Ecological aspects of myxomycete assemblages in two Brazilian Cerrado landscapes

We investigated the ecological aspects of the myxobiota associated with both the mesophilic and gallery forests from a fragment of the Cerrado biome located in the municipality of Anápolis, Goiás, Brazil. Myxomycete assemblages were sampled in pre-established plots and compared using basic ecological calculations (α and β diversity, richness, abundance, similarity, evenness, functional diversity, and substrate ecology). A total of 55 records were obtained, corresponding to 19 species, 10 genera, and eight families. Of these, 37% were exclusive to the gallery forest, 26% to the mesophilic forest, and 37% common in both. No differences were found between species richness and composition between areas, however, the greater abundance and greater number of exclusive species in the gallery forest are suggestive of better conditions and resources for myxomycete communities in this forest formation. Furthermore, species were found to have different functional characteristics between the compared areas, which seemed to show a relationship with forest structure and the complexity of the niches. This is one of the first studies on the ecology of myxomycetes in the Cerrado biome providing relevant preliminary data for further research to be carried out in areas with little monitoring.UCR::Vicerrectoría de Investigación::Unidades de Investigación::Ingeniería::Instituto Investigaciones en Ingeniería (INII

Contrasting fish biomarker responses between streams with different environmental conditions

Streams are environments susceptible to anthropic impacts that harm aquatic organisms by affecting their homeostasis. This study aimed to determine variations in the response of biochemical and genetic biomarkers of fish under the influence of anthropogenic impacts. For this, individuals of the tetra fish Astyanax lacustris were exposed in an impacted stream and one of its non-impacted tributaries (reference) during the dry and rainy seasons. For biochemical analyzes, we evaluated the antioxidant enzymes catalase and glutathione peroxidase and lipid peroxidation in tissue samples of gills and liver.  For the genotoxicity test, we evaluated micronuclei and nuclear anomalies in blood samples. The antioxidant enzymes showed seasonal variation, regardless of the stream; lipid peroxidation didn’t differ between seasons or between streams. The frequency of micronuclei and nuclear abnormalities were more frequent in the impacted stream during the rainy season, probably in response to the leaching of toxic compounds that tends to be increased in that season. These results support the use of nuclear biomarkers in biomonitoring programs.Riachos são ambientes suscetíveis a impactos antrópicos que prejudicam os organismos aquáticos por afetarem sua homeostase. Este estudo teve como objetivo determinar variações na resposta de biomarcadores bioquímicos e genéticos de peixes sob a influência de impactos antropogênicos. Para isso, lambaris da espécie Astyanax lacustris foram expostos a um riacho impactado e a um de seus afluentes não impactados (referência) durante as estações seca e chuvosa. Para as análises bioquímicas, avaliamos as enzimas antioxidantes catalase e glutationa peroxidase e peroxidação lipídica em amostras de tecido de brânquias e fígado. Para o teste de genotoxicidade, avaliamos micronúcleos e anomalias nucleares em amostras de sangue. As enzimas antioxidantes apresentaram variação sazonal, independente do riacho; a peroxidação lipídica não diferiu entre as estações ou entre os riachos. A frequência de micronúcleos e anormalidades nucleares foi mais frequentes no riacho impactado durante a estação chuvosa, provavelmente em resposta à lixiviação de compostos tóxicos que tende a ser aumentada nessa estação. Esses resultados apoiam o uso de biomarcadores nucleares em programas de biomonitoramento

SOIL QUALITY

O manejo intensivo, a constante aplicação de defensivos químicos e o uso de fertilizantes são práticas agrícolas comuns, as quais aumentam a produtividade das lavouras, porém provocam grandes alterações nas características dos solos. Essas mudanças causam a sua degradação e tem comprometido o fornecimento dos serviços ecossistêmicos do solo. Os indicadores de qualidade do solo são ferramentas simples, econômicas e eficientes de diagnóstico da fertilidade das terras, os quais podem ser utilizados para aumentar a sustentabilidade no manejo de forma a garantir uma melhor produção, e consequentemente maior lucratividade das lavouras. Três tipos de indicadores são comumente empregados: os físicos, os químicos e os biológicos. Contudo, a escolha de indicadores confiáveis é uma das principais dificuldades para o diagnóstico da qualidade do solo. Isso porque condições ambientais específicas exigem indicadores específicos, de tal modo que há variação de indicadores de local para outro. Este trabalho apresenta e discute alguns dos indicadores comumente empregados para avaliar a qualidade de solos e mostra a importância de monitorar este recurso e implementar atividades que levem a prevenção, correção, mitigação e recuperação do solo, já que a ausência de manejo adequado acarreta sérias complicações para toda espécie de vida na terra.Intensive soil management, the constant application of chemical pesticides, and the use of fertilizers are common agricultural practices, which increase crop productivity; otherwise, they promote major changes in soil attributes. Those changes cause soil degradation and have damaged the supply of soil ecosystem services. In this sense, soil quality indicators are simple, economical, and efficient tools for diagnosing the fertility of the land, which can be used for greater environmental sustainability and to guarantee better production and, consequently, greater profitability of crops. Three types of indicators are commonly used in the evaluation of soil quality, they are the physical, chemical, and biological indicators. However, choosing reliable indicators is one of the main difficulties in diagnosing soil quality. This is because specific environmental conditions require specific indicators, in such a way that indicators vary from place to place. This work presents and discusses some of the indicators commonly used to assess soil quality and shows the importance of monitoring this resource and implementing activities that lead to prevention, correction, mitigation, and soil recovery, since the misuse of the soil entails serious complications. for all life on earth

First records of Myriostoma calongei Baseia, Sousa & Martín (Geastraceae, Basidiomycota) in central Brazil

Myriostoma Desv. is a genus of gasteroid fungi, distinguished from the other star-shaped fungi by the basidioma morphology with multiple pedicels and multi-stomata endoperidium. Studies based on phylogenetic, morphological characteristics and geographical distribution allowed the delimitation of five species in the genus. In Brazil, it is represented by M. calongei Baseia, Sousa & Martín, which distribution was restricted to South and Northeast regions. The present study describes the first records of Myriostoma in central Brazil, including Cerrado biome and Central-West region, thus expanding the known geographic distribution in the country

First records of Myriostoma calongei Baseia, Sousa & Martín (Geastraceae, Basidiomycota) in central Brazil

Myriostoma Desv. is a genus of gasteroid fungi, distinguished from the other star-shaped fungi by the basidioma morphology with multiple pedicels and multi-stomata endoperidium. Studies based on phylogenetic, morphological characteristics and geographical distribution allowed the delimitation of five species in the genus. In Brazil, it is represented by M. calongei Baseia, Sousa & Martín, which distribution was restricted to South and Northeast regions. The present study describes the first records of Myriostoma in central Brazil, including Cerrado biome and Central-West region, thus expanding the known geographic distribution in the country

Spring water quality monitoring using multiple bioindicators from multiple collection sites

The aim of this study was to examine the water quality of the Extrema River spring in a Brazilian Cerrado area. Three collection sites (P1 − P3) were sampled in the dry and rainy seasons, which are close to industries from different sectors. In the physicochemical analysis, a decrease in dissolved oxygen levels ( 500 colonies/ml). In ecotoxicological analyses, P2 and P3 exhibited toxicity using Vibrio fischeri (> 20%). In evaluating toxicity, the reduction in seed germination was significant utilizing Lactuca sativa at all locations and with Allium cepa only at P2; rootlet length was decreased at P3 on L. sativa and at all sites with A. cepa. In contrast, loss of membrane integrity and mitochondrial function of meristems was adversely affected at all locations using both L. sativa and A. cepa assays. Principal components analysis (PCA) approach indicated that seasonality apparently did not markedly interfere with the obtained data, but it is important to include more collection locations to be evaluated with multiple bioindicators in the spring region. Our data indicate the urgent need for more rigorous programs to monitor the discharge of effluents into water springs.</p

Aplicação de antioxidantes naturais na reprodução animal

Antioxidantes são substâncias naturais ou sintéticas que facilitam o retardo da oxidação por um ou mais mecanismos, como sequestrar radicais livres, inibir a peroxidação lipídica e complexar com metais, inibindo a destruição tecidual via oxidação. Antioxidantes são comumente usados na alimentação animal e na indústria alimentícia para prevenir a oxidação de produtos de origem animal. Além disso, os oxidantes naturais estão sendo cada vez mais aplicados na reprodução animal, principalmente na preservação do sêmen. Nesse contexto, este trabalho teve como objetivo revisar a aplicação de antioxidantes naturais na reprodução animal. Observamos que os antioxidantes naturais foram geralmente adquiridos comercialmente (80,4%) e utilizados principalmente no resfriamento/congelamento de sêmen (72%) com resultados promissores (90%) em Sus scrofa (javali), Capra aegagrus hircus (cabra), Gallus gallus domesticus (galo) e Ovis aries (carneiro). No entanto, mais estudos devem ser realizados para ajudar a regular a dosagem de antioxidantes naturais para sua aplicação. Palavras-chave: criopreservação; radicais livres; peroxidação lipídica; estresse oxidativo; vitamina E

NEOTROPICAL ALIEN MAMMALS: a data set of occurrence and abundance of alien mammals in the Neotropics

Biological invasion is one of the main threats to native biodiversity. For a species to become invasive, it must be voluntarily or involuntarily introduced by humans into a nonnative habitat. Mammals were among first taxa to be introduced worldwide for game, meat, and labor, yet the number of species introduced in the Neotropics remains unknown. In this data set, we make available occurrence and abundance data on mammal species that (1) transposed a geographical barrier and (2) were voluntarily or involuntarily introduced by humans into the Neotropics. Our data set is composed of 73,738 historical and current georeferenced records on alien mammal species of which around 96% correspond to occurrence data on 77 species belonging to eight orders and 26 families. Data cover 26 continental countries in the Neotropics, ranging from Mexico and its frontier regions (southern Florida and coastal-central Florida in the southeast United States) to Argentina, Paraguay, Chile, and Uruguay, and the 13 countries of Caribbean islands. Our data set also includes neotropical species (e.g., Callithrix sp., Myocastor coypus, Nasua nasua) considered alien in particular areas of Neotropics. The most numerous species in terms of records are from Bos sp. (n = 37,782), Sus scrofa (n = 6,730), and Canis familiaris (n = 10,084); 17 species were represented by only one record (e.g., Syncerus caffer, Cervus timorensis, Cervus unicolor, Canis latrans). Primates have the highest number of species in the data set (n = 20 species), partly because of uncertainties regarding taxonomic identification of the genera Callithrix, which includes the species Callithrix aurita, Callithrix flaviceps, Callithrix geoffroyi, Callithrix jacchus, Callithrix kuhlii, Callithrix penicillata, and their hybrids. This unique data set will be a valuable source of information on invasion risk assessments, biodiversity redistribution and conservation-related research. There are no copyright restrictions. Please cite this data paper when using the data in publications. We also request that researchers and teachers inform us on how they are using the data