Magali Gonçalves Garcia

Mimosa setosa Benth var. paludosa, popularly known as arranha-gato, pom-pom, jurema-branca, or maricá-peludo, is widely used both for the regeneration of degraded areas and in traditional medicine practices, particularly in the form of leaf infusions to promote sleep. This species, like others of its genus, produces bioactive compounds derived from secondary metabolism that may act in the prevention of diseases associated with oxidative stress and damage caused by ultraviolet radiation. This study investigated the antioxidant and photoprotective potential, as well as performed the phytochemical screening of crude leaf and root extracts of M. setosa. The antioxidant activity was evaluated in vitro using the DPPH and ABTS assays, while the photoprotective action was assessed through in vitro tests. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents were determined using the Folin–Ciocalteu method. Phytochemical screening was carried out by thin-layer chromatography (TLC), employing silica as the stationary phase and suitable solvent systems as the mobile phase. The results revealed the presence of phenolic compounds, flavonoids, terpenes, saponins, and steroids in the leaf extracts. The antioxidant capacity of the crude extracts was expressed as IC50, with values of 6.72 ± 0.71 μg/mL for leaves and 13.17 ± 3.75 μg/mL for roots using the DPPH method, and 60.29 ± 0.50 μg/mL for leaves and 36.24 ± 0.48 μg/mL for roots using the ABTS method. Total phenolic contents were 380.16 ± 17.78 mg GAE/g for leaves and 182.33 ± 3.78 mg GAE/g for roots, whereas total flavonoid contents were 72.22 ± 2.62 mg QE/g for leaves and 182.33 ± 3.78 mg QE/g for roots. The extracts did not exhibit significant photoprotective activity, with SPF values ranging from 0.072 to 0.91 mg/mL for leaves and from 0.012 to 0.035 mg/mL for roots, falling below the minimum threshold established by ANVISA for photoprotective efficacy. These findings indicate that the crude extracts of Mimosa setosa possess antioxidant activity, partly attributed to their high flavonoid and phenolic contents; however, the secondary metabolites present do not confer significant photoprotective effects.

Bats, as key ecological players, interact with a diverse array of organisms and perform essential roles in ecosystems, including pollination, pest control, and seed dispersal. However, their populations face significant threats from habitat contamination, particularly from microplastics (MPs). This study introduces a novel, efficient, and cost-effective method for visualizing transparent microplastics using ultraviolet (UV) light. By employing handheld UV flashlights with a wavelength range of 312 to 400 nm, we enhance the detection of MPs that may otherwise go unnoticed due to color overlap with filtration membranes. All necessary precautions were taken during sampling and analysis to minimize the risk of contamination and ensure the reliability of the results. Our findings demonstrate that the application of UV light significantly improves the visualization and identification of MPs, particularly transparent fibers. This innovative approach contributes to our understanding of plastic contamination in bat habitats and underscores the importance of monitoring environmental pollutants to protect bat populations and maintain ecosystem health.

Microplastics (MPs) are polymers smaller than five millimeters, are easily dispersed, and are considered a contaminant of emerging concern. The objective was to quantify and characterize, both by color and shape, the presence of MPs in the stomach, intestine, and lungs of vampire bats, analyzing the difference between organs and their morphometric measurements in relation to the abundance of MPs found in each organ. The bats were collected between 2017 and 2021. In the laboratory, the specimens were euthanized, and the organs of interest were extracted. After removal, the organs were chemically dissolved and then filtered through a suitable membrane. The membranes were inspected through visual analysis of the samples. Our result was significant, we found at least one MP in each organ analyzed, with all individuals being contaminated with particles only in fiber format, mostly white/transparent. The gastrointestinal system had greater contamination compared to the respiratory system. It is not yet known for sure how the ingestion of plastic waste has affected this population of bats, but the presence of plastic waste in the gastrointestinal tract of hematophagous individuals proves the effectiveness of the contagion of these particles.

Este estudio muestra la abundancia de contaminación por microplásticos (MP) y el primer registro de contaminación por PM en murciélagos. Además, intentamos comprender el mecanismo de contaminación ambiental de los murciélagos. Por lo tanto, se extrajeron para su análisis los tractos digestivo y respiratorio de 81 murciélagos adultos de 25 especies. Los murciélagos fueron capturados en diferentes localidades de la Amazonía brasileña (Altamira, Bragança, Brasil Novo, Medicilândia, Nova Timboteua, Placas, São Félix do Xingu, Uruará y Vitória do Xingu, todos en el estado de Pará). Los resultados mostraron que todas las especies estaban contaminadas con PM en al menos uno de los sistemas analizados. Para el sistema digestivo, la forma de contaminación se produce por bioacumulación y biomagnificación por la ingestión de alimentos o agua contaminados. Mientras que para el sistema respiratorio, la contaminación se produce por la inhalación de PM suspendidas en el aire atmosférico. Las diferentes características de alimentación de los murciélagos, el tipo de estrategia de captura de este alimento y el tipo de hábitat refuerzan la idea de que los contaminantes plásticos están presentes en todos los entornos.

Introduction: The natural ecosystems of northern Mato Grosso, Brazil, are in process of fragmentation, mainly due to population growth and the expansion of agriculture. This endangers the palm Euterpe precatoria (locally known as açaí), used for construction, palm hearts, juices and ice cream. Objective: To evaluate the local diversity and genetic structure in native populations of E. precatoria. Methods: We collected leaves from 106 fruiting palms from five populations in Mato Grosso State, for analysis of microsatellite markers with Polymerase Chain Reaction. Results: The five SSR loci revealed a total of 30 alleles, ranging from 5 (EE23 and EE43) to 7 (EE2 and EE15), with an average of 6 alleles per locus. The mean PIC was 0.74 and confirmed low heterozygosity and inbreeding. The UPGMA dendrogram produced two groups and molecular variance revealed greater genetic differentiation within populations. The high levels of homozygous microsatellite loci indicate low genetic diversity. Conclusions: These populations have low gene diversity, high average number of alleles per locus, and rare and exclusive alleles. We recommend the establishment of permanent conservation units with corridors among them.

OCCURRENCE OF Vouacapoua americana Aubl. and Virola surinamensis Warb. IN AREAS IMPACTED BY UHE BELO MONTEPRESENCIA DE Vouacapoua americana Aubl. y Virola surinamensis Warb. EN ZONAS IMPACTADAS POR UHE BELO MONTERESUMOO georreferenciamento de espécies ameaçadas é de grande importância na determinação de planos de conservação mais efetivos e a definição de áreas prioritárias. Objetivo desse trabalho foi georreferenciar áreas de ocorrência e distribuição geográfica de matrizes de Vouacapoua americana e Virola surinamensis localizadas em áreas impactadas pela UHE Belo Monte. Foram coletadas coordenadas das áreas de ocorrência e distribuição de matrizes de acapu em áreas impactadas por Belo Monte, a partir de duas fontes: (1) Relatórios de Inventários Florestais (matrizes suprimidas e não suprimidas) e (2) Coletas realizadas em campo. Foi contabilizado o número de matrizes obtidas no relatório e em campo. Com base nas coordenadas, foram produzidos mapas georreferenciados da área de ocorrência e distribuição geográfica das duas espécies. Para acapu, foram obtidas 75 coordenadas, 22 coletadas em campo e 53 retiradas dos Relatórios (25 matrizes suprimidas e 28 não suprimidas). Observou-se a ocorrência de acapu de maneira distribuída na área do estudo, e sua ocorrência na região do estudo deve-se às condições ambientais favoráveis para seu biociclo. Notou-se a distribuição de matrizes em aglomerados, com aproximadamente 4 matrizes por aglomerado. Para Virola surinamensis, a distribuição geográfica segue um padrão de distribuição em aglomerados. Foram obtidos 2 aglomerados nos dados atuais com área ocupacional total de 3,52 ha com 14 matrizes e 3 aglomerados com os dados de 2011, apresentando a área de 1010,46 ha com 40 indivíduos. Por serem ameaçadas de extinção, é necessário o uso de geotecnologias para subsidiar políticas públicas de conservação da biodiversidade.Palavras-chave: Floresta Amazônica; Espécie Florestal; Impactos Ambientais; Geoprocessamento.ABSTRACTGeoreferencing of threatened species is of great importance in determining more effective conservation plans and defining priority areas. The objective of this work was to georeference areas of occurrence and geographic distribution of Vouacapoua americana and Virola surinamensis matrices located in areas impacted by the Belo Monte HPP. Coordinates were collected from the areas of occurrence and distribution of acapu matrices in areas impacted by Belo Monte, from two sources: (1) Forest Inventory Reports (suppressed and non-suppressed matrices) and (2) Field surveys. The number of matrices obtained in the report and in the field was counted. Based on the coordinates, georeferenced maps of the area of occurrence and geographical distribution of the two species were produced. For acapu, 75 coordinates were obtained, 22 collected in the field and 53 taken from the Reports (25 suppressed and 28 non-suppressed matrices). It was observed the occurrence of acapu in a distributed way in the study area, its occurrence in the study region due to the favorable environmental conditions for its biocycle. Matrix distribution in clusters was noted, with approximately 4 matrices per cluster. For Virola surinamensis, geographic distribution follows a pattern of distribution in clusters. We obtained 2 clusters in the current data with total occupational area of 3.52 ha with 14 matrices and 3 clusters with the 2011 data, presenting the area of 1010.46 ha with 40 individuals. Because they are threatened with extinction, the use of geotechnologies is necessary to support public policies for biodiversity conservation.Keywords: Amazon Rainforest; Forest Species; Environmental Impacts; Geoprocessing.RESUMENLa georreferenciación de especies amenazadas es de gran importancia para determinar planes de conservación más efectivos y definir áreas prioritarias. El objetivo de este trabajo fue georreferenciar áreas de ocurrencia y distribución geográfica de matrices de Vouacapoua americana y Virola surinamensis ubicadas en áreas afectadas por la HPP de Belo Monte. Se recopilaron coordenadas de las áreas de ocurrencia y distribución de matrices de acapu en áreas afectadas por Belo Monte, de dos fuentes: (1) Informes de inventario forestal (matrices suprimidas y no suprimidas) y (2) Encuestas de campo. Se contó el número de matrices obtenidas en el informe y en el campo. Con base en las coordenadas, se produjeron mapas georreferenciados del área de ocurrencia y distribución geográfica de las dos especies. Para acapu, se obtuvieron 75 coordenadas, 22 recogidas en el campo y 53 tomadas de los Informes (25 matrices suprimidas y 28 no suprimidas). Se observó la ocurrencia de acapu de manera distribuida en el área de estudio, su ocurrencia en la región de estudio debido a las condiciones ambientales favorables para su biociclo. Se observó la distribución de matrices en grupos, con aproximadamente 4 matrices por grupo. Para Virola surinamensis, la distribución geográfica sigue un patrón de distribución en grupos. Obtuvimos 2 grupos en los datos actuales con un área ocupacional total de 3.52 ha con 14 matrices y 3 grupos con los datos de 2011, presentando el área de 1010.46 ha con 40 individuos. Debido a que están en peligro de extinción, el uso de geotecnologías es necesario para apoyar las políticas públicas para la conservación de la biodiversidad.Palabras clave: Selva Amazónica; Especies Forestales; Impactos Ambientales; Geoprocesamiento.