ABSTRACT
Abstract: This study monitored marine turtle nests in a region known as the Potiguar Basin, which stretches from the northern region of Rio Grande do Norte State (5°4'1.15" S, 36°4'36.41" W) to eastern Ceará State (4°38'48.28" S, 37°32'52.08" W) in Brazil. We collected data from January 2011 to December 2019 to identify species of sea turtles that spawn in the basin, to analyze the nesting spatial-temporal pattern and nests characteristics, and to record effects of environmental and anthropic factors on nests. A field team examined sea turtle tracks and nests signs. Turtle clutches were monitored daily until hatchings emerged from the nests. We monitored nests of hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata; n = 238) and olive Ridley turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea; n = 103). The nesting season for E. imbricata occurred between December and May and for L. olivacea from March to August. Hawksbills had clutch size, incubation time, number of unhatched eggs, and dead hatchlings higher than olive Ridley turtles; nevertheless, they presented lower hatching success. Precipitation between 0 and 22 mm and relative humidity (RH) higher than 69% increased the hatching success rate for E. imbricata; however, rainfall above 11 mm and RH 64% had the same effect for L. olivacea. Signs of egg theft and human presence (e.g. vehicle traffic and plastic residues on the beach) were recorded and are considered threats to nests. The results of our long-term monitoring study in the Potiguar Basin provide basis for the implementation of mitigation measures and adoption of management policies at nesting beaches in this Brazilian region.
Resumo: Este estudo permitiu o monitoramento de ninhos de tartarugas marinhas em uma região conhecida como Bacia Potiguar, que se estende da região norte do Estado do Rio Grande do Norte (5 ° 4'1,15 "S, 36 ° 4'36,41" W) até o leste do Estado do Ceará (4 ° 38'48,28 "S, 37 ° 32'52,08" W), no Brasil. Coletamos dados de janeiro de 2011 a dezembro de 2019 com o objetivo de identificar as espécies de tartarugas marinhas que desovam na bacia, analisar o padrão espaço-temporal de nidificação, as características dos ninhos, e registrar os efeitos de fatores ambientais e antrópicos. Uma equipe de campo examinou rastros de tartarugas marinhas e sinais de ninhos. As ninhadas das tartarugas foram monitoradas diariamente até que os filhotes emergissem dos ninhos. Monitoramos ninhos de tartarugas-de-pente (Eretmochelys imbricata; n = 238) e tartarugas-oliva (Lepidochelys olivacea; n = 103). A época de nidificação para E. imbricata ocorreu entre dezembro e maio e para L. olivacea de março a agosto. Tartarugas-de-pente apresentaram maior tamanho das ninhadas, tempo de incubação, número de ovos não eclodidos e número de filhotes mortos quando comparado com tartarugas-oliva; no entanto, apresentaram menor sucesso de eclosão. Precipitação entre 0 e 22 mm e umidade relativa (UR) maior que 69% aumentaram a taxa de sucesso de eclosão para E. imbricata; entretanto, chuvas acima de 11 mm e UR 64% tiveram o mesmo efeito para L. olivacea. Sinais de roubo de ovos e presença humana (por exemplo, tráfego de veículos e resíduos de plástico na praia) foram registrados e são considerados ameaças aos ninhos. Os resultados do nosso estudo de monitoramento de longo prazo na Bacia Potiguar fornecem base para a implementação de medidas de mitigação e adoção de políticas públicas em praias de desova nesta região brasileira.
ABSTRACT
The aortic arrangement is an important structure associated with the maintenance of homeostasis. Based on this information, this study was conducted to describe the collateral arteries of the aortic arch of Antillean manatee and define the standard model for the species. Three specimens, an adult male, adult female and a male neonate, all strandings on the coast of the state of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, were used. The study was performed in the Laboratory of Morphophysiology of Vertebrates of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, where in situ photographs were taken to demonstrate their topography. Subsequently, their hearts were removed and fixed in 10% formaldehyde and after 72 hr were dissected and analysed, obtaining schematic drawings and photographs of the vascular arrangement. The aortic arch was represented by three collateral arteries identified as the brachiocephalic trunk, left common carotid artery and left subclavian artery. This arrangement was similar to that found for other sirenians, and yet, for other mammals like hooded seal, murine, margarita island capuchin, black-handed tamarin, Mongolian gerbil and human. The morphological similarity presented in this study with different species of mammals, including humans, may contribute valuable information from an evolutionary point of view.
