Jonatas da Silva Castro

In this study, an integrated chemical and biomarker approach was applied using the mangrove crab Ucides cordatus to assess trace element contamination and its biological impacts across two distinct Amazonian estuaries. Crabs were collected from São José Bay (A1—minimally impacted) and São Marcos Bay (A2—impacted by port activities) on the Amazon coast of Brazil. Simultaneously with crab sampling, physicochemical parameters and trace element levels in sediment and water samples were assessed. Biometric measurements included cephalothorax length and width, cheliped propodus length and width, movable finger length and width, and total weight. Two biomarkers, genotoxic responses (micronuclei) and histopathological lesions (gills and liver hepatopancreas), were measured. Abiotic parameters, such as pH, dissolved oxygen, and salinity, were similar between the two study areas (A1 and A2). However, the concentrations of trace elements (Zn, Fe, Al, and Mn) in the water were increased in A2. Biometric data revealed that crabs from A2 were significantly smaller and lighter ( p < 0.05) than those from A1. Gill lesions (marginal canal deformation, pillar cell rupture, and necrosis) were frequently observed in crabs from both sites, with a higher prevalence in A2. Hepatopancreas histological alterations (e.g., necrosis) were significantly more common in crabs from A2 ( p < 0.05). Genotoxic responses, such as pycnotic nuclei, were also significantly more frequent in A2 ( p < 0.05). The results demonstrate that Ucides cordatus effectively reflects environmental contamination through measurable histological and genotoxic biomarkers, which is consistent with the chemical evidence of trace element pollution in estuarine environments.

Os peixes são conhecidos por sua diversidade e plasticidade nos mecanismos de determinação do sexo, o que os destaca entre os vertebrados. Este estudo tem como objetivo realizar uma revisão cienciométrica das pesquisas sobre determinação sexual em peixes, com foco especial no pirarucu (Arapaima gigas) uma espécie de grande importância aquícola, cujos mecanismos de determinação e diferenciação sexual ainda são desconhecidos. Para alcançar esse objetivo, foi conduzido um levantamento cienciométrico na base de dados Web of Science, utilizando palavras-chave e operadores boleanos, como "sex determination AND fish", "sex-specific marker AND fish", "sex identification AND fish" e "sex identification AND Arapaima gigas", para o período de 2000 a 2020. Como resultado, foram analisados 80 artigos provenientes de 22 países. A China foi responsável pelo maior volume de publicações, totalizando 31 artigos. No estudo, foram identificadas 35 famílias e 75 espécies de peixes, com destaque para aquelas de importância comercial. Notou-se um aumento significativo nos estudos no período de 2017 a 2020, especialmente devido ao uso crescente de tecnologias de sequenciamento de nova geração (NGS). Em relação ao pirarucu, foram encontradas 10 publicações, porém até o momento, não existe um método completamente eficiente e acessível para a identificação sexual dessa espécie. Esses achados fornecem insights importantes sobre o estado atual das pesquisas sobre determinação sexual em peixes, destacando áreas de avanço e necessidade de futuras investigações para aprimorar o conhecimento nessa área específica. Los peces son conocidos por su diversidad y plasticidad en los mecanismos de determinación del sexo, lo que los distingue entre los vertebrados. Esta investigación tiene como objetivo realizar una revisión cienciométrica de las investigaciones sobre la determinación sexual en peces, con especial foco en el arapaima (Arapaima gigas) especie de gran importancia acuícola, cuyos mecanismos de determinación y diferenciación sexual aún se desconocen. Para lograr este objetivo, se realizó un levantamiento bibliográfico en la base de datos Web of Science, utilizando palabras clave y operadores booleanos, como "determinación del sexo Y pez", "marcador específico del sexo Y pez", "identificación del sexo Y pez" y "sexo específico Y pez". identificación Y Arapaima gigas”, para el período 2000 a 2020. Como resultado, se analizaron 80 artículos de 22 países. China fue la responsable del mayor volumen de publicaciones, con un total de 31 artículos. En el estudio se identificaron 35 familias y 75 especies de peces, con énfasis en los de importancia comercial. Se observó un aumento significativo de los estudios en el período de 2017 a 2020, especialmente debido al uso cada vez mayor de tecnologías de secuenciación de próxima generación (NGS). En relación al arapaima se encontraron 10 publicaciones, pero hasta el presente momento no existe un método completamente eficiente y accesible para la identificación sexual de esta especie. Estos hallazgos proporcionan información importante sobre el estado actual de la investigación sobre la determinación del sexo en los peces, destacando áreas de avance y la necesidad de futuras investigaciones para mejorar el conocimiento en esta área específica. Fish are known for their diversity and plasticity in sex determination mechanisms, which sets them apart among vertebrates. This study aims to conduct a scientometric review of research on sex determination in fish, with a special focus on the pirarucu (Arapaima gigas) a species of great aquaculture importance, whose sex determination and differentiation mechanisms are still unknown. To achieve this objective, a bibliographic survey was conducted on the Web of Science database, using keywords and Boolean operators such as "sex determination AND fish", "sex-specific marker AND fish", "sex identification AND fish", and "sex identification AND Arapaima gigas", for the period from 2000 to 2020. As a result, 80 articles from 22 countries were analyzed. China accounted for the largest volume of publications, totaling 31 articles. The study identified 35 families and 75 fish species, with emphasis on commercially important ones. A significant increase in studies was observed from 2017 to 2020, primarily due to the growing use of next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies. Regarding the pirarucu, 10 publications were found, but to date, there is no completely efficient and accessible method for the sexual identification of this species. These findings provide valuable insights into the current state of research on sex determination in fish, highlighting areas of progress and the need for future investigations to enhance knowledge in this specific area.

This study aimed to evaluate genotoxic biomarkers for monitoring two points in the Chapada das Mesas National Park (PNCM). Specimens of Leporinus taeniofasciatus and Hypostomus punctatus were collected in two waterfalls of the PNCM: Cachoeira São Romão (SRW) and Prata (PW). The stations were georeferenced by GPS (Global Position System) and in each region the physical-chemical parameters were recorded: pH, temperature, total dissolved solids (TDS), dissolved oxygen (DO) and conductivity. Biometric data were measured in the field. The blood of the animals was collected from the blood vessels of the gills, and the slides were made from the blood smear, with Giemsa staining, and 2000 cells were quantified per slide. Nuclear morphological alterations (AMN) were identified in the two species sampled for the two collection points. Among the AMN found, the following stand out: binucleated nuclei (NB), vacuolated nuclei (NV). Micronuclei (MN) were also found in both species, however, in L. taeniofasciatus the frequency of MN and AMN were higher in relation to H. punctatus. Probably, H. punctatus for being considered a benthic species and resistant to environmental conditions, presenting a lower frequency of genotoxic alterations in relation to L. taeniofasciatus, which is a species that presents a migratory habit and is sensitive to environmental variables. In addition, the frequency of MN and AMN were not significant to indicate possible environmental impacts in the two sampled areas. The data presented show that methodologies based on biomarkers in resident species can be used in future biomonitoring and park management programs.

Recent years have seen a significant increase in the number of patents related to products and/or processes from aquatic organisms. Therefore, this paper aims to identify patent documents related to fishery resources available in the Brazilian patent system of the National Institute of Industrial Property. The research involved patents deposited/provided between 1999 and 2019, with the search in the system occurring through the descriptors: fish(s), mollusk(s), crustacean(s), and algae(s). A total of 363 records were found, where the group of fish presented the highest representation (40%), followed by algae (35%), crustaceans (14%), and mollusks (10%). The apex of 34 patent applications was found in the year 2011. Moreover, the results showed that the inventions registered are directed mainly to food, drugs, biocides, cosmetics, cultivation, processing and beneficiation, water treatment, patents for sustainable technologies (green patents), and biotechnology. Brazil holds most patent applications, followed by the United States of America (USA), which focuses its patent applications mainly on algae and fish. Considering the Brazilian biodiversity and the country's technological development in recent years, Brazil needs to expand its technological autonomy and competitive capacity in the aquaculture and fisheries sector, mainly through the strengthening of R&D and innovation activities.

No litoral ocidental maranhense a pesca apresenta grande relevância social e econômica. Neste artigo objetivou-se caracterizar a pesca artesanal do município de Carutapera (Maranhão, Brasil), realizando aplicações de 50 questionários, voltados ao entendimento sobre o perfil socioeconômico dos pescadores e pescadoras, das estruturas de pesca e da comercialização do pescado. Os resultados revelaram que 70% eram do gênero masculino com média de idade de 43 anos. No que concerne ao nível de escolaridade dos pescadores e pescadoras entrevistados, 36% relataram ter ensino fundamental completo, dos quais 28% iniciaram o ensino médio e não terminaram; e 36% possuíam apenas o ensino fundamental incompleto. O índice de analfabetos foi de apenas 2%. A pesca era praticada com exclusividade por 52% deles, enquanto outros exerciam atividades como: construção civil (27%), conserto de redes de pesca (13%), agricultura (6%) e carpintaria (2%). Em relação à naturalidade, 60% eram naturais do estado do Maranhão e 40% do estado do Pará. O apetrecho de pesca mais utilizado nas capturas foi a rede de emalhar (24%) e os menos utilizados a zangaria (2%) e a faca (2%), esse último usado principalmente para a remoção de ostras. Quanto ao tipo de embarcação, a maioria dos pescadores e pescadoras artesanais faziam uso de canoas motorizadas e barcos de pequeno porte a motor, com comprimento variando de 8 metros a 11 metros. Entre as espécies mais capturadas está a pescada amarela (Cynoscion acoupa), espécie que tem um alto valor comercial, porém outras como a cururuca (Micropogonias furnieri) e peixe-pedra (Genyatremus luteus) são espécies capturadas durante todo o ano com boa produção. Um dos grandes problemas relatados é a falta de estrutura organizacional, evidenciando o descaso que se encontra a pesca artesanal no município.AbstractIn western coast of Maranhão, fishing has great social and economic relevance. In this article, aimed to characterize the artisanal fishing in the municipality of Carutapera (Maranhão, Brazil), using 50 questionnaires to understand the socioeconomic profile of fishermen and fisherwomen, fishing structures and fish trade. The results showed that 70% where male with an average age of 43 years. Regarding education level, 36% reported having completed elementary school, of which 28% started high school but did not complete it; and 36% had only incomplete primary education. The illiteracy rate was 2%. Fishing was practiced exclusively by 52% of them, while others had activities such as: civil construction (27%), repairing fishing nets (13%), agriculture (6%) and carpentry (2%). Regarding naturalness, 60% were from Maranhão state and 40% were from Pará state. The most used fishing tackle in the catches was the gill net (24%) and the least used were the zangraria (2%) and the knife (2%), the latter mainly used for the removal of oysters. Regarding type of vessel, most fishermen and fisherwomen used motorized canoes and small motor boats, with a length ranging from 8 meters to 11 meters. Among the most caught species is acoupa weakfish (Cynoscion acoupa), a species that has a high commercial value, but others such as whitemouth croaker (Micropogonias furnieri) and torroto grunt (Genyatremus luteus) are species captured throughout the year with suitable production. One of the major problems reported is the lack of organizational structure, showing the neglect of artisanal fishing in the municipality.

Global climate change represents a critical threat to the environment since it influences organismic interactions, such as the host-parasite systems, mainly in ectotherms including fishes. Rising temperature and CO₂are predicted to affect this interaction other and critical physiological processes in fish. Herein, we investigated the effects of different periods of exposure to climate change scenarios and to two degrees of parasitism by monogeneans in the host-parasite interaction, as well as the antioxidant and ionoregulatory responses of tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum), an important species in South American fishing and aquaculture. We hypothesized that temperature and CO₂changes in combination with parasite infection would interfere with the host’s physiological processes that are related to oxidative stress and ionoregulation. We experimentally exposedC. macropomumto low and high levels of parasitism in the current and extreme climate scenarios (4.5 °C and 900 ppm CO₂above current levels) for periods of seven and thirty days and we use as analyzed factors; the exposure time, the climate scenario and parasitism level in a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial through a three-way ANOVA as being fish the experimental unit (n = 8). An analysis of gill enzymatic and gene expression profile was performed to assess physiological (SOD, GPx and Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase enzymes) and molecular (Nrf2, SOD1, HIF-1αandNKAα1a genes) responses. A clear difference in the parasitism levels of individuals exposed to the extreme climate scenario was observed with a rapid and aggressive increase that was higher after 7 days of exposure though showed a decrease after 30 days. The combination of exposure to the extreme climate change scenario and parasitism caused oxidative stress and osmoregulatory disturbance, which was observed through the analysis of gene expression (Nrf2, SOD1, HIF-1αandNKAα1a) and antioxidant and ionoregulatory enzymes (SOD, GPx and Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase) on the host, possibly linked to inflammatory processes caused by the high degree of parasitism. In the coming years, these conditions may result in losses of performance for this species, and as such will represent ecological damage and economical losses, and result in a possible vulnerability in relation to food security.

This study aimed to compare biochemical and histological biomarkers in oysters to identify impacted areas in a Brazilian port region. Oysters belonging to the Crassostrea genus were collected in two points in São José Bay (Brazil): (A1) Curupu Island (control area) and (A2) Braga Port (impacted area). Digestive glands from oysters were used to analyze the enzymatic activity of glutathione S-transferase and Catalase. The gills were used for standard histology analyses. Water samples were collected for metal analyses. Our results indicated that there was a change in the activity of oyster GST and CAT enzymes, especially in A2. Histological gill analysis indicated more frequent changes in A2. The analyzed metals presented higher values in A2. The results of this study suggest that enzymatic alterations, histological changes and higher metal values are indicative of initial stress caused by contaminants in São José Bay, especially in the port region.