Effects of landscape metrics on scorpion (Arachnida: Scorpiones) assemblage in a tropical urban ecosystem.

Urban landscapes restrain the distribution of forest-dwelling species, which may be related to challenging conditions that impair body condition. The dynamics in urban areas lead to the simplification of communities that inhabit forest patches in cities with the turnover of sensitive species for opportunistic ones. In this study, we investigated the effect of urbanization on the body condition and diversity of scorpions at the landscape scale. Sampling was carried out in 10 forest patches in an urban matrix in Brazil, originally covered by a tropical rainforest. The surroundings of the landscape of each forest patch were characterized through the amount of forest, agriculture, and urban land cover. Individual body length, dry, lipid, and muscular masses were used as proxies of Tityus pusillus body condition. In total, 147 scorpions were collected, belonging to the species Ananteris mauryi, T. pusillus, T. stigmurus, and T. neglectus. Forest cover explained 28% of species variation. There was a positive relationship between forest cover and T. pusillus and A. mauryi abundances, while T. stigmurus was negatively affected by forest cover. Species richness and total scorpion abundance were not influenced by landscape metrics. In terms of body condition, only females of T. pusillus were affected by landscape variables, with individuals showing higher body mass with an increase in forest cover. Our results suggest that urban forests can support scorpion assemblages. However, there is a turnover in specialist forest species for opportunistic species. Forest cover is a crucial factor in maintaining healthy scorpion populations in urban areas.

The role of bromeliad structural complexity on the presence, spatial distribution and predator avoidance in Tityus neglectus (Scorpiones: Buthidae).

The spatial arrangement of organisms is significantly influenced by the structure of vegetation. Bromeliads, characterized by a remarkable architectural design featuring rosette-like leaf arrangements for rainwater storage, act as habitats for various organisms. These organisms use bromeliads for shelter, foraging, reproduction and the supply of nutrients and moisture. This study investigated how specific aspects of bromeliad structure, such as the number, width and length of leaves, impact the behaviour and distribution patterns of the bromelicolous scorpion Tityus neglectus. In the examination of 110 sampled bromeliads, 33 scorpions were recorded, resulting in an occupancy rate of 30%. The likelihood of scorpion occurrence was associated with the plant's structure. The length and coefficient of variation in the width of leaves appeared as the main predictors, positively influencing scorpion presence while the number of leaves exhibited a negative relation with scorpion occurrence. The distribution of scorpions was uniform across the spatial design of bromeliads. Furthermore, T. neglectus demonstrated the ability to utilize water accumulated in the bromeliad to evade potential predators, submerging itself for, on mean, almost 8 min. We concluded that bromeliad structure is essential in shaping the distribution patterns and anti-predatory behaviour of T. neglectus.

Mineral profile and histopathological findings in the liver of white-lipped frog (Leptodactylidae) from the morphoclimatic domain of the Caatingas, Brazil.

This study aimed to investigate the mineral profile and histopathological findings in the liver of Leptodactylus macrosternum (white-lipped frog) and to assess the association between melanomacrophage areas and hepatic fungal granuloma with several factors such as weight, snout-cloacal length, sex, hepatosomatic index, season (dry and rainy), and condition factor K. A total of 135 frogs of different ages were collected from three areas in the city of Petrolina, Pernambuco, with varying land use (conventional agriculture, organic agriculture, and Caatinga stricto sensu). The liver of all specimens exhibited changes such as granulomatous lesions, inflammatory cell infiltrate, blood vessel congestion, and sinusoid dilation. The melanomacrophage areas were influenced by weight, snout-cloacal length, and hepatosomatic index. Our findings revealed a positive correlation between body size (weight and snout-cloacal length) and melanomacrophage/hepatic granuloma, while the hepatosomatic index showed a negative relationship. For the condition factor K, only age presents relationship. Eleven elements were quantified for the mineral profile, with aluminum (Al), iron (Fe), and zinc (Zn) being the most abundant in both liver and muscle. Although the histopathological findings and mineral profile of the liver and muscle in this study indicate an effect on the health of L. macrosternum in different collection areas, confirming the relationship between environmental characteristics and these findings requires future studies. Furthermore, long-term studies would be necessary to allow the monitoring of all stages of development of these populations, from tadpoles to adults, for a better evaluation of these effects in L. macrosternum.

Evaluation of metal exposure through the composition of essential and toxic micro-minerals in freshwater turtles (Phrynops geoffroanus) from a Brazilian river.

This study aimed to evaluate metal exposure through the concentration of essential and toxic micro-minerals in biological samples of Phrynops geoffroanus from an anthropized river. The work was carried out in four areas with different flow characteristics and uses of the river, where individuals of both sexes were captured during the dry and rainy seasons. The elements Al, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, and Zn were quantified in samples of serum (168), muscle (62), liver (61), and kidney (61) by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. The concentration of the elements varied according to the sample type, being higher in the liver and the kidney. In the serum, many elements were below the limit of quantification, but it was possible to determine Al, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb, and Zn. The liver showed high levels of Cu, Fe, Pb, and Zn, and muscle for Fe, Ni, Pb, and Zn, with most of the elements accumulated in the kidney (Al, Cd, Co, Cr, Mn, Mo, and Ni) relative to other tissues. There was no significant difference between the sexes in the accumulation of elements. Between seasons, Cu was higher in serum and Mn in muscle and liver in the dry period, while in the kidney, almost all the elements were higher in the rainy period. The concentrations of the elements in the samples indicated a high degree of environmental contamination, representing risk in the use of the river and consumption of food from local fisheries.

The first report on the medicinal use of fossils in latin america.

There have been very few ethnopharmacological studies performed on the traditional use of fossil species, although a few records have been conducted in Asia, Africa, and Europe. This study is the first ever to be performed on the use of Testudine (turtle) fossils for folk medicine in Latin America. An investigation was conducted in the Araripe Basin, which is one of the most important fossil-bearing reserves in the world due to the diversity, endemism, and quality of preservation of its fossils. We propose the formalization of a new discipline called ethnopaleontology, which will involve the study of the dynamic relationship between humans and fossils, from human perception to direct use.

Ichthyofauna used in traditional medicine in Brazil.

Fish represent the group of vertebrates with the largest number of species and the largest geographic distribution; they are also used in different ways by modern civilizations. The goal of this study was to compile the current knowledge on the use of ichthyofauna in zootherapeutic practices in Brazil, including ecological and conservational commentary on the species recorded. We recorded a total of 85 species (44 fresh-water species and 41 salt-water species) used for medicinal purposes in Brazil. The three most commonly cited species were Hoplias malabaricus, Hippocampus reidi, and Electrophorus electricus. In terms of conservation status, 65% of species are in the "not evaluated" category, and 14% are in the "insufficient data" category. Three species are in the "vulnerable" category: Atlantoraja cyclophora, Balistes vetula, and Hippocampus erectus. Currently, we cannot avoid considering human pressure on the population dynamics of these species, which is an essential variable for the conservation of the species and the ecosystems in which they live and for the perpetuation of traditional medical practices.

Natural products from ethnodirected studies: revisiting the ethnobiology of the zombie poison.

Wade Davis's study of Haitian "zombification" in the 1980s was a landmark in ethnobiological research. His research was an attempt to trace the origins of reports of "undead" Haitians, focusing on the preparation of the zombification poison. Starting with this influential ethnopharmacological research, this study examines advances in the pharmacology of natural products, focusing especially on those of animal-derived products. Ethnopharmacological, pharmacological, and chemical aspects are considered. We also update information on the animal species that reportedly constitute the zombie poison. Several components of the zombie powder are not unique to Haiti and are used as remedies in traditional medicine worldwide. This paper emphasizes the medicinal potential of products from zootherapy. These biological products are promising sources for the development of new drugs.

Caatinga revisited: ecology and conservation of an important seasonal dry forest.

Besides its extreme climate conditions, the Caatinga (a type of tropical seasonal forest) hosts an impressive faunal and floristic biodiversity. In the last 50 years there has been a considerable increase in the number of studies in the area. Here we aimed to present a review of these studies, focusing on four main fields: vertebrate ecology, plant ecology, human ecology, and ethnobiology. Furthermore, we identify directions for future research. We hope that the present paper will help defining actions and strategies for the conservation of the biological diversity of the Caatinga.

A new species of the Dendropsophus decipiens Group (Anura: Hylidae) from Northeastern Brazil.

We describe a new species of the Dendropsophus decipiens Group, morphologically most resembling D. haddadi but genetically more closely related to D. oliveirai and likely endemic from the Atlantic Forest biome, northeastern Brazil. The new species can be distinguished from all species of the D. decipiens Group based on the combination of morphological features, advertisement call and phylogenetic position based on mitochondrial DNA gene sequences. The new species emits simple calls in series of 3-9 notes, each with 9-29 pulses, and dominant frequency varying from 5578-6422 Hz, and exhibit a minimum of 8% genetic distance (16S mitochondrial gene) in comparison to its congeners. The new taxa represent the sixth species of the D. decipiens Group, which likely harbors more undescribed taxa, corroborating the view that Neotropical species richness is fairly underestimated.

Helminth fauna and histopathology associated with parasitic infections in Phrynops geoffroanus (Schweigger, 1812) (Testudines, Chelidae) in a Brazilian river subjected to anthropogenic activities.

The objective of this study was to determine the structure of the helminth fauna and identify the macroscopic and histopathological alterations associated with parasitic infections in Phrynops geoffroanus. Freshwater turtles of both sexes were captured during the dry and rainy seasons in four municipalities along the Capibaribe River. The study included 63 animals, of which 79.37% (50/63) were parasitized by one or more helminths. In total, 933 helminths of seven taxa were recovered: Serpinema monospiculatus, Spiroxys figueiredoi, Nematophila grandis, Polystomoides brasiliensis, Cheloniodiplostomum testudinis, Telorchis birabeni, and Prionosomoides scalaris. Monogeneans and digenetic trematodes were more sensitive to environmental pressures, since the prevalences varied significantly between areas. Nematodes proved to be more resistant to environmental pressure and caused severe injuries to their hosts: nodules in the stomach and small intestine, adhesions in the liver capsule, and pulmonary emphysema. Parasitic granulomas were recorded at the infection sites and in the lungs and liver, the latter caused by migration of S. figueiredoi larvae. This is the first record of P. brasiliensis, N. grandis, C. testudinis, and T. birabeni parasitizing P. geoffroanus in the state of Pernambuco. Histopathology proved to be an important tool for studies on the impact of parasites at the individual, population, and ecosystem levels. Considering the use of the Capibaribe River for public water supply, fishing, and other activities, within the One Health perspective, this study demonstrates that the anthropogenic impact affects parasites and their hosts, in addition to the human population that uses this ecosystem.

Two new species of Cosmocercidae (Nematoda: Cosmocercoidea) of Leptodactylus macrosternum Miranda-Ribeiro (Anura: Leptodactylidae) from Caatinga Biome, Brazil.

In the current study, two new species of Cosmocercidae nematodes parasitizing the anuran Leptodactylus macrosternum (Leptodactylidae) from two localities in the municipality of Petrolina, sub-middle São Francisco river, state of Pernambuco, Brazil, were described. Oxysomatium petrolinensis n. sp. differs from all congeneric species for having the male caudal papillae distribution pattern unique in this genus, in which the last three pairs of pre-cloacal papillae are located lateroventrally on the anterior border of the cloacal aperture. Additionally, the new species has an unpaired medial precloacal papilla, seven pairs of postcloacal papillae, and a relatively unique spicule size. Oxyascaris caatingae n. sp. differs from all congeneric species mainly for having males with a medial unpaired precloacal papilla and a distribution pattern of caudal papillae unique to this species, being the only species of the genus with adcloacal papillae. The current study proposes the description of Oxysomatium petrolinensis n. sp., fourth species and the first report of this genus in hosts from the Neotropical region. In addition, it describes Oxyascaris caatingae n. sp., which is the fifth species of the genus.

Intra- and interindividual variation in the advertisement call of Dendropsophus banner (Cochran, 1948) (Anura: Hylidae).

Vocalization is one of the main behaviors of anurans (Köhler et al. 2017). Calls emitted by these animals display several social and ecological functions. For example, they can be used for attraction of conspecific females (Toledo et al. 2015) and territorial defense (Wells 2010). Advertisement calls are emitted predominantly by males (Kelley 2004) and constitute a key-factor for species identification (Köhler et al. 2017).

Parasites of Gymnodactylus darwinii Gray, 1845 (Squamata, Phyllodactylidae) from an Atlantic Rainforest fragment.

Gymnodactylus darwinii is an endemic lizard from Atlantic Rainforest. Ecological aspects of your parasitic fauna are still unknown. Therefore, the goal of the present study was to know the composition of parasitic fauna of G. darwinii in an Atlantic Rainforest fragment, as well to test the influence of the size, sex and seasonality on parasitological indices. The study was carried out in two conservation units: Mata do Camucim and Mata do Tapacurá, both located in the municipality of São Lourenço da Mata, Pernambuco state, northeast region of Brazil. Sixty-five specimens were collected, of which 39 (569%) were parasitized by cystacanths of Acanthocephala (prevalence 43%; mean intensity 4 ± 9.9; mean abundance 3.82 ± 7.87), Geckobia sp. (Acari, Pterygosomatidae) (prevalence 30.7%; mean intensity 4 ± 15.0; mean abundance 3.74 ± 9.54), Physaloptera sp. larvae (Nematoda, Physalopteridae) (prevalence 4.6%; mean intensity 1 ± 0.47; mean abundance 0.06 ± 0.47) and Paradistomum rabusculum (Trematoda, Dicrocoeliidae) (prevalence 1.2%; mean intensity 1; mean abundance 0.02). Acanthocephalans presented a significant relation with the animal length (r² = 0.31, p = 0.006, n = 28). Infestation by Geckobia sp. was more frequent during the dry season (BLM: p = 0.001), while the infection by Acanthocephalans was frequent in dry and rainy seasons, with no significant variation (BLM: p = 0.78). In addition, the most prevalent parasites showed no significant difference in relation to sex: males and females showed similar infestation intensity by Geckobia sp. (BLM: p = 0.31) and infection by Acanthocephala (BLM: p = 0.34). This is the first study about the parasitic ecology of G. darwinii, representing a significant contribution to the conservation of this species and the ecosystem in which they inhabit.

Danos psicológicos relacionados ao trabalho em profissionais de uma unidade de terapia intensiva na pandemia de Covid-19 / Work-related psychological harm in intensive care unit professionals in the Covid-19 pandemic / Daño psicológico relacionado con el trabajo en profesionales de la unidad de cuidados intensivos en la pandemia de Covid-19

A pandemia de COVID-19 exacerbou o adoecimento mental dos profissionais de saúde devido ao estresse e a sobrecarga de trabalho. Objetivo: conhecer os danos de danos psicológicos relacionados às atividades laborais que acometem profissionais que atuam na linha de frente em Unidade de Terapia Intensiva-UTI durante o enfrentamento da pandemia do COVID-19. Métodos: Estudo transversal, exploratório. Foi enviado um questionário online sobre dados sociodemográficos, atividades de trabalho e os 10 itens sobre danos psicológicos da Escala de Avaliação dos Danos Relacionados ao Trabalho (EADRT). Resultados: Responderam aos questionários 91 indivíduos (81,25%), dos quais 72,5% foram do sexo feminino, 72,5% trabalhavam há até 5 anos em UTI e 81,3% possuíam mais de um vínculo empregatício. Os danos psicológicos mais prevalentes foram: irritação com tudo (26,4%), amargura (19,8%) e vontade de desistir de tudo (19,8%). A razão de prevalência entre danos psicológicos relacionados ao trabalho e fatores socio demográficos e de trabalho, pode observar que houve prevalência de 3,000(IC95%=1,560-5,770) vezes entre profissionais de nível superior em relação aos de nível médio.

The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated mental illness of two health professionals due to stress and work overload. Objective: know the psychological damage related to the work activities undertaken by professionals who work on the front line in the Intensive Care Unit-ICU during the confrontation of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Cross-sectional, exploratory study. An online questionnaire was sent on sociodemographic data, work activities and the 10 items on psychological damage from the Work-Related Damage Assessment Scale (EADRT). Results: 91 individuals (81.25%) responded to the questionnaires, of which 72.5% were female, 72.5% worked for 5 years in ICU and 81.3% had more than one employer. The most prevalent psychological damages were: irritation with everything (26.4%), bitterness (19.8%) and the desire to give up everything (19.8%). Based on the prevalence between work-related psychological harm and socio-demographic and work-related factors, it can be observed that there was a prevalence of 3,000 (CI=95%=1,560-5,770) times among higher-level professionals compared to middle-level professionals.

A pandemia de COVID-19 agravou as doenças psíquicas dos profissionais de saúde devido ao stress e à sobrecarga de trabalho. Objetivo: conocer el daño psicológico relacionado con las actividades laborales realizadas por profesionales que trabajan en primera línea en la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos- UCI durante el afrontamiento de la pandemia de COVID-19. Métodos: Estudio transversal y exploratorio. Se envió un cuestionario online sobre datos sociodemográficos, actividades laborales y los 10 ítems sobre daño psicológico de la Escala de Evaluación del Daño Relacionado con el Trabajo (EADRT). Resultados: 91 individuos (81,25%) respondieron a los cuestionarios, de los cuales el 72,5% eran mujeres, el 72,5% trabajaban desde hacía 5 años en UCI y el 81,3% tenían más de un empleador. Los daños psicológicos más prevalentes fueron: irritación por todo (26,4%), amargura (19,8%) y deseo de dejarlo todo (19,8%). A partir de la prevalencia entre los daños psicológicos relacionados con el trabajo y los factores sociodemográficos y laborales, se observa que hubo una prevalencia de 3.000 (IC=95%=1.560-5.770) veces entre los profesionales de nivel superior en comparación con los profesionales de nivel medio.

Herpetofauna of the Northwest Amazon forest in the state of Maranhão, Brazil, with remarks on the Gurupi Biological Reserve.

Understanding the biodiversity of an area is the first step for establishing effective interventions for conservation, especially when it comes to herpetofauna, since 4.1% and 9.2%, respectively, of Brazilian amphibians and reptiles are endangered. The aim of this study is to identify the composition of the herpetofauna occurring in the Northwest Amazonian state of Maranhão, with a focus on the Gurupi Biological Reserve and surrounding areas. Samples were collected between May 2012 and October 2013 (18 months), through pitfall traps, time constrained active search, and opportunistic encounters, and these records were supplemented by specimens collected by third parties and by bibliographic records. A total of 131 species were recorded: 31 species of amphibians and 100 species of reptiles (six testudines, 30 lizards, two amphisbaenas, 60 snakes and two alligators), including some species new to the state of Maranhão and the northeast region of Brazil. This inventory contributes to the knowledge of the herpetofauna for the Belém Endemism Center, the most devastated region of the Brazilian Amazon, and considered poorly sampled.

Chest binding and respiratory complaints in transgender men / Uso de binder e queixas respiratórias em homens transexuais

Abstract Introduction: Chest binders are an important resource for building masculinity in transgender men without mastectomy, although they can cause respiratory and thoracic damage if misused. Objective: To analyze the association between chest binding and chest complaints in transgender men. Methods: This was a quantitative cross-sectional study conducted at the Trans Space of the Hospital das Clínicas de Pernambuco and the LGBTQI Patrícia Gomes outpatient clinic of the Lessa de Andrade polyclinic in Recife (Pernambuco State, northeastern Brazil). Sixty transgender men aged >18 years were included, and data on sociodemographics, general health, chest binding, and respiratory complaints in the thoracic region were collected. Descriptive analysis was performed, and prevalence ratios (PR) were estimated with a confidence interval (CI) of 95% to associate between binder use and complaints in the chest region. Results: The average was 27.25 years, of which 81.7% did not undergo mastectomy and 53.3% used chest binders. The use of chest binders was significantly associated with complaints in the chest region (PR = 2.73), difficulty breathing (PR = 2.27), and chest pain (PR = 1.82). Conclusion: This study demonstrated a higher prevalence of complaints in the chest and respiratory region in transgender men who use chest binders. This reinforces the need to broaden the view on the health of this population. Gender construction strategies are essential for the quality of life and mental health of transgender men, and binders are an important ally in this process.

Resumo Introdução: O uso de binder é um importante recurso para a construção da masculinidade nos homens transexuais não mastectomizados, contudo, pode acarretar danos respiratórios e torácicos se usado de forma inadequada. Objetivo: Analisar a associação entre o uso de binder e as queixas torácicas em homens transexuais. Métodos: Estudo transversal quantitativo realizado no Espaço Trans do Hospital das Clínicas de Pernambuco e no ambulatório LGBTQI Patrícia Gomes da Policlínica Lessa de Andrade, em Recife, PE. Foram incluídos 60 homens transexuais, com idade acima de 18 anos, e foram coletadas informações sociodemográficas, de saúde geral, uso de binder e queixas na região torácica. Foi realizada a análise descritiva e estimadas as razões de prevalência (RP) com intervalo de confiança (IC) de 95% para a associação entre o uso de binder e queixas na região do tórax. Resultados: A média foi de 27,25 anos; destes, 81,7% não realizaram mastectomia e 53,3% faziam uso de binder. O uso de binder teve associação significativa com queixas na região do tórax (RP = 2,73), dificuldade para respirar (RP = 2,27) e dor no tórax (RP = 1,82). Conclusão: Este estudo demonstrou que há prevalência maior de queixas na região do tórax e queixas respiratórias nos homens transexuais que fazem uso de binder. Isto reforça a necessidade de ampliar o olhar sobre a saúde dessa população. Estratégias de construção de gênero são essenciais para a qualidade de vida e saúde mental de homens transexuais, sendo o uso de binder um importante aliado neste processo.

Cercosaura ocellata Wagler, 1830 (Lacertilia, Gymnophthalmidae): distribution extension of Northeastern Brazil / Ampliação da distribuição geográfica de Cercosaura ocellata Wagler, 1830 (Lacertilia, Gymnophthalmidae), Nordeste do Brasil

The lizard, Cercosaura ocellata, with its type-locality suggested as being South America's Northeast, is widely distributed in the North and Midwest regions of Brazil, with scarcity of records for the states in the Northeast Region. This work aims to enlarge the geographical distribution of this species. An individual of C. ocellata was registered in a fragment of Atlantic Rain Forest, Mata de Tejipió (08° 05′ 45.59″ S, 34° 57′ 04.91″ W). This register expands its distribution 585 km north and 770 km south, respectively from its closest locations, Bahia and Ceará, filling a gap of disjunct distribution of approximately 900 km in the northeast region of the country.

O lagarto, Cercosaura ocellata, com localidade-tipo sugerida para o Nordeste da América do Sul, apresenta ampla distribuição no Norte e Centro-Oeste do Brasil, com escassez de registros para os estados da Região Nordeste. O presente trabalho tem como objetivo ampliar a distribuição geográfica da espécie. Foi registrado um espécime de C. ocellata em remanescente de Mata Atlântica, Mata de Tejipió/Recife (08° 05′ 45,59″ S, 34° 57′ 04,91″ W). Este registro amplia a distribuição da espécie em 585 km ao norte e 770 km ao sul das localidades respectivamente mais próximas, Bahia e Ceará, preenchendo um hiato de distribuição disjunta de aproximadamente 900 km na região nordeste do país.

Primeiro registro do uso de Bromeliaceae por Elachistocleis ovalis (Schneider, 1799) (Anura: Microhylidae) / First record of the use of bromeliads by Elachistocleis ovalis (Schneider, 1977) (Anura: Microhylidae)

Registra-se o uso de bromélias de solo por três indivíduos de Elachistocleis ovalis em um remanescente de Mata Atlântica do Nordeste Brasileiro. Os animais ocuparam as axilas das folhas de base, os mesmos indivíduos foram encontrados nas mesmas axilas mais de uma vez, no período diurno e no noturno. A espécie Elachistocleis ovalis é típica de solo, e não há registro anterior de uso de bromélias por esta espécie. Aparentemente a axila da bromélia serve como abrigo não apenas durante o dia, mas também à noite, nos momentos em que a espécie não estiver em atividade.

It is registered the use of terrestrial bromeliads by three individuals of Elachistocleis ovalis in an Atlantic Rainforest remnant of Northeastern Brazil. The animals occupied the axils of the leaves of the bromeliad base, the same individuals found inside the same axils more than once, during the day and at night. The species Elachistocleis ovalis is a ground dweller one and there's no previous record of using the bromeliads by this species. Apparently the axils serve not only as a diurnal shelter but also at night, at moments when the species is not in activity.