Acta Brasiliensis is a four-monthly, printed (ISSN 2526-432X) and online journal (ISSN 2526-4338) that publishes original articles, notes and scientific reviews, with open access, in areas related to Biological and Environmental Sciences, such as such as: Botany and Ethnobotany, Plant Physiology, Zoology, Environmental and Food Chemistry, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Parasitology, Pharmacy, Genetics, Ecology, Ecotoxicology, Agroecology, Conservation Biology, Environmental Education.
Universidade Federal de Campina Grande - UFCG
Alien plants from Paraíba (NE-BR): a survey based on secondary data
Currently, alien plants are the second largest loss of biodiversity in the world, second only to direct human exploitation. Therefore, this work aimed to identify in the literature in the literature and databases the exotic and invasive plants occurring in the state of Paraíba, in order to complement the information on these non-native species for the state. Therefore, it was necessary to prepare a general list of species, as well as autoecological information and evaluation of the degree of floristic similarity between the sampled areas. Floristic data were obtained through scientific articles from indexed academic journals and available on virtual platforms. We survey 265 species, distributed in 23 botanical families. The floristic similarity analysis indicated clusters that were not very similar to each other, revealing that these floras, even though they are in close areas, form distinct floristic compositions. The regression analysis also revealed that the similarities between the evaluated areas did not present a significant relationship with the geographic distance. In general, the exotic flora of Paraíba consists mainly of Poaceae, Asteraceae and Fabaceae, as the most representative components. This flora, in general, is composed of species with wide geographic distribution and predominance of autochoric dispersion. Through the results, one can demonstrate the importance of floristic surveys as an important mechanism for understanding the exotic flora of an ecosystem, in addition to providing essential bases for subsequent studies.
Social wasps captured by the spider Trichonephila clavipes (L.) in anthropogenic environments associated with Atlantic Forest fragments in southern Minas Gerais, Brazil
Spiders are found in diverse natural ecosystems and urban environments, exhibiting a broad variety of morphological characteristics and prey-capture strategies. These arthropods play important functions in trophic chains, acting as both predators and prey, which is of great relevance for ecosystem management and biological control in agricultural systems. This study aimed to identify social wasps captured by Trichonephila clavipes (L., 1767) in anthropogenic areas associated with semideciduous seasonal forest fragments. The study was conducted in 2023 in anthropogenic areas associated with Atlantic Forest fragments in southern Minas Gerais, Brazil. Two individuals of Protopolybia sedula (de Saussure, 1854) were recorded. The specimens were captured in suspended webs of T. clavipes. Given the paucity of information on this interaction, further research is needed to better understand the frequency and impact of the relationship on social wasp populations.
Rapid sampling of social wasps (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) in an ecotone zone between the Atlantic Forest and Cerrado adjacent to a mining area
There are few studies on the richness of social wasps in ecotones, particularly in mining regions. These transitional environments exhibit specific geophysical conditions, host species from both biomes, and can act as barriers to evolutionary processes and gene flow. In view of this, this study aimed to document the occurrence of social wasps by a rapid sampling method in a transition region between the Atlantic Forest and Cerrado in the vicinity of a mining area in Itatiaiuçu, Minas Gerais, Brazil. The sampling effort was 24 h, distributed over three field days in December 2022. A total of 18 species were sampled. One noteworthy record is that of Parachartergus smithii (de Saussure, 1854), a rare species in the state, previously documented in an ecotone region between the Caatinga and Cerrado. These findings demonstrate the importance of ecotone systems in supporting the diversity of social wasps.
Monogeneans of Prochilodus nigricans (Prochilodontidae) in southwestern Amazonia
Monogenoids are mostly ectoparasites known for their infestations in fish farming environments and found in fish gills. The fauna of monogeneans of Prochilodus nigricans, whether in natural or artificial environments, have been reported. However, few studies have addressed the study of the community and distribution of the fauna of these ectoparasites. In this sense, the objective of the present study was to evaluate the community, occurrence, and distribution of the fauna of monogeneans of P. nigricans in rivers of the western Amazon. Specimens were collected in four different rivers in the southwest of the Amazon. In the laboratory, fish gills were removed and sorted, and the ectoparasites were collected. Monogenea species found were mounted on slides and identified. There was a low abundance of monogeneans in P. nigricans in the region and a high species richness of these parasites, and their species composition varied between river environments. In addition, the present study represents the first record of Anacanthoroides mizellei and Curvianchoratus sp. in P. nigricans and Tereancistrum curimba in the western Amazon. Information regarding the distribution and occurrence of monogeneans in fish is interesting, as it can contribute to global estimates of the distribution of these parasites in fish.
Epidemiological Aspects of visceral leishmaniasis in Belém, Pará state from 2012 to 2022
Visceral leishmaniasis is considered one of the main neglected tropical diseases of zoonotic character caused by protozoa of the genus Leishmania. Reaching more vulnerable populations and presenting a change in their transmission pattern, affecting urban areas, such as the municipality of Belém in the State of Pará. This study analyzed epidemiological data of the disease in Belém do Pará from 2012 to 2022, including factors such as incidence, sex, zone and evolution of cases. Epidemiological study conducted through data obtained from the Pará State Department of Health, in the period of 10 years.During the research period, 935 cases were diagnosed, reaching a maximum incidence of 8.8 in 2018. Case fatality rates were below national averages in this period, with the exception of 2016. The male, urban and rural areas being more prevalent throughout the period. The positive findings such as the high percentage of evolution of cure of the disease and the low rate of death. Due to the results presented, epidemiological characteristics of the disease is fundamental for the direction of efficient prevention and control strategies. Underscoring the need for integrated approaches, including individual protection measures, vector control and the search for an effective vaccine.
In vitro evaluation of the antioxidant potential of derivatives eugenol via ABTS radical capture assay
Eugenol is a natural product present in different plant species, especially in the flower buds of Syzygiu Aromatum. This secondary metabolite exhibits antioxidant action, in addition to acting as an anti-inflammatory, antitumor, antibacterial, antifungal, antipyretic, anesthetic and analgesic agent. Given the biological potential of eugenol, the antioxidant activity of eugenol derivatives was evaluated. Thus, eugenol isolated from flower buds of Syzygiu aromaticum was subjected to different types of reactions such as O-alkylation. The eugenol derivatives were characterized by 1H and 13C NMR techniques. The evaluation of antioxidante activity was carried out using the ABTS radical capture assay. Six derivatives were synthesized with yields ranging from 75-92%, which exhibited low antioxidant potential compared to radical capture assays, with EC50 values from 0.085 to 0.327 mg/mL. These results motivate new studies, since the search for new antioxidant agents is extremely necessary in view of the numerous pathologies that are associated with oxidative stress.