581 for the second pair. I was possible to infer the relative stage of development of T. topitotum by measuring the cephalic segment length. However, only the highest number of articles between right and left flagellum constitutes a reference parameter for the inference of individual relative age in this species

O Complexo Vegetacional da Zona Litorânea no Ceará: Pecém, São Gonçalo do Amarante The vegetation complex of the coastal zone of Ceará: Pecém, São Gonçalo do Amarante

O Litoral Setentrional do Nordeste (LSN) por sua localização geográfica apresenta clima mais quente e seco do que na costa leste do Brasil. Por sua proximidade com a caatinga e o cerrado, o LSN permite a co-existência de espécies destes Domínios conjuntamente com espécies de restinga, em diferentes formações, constituindo um Complexo Vegetacional. Apesar da grande importância ecológica e botânica deste ecótono, existem poucos estudos sobre a flora regional. O objetivo deste trabalho foi aprofundar o conhecimento sobre a composição florística e fitossociológica da região. Para isso, fizemos um levantamento florístico na área (entre 2007-2011), bem como consultas a registros de herbário na região e um levantamento fitossociológico em um trecho da floresta estacional semidecídua costeira (mata de tabuleiro). Foram inventariadas 382 espécies vegetais, pertencentes a 96 famílias. Na parcela fitossociológica (0,32 ha) foram registrados 2.970 indivíduos de 52 espécies, sendo as mais abundantes as arbóreas Manilkara triflora, Chamaecrista ensiformis e Guapira nitida e as arbustivas Cordiera sessilis e Maytenus erythroxyla (altura média 3,8 m, diâmetro médio 6,2 cm, área basal 39,28 m²/ha). A flora local inclui elementos florísticos de caatinga, cerrado e restinga, sugerindo que a comunidade vegetal na região costeira do Ceará possui natureza ecotonal.<br>Due to its geographical location, the northeastern Coast of Brazil (Litoral Setentrional do Nordeste - LSN) is a hotter and drier climate than the eastern coast. In addition, because of its proximity to caatinga and cerrado, the LSN contains species from these vegetation biomes and from the restinga on the coast, which comprise different plant formations and creates a vegetation complex. Despite the great importance of this ecotone, there are few studies about its flora. The objective of this work was to contribute to what is known about the floristic and phytosociological composition of this region. We made a floristic survey in the area (between 2007 and 2011), consulted herbaria data from the region and made a phytosociological study in a stretch of coastal semideciduous forest (mata de tabuleiro). The study recorded 382 plant species from 96 families. In the phytosociological survey (0.32 ha) we recorded 2,970 individuals and 52 species. The most abundant plants surveyed were the trees Manilkara triflora, Chamaecrista ensiformis and Guapira nitida and the shrubs Cordiera sessilis and Maytenus erythroxyla (average height 3.8 m, average diameter 6.2 cm, basal area 39.28 m²/ha). The local flora includes floristic elements of caatinga, cerrado and restinga, corroborating the idea that the plant community of the coastal region of Ceará has an ecotonal nature