Insect Fragments Research Articles

Aspects of the ecology of Leporinus striatus Kner 1858 as a support for its conservation in a Federal Conservation Unit

This work describes aspects of the ecology and feeding of Leporinus striatus to fill the gap in information about the species in Brazilian rivers. The study area is in the Ipanema National Forest, Iperó/São Paulo, with the Ipanema River as the place where the specimens were collected in its middle and lower reaches. The size ranged from class 9.0 - 9.5 cm to class 11.5 - 12.0 cm, with females being found in all classes. Class 10 - 10.5 was the one with the highest relative frequency, with males being most abundant in the 9.5-10.0 cm length class and females in the 10-10.5 cm length class. The species' diet was composed of autochthonous species, with the most frequent items being insect fragments and plant material. Based on this information, the species was classified as omnivorous. Underwater observations made it possible to verify that the species is gregarious, inhabiting the water column between midwater and the bottom, preferring stretches with currents and rocky substrate. It performs foraging by leaning its body close to the substrate and biting food on solid surfaces. Small groups made up of at least six individuals shared the areas between rocks and branches. We conclude that, to guarantee the preservation of the species, it is crucial to recognize the significant role played by Conservation Units. However, given the aquatic nature of the species studied, its life cycle is intrinsically linked to stretches that extend beyond the limits of the UC. Additionally, the ecological analyses presented in this study reveal that the species relies on the preservation of a healthy river environment that transcends the boundaries of the conversational unit.

Detection Limits of Insect Fragments in Spiked Whole Wheat Flour Using Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)

The need for a sensitive molecular method to detect specific species of insect contaminants in food products remains a significant challenge in the food industry. This study evaluated the detection limit of a multiplex end-point PCR assay for detecting insects in food. The assay amplifies two fragments of the cytochrome oxidase subunit I gene (COI-Fa and COI-Fb) and one fragment of the protein-coding wingless (wg) gene found in insects. Five insect species, comprising three vectors of foodborne pathogens (the housefly, Musca domestica, the American cockroach, Periplaneta americana, and the pharaoh ant, Monomorium pharaonis) and two storage insect pests (the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum and the Indian meal moth, Plodia interpunctella), were spiked separately and in combination at levels of 1, 0.1, 0.01, and 0.001% in whole wheat flour. At spike levels greater than 0.01%, amplicon bands of expected sizes were seen in 100% of samples containing fragments from distinct insect species. At least 25% of spiked samples at the lowest spike level had amplicon bands, except for samples spiked with M. domestica. Results showed an 18.9% probability (with 11.3% and 30% lower and upper confidence limits, respectively) of detecting insect fragments at the lowest spike level (0.001%, corresponding to 3–22 fragments), which is far below the FDA’s regulatory level of less than 75 fragments per 50 g of wheat flour. The intensity of amplicon bands in the gel images was higher at higher spike levels. However, this method is not quantitative enough to extrapolate the intensity of the amplicon bands to the number of insect fragments present in a sample. This multiplex assay was also evaluated in a variety of market food samples derived from plants and animals, showing its potential use in various food types. Overall, the sensitivity and specificity of this molecular approach suggest that it could be used in the future as a screening tool for detecting insect contaminants in food.

Ecology and life cycle of the filter-feeding Amphipsyche meridiana Ulmer 1902 (Trichoptera: Hydropsychidae) in an irrigation canal, central Thailand

Ecology and life cycle of the filter-feeding Amphipsyche meridiana Ulmer 1902 (Trichoptera: Hydropsychidae) in an irrigation canal, central Thailand

Experimental oral administration of pollen beetle (Astylus atromaculatus) to cattle results in an acute lethal gastrointestinal disease.

In the summer of 2023, ingestion of Astylus atromaculatus (pollen beetle) was linked to spontaneous fatal disease in grazing cattle and sheep in Argentina and Uruguay. While the disease was experimentally reproduced in sheep and guinea pigs in the 1970's, no experimental reproductions have been attempted in cattle, and controversy exists as to whether this insect is indeed noxious to cattle and at which dose. Here, we demonstrate that A. atromaculatus causes acute fatal disease in Hereford calves at single oral dosages of 2.5, 4.5, 10.0, and 15.0 g of insect/kg body weight. Death or severe disease necessitating euthanasia occurred at 38 to 48 hours postinoculation regardless of the dose, suggesting that the single fatal dosage is likely <2.5 g/kg body weight (this dose representing approximately 850 mL of intact beetles in a 100 kg calf). Clinically, the disease was characterized by acute anorexia, prolonged recumbency, reluctance to move, listlessness/apathy, depression, ruminal hypomotility and tympany, hypothermia, bruxism with frothing at the mouth, and mucoid diarrhea progressing to death. Hematologic and biochemical alterations included hemoconcentration, stress/acute inflammatory leukogram, negative energy balance, and ketosis. The pathological hallmark of this experimental disease is acute necrotizing omaso-reticulo-rumenitis, fibrinohemorrhagic enteritis, and exfoliative colitis with intralesional chitinous insect fragments. While A. atromaculatus might contain a gastrointestinal toxin or pathogen, extensive toxicological testing failed to identify a causative toxin. Other pathomechanisms such as direct physical damage caused by insect fragments on the alimentary tract seem plausible, although further studies are needed to elucidate the pathogenesis of A. atromaculatus-associated disease.

Identification of insect body fragments found in fecal samples of Sapajus nigritus (Primates: Cebidae) from five Conservation Units in Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil.

Sapajus nigritus (Primates: Cebidae) is endemic of the Atlantic Forest, occurring from the Southeastern and Southern regions of Brazil to Northeastern Argentina. This species plays a role in two ecosystem services: seed dispersal through endozoochory and insect population control in agricultural plantations and forest environments. Fruits and invertebrates represent approximately 90% of their diet, and there is a large number of insects in the diet of S. nigritus in urban and conserved areas. However, it is known that insect diversity decreases in anthropized environments. Our objective was to identify the insects present in the fecal samples of S. nigritus from five Conservation Units in Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil. We aim to estimate the percentage of each taxon of insects found in feces either, hypothesizing that there are a greater variety of insect species in the diet of S. nigritus that inhabit preserved forested areas. A fecal screening was conducted using a light microscopy and the insects were identified based on their external morphology. Insect fragments were found in eight out of ten fecal samples of S. nigritus, revealing that they belonged to insects from five orders: Hymenoptera, Hemiptera, Orthoptera, Coleoptera and Blattodea, suggesting a good conservation status of the sampling areas.

The Effects of Insect Infestation on Stored Agricultural Products and the Quality of Food.

In this review article, we focus on the effects of insect pests on the quality of stored cereals and legume grains. The changes in the amino-acid content, the quality of proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids, and the technological characteristics of the raw materials when infested by specific insects are presented. The differences reported concerning the rate and kind of infestation effects are related to the trophic habits of the infesting insect species, the variation of the component distribution in the different species of grains, and the length of the storage period. For example, wheat germ and brans feeders such as Trogoderma granarium may cause a higher reduction in proteins than endosperm feeders such as Rhyzopertha dominica, since the germ and brans contain higher concentrations of proteins. Trogoderma granarium may also cause higher reduction in lipids than R. dominica in wheat, maize and sorghum, in which most of the lipids exist in the germ. Furthermore, infestation with insects such as Tribolium castaneum may downgrade the overall quality of wheat flour, by increasing the moisture content, the number of insect fragments, the color change, the concentration of uric acid, the microbial growth, and the prevalence of aflatoxins. Whenever possible, the significance of the insect infestation and the concomitant compositional alterations on human health are presented. It should be highlighted that understanding the impact of insect infestation on stored agricultural products and the quality of food will be crucial for the required food security in the future.

The fluorescent introduction has begun in the southern hemisphere: presence and life-history strategies of the transgenic zebrafish Danio rerio (Cypriniformes: Danionidae) in Brazil

ABSTRACT Transgenic ornamental fish that fluoresce are becoming popular in the aquarium trade worldwide. Some transgenic zebrafish (TZF) records in natural water bodies have been published, but there are no data on their biological attributes in the new areas. This study aimed to evaluate the distribution, trophic ecology, and reproductive condition of the non-native TZF in headwater creeks located in the largest Brazilian ornamental aquaculture center. Insect fragments – identified as chitinous material in the ‘false stomach’- and aquatic insects were the most consumed item. TZF adults were found in breeding conditions during almost all sampling periods. The Gonadosomatic Index of females and males showed peaks during the rainy season and matched with the rising water levels. Breeding females and males were found at small body sizes, indicating early maturation, and these transgenic females produced a moderate amount of small oocytes. Sex-ratio assessment showed that females and males had the same frequencies in one site, while females were significantly more frequent than males at another location. Management recommendations, such as utilization of best management practices (e.g. screens on outlets), not using unapproved genetically modified organisms in aquaculture, and awareness with fish farmers about transgenic animals, are suggested to avoid new introductions.

Development Of A Simple Rapid Method For Determination Of Uric Acid Using UV Visible Spectroscopy

Insect infestation is a major problem in the storage of food products and causes quality and quantity loss. The total weight loss of food products is about 10 per cent which occurs due to moisture loss, insect infestation, rodents, microorganism and birds during transportation and storage period. The insect infestation can be identified by detecting the presence of insect fragments, uric acid contamination, and quinone contamination. The uric acid can be determined by various instrumental methods but requires longer duration and high-tech equipment. The major objective of our study is to develop a simple rapid method to determine the uric acid content using UV-visible spectroscopy in the insect infested food materials. The rapid method is required for the food processing industries. A rapid method was developed to determine the uric acid with lesser time and accuracy. In the present study, a preceding method forms an unstable chromophore, whereas in case of a rapid method with UV-visible spectrophotometer, it was based on the formation of Prussian blue colour. The rapid method was validated with the preceding method. The R, R2 , standard error and DurbinWatson test values of preceding method were 0.996, 0.991, 0.000572 and 1.103 respectively, whereas the values for rapid method were 0.997, 0.994, 0.024806 and 1.713 respectively. The results of the analysis showed that, the rapid spectrophotometric method required less time of 20 minutes for analysis, whereas the preceding method required 40 minutes. The results of the study concluded that, the new rapid method is a simple and easy method to determine the uric acid content in a lesser time. The outcome of the result will help the food processing industries to utilize this simple rapid method for testing the uric acid analysis in the food products in a lesser time.

Specific density as parameter for separating feed ingredients

Description of the subject. Specific densities of 13 samples of eight vegetable feed ingredients and of blood meal have been established. Objectives. The aim of the study was to use the parameter specific density for classification of a selection of feed materials. The range of specific densities for each of the tested materials could support the identification of ingredients in a compound feed. Ingredients in mixtures could be separated when different specific densities apply to these ingredients. Method. The share of the flotate and of the sediment of each of the tested materials has been established in duplicate along a range of increased specific density of the solvent mixture, from 1.22 g·cm-3 up to 1.52 g·cm-3, initially in four steps. Intermediate densities have been used where appropriate for collecting more detailed ranges. The specific densities which resulted in approximately 100% sediment and in approximately 100% flotate are used as indicators for the range of the specific density of that material. Results. The materials used appeared to show three different ranges of specific density: corn gluten and blood meal (1.12 – 1.32 g·cm-3), corn distillers’ grain, rapeseed kernel meal, soya kernel meal and wheat middlings (1.25 – 1.42 g·cm-3), and palm kernel meal, citrus pulp and beet pulp (1.35 – 1.55 g·cm-3). The specific densities range from those found for vertebrate muscles and insect fragments (below 1.3 g·cm-3) up to the specific density of bone fragments (exceeding 1.62 g·cm-3). Four mixed samples, each existing of two different ingredients at a ratio of 1:1 (w/w) were tested with solutions at different specific densities. The ingredients of each mixed sample appeared to separate in the expected fractions, predominantly in either the flotate or in the sediment. Conclusions. The experiments show that separation based on specific density can assist in the identification of feed ingredients in one or more combinations of sediment and flotate fractions.

Effects of drop shock on fragmentation of two stored grain pest species, Tribolium castaneum and Sitophilus zeamais

To prevent insect contamination in food supply chains, an understanding of the circumstances and timing of insect invasion is important. Fragmented insects are often found in food products, and mechanical stress such as drop shock during transportation and/or handling may contribute to such fragmentation. In this study, we used two stored grain pest species, Tribolium castaneum and Sitophilus zeamais, to investigate the effects of drop shock and the state of the insect (living, or dead for 1 day or 1 month) on the number and size of insect fragments. A cardboard box containing an adult insect placed between two aluminum plates was dropped from heights of 0.2–0.8 m. The results revealed that the number of fragments of dead insects of both groups was larger than that of living insects. Both species showed similar trends in the number of fragments, although the two species had different fragilities at each drop height. The number of fragments increased with the drop height for both groups of dead insects, but it was not associated with the drop height for living insects. The trends of fragmentation suggested that an insect with a large number of fragments was subjected to severe shock after death, whereas one with a small number of fragments was subjected to light shock after death or to any degree of drop shock while alive. We concluded that the difference in fragmentation can provide useful information about the circumstances and timing of insect contamination in food supply chains.

Diversity and Abundance of Insectivorous Passerines and Insect Prey in an Urban Degraded Savanna Woodland

A good supply of insects in the diet of birds is vital for survival. Insects provide a high and easily assimilated source of protein essential to avian species life process. Both insects and birds are useful bio-indicators of the environment and therefore important systems for biodiversity conservation. This study was carried out at the Jos WildlifePark located within the Jos Plateau. The Park is characterized by savanna scrub, gallery forests with seasonal streams, gentle hills and rocky outcrops and some exotic plants. Insectivorous passerines were trapped using mist nets to obtain faecal droppings which were then preserved in 70% alcohol and taken to the laboratory for microscopic examination of insect fragments. Line transect was used to survey insectivorous passerines and insects in different habitat types. Insect surveys involved the use of sweep netting and pitfall trapping techniques along transects. A total of 151 bird species in 48 Familieswere recorded whereas a total of 91 insect species were identified in 17 Orders and 87 Families during this study. In addition, insects collected along the transect line pointed out that the Order Hymenoptera&gt; Diptera&gt; Coleoptera&gt;Orthoptera. The positive correlation between insects sampled from the faecal dropping of insectivorous passerines and those collected from the habitat types in the study area perhaps suggest that the insect diet of the insectivorous passerines is a reflection of the frequency of insect abundance and diversity in the study area. The study concludes that insectivorous passerines had a direct correlation between habitat resource availability and utilization.

Effects of defect action level of Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) fragments on quality of wheat flour.

Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) is one of the most important secondary storage pests of all types of flour and flour-based products. The present study focuses on the fragment producing behaviour of T. castaneum in wheat flour during storage and its effect on the quality parameters and defect action level (DAL) of fragments. The US Food and Drug Administration has set a DAL of 75 insect fragments in 50 g of flour. Box-Behnken design was used to optimize the storage conditions (storage period in days and temperature in degrees Celsius) and insect density (numbers) to keep insect fragments below the DAL. Optimization results indicated that the presence of single number of adult of T. castaneum is enough to cross the DAL of insect fragments within a storage period of 21 days at a storage temperature of 30 °C. Insect fragments cause perceptible changes in the quality of wheat flour. When sample attained DAL of T. castaneum fragments in wheat flour,the various quality parameters were analysed in that moisture content of wheat flour was 10.8 ± 0.26%, total colour change was 2.052 (ΔE value), T. castaneum progeny emergence was 19.66 ± 1, uric acid was 1.8 ± 0.16 g kg-1 and microbial count was 7.34 ± 0.5cfu g-1 . Results from the present study indicate that the presence of even a single adult of stored pest in wheat flour should not be ignored. It is mandatory to determine the threshold level and frequent sampling is required to achieve zero tolerance of stored product insects in food commodities. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.

A Molecular Approach for the Detection and Quantification of Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) Infestation in Stored Wheat Flour.

SUMMARYResearch backgroundThe presence of insect fragments is one of the major constrains in stored food commodities and it causes considerable loss in the quality of the produce. The management of the pest is viewed as a huge challenge in foodprocessingindustry. Conventionally, the detection of Tribolium castenaum in the food processing industry is carried out by acid hydrolysis and staining methods that are time consuming and lack precision.Experimental approachConsidering the importance of a quick and effective method, a quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR)-based approach was developed and elucidated in this study. The mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (mtCOI) gene was identified as a target due to its abundance in the pest. Specific primers were designed against the target gene by Primer Premier software and amplified in a qPCR.Results and conclusionsThis method is capable of detecting all the ontogenic stages of T. castaneum in stored wheat flour. Earlier experiments had demonstrated that about 20 µg of DNA can be obtained from 2.2 mg of insects. To quantify the infestation levels, the cycle threshold (Ct) values obtained from known samples were subjected to regression analysis and expressed as adult equivalents. In the unknown samples, the infestation was calculated as 1.74 and 0.046 adult insects in 5 g of wheat flour. The maximum permissible limit of insect fragments in flour is 75 insect fragments or approx. 3 adults per 50 g of flour as per the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Hence, by adopting this new method, it is possible for the warehouse operators to arrive at a decision to proceed with efficient management practices where wheat flour is stored. Also, this method can be ratified by government agencies associated with international business to ascertain whether the wheat flour meets the standards set by the respective country before subjecting to foreign trade.Novelty and scientific contributionThis study is the first of its kind in the detection and quantification of T. castaneum in milled products. So far, only conventional methods have been employed to assess the presence of the pests and manual counting of fragments are practiced to quantify the infestation levels. The developed qPCR method is faster, reliable and can be employed in milling industries, bakery industries, food processing plants and foreign trade units for critical detection and quantification of T. castaneum pest infestation.

Estudo microscópico de páprica (Capsicum annuum L.): detecção de fraudes e matérias estranhas

Introdução: A páprica (Capsicum annuum L.) é um condimento utilizado mundialmente, produzido a partir de diversas variedades de pimentão maduro, seco e moído e está sujeita a adulterações e fraudes, além de contaminações decorrentes de falhas nas boas práticasde produção, armazenamento ou na comercialização. Objetivo: Avaliar a autenticidade e a presença de matérias estranhas em pápricas comercializadas no estado de São Paulo, assim como verificar a sua conformidade em relação à legislação nos parâmetros microscópicos. Método: Foram analisadas 43 amostras de páprica para verificação da autenticidade e para a pesquisa de matérias estranhas, utilizando método preconizado nos Métodos Oficiais da Association of Official Analytical Collaboration International. Resultados: A avaliação da autenticidade evidenciou fraude em 30,0% das amostras. O ingrediente adicionado com maior frequência foi o amido de Zea mays L. (milho), acompanhado principalmente de Bixa orellana L. (urucum). Entre as matérias estranhas detectadas, os fragmentos de pelo de roedor e os fragmentos de insetos foram os mais frequentes, presentes em 91,0% e 79,0% das amostras, respectivamente. As amostras puras apresentaram maior quantidade de fragmentos de pelo de roedor, enquanto as amostras adulteradas, maior quantidade de fragmentos de insetos. Em relação à legislação sanitária, 88,0% das amostras foram consideradas insatisfatórias, destas, 30,0% por estarem adulteradas e 77,0% por apresentarem quantidade de matérias estranhas acima do limite tolerado. Conclusões: Os resultados deste trabalho revelaram fraude e falhas nas boas práticas na cadeia produtiva da páprica, ressaltando a necessidade de intensificação da vigilância desse tipo de produto com vistas à garantia de sua oferta à população de forma fidedigna e segura.

Parâmetros microscópicos de açúcar de coco comercializados na cidade de São Paulo, Brasil: identidade e qualidade

O açúcar de coco vem se tornando popular no Brasil e no mundo devido às alegações nutricionais deser um adoçante natural e mais saudável em relação a outros açúcares. Sua produção ocorre de formaartesanal a partir da extração da seiva do floema da inflorescência da palmeira. Este trabalho teve porobjetivo analisar microscopicamente a identidade e a presença de matérias estranhas em amostras deaçúcar de coco, bem como verificar sua conformidade em relação às legislações sanitárias brasileiras.Foram analisadas 13 amostras comerciais de açúcar de coco da cidade de São Paulo quanto aosensaios de pesquisa e identificação de elementos histológicos e pesquisa de matérias estranhas. Aidentificação de elementos histológicos vegetais revelou a presença de amidos morfologicamentesemelhantes ao padrão de Triticum sp. (trigo), Manihot sp. (mandioca) e Oryza sativa (arroz), alémde amidos alterados. Também foram encontrados elementos histológicos vegetais compatíveis compadrão de Saccharum officinarum (cana-de-açúcar) e de Cocos nucifera (coco). Todas as amostrasanalisadas continham matérias estranhas com predomínio de fragmentos de insetos em 100%delas. Os resultados do estudo indicam falhas nas Boas Práticas de produção do açúcar de coco e anecessidade da adequação deste produto em relação às normas vigentes.

The diet of Macrogenioglottus alipioi Carvalho, 1946 (Anura: Odontophrynidae) tadpoles in Atlantic Forest of southern Bahia, Brazil

ABSTRACT Understanding the diet of tadpoles is fundamental to explain their ecological roles in aquatic food webs, as well as to allow more effective amphibian conservation and management programs. Studies on trophic ecology of tadpoles are scarce compared to other vertebrate groups, a gap that is even more accentuated in the Neotropical region, which harbors the greatest diversity of anuran species worldwide. The objective of this study was to describe the diet of the tadpole of Macrogenioglottus alipioi, from a population in southern Bahia, Brazil. Gut contents of 30 tadpoles were analyzed under light microscope. Additionally, the intestinal contents of 15 tadpoles were analyzed under a stereoscopic microscope to verify the presence of larger food items such as macroinvertebrates. Algae were the most important microscopic food item in the diet of M. alipioi tadpoles. Mites occurred in 80% of the analyzed specimens and represented the most important macroscopic food source, followed by insect fragments from dipterans, lepidopterans and spiders. The tadpoles of M. alipioi can be considered omnivorous consumers. As in benthic tadpoles from other species, diatoms, protozoans and small metazoans are considered important food sources in the diet of tadpoles. Additionally, the analysis of gut contents under a stereoscopic microscope identified several food items that were not recorded by analyses performed under light microscope.

Biologia e parasitologia do morcego insetívoro aéreo Myotis nigricans (Schinz, 1821) (Chiroptera, Vespertilionidae) no município do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil

Myotis nigricans (Schinz, 1821) é um morcego insetívoro aéreo amplamente distribuído na região neotropical, encontrado em todos os biomas brasileiros e adaptado aos centros urbanos. Apresentamos dados bionômicos, reprodutivos, de dieta e parasitológicos de 28 exemplares de Myotis nigricans capturados em áreas de Mata Atlântica no município do Rio de Janeiro, Sudeste do Brasil, com o propósito de oferecer mais informações sobre as interações ecológicas, especialmente aquelas oriundas de parques urbanos. Os exemplares apresentaram medidas semelhantes às descritas para a espécie, estando sexualmente ativos na primavera (outubro). Fragmentos de insetos das ordens Diptera, Coleoptera, Hemiptera e Lepidoptera foram encontrados nas amostras fecais examinadas. Cinco indivíduos estavam infestados por Basilia sp. (Diptera, Nycteribiidae), e helmintos das classes Trematoda e Cestoda foram encontrados no trato gastrointestinal, estes constituindo o primeiro registro para M. nigricans. Apesar da ampla distribuição desta espécie, os dados sobre bionomia e interações ecológicas são fragmentados e pontuais. Desta forma, os resultados aqui apresentados reforçam a importância da realização de acompanhamentos sistemáticos para a compreensão das relações estabelecidas por esses animais em ambientes florestados e antropizados.

Padrão reprodutivo, dieta e parasitologia de Artibeus lituratus (Olfers, 1818) (Mammalia, Chiroptera) em parques urbanos do município do Rio de Janeiro (Rio de Janeiro, Brasil)

Este trabalho apresenta dados sobre a dinâmica reprodutiva, o padrão alimentar e as associações com parasitos em indivíduos de Artibeus lituratus capturados no período de 2009 a 2018 em três Parques Naturais urbanos no município do Rio de Janeiro. Os animais foram capturados com auxílio de redes de espera, medidos, pesados e inspecionados para a ocorrência de ectoparasitas; quando possível, foram coletadas fezes e preparados esfregaços sanguíneos para análise da dieta e presença de hemoparasitos, respectivamente. A partir da avaliação dos 307 espécimes capturados, verificou-se que os dados biométricos estavam dentro do esperado para a espécie. A dieta foi avaliada através de 68 amostras de fezes, que continham fragmentos de insetos, polpa de frutos e sementes de Urticaceae, Combretaceae, Myrtaceae, Piperaceae e Solanaceae. Os parasitos encontrados em associação com os morcegos foram a espécie de Diptera Paratrichobius longicrus e o ácaro Periglischrus iheringi, além dos hemoparasitos Plasmodium sp., Hepatozoon sp., e Litomosoides sp. Os dados referentes à reprodução de Artibeus lituratus nos parques urbanos inventariados neste estudo demonstram que eles mantêm um padrão reprodutivo típico da Subfamília Stenodermatinae, que consiste em poliestria bimodal com pico em março e abril e outro em julho, agosto e setembro.

PHYSICOCHEMICAL AND MICROBIOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF HONEYS CONSUMED BY THE ELDERLY

Objective: to analyze physicochemical, microbiological and dirt parameters in marketed honeys, consumed by the elderly cared for at Integrated Health Center in Teresina, Piauí, Brazil. Method: the following analyses were performed: color, water activity, humidity, ash, pH, acidity, reducing sugars, total sugars, apparent sucrose and insoluble solids. Contamination indicator bacteria, mesophilic microorganisms, filamentous fungi and yeasts, as well as dirt and foreign matter, performed in the period from April to June 2016. Results: analyses of ash, pH, acidity and insoluble solids were outside current standards. Microbiological analyses did not present significant contamination. Also, analyses of dirt showed insect fragments, foreign matter in almost all the samples. Conclusion: parameters of ash, pH, acidity and insoluble solids, as well as dirt and foreign matter, indicated that the samples were not in accordance with current legislation.

Faecal analyses and alimentary tracers reveal the foraging ecology of two sympatric bats.

We used three complementary methods to assess the diet of two insectivorous bat species: one an obligate aerial hunter, Miniopterus natalensis, and the other Myotis tricolor whose morphology and taxonomic affiliation to other trawling bats suggests it may be a trawler (capturing insects from the water surface with its feet and tail). We used visual inspection, stable isotope values and fatty acid profiles of insect fragments in bat faeces sampled across five sites to determine the contribution of aquatic and terrestrial arthropods to the diets of the two species. The niche widths of M. tricolor were generally wider than those of Miniopterus natalensis but with much overlap, both taking aquatic and terrestrial insects, albeit in different proportions. The diet of M. tricolor had high proportions of fatty acids (20:5ω3 and 22:6ω3) that are only obtainable from aquatic insects. Furthermore, the diet of M. tricolor had higher proportions of water striders (Gerridae) and whirligig beetles (Gyrinidae), insects obtainable via trawling, than Miniopterus natalensis. These results suggest both species are flexible in their consumption of prey but that M. tricolor may use both aerial hawking and trawling, or at least gleaning, to take insects from water surfaces. The resultant spatial segregation may sufficiently differentiate the niches of the two species, allowing them to co-exist. Furthermore, our results emphasize that using a combination of methods to analyse diets of cryptic animals yields greater insights into animal foraging ecology than any of them on their own.