15 research outputs found
Distribution of Corbicula fluminea (Müller, 1774) in the invaded range: a geographic approach with notes on species traits variability
Corbicula fluminea is considered one of the
most important non-native invasive species (NIS) in
aquatic systems mainly due to its widespread distribution
and ecological and economic impacts. This species
is known to negatively affect native bivalves, also with
severe effects on biodiversity and ecosystem functioning.
Throughout an exhaustive bibliographic survey and
with the aid of Geographic Information Systems tools,
this study tracks the species dispersion from its native
range, including the description of important physical
and environmental barriers. Additional analyses were
conducted to examine possible influences of latitudinal/
temperature gradients on important traits (e.g. life span,
maximum and mean body length, growth at the end of
first year). Altitude and winter minimum temperature
appear to be delaying the invasion worldwide, but it
seems inevitable that the species will spread across the
globe. Latitude and summer temperature show a
relationship with growth and life span. Overall, the
information gathered in this review may be relevant to
forecast future distribution patterns of this NIS, and to
anticipate the possible implementation of effective
management measures. Moreover, it may constitute a
valuabletool inthe prediction of population responses to
an increasingly changing environment.This research was supported by FCT
(Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology), through
a PhD grant attributed to D. Crespo (SFRH/BD/80252/2011), a
post-doc grant attributed to S. Leston (SFRH/BPD/91828/2012)
and M Dolbeth (SFRH/BPD/41117/2007) and BIOCHANGED
project (PTDC/MAR/111901/2009), subsidized by the
European Social Fund and MCTES (Ministério da Ciência,
Tecnologia e Ensino Superior) National Funds, through the
POPH (Human Potential Operational Programme), QREN
(National Strategic Reference Framework) and COMPETE
(Programa Operacional Factores de Competitividade).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Improving collection efforts to avoid loss of biodiversity: lessons from comprehensive sampling of lycophytes and ferns in the subtropical Atlantic Forest
Paracoccidioidomicose com comprometimento do sistema nervoso central: revisão sistemática da literatura
Circulation and suspended sediment dynamics in a tropical estuary under different morphological setting
Paracoccidioidomycosis case series with and without central nervous system involvement
INTRODUCTION: Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is the most important systemic mycosis in South America. Central nervous system involvement is potentially fatal and can occur in 12.5% of cases. This paper aims to contribute to the literature describing eight cases of neuroparacoccidioidomycosis (NPMC) and compare their characteristics with patients without neurological involvement, to identify unique characteristics of NPCM. METHODS: A cohort of 213 PCM cases was evaluated at the Infectious Diseases Clinic of the University Hospital, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil, from October 1976 to August 2008. Epidemiological, clinical, laboratory, therapeutic and follow-up data were registered. RESULTS: Eight patients presented NPCM. The observed NPCM prevalence was 3.8%. One patient presented the subacute form of PCM and the other seven presented the chronic form of the disease. The parenchymatous form of NPCM occurred in all patients. 60% of the patients who proceeded from the north/ northeast region of Minas Gerais State developed NPCM. The neurological involvement of a mother and her son was observed. NPCM patients exhibited demographical and clinical profiles similar to what is described in the literature. When NPCM cases were compared to PCM patients, there were differences in relation to origin and positive PCM family history. CONCLUSIONS: The results corroborate the clinical view that the neurological findings are extremely important in the evaluation of PCM patients. Despite the limitations of this study, the differences in relation to patient's origins and family history point to the need of further studies to determine the susceptibility factors involved in the neurological compromise