Investigation on the mancozeb toxicity in adult zebrafish ().

Agriculture has gained increasing importance in response to the continuous growth of the world population and constant need for food. To avoid production losses, farmers commonly use pesticides. Mancozeb is a fungicide used in agriculture as this compound is effective in combating fungi that harm crops.

Microplastics alter the leaf litter breakdown rates and the decomposer community in subtropical lentic microhabitats.

Microplastics, pervasive pollutants in aquatic environments, have been primarily studied for their impact on marine ecosystems. However, their effects on freshwater systems, particularly in forested phytotelmata habitats, remain understudied in Subtropical systems. This research examines the influence of varying microplastic concentrations (0.

Less is more: partial larvicidal efficacy of plant leachate leads to larger mosquitoes.

Major efforts to control the population of mosquitoes involve the use of synthetic insecticides, which can be harmful to the environment. Most plant compounds are eco-friendly and some of them have biocontrol potential, whereas a fraction of these compounds is released into the environment through the leaf-leaching process. We evaluated the effects of secondary compounds from and senescent leaf leachates on larval mortality, adult emergence time, and wing size using a microcosm approach.

Chemistry Matters: High Leaf Litter Consumption Does Not Represent a Direct Increase in Shredders' Biomass.

Changes in riparian vegetation can alter the input and quality of leaf litter in aquatic ecosystems, but the effects of these changes on litter fragmentation by invertebrate shredder communities in tropical streams remain poorly studied. The caddisfly genus Phylloicus Müller, 1880 (Trichoptera: Calamoceratidae) is highly abundant in Neotropical streams, representing a great part of shredder biomass, which uses the allochthonous litter as a food resource and for case-building. We investigated leaf consumption by Phylloicus sp.

Evaluation of Resveratrol and Piceatannol Anticonvulsant Potential in Adult Zebrafish (Danio rerio).

Epilepsy is a common neurological disorder which affects 50 million people worldwide. Patients with epilepsy may present cognitive deficits and psychological impairment. Currently, 30% of patients fail to respond to any available antiseizure drug, and a significant number of patients do not well tolerate the offered treatments.

Investigation on the Anticonvulsant Potential of Luteolin and Micronized Luteolin in Adult Zebrafish (Danio rerio).

Epilepsy affects around 50 million people worldwide, and an important number of patients (30%) fail to respond to any available antiepileptic drug. Previous studies have shown that luteolin presents a promising potential as an anticonvulsant. On the other hand, different studies showed that luteolin does not promote anticonvulsant effects.

Micronized Resveratrol Shows Anticonvulsant Properties in Pentylenetetrazole-Induced Seizure Model in Adult Zebrafish.

Epilepsy affects 50 million people around the world, and the patients experience cognitive, psychological and social consequences. Despite the considerable quantity of antiepileptic drugs available, 30% of patients still suffer in seizure. Therefore, the advance in therapeutic alternatives is mandatory.

Development and characterization of 19 polymorphic microsatellite loci from the Red-cowled Cardinal (Paroaria dominicana, Passeriformes, Aves) using next-generation sequencing.

The Red-cowled Cardinal (Paroaria dominicana) is an endemic passerine of the Caatinga biome in Brazil, and is one of the most traded passerines in the country. Illegal trade can have serious impacts on wild populations, such as reduced population sizes, the introduction of the species to areas outside their historical range or mixing individuals from different populations. Microsatellites constitute an important tool for population genetics and forensics studies, and hold great potential to help authorities manage illegal trafficking and inspect commercial breeders.

Polymorphic microsatellite loci and partial mitogenome for the Chestnut-bellied Seed-finch Sporophila angolensis (Aves, Passeriformes) using next generation sequencing.

Brazil is one of the major contributors to international trade in wildlife and species of the bird genus Sporophila are currently under threat due to illegal trade. Microsatellite loci and mitochondrial DNA constitute important molecular markers for population genetics studies and parentage analyses, and hold great potential to help authorities manage illegal trafficking and control commercial breeders. We describe and characterize 19 polymorphic microsatellite loci and recover part of the mitochondrial genome for Sporophila angolensis using massive parallel sequencing with the Illumina platform.

Late Pleistocene climatic changes promoted demographic expansion and population reconnection of a Neotropical savanna-adapted bird, Neothraupis fasciata (Aves: Thraupidae).

We performed phylogeographic and genetic structure analyses of Neothraupis fasciata joined with species distribution modelling to evaluate whether: (1) the distribution of genetic variability shows a pattern expected by the isolation-by-distance model; (2) the influence of the Pleistocene climate changes on species distribution; and (3) climate/climatic stability (hypothesis of climatic stability) as a predictor of population genetic diversity. Based on two molecular datasets (ND2 and FIB-5), the isolation-by-distance hypothesis was not supported. The mitochondrial haplotype network indicated the existence of historically isolated populations at the southern range of the species distribution, and recent population expansion was identified by both neutrality tests and extended Bayesian skyline plot analysis.

In silico identification and characterization of novel microsatellite loci for the Blue-and-yellow Macaw Ara ararauna (Linnaeus, 1758) (Psittaciformes, Psittacidae).

The illegal trade is a major threat to many bird species, and parrots are common victims of this activity. Domestic and international pet markets are interested on different parrot species, such as the Blue-and-yellow Macaw (Ara ararauna). This South American macaw is not globally threatened, but is under protection from over-exploitation.

Development and characterization of novel microsatellite loci for the Blue-fronted Amazon (Amazona aestiva, Psittaciformes, Aves) and cross-species amplification for other two threatened Amazona species.

Parrots are among the most threatened avian groups of the world, with illegal pet trade being a major threat to some Amazon (Amazona genus) and macaw (Ara and Anodorhynchus genera) species. Population genetic studies and effective control of commercial breeders are important actions for the conservation of these parrot species; however, few microsatellite loci are available for most Amazona species to date. In this study, 25 polymorphic microsatellite loci were identified in silico and characterized for the Blue-fronted Amazon [Amazona aestiva (Aa)].