STRANDINGS OF ANTILLEAN MANATEES, TRICHECHUS MANATUS MANATUS, IN NORTHEASTERN BRAZIL

Abstract -The Antillean manatee (Trichechus manatus manatus) is considered to be one of the most endangered aquatic mammals in Brazil. From 1981 through 2002 an extensive research was performed to collect information about stranding of manatees on the northeast coast of Brazil. Data were separated in two distinct periods (1981-1990 and 1991-2002) and analyzed according to specific categories: stranded dead (captured by nets, captured by harpoons and undefined cause) and stranded alive (dead in captivity and captive population). There were 74 events of stranding manatees in the period surveyed. Thirty-one events of dead manatees and 43 events of specimens that survived until December 2002 were recorded. In the last years of the study there were more strandings of alive animals than dead. The main reason for the strandings of manatee calves in northeastern Brazil is the separation from their mothers. The largest numbers of stranded manatees occurred in Ceará and Rio Grande do Norte states. Resumo -O peixe-boi marinho (Trichechus manatus manatus) é considerado um dos mamíferos aquáticos mais ameaçados do Brasil. Entre 1981 e 2002 foi realizado um extenso levantamento de informações sobre os encalhes de peixes-boi marinho na costa nordeste do Brasil. Os dados foram dispostos em dois períodos distintos (1981-1990 e 1991-2002

Ocorrência de Contracaecum pelagicum (Johnston & Mawson 1942) (Nematoda: Anisakidae) em pinguim-de-magalhães (Spheniscus magellanicus (Forster, 1837)) coletado do nordeste do Brasil, com atualização de sua distribuição no país

The study identified Contracaecum pelagicum (Johnston & Mawson 1942) as a parasite found in Sphenicus magellanicus (Forster, 1837), and a low sampling of infected hosts was observed, with a prevalence of 33.3%, average intensity of 6/host, and mean abundance of 2±3.46. This occurrence is uncommon in the Northeast region of Brazil, where previous records indicate a higher presence in the southern region of the country. This contributes to the understanding of the geographic distribution of the parasite. Anisakids, such as C. pelagicum, have a complex life cycle involving aquatic invertebrates, fishes, and seabirds. The presence of this parasite may indicate ecological interactions in the marine ecosystem of the region. It is important to report the discovery to relevant authorities and institutions to monitor and control the presence of the parasite. These findings are relevant to the health and conservation of seabirds and the study of marine ecosystems in Northeast Brazil.El estudio identificó a Contracaecum pelagicum (Johnston & Mawson 1942) como un parásito encontrado en Sphenicus magellanicus (Forster, 1837), y se observó una baja muestra de hospedadores infectados, con una prevalencia del 33,3%, intensidad media de 6/hospedador y abundancia media de 2±3,46. Esta ocurrencia es poco común en la región noreste de Brasil, donde los registros anteriores indican una mayor presencia en la región sur del país. Esto contribuye a la comprensión de la distribución geográfica del parásito. Los anisákidos, como C. pelagicum, tienen un ciclo de vida complejo que involucra invertebrados acuáticos, peces y aves marinas. La presencia de este parásito puede indicar interacciones ecológicas en el ecosistema marino de la región. Es importante informar el descubrimiento a las autoridades e instituciones pertinentes para monitorear y controlar la presencia del parásito. Estos hallazgos son relevantes para la salud y conservación de las aves marinas y el estudio de los ecosistemas marinos en el noreste de Brasil.O estudo identificou Contracaecum pelagicum (Johnston & Mawson 1942) como um parasita encontrado em Sphenicus magellanicus (Forster, 1837), e foi observada uma baixa amostragem de hospedeiros infectados, com prevalência de 33,3%, intensidade média de 6/hospedeiro e abundância média de 2±3,46. Essa ocorrência é incomum na região Nordeste do Brasil, onde registros anteriores indicam uma presença maior na região sul do país. Isso contribui para a compreensão da distribuição geográfica do parasita. Anisakídeos, como o C. pelagicum, possuem um ciclo de vida complexo envolvendo invertebrados aquáticos, peixes e aves marinhas. A presença desse parasita pode indicar interações ecológicas no ecossistema marinho da região. É importante relatar a descoberta às autoridades e instituições relevantes para monitorar e controlar a presença do parasita. Essas descobertas são relevantes para a saúde e conservação das aves marinhas e o estudo dos ecossistemas marinhos no Nordeste do Brasil

Crassicaudiasis in three geographically and chronologically distant Cuvier’s beaked whales (Ziphius cavirostris) stranded off Brazil

The Cuvier’s beaked whale (CBW; Ziphius cavirostris) is a cosmopolitan marine mammal found in deep tropical and temperate waters of all oceans. CBW strandings have been recorded sporadically in Brazil; however, there is lack of information available regarding their causes of stranding and/or death. Herein, we report the epidemiologic, pathologic, morphologic parasitologic features and molecular identification of arterial and renal crassicaudiasis by Crassicauda sp. in three geographically and chronologically distant CBW stranded off Brazil. CBW-1 was an adult male stranded dead in Rio Grande do Sul State. CBW-2 was an adult female that stranded alive in Sergipe State and died shortly after. CBW-3 was and adult male that stranded dead in Santa Catarina State. The most relevant pathologic findings in these three CBW were severe, chronic proliferative mesenteric and caudal aortic endarteritis and chronic granulomatous and fibrosing interstitial nephritis with renicular atrophy and loss, and numerous intralesional Crassicauda sp. nematodes. Furthermore, CBW-1 had concomitant gram-negative bacterial pneumonia and pulmonary and hepatic thromboembolism. Morphologic analysis of renal adult nematodes identified Crassicauda sp. in the three CBW. Molecular analyses targeting the 18S and ITS-2 ribosomal loci of renal nematodes in CBW-2 and CBW-3 identified C. anthonyi. It is believed that severe arterial and renal crassicaudiasis likely resulted or contributed significantly to morbidity and death of these animals. These results expand the known geographical range of occurrence of crassicaudiasis in CBW. Specifically, the present study provides the first accounts of arterial and renal crassicaudiasis in CBW off the southern hemisphere, specifically in CBW off Brazil, and to the authors’ knowledge, it is the first record of C. anthonyi in the southern Atlantic Ocean

Growth curve of free-ranging Trichechus inunguis

The objective of this work was to describe growth curves for free-ranging Amazonian manatees in Brazil. Data analyzed included age estimates and biometrics from 60 Amazonian manatees (33 males and 27 females) captured between 1993 and 2006 by local residents of the mid-Solimões and Pirativa Rivers, in Amazonia, and collected by the Instituto de Desenvolvimento Sustentável Mamirauá and Centro Nacional de Conservação e Manejo de Mamíferos Aquáticos/ICMBio. The non-linear mathematical model used to analyze the data was the von Bertalanffy's equation; two growth curves were calculated, one for males L(t)male = 299.4[1-e-0.0897507(t+6.55696)], and one for females L(t)female = 256.1[1-e-0.23731(t+ 3.01921)]. Based on these equations, length at birth for the Amazonian manatee is estimated at 133.2 cm (average = 113.0 cm; SD = 34.4 cm) for males, and 131.0 cm (average = 124.7 cm; SD = 22.0 cm) for females. Among the males, the annual growth rate was 0.09 cm (95% CI: ± 0.002), with a maximum length of 299.4 cm (95% CI: ± 2.039), while females presented a growth rate of 0.24 cm per year (95% CI: ± 0.004), reaching up to 256.1 cm (95% CI: ± 0.4832) of total length. Even though von Bertalanffy's equation is not commonly used for sirenians, and considering that when previously applied it did not obtain satisfactory results, in this study it proved adequate for the establishment of the growth curve for free-ranging Amazonian manatees

Ocorrência de infecção Cryptosporidium spp. em peixe-boi marinho (Trichechus manatus) Occurrence of Cryptosporidium spp. infection in antillean manatee (Trichechus manatus)

A criptosporidiose constitui-se como uma zoonose que pode afetar o homem e uma ampla variedade de animais domésticos e silvestres, principalmente indivíduos imunodeficientes. O objetivo desse trabalho foi registrar a ocorrência de infecção por Cryptosporidium em peixe-boi marinho. Após ser constatada a mudança de comportamento de um peixe-boi marinho mantido nos oceanários do Centro Mamíferos Aquáticos, ICMBio - FMA, animal foi submetido à exame clínico e, posteriormente, à coleta de amostra fecal. As amostras fecais foram analisadas pela técnica de Kinyoun, teste de imunofluorescência direta e pelo corante 4'.6'-Diamidino-2-Phenilindole (DAPI). No exame clínico, o animal apresentou sinais de desconforto abdominal. Os resultados obtidos nas análises de microscopia de luz e fluorescente revelaram a presença de oocistos de Cryptosporidium nas fezes desse peixe-boi.<br>Cryptosporidiosis is a zoonosis which can affect man and a wide range of domestic and wild animals, mainly immunodeficient individuals. The objective of this paper was reported the occurrence of a Cryptosporidium infection in Antillean manatee. After an unusual behavior of an Antillean manatee kept in captivity at the Centro Mamíferos Aquáticos, ICMBio - FMA, clinical examination and posterior fecal sampling was performed. Fecal samples were examined by the Kinyoun technique, Direct Immunofluorescence Test and also examined by 4'.6'-Diamidino-2-Phenylindole (DAPI) staining. At the clinical examination, the animal showed signs of abdominal pain. The results obtained by light and fluorescence microscopy analysis showed the presence of Cryptosporidium spp. oocyst in feces of this manatee