Marcus Emanuel Barroncas Fernandes

Serological investigation of rabies virus neutralizing antibodies in bats captured in the eastern Brazilian Amazon.

BACKGROUND In 2004 and 2005 a total of 38 cases of human rabies transmitted by the hematophagous bat Desmodus rotundus were registered in the Brazilian state of Pará; 23 (60.5%) cases occurred in the northeastern region. Because of this, a serological investigation for the antibodies of rabies virus was performed in municipalities of the northeastern state of Pará, in order to assess whether the virus was circulating among different bat species. METHODS Bats were collected in 2009 with mist-nets during the rainy and dry seasons and blood samples were collected for the serological survey. RESULTS A total of 307 serum samples were obtained representing 28 bat species. The number of seropositives was high (50.8%, 156/307) and was significantly higher during the rainy season (67.4%, 95/141). No significant difference in rates was found between male and female or adult and juvenile. Seropositive individuals were recorded in 24 species sampled, the most prominent being Artibeus planirostris, with 52.2% (24/46) positive individuals. CONCLUSION The serological proportion reported in this paper in a large numbers of individuals indicates that the rabies virus circulates quite actively in the study region, but, because of the production of antibodies, the expression of the disease in these individuals is low.

Estimativa da produção anual de serapilheira dos bosques de mangue no Furo Grande, Bragança-Pará

As condicoes ambientais de determinado local podem influenciar a produtividade dos manguezais. Assim, este estudo estimou a producao total e dos componentes da serapilheira no Furo Grande, Braganca, PA. Este estudo compreendeu quatro ciclos anuais (julho/2000 a agosto/2004) em tres sitios. Foram instaladas sete cestas em cada sitio ao longo de uma transeccao de 140 m, com intervalos de 20 m. Cada cesta possuia uma area util de 1 m2, com tela de 1 mm2, suspensa acima do nivel das mares de sizigia. O material acumulado nas cestas foi coletado mensalmente, separado em folha, flor, fruto, estipula, galho e miscelânea, sendo posteriormente secado a 70 oC ate alcancar peso constante. A producao media dos quatro anos foi de 9,85 t.ha-1.ano-1 no sitio 1, 6,41 t.ha-1.ano-1 no sitio 2 e 5,99 t.ha-1.ano-1 no sitio 3, cuja comparacao apresenta diferenca significativa entre os sitios 1 e 3 (H=7,53; gl=2; p<0,05). Em suma, os resultados apontaram que a folha foi o componente de maior produtividade e, juntamente com a flor, teve pico na estacao seca, o que parece favorecer uma economia de energia para o investimento em reproducao, enquanto a maior producao de fruto foi na estacao chuvosa, promovendo a dispersao de propagulos e, consequentemente, a renovacao e manutencao dessas florestas.

Rabies in humans and non-human in the state of Pará, Brazilian Amazon

We evaluate the relationship of positive cases of rabies with the continuing expansion of livestock production, and analyse the trends of this zoonosis in human population in the state of Pará, Brazilian Amazon. The distribution of rabies cases was recorded between 1999 and 2004. Of 148 cases of rabies, 21% were in humans and 79% in non-human mammals. The rapid growth in livestock numbers seems to be associated with the increase of positive cases in bovine livestock transmitted by vampire bats. This idea is supported by positive and significant relationship of both events in time (p<0.01), but failed when spatial distribution among regions of the state was considered. However, rabies cases tend to occur toward the northeastern of the state of Pará, where rabies cases are proportionally five times greater than other mesoregions, suggesting that increased livestock production may influence the increase of this zoonosis.

Crescimento de mudas de mangue sob diferentes níveis de sombreamento na península de Ajuruteua, Bragança, Pará

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of different levels of shading on the development of seedlings of three mangrove species (Avicennia germinans (L.) Stearn., Rhizophora mangle L. and Laguncularia racemosa (L.) Gaertn. f.). The experiment was conducted at the community of Tamatateua, Ajuruteua peninsula, Braganca, PA, Brazil. For seedling production, the propagules and seeds of the mangrove species were planted in polyethylene bags (17 x 27 cm), filled with a typical mangrove substrate. The seedlings of the three species were grown under full sun (0), 30% and 60% shading, in a completely randomized design, a 3 x 3 factorial (three species and three shading levels), with eight seedlings per replication. After nine months under shading, plant samples were taken. The variables evaluated were: the shoot/height ratio, stem diameter, shoot dry matter, stem mass, root dry matter, total dry mass matter and morphological indices. Growth of seedlings of R. mangle occurred at all light levels. Seedlings of A. germinans grew faster at full sun and at 30% shading. Whereas, seedlings of L. racemosa were able to grow at 30 and 60% shading, but they also grew faster at full sunlight.

Rabies: Knowledge and Practices Regarding Rabies in Rural Communities of the Brazilian Amazon Basin

Background The occurrence of outbreaks of human rabies transmitted by Desmodus rotundus in Brazil in 2004 and 2005 reinforced the need for further research into this zoonosis. Studies of knowledge and practices related to the disease will help to define strategies for the avoidance of new cases, through the identification of gaps that may affect the preventive practices. Methodology/Principal findings A semi-structured questionnaire was applied to 681 residents of twelve communities of northeastern Pará state involved in the 2004 and 2005 outbreaks mentioned above. The objective was to evaluate the local knowledge and practices related to the disease. We found a highly significant difference (p<0.0001) in the knowledge of rabies among education levels, indicating that education is a primary determinant of knowledge on this disease. More than half of the respondents (63%) recognized the seriousness of the zoonosis, and 50% were aware of the importance of bats for its transmission, although few individuals (11%) were familiar with the symptoms, and only 40% knew methods of prevention. Even so, 70% of pet owners maintained their animals vaccinated, and 52% of the respondents bitten by bats had received post-exposure vaccination. Most of the respondents (57%) reported being familiarized with rabies through informal discussions, and only a few (23%) mentioned public health agents as the source of their information. Conclusion/Significance We identified many gaps in the knowledge and practices of the respondents regarding rabies. This may be the result of the reduced participation of public health agents in the transfer of details about the disease. The lack of knowledge may be a direct determinant in the occurrence of new outbreaks. Given these findings, there is a clear need for specific educational initiatives involving the local population and the public health entities, with the primary aim of contributing to the prevention of rabies.

Effects of herbivory by Hyblaea puera (Hyblaeidae: Lepidoptera) on litter production in the mangrove on the coast of Brazilian Amazonia

Mangrove trees are not immune to herbivory. They are affected mainly by folivores, which may influence litter production and nutrient cycling within the system (Choudhury 1988). The amount of leaf material lost to herbivory is also related to the characteristics of the trees and local environmental conditions (Feller 1995), which result in widely varying rates of leaf consumption (Anderson & Lee 1995). According to Cannicci et al . (2008), the true ecological role played by insect herbivores is not simply the amount of plant material lost to herbivory, but also involves effects at the scale of whole plant performance and ecosystem functioning. Thus, the activities of insect herbivores may also be viewed as a positive impact on mangroves, influencing, for example, energy transfer in the system.

First records of Cardisoma guanhumi (Decapoda, Brachyura, Gecarcinidae) from the coast of Brazilian Amazonia

JÔ F LlMA1.4.S), SORAYA T. M. ALVES2). MARCUS E. B. FERNANDES2) and INÁCIA M. VIEIRA3) 1) Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária (EMBRAPA), Rodovia Juscelino Kubitschek, km 5, sln, Caixa Postal 10. CEP 68903-000, Macapá. AP, Brazi I 2) Laboratório de Ecologia de Manguezal, Instituto de Estudos Costeiros, Campus de Bragança, Universidade Federal do Pará (UFPA), Bragança, PA, Brazil 3) Centro de Pesquisas Zoobotânicas e Geológicas (CPZG), Instituto de Pesquisas Científicas e Tecnológicas do Estado do Amapá lEPA, Macapá, AP, Brazil

A Range Extension for the Yellow Armadillo, Euphractus sexcinctus Linnaeus, 1758 (Xenarthra: Dasypodidae), in the Eastern Brazilian Amazon

Los osos hormigueros (Myrmecophaga tridactyla) son insectívoros estrictos y tienen un intestino delgado que es siete veces el largo del cuerpo y un intestino grueso similar en longitud al cuerpo. Opuestamente a lo que se podría deducir, debido a que el peludo es más omnívoro en cuanto a sus hábitos alimenticios, el intestino delgado y el grueso del peludo en estudio es en relación al cuerpo relativamente más corto (5,7 y 0,91 veces el largo del cuerpo) que el de los osos hormigueros (7 y 1 veces el largo del cuerpo respectivamente) y el de las mulitas (Dasypus sabanicola) (8,29 y 0,825 veces el largo del cuerpo respectivamente), según datos de Stevens y Hume (1995). Considerando otros omnívoros podríamos citar al oso negro (Ursus americanus), cuyo intestino es aproximadamente diez veces el largo del cuerpo, sin distinción entre intestino medio y grueso (Stevens y Hume, 1995). No obstante, para poder determinar la razón por la cual el peludo tiene intestinos relativamente cortos, teniendo en cuenta sus hábitos alimenticios, deberíamos tener más datos que confirmen estas dimensiones. Ya que si estos datos se repitieran podríamos suponer que estamos frente a un animal que solo consume hierbas cuando no tiene otros alimentos disponibles, es decir un verdadero oportunista.

Comparison between the chiropteran fauna from terra firme and mangrove forests on the Bragança peninsula in Pará, Brazil

The aim of this study is to compare the density and diversity of the chiropteran fauna of the terra firme and mangrove forests of the Bragança peninsula in the Brazilian state of Pará. Bats were captured using mist nets every 2 months, resulting in the collection of 217 specimens from the terra firme and 221 from the mangrove. There was no significant difference between sites in the number of individuals or diversity. Thus, while the terra firme forest is probably the principal source of fruit, the mangrove seems to be the secondary source for opportunistic species during the period of scarcity. O objetivo deste estudo é comparar a densidade e a diversidade da fauna de quirópteros das florestas de terra firme e de manguezal da península bragantina no Estado do Pará, Brazil. Morcegos foram capturados com redes‐neblina a cada dois meses, resultando na coleta de 217 espécimes provenientes da terra firme e 221 do manguezal. Não existe diferença significativa entre os sítios de trabalho no que se refere ao número de indivíduos ou diversidade. Por isso, enquanto a floresta de terra firme é provavelmente a fonte principal de fruto, o manguezal parece ser a fonte secundária para as espécies oportunistas durante o período de escassez.

Geographical Analysis for Detecting High-Risk Areas for Bovine/Human Rabies Transmitted by the Common Hematophagous Bat in the Amazon Region, Brazil

Background The common hematophagous bat, Desmodus rotundus, is one of the main wild reservoirs of rabies virus in several regions in Latin America. New production practices and changed land use have provided environmental features that have been very favorable for D. rotundus bat populations, making this species the main transmitter of rabies in the cycle that involves humans and herbivores. In the Amazon region, these features include a mosaic of environmental, social, and economic components, which together creates areas with different levels of risk for human and bovine infections, as presented in this work in the eastern Brazilian Amazon. Methodology We geo-referenced a total of 175 cases of rabies, of which 88% occurred in bovines and 12% in humans, respectively, and related these cases to a number of different geographical and biological variables. The spatial distribution was analyzed using the Kernel function, while the association with independent variables was assessed using a multi-criterion Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) technique. Findings The spatiotemporal analysis of the occurrence of rabies in bovines and humans found reduction in the number of cases in the eastern state of Pará, where no more cases were recorded in humans, whereas high infection rates were recorded in bovines in the northeastern part of the state, and low rates in the southeast. The areas of highest risk for bovine rabies are found in the proximity of rivers and highways. In the case of human rabies, the highest concentration of high-risk areas was found where the highway network coincides with high densities of rural and indigenous populations. Conclusion The high-risk areas for human and bovine rabies are patchily distributed, and related to extensive deforested areas, large herds of cattle, and the presence of highways. These findings provide an important database for the generation of epidemiological models that could support the development of effective prevention measures and controls.