ABSTRACT Aspects related to epidemiology of flies belonging to Fannia genus were studied in order to determine predisposing factors for its occurrence in layer hens houses of commercial farms in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. An observational, analytical and sectional survey was conducted to verify major epidemiological aspects associated to infestations. This research was accomplished starting from an adapted secondary database of and structured with information on the presence and absence of ectoparasites and arthropods, characteristics of chicken houses, the poultry, type of facilities, geographical location and the management. The study was conducted in four hundred and thirty one houses located in forty three farms visited in 2012 year in the state of Minas Gerais. Ten farms (23.25%) and sixty eight houses (15,77%) were observed the presence diptera belonging to Fannia genus. The specie Fannia admirabilis was found in four farms (9,30%), Fannia albitarsis in two farms (4,65%) and only in one farm (2.32%) was observed the presence of Fannia canicularis. For three farms 6,98% was no possible to identify the species only Fannia genus. The epidemiological aspects for the occurrence of these flies were investigated using Poisson regression models. Characteristics such as farm, city of farm, presence of Histeridae beetles, type of facility (cage, on the floor with or without bedding) and the existence of mechanical removal of manure were associated with the occurrence of Fannia spp.

The feeding ecology of the Channel flounder, Syacium micrurum, from Cape Verde was studied in November 2003 and April 2004, using frequency of occurrence and percentage by number indices, as well as multivariate analyses. Overall, S. micrurum exhibited a generalist feeding strategy with a relatively broad niche width. Analyses indicated Crustacea (especially Brachyura) and Polychaeta as the dominant prey items, although other items, such as Foraminifera, Caridae or Actinopterigii, were preyed on more often or in larger quantities, depending on the sampling date. An ontogenetic shift in diet was also observed with small-sized individuals mostly consuming Crustacea, whereas medium- or large-sized specimens fed on Actinopterigii more often. Diet composition appeared to be more related to differences in benthic assemblages between sampling dates due to the geographical characteristics of Cabo Verde. Results presented here support the need for further studies in the area, mainly those considering the composition and seasonal variation of invertebrate communities, to improve the knowledge of the trophic structure of commercially important species within this area.

En noviembre de 2003 y abril de 2004 se estudió la ecología alimenticia del lenguado anillado, Syacium micrurum, de Cabo Verde, usando los índices de frecuencia de ocurrencia y porcentaje por número, así como un análisis multivariado. En general, S. micrurum mostró una estrategia de alimentación generalista y relativamente diversificada. Los análisis indicaron que entre sus presas predominaron los crustáceos (particularmente braquiuros) y poliquetos, aunque otros grupos como los Foraminifera, Caridae o Actinopterigii aparecen con mayor frecuencia o en mayor cantidad, dependiendo de la época de muestreo. También se observó un cambio ontogénico en la dieta: los individuos más pequeños consumieron sobre todo crustáceos, mientras que los medianos y grandes se alimentaron con mayor frecuencia de actinopterigios. La composición de la dieta parece estar más relacionada con la composición específica de la comunidad bentónica en las épocas de muestreo, debida a su vez a las características geográficas de Cabo Verde. Los resultados presentados en este trabajo apoyan la necesidad de profundizar en este tipo de estudios, particularmente considerando la composición de las comunidades de invertebrados y su variación estacional, de manera que se profundice en el conocimiento de la estructura trófica de las especies de interés comercial que habitan en Cabo Verde.