Diet composition of abundant fish species in the shallow waters of the Todos os Santos Bay, Bahia, Brazil

Coastal habitats have great ecological importance with estuarine environments providing feeding sites for many fish species, especially during juvenile life stages. This study investigates the diet composition and trophic guild organization of the common and abundant ichthyofauna in shallow areas of the Todos os Santos Bay (TSB), Bahia, Brazil, and their relationships with environmental parameters. Six fish sampling campaigns were carried out in the shallow zones (infralittoral) of the Paraguaçu River estuary which encompasses the inner and outer (marine exposure) reaches of theTSB. The stomach contents of 1231 individualsbelonging to common and abundant species were examined. A total of 32 food items were identifiedand fish were into four trophic guilds: detritivores, zoobenthivores I, zoobenthivores II, and zooplanktivores. The relationship between the guilds and environmental parameters showed that zoobenthivores II and zooplanktivores guilds had a positive relationship with salinity and pH, explaining 86% of data variability, though only the salinity variable was significant. This study provides basic information about the diet composition of common and abundant species in the TSBand their organization into trophic guilds. In addition, demonstrates that shallow waters fish across all guilds have broadly similar diets, comprising food items that are usually associated with bottom waters.

Diet composition of abundant fish species in the shallow waters of the Todos os Santos Bay, Bahia, Brazil

Coastal habitats have great ecological importance with estuarine environments providing feeding sites for many fish species, especially during juvenile life stages. This study investigates the diet composition and trophic guild organization of the common and abundant ichthyofauna in shallow areas of the Todos os Santos Bay (TSB), Bahia, Brazil, and their relationships with environmental parameters. Six fish sampling campaigns were carried out in the shallow zones (infralittoral) of the Paraguaçu River estuary which encompasses the inner and outer (marine exposure) reaches of theTSB. The stomach contents of 1231 individualsbelonging to common and abundant species were examined. A total of 32 food items were identifiedand fish were into four trophic guilds: detritivores, zoobenthivores I, zoobenthivores II, and zooplanktivores. The relationship between the guilds and environmental parameters showed that zoobenthivores II and zooplanktivores guilds had a positive relationship with salinity and pH, explaining 86% of data variability, though only the salinity variable was significant. This study provides basic information about the diet composition of common and abundant species in the TSBand their organization into trophic guilds. In addition, demonstrates that shallow waters fish across all guilds have broadly similar diets, comprising food items that are usually associated with bottom waters.(AU)

Cutaneous hemangiosarcoma in a buff-throated saltator (Saltator maximus) with lung metastasis

Hemangiosarcomas are malignant neoplasms arising from endothelial cells of blood vessels. A three-year-old male buff-throated saltator (Saltator maximus) was referred to the Veterinary Hospital of the Universidade Federal da Paraíba (HV-UFPB) due to a recurrent tan nodular mass in the pericloacal region. Surgery for excision of the mass was attempted but the bird died during the surgical procedure. The nodule and the carcass were sent for gross and histological evaluation. Histopathology revealed large blood-filled vascular spaces lined by pleomorphic endothelial cells, which were also observed in the lungs. These findings suggested the diagnosis of hemangiosarcoma that was confirmed by immunohistochemistry against factor VIII-related antigen.

Cutaneous hemangiosarcoma in a buff-throated saltator (Saltator maximus) with lung metastasis

Hemangiosarcomas are malignant neoplasms arising from endothelial cells of blood vessels. A three-year-old male buff-throated saltator (Saltator maximus) was referred to the Veterinary Hospital of the Universidade Federal da Paraíba (HV-UFPB) due to a recurrent tan nodular mass in the pericloacal region. Surgery for excision of the mass was attempted but the bird died during the surgical procedure. The nodule and the carcass were sent for gross and histological evaluation. Histopathology revealed large blood-filled vascular spaces lined by pleomorphic endothelial cells, which were also observed in the lungs. These findings suggested the diagnosis of hemangiosarcoma that was confirmed by immunohistochemistry against factor VIII-related antigen.(AU)

Tumor maligno da bainha de nervo periférico e osteopatia hipertrófica em cadela / Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor and hypertrophic osteopathy in a bitch

Background: Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs) are rare, aggressive, relapsing, metastatic cutaneousneoplasms of mesenchymal origin. So far, no account on the association of this disease with hypertrophic osteopathy (HO)in dogs is available in the literature. Current theories on the possible causes of HO suggest that this disease may be triggered by a primary neoplasm as well as by its metastasis. The objective of this work is to report the clinical, cytological,radiographic, histopathological, and immunohistochemical aspects of a dog affected by MPNST and HO.Case: A 13-year-old female mongrel dog was presented with a history of ulcerated nodular lesion on the skin of the flank.Several ulcerated and non-ulcerated tumors were observed on the thorax, neck, and head at the physical exam. Cytological examination of the nodules revealed presence of mesenchymal cells with a malignant aspect. Complete blood countrevealed anemia. There were no alterations in the biochemical tests performed. Thoracic radiographs showed presence of anodular interstitial pattern in the cranial, medial, and caudal lobes of the lungs. To improve quality of life of the patient, theveterinary team opted for surgical excision of the tumoral ulcerations. Slight claudication in the pelvic limbs was noticedprior to the surgery. Histopathological analyses of the excised nodules verified the existence of malignant mesenchymalneoplasia, which was categorized as peripheral nerve sheath tumor after immunohistochemical examination. Additionalcutaneous tumors emerged after surgical excision, along with increased claudication, edema, and pain in the legs. Completeblood count revealed persistent anemia, lymphopenia, monocytosis, and neutrophilia. Radiographs showed an increasein the number and size of the nodules. Radiography of the limbs showed presence of palisading periosteal reaction, andincreased...

Tumor maligno da bainha de nervo periférico e osteopatia hipertrófica em cadela / Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor and hypertrophic osteopathy in a bitch

Background: Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs) are rare, aggressive, relapsing, metastatic cutaneousneoplasms of mesenchymal origin. So far, no account on the association of this disease with hypertrophic osteopathy (HO)in dogs is available in the literature. Current theories on the possible causes of HO suggest that this disease may be triggered by a primary neoplasm as well as by its metastasis. The objective of this work is to report the clinical, cytological,radiographic, histopathological, and immunohistochemical aspects of a dog affected by MPNST and HO.Case: A 13-year-old female mongrel dog was presented with a history of ulcerated nodular lesion on the skin of the flank.Several ulcerated and non-ulcerated tumors were observed on the thorax, neck, and head at the physical exam. Cytological examination of the nodules revealed presence of mesenchymal cells with a malignant aspect. Complete blood countrevealed anemia. There were no alterations in the biochemical tests performed. Thoracic radiographs showed presence of anodular interstitial pattern in the cranial, medial, and caudal lobes of the lungs. To improve quality of life of the patient, theveterinary team opted for surgical excision of the tumoral ulcerations. Slight claudication in the pelvic limbs was noticedprior to the surgery. Histopathological analyses of the excised nodules verified the existence of malignant mesenchymalneoplasia, which was categorized as peripheral nerve sheath tumor after immunohistochemical examination. Additionalcutaneous tumors emerged after surgical excision, along with increased claudication, edema, and pain in the legs. Completeblood count revealed persistent anemia, lymphopenia, monocytosis, and neutrophilia. Radiographs showed an increasein the number and size of the nodules. Radiography of the limbs showed presence of palisading periosteal reaction, andincreased...(AU)