Exploring the relationship between environmental drivers and the manifestation of fibropapillomatosis in green turtles (Chelonia mydas) in eastern Brazil.

Fibropapillomatosis (FP) is a disease characterized by epithelial tumors that can impede life-sustaining activities of sea turtles, especially green turtles (Chelonia mydas). FP is caused by a herpesvirus, but environmental factors are also thought to play a role in triggering FP tumor growth. In this study, we evaluate the epidemiology of FP tumors in green turtles along the coast of Espírito Santo, Brazil, a region where juvenile green turtles are known to aggregate with high FP prevalence. A dataset comprising 2024 beach-cast green turtles recorded through daily beach surveys on 400 km of coastline from 2018 to 2021 (inclusive) was evaluated. FP tumors were recorded in 40.9% of the individuals in this dataset, and presence of FP tumors was predicted by individual variables (presence of marine leeches, stranding code, curved carapace length, body mass-size residual) and characteristics of the stranding site (distance to nearest metallurgical plant, mean sea surface salinity (SSS), annual range of sea surface temperature (SST)). Additionally, a second dataset comprising detailed information about the size and anatomical distribution of tumors in 271 green turtles with FP from the same region was evaluated. Hierarchical clustering analysis revealed these turtles could be classified in three groups according to the anatomical distribution of their tumors, and in turn the group to which each turtle was assigned could be predicted by the study period (2010-2014 vs. 2018-2022) and by characteristics of the stranding/capture site (green turtle stranding density, mean sea surface chlorophyll-a concentration, mean SSS, mean SST, annual range of SST). These results corroborate that individual and environmental factors play a significant role driving FP epidemiology. Furthermore, the results suggest that rather than behaving as a single entity, FP may be seen as a mosaic of distinct anatomical patterns that are not necessarily driven by the same environmental factors.

PHTHALATE ESTERS (PLASTICIZERS) IN THE UROPYGIAL GLAND AND THEIR RELATIONSHIP TO PLASTICS INGESTION IN SEABIRDS ALONG THE COAST OF ESPÍRITO SANTO, EASTERN BRAZIL.

Plastic ingestion is a problem for seabirds worldwide. In addition to direct health effects such as obstruction or perforation of the gastrointestinal tract, plastic ingestion can also lead to indirect health effects through the release of chemicals that may be absorbed and cause systemic and chronic toxicity. Among chemicals that can be released by plastics are phthalate esters, a group of chemicals widely used as plasticizers or additives to change the physical characteristics of plastics. In this study, three phthalate esters, dimethyl phthalate (DMP), dibuthyl phthalate (DBP), and diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), were quantified in the uropygial gland of 48 seabirds from 16 species collected ashore in a tropical region, the coast of Espírito Santo, Eastern Brazil. Including trace levels, DMP was detected in 16 birds (33%) from 10 species, with an average concentration of 0.014 ± 0.005 ng/µl (mean ± SD for individuals with concentrations above the practical level of detection of 0.01 ng/µl). DBP was detected in 15 birds (31%) from 11 species, with an average concentration of 0.049 ± 0.032 ng/µl. DEHP was detected in 21 birds (44%) from 11 species, with an average concentration of 0.115 ± 0.105 ng/µl. DMP concentration in the uropygial gland was positively associated with the presence, number, and mass of plastic items in the upper digestive tract. However, no such relationship was noted for DBP nor DEHP, suggesting the concentration of phthalate compounds in the uropygial gland might not always serve as a reliable proxy for plastic ingestion. In spite of relatively high frequencies of detection, the low concentrations of phthalates detected in this study suggest levels of exposure below known toxicity thresholds. Further studies on the potential adverse effects of phthalate exposure in seabirds are necessary, especially on the reproductive development of embryos and chicks.

Ingestion of plastics and other debris by coastal and pelagic birds along the coast of Espírito Santo, Eastern Brazil.

Although the ingestion of plastics and other anthropogenic debris by seabirds is a global problem, few studies have employed standardized protocols to quantify and classify the debris ingested by seabirds in the Southwest Atlantic. We evaluated the ingestion of marine debris (items >0.1 mm) by 126 coastal and pelagic birds (19 species) along the coast of Espírito Santo, Eastern Brazil. Debris were found in 30% of birds examined (11 species). Particles <1 mm accounted for 35% of all debris items. Most ingested debris were plastics (97%). Ingestion of >0.1 g of plastic debris was recorded in five species: Atlantic yellow-nosed albatrosses (Thalassarche chlororhynchos), Cory's shearwaters (Calonectris borealis), Manx shearwaters (Puffinus puffinus), brown boobies (Sula leucogaster), and Magellanic penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus). Our findings suggest that the ingestion of marine debris, especially plastics, is a common problem for coastal and pelagic birds in tropical Southwest Atlantic waters.

Three new species of Byrsopteryx Flint microcaddisflies from Peru (Insecta: Trichoptera) including DNA-based larval associations.

In this paper, we have described and illustrated three new species of Byrsopteryx from Peru: Byrsopteryx inti, sp. nov. Byrsopteryx mamaocllo sp. nov., and Byrsopteryx mancocapac sp. nov. Larvae of the latter two were also associated to male specimens based on comparison of a fragment of COI gene and pharate male identification. Byrsopteryx inti sp. nov. and Byrsopteryx mamaocllo sp. nov. share a unique feature: a semi-dome process formed by a thickened area on male forewings. The three species can be easily identified by wing coloration and male genitalia. Furthermore, Byrsopteryx inti sp. nov. can be recognized by its sternum VIII with a median digitate process on posterior margin, slightly capitate; and by long dorsolateral processes from segment VIII, which cross each other apically in dorsal view. Byrsopteryx mamaocllo sp. nov. can be distinguished by sternum VIII bearing a pair of short, posterior, spinelike processes, which are curved inwards and bordered by a rounded, membranous structure, and by a pair of short, heavily sclerotized, dorsolateral processes. Byrsopteryx mancocapac sp. nov. can be distinguished by strong spine-like processes arising dorsally from subgenital plate and by sternum VIII with posterior margin divided into two plate-like lobes. Larvae of B. mamaocllo sp. nov. and B. mancocapac sp. nov. are similar to other Byrsopteryx larvae known. They can be distinguished from each other by the shape of the operculum formed by terga VIII and IX, and number of setae on the second abdominal pleurite. Maximum likelihood analyses of 20 COI sequences, including nine Byrsopteryx species, placed B. inti sp. nov. and B. mamaocllo sp. nov. as sister species and related to a clade including B. gomezi, B. tapanti, and B. esparta, while B. mancocapac sp. nov. was found as sister to B. abrelata. Despite the close phylogenetic relationship found between B. inti sp. nov. and B. mamaocllo sp. nov., they are separated by 14.9% minimum K2P divergence of COI. The highest intraspecific distance observed was 1.4% for B. mancocapac sp. nov. individuals. Although the Peruvian caddisfly fauna has around 320 known species and almost a third of them are microcaddisflies, in this paper we present the first descriptions of Byrsopteryx species for the country.

First report of avian malaria in a Manx shearwater (Puffinus puffinus).

This study reports the case of a Manx shearwater (Puffinus puffinus) that died from avian malaria while under care at a rehabilitation center in Espírito Santo, Brazil. The bird was rescued on October 2018, and remained under care until it died suddenly on January 2019. A blood smear produced 8 days before death was negative for parasites, whereas a blood smear produced post-mortem revealed a high parasitemia by a parasite resembling Plasmodium cathemerium. The sequence of a 412 bp segment of the cyt-b gene was identical to that of lineage PADOM09, and phylogenetic analysis corroborated that this parasite was closely-related to known lineages of P. cathemerium. The acuteness and severity of the infection documented in this case suggest that seabirds of the order Procellariiformes might be highly susceptible to Plasmodium infections, raising the concern that avian malaria may present a significant threat to their conservation.

Integrative taxonomy of Metrichia Ross (Trichoptera: Hydroptilidae: Ochrotrichiinae) microcaddisflies from Brazil: descriptions of twenty new species.

Metrichia is assigned to the Ochrotrichiinae, a group of almost exclusively Neotropical microcaddisflies. Metrichia comprises over 100 described species and, despite its diversity, only one species has been described from Brazil so far. In this paper, we provide descriptions for 20 new species from 8 Brazilian states: M. acuminata sp. nov., M. azul sp. nov., M. bonita sp. nov., M. bracui sp. nov., M. caraca sp. nov., M. circuliforme sp. nov., M. curta sp. nov., M. farofa sp. nov., M. forceps sp. nov., M. formosinha sp. nov., M. goiana sp. nov., M. itabaiana sp. nov., M. longissima sp. nov., M. peluda sp. nov., M. rafaeli sp. nov., M. simples sp. nov., M. talhada sp. nov., M. tere sp. nov., M. ubajara sp. nov., and M. vulgaris sp. nov. DNA barcode sequences (577 bp of the mitochondrial gene COI) were generated for 13 of the new species and two previously known species of Metrichia resulting in 64 sequences. In addition, COI sequences were obtained for other genera of Ochrotrichiinae (Angrisanoia, Nothotrichia, Ochrotrichia, Ragatrichia, and Rhyacopsyche). DNA sequences and morphological data were integrated to evaluate species delimitations. K2P pairwise distances were calculated to generate a neighbor-joining tree. COI sequences also were submitted to ABGD and GMYC methods to assess 'potential species' delimitation. Analyses showed a conspicuous barcoding gap among Metrichia sequences (highest intraspecific divergence: 4.8%; lowest interspecific divergence: 12.6%). Molecular analyses also allowed the association of larvae and adults of Metrichia bonita sp. nov. from Mato Grosso do Sul, representing the first record of microcaddisfly larvae occurring in calcareous tufa (or travertine). ABGD results agreed with the morphological delimitation of Metrichia species, while GMYC estimated a slightly higher number of species, suggesting the division of two morphological species, each one into two potential species. Because this could be due to unbalanced sampling and the lack of morphological diagnostic characters, we have maintained these two species as undivided.

Three new species of Atopsyche Banks (Trichoptera, Hydrobiosidae) from Brazil.

Three new species of Atopsyche Banks (Hydrobiosidae) from Brazil are described and illustrated: Atopscyhe (Atopsaura) blahnikisp. n., Atopsyche (Atopsyche) paraunasp. n., and Atopsyche (Atopsaura) galharadasp. n. Additional illustrations of the male genitalia of Atopsyche urumarca Schmid are provided, including its populational variation. Also, we provide new state records for 2 species: Atopsyche (Atopsyche) urumarca from São Paulo, and Atopsyche (Atopsaura) plancki Marlier from Santa Catarina.