Odonata (Insecta) in high-altitude fields and associated ecosystems in the Poços de Caldas Plateau, Brazil

The High Altitude Fields (HAF) are unique phytosociological features that occur only in certain regions of the Atlantic Forest. It is composed of herbaceous and shrubby vegetation and shallow soils that promote local water infiltration and recharge. Occurring on top of hills, the HAF are isolated units in the landscape, connecting with the matrix through associated ecosystems (springs with riparian forests and “capões de mata”, which are natural islands of arboreal vegetation, commonly associated with rural vegetation, such as high-altitude fields, located above 1,200 m in phytogeographic domains of the Atlantic Forest, Cerrado or Caatinga). These areas have great species endemism, and studies concerning the order Odonata are still scarce. Thus, we aimed to evaluate the ecological responses (richness, diversity, specificity) of adult odonates in these ecosystems. The study was conducted from November 2020 to March 2021 in three areas in the Poços de Caldas Plateau, Minas Gerais state, Brazil. A total of 45 species (247 specimens) were collected, with the highest total richness being recorded for Anisoptera. Among the sampled areas, there was no difference in Anisoptera communities, but there was a difference in Zygoptera species composition. In general, the most preserved remnant of HAF, the greater it presents greater richness of Odonata and harbors a regional pool of species

Community of social wasps (Hymenoptera, Vespidae) in Atlantic Forest remnants in the Western of the state of Paraná, Southern Brazil

The Atlantic Forest is among the 36 biodiversity hotspots of the world. The southern region of this biome covers 52 conservation units (CUs), including the Bela Vista Biological Refuge (RBBV), which has actions based on biodiversity conservation, scientific research, and environmental education. Biodiversity is the basis for different ecosystem services that can be carried out by social wasps, essential in terrestrial environments. Brazil has the richest fauna of social wasps (Vespidae, Polistinae) on the planet (381 species); however, some Brazilian states, such as Paraná, are “undersampled.” This study was carried out with the goal of inventorying the fauna richness of social wasps in the Atlantic Forest. This biome is located in the RBBV, Paraná, Southern Brazil, and the collections took place from September 2021 to May 2022, totaling 20 days of sampling. Active search with the aid of insect entomological nets in trails near aquatic environments was used. A total of 18 species of social wasps were recorded, including four new records for the state of Paraná. This study recorded species restricted to some biomes and others of wide geographical occurrence; therefore, the RBBV is an important CU for maintaining the fauna of social wasps in the state of Paraná

Painéis fotovoltaicos em um conjunto de edificações popular em Campinas: Viabilidade econômica e social

O Brasil possui uma alta capacidade energética que favorece os sistemas fotovoltaicos. Este estudo apresenta uma análise econômica, utilizando o software HomerPro, para a instalação de painéis fotovoltaicos conectados à rede em um conjunto de edificações popular na cidade de Campinas. A análise social foi realizada para verificar a popularidade e o interesse em aderir esta tecnologia. Os resultados obtidos foram positivos na aplicabilidade do projeto interligado à rede elétrica e na aceitação do projeto

High prevalence of hepatitis B virus and low vaccine response in children and adolescents in Northeastern Brazil

Children have an increased likelihood of becoming carriers of the chronic hepatitis B virus. A total of 1,381 children and adolescents were assessed in five municipalities of Maranhao State, Brazil, for detection of anti-HBc, HBsAg and anti-HBs serologic markers and sociodemographic and behavioral features. Among those who were HBsAg negative and anti-HBc negative, the proportion of anti-HBs positives was calculated after the individuals had completed the vaccination schedule. The robust variance of the Poisson’s regression model was used in order to have adjusted tables and calculate the prevalence ratio. Multivariate analysis was performed to identify the factors associated with the prevalence of anti-HBc with or without HBsAg and the vaccine response. It was observed that 163 children were anti-HBc positive and nine individuals were HBsAg positive. The factors associated with the infection were: municipality of residence (residing in Morros municipality or Humberto de Campos municipality), residence in a rural area, aged between 13 and 15 years old, and illicit drug use. The percentage of individuals who were anti-HBc negative and received all three doses of the vaccine was 48.5%. Among these, only 276 (38.9%) had antibodies at protective concentrations. In an adjusted analysis, Morros municipality presented an increased positivity of vaccine response (p < 0.001), and the age ranging between 6 and 10 years old presented a reduced frequency of response. This study reveals a high prevalence of current and past HBV infection within the targeted age group which, in addition to the low vaccination coverage and serological responses, raises concerns about the management of prevention measures, especially the quality of vaccination in these locations

Social wasps (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) associated with Eucalyptus sp. plantations from an Altitude Field in Southern Minas Gerais State, Brazil

Abstract. In Brazil, there is little information about social wasp communities in Altitude Fields (Campos de Altitude), a phytophysiognomy of the Atlantic Forest with a high rate of endemism, which is being altered and reduced in area by human activities, such as the cultivation of Eucalyptus spp. Therefore, the present study aimed to inventory the species of Polistinae (Vespidae) presente in an Altitude Field associated with Eucalyptus sp. plantations in the municipality of Poços de Caldas, Southern Minas Gerais, Brazil. The study was conducted in Morro do Ferro, central region of the Poços de Caldas Plateau, from 2020 to 2021, using active search and Malaise traps. Thirteen species of social wasps were recorded, which have a wide geographic distribution, and explore anthropic environments, such as agricultural areas, pasture and Eucalyptus sp. plantations. Many of them behave as synanthropic, suggesting this altitude field to be a degraded area in Poços Caldas, MG. However, further studies must be carried out in the region, in order to know and preserve these remaining ecosystems

Landscape-Level and Fine-Scale Genetic Structure of the Neotropical Tree Protium spruceanum

Knowledge of genetic structure at different scales and correlation with the current landscape is fundamental for evaluating the importance of evolutionary processes and identifying conservation units. Here, we used allozyme loci to examine the spatial genetic structure (SGS) of 230 individuals of Protium spruceanum, a native canopy-emergent in five fragments of Brazilian Atlantic forest (1 to 11.8 ha), and four ecological corridors (460 to 1 000 m length). Wright's statistic and Mantel tests revealed little evidence of significant genetic structure at the landscape-scale (=0.027; =−0.051, =.539). At fine-scale SGS, low levels of relatedness within fragments and corridors (=0.008, >.05) were observed. Differences in the levels and distribution of the SGS at both spatial scales are discussed in relation to biological and conservation strategies of corridors and forest fragments

MARIMBONDOS (HYMENOPTERA: VESPIDAE) NA CULTURA POPULAR BRASILEIRA

Marimbondos são insetos sociais de grande interesse e relevância para a espécie humana. Sua história natural se mistura à nossa por meio da construção do conhecimento empírico de culturas tradicionais, mas também do imaginário popular, fomentando o mito na criação das identidades dos grupos sociais. O Brasil apresenta um rico repertório cultural referindo-se à relação entre o povo brasileiro e os marimbondos, geralmente associado à suposta hostilidade de suas estratégias de defesa. Na ausência, contudo, de um compêndio que relacione tais obras, realizou-se o presente trabalho, visando a demonstrar o quão presentes estão os marimbondos na cultura do povo brasileiro. Para tanto, consultou-se a literatura especializada e obras da música e literatura popular. Os registros demonstram a presença dos marimbondos no cotidiano das comunidades do campo, em geral associados à transmissão de histórias e crendices, aos conhecimentos e práticas de medicina popular, ou à literatura regionalista. Assim, tem-se confirmado a estreita relação entre o povo brasileiro e a biodiversidade adjacente, o que aponta a necessidade de mais pesquisas para a reconstituição da história dessas relações, portanto, é reiterado que conhecer é o primeiro passo para preservar

Painéis fotovoltaicos em um conjunto de edificações popular em Campinas: Viabilidade econômica e social

O Brasil possui uma alta capacidade energética que favorece os sistemas fotovoltaicos. Este estudo apresenta uma análise econômica, utilizando o software HomerPro, para a instalação de painéis fotovoltaicos conectados à rede em um conjunto de edificações popular na cidade de Campinas. A análise social foi realizada para verificar a popularidade e o interesse em aderir esta tecnologia. Os resultados obtidos foram positivos na aplicabilidade do projeto interligado à rede elétrica e na aceitação do projeto

Genetic parameters and correlation in early measurement cycles in rubber trees

Knowledge of the traits present in plant populations of a species is essential to carry out selection and breeding. The objective of the present study was to estimate the genetic parameters and correlate genetically and phenotypically the variables rubber yield, annual trunk girth increase, number of latex vessel rings and bark thickness in early measurement cycles. A total of 22 rubber tree progenies (Hevea brasiliensis) were assessed in three locations during three early measurement cycles. The bark thickness variable correlated significantly for the three increase measurements made in the locations of Jaú, Pindorama and Votuporanga. The progeny mean based joint hereditability showed mean values greater than individual plants and within progeny plants of 0.848, 0.286 and 0.242, respectively. The variables annual trunk girth increase and bark thickness are genetically correlated variables. Rubber yield is correlated genetically with bark thickness that permits simultaneous selection for the two characteristics. The early measurement cycles were efficacious for finding genetic variability among the genotypes