Raimunda Nonata Fortes Carvalho Neta

Genotoxic and hematological parameters in Colossoma macropomum (Pisces, Serrasalmidae) as biomarkers for environmental impact assessment in a protected area in northeastern Brazil

Genotoxic and hematological parameters in tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum), a native freshwater fish, were used as biomarkers to assess exposure to environmental stressors within the Maracanã Protected Area of Maranhão State, Brazil. Fish were sampled at two sites—Serena Lagoon (control) and Ambude River—on four occasions (dry and rainy season), and biometric data (length and weight) recorded and blood collected from all fish for analysis. Erythrocyte indices—mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration—were calculated. Blood samples were stained with Giemsa and acridine orange, and microscopically examined for micronuclei and morphological nuclear abnormalities. Micronuclei were observed in fish from both sites, although the frequency was significantly higher in fish from the Ambude River and morphological nuclear abnormalities were only observed in fish from the Ambude River. More morphological nuclear abnormalities and a larger number of micronuclei were observed in erythrocytes stained with acridine orange compared with those stained with Giemsa. On average, erythrocyte indices were lower in fish from the Ambude River than from the Serena Lagoon. The results confirm that genotoxic and hematological parameters in C. macropomum can be used as indicators of environmental health and could be valuable tools for monitoring environmental conditions within protected areas.

A histopathological and biometric comparison between catfish (Pisces, Ariidae) from a harbor and a protected area, Brazil

BackgroundHistopathological lesions and biometric variations in catfish species are statistically associated with chemical contaminant exposure. A histopathological and biometric database for the catfish Sciades herzbergii and Bagre bagre from São Luís Island (Port Area) and Caranguejos Island (Reference Area) is presented. Branchial and hepatic lesions were classified into three reaction patterns: 1) circulatory or inflammatory disturbances; 2) regressive changes; 3) progressive changes. This paper summarizes research efforts aimed at characterizing the biomonitoring potential of catfish from two islands in Brazil, which exhibit great habitat diversity and different levels of human intervention.ResultsThe weights and lengths of the catfish caught at the Port Area were smaller than those from the Reference Area. No histopathological lesions were observed in S. herzbergii examined at the reference site (Caranguejos Island). In contrast, 90% of S. herzbergii from sites located in the Port Area (São Luís Island) had one or more types of branchial and hepatic lesions. One or more of the five lesions were observed on 16 B. bagre from São Luís Island and Caranguejos Island.ConclusionThe utility of histopathological lesions and biometric data as sensitive indicators of the health of wild catfish populations has been demonstrated. Sciades herzbergii proved to be a better species for biomonitoring because it was more sensitive to the impacted site (Port Area) compared with the region relatively free of contaminants (Reference Area).

Evaluation of environmental quality of two estuaries in Ilha do Maranhão, Brazil, using histological and genotoxic biomarkers in Centropomus undecimalis (Pisces, Centropomidae)

Estuaries are subjected to continual environmental impacts from activities in the catchment areas. This research assessed the quality of two estuarine habitats located in Ilha do Maranhão, Brazil, through histological and genotoxic biomarkers in Centropomus undecimalis, comparing the data obtained to metal, physical, and chemical concentrations of water samples. The gill histological alterations were analyzed by the histological alteration index and genotoxic lesions in erythrocytes were detected by the Micronucleus Test. The analysis of metals revealed that all water samples contained at least two elements with concentrations higher than that allowed by the current Brazilian law. For gill histological analysis, snook of both areas assessed exhibited moderate lesions, indicating that the local fish are affected by environmental stress. Micronucleus analysis of snook showed that the Bacanga river basin is the most affected. In addition to assessing the health of commercial fish populations, the information about the biomarkers used for the species can serve to contribute to the preparation and/or application of health assessment models and implementation of environmental recovery policies for coastal aquatic environments.

Feeding habits of Macrodon ancylodon (Actinopterygii, Sciaenidae) in northeast, Brazil

Se estudiaron los habitos alimenticios de la pescadilla real Macrodon ancylodon basado en 280 muestras en la costa de la provincia de Maranhao, noreste de Brasil. La dieta mostro un predominio de peces, crustaceos y ocasionalmente cefalopodos. Las dietas de los machos y hembras fueron similares y se encontraron diferencias en la proporcion de presas entre los juveniles, subadultos y adultos. Durante la temporada de lluvias las presas fueron mas diversas que en la temporada seca. En la estacion seca M. ancylodon se alimenta mas de Penaeidae (Penaeus sp. y Penaeus schmitti), Callinectes sp. y Engraulidae (Cetengraulis sp.). Se observo un aumento del espectro de alimentos en la temporada de lluvias, con presas de 5 especies de peces (Anchovia clupeoides, Cetengraulis edentulus, Macrodon ancylodon, Mugil curema y Sardinella brasiliensis), 3 especies de crustaceos (Penaeus schmitti, Parapenaeus politus y Callinectes sp.) y 2 cefalopodos (Loligo sp. y Loligo plei). Las diferencias en la ingestion de presas se encontraron durante el ano, en la estacion de lluvia, donde los individuos de esta especie presentaron mayores contenidos estomacales. El canibalismo se encontro con mayor intensidad para los peces maduros.

Fourier shape descriptors in fish preliminary results with Prochilodus

In this work, we analyzed fifteen Prochilodus applying Fourier shape descriptors techniques in order to test a method potential to detect and distinguish features like gonadal stage. The technique consists in obtains captured images from the fishes with high resolution, digitized the contours of the fish and obtains Cartesian coordinates of the points in the fish image border. These coordinates of each fish is adjusted to a Fourier discrete polynomial and the variability of each harmonic is obtained and evaluated. The initial results show a promising potential in distinguish fish features.

In situ assessment of two catfish species (pisces, Ariidae) to evaluate pollution in a harbor

A histopathological and biometric database for the catfish Sciades herzbergii and Bagre bagre from Sao Luis Island (Harbor area) and Caranguejos Island (reference area) in Brazil is presented. Branchial and hepatic lesions were classified into three reaction patterns: 1) circulatory or inflammatory disturbances; 2) regressive changes; 3) progressive changes. The total length (Lt), standard length (Ls), furcal length (Lf), total weight (Wt), and gonad weight (Wg) of each fish were recorded. As expected, most populations of catfish considered in this study are highly heterogeneous, with lengths and weights deviating from the reference sample. No histopathological lesions were observed in Sciades herzbergii examined at the reference site (Caranguejos Island). In contrast, 90% of the catfish S. herzbergii from sites located in the Harbor Area (Sao Luis Island) had one or more types of branchial and hepatic lesions. As opposed to what was observed in S. herzbergii, more than 86.33% of Bagre bagre individuals s...

Princípios bioéticos aplicados aos estudos ecotoxicológicos aquáticos

Aquatic ecotoxicology analyzes the adverse effects of chemical pollutants in the biota. The aim of this study was to analyze the adequacy of the laboratory trials with aquatic organisms, based on the principles of the 3Rs. Twenty articles on aquatic ecotoxicology published from 2010 to 2014 were reviewed. The numbers of animals utilized in ecotoxicology trials, acclimatization, research approved by the committee on ethics and utilization of anesthetics were verified. The findings indicate that the principles of refinement and replacement, of the 3Rs program, were the most encountered in the research; while most did not cite approval of experimental protocols by an ethics committee, nor the use of anesthetics on the organisms during the experiments. The research published indicates a need to reduce the number of in the bio-trials, and to apply principles of bioethics in experimentation with aquatic organisms.A ecotoxicologia aquatica analisa os efeitos adversos dos poluentes quimicos na biota, utilizando-se de animais nos ensaios laboratoriais. Neste trabalho, objetivou-se analisar a adequacao dos ensaios laboratoriais realizados com organismos aquaticos com base nos principios dos 3 R. Foram realizadas revisoes de 20 artigos sobre ecotoxicologia aquatica, publicados no periodo de 2010 a 2014. A analise verificou o numero de animais utilizados nos ensaios ecotoxicologicos, aclimatacao, aprovacao da pesquisa por comite de etica e uso de anestesicos. Os resultados indicam que os principios de refinamento e substituicao, do programa dos 3R, foram os que mais ocorreram nas pesquisas, porem a maioria delas nao citou aprovacao dos protocolos experimentais por um comite de etica nem o uso de anestesicos nos organismos durante os experimentos. As pesquisas publicadas indicam a necessidade de reducao do numero de organismos nos bioensaios, bem como a aplicacao dos principios bioeticos na experimentacao realizada com organismos aquaticos.

Bioethical principles applied to aquatic ecotoxicological studies

Aquatic ecotoxicology analyzes the adverse effects of chemical pollutants in the biota. The aim of this study was to analyze the adequacy of the laboratory trials with aquatic organisms, based on the principles of the 3Rs. Twenty articles on aquatic ecotoxicology published from 2010 to 2014 were reviewed. The numbers of animals utilized in ecotoxicology trials, acclimatization, research approved by the committee on ethics and utilization of anesthetics were verified. The findings indicate that the principles of refinement and replacement, of the 3Rs program, were the most encountered in the research; while most did not cite approval of experimental protocols by an ethics committee, nor the use of anesthetics on the organisms during the experiments. The research published indicates a need to reduce the number of in the bio-trials, and to apply principles of bioethics in experimentation with aquatic organisms.A ecotoxicologia aquatica analisa os efeitos adversos dos poluentes quimicos na biota, utilizando-se de animais nos ensaios laboratoriais. Neste trabalho, objetivou-se analisar a adequacao dos ensaios laboratoriais realizados com organismos aquaticos com base nos principios dos 3 R. Foram realizadas revisoes de 20 artigos sobre ecotoxicologia aquatica, publicados no periodo de 2010 a 2014. A analise verificou o numero de animais utilizados nos ensaios ecotoxicologicos, aclimatacao, aprovacao da pesquisa por comite de etica e uso de anestesicos. Os resultados indicam que os principios de refinamento e substituicao, do programa dos 3R, foram os que mais ocorreram nas pesquisas, porem a maioria delas nao citou aprovacao dos protocolos experimentais por um comite de etica nem o uso de anestesicos nos organismos durante os experimentos. As pesquisas publicadas indicam a necessidade de reducao do numero de organismos nos bioensaios, bem como a aplicacao dos principios bioeticos na experimentacao realizada com organismos aquaticos.

Princípios bioéticos aplicados a los estudos ecotoxicológicos aquáticos

Aquatic ecotoxicology analyzes the adverse effects of chemical pollutants in the biota. The aim of this study was to analyze the adequacy of the laboratory trials with aquatic organisms, based on the principles of the 3Rs. Twenty articles on aquatic ecotoxicology published from 2010 to 2014 were reviewed. The numbers of animals utilized in ecotoxicology trials, acclimatization, research approved by the committee on ethics and utilization of anesthetics were verified. The findings indicate that the principles of refinement and replacement, of the 3Rs program, were the most encountered in the research; while most did not cite approval of experimental protocols by an ethics committee, nor the use of anesthetics on the organisms during the experiments. The research published indicates a need to reduce the number of in the bio-trials, and to apply principles of bioethics in experimentation with aquatic organisms.A ecotoxicologia aquatica analisa os efeitos adversos dos poluentes quimicos na biota, utilizando-se de animais nos ensaios laboratoriais. Neste trabalho, objetivou-se analisar a adequacao dos ensaios laboratoriais realizados com organismos aquaticos com base nos principios dos 3 R. Foram realizadas revisoes de 20 artigos sobre ecotoxicologia aquatica, publicados no periodo de 2010 a 2014. A analise verificou o numero de animais utilizados nos ensaios ecotoxicologicos, aclimatacao, aprovacao da pesquisa por comite de etica e uso de anestesicos. Os resultados indicam que os principios de refinamento e substituicao, do programa dos 3R, foram os que mais ocorreram nas pesquisas, porem a maioria delas nao citou aprovacao dos protocolos experimentais por um comite de etica nem o uso de anestesicos nos organismos durante os experimentos. As pesquisas publicadas indicam a necessidade de reducao do numero de organismos nos bioensaios, bem como a aplicacao dos principios bioeticos na experimentacao realizada com organismos aquaticos.

Oxidative stress enzyme and histopathological lesions in Colossoma macropomum (pisces, ariidae) for environmental impact assessment

This study used oxidative stress enzyme (Glutathione S-Transferase and Catalase), histopathological lesions (Branchial lesions) and biometric data in the freshwater fish tambaqui, Colossoma macropomum, to assess environmental impacts in an Environmental Protection Area at Sao Luis, Brazil. Fish were sampled from two locations (A1 = contaminated area and A2 = reference site) within the protected area on four occasions. The activity of catalase (CAT) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) in C. macropomum was compared with biometric data and histopathological lesions. Results have shown that biometric data decreased significantly in fish (p<0.05) at the contaminated site. The activity of CAT was higher in fish specifically caught in A1. A significant difference was observed in the GST activity in the liver of C. macropomum when comparing fish from the contaminated site and those from the reference site (p<0.05).