Trade of Hovenia dulcis (Japanese Raisin Tree), an exotic invasive species in southern Brazil

As espécies exóticas invasoras (EEI’s) têm sido amplamente estudadas devido aos impactos negativos ocasionadas gerando custos ecológicos, econômicos e para a saúde humana. Algumas destas espécies chamam a atenção pelo seu potencial de invasão, como por exemplo, Hovenia dulcis Thunb. (Rhamnaceae), conhecida popularmente como uva-do-japão. No Brasil, o maior número de registros para a espécie está na Região Sul (estados do Paraná, Santa Catarina e Rio Grande do Sul). A elevada ocorrência da espécie nesta região pode estar associada ao interesse da população no seu cultivo, facilitado pela aquisição de mudas em estabelecimentos especializados. Neste contexto, o objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o potencial comércio da espécie em estabelecimentos especializados (viveiros e floriculturas) na Região Sul do Brasil. No total, foram investigados 303 estabelecimentos (205 viveiros e 98 floriculturas), sendo constatado comércio em 168 estabelecimentos (100 viveiros e 68 floriculturas). Dos 135 estabelecimentos restantes, 85 declararam não comercializar a espécie e 49 não deram retorno do contato inicial. Diferentes valores de mercado foram constatados e alguns usos conhecidos foram identificados nos estabelecimentos investigados. O presente trabalho evidenciou um considerável comércio da espécie na Região Sul do Brasil. O uso de H. dulcis pelas populações locais é, provavelmente, a principal via de introdução/dispersão da espécie nesta região. A existência de listas estaduais de EEI’s não têm sido impeditivos para a ocorrência do comércio da espécie. Especialmente onde tal comércio é ilegal (estados do Paraná e Rio Grande do Sul).The Invasive Exotic Species (IES) have been extensively studied due to the negative impacts caused by them, generating ecological, economic and human health costs. Some of these draw attention to their potential for invasion, such as Hovenia dulcis Thunb. (Rhamnaceae), popularly known as japanese raisin tree. In Brazil, the most of records are found in the Southern Region (states of Paraná, Santa Catarina, and Rio Grande do Sul). The high occurrence of the species in this region may be associated with the interest of the population in its cultivation, facilitated by the acquisition of seedlings in specialized establishments. In this context, the objective of this study was to evaluate the potential trade of the species in specialized establishments (nurseries and flower shops) in the Southern Region of Brazil. In total, 303 establishments (205 plant nurseries and 98 flower farms) were investigated, and trade was evidenced in 168 (100 plant nurseries and 68 flower shops). Of the 135 remaining, 85 did not report the species trade and 49 did not return from the initial contact by e-mail. Different market values were evidenced and some known uses were identified in the establishments investigated. The present work evidenced a considerable trade of the species in southern Brazil. The use of H. dulcis by local populations is probably the main introduction/dispersal pathway of the species in southern Brazil. The existence IES regional lists have not been prevented the H. dulcis trade, especially where such trade is illegal (states of Paraná e Rio Grande do Sul)

ESPÉCIES EXÓTICAS INVASORAS EM UNIDADES DE CONSERVAÇÃO NA REGIÃO SUL DO BRASIL

Invasive Alien Species (IAS) have become the focus of major international conservation strategies due to the different negative environmental impacts they cause and that they could cause in the short, medium and long-term. The presence of IAS in Conservation Units (CU) has been documented in different regions of the world and the consequences may be devastating. Currently, Brazil has around 2,300 CU and approximately 460 IAS, many of them have been recorded in UC. Despite these records, in Brazil studies have been focused only on sporadic research and, normally, they do not explore issues related to the management of the problem in CU. The study aimed to perform an IAS survey in CU in the Southern Region of Brazil and to evaluate issues related to environmental management. For this, two methodological approaches were used: i) registration of IAS in management plans (complemented by managers’ reports); ii) thematic surveys applied to CU managers. We identified 87 IAS with 770 records in CU in southern Brazil, of which 54% and 46% were species of plants and animals, respectively. All managers confirmed the presence of some IAS in their units, although few identified as one of the main environmental management problems of their units. Few specific strategies for the management of IAS have been identified, and mostly directed to plant species. There are obviously present and future challenges in the management of IAS in CU that need to be addressed by environmental agencies.As Espécies Exóticas Invasoras (EEIs) têm se tornado foco das principais estratégias conservacionistas internacionais, devido aos diferentes impactos ambientais negativos que causam e que podem causar em curto, médio e longo prazos. A presença de EEIs em Unidades de Conservação (UCs) tem sido constatada em diferentes regiões do mundo e as consequências podem ser devastadoras. O Brasil, país com ~2.300 UCs, possui, atualmente, ~460 EEIs registradas, sendo muitas destas em UCs. Apesar destes registros, os estudos sobre a temática focam em levantamento pontual de espécies em UCs e não exploram questões relacionadas à gestão da problemática. O objetivo do estudo foi realizar um diagnóstico sobre a presença de EEIs em UCs federais e estaduais da Região Sul, bem como avaliar questões relacionadas à gestão ambiental. Para tanto, duas abordagens metodológicas foram utilizadas: i) registro de EEIs em Planos de Manejo (PMs) (complementado pelo relato dos gestores); ii) questionário temático aplicado aos gestores. Foram identificadas 87 EEIs com 770 registros em UCs na Região Sul do Brasil, das quais 54% e 46% foram espécies de plantas e animais respectivamente. Todos os gestores confirmaram a presença de alguma EEI em suas unidades, apesar de poucos identificarem estas como um dos principais problemas de gestão de suas unidades. Poucas estratégias específicas para o manejo de EEIs foram identificadas, sendo as poucas existentes direcionadas, em sua maioria, para espécies de plantas. Existem desafios evidentes, presentes e futuros, na gestão de EEIs em UCs que necessitam ser enfrentados pelos órgãos ambientais

External Morphology and Ultrastructure of Tegumental Glands of Aegla platensis (Crustacea, Anomura, Aeglidae) Pleopods: Might They Play A Role in Egg Attachment?

Egg incubation on the female abdomen is the parental care behavior observed in aeglids, in which eggs are kept adhered to maternal pleopods and maintained, cleaned and aerated. In A. platensis, egg attachment occurs with the aid of pleopodal setae, which are twisted around their axis in the distal region, forming the funiculus, and pleopodal glands, which are responsible for the production of the adhesive substance that seems to be involved in egg fixation to pleopodal setae. Those glands are acini formed by secretory cells arranged concentrically around a central duct, giving them a rosette appearance. Two types of secretory cells were observed, those that produce electron-lucid vesicles and those having electron-dense ones. Both kinds of vesicles are released in a duct whose opening pore is located on the pleopodal surface and constitute the adhesive substance that coats eggs and pleopodal setae, ensuring egg fixation to the female body and maternal care maintenance. This study investigates the internal and external morphology of Aegla platensis pleopods, to understand the egg attachment process and identify the structures involved in this phenomenon. Three microscopy techniques are used: scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and optical microscopy (OM)

Genetic diversity of the invasive crayfish Procambarus clarkii in France

International audienc

Red swamp crayfish: biology, ecology and invasion - an overview

Alien species have been transported and traded by humans for many centuries. However, with the era of globalization, biological invasions have reached notable magnitudes. Currently, introduction of alien species is one of the major threats to biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. The North American crayfish Procambarus clarkii is one of the most widely introduced freshwater species in the world, especially due to its high economic importance. It is responsible for great modifications in invaded environments causing irreparable ecological and economic damages. Its impressive ability to successfully colonize a wide range of environments is a consequence of its behavioural and biological characteristics that can adapt to features of the invaded location, conferring to this species a notable ecological plasticity. This review summarizes the available information regarding P. clarkii’s biology and invasive dynamics around the world in order to contribute to the understanding of the threats posed by its establishment, as well as to support management and impact mitigation efforts

Red swamp crayfish: biology, ecology and invasion - an overview

ABSTRACTAlien species have been transported and traded by humans for many centuries. However, with the era of globalization, biological invasions have reached notable magnitudes. Currently, introduction of alien species is one of the major threats to biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. The North American crayfish Procambarus clarkii is one of the most widely introduced freshwater species in the world, especially due to its high economic importance. It is responsible for great modifications in invaded environments causing irreparable ecological and economic damages. Its impressive ability to successfully colonize a wide range of environments is a consequence of its behavioural and biological characteristics that can adapt to features of the invaded location, conferring to this species a notable ecological plasticity. This review summarizes the available information regarding P. clarkii's biology and invasive dynamics around the world in order to contribute to the understanding of the threats posed by its establishment, as well as to support management and impact mitigation efforts

Categorization of <i>B. napus</i> sequecences matching noncoding and organellar small RNAs.

*<p>Only 18–25 nt reads were considered. The small RNA were clustered according to their origin as follow: ribosome (rRNA); transporter (tRNA); small nuclear (snRNA); small nucleolar (snoRNA); mitochondrial (mtRNA) and chloroplastic (cpRNA).</p

Number of miRNAs identified by sequence homology or matching pre-miRNAs in <i>B. napus</i> seed libraries that belong to novel and known plant miRNA families.

*<p>most abundant;</p>a<p>Data from <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0050663#pone.0050663.s006" target="_blank">Table S2</a>;</p>b<p>Data from <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0050663#pone.0050663.s007" target="_blank">Table S3</a>;</p>c<p>Data from <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0050663#pone.0050663.s008" target="_blank">Table S4</a>;</p>d<p>Number of identified families already considered in previous categories are in parenthesis.</p

Sequencing profile of plant conserved miRNAs in <i>B. napus</i> seed libraries.

<p>(<b>A</b>) Number of total read counts of each miRNA in the mature and developing seed libraries of <i>B. napus</i>. (<b>B</b>) Mature miRNAs differentially expressed in the developing seed library and with fold-change higher than 2,0. Black bars represent miRNAs that were more abundant in mature seeds; blue bars represent miRNAs that were more abundant in developing seeds.</p