Abstract Numerous Antarctic species are recognized as reservoirs for various pathogens, and their migratory behavior allows them to reach the Brazilian coast, potentially contributing to the emergence and circulation of new infectious diseases. To address the potential zoonotic risks, we conducted surveillance of influenza A virus (IAV) and coronaviruses (CoVs) in the Antarctic Peninsula, specifically focusing on different bird and mammal species in the region. During the summer of 2021/2022, as part of the Brazilian Antarctic Expedition, we collected and examined a total of 315 fecal samples to target these respiratory viruses. Although we did not detect the viruses of interest during this particular expedition, previous research conducted by our team has shown the presence of the H11N2 subtype of influenza A virus in penguin fecal samples from the same region. Given the continuous emergence of new viral strains worldwide, it is crucial to maintain active surveillance in the area, contributing to strengthening integrated One Health surveillance efforts.

BACKGROUND Few studies have focused on microbial diversity in indoor environments of ships, as well as the role of the microbiome and its ecological interconnections. In this study, we investigated the microbiome and virome present on the internal surfaces of a polar ship in different stages (beginning, during, and at the end) of the Brazilian Antarctic expedition in order to evaluate abundance of microorganisms in different periods. OBJECTIVES AND METHODS We used shotgun metagenomic analysis on pooled samples from sampling surfaces in the ship’s interior to track the microbial diversity. FINDINGS Considering the total fraction of the microbiome, the relative abundance of bacteria, eukaryotes, viruses, and archaea was 83.7%, 16.2%, 0.04%, and 0.002%, respectively. Proteobacteria was the most abundant bacterial phyla, followed by Firmicutes, Actinobacteria, and Bacteroidetes. Concerning the virome, the greatest richness of viral species was identified during the middle of the trip, including ten viral families after de novo assembly: Autographiviridae, Chrysoviridae, Genomoviridae, Herelleviridae, Myoviridae, Partitiviridae, Podoviridae, Potyviridae, Siphoviridae, and Virgaviridae. MAIN CONCLUSIONS This study contributed to the knowledge of microbial diversity in naval transportation facilities, and variations in the abundance of microorganisms probably occurred due to factors such as the number of passengers and activities on the ship.

Resumo A influência das manchas da paisagem sobre a riqueza e frequência de captura de quirópteros foi avaliada em uma fazenda de gado no norte do Pantanal. A falta de informações sobre os quirópteros em áreas modificadas pela pecuária, o uso da terra e as inundações estacionais no Pantanal certamente são fatores que limitam o entendimento da composição da quiropterofauna da região. Foram capturadas 27 espécies, distribuídas em cinco famílias. Phyllostomidae predominou com 16 espécies, seguido por Vespertilionidae com cinco espécies. A riqueza de espécies e a frequência das capturas variaram de acordo com o mosaico da paisagem, apresentando associação positiva a áreas menos alteradas. Espécies consideradas mais sensíveis a distúrbios ambientais foram capturadas nas áreas mais conservadas, associadas a florestas de palmeiras (floresta de acuri; Scheelea phalerata, palmeira de acuri) e florestas inundadas (floresta de cambará; Vochysia divergens). Os dados sugerem que mesmo unidades de vegetação em extensas áreas desflorestadas são valiosas para a manutenção de algumas espécies de quirópteros, seja por oferecerem muitos dos recursos que necessitam ou por estarem espacialmente dispostos de forma a facilitar a utilização conjunta das manchas da paisagem.

Abstract Influence of landscape patches on species richness and frequency of bats was evaluated in a cattle ranch in northern Pantanal wetland. Besides the lack of information on bats in areas modified by ranching, land use and the seasonal flooding in the Pantanal wetland certainly affects bat fauna composition. Twenty-seven (27) species were captured, distributed in five families. Phyllostomidae predominated with 16 species, followed by Vespertilionidae with five species. Species richness and frequency of captures varied according to the landscape mosaic, presenting positive association to less altered areas. Species more sensitive to environmental disturbances were captured in the most conserved areas, associated to palm forests (acuri palm forest; Scheelea phalerata, acuri palm tree) and flooded forest (cambará forest; Vochysia divergens). Our data suggest that even vegetation units in extensively deforested areas are valuable for the maintenance of some species of bats, either because they offer many of the resources they need or because they are spatially arranged in order to facilitate the joint use of the landscape patches.

Foram determinadas três novas sequências da região do Citocromo c-oxidase da subunidade II do DNA mitocondrial (cox-2 mtDNA) de Contracaecum pelagicum, parasito de Spheniscus magellanicus, pinguim Magalhães, de águas brasileiras. As sequências apresentaram 99 e 98% de similaridade com sequências de C. pelagicum da Argentina depositadas no GenBank da mesma região genética com forte suporte estatístico inferido pela arvore filogenética. Estudos morfológicos e ultraestruturais realizados confirmaram a identidade genética.

Three new sequences of Mitochondrial cytochrome c-oxidase subunit 2 (mtDNA cox-2) from C. pelagicum parasite of Spheniscus magellanicus, the Magelanicus penguin, were determined from Brazilian waters. The sequences presented 99 and 98% of similarity with C. pelagicum sequences from Argentina, deposited on GenBank for the same genetic region and with a strong statistical support inferred from the phylogenetic tree. The morphological and ultrastructural studies that were carried out confirmed the genetic analysis.

The aim of this work was to study the degradation and detoxification of three textile azo dyes (Reactive Red 198, Reactive Red 141 and Reactive Blue 214) by mixed fungal cultures from semi-arid region of Brazilian Northeast. Sediment samples of twenty water reservoirs in the surroundings of Serra da Capivara National Park, area of environmental preservation in the caatinga in the State of Piauí, with semi-arid climate, were evaluated in order to select the consortia of fungi capable to degrade and detoxify these dyes. The mixed fungal culture from Caldeirão Escuridão (CE) reservoir was the most efficient in the degradation and detoxification of the dyes tested.