Search Results (117)

This essay aims to address the existing theoretical gap regarding the in-depth study of institutional change and its relationship with the endogenous development potential of regions. The intersection of these two theoretical approaches offers an understanding of how changes in formal and informal institutions can influence local development, especially when internal resources and local capacities drive this progress. The research was conducted using a bibliographic method and adopts a qualitative approach, seeking an in-depth understanding of the topic. Relevant assumptions about endogenous development were presented and articulated with the institutional change by Douglass North. The contribution of this theoretical approach was to highlight the role of institutional change as a driving force behind regional endogenous development, defining, from the perspective of endogenous development, the institutions that are determinants of the development process of economies. Based on our theoretical construction, we suggest future studies that are concerned with illustrating empirical cases of how formal and informal institutions can promote endogenous development. Full article

Integrated approaches such as the WEF nexus (water–energy–food) have been key to measuring the efficiency of production systems. In southern Brazil, where extensive livestock farming and integrated agricultural systems coexist in anthropized natural grasslands, such an assessment is crucial for balancing production and conservation. This research aimed to assess the sustainability of different livestock systems in Brazil’s Pampa biome from the perspective of the WEF nexus. One hundred and twenty-one systems were analyzed and divided into extensive livestock systems (ELSs) and integrated livestock systems (ILSs). The MESMIS methodology was used to construct and measure 37 WEF nexus indicators. The data were analyzed using a raincloud diagram and compared using Student’s t-test. In terms of water, the results showed that the ELS was more sustainable in terms of the scope of production. In terms of energy, the ELS stood out in the scope of the sustainability of mechanical energy use. The ILS was superior in terms of social and associative participation in the food nexus, while the ELS stood out in terms of sustainable production management. In general, in both systems, the sustainability indices for the water nexus were optimal, but the situation was alarming for the energy and food nexus. This research contributes by applying the WEF nexus to the analysis of the sustainability of livestock systems, offering a replicable model for other natural grassland regions. Full article

The parasites of the genus Trypanosoma have a great diversity of vertebrate hosts and can be transmitted by several groups of invertebrates. All rodent and marsupial species are potential hosts of different trypanosome species. Most species descriptions of trypanosomes have been based only on morphological characteristics. In this study, we conducted a survey on trypanosome infection in small mammals that were caught in an area of the Brazilian Pantanal (Wetlands) and Cerrado (Savanna) biomes in the state of Mato Grosso. The trypanosomes isolated were included in phylogenetic studies based on the SSUrDNA and gGAPDH genes, which were complemented through morphological studies based on scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The morphological and biological discontinuities, along with the phylogenetic position, made it possible to describe four new species of trypanosome hosted by marsupials and rodents, which we described and named as Trypanosoma daniloi sp. nov., Trypanosoma favoritoae sp. nov., Trypanosoma percequilloi sp. nov., and Trypanosoma trefauti sp. nov. Full article

The Pantanal, considered the world’s largest floodplain, exhibits hydrological and ecological dynamics that are intrinsically linked to water inflows from the surrounding highlands. While the impacts of large-scale climatic phenomena and land-use changes on hydrological variables within the Upper Paraguay River Basin (UPRB) are acknowledged, their combined effects remain unknown. Recent reductions in precipitation and river discharge have adversely affected both environmental and socioeconomic aspects of the Cerrado (Brazilian Savannah) and Pantanal biomes in Brazil, raising concerns about the long-term sustainability of these important ecosystems. This study analyzes a 37-year hydrological time series (1986–2023) of rainfall, streamflow, and flooded area in three contributing basins of the Pantanal (Jauru—JB; Taquari—TB; and Miranda—MB), and reveals distinct hydrological trends influenced by different climate systems. Significant decreasing trends in rainfall and streamflow were observed in the northern JB and TB, contrasted by increasing trends in the southern MB. Consequently, a declining trend in downstream flooded areas within the Pantanal floodplain was identified. Long-term memory processes (Hurst phenomena) were identified in the time series of the Pantanal flooded area and also in the Paraguay river stage data. These findings indicate a persistent and aggregated reduction in the Pantanal’s hydrologic variables, adversely affecting its water-dependent ecology and economic activities, such as ranching, fishing, and navigation. This study underscores the necessity of adaptative management strategies to tackle the impacts of water surface loss, increased fire risks, and climate variability in the UPRB. Full article

Despite numerous studies on haemosporidians in wild birds from Brazil, the presence of other vector-borne agents (VBA) such as Anaplasma spp., Bartonella spp., and Onchocercidae filariids in avian hosts remains largely unknown. The low occurrence of these VBAs might be due to the low sensitivity of traditional molecular techniques. The microfluidic real-time PCR assay, known for its high sensitivity, has emerged as a promising method to detect and study the occurrence and diversity of VBAs in both arthropod vectors and vertebrate hosts. To validate previously and standardize newly designed microfluidic real-time PCR protocols, selected positive avian blood DNA samples for Anaplasma spp., Bartonella spp., haemosporidians, and filariids were used. The molecular occurrence rates for the selected VBAs were 18.2% for Anaplasma spp., 0.36% for Bartonella spp., 6.2% for Plasmodium spp., 4.7% for Haemoproteus spp., and 6.5% for Onchocercidae filariids. The Plasmodium spp. cytB sequence detected in a Volatinia jacarina clustered with Plasmodium tejerai, whereas the Haemoproteus spp. cytB sequence detected in a Columbina squamata clustered with Haemoproteus columbae. While Onchocercidae filariid cox-1 sequences were detected in specimens of Ramphocelus carbo, Turdus amaurocalinus and Synallaxis albilora grouped with Aproctella spp., one sequence detected in R. carbo was ancestral to the clade comprising Splendidofilaria spp. and Eufilaria spp. High-throughput microfluidic real-time PCR assay can be used for screening VBAs in avian hosts from South America, but new primers/probe sets should be designed for VBA genotypes present in Brazil. Full article

Mammalian hair is a source of biological information and can be used in genetic, toxicological, hormonal, and ecological studies. However, non-invasive collection methods are still little explored. This study aimed to describe and validate a passive methodology for collecting hair from jaguars (Panthera onca) and evaluate its viability for different analyses. This study was conducted in the Northern Pantanal, where synthetic fiber mats were installed in strategic locations to passively capture hair. The presence of animals and the collection of samples were monitored by camera traps over a period of 30 days. The collected samples were subjected to morphological analyses by electron microscopy, molecular tests for genetic and sex identification, and isotopic and heavy metal analyses. The results showed that the collected hairs were well preserved, allowing the structural and molecular identification of the material. The analyses confirmed the viability of DNA for genetic studies and revealed specific concentrations of heavy metals and stable isotopes. The proposed methodology proved to be effective and is a promising alternative for obtaining samples without directly interfering with the behavior of the animals. Full article

Compared with traditional field techniques, automated and noninvasive bird monitoring techniques, such as passive acoustic monitoring, offer significant advantages. However, the extensive data collected through passive acoustic monitoring can be challenging to analyze and may require the use of machine learning algorithms for efficient processing. BirdNET is a user-friendly and ready-to-use machine learning tool that can recognize more than 6500 wildlife species, including several tropical species. However, the performance of BirdNET in tropical ecosystems has rarely been assessed. Here, we evaluate the effectiveness of BirdNET for monitoring the vocal activity of three Neotropical wetland species from recordings collected over a year in the Brazilian Pantanal: Green Ibis (Mesembrinibis cayennensis), Limpkin (Aramus guarauna), and Sunbittern (Eurypyga helias). BirdNET was able to detect the presence of the three species in 82–92% of the recordings with known presence. Similarly, BirdNET’s ability to correctly identify vocalizations was consistently greater than 77% (range 77–98%), confirming its effectiveness for monitoring these three tropical bird species. The peak vocal activity for the three species occurred during crepuscular periods, at the end of the rainy season, and during the receding season, a period when the risk of nest damage from flood pulses is low and food availability is high owing to the large presence of small water bodies. The use of machine learning algorithms such as BirdNET may improve bird monitoring in tropical areas but also facilitate research that improves our knowledge of birds’ natural history, which remains unknown for many tropical species. Full article

Wheat production in the Brazilian Cerrado region faces challenges related to drought and salinity, which limit plant development and crop yield. This study evaluated the multivariate adaptability of 11 tropical wheat cultivars to drought and salinity stresses during early plant development. Wheat plants were grown for 12 days at 25 °C under non-stressful (control) and simulated drought and salinity stress conditions with –0.30 MPa iso-osmotic solutions prepared with polyethylene glycol or sodium chloride, respectively. The germination, growth rate and dry matter accumulation of the plants were measured. The results showed that wheat cultivars have distinct morphological responses to stressful environmental conditions, with drought stress having a greater impact on shoot growth and saline stress having a greater impact on root system development. The multivariate adaptability and stability analyses performed using the Lin and Binns method and GGE biplot revealed that the wheat cultivars BIO 190057, BRS 404 and TBIO Duque combine adaptability and stability for all morphological traits simultaneously, being considered cultivars tolerant to drought and salinity stresses. It was concluded that the identification of cultivars tolerant and adapted to adverse environmental conditions is essential for the advancement of sustainable cultivation of tropical wheat in the Brazilian Cerrado region, contributing to global food security. Full article

The Amazon rainforest plays a fundamental role in regulating the global climate and therefore receives special attention when Brazilian environmental issues gain prominence on the global stage. However, other Brazilian biomes, such as the Pampa and the Atlantic Forest in southern Brazil, have been facing significant environmental challenges, either independently or under the influence of ecological changes observed in the Amazon region. The state of Rio Grande do Sul is located in the extreme south of Brazil and in 2024 was hit by major rainfalls that caused devastating floods. The Pampa is a non-forest biome found in Brazil only in Rio Grande do Sul. This biome is seriously threatened by loss of vegetation cover and many classes of pollutants, including pesticides and plastics. Mining ventures are also important sources of soil, water and air pollution by potentially toxic elements in Rio Grande do Sul, threatening both the Pampa and the Atlantic Forest. Furthermore, southern Brazil is often affected by pollution caused by smoke coming from fires observed in distant biomes such as the Pantanal and the Amazon. Considering the significant environmental challenges observed in southern Brazil, this article revisits the historical participation of Rio Grande do Sul in Brazilian environmentalism and highlights the main environmental challenges currently observed in the state, followed by an in-depth analysis of the effects of pollution and extreme weather events on biodiversity and human health in the region. This review encompassed specifically the following categories of pollutants: potentially toxic elements (e.g., arsenic, cadmium, chromium, cobalt, copper, lead, mercury, titanium), air pollutants, plastics, and pesticides. Pathogen-related pollution in the context of extreme weather events is also addressed. This article emphasizes the critical importance of often-overlooked biomes in Brazilian conservation efforts, such as the Pampa biome, while also underscoring the interconnectedness of climate change, pollution, their shared influence on human well-being and ecological balance, using Rio Grande do Sul as a case study. Full article

Regenerative agriculture and the use of bioinputs have been gaining prominence in the global agribusiness sector, driven by the growing demand for healthier foods produced with minimal impact on ecosystems. In this context, compost and its derivatives (compost extracts and teas) are used to provide effective microorganisms to crops, although production processes affect the efficiency of compost extracts, as well as the soil microbiota. Thus, the hypothesis raised was that the organic matter source used for compost formation affects the agronomic efficiency of compost extracts. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of compost extracts based on litterfall of angiosperm (AC) and gymnosperm (GC) species, and the use of inoculation with the nitrogen-fixing bacteria Bradyrhizobium japonicum and Azospirillum brasilense (Bra+Azo), on soil quality, crop growth, grain yield, and disease control in soybean (Glycine max L.) crops. Using AC and GC resulted in varying effects on soybean growth and soil microbial biomass carbon (SMBC), confirming the hypothesis that the organic matter source affects the agronomic efficiency of compost extracts. Plants inoculated with Bra+Azo exhibited higher chlorophyll contents, resulting in a higher photochemical yield than for those treated with compost extracts (AC and GC). However, plants inoculated with AC and GC exhibited high plasticity in mitigating photochemical stress, reaching similar photosynthetic and transpiration rates to those observed in plants inoculated with Bra+Azo. Additionally, inoculation with Bra+Azo, overall, improved the photosynthetic efficiency of soybean plants, and the compost extracts (AC and GC) were more effective than the inoculation with Bra+Azo in increasing soybean 1000-grain weight, probably due to improvements in root development. The growth promotion observed with AC and GC is likely attributed to increases in SMBC by these compounds, denoting improvements in soil quality and biocontrol of damage caused by insect attacks. Full article

Coronaviruses (CoV) infect a wide variety of hosts, causing epidemics in humans, birds, and mammals over the years. Bats (order Chiroptera) are one of the natural hosts of the Coronaviridae family. They represent 40% of the total number of mammal species in the Pantanal, a biodiversity hotspot in South America. Given the recent SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, we investigated the presence of CoV in bats captured in the Brazilian Pantanal. Oral and rectal swabs collected in 2021 from 419 bats were analyzed using Pancoronavirus-nested PCR targeting the RNA-dependent RNA-polymerase (RdRp) gene. Orthocoronavirinae was detected in 16.7% (70/419) of the bats; nine samples were sequenced, confirming that Carollia perspicillata (4), Phyllostomus hastatus (2), Desmodus rotundus (1), Molossus rufus (1), and Myotis cf. nigricans (1) collected in buildings formally used by humans were infected by Alphacoronavirus genera. This is the first description of Alphacoronavirus in bats from the Pantanal. As they are natural reservoirs of CoVs, constant monitoring of bats is important to comprehend the epidemiology of emerging viruses, especially in the Pantanal biome. Full article

Diagnosing climate variability and environmental change in floodable regions is essential for understanding and mitigating impacts on natural ecosystems. Our objective was to characterize environmental degradation in the Brazilian Pantanal by identifying changes in vegetation and water cover over a 30-year period using remote sensing techniques. We evaluated surface physical–hydric parameters, including Land Use and Land Cover (LULC) maps, Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Modified Normalized Difference Water Index (MNDWI), Normalized Difference Moisture Index (NDMI), and precipitation data. There was a decrease in the area of water bodies (−9.9%), wetlands (−5.7%), and forest formation (−3.0%), accompanied by an increase in the area of pastureland (7.4%). The NDVI showed significant changes in vegetation cover (−0.69 to 0.81), while the MNDWI showed a decrease in water surface areas (−0.73 to 0.93) and the NDMI showed a continuous decrease in vegetation moisture (−0.53 to 1). Precipitation also decreased over the years, reaching a minimum of 595 mm. Vegetation indices and land use maps revealed significant changes in vegetation and loss of water bodies in the Pantanal, reinforcing the need for sustainable management, recovery of degraded areas, and promotion of ecotourism to balance environmental conservation and local development. Full article

This study examines CH₄ and N₂O fluxes during the dry season in two distinct areas of the Pantanal: Barranco Alto Farm (BAF), dominated by grasslands, and Passo da Lontra (PL), a forested region. As climate change increases the occurrence of droughts, understanding greenhouse gas (GHG) fluxes in tropical wetlands during dry periods is crucial. Using static chambers, CH₄ and N₂O emissions were measured from soils and tree stems in both regions, with additional measurements from grass in BAF. Contrary to expectations, PL—characterized by clayey soils—had sandy mud samples that retained less water, promoting oxic conditions and methane uptake, making it a CH₄ sink. Meanwhile, BAF’s sandy, well-drained soils exhibited minimal CH₄ fluxes, with negligible methane uptake or emissions. N₂O fluxes were generally higher in BAF, particularly from tree stems, indicating significant interactions between soil type, moisture, and vegetation. These findings highlight the pivotal roles of soil texture and aeration in GHG emissions, suggesting that well-drained, sandy soils in tropical wetlands may not always enhance methane oxidation. This underscores the importance of continuous GHG monitoring in the Pantanal to refine climate change mitigation strategies. Full article

In captive environments, mammals are frequently exposed to various parasitic protozoa and other vector-borne pathogens that can impact both animal health and public health. Monitoring these pathogens is essential for animal welfare and zoonotic disease control. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of parasitic protozoa and other vector-borne pathogens in captive mammals through molecular detection methods at the Belo Horizonte Zoo, Brazil. Between November 2021 and March 2023, whole blood samples were collected from 40 mammals. Molecular analyses identified piroplasms, Leishmania spp., granulocytic/platelet Anaplasma/Ehrlichia spp., monocytic Ehrlichia spp., Bartonella spp. and hemotropic Mycoplasma spp. with a 72.5% positivity rate. Piroplasms were found in 22.5% (two Pantanal cats, two gorillas, one white rhinoceros, one spider monkey, one jaguar, one tufted capuchin and one hippo) and Leishmania spp. in 12.9% (four maned wolves). Granulocytic/platelet Anaplasma/Ehrlichia spp. were found in 12.5% of the samples (one gorilla and four maned wolves), Ehrlichia canis in 2.5% of the animals (one maned wolf), Bartonella spp. in 42.5% (six howler monkeys, two maned wolves, one gorilla, one white rhino, one southern tamandua, one common woolly monkey, one tufted capuchin, one brown brocket deer, one agouti, one cougar and one hippo), hemotropic Mycoplasma spp. in 17.5% (one gorilla, one maned wolf, one white rhino, one howler monkey, two common woolly monkeys and one European fallow deer). Five Artiodactyla members tested negative for A. marginale. Coinfections occurred in 34.5% of the positive samples. Sequencing revealed that Theileria spp. and Cytauxzoon spp. are closely related to Theileria bicornis and Cytauxzoon felis; Ehrlichia canis and Bartonella spp. are closely related to B. clarridgeiae and B. henselae; and hemotropic Mycoplasma spp. are closely related to Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum. Our results showed a high occurrence of vector-borne pathogens in captive animals, including zoonotic species, which may pose a risk to animal and human public health. Full article

Objective: To verify the effects of two different detraining periods on the physical fitness of older adults with cardiometabolic risk factors. Methods: This observational study encompassed older individuals with cardiometabolic risk factors, who were assessed after two different detraining periods: 1 month (1DT) and 3 months (3DT). Physical fitness was assessed using the 30-s sit to stand test (STS), 30-s arm curl, chair sit-and-reach, back scratch, timed up and go, and 6-min walk test (6MWT). The comparison between the different periods was carried out using absolute differences (Δ = posttest-pretest) and relative differences (Δ% = (Δ/pretest) × 100), with α = 0.05. Results: Eight older adults were assessed (70.3 ± 7.48 years, 4 female/4 male). Improvements in the STS (+1.88 repetitions; p = 0.007) and 6MWT (+17.38 m; p = 0.007) were found after 1DT. After 3DT, a worsening was observed in the 6MWT (−26.38 m; p = 0.018). The arm curl test worsened in both detraining periods (1DT: −1.38 repetitions; 3DT: −3.5 repetitions; p = 0.001). When comparing Δ% of 1DT and 3DT, STS and 6MWT showed differences, with p = 0.024 and p = 0.005, respectively. Conclusions: The 1-month detraining period had a positive effect on some physical fitness components, while 3 months induced a decline in cardiorespiratory fitness. Upper limb strength appears to be the component most susceptible to detraining. Full article