João Carlos Gomes Borges

Metazoan parasites of cetaceans off the northeastern coast of Brazil

This study represents the first survey of the parasitic fauna of cetaceans off the northeastern coast of Brazil. Parasites were collected from 82 animals rescued from the states of Ceará to Bahia, including the archipelago of Fernando de Noronha. A total of 14 species of cetaceans were evaluated: Sotalia guianensis, Stenella sp., Stenella clymene, Stenella longirostris, Stenella coeruleoalba, Stenella frontalis, Megaptera novaeangliae, Peponocephala electra, Steno bredanensis, Kogia breviceps, Kogia sima, Globicephala macrorhynchus, Tursiops truncatus, Physeter macrocephalus and Lagenodelphis hosei. The parasites were fixed and preserved in 70% ethanol or alcohol-formalin-acetic acid solution (AFA), clarified in phenol and mounted on slides for morphological identification. In total, 11 species and 8 genera of endo- and ectoparasites were identified: Halocercus brasiliensis, Halocercus kleinenbergi, Stenurus globicephalae, Halocercus sp., Anisakis sp., Crassicauda sp. (Nematoda), Phyllobothrium delphini, Monorygma grimaldii, Scolex pleuronectis, Strobicephalus triangularis, Tetrabothrius forsteri, Tetrabothrius sp., Trigonocotyle sp., Diphyllobothrium sp. (Cestoda), Campula sp. (Trematoda), Bolbosoma sp. (Acanthocephala), Cyamus boopis, Syncyamus pseudorcae and Xenobalanus globicipitis (Crustacea). The identification of some species represented novel records for the country and increased the occurrence of some parasites to new hosts. The use of standardized methodologies for collecting and evaluating a larger number of animals is essential for a better understanding of host-parasite relationships in cetaceans and their use as biological indicators in the region.

Occurrence of Cryptosporidium spp. in Antillean Manatees (Trichechus manatus) and Amazonian Manatees (Trichechus inunguis) from Brazil

Abstract: Infections by Cryptosporidium spp. in aquatic mammals is a major concern due to the possibility of the waterborne transmission of oocysts. The aim of the present study was to report the occurrence of Cryptosporidium spp. in Antillean manatees (Trichechus manatus) and Amazonian manatees (Trichechus inunguis) from Brazil. Fecal samples were collected and processed using Kinyouns method. Positive samples were also submitted to the direct immunofluorescence test. The results revealed the presence of Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts in 12.5% (17/136) of the material obtained from the Antillean manatees and in 4.3% (05/115) of the samples from the Amazonian manatees. Cryptosporidium spp. infection was more prevalent in captive animals than in free-ranging specimens.

Embarcações motorizadas: uma ameaça aos peixes-boi marinhos (Trichechus manatus) no Brasil

Borges, J.C.G., Vergara-Parente, J.E., Alvite, C.M.C., Marcondes, M.C.C & Lima, R.P. Motorboat: a threat to Antillean manatees (Trichechus manatus) in Brazil. Biota Neotrop. Sep/Dez 2007 vol. 7, no. 3 http://www. biotaneotropica.org.br/v7n3/pt/abstract?article+bn03607032007. ISSN 1676-0603. The increasing traffic of motorboats on feeding, resting and reproduction areas used by manatees causing serious problems for these animals, so scaring them away and leading to potential collisions. The purpose of this study was to describe cases interaction between boat and Antillean manatees (Trichechus manatus) living in the Northeastern coast of Brazil. These interactions took place in the State of Ceara, Paraiba and Sergipe, involving three specimens, one of them with four records. Clinical alterations were observed, such as edema in the frontal part of the body, ocular proptosis, weight loss and multiple cuts all over the body. Therefore, the increasing traffic of motorboats, allied to the lack of normative rules and effective law enforcement assuring the protection of specific areas, represent a direct risk to the conservation of Antillean manatees living in the Northeastern coast of Brazil.

Criptosporidiose: uma revisão sobre a sua implicação na conservação dos mamíferos aquáticos

Borges, J.C.G., Alves, L.C. & Faustino, M.A.G. Cryptosporidiosis: a review about its implication in conservation of aquatic mammals. Biota Neotrop. Sep/Dez 2007 vol. 7, no. 3 http://www.biotaneotropica.org.br/v7n3/pt/abstract?article+bn01407032007. ISSN 1676-0603. Cryptosporidiosis is an emerging parasitic disease that has been related in several mammal species, including the aquatic ones. This review covers the epidemiology infection by Cryptosporidium spp. in aquatic mammals. The age of the animal, infecting dose and immunological state can influence on the clinical presentation, and when associated with other pathogen, can lead the animal to death. The water supply contamination is water supply is one of the major ways of the pathogen dissemination, which was being identified by different techniques of laboratorial analysis. The adequacy of sanitation structures, the use of appropriate method to inactivate the oocysts and the assurance of personal hygiene norms are some of the recommended way to minimize the dissemination of Cryptosporidium among aquatic mammals.

Reports of strandings and sightings of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in northeastern Brazil and Brazilian oceanic islands

This study revises and updates information on bottlenose dolphin Tursiops truncatusstrandings and sightings in northeastern Brazil. A total of 72 strandings were recorded from 1992 to 2010, and 51 sightings were recorded from 1988 to 2010 along the states from Ceara to Bahia, including Fernando de Noronha and Sao Pedro and Sao Paulo archipelagos, Rocas Atoll and Abrolhos Bank. Most strandings were recorded in the states of Pernambuco, Bahia and Rio Grande do Norte. The number of reports was higher during summer, but no statistically significant difference was found between summer and other seasons. The majority of the stranded animals were adults (70.6%). Stranded calves were not observed. Total body length ranged from 138 to 321cm: 138 to 310cm for males; and 168 to 288cm for females. The average adult body length was 281cm (SD = 0.22). For stranding events where sex was determined (n = 29), a highly statistically significant difference was found between the number of males (n = 21) and females (n = 8). A total of six animals (8.3%) showed evidence of fisheries interactions such as net marks or removal of meat, blubber and eyes. Twenty-two sightings were recorded in the northeastern region, mostly in small islands and Rocas Atoll. This finding shows that the bottlenose dolphin is mainly an oceanic species in the region. More efforts are needed to improve our understanding of the populations and conservation status of bottlenose dolphins in this region.

Pulmonicola cochleotrema (Digenea: Opisthotrematidae) in Antillean manatees ( Trichechus manatus manatus ) from the North-eastern region of Brazil

BORGES, Joao Carlos Gomes et al. Pulmonicola cochleotrema (Digenea: Opisthotrematidae) in Antillean manatees (Trichechus manatus manatus) from the North-eastern region of Brazil. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, Plymunt, p. 1-4, jul. 2016.

GROWTH PATTERN DIFFERENCES OF CAPTIVE BORN ANTILLEAN MANATEE (TRICHECHUS MANATUS) CALVES AND THOSE RESCUED IN THE BRAZILIAN NORTHEASTERN COAST

The aim of this work was to analyze whether there are differences between the development pattern of Antillean manatee (Trichechus manatus) calves born in captivity and those rescued and kept under rehabilitation. Biometrics data were collected from 1990 to 2010 from 38 calves, 29 of which still had the remnants of the umbilical cord and had been rescued from the Brazilian northeastern coastline (Group I), and nine individuals that were born in captivity and remained with their mothers (Group II). Among the measures obtained through biometry, the total length and weight of the animal were recorded. Given that the breastfeeding of calves occurs approximately until the age of 2 yr, data obtained until the 24th month of life of each individual were evaluated. An average increase in weight of 53.50 +/- 38.54 kg (mean +/- standard deviation [SD]) was detected in Group I and a gain of 106.87 +/- 47.21 kg (mean +/- SD) in Group II. From months 13 to 24, no significant difference in the weight increment was observed. A similar pattern occurred with regard to the increase in the overall length during the first year, where animals from Group I grew 34.81 +/- 17.94 cm (mean +/- SD) and from Group II grew 83.83 +/- 28.21 cm, a statistically significant difference. The growth was not significantly different from 13 to 24 mo. The results found in this study identified the need for a review of the nutritional diet offered to orphaned calves rescued and kept in captivity. The results also support the need for a better adequacy of facilities for these animals as a way to encourage the management strategies adopted for manatee calves maintained in captivity.

Pathology and causes of death in stranded humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) from Brazil

This study describes the pathologic findings of 24 humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) found stranded along the Brazilian coast from 2004 to 2016. Eighteen (75%) animals evaluated were found stranded alive. From these, 13 died naturally on shore and five were euthanized. Six died at sea and were washed ashore. Of the 24, 19 (79.2%) were calves, four (16.7%) were juveniles, and one (4.2%) was an adult. The most probable cause of stranding and/or death (CSD) was determined in 23/24 (95.8%) individuals. In calves, CSD included neonatal respiratory distress (13/19; 68.4%), infectious disease (septicemia, omphaloarteritis and urachocystitis; 3/19; 15.8%), trauma of unknown origin (2/19; 10.5%), and vehicular trauma (vessel strike; 1/19; 5.3%). In juveniles and adult individuals, CSD was: emaciation (2/5; 40%), sunlight-thermal burn shock (1/5; 20%); and discospondylitis (1/5; 20%). In one juvenile, the CSD was undetermined (1/5; 20%). This study integrates novel findings and published case reports to delineate the pathology of a South-western Atlantic population of humpback whales. This foundation will aid in the assessment of the population health and establish a baseline for development of conservation policies.

TREATMENT OF PULMONICOLA COCHLEOTREMA INFECTION WITH IVERMECTIN-PRAZIQUANTEL COMBINATION IN AN ANTILLEAN MANATEE (TRICHECHUS MANATUS MANATUS)

Abstract The aim of this study was to report the use of an oral combination of ivermectin plus praziquantel in the treatment of a Pulmonicola cochleotrema in an Antillean manatee (Trichechus manatus manatus). A female manatee was found exhibiting respiratory changes and the presence of parasites in the nares. Based on clinical manifestations presented by the manatee, a symptomatic therapeutic protocol was employed, which included an anthelmintic treatment using a combination of ivermectin plus praziquantel. The parasites retrieved were identified as P. cochleotrema. The fourth day after the onset of the therapeutic protocol, the clinical signs declined and on the seventh day posttreatment no clinical signs were observed. This is the first time a therapeutic protocol of ivermectin plus praziquantel has been used in the treatment of P. cochleotrema in manatees.

Búsqueda de huevos de anquilostomideos y toxocarídeos en el suelo de residencias y escuelas en el barrio de dois irmãos, Recife-PE (Brasil)

RESUMENEl objetivo de este articulo fue la investigacionde la contaminacion por huevos de Ancylostoma spp y Toxocara spp en el suelo del patio o jardinde 149 residencias y del area de recreo de dosescuelas situadas en la comunidad de Corrego daFortuna no Bairro de Dois Irmaos, en Recife-PE(BRASIL). Las muestras fueron recogidasdurante el invierno y verano y procesadasmediante la tecnica de centrifugo-fluctuacion,utilizando solucion de sulfato de zinc al 33%. Delas muestras de suelo de residencias, 4,69% (07/149) fueron positivas para huevos de Ancylostoma spp y 8,73% (13/149) para huevos de Toxocara spp. Las muestras provenientes de las dosescuelas fueron negativas para huevos denematodos. Los hallazgos muestran que laexposicion de las personas por helmintos conpotencial zoonotico, se demostro mayor en elambiente domiciliar de que fuera deste ambiente.REFERENCIAS 1.- NUNES C M, et al. Ocorrencia de larva migrans naareia de areas de lazer das escolas municipais de ensinoinfantil, Aracatuba, SP, Brasil. Rev Saude Pub