Retrieving records of a rare and threatened shark in a mosaic of marine-protected areas of southeastern Brazil.

In this study the authors use the Fishers ecological knowledge (FEK) from the south coast of the São Paulo State, in southeastern Brazil, to recover records of Atlantic nurse shark (Ginglymostoma cirratum), a threatened with extinction species, in a mosaic of marine-protected areas (MPAs) of the south coast of São Paulo, in southeastern Brazil, in the southernmost distribution of the species in the Southwest Atlantic Ocean. For half a century, in the study area only one male of G. cirratum was officially recorded, in 1967.

The marine catfish Genidens barbus (Ariidae) fisheries in the state of São Paulo, southeastern Brazil: diagnosis and management suggestions.

In this study we analyzed data on fishing landings of Genidens barbus in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, from 2000 to 2014. An estimation of the total production was obtained through the analysis of 781,856 landings, among which 87% were categorized as artisanal and 13% as industrial. The abundance index showed some stability in the period.

Biotelemetry reveals migratory behaviour of large catfish in the Xingu River, Eastern Amazon.

We used a combination of radio and acoustic telemetry to assess the movements of large catfish (Pimelodidae) in the Xingu River, a clearwater tributary of the Amazon River in Brazil. A total of 121 Phractocephalus hemioliopterus and 61 Pseudoplatystoma punctifer were tagged for monitoring within a 685 km segment, including the Belo Monte Hydroelectric Complex (BMHC), between February 2013 and July 2015. Long distance upstream movements were detected for P.

Use of mucus as a non-invasive sampling method for DNA barcoding of stingrays and skates (batoid elasmobranchs).

In this study we tested the use of mucus from five species of Neotropical marine batoid elasmobranchs to extract genomic DNA for barcoding and phylogenetic analysis. The DNA from all individuals sampled was successfully amplified and sequenced for molecular barcode, allowing 99-100% accuracy to the species level. This method proved to provide reliable and good-quality DNA for barcoding and phylogenetic analysis of Neotropical elasmobranchs, through rapid handling and with low disturbance to animals.

Venom gland transcriptome analyses of two freshwater stingrays (Myliobatiformes: Potamotrygonidae) from Brazil.

Stingrays commonly cause human envenoming related accidents in populations of the sea, near rivers and lakes. Transcriptomic profiles have been used to elucidate components of animal venom, since they are capable of providing molecular information on the biology of the animal and could have biomedical applications. In this study, we elucidated the transcriptomic profile of the venom glands from two different freshwater stingray species that are endemic to the Paraná-Paraguay basin in Brazil, Potamotrygon amandae and Potamotrygon falkneri.

Injuries caused by aquatic animals in Brazil: an analysis of the data present in the information system for notifiable diseases.

Introduction: We present a review of injuries in humans caused by aquatic animals in Brazil using the Information System for Notifiable Diseases [ Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação (SINAN)] database.

Methods: A descriptive and retrospective epidemiological study was conducted from 2007 to 2013.

Results: A total of 4,118 accidents were recorded.

Injuries by marine and freshwater stingrays: history, clinical aspects of the envenomations and current status of a neglected problem in Brazil.

Stingrays are a group of rays - cartilaginous fish related to sharks - that have whiplike tails with barbed, usually venomous spines and are found around the world, especially the marine species. Despite recent reports of accidents involving these fish, they are not aggressive, reacting only when stepped on or improperly handled. Injuries by stingrays are seldom mentioned by historians, although they have always been present in riverine communities of inland waters and in South American coasts.

Trauma and envenoming caused by stingrays and other fish in a fishing community in Pontal do Paranapanema, state of São Paulo, Brazil: epidemiology, clinical aspects, and therapeutic and preventive measures.

Introduction: Accidents caused by fish are common in inland fishing communities in Brazil, being work-related injuries in the majority of cases. These populations have no information on the mechanisms of trauma or envenoming.

Methods: Through a questionnaire administered to fishermen, we obtained clinical and epidemiological data on accidents in Rosana, Pontal do Paranapanema, State of São Paulo, Brazil.

Attacks by jaguars (Panthera onca) on humans in central Brazil: report of three cases, with observation of a death.

Conflicts between humans and big cats have been known for centuries throughout the world, but have intensified in recent decades. Recently, attacks by Panthera onca on humans in Brazil have been brought to the forefront through exposure in the press and because of the severity of the attacks. We report 3 cases of patients attacked by jaguars in provoked and predatory situations.

Histopathological changes induced by extracts from the tissue covering the stingers of Potamotrygon falkneri freshwater stingrays.

Pain is the most conspicuous symptom observed in patients wounded by stingrays, and skin necrosis is common in accidents by freshwater stingrays. The extract from the stinger integumentary tissue of Potamotrygon falkneri containing toxic components (venom) was tested for its ability to induce histopathological changes in the dorsal skin of mice at different times. 3-6 h after injection, foci of necrosis in isolated basal epidermal cells were observed.

[Stingrays in rivers in southeastern Brazil: occurrence localities and impact on the population].

Introduction: In this paper, our aim was to describe the process of colonization of the upper Paraná basin, southeastern Brazil, by stingrays, showing the current situation, likely trend and impact caused and discussing some management actions and mitigation measures.

Methods: Interviews were held with riverbank people and health professionals, to gather information on occurrences of stingrays and accidents associated with these animals, along with underwater observations and collection of specimens, between 2004 and 2009 in localities in the States of São Paulo, Paraná and Mato Grosso do Sul, in the southeastern, southern and part of the central-western regions of Brazil.

Results: Three species of stingrays were identified in the study area, thus demonstrating that they were using the paths opened by the Tietê-Paraná Waterway to disperse.

Tegu (teiu) bite: report of human injury caused by a Teiidae lizard.

Lizards of the Teiidae family are large reptiles measuring up to 2 meters long. If threatened, they can demonstrate aggressive behavior by whipping their tail and occasionally biting. Here, we report a severe injury following a Teiidae lizard bite on the right index finger of a human.

Comparative study on extracts from the tissue covering the stingers of freshwater (Potamotrygon falkneri) and marine (Dasyatis guttata) stingrays.

Stingrays are elasmobranchs found along the seacoast and in some rivers of Brazil. Pain is the most conspicuous symptom observed in patients wounded by the bilaterally retroserrate stingers located in the tail, which are covered by glandular and integument tissues. In addition, cutaneous necrosis is commonly observed in injuries caused by freshwater stingrays.

Morphological characterization of the venom secretory epidermal cells in the stinger of marine and freshwater stingrays.

Marine and freshwater stingrays are characterized by the presence of one to three mineralized serrated stingers on the tail, which are covered by epidermal cells secreting venom. When these animals are dorsally touched, the stinger can be introduced into the aggressor by a whip reflex mechanism of the tail, causing severe mechanical injuries and inoculating the venom. Accidents in humans are frequent causing intense local pain, oedema and erythema.

[Work-related accidents in traditional fishermen from the Medium Araguaia River region, Tocantins, Brazil].

This is a cross-sectional study of work-related accidents among traditional fishermen in the Medium Araguaia River region of Tocantins, Brazil. From June to August 2002, fishermen from the Municipality of Araguacema were interviewed about the organization of their work activities and work-related accidents during the previous six months. Of the 92 participating fishermen, 56 reported having suffered a work-related accident (annual incidence was 82.

Freshwater stingrays: study of epidemiologic, clinic and therapeutic aspects based on 84 envenomings in humans and some enzymatic activities of the venom.

Freshwater stingrays are very common in the Paraná, Paraguay, Araguaia, and Tocantins Rivers and tributaries in Brazil. This study presents the clinical aspects of 84 patients injured by freshwater stingrays. Intense pain was the most conspicuous symptom.