A review on activity patterns, reproduction, and feeding habits of Brazilian chelid turtles (Testudines, Chelidae)

The knowledge on natural history of some Brazilian chelonian species is still scarce what makes it difficult to ascertain ecological and evolutionary histories. Data like this, however, can be used as fundamental tools for species management and conservation. A survey was made on the activity patterns, reproduction, and feeding behavior of Brazilian Chelidae species (freshwater side-necked turtles) available in the literature. A clear lack of information regarding natural history is evident for most species. The species diversity and the biological importance of this taxon regard it as an interesting target to be studied. Since several Chelidae behaviors (including those reported in this study) are considered stereotyped, I suggest that laboratory studies should be encouraged as a way of complementing the field research

Conservation of catchments: some theoretical considerations and case histories from Rio de Janeiro

Conservation has developed along two lines: protection of species and communities, and preservation of natural resources. Catchments provide the natural unit for conservation since they are the fundamental unit of terrestrial ecosystems and account for most of the flow of materials. Urban streams of the city of Rio de Janeiro are generally well protected in their headwaters by the large urban parks in steep terrain. However, the lower reaches are often very heavily impacted by sewage, channelling, etc. Fauna that require estuarine habitats for part of their life history are excluded from such streams. Ecosystem functioning in urban streams is probably changed through the loss of strongly-interacting shrimp. Leaf decomposition was found to be reduced in urban streams compared to pristine streams in one study. Conservation entities in the state of Rio de Janeiro tend to protect the mountainous areas; piedmont and coastal plain habitats are generally impacted by agriculture and habitation. Many attempts are being made to conserve catchments in the state of Rio de Janeiro; we discuss 4 case histories, which have different constraints and employ different strategies for management and conservation. Key words: connectivity, catadromous shrimp, conservation planning and management.Conservation has developed along two lines: protection of species and communities, and preservation of natural resources. Catchments provide the natural unit for conservation since they are the fundamental unit of terrestrial ecosystems and account for most of the flow of materials. Urban streams of the city of Rio de Janeiro are generally well protected in their headwaters by the large urban parks in steep terrain. However, the lower reaches are often very heavily impacted by sewage, channelling, etc. Fauna that require estuarine habitats for part of their life history are excluded from such streams. Ecosystem functioning in urban streams is probably changed through the loss of strongly-interacting shrimp. Leaf decomposition was found to be reduced in urban streams compared to pristine streams in one study. Conservation entities in the state of Rio de Janeiro tend to protect the mountainous areas; piedmont and coastal plain habitats are generally impacted by agriculture and habitation. Many attempts are being made to conserve catchments in the state of Rio de Janeiro; we discuss 4 case histories, which have different constraints and employ different strategies for management and conservation. Key words: connectivity, catadromous shrimp, conservation planning and management

Oral bacterial microbiota and traumatic injuries of free-ranging Phrynops geoffroanus (Testudines, Chelidae) in southeastern Brazil

During 2006 and 2007, we collected free-ranging Phrynops geoffroanus, from two anthropogenically altered rivers in southeastern Brazil. Oral microbiological samples were taken for isolation of aerobic and facultative anaerobic bacteria; a physical examination was performed;and we evaluated possible effects on the turtles’ health. Twenty-nine species of bacteria were isolated in Piracicaba River turtles (n=10), and twenty-four species in Piracicamirim stream turtles (n=8), most of them gram-negative. In both sites, potential pathogens for reptiles were: Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterobacter agglomerans, Citrobacter freundii, and Bacillus sp. Although boatpropeller lesions were common on the carapace of the turtles, we have not found turtles with signs of clinical diseases. The oral bacterial microbiota of P. geoffroanus inhabiting the Piracicaba River basin are composed of a diverse microbe spectrum, and long-term studies of the effects of pollution and traumatic injuries on this population and its microbial flora are warranted

Microbiota bacteriana oral e lesões traumáticas no cágado Phrynops geoffroanus (Testudines, Chelidae) no sudeste do Brasil

Entre 2006 e 2007, coletamos amostras microbiológicas da cavidade oral de cágados Phrynops geoffroanus de vida livre, em dois rios antropizados da região sudeste do Brasil, para o isolamento de bactérias aeróbicas e anaeróbicas facultativas, e realizamos um exame físico e avaliamos possíveis efeitos sobre o estado de saúde dos animais. Vinte e nove espécies de bactérias foram isoladas em cágados do rio Piracicaba (n=10), e vinte e quatro espécies em animais do ribeirão Piracicamirim (n=8), a maioria delas gram-negativas. Em ambos os sítios estudados foram isolados patógenos potenciais para répteis, como Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterobacter agglomerans, Citrobacter freundii e Bacillus sp. Embora lesões na carapaça dos cágados, causadas por hélices de barcos, foram um achado comum no exame físico, não encontramos animais com sinais clínicos de doenças. A microbiota bacteriana oral dos cágados que habitam a bacia do rio Piracicaba é composta por um amplo espectro de bactérias, e estudos de longa duração sobre os efeitos da poluição e de lesões traumáticas nesta população e de sua microbiota oral são recomendados.During 2006 and 2007, we collected free-ranging Phrynops geoffroanus, from two anthropogenically altered rivers in southeastern Brazil. Oral microbiological samples were taken for isolation of aerobic and facultative anaerobic bacteria; a physical examination was performed; and we evaluated possible effects on the turtles' health. Twenty-nine species of bacteria were isolated in Piracicaba River turtles (n=10), and twenty-four species in Piracicamirim stream turtles (n=8), most of them gram-negative. In both sites, potential pathogens for reptiles were: Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterobacter agglomerans, Citrobacter freundii, and Bacillus sp. Although boat propeller lesions were common on the carapace of the turtles, we have not found turtles with signs of clinical diseases. The oral bacterial microbiota of P. geoffroanus inhabiting the Piracicaba River basin are composed of a diverse microbe spectrum, and long-term studies of the effects of pollution and traumatic injuries on this population and its microbial flora are warranted

Levantamento semidetalhado dos solos da bacia do Rio Amada- BA.

Este estudo teve como objetivo o mapeamento semidetalhado dos solos da Bacia do Rio Almada ? BA. Para tanto, a metodologia adotada abrangeu o levantamento de dados primários e pré-existentes de solos, os quais foram classificados segundo o Sistema Brasileiro de Classificação de Solos (SBCS) da Embrapa, e posteriormente manipulados em ambiente de Sistema de Informação Geográfica (SIG) para geração do mapa. Os resultados apontaram que existe uma grande diversidade de solos, devido à heterogeneidade de ambientes, sendo identificados oito diferentes ordens de solos na área de estudo. As informações levantadas e mapeadas dos solos subsidiarão a realização de prognósticos sobre o potencial da terra, para usos específicos

Notes on the hematology of free-living Phrynops geoffroanus (Testudines: Chelidae) in polluted rivers of Southeastern Brazil

Phrynops geoffroanus (Schweigger, 1812) is the freshwater turtle with the widest geographical distribution in South America. During 2006, physical examination and hematological evaluation were performed on free-ranging turtles from two polluted rivers, the Piracicaba River (n = 51) and its tributary Piracicamirim (n = 42), in southeastern Brazil. Red blood cell and thrombocyte counts, mean corpuscular volume and mean corpuscular hemoglobin levels differed in turtles from the two water courses. Although free-ranging turtles showed ectoparasites and boat propeler lesions, animals apparently had no signs of clinical disease. In spite of our results, further monitoring of the demography and health status of Phrynops geoffroanus in anthropogenically altered environments is recommended.FAPESP [05/00210-9]CNPqCoordenacao de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nivel Superior (CAPES

Cost-effectiveness analysis of a state funded programme for control of severe asthma

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Asthma is one of the most common chronic diseases and a major economical burden to families and health systems. Whereas efficacy of current therapeutical options has been clearly established, cost-effectiveness analysis of public health interventions for asthma control are scarce.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>81 patients with severe asthma (12–75 years) joining a programme in a reference clinic providing free asthma medication were asked retrospectively about costs and events in the previous 12 months. During 12 months after joining the programme, information on direct and indirect costs, asthma control by lung function, symptoms and quality of life were collected. The information obtained was used to estimate cost-effectiveness of the intervention as compared to usual public health asthma management. Sensitivity analysis was conducted.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>64 patients concluded the study. During the 12-months follow-up within the programme, patients had 5 fewer days of hospitalization and 68 fewer visits to emergency/non scheduled medical visits per year, on average. Asthma control scores improved by 50% and quality of life by 74%. The annual saving in public resources was US$387 per patient. Family annual income increased US$512, and family costs were reduced by US$733.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>A programme for control of severe asthma in a developing country can reduce morbidity, improve quality of life and save resources from the health system and patients families.</p