ABSTRACT. Arapaima gigas (Osteoglossidae) is one of the largest fish species in the Amazon Basin, attaining lengths of over 2.5 m and weights of over 100 kg. Its flesh is prized, and it has great potential for production in aquaculture systems. However, live pirarucu cannot be reliably sexed visually, even after sexual development, since this species does not have clear external sexual dimorphism. Simple and inexpensive methods for sexing immature pirarucu based on DNA markers would facilitate production of this species in commercial operations. We analyzed A. gigas male and female DNA pools with 566 RAPD primers, generating 2609 fragments, with an estimated 1341 segregating polymorphic markers, and an estimated average spacing of 714 kb, which corresponds to less than 0.1% of the species' genome. Two putative sex-specific fragments were initially identified in bulked samples; but they were not confirmed in a study of individual male and female samples. We suggest that A. gigas has developed a nonchromosomal system of sex determination or, alternatively, that the species has undergone a recent loss of the chromosome carrying the sex-determining locus.

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Population viability of Sotalia guianensis (van BÉNÉDEN, 1864) (Cetacea, Delphinidae) in the Estuarine-Lagoon Complex of Cananéia, São Paulo State Sotalia guianensis is a small coastal cetacean found along the southwestern Atlantic Ocean. Through its range, is exposed to numerous threats, such as bycatch in fishing nets, vessel traffic and tourism. Population viability analysis (PVA) is a way to predict the trends and the probability of persistence or extinction of a species or population over time, incorporating demographic, ecological and environmental data of real populations in computer simulations of stochastic and deterministic models. The present study aimed to estimate density, abundance and population viability of S. guianensis in the estuarine-lagoon complex. Estimates of abundance and density were obtained between 2011 and 2012, using the distance sampling method and linear transects, with 1,339 .91 km and 83h05min in effort. It were recorded 241 groups (n) with group size between 1 to 20 individuals. The Distance program, with half-normal model and adjust cosine with the lowest AIC, estimated an abundance of 193 individuals (95% CI: 158-237) and density of 2.5538 ind/km 2 (95% CI: 2.0812-3.1337). The average group size is 4.1504 individuals (95% IC: 3.7666-4.5734). In general, the species presents large variations throughout its distribution regarding population size, density, groups size, distribution in habitat and residence. Such differences are possibly associated with the physical characteristics of each habitat and environmental conditions that interfere directly or indirectly in the distribution and population dynamics of the species and its prey. For the PVA population was treated as not supplemented, without dispersion, without removal, without inbreeding depression, and extinction was defined as the presence of only one sex. The initial population size was 193 individuals and other demographic and reproductive parameters were estimated based on available literature for the species. Variations of specific parameters (mortality, carrying capacity of the environment, environmental variation on reproduction and catastrophe) were used to evaluate population trends under different threats and scenarios. It was used the VORTEX program v. 9.99 b. AVP pointed to the decline and extinction (P(E) = 1,000) of the population in less than 300 years in all scenarios, with growth rates of-0.082 (SD = 0.120),-0.049 (SD = 0.107) and-0.086 (SD = 0.062), for scenarios 1, 2 and 3 respectively. The average time to extinction was estimated at 39.6 years for scenario 1, 57.3 years for scenario 2 and 3.3 years for scenario 3. The projections generated by the AVP showed pessimistic scenarios, which may be related to the small size of the population. The analyses show that variations in population size, mortality, carrying capacity and disasters can strongly influence the persistence of small populations. Cananéia estuary is a well preserved environment that offers sufficient resources to S. guianensis, however, the i...

Generally, natural environments have been transformed into small forest remnants, with the consequent habitat loss and species extinction. The North Paraná State is not an exception, since only 2 to 4% of the original ecosystem occurs in small fragments of Stational Semidecidual Forest. We studied the species richness and abundance of bats in two forest fragments from the Fazenda Congonhas, in Rancho Alegre city, Paraná State, Brazil. Four samplings were undertaken in a legally protected native area (107.8ha) and in a reforested area (11.8ha) between April 2007 and March 2008. Samplings began at nightfall and lasted six hours, during two consecutive nights in each location. The individuals were captured using eight mist nets, with the same capture effort in both environments. A total of 397 individuals, 14 species and 10 genera were captured in the native area; while in the reforested area, 105 individuals, six species and four genera. Artibeus lituratus was the most common species in both fragments (n=328, 65.3%), followed by Artibeus fimbriatus (n=44, 8.8%) and Artibeus jamaicensis (n=30, 6.0%). Other species including Platyrrhinus lineatus, Carollia perspicillata, Sturnira lilium, Chrotopterus auritus, Desmodus rotundus, Michronycteris megalotis, Phyllostomus hastatus, Phyllostomus discolor, Myoti levis, Myotis nigricans and Lasiurus blossevillii, accounted for 19.9% of the captures. The native area presented higher values of species richness (S=14) and diversity (H'=1.4802) in comparison to the reforested area (S=6, H'=0.57015). The t-test evidenced a significant difference between diversity among the sites (t=7.1075). Chao 1 index indicated that the sampling effort recorded approximately 78% from the total species richness for the native area and 75% for the reforested area. Therefore, the preservation of the forest fragment is essential since it provides habitat for a diverse community of bats. Forest management and reforestation actions may prevent drastic changes in the microclimate of neighboring areas within the forest fragment, and could allow the occupation of available niches in the area, by opportunistic and generalist species.

Accurate demographic data play a critical role in implementing conservation strategies and identifying key areas for species preservation. The population abundance and density of Sotalia guianensis were estimated in the estuarine-lagoon complex of Cananéia, Brazil, using distance sampling. The survey covered 1339.91 km with 83 h 05 min in effort. A half-normal model with cosine adjustments was evaluated as the best fit to estimate an abundance of 193 individuals (95% CI 158–237) and a density of 2.55 ind km−2. The majority of sightings occurred in the Baía de Trapandé (48.72%), followed by the Mar de Cananéia (32.72%) and Mar de Cubatão (18.56%), the three areas surrounding the Ilha de Cananéia. The study confirmed the heterogeneous distribution of the estuary and found that the Mar de Cananéia and the Baía de Trapandé were more densely populated, with 2.76 ind km−2 (95% CI 1.93–3.96) and 2.76 ind km−2 (95% CI 2.07–3.66), respectively, while the Mar de Cubatão was less densely populated, with 1.59 ind km−2 (95% CI 1.04–2.44). The findings support previous research indicating a stable population over the last few decades. The Cananéia estuary is an ecologically diverse region located between protected areas under different categories of environmental protection and harbours a significant population of S. guianensis, providing essential resources for feeding and breeding. Protected areas have proven to be effective tools for preserving both marine and terrestrial environments. Despite the close proximity to humans and constant threats, the study underscores the importance of the area for the conservation of the species.