KAMBÔ: an Amazonian enigma.

The secretions of the Giant Monkey Frog Phyllomedusa bicolor are used by populations in the Amazon regions (mainly the indigenous Katukinas and Kaxinawás). The so-called "toad vaccine" or "kambô" is applied as a medication for infections and to prevent diseases, and also as physical and mental invigorator, and analgesic. Since the 1980s, researchers and companies have been interested in the composition of these secretions. Phyllomedusin, phyllokinin, caerulein and sauvagine are the polypeptides in these secretions that can cause intense effects on smooth muscles, vessels provoking, nausea and vomiting, arterial hypotension, flushing, palpitations, nausea, vomiting, bile secretion and angioedema. These actions are similar to bradykinin. However, the feeling of well-being and improvement of motor skills described by the users seems to be associated with dermorphine, caerulein or deltorphin - peptides with analgesic properties - and their affinity for the opiate receptor systems. Caerulein is a peptide that increases digestive secretions. Phyllomedusin and Phyllokinin lead to blood pressure and digestive effects. Sauvagine release corticotropin and mimics the physiological reactions of exposure to stress. Deltorphins and dermorphins have high affinity for the opiate receptor system and can lead to analgesia. The fame acquired by the therapy motivated the use by individuals from urban areas worldwide, without safety considerations. While in indigenous communities, there is an entire cultural tradition that provides relative safety to the application, however, the extension of use to individuals from urban areas worldwide is a problem, with reports of severe adverse effects and deaths. Undoubtedly, the skin secretions of the Phyllomedusa genus contain substances of intense pharmacological action and that can lead to research for therapeutic uses, but control over their application in rituals outside the forest is needed due the risks presented.

Ichthyofauna of the Una river in the Paraíba do Sul Paulista River Valley, Southeastern of Brazil / Ictiofauna do rio Una, Vale do Paraíba do Sul Paulista, sudeste do Brasil

Abstract: This study focus on an inventory of the ichthyofauna of the Una river, a tributary of the Paraíba do Sul river, located in the region of Paraíba do Sul River Valley, in the State of São Paulo. Sampling was carried out in three sampling areas along the channel of the Una river between April 2016 and March 2017. For the collection of fish specimens, was used angling, fyke nets, cast nets, dragnets and hand nets. A total of 1.534 specimens were collected, which corresponds to five different orders, 14 families, 26 genera and thirty species. The study revealed that the most significant number of reported species are from the orders Siluriformes and Characiformes. The Characidae family was the most representative concerning the wealth of species and Astyanax aff. bimaculatus (two spot Astyanax - lambari-do-rabo-amarelo) was the species with the highest number of individuals captured. The freshwater ichthyofauna of the Una river is composed of eight species considered allochthonous and one exotic. Of the thirty species listed in this study, five are new records for the Paraíba do Sul river basin.

Resumo: Este trabalho teve como objetivo realizar o inventário da ictiofauna do rio Una, afluente do rio Paraíba do Sul na região do Vale do Paraíba do Sul Paulista. As coletas foram realizadas em três áreas de amostragem ao longo do canal do rio Una entre os meses de abril de 2016 e março de 2017. Para a coleta dos espécimes de peixes foram utilizadas varas de pesca, covos, tarrafas, redes do tipo tela de arrasto manual e puçás. Foi coletado um total de 1.534 exemplares pertencentes a cinco ordens, 14 famílias, 26 gêneros e trinta espécies. Siluriformes e Characiformes foram as ordens com o maior número de espécies registradas. A família Characidae foi a mais representativa em relação a riqueza de espécies e Astyanax aff. bimaculatus (lambari-do-rabo-amarelo), a espécie com maior número de indivíduos capturados. A ictiofauna do rio Una apresentou em sua composição oito espécies de origem alóctone e uma exótica. Das trinta espécies listadas neste trabalho, cinco são novos registros de ocorrência para a bacia do rio Paraíba do Sul.

Bioacoustic analysis in Scinax hayii (Barbour, 1909) (Anura, Hylidae) at its type locality in Petrópolis, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Scinax hayii was described in 1909 from the municipality of Petrópolis, State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Morphological variation and advertisement calls have been previously reported for other populations across the species distribution (Lutz 1973; Heyer et al. 1990; Cardoso & Andrade 1991; Pombal et al. 1995; Magrini et al. 2011; Abrunhosa et al. 2014). However, no information on calls are available from specimens recorded at the type locality, preventing the correct characterization of the species (Magrini et al. 2011). Here we describe the advertisement call and a second call type of S. hayii from Petrópolis, as a contribution towards a better understanding of the taxonomy of this species.

A new species of Pseudopaludicola Miranda-Ribeiro, 1926 (Anura: Leptodactylidae: Leiuperinae) from northwestern state of São Paulo, Brazil.

A new species of Pseudopaludicola is described from human-altered areas originally covered by Semideciduous Forest in northwestern state of São Paulo, southeastern Brazil. Morphologically, the new species differs from four species belonging to the P. pusilla group by the absence of either T-shaped terminal phalanges or toe tips expanded, and from all other congeners except P. canga and P. facureae by possessing an areolate vocal sac, with dark reticulation. The higher duration (300-700 ms) of each single, pulsed note (9-36 nonconcatenated pulses) that compose the call in the new species distinguishes it from all other 14 species of Pseudopaludicola with calls already described (10-290 ms). Absence of harmonics also differ the advertisement call of the new species from the call of its sister species P. facureae, even though these two species presented unexpected low genetic distances. Although we could not identify any single morphological character distinguishing the new species from P. facureae, a PCA and DFA performed using 12 morphometric variables evidenced significant size differences between these two species. 

Clinical manifestations and experimental studies on the spine extract of the toadfish Porichthys porosissimus.

Toadfish are fish from the family Batrachoididae that are found in marine and brackish environment around the world. Among the toadfish, Porichthys genus is very common, where Porichthys porosissimus, also called Atlantic Midshipman is found in Southwest Atlantic, from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to eastern Argentina. There was no consensus about the classification of the genus Porichthys as venomous fish because so far there are no published studies regarding human envenomations and/or toxic activities induced in animal models. Herein, we report two conclusive envenoming in human beings caused by P porosissimus spines, with clear signs and symptoms that were very important for the development of our experimental studies. We demonstrated that the P. porosissimus spine extract, now venom, can induce nociceptive and edematogenic responses in mice as well an induction of an inflammatory response elicited by intravital microscopy and leukocyte migration. Finally, we identified in the P. porosissimus spine extract, through analysis by mass spectrometry, the presence of proteins previously detected in the venoms of other fish species and other venomous animals. We believe that based on our studies we will dismiss the non-venomous nature of this fish and clarify this issue.

Morphometric and bioacoustic data on three species of Pseudopaludicola Miranda-Ribeiro, 1926 (Anura: Leptodactylidae: Leiuperinae) described from Chapada dos Guimarães, Mato Grosso, Brazil, with the revalidation of Pseudopaludicola ameghini (Cope, 1887).

Due to minute size, overall morphological similarities, scarcity of diagnostic characters after preservation, and usual sympatric or even syntopic occurrence of two or more species of Pseudopaludicola, the taxonomy of the genus is not yet a matter of consensus. Three species in the genus Pseudopaludicola Miranda-Ribeiro, 1926 were described by Cope in 1887, based on material obtained at Chapada dos Guimarães, mid-western state of Mato Grosso, Brazil. One of these species, Pseudopaludicola ameghini, was subsequently synonymized to P. mystacalis. In this paper we present morphological and bioacoustic evidences supporting a full specific status for the three sympatric species of Pseudopaludicola described from Chapada dos Guimarães, including Pseudopaludicola ameghini Cope, 1887.

Taxocenose de bagres marinhos (Siluriformes, Ariidae) da região estuarina de São Vicente, SP, Brasil / Taxocenose of marine catfish (Siluriformes, Ariidae) in the complex bay-estuary of São Vicente, SP, Brazil

O objetivo do trabalho foi analisar a taxocenose de bagres marinhos do complexo baía-estuário de São Vicente, SP. As coletas foram mensais, no período de setembro de 2000 a agosto de 2002, em quatro regiões do estuário. Foram capturados 3.985 exemplares, pertencentes a cinco gêneros e seis espécies, totalizando 47.807 g. A espécie Cathorops spixii apresentou a maior abundância numérica com 1.569 indivíduos amostrados. No transecto I (próximo da região costeira) foi registrada a maior riqueza e no transecto IV (estuário acima) a maior abundância com 2.602 exemplares e peso de 26.236 g. Em março de 2002 registrou-se a maior abundância com 687 indivíduos e o maior peso ocorreu em fevereiro de 2002 (8.816 g). A salinidade da água de fundo, ao longo do período de estudo, variou entre 14 e 36 e a temperatura da água variou entre 19 e 30 ºC. Na região amostrada foram capturados exemplares jovens e adultos, ocorrendo um predomínio de jovens, o que demonstra que esta área apresenta condições favoráveis para crescimento.

The purpose of this study was to analyze the taxocenose of marine catfish in the complex bay-estuary of Sao Vicente, Brazil. The sampling was done monthly from September/2000 to August/2002, in four places of the estuary. Were caught 3.985 individuals belonging for 5 genus and 6 species, totalizing 47.807 g. The specie Cathorops spixii showed the biggest plentiful with 1.569 individuals sampled. In the transect I (close to the coastal region), it was registered the biggest richness (6 species) and in the transect IV (upper estuary) the biggest number of individuals (n = 2.602) e weight of 26.236 g. In March/2002 were registered the biggest occurrence with 687 individuals and biggest weight in February/2002 (8.816 g). The bottom water salinity, in the time of study, changed between 14 and 36, and the water temperature varied between 19 and 30 ºC. In the sample place juveniles and adults' individuals were caught, a mostly juvenile which demonstrates that of this place shows favorable conditions for growth.

Bioacústica e sítio de vocalização em taxocenoses de anuros de área aberta no noroeste paulista / Bioacoustics and calling site in anuran assemblages of open area in the northwest of São Paulo State, Brazil

O sítio de vocalização e os parâmetros acústicos do canto de anúncio foram determinados para 18 espécies de anuros em seis corpos d'água na região noroeste paulista. A freqüência dominante do canto de anúncio foi positivamente correlacionada com o CRC das espécies: as espécies pequenas vocalizaram em uma freqüência mais alta e as maiores vocalizaram em uma freqüência mais baixa. A similaridade nos parâmetros espectrais e temporais do canto de anúncio foi alta entre 94 por cento das espécies registradas. A similaridade no uso do sítio de vocalização foi baixa, apenas 22 por cento das espécies apresentaram alta sobreposição, apesar de cerca de metade das espécies terem sido generalistas no uso de sítio de vocalização. Analisando conjuntamente a similaridade no uso de sítio de vocalização, no hábitat e nos parâmetros do canto de anúncio, a proporção de espécies com alta sobreposição diminui de 94 por cento para 11 por cento, correspondente à sobreposição entre um único par de espécies: Dendropsophus elianeae e D. minutus. Espécies com sobreposição no sítio de vocalização apresentaram segregação nos parâmetros acústicos e, espécies com sobreposição nos parâmetros acústicos tenderam a partilhar sítio de vocalização. Esse resultado sugere a ocorrência de complementaridade de nicho, pois as espécies que ocuparam uma posição similar em uma dimensão tenderam a diferir em outra dimensão. A homogeneidade estrutural dos corpos d'água, a severidade climática da região e o elevado grau de conversão do ambiente natural em áreas de cultivo limitam a abundância das populações e a riqueza de espécies. A baixa sobreposição no sítio de vocalização está, provavelmente, associada a insaturação das comunidades amostradas.

The calling site and the acoustic parameters of the advertisement call were determined for 18 anuran species in six ponds in the northwest region of São Paulo State. The dominant frequency of the advertisement call was positively correlated with the CRC of the species: small size species vocalized in a higher frequency, whereas larger species vocalized in a lower frequency. The similarity in the spectral and temporal parameters of the advertisement call was high among 94 percent of the recorded species. The similarity on calling site was low; only 22 percent of species presented high overlap, in spite of about a half of the species have been generalist in calling site use. Analysing simultaneously the similarity on calling site, habitat and advertisement call parameters, the proportion of species with high overlap decreased from 94 to 11 percent, corresponding to the overlap between a single pair of species: Dendropsophus elianeae and D. minutus. The species that overlap in calling site presented segregation in acoustic parameters, and those that overlap in acoustic parameters tended to partition the calling site. This result suggests the occurrence of niche complementarity, since species that occupied a similar position in one dimension tended to differ in another dimension. The structural homogeneity of ponds, the climatic severity of the region and the high degree of habitat loss restrict the abundance of population and the species richness of the anuran assemblages. The low overlap on the calling site is probably associated with the insaturation of the sampled communities.

Associações entre as biomassas de peixes Sciaenidae (Teleostei: Perciformes) e de camarões Penaeoidea (Decapoda: Dendrobranchiata) no litoral norte do Estado de São Paulo / Relationships among Sciaenidae fish (Teleostei: Perciformes) and Penaeoidea shrimp (Decapoda: Dendrobranchiata) biomass from the north coast of São Paulo State, Brazil

Visando analisar as associações entre as biomassas de peixes Sciaenidae e de camarões Penaeoidea, foram feitas amostragens com barco de arrasto nas quatro estações do ano de 2001, em um gradiente de profundidade, nas regiões de Ubatuba, Caraguatatuba e São Sebastião. Em cada transecto, foram obtidas amostras de água e de sedimento. As hipóteses de que os fatores ambientais foram diferentes entre as estações do ano e profundidades foram testadas por ANOVAs. A dependência estatística entre as biomassas de peixes (variável resposta) e as biomassas de camarões (covariável) nas três regiões, foi testada por um modelo de ANCOVA. Para quantificar as relações entre as biomassas de cada espécie foi utilizada a CCA. A importância das estações do ano e das regiões no resultado da CCA foi avaliada pelo teste de Kruskal-Wallis e da profundidade pelo teste de Spearman. Nas estações do ano, as temperaturas e salinidades foram significativamente diferentes, o que não ocorreu com matéria orgânica (MO) e o diâmetro médio do sedimento (phi = fi). Foram amostrados 378.618 g de peixes e 79.338 g de camarões, com maiores capturas no inverno e nas menores profundidades. Em Caraguatatuba foram coletadas as maiores biomassas de ambos os grupos e a correlação entre as capturas de peixes e de camarões foi negativa. Já nas demais regiões, a correlação foi positiva. Assim, os dados de Caraguatatuba foram retirados do modelo final da ANCOVA, onde 47 por cento da variabilidade na biomassa dos peixes Sciaenidae pôde ser explicada pela presença dos camarões Penaeoidea. Xiphopenaeus kroyeri foi o único fator importante na distribuição de Sciaenidae no eixo 1, enquanto o eixo 2 evidenciou indiretamente o gradiente de profundidade. Os resultados sugerem que, possivelmente, muitas espécies de peixes busquem as mesmas áreas de ocorrência dos camarões em função dos fatores abióticos ou para utilizá-los como recurso alimentar.

To study the relationships among Sciaenidae fish and Penaeoidea shrimp biomass, fieldwork was carried out in the north coast of São Paulo state, Brazil, during the four seasons of 2001. Samples were collected in transects from different depths at Ubatuba, Caraguatatuba, and São Sebastião cities. Water and sediment were collected from each transect. The hypotheses that the environmental factors were different among the seasons and depths were tested by ANOVAs. The statistical dependence among the biomasses of fishes (response variable) and the biomasses of shrimps (covariable) in the three sections was tested by an ANCOVA model. CCA was used to quantify the relationships among each species' biomass. The seasons and sections important at the CCA results were evaluated by Kruskal-Wallis test and depth by Spearman's test. The temperatures and salinities were significantly different among seasons but organic matter and phi were not. A total of 378,618 g of fish and 79,338 g of shrimp were collected and the majority was captured during the winter and in shallow transects. The greatest biomass of both groups was captured at Caraguatatuba and the correlation between fish and shrimp captures was negative. A positive correlation was found in the other areas. Therefore, data from Caraguatatuba was removed from the final ANCOVA model, in which 47 percent of Sciaenidae biomass variability was explained by the presence of Penaeoidea shrimps. Xiphopenaeus kroyeri was the only important factor in Sciaenidae distribution in the axis 1, while axis 2 indirectly evidenced the depth gradient. The results suggest that many fish species search for the same areas where shrimp occurs, related to abiotic factors, and use them as food resource.

Frequency and gravity of human envenomations caused by marine catfish (suborder siluroidei): a clinical and epidemiological study.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Catfish occur in marine and freshwater environments worldwide. They have three serrated venomous bony stings in the dorsal and pectoral fins that are used for defence against predators and are refilled by glandular tissues under the epithelium. However, some catfishes do not have poisonous glands next to the sting and cause traumatic wounds without poisoning. The objective of this study was to provide data for, and comment on, the epidemiological and clinical problems caused by marine catfish. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The authors have observed, followed and documented 127 injuries caused by marine catfish stings during different phases of the envenoming over a time period of 8 years at three points along the Western Atlantic Ocean coast. RESULTS: The patients presented intense pain during the acute phase of envenoming and complications, such as bacterial and fungi infections and retention of bony fragments, in the later phase. Immersion of the affected extremity in hot water was used in about 20% of cases with excellent results. DISCUSSION: Injuries caused by marine catfish are common (about 20% of injuries caused by marine animals in a series of more than 700 injuries recorded by the author) and cause intense pain and later complications. Immersion of the affected extremity in hot water results in improvement in the acute phase, but does not prevent the appearance of secondary infection or foreign body reactions.

The venomous toadfish Thalassophryne nattereri (niquim or miquim): report of 43 injuries provoked in fishermen of Salinópolis (Pará State) and Aracaju (Sergipe State), Brazil.

Fishes of family Batrachoididae are responsible for great number of injuries in fishermen in North and Northeast regions of Brazil. The genus Thalassophryne presents various venomous species of fishes found in the Brazilian coast, T. nattereri being the most common of them. The venom is ejected through two hollow spines on the dorsal fin and two on pre-opercular regions, which present a venomous gland in the base and can be erected or depressed by the fish. The manifestations of the envenoming were intense local pain, edema and erythema in 43 patients observed in Salinópolis (Pará State) and Aracaju (Sergipe State). There were no systemic manifestations, but necrosis was detected in eight and bacterial infection in ten injured fishermen. The circumstances of the contacts and therapeutic aspects are discussed. Envenoming by the genus Thalassophryne is important and frequent and should be considered of moderate severity grade, since there are not the excruciating pain or the massive local necrosis provoked by scorpionfishes (Scorpaena) or stingrays injuries nor the systemic manifestations that are the most important marker of severe envenoming.

Injuries caused by scorpionfishes (Scorpaena plumieri Bloch, 1789 and Scorpaena brasiliensis Cuvier, 1829) in the Southwestern Atlantic Ocean (Brazilian coast): epidemiologic, clinic and therapeutic aspects of 23 stings in humans.

Fishes of the family Scorpaenidae are responsible for severe injuries and occasionally deaths in humans around the world. The more venomous fishes on the Brazilian coast and in the Southwestern Atlantic region are classified in the genus Scorpaena (family Scorpaenidae). However, there are few studies on the venomous apparatus, the effects of the venom, or clinical aspects of human envenoming provoked by Atlantic scorpionfishes. In this communication, the authors present 23 accidents caused by scorpionfishes of the genus Scorpaena among fishermen, and report the species that provoked the injuries, the circumstances of contacts, the clinical aspects observed and the therapeutic measures utilized for control of the symptoms of the victims. The intense pain and the systemic findings observed in the patients were very frequent and we think that the injuries provoked by scorpionfishes should be considered the most important manifestations caused by venomous fishes of the East Atlantic Ocean.

The venomous toadfish Thalassophryne nattereri (niquim or miquim): report of 43 injuries provoked in fishermen of Salinópolis (Pará State) and Aracaju (Sergipe State), Brazil

Fishes of family Batrachoididae are responsible for great number of injuries in fishermen in North and Northeast regions of Brazil. The genus Thalassophryne presents various venomous species of fishes found in the Brazilian coast, T. nattereri being the most common of them. The venom is ejected through two hollow spines on the dorsal fin and two on pre-opercular regions, which present a venomous gland in the base and can be erected or depressed by the fish. The manifestations of the envenoming were intense local pain, edema and erythema in 43 patients observed in Salinópolis (Pará State) and Aracaju (Sergipe State). There were no systemic manifestations, but necrosis was detected in eight and bacterial infection in ten injured fishermen. The circumstances of the contacts and therapeutic aspects are discussed. Envenoming by the genus Thalassophryne is important and frequent and should be considered of moderate severity grade, since there are not the excruciating pain or the massive local necrosis provoked by scorpionfishes (Scorpaena) or stingrays injuries nor the systemic manifestations that are the most important marker of severe envenoming