Northern Brazil Research Articles

Rabies virus circulation in a highly diverse bat assemblage from a high-risk area for zoonoses outbreaks in the Brazilian Amazon

Bats are the second most diverse order of mammals and play a central role in ecosystem dynamics. They are also important reservoirs of potentially zoonotic microorganisms, of which rabies virus is the most lethal among the bat-transmitted zoonotic pathogens. Importantly, recent outbreaks of human rabies have been reported from the Brazilian Amazon. Here we present a survey of bat species and rabies virus (RABV) circulation in a bat assemblage in the Marajó region, northern Brazil. Using data from mist-net captures and bioacoustic sampling, 56 bat species were recorded along the Jacundá River basin over a 10-day expedition in November 2022. For the investigation of RABV, we used the direct fluorescent antibody test (DFAT) and the rapid fluorescent focus inhibition test (RFFIT). In total, 159 bat individuals from 22 species were investigated for RABV. Five adults of the common vampire bat, Desmodus rotundus, showed RABV-specific antibodies in serum samples. Additionally, we report on local residents with injuries caused by D. rotundus bites and the occurrence of colonies of non-hematophagous bats from different species roosting inside human residences. This scenario raises concerns about the risks of new cases of human rabies and other zoonotic diseases associated with bats in the region and highlights the need for epidemiological surveillance and mitigation measures to prevent outbreaks of emerging infectious diseases.

Bovine Alphaherpesvirus 1, Bovine Alphaherpesvirus 5 and Bubaline Alphaherpesvirus 1 in Palatine Tonsils from Water Buffaloes in Northern Brazil and Possible Links with the Origin of Bovine Alphaherpesvirus Type 5.

Herpesviruses are significant pathogens of ruminants. In water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis), however, herpesviruses have not been thoroughly studied. Although bubaline alphaherpesvirus 1 (BuAHV1) and bovine alphaherpesvirus 1 (BoAHV1) have already been recovered from water buffaloes, to date, no reports on the occurrence of bovine alphaherpesvirus 5 (BoAHV5) in these animals have been published. Therefore, the aim of this study was to search for BuAHV1, BoAHV1, and BoAHV5 in palatine tonsils of apparently healthy water buffaloes from the Pará state, Northern Brazil. Tissue samples of tonsils (n = 293) were screened by a nested PCR (nPCR) targeting a region of UL44 (gC coding gene), followed by sequencing, to detect and differentiate between the viral types. Viral genome segments were detected in 18 out of 293 (6.1%) of the palatine tonsil samples. Two animals carried genomes of BoAHV1 only, eleven animals carried BoAHV5 genomes only, and four animals carried BuAHV1 only. Another animal had both BoAHV1 and BoAHV5 genomes in its tonsils. No infectious virus could be recovered from any of the samples. The BuAHV1 sequences identified here were more closely related to BuAHV1 genomes identified in India. Phylogenetic analyses suggested a closer relationship between the recovered BoAHV5 and BuAHV1 genomes. Therefore, evidence is provided here to confirm that not only BoAHV1 and BuAHV1, but also BoAHV5, can infect water buffaloes. This report highlights (i) the first detection of BoAHV5 in water buffaloes and (ii) the occurrence of coinfections with BoAHV1 and BoAHV5 in that species. Such findings and the similarity of BoAHV5 to Indian herpesvirus genomes suggest that the origin of type 5 may be linked to recombinations between bovine and bubaline herpesviruses within bubalines, since the scenario for generation of recombinants in buffaloes is potentially present.

Groundwater Contamination by Gas Stations in Two Eastern Amazonian Towns (Northern Brazil)

The present study analyzed the presence of the principal volatile compounds of the BTEX type (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene [o-, m- and p-xylene]) in samples of water from wells located at residences and gas stations in two Amazonian towns—Tracuateua and Augusto Corrêa—in the Amazon region of northern Brazil. This innovative study is extremely relevant to the Amazonian towns surveyed, given that they lack systematic policies for the environmental control of gas stations and any municipal regulations on the quality of water destined for human consumption. A combination of mass spectrometry (MS) and gas chromatography (CG) techniques was applied to analyze these contaminants in 150 samples of local groundwater collected between 2020 and 2024. One of the four BTEX compounds (toluene) was identified in seven of the samples collected (4.66% of the total) at concentrations of 0.14–2.10 µg L−1. The concentrations of contaminants were low, in general. None of the water samples analyzed here presented any critical loss of water quality for human consumption according to the Brazilian legislation concerning BTEX concentrations. Neither of the two towns surveyed in the present study has remediation programs for environmental contamination. The GC-MS approach produced satisfactory results for the assessment of the contamination of underground water reserves by gas stations in both study towns. Further research (e.g., geophysical methods) will be necessary to determine the source of the contamination and its connection with the levels of toluene identified in the underground water sampled in these Amazonian towns.

Nexus between the deficit in moisture transport and drought occurrence in regions with projected drought trends

In this article, we focus on studying the nexus between moisture transport deficit and drought occurrence in nine key regions across the world where the magnitude of meteorological drought is projected to increase from 1850 to 2100 under a high anthropogenic emission scenario. These regions are central America, southwestern South America, northern Brazil, the Amazon, northeastern Brazil, the western Mediterranean, southern Africa, the eastern Mediterranean, and southwestern Australia. Using the Lagrangian particle dispersion model FLEXPART, we identify the specific moisture sources of the regions (the own region, the nearby continental source and the oceanic sources) and obtain their contributions to the precipitation in the regions for the period 1980–2018. For each region and specific moisture source, the conditional probability of meteorological drought occurrence given an equivalent contribution deficit from the source is estimated using copula models, a statistical methodology that allows us to capture complex relationships between variables. We identify the dominant moisture source in each region, which is the source for which the contribution deficit maximises drought probability. A variety of cases are found: in three regions, the dominant source is the region itself, in one region, it is the nearby terrestrial source, and in five regions, it is an oceanic source. In general, contribution deficits from specific moisture sources are associated with only slightly greater drought probabilities than those from major global moisture sources. We also reveal that the source that contributes the most to precipitation in a given region is not necessarily the dominant source of drought in the region. These results highlight the importance of understanding the role of dominant moisture sources and moisture transport deficits on meteorological drought occurrence at a regional scale.

Amazon Rainforest Hidden Volatiles-Part I: Unveiling New Compounds from Acmella oleracea (L.) R.K. Jansen Essential Oil.

Motivated by the culinary and ethnopharmacological use of Acmella oleracea (L.) R.K. Jansen, this study aimed to unveil new chemical compounds from its essential oil (EO). Acmella oleracea, known for its anesthetic and spicy properties, has been used in traditional medicine and cuisine, particularly in Northern Brazil. Through a detailed GC-MS analysis, 180 constituents were identified, including 12 tentatively identified long-chain α-keto esters of various acids. Additionally, 18 new esters were synthesized for structural verification. This research expands the known chemical diversity of A. oleracea EO, providing a basis for potential pharmacological applications. The identification of new natural products, including homologs and analogs of acmellonate, underscores the EO's rich chemical profile and its potential for novel bioproduct development.

Hospitalization for malaria in the indigenous population of Roraima, in Brazil's Northern Amazon, 2008-2022

ObjectivesTo examine the epidemiology of hospitalized cases of malaria in indigenous people living in the municipalities of Roraima in the northern Brazilian Amazon from 2008 to 2022. MethodsEcological study using secondary data and spatiotemporal analyses based on thematic maps. Average rates were calculated per study period and spatiotemporal clusters were estimated from spatial statistics. ResultsOf the 541 medical records, 77.08% were related to Plasmodium vivax. Higher rates were observed in municipalities in the south and center of the state. The rates increased throughout the study period. The analysis generated three clusters. ConclusionsAlthough Roraima has characteristics that worsen the malaria problem, no studies were found that examined the transmission of the disease in the state as a whole. This increases the importance of this study, which contributes to the discussion in the field of indigenous health.

Unveiling the life of the Neotropical resin bee Dicranthidium arenarium (Ducke, 1907) (Megachilinae, Anthidiini)

Dicranthidium arenarium (Ducke, 1907) is a solitary bee distributed along the Atlantic Forest and Caatinga biomes in Northern Brazil. Although it is often sampled in faunistic inventories, its biology is still poorly known. We therefore studied the biology of D. arenarium to understand and compare the patterns of behavior, seasonality, nidification, and its natural enemies in different biomes where it appears. In order to achieve this goal, trap nests were installed and monitored in areas of Caatinga and Atlantic Forest in Northeastern Brazil over one year. We described, illustrated, and discussed their nest architecture, nesting behavior, mortality rates, and sex ratio. Additionally, the behavior of the Austrostelis appendiculata (Ducke, 1910) in D. arenarium nests was observed and described for the first time, showing a similar pattern to that of the other cleptoparasites lineages of Epanthidiina. Their distribution in distinct biomes, the multivoltine cycle, and the plasticity in the use of cavities showed that D. arenarium is a promising species for conservation and pollination programs in natural, urban, and agricultural environments.

Diversity, Prevalence and Virulence of Colletotrichum Species Causing Anthracnose on Cassava Leaves in the Northern Region of Brazil.

Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) is a staple crop widely cultivated by small farmers in tropical countries. However, despite the low level of technology required for its management, it can be affected by several diseases, with anthracnose as the main threat. There is little information about the main species of Colletotrichum that infect cassava in Brazil. Thus, the objective of this work was to study the diversity, prevalence and virulence of Colletotrichum species that cause anthracnose in cassava leaves in northern Brazil. Twenty municipalities of the Pará and Tocantins states were selected, and leaves with symptoms were collected in those locations. Pure cultures were isolated in the laboratory. Species were identified using phylogenetic analyses of multiple loci, and their pathogenicity, aggressivity and virulence levels were assessed. Our results showed the greatest diversity of Colletotrichum associated with anthracnose in cassava plants of the "Formosa" cultivar in the Tocantins and Pará states. We determined the presence of Colletotrichum chrysophilum, C. truncatum, C. siamense, C. fructicola, C. plurivorum, C. musicola and C. karsti, with C. chrysophilum as the most aggressive and virulent. Our findings provide accurate identifications of species of Colletotrichum causing anthracnose in cassava crops, which are of great relevance for cassava breeding programs (e.g., the search for genotypes with polygenic resistance since the pathogen is so diverse) and for developing anthracnose management strategies that can work efficiently against species complexes of Colletotrichum.

Impacts of Forced Immigration: The Venezuelan Diaspora and the Brazilian Labor Market

ABSTRACT This article estimates the impact of immigrant influxes on local labor markets, taking advantage of a natural experiment generated by a massive wave of forced migration of Venezuelans to Roraima, a state in northern Brazil, from 2016 onward. Estimates show that a 1% increase in the share of migrants in the state population due to immigration resulted in 1.1% higher earnings for native workers in the formal sector, 0.3% fewer hours worked weekly, and 2.3% higher wages. Results are confirmed by employing a synthetic control method.

Exploring wind energy for small off-grid power generation in remote areas of Northern Brazil

Exploring wind energy for small off-grid power generation in remote areas of Northern Brazil

Catalog of the Chrysomelinae (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) deposited in the entomological collections of the Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi (MPEG) and the Universidade do Estado do Pará (UEPA), Belém, Brazil

A comprehensive catalog is provided for most leaf beetles belonging to the Chrysomelinae subfamily, which are housed in the collections of two institutions in the state of Pará, located in northern Brazil: The Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi (MPEG) and the Universidade do Estado do Pará (UEPA). The catalog includes detailed geographic distribution data for all species, along with new records and photographs (including two paratypes of Cryptostetha pereirai Bechyně, 1958, with descriptions of the aedeagus and spermatheca). Furthermore, information is provided on host plants, parasites, parasitoids, and predators associated with certain species.

Morphological and Molecular Characters Differentiate Common Morphotypes of Atlantic Holopelagic Sargassum

Since 2011, massive new strandings of holopelagic Sargassum have been reported on the coasts of the Caribbean, northern Brazil, Guiana, and West Africa, causing severe economic and ecological damage. Three common morphotypes (S. fluitans III, S. natans I, and S. natans VIII) were identified as responsible for these catastrophic events, with dominance shifts between them over time. However, the taxonomic status of these holopelagic Sargassum morphotypes remains unclear. Using an integrative taxonomy framework, combining a morphological study and molecular analyses, this study aimed to clarify their taxonomic status. Morphological analyses of 54 characters revealed no intermediate form between the three morphotypes, with the overall shape, nature of the axis, and size and shape of blades and vesicles being the most discriminating. An analysis of mitochondrial (IGS, cox2, cox3, mt16S rRNA, and nad6) and plastid (rbcL) markers confirmed the genetic divergence among the three morphotypes, with a lower level of divergence between the two S. natans morphotypes. Without additional molecular characterization, these morphotypes cannot be classified as three distinct species. However, due to their distinct morphological characteristics and sympatry within drifting aggregations, a revision of holopelagic species names is proposed, with Sargassum fluitans var. fluitans (for S. fluitans III), Sargassum natans var. natans (for S. natans I), and S. natans var. wingei (for S. natans VIII). This revision provides necessary clarity on the species involved in inundations of the tropical Atlantic.

The Role of Meteorology in The Mining Chain in Northern Brazil

The Role of Meteorology in The Mining Chain in Northern Brazil

Moral harassment: a portrait of northern brazil based on lawsuits

Purpose: To investigate moral harassment on northern Brazil through the lens of lawsuits. Design/methodology: Statistical analyses on lawsuits from 2012 to 2018 issued at Labor Court, 11th Region, which includes states of Amazonas and Roraima. It also provided a qualitative discussion, based on semi-structured interviews with main actors (judges, prosecutors, and lawyers). Findings: A representative volume of legal actions was found, signaling the presence of moral harassment in the region. There was a higher proportion of vertical harassment (management over employees), a large concentration in industry and banks, a predominance of men as harassers and great difficulty in proving the harassment. Originality/value: This article addresses the topic of moral harassment from a lens that is still little explored, lawsuits, considering a geographic delimitation without many studies – the northern region of Brazil. Theoretical/methodological contributions: The northern Brazil presents similar characteristics regarding moral harassment to those found in other regions of the country, reinforcing the understanding of a social phenomenon under the influence of the institutional environment. Practical implications: The findings reinforce the need to debate and review how reporting channels about moral harassment are structured in the country, as it is a phenomenon that is difficult to delimit and prove but has a profound impact on the lives of its victims.

Environmental health of water bodies from a Brazilian Amazon Metropolis based on a conventional and metagenomic approach.

The present study aimed to use a conventional and metagenomic approach to investigate the microbiological diversity of water bodies in a network of drainage channels and rivers located in the central area of the city of Belém, northern Brazil, which is considered one of the largest cities in the Brazilian Amazon. In eight of the analyzed points, both bacterial and viral microbiological indicators of environmental contamination-physical-chemical and metals-were assessed. The bacterial resistance genes, drug resistance mechanisms, and viral viability in the environment were also assessed. A total of 473 families of bacteria and 83 families of viruses were identified. Based on the analysis of metals, the levels of three metals (Cd, Fe, and Mn) were found to be above the recommended acceptable level by local legislation. The levels of the following three physicochemical parameters were also higher than recommended: biochemical oxygen demand, dissolved oxygen, and turbidity. Sixty-three bacterial resistance genes that conferred resistance to 13 different classes of antimicrobials were identified. Further, five mechanisms of antimicrobial resistance were identified and viral viability in the environment was confirmed. Intense human actions combined with a lack of public policies and poor environmental education of the population cause environmental degradation, especially in water bodies. Thus, urgent interventions are warranted to restore the quality of this precious and scarce asset worldwide.

Mortality from Stroke in Pará, Brazilian Amazon: a Joinpoint Analysis

Introduction: Stroke is a significant cause of death worldwide. Temporal studies show a downward trend in mortality rates in recent decades, with variability between countries. The State of Pará, in northern Brazil, has a low human development index and high mortality from stroke; however, little research is reported. Objective: This study aims to analyze the trend in stroke mortality in the adult population of Pará, between 2000 and 2021. Method: This is an ecological, time series study based on official secondary population data. Joinpoint regression models were used to identify the trend of each coefficient segment of the mortality rate and years of potential life lost. Results: There were 49,259 deaths in this period, with an absolute increase in fatalities during the time series and an increase in the age group. The mortality coefficient showed a stationary mortality trend of 0.4% between 2000 and 2021 (p=0.576); however, after 2008, the trend decreased -1.0% (p=0.003). In the stratified analysis, a decreasing mortality trend was detected: -2.3% between 30 and 39 years old (p<0.001), -2.8% between 40 and 49 years old (p<0.001), -2.1% between 50 and 59 years old (p<0.001) and -1.4% between 60 and 69 years old (p<0.001), between the year 2000 and 2021. In the other age groups, the trend decreased -2.5% between 20 and 29 years old after 2006 (p= 0.003), -1.8% between 70 and 79 years old after 2008 (p=0.001), and -5.1% among 80 years old and over after 2016 (p=0.010). Conclusion: The mortality trend attributed to stroke among adults in Pará State remained stable from 2000 to 2021. Despite this stability, the absolute number of deaths remained consistently high, underscoring the critical need to mitigate risk factors and enhance the care and management of affected individuals.

Subsurface evaluation for aquaculture ponds in the Amazon Region

ABSTRACT Few Brazilian rural landowners are aware of the technology available to survey the subsoil of terrains earmarked for aquaculture operations. This study evaluated subsoils of Monte Alegre (area 1) and Montenegro 3 (area 2) aquaculture zones in the geographic region of Bragança (Amazon region, northern Brazil), and the adequacy of these areas for aquaculture. Ground Penetrating Radar, electrical conductivity measurements, and sedimentological analyses were applied to evaluate the subsoil of fish farms. Apparent conductivity values recorded by the Electromagnetic Induction (EMI) in area 1 indicated possible presence of clayey soils. Excavation analysis and sedimentological samples (sand) from this site confirmed the inadequacy of the terrain. The EMI tool in area 2 indicated possible presence of clayey soils. Geophysical and sedimentological results from the site confirmed its suitability. These geophysical tools are recommended for evaluating prospective aquaculture sites, given their capacity to provide reliable data on the subsoil characteristics , which is essential to guarantee the success and sustainability of aquaculture operations.

The “Complex Dynamic Model of Autonomy Development” in Action: A Longitudinal Multiple Case Study on Language Learners’ Trajectories

This paper explores the autonomy development in the language learning trajectories of two English major students within the complexity paradigm (Larsen-Freeman, 1997, 2017; Larsen-Freeman & Cameron, 2008). Autonomy is viewed as a complex, evolving phenomenon shaped by life experiences, including setbacks, stability, and progress. The Complex Dynamic Model of Autonomy Development (Borges, 2022) guided this four-year longitudinal study conducted at a university in Northern Brazil. This multiple case study utilized learning narratives, diaries, and a final interview to generate data. Learning narratives depicted the participants’ profile and their learning initial conditions, while diaries captured their reflections on language learning and autonomy. An interview was conducted in the final semester to shed light on how autonomy influenced students’ empowerment and participation in the academic and professional community (Borges, 2019; Murray, 2017; Nicolaides, 2017; Oxford, 2003). The results show that the personalized and complex nature of autonomy development is manifested differently for each student in varying contexts over time. Subsystems like motivation, beliefs, identities, and emotions were found to either enhance or inhibit autonomy along their language learning journeys.

Daños causados por avispas sociales (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) a frutos comerciales en la región amazónica brasileña

Social wasps play a crucial role in ecosystems by actively foraging and preying on lepidopterans caterpillars, an important group of insects known to damage various structures of cultivated plants. However, there is a discussion about the potential damage that these wasps can cause to the fruits of some commercial species. In this research, cases of damage caused by Polybia dimidiata (Olivier), Polybia liliacea (Fabricius), Synoeca surinama (Linnaeus), and Synoeca virginea (Fabricius) to fruits of three different fruit species: guava, carambola, and murici, are recorded while they are still attached to the stem. These events occurred in the municipalities of Itacoatiara and Uarini, both located in the state of Amazonas, northern Brazil. These observations were made in the months of January 2013, December 2022, January, and February 2023. Due to their high infestation and vigorous foraging activities, it is speculated we posit that these wasp species could reach pest status, affecting the fruit harvests by stinging workers and damaging the fruits until made for marketing. However, it is crucial to emphasize that more comprehensive studies are needed to determine whether the damage caused by these vespids really represents a threat to small farmers.

Brazilian Northern biotech startups: an examination of supporting factors for web portal modeling

The purpose of this research project is to determine the elements that would facilitate the establishment of a biotechnology startup help site in the northern part of Brazil. As part of the research, data on startups was gathered, obstacles to growth were identified, and issues faced by the companies were noted. Based on the responses to the questionnaire, conclusions were made on the major difficulties these businesses encountered. The main barrier is found to be the difficulty in acquiring finance; other challenging elements include revenue generation and equipment availability. It is acknowledged that regional concerns, such input availability, and logistics, have a significant impact on the difficulties that local businesses encounter. Recommendations are made based on the challenges found to improve the startup growth environment, hence promoting sustainable innovation and the bioeconomy's development.