Sporothrix schenckii isolated fromdomestic cats with and without sporotrichosis in Rio de Janeiro,Brazil

A total of 148 cats with a clinical and mycologic diagnosis of sporotrichosis and 84 apparently healthy cats with domiciliary contact with the affected animals were studied. Sporothrix schenckii was isolated from 148 (n = 148; 100%) clinical samples of cutaneous lesion (biopsy, swab or aspiration of purulent secretion), 47(n = 71; 66.2%) nasal cavities, 33 (n = 79; 41.8%) oral cavities, and 15 (n = 38; 39.5%) nails of cats with sporotrichosis. Histopathological examination revealed yeast-like structures in 50 (n = 70; 71.4%) of the biopsies studied. S. schenckii was isolated from the blood culture of one cat (n = 5, 20%) with the disseminated cutaneous form of the disease. On another occasion, the fungus was isolated from the testis of one (n = 7; 14.3%) of the animals submitted to sterilization. In the group of cats with domiciliary contacts, 3(n = 84; 3.57%) oral swabs showed positive cultures. Isolation of S. schenckii from different clinical specimens during both the clinical and preclinical phase reinforces the zoonotic potential of feline sporotrichosis. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Long-term decline of brown algal assemblages from southern Brazil under the influence of a nuclear power plant

We investigated long-term trends in brown macroalgal assemblages inhabiting shallow subtidal rocky bottoms under the influence of thermal effluent discharge from the Brazilian nuclear power plant (BNPP). Three operational periods based on the units of the BNPP were analysed: T0 = pre-operational, between the years 1980 and 1983; T1 = operational period of unit 1, between 1988 and 1999; and T2 = operational period of units 1 and 2, between 2005 and 2012. Using generalized linear mixed models (GLMMs), we found significant declines in the numbers of genera and species over time. More than half of the species of brown macroalgae disappeared during T2. In addition, the numbers of macroalgal genera and species were inversely related to the local surface seawater temperatures. Multivariate analyses revealed a clear separation between the years of T2 and those of T0, indicating long-term changes in the community assemblages. Among the most common species in the area, the frequencies of Canistrocarpus cervicornis, Dictyopteris delicatula, Hincksia mitchelliae, Sargassum spp. and Sphacelaria tribuloides decreased during T2, while Padina gymnospora maintained rather high yearly frequencies during T2 (>40%). Our data suggest that seawater temperatures consistently higher than 30 °C together with peaks higher than 35 °C may have triggered the decline in the brown algae on rocky bottoms under the influence of the BNPP discharge. These results from southern Brazil are consistent with studies from other locations that ascribe changes in seaweed diversity to increasing seawater temperatures, highlighting the sensitivity of brown macroalgae to thermal stress and demonstrating their effectiveness as an ecological indicator for monitoring the effects of nuclear power plant effluents on coastal environments.     

The sandfly fauna (Diptera: Psychodidae: Phlebotominae) of the Parque Estadual da Serra da Tiririca,Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) in the state of Rio de Janeiro is sporadic and canbe characterised as a peridomestic transmission that occurs in modified naturalenvironments. The aim of this work was to study the fauna and ecologicalcharacteristics of sandflies in an environmentally protected area (the StatePark of Serra da Tiririca) within the remnants of the Atlantic Forest in themunicipalities of Niterói and Maricá and their possible relationship withleishmaniasis. Captures were performed using light traps during the night once amonth for one year in both sylvatic environments and areas surrounding homesnear the park. A total of 1,037 sandflies were captured, belonging to ninegenera and 12 species: Evandromyia tupynambai (34.1%),Migonemyia migonei (20.6%), Brumptomyiacunhai (13.8%), Micropygomyia schreiberi (9.7%),Psathyromyia lanei (6.5%), Brumptomyianitzulescui (5.7%), Evandromyia edwardsi(5.4%), Nyssomyia intermedia (2.8%), Evandromyiacortelezzii (0.6%), Pintomyia bianchigalatiae(0.5%), Lutzomyia longipalpis (0.2%) and Sciopemyiamicrops (0.1%). Both Mg. migonei and Ny.intermedia may be acting as vectors of CL in this area.     

Two new species of Alcantarea (Bromeliaceae,Tillandsioideae) from Brazil

Alcantarea turgida andA. tortuosa are described and illustrated as new species from southeastern Brazil. The relationships ofA. turgida withA. extensa and withA. vinicolor and ofA. tortuosa withA. farneyi and withA. benzingii are discussed.     

Distribution of Micropogonias furnieri (Pisces: Sciaenidae) in Sepetiba Bay,Rio de Janeiro,Brazil

Distribution of Micropogonias furnieri in the Sepetiba Bay, an ecosystem highly important as rearing ground for this species that represents 5.8% of the numerical catches by otter trawling, was analyzed based in monthly and bi-monthly samplings from two programmes (beach seines = continental margin; and otter trawl = inside of the Bay), over three annual cycles, between 1993 and 1997. Spatial comparisons were assessed by dividing the Bay in two zones for the beach seines (inner and outer Bay) and three zones for the otter trawl (inner, central and outer Bay), following depth, salinity and transparency gradient, as well as for the influence of the sea. Beach seines (30 m extension, a 10 m length x 2.5 m of height x 7 mm mesh) and otter trawls were used. Trawls covered 1.5 km and the boat (net mouth 8 m, mesh size 12 mm between opposites knots in the cod). Temperature (degree C) and salinity (p.s.u.) were taken in each sampling; depth (m) and transparency (m) were measured during the trawl. Fish from beach seine were basically young-of-the-year; in the trawl they were individuals of larger size with total length varying from 70 mm to 300 mm. Spatially, highest CPUEs were found for the continental margin in the inner Bay, and for the inside Bay, in the inner and central zones. Highly significant correlations were detected among M. furnieri abundance and low salinity, transparency and depth in the inner Bay, with no defined pattern for the continental margin. Temporally, differences in fish abundance were shown only for the second annual cycle (1996) for the continental margin, with peaks in September/October.     

Karyological Studies of Biomphalaria tenagophila (d'Orbigny, 1835) (Gastropoda: Planobidae) from Rio de Janeiro,Brazil

The karyotypes of Biomphalaria tenagophila collected from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil were studied using the air-drying method. Somatic cells of this species had 2n=36. The 18 chromosome pairs were identified and classified into 3 groups. The diploid cell has 7 pairs of metacentric, 8 pairs of submetacentric, and 3 pairs of subtelocentric chromosomes. Observed chromosomes ranged from 2.4 to 6.4 µm, and the total length was 122.3 µm. This is the first report on the chromosome of B. tenagophila.     

Predominance of phytoplankton-derived dissolved and particulate organic carbon in a highly eutrophic tropical coastal embayment (Guanabara Bay,Rio de Janeiro,Brazil)

We investigate the carbon dynamics in Guanabara Bay, an eutrophic tropical coastal embayment surrounded by the megacity of Rio de Janeiro (southeast coast of Brazil). Nine sampling campaigns were conducted for dissolved, particulate and total organic carbon (DOC, POC and TOC), dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC), partial pressure of CO₂ (pCO₂), chlorophyll a (Chl a), pheo-pigments and ancillary parameters. Highest DOC, POC and Chl a concentrations were found in confined-shallow regions of the bay during the summer period with strong pCO₂ undersaturation, and DOC reached 82 mg L^?1, POC 152 mg L^?1, and Chl a 800 μg L^?1. Spatially and temporally, POC and DOC concentrations varied positively with total pigments, and negatively with DIC. Strong linear correlations between these parameters indicate that the production of TOC translates to an equivalent uptake in DIC, with 85% of the POC and about 50% of the DOC being of phytoplanktonic origin. Despite the shallow depths of the bay, surface waters were enriched in POC and DOC relative to bottom waters in periods of high thermohaline stratification. The seasonal accumulation of phytoplankton-derived TOC in the surface waters reached about 105 g C m^?2 year^?1, representing between 8 and 40% of the net primary production. The calculated turnover time of organic carbon was 117 and 34 days during winter and summer, respectively. Our results indicate that eutrophication of coastal bays in the tropics can generate large stocks of planktonic biomass and detrital organic carbon which are permanently being produced and partially degraded and buried in sediments.     

The Impact of Industrial Anthropization on Mosquito (Diptera, Culicidae) Communities in Mangrove Areas of Guanabara Bay (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)

The effects of industrial anthropization on species composition and community diversity of Culicidae (Diptera) were studied in a mangrove area impacted by industrial activities as compared to a preserved area, both around Guanabara Bay in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Diversity, equitability, and species richness in Culicidae community differed between the studied areas. Indicator species analysis and correspondence analysis were carried out and indicated that the Sabethini, especially Wyeomyia (Phoniomyia) theobaldi Lane, Wyeomyia (Phoniomyia) fuscipes (Edwards), and a non-identified species of Wyeomyia sp. were associated to the preserved area, whereas Aedes taeniorhynchus Wiedemann and Aedes scapularis (Rondani) to the impacted area.     

Macroinvertebrates associated with Chara in a tropical coastal lagoon (Imboassica lagoon,Rio de Janeiro,Brazil)

Imboassica lagoon is an urban coastal lagoon located in the municipality of Macaé (RJ), which has been exposed to a process of artificial eutrophication through the inflow of untreated sewage, as well as artificial openings of the sandbar that separates it from the ocean, provoking drastic modifications in this ecosystem. The sampling for the analysis of the community of macroinvertebrates associated with Charopyceae (Chara angolensis e C. fibrosa) were performed between October 1995 and October 1997, with a total of 9 samplings at two sampling stations: one located in the innermost area of the lagoon and another at the mouth of the main sewage channel, close to the sandbar. Throughout this period, four artificial sandbar-opening events were recorded, resulting in changes in the biomass of the macroalgae and in the densities of the macroinvertebrate populations. Through the analysis of the density of organisms per square meter, and density of organisms per 100 g dry weight of Chara, it was established that the biomass of the macroalgae has a direct influence on the density of the associated macrofauna. The greater development of the periphytic community in the area close to the inflow of sewage allows for the development of a community of macroinvertebrates with high densities, composed mainly of scraping organisms, such as the mollusc Heleobia australis (Hidrobiidae).     

Fecundity of the Hypostomus affinis (Siluriformes,Loricariidae) in the Lajes Reservoir,Rio de Janeiro,Brazil

The armored catfish Hypostomus affinis is a widespread Loricariidae fish in the Lajes Reservoir (22 degrees 42'-22 degrees 50' S; 43 degrees 53'-44 degrees 05' W), the largest lentic environment in the Rio de Janeiro State, but little is known about their reproductive biology. One hundred and twenty five females, captured from January 1996 to December 1997, were used to assess ovarian development (29 were used to determine fecundity). The oocyte distribution by size-diameter classes revealed the occurrence of two modes suggesting an asynchronic development of the ovaries. The total fecundity ranged from 1235 to 4304, averaging 2374. An exponential relationship between fecundity and total length was determined, and a direct linear relationship was found between fecundity and total weight and gonad weight.     

Sex ratio and size structure of Micropogonias furnieri (Desmarest, 1823) (Perciformes, Sciaenidae) in Sepetiba Bay, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Sex ratio and size structure constitute basic information in assessing reproductive potential and estimating stock size in fish populations. One hundred fifty-one individuals of Micropogonias furnieri caught by experimental otter trawls, in three zones (inner, central, and outer) of Sepetiba Bay between October 1998 and September 1999 were examined. Males outnumbered females (1.3:1.0) in all zones but no significant differences were detected. Only in the outer zone (5.0:1.0) were male/female rates significantly different according to the chi-square test. No temporal differences were observed in sex ratio. Fish size ranged from 81 to 244 mm total length (TL) with significant differences in 155 to 185 mm TL size classes, where males predominated, and a slightly higher number of females were observed for the smaller size class (TL = 95-150 mm). Size distribution varied according to the zone, with juveniles predominating in the inner and adults in the outer zone. Spatial difference in size structure observed in this study indicates that the inner bay is a rearing ground during the first life-cycle period, and movement toward the sea occurs as fish increase in size.     

Pseudascarophis brasiliensis sp. nov. (Nematoda: Cystidicolidae) parasitic in the Bermuda chub Kyphosus sectatrix (Perciformes: Kyphosidae) from southeastern Brazil

A new species of Pseudascarophis (Nematoda: Cystidicolidae) found in the stomach of Kyphosus sectatrix (Linnaeus) (Kyphosidae), off Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, is described. The new species can be differentiated from the other congeners by the presence of lateral alae, distinct but inconspicuous cephalic papillae at the anterior end, three pairs of precloacal and one pair of adcloacal papillae in males, egg morphology and morphometry of glandular oesophagus and spicules. Pseudascarophis tropica is transferred to Ascarophis as Ascarophis tropica (Solov''eva) comb. n. due to its ambiguous diagnosis.     

Seasonal dynamics of zooplankton in a shallow eutrophic,man-made hyposaline lake in Delhi (India): role of environmental factors

Old Fort Lake, a small (1.6 ha), shallow, and recreational water body in Delhi (India) was studied through monthly surveys in two consecutive years (January, 2000–December, 2001). Precipitation is the major source of water for this closed basin lake. In addition, ground water is used for replenishing the lake regularly. This alkaline, hyposaline hard water lake contains very high ionic concentration, especially of nitrates. Based on overall ionic composition, this lake can be categorized as chloride–sulfate alkaline waters with the anion sequence dominated by SO₄ ²⁻ > Cl⁻ > HCO₃ ⁻, and the cations by Mg⁺⁺ > Ca⁺⁺. The overall seasonal variability in physicochemical profile was largely regulated by the annual cycle of evaporation and precipitation, whereas the ground water largely influences its water quality. The lake exhibited phytoplankton-dominated turbid state due to dominance of the blue green alga, Microcystis aeruginosa. The persistent cyanobacterial blooms and the elevated nutrient levels are indicative of the cultural eutrophication of the lake. This study focuses on the relative importance of eutrophic vis-à-vis hyposaline conditions in determining the structure and seasonal dynamics of zooplankton species assemblages. A total of 52 zooplankton species were recorded and rotifers dominated the community structure qualitatively as well as quantitatively. The genus Brachionus comprised a significant component of zooplankton community with B. plicatilis as the most dominant species. The other common taxa were B. quadridentatus, B. angularis, Lecane grandis, L. thalera, L. punctata, Mesocyclops sp., and Alona rectangula. Multivariate data analysis techniques, Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) along with Monte Carlo Permutation Tests were used to determine the minimum number of environmental factors that could explain statistically significant (P < 0.05) proportions of variation in the species data. The significant variables selected by CCA were NH₃–N followed by percent saturation of DO, COD, SS, BOD, NO₂–N, rainfall, silicates, and PO₄–P. The results indicate that the seasonal succession patterns of the zooplankton species were largely controlled by physicochemical factors related directly or indirectly to the process of eutrophication, whereas hyposaline conditions in the lake determined the characteristic species composition. Guest Editors: J. John & B. Timms Salt Lake Research: Biodiversity and Conservation—Selected papers from the 9th Conference of the International Society for Salt Lake Research     

The use of optimal foraging theory in the understanding of fishing strategies: A case from Sepetiba Bay (Rio de Janeiro State,Brazil)

The community of Gamboa is located on Itacuruçá Island, Sepetiba Bay (State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) and includes 26 families, mostly of artisanal fishermen who use paddled or motor canoes, and encircling nets for fishing. In this study, predictions from optimal foraging theory (patch model), in particular of patch residence time, are compared to the observed behavior of fishermen on fishing trips. Fishermen's strategies differ depending on their intended prey. They spend more time in patches and use fewer patches for shrimp than for fish. Gamboa's fishermen tend to leave a patch later than predicted by the model. The difficulty in evaluating stock availability, the comparatively few patches available for shrimp, and the competitive aspects of fishing contribute to the explanation of this behavior.     

First report of the bla(OXA-58) gene in a clinical isolate of Acinetobacter baumannii in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Carbapenemase production is an important mechanism of carbapenem resistance among nonfermentative Gram-negative isolates. This study aimed to report the detection of bla(OXA-58) gene in multiresistant clinical isolates of Acinetobacter baumannii recovered from inpatients in a public hospital. Polymerase chain reaction tests were performed to detect the bla(OXA-23-like), bla(OXA-24-like), bla(OXA-58-like) and bla(OXA-51-like) genes. The bla(OXA-58) and bla(OXA-23) genes were detected in one and three isolates, respectively. Sequencing of the bla(OXA-58-like) amplicon revealed 100% identity with the A. baumannii bla(OXA-58) gene listed in the GenBank database. This is the first report of an OXA-58-producing A. baumannii isolate in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.     

Late‐glacial and Holocene vegetation,climate and fire dynamics in the Serra dos Órgãos,Rio de Janeiro State,southeastern Brazil

We present a high‐resolution pollen and charcoal record of a 218 cm long sediment core from the Serra dos Órgãos, a subrange of the coastal Serra do Mar, located at 2130 m altitude in campos de altitude (high elevation grass‐ and shrubland) vegetation near Rio de Janeiro in southeastern Brazil to reconstruct past vegetation, climate and fire dynamics. Based on seven AMS ¹⁴C ages, the record represents at least the last 10 450 ¹⁴C yr bp (12 380 cal years bp ), The uppermost region was naturally covered by campos de altitude throughout the recorded period. Diverse montane Atlantic rain forest (ARF) occurred close to the studied peat bog at the end of the Late‐glacial period. There is evidence of small Araucaria angustifolia populations in the study area as late as the early Holocene, after which point the species apparently became locally extinct. Between 10 380 and 10 170 ¹⁴C yr bp (12 310–11 810 cal yr bp ), the extent of campos de altitude was markedly reduced as montane ARF shifted rapidly upward to higher elevations, reflecting a very wet and warm period (temperatures similar to or warmer than present day) at the end of the Younger Dryas (YD) chronozone. This is in opposition to the broadly documented YD cooling in the northern Hemisphere. Reduced cross‐equatorial heat transport and movement of the Intertropical Convergence Zone over northeastern Brazil may explain the YD warming. Markedly extended campos de altitude vegetation indicates dry climatic conditions until about 4910 ¹⁴C yr bp (5640 cal yr bp ). Later, wetter conditions are indicated by reduced high elevation grassland and the extension of ARF into higher elevation. Fire frequency was high during the early Holocene but decreased markedly after about 7020 ¹⁴C yr bp (7850 cal yr bp ).     

A prevalent alpha-proteobacterium Paracoccus sp. in a population of the Cayenne ticks (Amblyomma cajennense) from Rio de Janeiro,Brazil

As Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever is the most common tick-borne disease in South America, the presence of Rickettsia sp. in Amblyomma ticks is a possible indication of its endemicity in certain geographic regions. In the present work, bacterial DNA sequences related to Rickettsia amblyommii genes in A. dubitatum ticks, collected in the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso, were discovered. Simultaneously, Paracoccus sp. was detected in aproximately 77% of A. cajennense specimens collected in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. This is the first report of Paracoccus sp. infection in a specific tick population, and raises the possibility of these bacteria being maintained and/or transmitted by ticks. Whether Paracoccus sp. represents another group of pathogenic Rhodobacteraceae or simply plays a role in A. cajennense physiology, is unknown. The data also demonstrate that the rickettsial 16S rRNA specific primers used forRickettsia spp. screening can also detect Paracoccus alpha-proteobacteria infection in biological samples. Hence, a PCR-RFLP strategy is presented to distinguish between these two groups of bacteria.     

Studies on sandfly fauna (Diptera: Psychodidae) in a foci of cutaneous leishmaniasis in mesquita, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil

In a study on vectors of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Mesquita, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil, eleven species of sandflies were found: Lutzomyia longipalpis, L. fischeri, L. quinquefer, L. intermedia, L. whitmani, L. shannoni, L. cortelezzii, L. edwardsi, L. migonei, L. lanei and L. firmatoi. Lutzomyia intermedia was the predominant species. It was collected indoors but in much higher numbers outdoors, in the close vicinity of houses. In comparative captures it was found to feed more frequently on equines, and less frequently on man and dogs. Studies, using man and animals as baits, showed that blood-feeding started in the evening, and remained stable during the night, until early morning. June, August and October were the months of highest density.