Abstract Samanea tubulosa Benth. it has been widely used in traditional medicine to treat inflammatory processes. The present study aimed to investigate the antinociceptive effect and mechanism of action of the fractions obtained from the Samanea tubulosa pods in mice. The antinociceptive activity was evaluated in formalin, capsaicin and glutamate tests and the. The possible mechanisms of action involved in the antinociceptive effect of the hexane and ethyl acetate fraction in the opioid system, also the the K + ATP channels and the L-arigine pathways of nitric oxide were evaluated. The chemical characterization analysis revealed in the hexane fraction the presence of triterpenes such as lupenone and lupeol. In the glutamate test, the hexane and ethyl acetate fractions showed antinociceptive activity at the dose of 12.5 and 25 mg kg-1. The antinociception produced by the hexane and ethyl acetate fractions was significantly reversed by naloxone, indicating that the fractions act through the opioid pathway. Antinociceptive response of the ethyl acetate fraction was blocked by glibenclamide, indicating that this fraction acts via the K + ATP channels activation. It is concluded that the fractions under study exert antinociceptive activity possibly related to the opioid route and through K+ ATP channels activation.

ABSTRACT Reserva Ecológica de Guapiaçu (REGUA) is a private, protected area inside a remnant of the Atlantic Forest with high biodiversity. Although the bats of the reserve have been sampled for more than two decades, few studies have been published about them. Based on a compilation of data from several surveys, we present an updated list of the bat species there and compare it with surveys from other locations in the Atlantic Forest. From August 1998 to September 2021, at least 194 sampling nights were carried out at REGUA by different research groups from various institutions, totaling 448,092 m2.h of sampling. A total of 4,069 individuals were captured, belonging to 47 species and six families. Additionally, our results indicate that it is possible that some species that occur at REGUA have not been recorded yet. REGUA has the greatest number of bat species known for the Atlantic Forest. This most likely results from the fact that the reserve includes large areas of mature, continuous forest connected with other protected areas in the State of Rio de Janeiro. Another factor contributing to the high diversity of bat species at REGUA is that the area has been intensely sampled for many years. Given that the bat assemblage there appears to be a good proxy to ascertain the ecological patterns of biodiversity in well-preserved forests, we consider REGUA to be an important area for long-term ecological research. The basic knowledge about the ecological interactions of bats with different food resources and zoonotic microorganisms offers a unique opportunity to carry out research in several areas of knowledge, making it possible to address questions about bat assemblage structure, bat-parasite ecology, competition, niche partitioning, and other related studies.

RESUMO Analisamos as assembleias de morcegos encontradas em Unidades de Conservação (UCs) no estado do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil, que é a região melhor amostrada da Mata Atlântica. Selecionamos 24 UCs de Proteção Integral e nove de Uso Sustentável. Utilizamos dados de inventários e complementamos com dados da literatura. Comparamos as UCs de Proteção Integral e de Uso Sustentável e testamos se as assembleias de morcegos variavam entre os tipos de habitat. Testamos o efeito da distância geográfica na dissimilaridade entre as assembleias de morcegos, bem como a relação entre a composição das espécies e o tamanho, a altitude média das UCs e o esforço de captura. Compilamos um total de 34.443 registros de captura, de 67 espécies. Três espécies foram capturadas apenas uma vez, o que mostra motivos de preocupação. As assembleias de morcegos não variaram entre categorias das UCs, mas variaram entre habitats com menos de 1.000 capturas. As assembleias foram mais parecidas entre si em áreas geograficamente próximas. O tamanho da UC e o esforço de captura não afetaram a composição das assembleias de morcegos, mas a altitude influenciou esse parâmetro. A Mata Atlântica é um bioma prioritário para pesquisa e conservação, e dados confiáveis sobre a distribuição de espécies são essenciais para o desenvolvimento de estratégias de conservação.

ABSTRACT We analyzed the bat assemblages found in protected areas in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, which is the best-sampled region of the Atlantic Forest. We selected 24 strict nature reserves and nine sustainable-use protected areas. We used data from inventories and complemented with data from the literature. We compared strict and sustainable-use protected areas, and tested whether the bat assemblages varied between habitat types. We tested the effect of geographic distance on the dissimilarity between bat assemblages, as well as the relationship between species composition and the size, mean altitude of the protected area, and capture effort. We compiled a total of 34,443 capture records, involving 67 species. Three species were captured only once, which raises cause for concern. Bat assemblages did not vary between protected area categories, but did vary among habitats with less than 1,000 captures. Assemblages were more similar to one another in geographically proximate areas. The size of the protected area and capture effort did not affect the composition of the bat assemblages, but altitude did influence this parameter. The Atlantic Forest is a priority biome for research and conservation, and reliable data on species distributions are essential for the development of conservation strategies.

Residências e construções isoladas no interior de áreas de florestas bem conservadas também são utilizadas como refúgio diurno pelos morcegos o que sugere que construções são atrativas por proverem proteção contra predadores, além de serem ambientes adequados para reprodução e interação social. Neste trabalho é apresentada uma revisão dos dados disponíveis na literatura para o sudeste do Brasil a partir de 2000 e dados não publicados coletados pelos autores entre 2010 e 2013 sobre o uso de construções pelos morcegos. Trinta e um trabalhos publicados foram analisados. Somados aos dados dos autores um total de 42 localidades foram amostradas, e 37 espécies de morcegos foram registradas em construções. Um total de 23 espécies possui dados de coabitação, enquanto 14 não compartilham abrigo com outras espécies. Molossus molossus mostra elevada frequência em construções de áreas antrópicas e trata-se da espécie insetívora mais capturada na Região Sudeste do Brasil e a que mais se refugia em forros. Em outros tipos de construções, a espécie mais frequente em coabitação foi Desmodus rotundus, citada em 16 artigos compartilhando abrigo com nove espécies. Amostragens no interior desses abrigos são importantes por fornecerem dados sobre as interações entre as diferentes espécies. Essas informações poderão contribuir para procedimentos adequados de manejo e para que problemas de saúde pública sejam minimizados.

Many bats use isolated houses and buildings within forested areas as daytime shelters. The large use of buildings suggests that these may be attractive for many bat species to provide protection against predators and are suitable for reproductive and social interactions. We present an overview of published (since 2000) and unpublished data (2010-2013) on the use of buildings by bats in southeastern Brazil. Thirty-one published works were analyzed. Together with the authors’ data, we document 42 sites and 37 species of bats recorded to roost in buildings. Twenty-three species share shelters with other species. Molossus molossus was common in constructions of disturbed areas, was the most commonly captured insectivorous species in southeastern Brazil, and the one most frequently found under roofs. In other types of buildings, the most common species was Desmodus rotundus, observed in cohabitation with nine other species. Sampling in these roosts is important for providing data on the interactions between species. Additionally, this information could contribute to optimal management for minimizing public health problems.

Algumas espécies de morcegos são capazes de se adaptar às áreas urbanas, onde encontram alimento e abrigo. Apesar do elevado número de parques nas cidades brasileiras estas ainda não despertaram o interesse dos zoólogos, exceção feita a inventários de aves e borboletas. Os objetivos do presente estudo foram: (i) inventariar as espécies de morcegos da Quinta da Boa Vista (QBV), um grande (25 ha) parque urbano centralmente localizado na povoada cidade do Rio de Janeiro, a segunda maior metrópole do Brasil; (ii) comparar a riqueza de espécies observadas em refúgios com a riqueza registrada através de redes de neblina abertas em rotas de voo e perto de figueiras em frutificação; e (iii) analisar as recapturas de morcegos marcados neste parque e recapturados em outras localidades, e vice-versa. A amostragem totalizou 104 noites, resultando em 3.256 capturas (incluindo 133 recapturas) entre abril de 1989 e dezembro de 2004. Nós também amostramos abrigos e recebemos alguns exemplares de visitantes do parque e dos cidadãos. No total, nós documentamos 21 espécies de morcegos, com a predominância de grandes frugívoros. O número de espécies esperadas para este parque foi de 24,0 ± 4,6, e o total amostrado representado foi de 87,5% do esperado. As recapturas de morcegos marcados em torno dos fragmentos florestais e em QBV mostram a importância de parques urbanos para a manutenção da diversidade de morcegos. As buscas e amostragens em abrigos resultaram em duas espécies que não tinham sido capturadas com outros métodos. As amostragens perto de figueiras em frutificação não diferiram em termos de riqueza em relação às amostragens realizadas longe destas árvores, ou durante os seus períodos de não frutificação.

Some bat species are able to adapt to urban areas, where they find food and roosts. Despite the high number of parks in Brazilian cities, they did not yet raise the interest of most zoologists, except for some surveys of birds and butterflies. The objectives of the present study were: (i) to inventory the bat species of Quinta da Boa Vista (QBV), a large (25 ha) urban park centrally located in densely populated Rio de Janeiro, which is Brazil's second largest metropolis; (ii) to compare the species richness observed in roosts with the richness recorded through mist netting in flight routes and near fruiting fig trees; and (iii) to analyze recaptures of bats marked in this park and recaptured in other sites and vice-versa. Sampling totaled 104 sampling nights resulting in 3,256 captures (including 133 recaptures) between April 1989 and December 2004. We also sampled roosts and received some specimens from park visitors and city workers. We documented 21 bat species, predominantly large frugivores. The number of expected species for this park was 24.0 ± 4.6, and the total sampled represented 87.5% of the expected. The recapture of bats marked in surrounding forest fragments and in QBV shows the importance of urban parks for the maintenance of bat diversity. Inspection of roosts produced two species that had not been captured with other methods. Sampling near fruiting fig trees did not differ in terms of richness from sampling carried out far from these trees or during their non-fruiting periods.

The present study was conducted to evaluate the toxicity of the ethanolic extract of leaves of Parkia platycephala Benth., Fabaceae, on systemic and reproductive parameters. In toxicity on the estrous cycle, four groups of not-pregnant Wistar rats received distilled water and the doses 250, 500 and 1000 mg.kg-1 of plant extract for thirty days, at the end of which they were examined as to the frequency of their phases. The systemic toxicity was assessed through the consumption of water and food and by measuring body mass. After the extract was administered, serum AST, ALT, ALP, bilirubin (total, direct and indirect), urea and creatinine were dosed. The evaluation of the organs (brain, heart, hypophysis, adrenal glands, liver, spleen, uterus and ovaries) in their macroscopic aspects, relative and absolute masses and histological structure showed that the plant extract induced a decrease of water and food consumption and of body mass. It caused an increase in the luteal phase and a decrease in the follicular phase of the estrous cycle and rose serum alkaline phosphatase levels.The data exhibit systemic and reproductive toxicity induced by plant extract in female Wistar rats.

This study describes the isolation and identification of apigenin-7-O-ghicopyranoside, a flavonoid isolated from the flowers of Bellis perennis L., Asteraceae, an species with a broad spectrum of biological activities. The in vitro antioxidant activity and the inhibition of the enzyme acetylcholinesterase were evaluated. The flavonoid showed strong in vitro antioxidant potential, because of the capacity of removal of hydroxyl radicals and nitric oxide, and also prevented the formation of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances. These parameters were inhibited at the highest concentration of ApG at rates of 77.7%, 72% and 73.4%, respectively, in addition to inhibiting acetylcholinesterase, suggesting potential use in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.

Baseado em uma grande amostragem de morcegos realizada na Mata Atlântica, Estado do Rio de Janeiro, sudeste do Brasil, nós analisamos a biologia reprodutiva de Platyrrhinus lineatus (E. Geoffroy, 1810). Os morcegos foram capturados com redes de neblina entre 1989 e 2005, em 27 das 41 diferentes localidades amostradas. O começo da época reprodutiva foi estimado 30 dias antes da data da captura da primeira fêmea grávida. Para determinação do término da época reprodutiva empregamos a data da captura da última fêmea lactante mais 40 dias. O total de 688 morcegos adultos foi analisado, sendo 58,3% representados por fêmeas. O maior número de capturas foi observado nos meses de fevereiro, janeiro e agosto. Machos com testículos escrotados foram observados em todos os meses. Fêmeas inativas sexualmente foram observadas com predominância em março e de maio a agosto. Fêmeas com fetos palpáveis foram observadas em todos os meses, exceto em abril, junho e julho com pico em agosto-outubro e janeiro-fevereiro. Fêmeas lactantes foram capturadas de novembro a junho, com pico em novembro e fevereiro. Fêmeas simultaneamente grávidas e lactantes foram capturadas em todos os meses exceto em junho, com pico em abril. O tamanho da época reprodutiva variou a cada ano, compreendendo de 8 a 12 meses, com média de 10,6 meses.

Based on a large bat sampling we analyzed the reproductive biology of Platyrrhinus lineatus (E. Geoffroy, 1810) in the Atlantic Forest, southeastern Brazil. The bats were captured with mist nets from 1989 and 2005, in 27 of the 41 different localities sampled. The beginning of reproductive season was estimated 30 days before the date of capture of the first pregnant female. For determination of the end of the reproductive time we used the date of the capture of the last lactating female, added by 40 days. The total of 688 adult bats was analyzed, of which 58.3% were females. The largest numbers of captures was observed in the months of February, January and August. Males with descent testicles were observed in all of the months. Inactive females were observed in predominance in March and of May to August. Females with palpable fetuses were observed in all of the months except in April, June and July, with peak in August-October and January-February. Lactating females were netted from November to June, with peak in November and February. Females simultaneously pregnant and lactating were captured in all of the months except in July, with peak in April. The size of the reproductive season varied every year, from eight to 12 months, with an average of 10.6 months.