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

Ramos do arco aórtico e da aorta torácica em bicho-preguiça (Bradypus variegatus)

RESUMO As preguiças são mamíferos arborícolas, bem específicos quanto aos hábitos e à morfofisiologia. Essa condição faz delas ainda mais vulneráveis aos impactos ambientais. Com o objetivo de fornecer informações que auxiliem na clínica médico-cirúrgica desses Xenarthras, realizou-se um estudo do arco aórtico e da artéria aorta torácica, a fim de se identificarem seus principais ramos. Foram utilizados 10 animais da espécie Bradypus variegatus, sendo uma fêmea e três machos submetidos a dissecação, por meio da qual foram obtidas medidas de diâmetro e comprimento dos vasos, enquanto três fêmeas e três machos destinaram-se à técnica de radiografia digital com contraste. Constatou-se uma sintopia uniforme do arco, bem como da porção descendente da artéria aorta no tórax. No entanto, a topografia difere consideravelmente. Com base nos ramos, percebeu-se, independentemente do sexo, uma maior variação naqueles originados do arco e dos que emergem da artéria aorta torácica e irrigam estruturas medianas e do antímero direito do tórax. Foram obtidos valores maiores para o diâmetro das artérias na fêmea do que nos machos e, para o comprimento da artéria aorta torácica, foram encontrados valores correspondentes em ambos. Toda essa variação dos bradipodídeos apresenta diferenças em relação a outros mamíferos

Branches of the aortic arch and thoracic aorta of the sloth (Bradypus variegatus)

<p></p><p>ABSTRACT Sloths are arboreal mammals, very specific, regarding their habits and morphology. This condition makes them even more vulnerable to environmental impacts. In order to provide information to assist in the medical and surgical assistance to these Xenarthras, a study of the aortic arch and thoracic portion of the descending aorta was carried out with the purpose of identify its main branches. Ten animals of the Bradypus variegatus species were used. One female and three males were submitted to dissection, where measurements of vessel diameter and length were obtained, while three females and three males were submitted to the digital contrast x-ray technique. There was a uniform syntopy of the arch, as well as of the descending portion of the aorta in the thorax. However, the topography differs considerably. Based on the branches, regardless of gender, a greater variation was observed in those originating from the arch, and those that emerge from the thoracic aorta and irrigate medial structures and the right antimere of the thorax. Greater values were obtained for the diameter of the arteries in the female than in the males and corresponding values for the length of the thoracic aorta in both. All this variation is possibly related to the adaptive processes of Bradipodidae over time.</p><p></p

Soybean oil treatment impairs glucose-stimulated insulin secretion and changes fatty acid composition of normal and diabetic islets

Abstract We investigated the effect of sub-chronic soybean oil (SO) treatment on the insulin secretion and fatty acid composition of islets of Langerhans obtained from Goto-Kakizaki (GK), a model of type 2 diabetes, and normal Wistar rats. We observed that soybean-treated Wistar rats present insulin resistance and defective islet insulin secretion when compared with untreated Wistar rats. The decrease in insulin secretion occurred at all concentrations of glucose and arginine tested. Furthermore we observed that soybean-treated normal islets present a significant decrease in two saturated fatty acids, myristic and heneicosanoic acids, and one monounsaturated eicosenoic acid, and the appearance of the monounsaturated erucic acid. Concerning diabetic animals, we observed that soybean-treated diabetic rats, when compared with untreated GK rats, present an increase in plasma non-fasting free fatty acids, an exacerbation of islet insulin secretion impairment in all conditions tested and a significant decrease in the monounsaturated palmitoleic acid. Altogether our results show that SO treatment results in a decrease of insulin secretion and alterations on fatty acid composition in normal and diabetic islets. Furthermore, the impairment of insulin secretion, islet erucic acid and fasting plasma insulin levels are similar in treated normal and untreated diabetic rats, suggesting that SO could have a deleterious effect on ß-cell function and insulin sensitivity

Análise de crescimento de Bixa orellana L. sob efeito da inoculação micorrízica e adubação fosfatada Analyses of Bixa orellana L. growth under the effects of mycorrhizal inoculation and phosphate fertilization

Este estudo objetivou avaliar o desenvolvimento de Bixa orellana L. em condições de viveiro sob efeito da inoculação micorrízica e adubação fosfatada. As plantas foram cultivadas em sacos de polietileno com 0,18 X 0,30 m e capacidade de 1,3 kg de substrato. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi inteiramente casualizado com seis tratamentos e trinta repetições. As dosagens de fósforo utilizadas foram 0, 4.200 e 8.400 g m-3 de substrato. O fungo micorrízico arbuscular (FMA) da espécie Glomus clarum, foi utilizado em metade dos tratamentos (com e sem micorrizas) com inoculação de 2 g do fungo. As avaliações ocorreram 30, 60, 90 e 120 dias após a emergência das plântulas. Determinou-se a massa seca de folhas, área foliar, massa seca total, razão de área foliar, área foliar específica, taxa assimilatória líquida, taxa de crescimento relativo e taxa de crescimento absoluto. O fungo micorrízico facilita a absorção de fósforo pelo urucum, atendendo a sua exigência em relação ao nutriente. A dose de fósforo de 4.200 g m-3 em associação com FMA Glomus clarum ou 8.400 g m-3, com ou sem essa associação, são indicadas para o crescimento de plantas de urucum em viveiro, por promoverem adequadas respostas dos índices fisiológicos, contribuindo com seu desenvolvimento<br>This study aimed to evaluate the development of Bixa orellana L. under nursery conditions and subjected to the effects of mycorrhizal inoculation and phosphate fertilization. The plants were grown in polyethylene bags with dimensions of 0.18 x 0.30 m and capacity of 1.3 kg substrate. The adopted experimental design was completely randomized with six treatments and thirty replicates. The used phosphorus levels were 0, 4.200 and 8.400 g m-3 substrate. The arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (AMF) of the species Glomus clarum was used in half of the treatments (with and without mycorrhizae) with inoculation of 2 g of the fungus. Evaluations occurred at 30, 60, 90 and 120 days after the emergence of seedlings. Leaf dry mass, leaf area, total dry mass, leaf area ratio, specific leaf area, net assimilation rate, relative growth rate and absolute growth rate were determined. The mycorrhizal fungus facilitates phosphorus uptake by annatto, fulfilling its requirement for the nutrient. The phosphorus level of 4.200 g m-3 in association with Glomus clarum or 8.400 g m-3, with or without this association, are indicated for annatto plant growth in nurseries since they promote appropriate responses of physiological indexes, contributing to the plant developmen