Ecclinusa nervosa (Sapotaceae, Chrysophylloideae), a New Species Discovered in Central Amazonia

Bichromomyia flaviscutellata (Mangabeira, 1942) sensu stricto (Diptera: Psychodidae) has been recognized as the main vector of Leishmania amazonensis in the Brazilian Amazon. For this reason, it is of paramount importance to understand the distribution of genetic diversity of populations of this vector, particularly the genetic structure and gene flow, for its management and control efforts. This study investigated the phylogeographic structure of five B. flaviscutellata s.s. populations from the central Brazilian Amazon region by analyzing 1,141 bp fragment of the 3' region of the COI gene. A total of 85 specimens of B. flaviscutellata s.s. were sequenced from Manaus (14), Rio Preto da Eva (10), Pitinga (14), Novo Airão (21), and Autazes (26); all in the state of Amazonas. The dataset yielded 59 haplotypes, most of them connected to each other in the main network. There were high levels of intrapopulation genetic variability (h = 0.945 ± 0.035 - 0.978 ± 0.054). The genetic distance values among populations varied from moderate (0.0873) to very high (0.3535), and all comparisons were significant, as well as the hierarchical analysis (ΦST = 0.2145). In contrast, these comparisons revealed a high number of shared sites (Ss = 6-34) and no difference in fixed sites (Sf = 0) among populations indicating absence of historical isolation. The Mantel test indicated that 67.92% (r = 0.6792; P = 0.06) of the genetic structure observed in B. flaviscutellata s.s. cannot be explained by the isolation-by-distance (IBD) model. This genetic structure, weakly explained by the IBD, may be due mainly by the forest habitat fragmentation and the low dispersal (flight) capacity of sand flies. Both factors could lead to population fragmentation and isolation, which promote genetic differentiation. Taken together, these findings suggest that the genetic structure observed in the studied populations of B. flaviscutellata s.s. is likely generated by microevolutionary processes acting at the population level at the present time and, therefore, evolutionary lineages were not recognized among the populations analyzed.

The switch from hunting wild meat for home consumption to supplying more lucrative city markets in Amazonia can adversely affect some game species. Despite this, information on the amounts of wild meat eaten in Amazonian cities is still limited. We estimated wild meat consumption rates in 5 cities in the State of Amazonas in Brazil through 1046 door-to-door household interviews conducted from 2004 to 2012. With these data, we modeled the relationship between wild meat use and a selection of socioeconomic indices. We then scaled up our model to determine the amounts of wild meat likely to be consumed annually in the 62 urban centers in central Amazonia. A total of 80.3% of all interviewees reported consuming wild meat during an average of 29.3 (CI 11.6) days per year. Most wild meat was reported as bought in local markets (80.1%) or hunted by a family member (14.9%). Twenty-one taxa were cited as consumed, mostly mammals (71.6%), followed by reptiles (23.2%) and then birds (5.2%). The declared frequency of wild meat consumption was positively correlated with the proportion of rural population as well as with the per capita gross domestic product of the municipality (administrative divisions) where the cities were seated. We estimated that as much as 10,691 t of wild meat might be consumed annually in the 62 urban centers within central Amazonia, the equivalent of 6.49 kg per person per year. In monetary terms, this amounts to US$21.72 per person per year or US$35.1 million overall, the latter figure is comparable to fish and timber production in the region. Given this magnitude of wild meat trade in central Amazonia, it is fundamental to integrate this activity into the formal economy and actively develop policies that allow the trade of more resilient taxa and restrict trade in species sensitive to hunting.

To assess the spatial distribution of TB and malaria incidence, as well as their spatial association with each other, regardless of environmental and socio-economic factors commonly reported as determinants of both disease rates among the municipalities of Amazonas State, Brazil between 2012 and 2015. Through an ecological approach considering municipalities of Amazonas, Brazil, as unit of analysis, a negative binomial regression model was used to assess association between malaria and TB rates, in which the dependent variable was the average municipal tuberculosis incidence rate. Positive associations of overall malaria (β=0.100 [CI=0.032, 0.168], P=0.004), P.vivax malaria (β=0.115 [CI=0.036, 0.195], P=0.005), and P.falciparum malaria (β=0.389 [CI=-0.0124, 0.791], P=0.057) with TB rates were found, regardless of the sociodemographic factors included in the study. In the Brazilian Amazon, TB and malaria are spatially associated. Therefore, it is very likely that co-infections also occur in this region, regardless of the HIV status.

The Brazilian western Amazon is experiencing its largest laboratory-confirmed Oropouche virus (OROV) outbreak, with more than 6,300 reported cases between 2022 and 2024. In this study, we sequenced and analyzed 382 OROV genomes from human samples collected in Amazonas, Acre, Rondônia and Roraima states, between August 2022 and February 2024, to uncover the origin and genetic evolution of OROV in the current outbreak. Genomic analyses revealed that the upsurge of OROV cases in the Brazilian Amazon coincides with spread of a novel reassortant lineage containing the M segment of viruses detected in the eastern Amazon region (2009-2018) and the L and S segments of viruses detected in Peru, Colombia and Ecuador (2008-2021). The novel reassortant likely emerged in the Amazonas state between 2010 and 2014 and spread through long-range dispersion events during the second half of the 2010s. Phylodynamics reconstructions showed that the current OROV spread was driven mainly by short-range (< 2 km) movements consistent with the flight range of vectors. Nevertheless, a substantial proportion (22%) of long-range (>10 km) OROV migrations were also detected, consistent with viral dispersion by humans. Our data provide a view of the unprecedented spread and evolution of OROV in the Brazilian western Amazon region.

Multiple ulcerated lesions in a patient from Amazon, Brazil

The quantity of wildlife extracted from the Amazon has increased in the past decades as a consequence of an increase in human population density and income growth. To evaluate the spatial distribution of studies on subsistence and/or commercial hunting conducted in the Brazilian Amazon, we selected eight mid-sized and large-bodied aquatic vertebrate species with a history of human exploitation in the region. We used a combination of searches in the gray and scientific literature from the past 24 years to provide an updated distributional map of studies on the target species. We calculated the distances between the study sites and the locations of the research institutes/universities that the first and last authors of the same study were affiliated to. For the period of 1990 to 2014, we found 105 studies on the subsistence and/or commercial hunting of aquatic vertebrates in the Brazilian Amazon in 271 locations that involved 43 institutions (37 Brazilian and 6 international). The spatial distribution of the studies across the Brazilian Amazon varied, but over 80% took place in the northeast and central Amazon, encompassing three States of the Legal Brazilian Amazon (Amazonas, 51.42%; Pará, 19.05%; and Amapá, 16.19%). Over half of the research study sites (52.91%) were within 500 km of the research institute/university of the first or last authors. Some research institutes/universities did not have any inter-institutional collaborations, while others collaborated with eight or more institutes. Some research institutes/universities conducted many studies, had an extensive collaboration network, and contributed greatly to the network of studies on Amazonian aquatic vertebrates. Our research contributes to the knowledge of studies on the subsistence and/or commercial hunting of the most exploited aquatic vertebrates of the Brazilian Amazon, illustrates the impact that collaboration networks have on research, and highlights potential areas for improvement and the generation of new collaborations.

Morphology and bionomy of immature stages and description of the adult male of Catachlorops (C.) rufescens (Fabricius, 1805) (Diptera: Tabanidae) from the Central Amazon, Brazil

Studies in Bignoniaceae 31: New Species and Combinations from Amazonian Peru and Brazil

Aristolochia comprises about 450 species, occurring mainly in tropical regions. Here, we record for the first time Aristolochia wankeana in Brazil, specifically in two municipalities in the state of Amazonas (Presidente Figueiredo and Rio Preto da Eva). Previously, this species had only been recorded in Guyana and French Guiana. We provide the species description based on the new records, a preliminary extinction risk assessment, photographic plates, an updated geographic distribution map, ecological comments, and an updated key for species identification of Aristolochia subser. Anthocaulicae from the Brazilian Amazon.

Molecular taxonomy and phylogenetic inferences of Bichromomyia flaviscutellata complex based on the COI gene DNA barcode region

Community-based environmental protection in the Brazilian Amazon: Recent history, legal landmarks and expansion across protected areas

The Burseraceae are known to comprise one of the most important tree families in Amazonia, but examination of Burseraceae diversity indicates that this importance is achieved differently in different parts of the Amazon, generally showing greater relative density compared to relative diversity in the east and greater relative diversity compared to relative density in the west, but both high relative density and diversity in central Amazonia. The patterns of relative density may be explained by current climates and by soils, but those of diversity are more likely a function of historical events. Revision of the Burseraceae for two projects near Manaus, Brazil revealed four new taxa. Protium hebetatum is widespread in western Amazonia, but it is one of the most common trees in central and west-central Amazonia; it resembles P. grandifolium. Protium tonyanum is a distinctive new species in poorly resolved sect. Sarcoprotium. Protium paniculatum var. modestum is known thus far only from the vicinity of Manaus plus several localities in the state of Amazonas, Venezuela; a key to the varieties is provided. Dacryodes hopkinsii is one of a group of four species in that genus from Amazonia and the Venezuelan Guayana with relatively large and fleshy flowers that are functionally bisexual. The discovery of these new taxa underscores the biological importance of Manaus and vicinity as a center of diversity for many taxa and exemplifies the synergy between well-designed floristic projects and systematics.

ABSTRACTThe genus Elachistocleis comprises fossorial frogs distributed throughout Central and South America. Despite their wide distribution, species such as Elachistocleis helianneae Caramaschi, 2010 (Anura: Microhylidae) are poorly documented due to their cryptic behaviour. Here, we present the first record of E. helianneae for the western region of Pará state, in the central Brazilian Amazon. Four specimens (one juvenile and three adults) were collected during nocturnal surveys in temporary puddles along the BR‐163 highway between March and April 2022. Additionally, an updated distribution map of the species was created, incorporating this new record and data available in the literature. The new record fills a significant gap in the distribution of E. helianneae in the central Amazon, which previously spanned over a thousand kilometres. Our record is located approximately 590 km from the closest record to the west, in the state of Amazonas, and about 520 km from the nearest record to the east, in the state of Amapá. The Santarém record significantly improves our understanding of the distribution of E. helianneae, emphasising the importance of targeted surveys in underexplored habitats. Our findings highlight the importance of filling distributional gaps to enhance knowledge of amphibian biodiversity and inform conservation efforts.

Human rabies has re-emerged in Latin America due to bat associated transmission. We present data related to attacks by hematophagous bats in three riverine communities in the Rio Negro basin, Brazilian Amazon. A cross-sectional survey was carried out to obtain demographic and epidemiological data through interviews with 201 inhabitants. A total of 721 bat attacks with bites took place from 2004 to 2006, 238 (33%) reported by residents in Campinas do Rio Preto, 329 (46%) in Águas Vivas and 154 (21%) in the community of Malalahá. Incidence density among surveyed inhabitants was 84 attacks/100 persons-years in Campinas do Rio Preto, 249 attacks/100 persons-years in Águas Vivas and 81 attacks/100 persons-years in Malalahá. The proportion of surveyed inhabitants bled by bats at least once was 67% (63/94) in Campinas do Rio Preto, 96% (42/44) in Águas Vivas and 62% (39/63) in Malalahá. Among subjects bled by bats, the average number of bites was 4.6 ± 4.2 standard deviations (SD) in Campinas do Rio Preto, 8 ± 6 SD in Águas Vivas and 4.1 ± 3.9 SD in Malalahá. Regarding houses, 67% (26/39) had animals in the peridomestic environment (chickens and/or dogs) and all were vulnerable to bats due to gaps in the walls and/or in the windows and doors. In 13 dwellings, rudimentary protection against bats through the fixation of fishing nets and/or straw nets to the windows and other openings was observed. Among dwellers reporting attacks, 48% (68/144) received the full post-exposure anti-rabies vaccination protocol with five doses of diploid human cell vaccine, 28% (39/144) received an incomplete schedule (1-4 doses), and 26% (37/144) did not receive any dose. No cases of rabies were reported during the study; however, regular pre-exposure vaccination in the studied populations must be considered.

A new species of Anathallis is described from the Brazilian Amazon, state of Amazonas. It is known only from the central Amazon. The unlobed lip distinguishes it from morphologically related species.