Santo State Research Articles

Updated spatial analysis of areas of occurrence of bovine cysticercosis in the state of Espírito Santo, Brazil.

The risk of bovine cysticercosis is mutable over time, since population habits, local infrastructure, and bovine herd size change through the years. Hence, the aim of this study was to update the risk map of bovine cysticercosis occurrence in Espírito Santo State, Brazil, by choosing the following risk factors: inadequate sewer service; bovine population per municipality; risk of flooding; and land use and occupation, examined with a mathematical model using the GIS program ArcGis 10.5. The risk map of occurrence demonstrated that the state is composed of 12.8, 24.5, 36.2 and 26.5% of areas of very high, high, medium, and low risk, respectively. The northern area stood out for areas of very high risk, with the cities of Linhares and São Mateus accounting for 99% of the area with this classification. Of the state's 78 municipalities, 15 had a portion of their territory with very high risk, 11 had over 50% of the territory with high risk and all except Irupi (100% of low risk) had some percentage of medium risk. These findings demonstrate the areas where actions to prevent bovine cysticercosis should be preferentially conducted.

Cancer mortality in Guarapari, Espiríto Santo State, Brazil, with areas of high natural radioactivity.

Guarapari, a municipality of the state of Espírito Santo, Brazil, reported higher mortality rates for the most common cancers from 1996 to 2000. This municipality has beaches with high natural radioactivity. To verify whether this excessive cancer mortality rate still exist in Guarapari, mortality rates for all causes, cancers, and the most prevalent cancers in this municipality were studied from 2000 to 2018 and compared with those observed in the state. Data on all-cause mortality, all-cancer mortality, and mortality from cancer of the esophagus, stomach, larynx, trachea, bronchi and lung, prostate, breast, and leukemias were collected in Brazilian Health Informatics Department (DATASUS) from 2000 to 2018. Mortality rates were calculated by direct method. Standardized age-adjusted rates (SAAR) were calculated based on standard of the World Health Organization (WHO) world population. Crude mortality rates were calculated for each municipality and SAAR for the state and nine municipalities where natural radioactivity was evaluated. Mortality rates from all causes, all cancers, and different cancers observed in Guarapari did not differ significantly from those observed in the state or municipalities with more than 100,000 inhabitants. Radioactivity levels and mortality rates showed no correlation in nine municipalities where natural radioactivity was known. In conclusion, results showed that mortality from cancer and all causes in Guarapari did not differ from those observed in the state and that there was no correlation between the levels of natural radioactivity and mortality from cancer in areas where natural radioactivity was evaluated.

Infecção por Toxoplasma gondii em suínos destinados ao consumo humano: soroprevalência, fatores de risco e influência de medidas de biosseguridade

Abstract A serologic and epidemiologic study was carried out in order to determinate herd and animal seroprevalence and associated factors for Toxoplasma gondii in commercial pigs from Espírito Santo state, Brazil. Blood samples were collected from 416 pigs from 55 producer farms in 27 municipalities. An indirect immunofluorescent assay (IFA) was performed to estimate the seroprevalence of T. gondii and identify the associated risk factors using a questionnaire. The T. gondii antibody prevalence rate in commercial swine herds was 15.4% (64/416) using a cutoff of 1:64. The seropositivity for T. gondii was related to the presence of cats, water origin and age of swine in the increase of seroprevalence, and the existence of internal isolation fences and use of composting chambers as protective factors. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to report anti- T. gondii antibodies in the serum of pigs in the state of Espírito Santo, Brazil. This finding is important to public health because seropositive pigs can harbor tissue cysts in their meat, thereby representing a zoonotic risk for consumers of raw or undercooked porcine meat or its products.

Local ecological knowledge of fishers from southern and southeastern Brazil about the franciscana dolphin Pontoporia blainvillei: Strategies for conservation.

This study compares local ecological knowledge (LEK) of fishers from the Southwest Atlantic Ocean (SWAO), Brazil, related to the franciscana dolphin (Pontoporia blainvillei). We conducted 330 ethnographic interviews in ten fishing communities in southern and southeastern Brazil between 2012 and 2018. Boolean or Classic Logic was used to identify 95 fishers who were able to recognize the franciscana dolphin accordingly to the taxonomic entity P. blainvillei: 23 in northern Espírito Santo state, one in southern Espírito Santo, 20 in northern Rio de Janeiro state, and 51 in northern Paraná state. Among these 95 fishers, 87.4% (n = 83) reported incidental captures in fishing nets. Among these, 52 (54.7%) did not know any solution to this problem. Interviews revealed that the fishers usually discard carcasses in the sea after fat and muscle tissue are removed so that they can be used as bait for shark fishing or as food. In Southeastern Brazil, fishers LEK related to their ability to identify franciscana dolphin varied from 'no identification' and 'extremely low identification' to 'partial' and 'good identification,' while in southern Brazil, fishers mainly presented a 'good identification' of the dolphins. We propose comanagement actions to conserve the franciscana dolphin in the SWAO.

Eurytrematosis in cattle in southern Espírito Santo State, Brazil - case report.

This work reports an outbreak of eurytrematosis in cattle in the municipality of Ibitirama, southern Espírito Santo State, Brazil. Six cattle were necropsied from August to December 2019, with finding of Eurytrema coelomaticum in the pancreas. A survey of epidemiological data was carried out on the farms along with coproparasitological examination of cattle from the same herd. Parasites were found in all necropsied animals, with different degrees of parasitism, ranging from mild to massive infection (6 - 2000 specimens). Macroscopic analyses of the pancreas revealed changes in 83.33% (5/6) of the cases, and by microscopy, pancreatic fibrosis ranging from Grade I to Grade III was observed. Inspection of the grazing areas confirmed the presence of two intermediate hosts, a terrestrial snail of the Bradybaena genus, with larval forms of the trematode in histological findings, and a grasshopper of the Conocephalus genus. Although none of the cattle showed clinical signs in the coproparasitological examination, 73.80% (31/42) tested positive for E. coelomaticum eggs. This is the first record of an outbreak of eurytrematosis in cattle in Espírito Santo State, indicating the importance of carrying out diagnosis based on epidemiology and necroscopic and parasitological examinations in animals in the region so that appropriate control measures can be adopted.

Cunoniaceae from Caparaó National Park, Mantiqueira Mountain Range, Brazil

Abstract A floristic treatment is presented for Cunoniaceae in the Caparaó National Park (PNC), located in the Mantiqueira Mountain Range, on the border of the Minas Gerais and Espírito Santo states. This conservation unit comprises the highest mountain peak in southeastern Brazil, Bandeira Peak, at 2,890 m of elevation. Its vegetation encompasses different phytophysiognomies, including Dense Ombrophilous Forests, Montane Semi-deciduous Seasonal Forests, and High-Altitude Grasslands. Cunoniaceae was represented in the PNC by four species: Lamanonia ternata, L. ulei, Weinmannia humilis, and W. paulliniifolia. To contribute to further taxonomic studies and species conservation in the Mantiqueira Mountain Range, morphological descriptions, identification keys, photographs in vivo, and comments on the taxonomy, geographic distribution of the recorded species are provided.

Updated spatial analysis of areas of occurrence of bovine cysticercosis in the state of Espírito Santo, Brazil

The risk of bovine cysticercosis is mutable over time, since population habits, local infrastructure, and bovine herd size change through the years. Hence, the aim of this study was to update the risk map of bovine cysticercosis occurrence in Espírito Santo State, Brazil, by choosing the following risk factors: inadequate sewer service; bovine population per municipality; risk of flooding; and land use and occupation, examined with a mathematical model using the GIS program ArcGis 10.5. The risk map of occurrence demonstrated that the state is composed of 12.8, 24.5, 36.2 and 26.5% of areas of very high, high, medium, and low risk, respectively. The northern area stood out for areas of very high risk, with the cities of Linhares and São Mateus accounting for 99% of the area with this classification. Of the state’s 78 municipalities, 15 had a portion of their territory with very high risk, 11 had over 50% of the territory with high risk and all except Irupi (100% of low risk) had some percentage of medium risk. These findings demonstrate the areas where actions to prevent bovine cysticercosis should be preferentially conducted.

Distribution, population size and IUCN Red Listing of an isolated population of the threatened franciscana

The franciscanaPontoporia blainvilleiis the only extant member of the family Pontoporiidae, and its occurrence is restricted to coastal waters from Brazil to Argentina. The species is one of the most threatened cetaceans in the southwestern Atlantic Ocean, due to unsustainable bycatch levels. A total of 11 Franciscana Management Areas (FMAs) have been defined throughout the species’ range. FMA Ia represents the northernmost franciscana population, demographically isolated on the north coast of Espírito Santo State, Brazil. In March 2018, aerial surveys were conducted to assess the distribution and estimate the abundance of franciscanas in FMA Ia. A total of 2986 km of survey effort was conducted, and 27 groups were seen (average group size: 2.52 ind., coefficient of variation [CV] = 0.50) in coastal habitats (average distance from the shore: 3.3 km, CV = 0.70). Abundance, corrected for visibility bias and group size bias, was estimated at 1183 (CV = 0.76) individuals, and the potential biological removal was computed at 1. Results suggest that at least during the summer, franciscanas in ES are distributed in coastal habitats between Conceição da Barra and Santa Cruz, with a high-density area observed near the estuary mouth of the Doce River. This is one of the smallest of all franciscana populations and one with a restricted range. The estimated abundance indicates that the ES population qualifies for listing as Endangered under IUCN Red List criterion C2a(ii). In order to reduce threats to this population, management actions are urgently needed.

Estimation of water erosion rates in Espírito Santo state, Brazil

Estimation of water erosion rates in Espírito Santo state, Brazil

In the middle way there was a Callianthe (Malvaceae): a new species in forest path edges from Espírito Santo state, Brazil

We propose a new species restricted to the Atlantic Forest from the Brazilian state of Espírito Santo, Callianthe capixabae. Morphological description, taxonomic comments, illustrations, distribution, habitat, and phenology are provided. C. capixabae is closely related to C. glaziovii and C. schenckii, but can be distinguished from them mainly by indument, inflorescence type, calyx nerves, corolla colour and fruit length.

A new species of Parianella (Poaceae, Bambusoideae, Olyreae) marks the southernmost distribution of the genus in Brazil

Background and aims – Parianella is a relatively recently described genus of the subtribe Parianinae (Poaceae, Bambusoideae, Olyreae) that includes two species, and it is supposedly endemic to the Bahian Coastal Forests in the central region of Atlantic Forest, Brazil. Herein, we describe and illustrate a new species of the genus, comparing it with the other species of Parianella. We also provide an updated distribution map of the genus and the conservation status of the new taxon. Material and methods – This study was based on the analysis of herbarium specimens and a literature review. The conservation assessment is based on field observations and spatial analyses, following IUCN guidelines and criteria. Key results – During a review of the Poaceae collection of the MBML Herbarium, two Parianinae specimens with interesting features were found. A detailed morphological analysis revealed that these specimens belong to a new species of Parianella. The new taxon was collected in two localities in the southern portion of the Brazilian state of Espírito Santo, one in the municipality of Santa Leopoldina and the other in the Duas Bocas Biological Reserve, municipality of Cariacica. Both localities are situated in the Krenák-Waitaká Forests, one of the three subregions of the central Atlantic Forest region, and an area of great floristic diversity, including bamboo species. Conclusion – Parianella capixaba represents the southernmost distribution of the genus known to date. With the description of this new species, the total number of bamboos in Espírito Santo state rises to 52 species in 18 genera.

Violence in Quilombola women living in rural communities in Brazil.

To estimate the prevalence of psychological, physical, and sexual violence perpetrated against women by their intimate partner (IP) in Quilombola communities located in Espírito Santo State, Brazil. The data is from a population-based cross-sectional study of Quilombola women conducted from 2017 to 2018. In-person interviews collected information on women's sociodemographic characteristics, behaviors, and their experience of violence perpetrated by their IP. The analysis used chi-square test and hierarchical logistic regression. 219 women (94.8% of the invited ones) agreed to participate in the study. 59.0% (95%CI: 5.25-65.5) reported psychological violence; 41% (95%CI: 34.5-47.5) physical violence; and 8.2% (95%CI: 4.6-11.8) sexual violence. Psychological violence was associated with having three or more sexual partners in life, when compared to those who had up to two partners (p = 0,009), and previous violence involving other people outside of family increased the chance of suffering psychological violence by an IP more than nine times (p ≤ 0.001). Regarding physical violence, the association with use of barrier contraception (p = 0.031) and having a partner with other sexual partners (p = 0.024) were protective factors for IP violence. Having 3 or more sexual partners in the last 12 months (p = 0.006), partner using illicit drugs (p = 0,006), and alcoholism in the family (p = 0,001), increased the chance of suffer physical violence by the partner. Sexual violence perpetrated by the IP was associated with miscarriage (p = 0.016), partner using drugs (p = 0.020), and gynecological symptoms (p = 0.045). These results showed the high frequency of intimate partner violence in Quilombola women and highlight the importance of reducing social and race inequities for interrupting the culture of violence against women.

Adherence and concordance among Q‐Graders in the sensory analysis of coffees

AbstractIn any sensory analysis, it is important to investigate whether the tasters agree with each other, because they can assign scores in a correlated, but not the concordant way. This work investigated the adherence and the concordance among tasters of the coffee sensorial analysis of the Arabica and Conilon varieties, and their impacts on the final quality ratings of these varieties. The samples were obtained from regions of the Espirito Santo state, Brazil, and were evaluated by six tasters, with five repetitions and four treatments, totaling 120 observations. Nonparametric statistical techniques were used to compare the distribution of grades, and Lin's concordance coefficient was used to analyze the concordance among tasters. The Factor Analysis by Principal Components revealed that different distributions and disagreements among tasters affect, mainly, the sensorial attributes body, overall, flavor and acidity, thus changing the final result of the evaluation and, consequently, the final quality ratings of the products. These results allow new approaches in conducting the coffee sensorial analysis.Practical applicationsThe production of specialty coffees brings an excellent opportunity to add value, especially for small producers, or family producers on properties where the relief and climate make harvesting difficult, such as the mountain regions of the state of Espírito Santo, Brazil. This new perspective allows small producers to participate in contests to promote their product, which can be sold at different prices in the national and international markets. However, if the quality assessment methods suffer some kind of interference, the final evaluation may be unfair, or at least, incompatible with the reality of each product. The objective of this study is not to disqualify the current evaluation methods, but to justify improvements in these methods, which must be appreciated and improved by evaluators in the area.

GIS-Based Approach Applied to Study of Seasonal Rainfall Influence over Flood Vulnerability

Flooding occurrence is one of the most common phenomena that impact urban areas, and this intensifies during heavy rainfall periods. Knowing the areas with the greatest vulnerability is of paramount importance as it allows mitigating actions to be implemented in order to minimize the generated impacts. In this context, this study aimed to use Geographic Information System (GIS) tools to identify the areas with greater flooding vulnerability in Espírito Santo state, Brazil. The study was based on the following methodological steps: (1) a Digital Elevation Model (DEM) acquisition and watersheds delimitation; (2) maximum and accumulated rainfall intensity calculations for the three studied periods using meteorological data; (3) a land use and occupation map reclassification regarding flood vulnerability and fuzzy logic application; (4) an application of Euclidean distance and fuzzy logic in hydrography and water mass vector variables; (5) a flood vulnerability model generation. Based on the found results, it was observed that the metropolitan and coastal regions presented as greater flood vulnerability areas during the dry season, as in these regions, almost all of the 9.18% of the state’s area was classified as highly vulnerable, while during rainy season, the most vulnerable areas were concentrated in Caparaó and in the coastal and immigration and metropolitan regions, as in these regions, almost all of the 12.72% of the state’s area was classified as highly vulnerable. In general, by annually distributing the rainfall rates, a greater flood vulnerability was observed in the metropolitan and coastal and immigration regions, as in these areas, almost all of the 7.72% of the state’s area was classified as highly vulnerable. According to the study, Espírito Santo state was mostly classified as a low (29.15%) and medium (28.06%) flood vulnerability area considering the annual period, while its metropolitan region has a very high flood vulnerability risk. Finally, GIS modeling is important to assist in decision making regarding public management and the employed methodology presents worldwide application potential.

Carcass non-recovery rate of franciscana dolphin (Pontoporia blainvillei), calibrated with a drift mark-recapture study at FMA Ia, Brazil

The franciscana dolphin (Pontoporia blainvillei) is one of the smallest dolphins globally and the most threatened in the Southwest Atlantic Ocean. Beach monitoring helps to investigate cetacean strandings within their distributions and assess impacts that cause mortality. Using drifters in mark-recapture studies helps to estimate recovery rates when carcasses are unavailable. The study aims to estimate the non-recovery rate of franciscana carcasses from FMA Ia by comparing the spatial distribution between carcasses and drifters along the coast; correlating the influence of cold fronts with the recovery rate of drifters; estimating the non-recovery rate of carcasses according to the drifters’ results and the meteorological profile in the pre-stranding period; characterizing the death diagnostic with temporal distribution of franciscanas by considering the stranding index and the carcass non-recovery rates. We repeated the release of 54 drifters in two campaigns close to the coast within the range of franciscana dolphins, where beaches are monitored daily, in the north region of Espírito Santo state, Brazil. The carcass stranding hotspots (21%) and drifters (18%) were 10 km apart. Cold fronts significantly increase the number of strandings. Considering the incidence of cold fronts in the pre-stranding period and linear regression from drifters, the median carcass recovery rate is 0.26, 95% IC [0.22 - 0.29], which means that for each stranding, the carcass non-recovery rate varies from 0.78 to 0.71. The range between 265 to 350 estimates the total of carcasses from 77 strandings observed from 2003 to 2021. The record year of strandings was 2014 (n = 14). About 52% of records occurred in summer, and January is the month with the highest occurrence of strandings. Of the conclusive diagnoses (n = 43), around 77% (n = 33) were attributed to incidental capture in gillnets. Estimating the number of carcasses based on stranding records is essential for population viability analyses and conservation purposes, especially considering small and isolated populations as in the present study. To prevent local extinction, a solution to avoid incidental capture, especially along summers, must be addressed quickly.

Morphological characterization of fluke eggs in green turtles (Chelonia mydas) found on the coast of Espírito Santo State, Brazil

Although some studies have identified parasites in green turtles (Chelonia mydas), little is known about the morphology of helminth eggs in the feces of these animals. The aim of this study was to morphologically characterize helminth eggs recovered in coproparasitological exams by sedimentation and to analyze their relationship with helminth species recovered during necropsy of juvenile specimens of C. mydas. Four different egg morphotypes were found, identified, and classified as digenetic trematodes of the families Microscaphidiidae, Cladorchiidae, and Spirorchiidae. There was morphological diversity in the size of the eggs measured directly in adult parasites, with sizes ranging from 19.07 to 99.28 μm in length and from 11.35 to 45.66 μm in width. The observation of eggs on coproparasitological exams is important for studying the ecology of sea turtle parasites, since the life cycle of some species is not yet fully understood.

Sedimentary Patterns and Spatial Distributions of Heavy Minerals along the Continental Shelf in the Espírito Santo State, Brazil

Heavy minerals can be used as tools to better understand sedimentary patterns across continental shelves, in addition to their economic importance, where they form marine placers. This study investigates the spatial distributions of heavy minerals in sand deposits along the three different morpho-sedimentary compartments (i.e., Paleovalley Shelf, Doce river Shelf, and Abrolhos Shelf) of the Espírito Santo Continental Shelf, which presents distinct sedimentary regimes. A mineralogical characterization of 180 surface sediment samples allowed to identify fifteen different heavy mineral species across the study area, with a predominance of ilmenite. The qualitative characterization shows similar heavy mineral patterns among the three compartments, while their mineral proportion (quantitative analysis) is heterogeneous. Also, the supply and accommodation regimes do not responsible by influence the heavy mineral assemblages and sediment maturity. However, there is a significant relationship between supply regime (delta sedimentation) and higher average abundances of each heavy mineral species. With results found here is possible to affirm that marine placers are closely related to Holocene sedimentation.

Isolation and genetic characterization of Toxoplasma gondii from a captive black-and-gold howler monkey (Alouatta caraya Humboldt, 1812) in Brazil.

Toxoplasma gondii was isolated in mice from different tissues of a captive black-and-gold howler monkey (Alouatta caraya) kept in a colony at the Primatology Center of Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil, and it was genotypically characterized based on using PCR-RFLP and Microsatellite Analysis (MS), later on. T. gondii was successfully isolated from inocula deriving from heart, liver and tissue pool (heart, liver, lungs, axillary lymph nodes and cerebellum) samples. The isolate was named TgBgHmBrRJ1. The high virulence of the aforementioned strain was observed in infected mice. Non-archetypal genotype (ToxoDB PCR-RFLP #206) was obtained through PCR-RFLP. This genotype had been previously described in 12 isolates from different hosts, also in Southeastern Brazil, a fact that indicates likely high circulation of this genotype in this region. The isolate was also classified as non-archetypal, based on MS genotyping, as well as presented genotypic identity close to that of strains isolated from free-range non-symptomatic chickens (TgCkBr244,245,278,279) in Espírito Santo State. It is worth emphasizing that despite the large number of reports about clinical toxoplasmosis in neotropical primates in Brazil, this is just the second isolate of this parasite ever reported in this group of animals.

Modernizing Leviathan: Carceral Reform and the Struggle for Legitimacy in Brazil’s Espírito Santo State

Incarceration has become naturalized as a primary mode of punishment within the penal systems of modern states across the globe. This study examines how states develop the capacity to execute incarceration as a routine state function. I argue that rationalization and bureaucratization are key for transforming carceral enclosures into a naturalized feature of states’ routine exercise of coercion. I develop this argument through analysis of a dynamic case of carceral modernization in the Brazilian state of Espírito Santo (2003 to 2014). I analyze the significance of coordinated violence and performative strategies for rulers to extend administrative capacity to incarceration and transform confinement into a legitimate and legitimizing instrument of state power. Findings demonstrate how coercive practices and other modes of violence that state authorities come to narrate as illegitimate are not antithetical to modernization. Rather, they become constitutive of the very process of consolidating and legitimizing rational-legal modes of administration that routinely exercise violence while more effectively being misrecognized as such. By extending inquiry to how states develop the administrative capacity to exercise penal power, this analysis makes several contributions to the political sociology of punishment and theories of state-building.

Taxonomic revision of maned sloths, subgenusBradypus(Scaeopus), Pilosa, Bradypodidae, with revalidation ofBradypus crinitusGray, 1850

AbstractWe present a taxonomic revision of maned sloths, subgenus Bradypus (Scaeopus), a taxon endemic to the Brazilian Atlantic Forest and currently composed of a single species, the vulnerable Bradypus torquatus. Our review is based on coalescent species delimitation analyses using mitochondrial and nuclear DNA, morphological analyses, and field observations. Our integrative approach demonstrates that two species of maned sloth can be recognized: the northern maned sloth (Bradypus torquatusIlliger, 1811) occurring in the Brazilian states of Bahia and Sergipe, and the southern maned sloth (Bradypus crinitusGray, 1850), occurring in Rio de Janeiro and Espirito Santo states. The two species diverged in the Early Pliocene and are allopatrically distributed. We discuss the biogeographic pattern of the two maned sloth species, comparing it with other Atlantic Forest mammals. We also suggest that the conservation status of both maned sloths needs to be reassessed after this taxonomic rearrangement.