-The objective of this work was to evaluate the performance of Pacific marine shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) and tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), in a polyculture in tanks subjected to different stocking densities and feeding strategies, in comparison with monoculture. Two experiments were performed, at the same time, in a completely randomized design with three treatments and four replicates each. Treatments for experiment I were: monoculture with 10 shrimp per m² (10S:0T); polyculture with 10 shrimp and 0.5 tilapia per m² (10S:0.5T); and polyculture with 10 shrimp and 1 tilapia per m² (10S:1T). Shrimp was the main crop, and feed was provided based on shrimp biomass. Treatments for experiment II were: monoculture with 2 tilapia per m² (2T:0S); polyculture with 2 tilapia and 2.5 shrimp per m² (2T:2.5S); and polyculture with 2 tilapia and 5 shrimp per m² (2T:5S). Tilapia was the main crop, and feed was provided based on fish requirements. In the experiment I, tilapia introduction to shrimp culture resulted in lower shrimp growth and poor feed conversion rate. In experiment II, shrimp introduction to tilapia culture did not interfere with fish performance. Polyculture is more efficient with the combination of 2 tilapia and 2.5 or 5 shrimp per m² and feed based on fish requirements.

Communication [Comunicação] Establishing the hypoosmotic swelling test for sperm analysis in collared peccaries (Pecari tajacu)[Estabelecimento do teste hiposmótico para a análise de sêmen de catetos (Pecari tajacu)]

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-The objective of this study was to analyze interactions between different straw sizes and thawing rates on the post-thaw goat semen parameters. Twenty-one ejaculates (seven per animal) were collected from three stud bucks by using an artificial vagina. After evaluation, the semen was extended in Tris-egg yolk-glycerol and packed in 0.25 and 0.50 mL straws, followed by storage in liquid nitrogen. Thawing was performed using two different rates: 37 ºC/1 min and 55 ºC/7 s.The interaction between the 0.5-mL straw and the thawing rate of 55 ºC/7 s promoted higher progressive motility. When the effect of straws alone was analyzed, it was verified that the use of the 0.50 mL straw promoted better conservation than the 0.25 mL one for progressive motility and acrosomal integrity, after the frozen-thawing procedures. Optimal results for progressive motility were achieved when goat semen was frozen in 0.5 mL straws and thawed in water at 55 ºC/7 s.

ResumoUm experimento foi realizado durante 95 dias para avaliar as densidades planctônicas do policultivo do camarão branco Litopenaeus vannamei e da tilápia do Nilo Oreochromis niloticus. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado com seis tratamentos e quatro repetições cada. Os tratamentos foram: monocultivo com 10 camarões m² (10S:0T); policultivo com 10 camarões e 0,5 tilápia m² (10S:0.5T); policultivo com 10 camarões e 1 tilapia m² (10S:1T); monocultivo com 2 tilápias m² (2T:0S); policultivo com 2 tilápias e 2,5 camarões m² (2T:2,5S); e policultivo com 2 tilápias e 5 camarões m² (2T:5S). Não foi realizada troca de água e nem fornecimento de aeração artificial durante o período experimental, apenas utilizou-se água para completar o volume perdido pela evaporação. O fitoplâncton variou de 78.981 a 303.260 cél.mL -1 e o zooplâncton variou de 470 a 1.421 org.L -1 . Os grupos mais frequentes foram Bacillariophyta (fitoplâncton) e Rotífera (zooplâncton). Pode-se concluir que em sistema de policultivo do camarão branco (Litopenaeus vannamei) e a tilápia do Nilo (Oreochromis niloticus) não ocorrem modificações significativas nas densidades do fitoplâncton e zooplâncton em decorrência da alteração das densidades de estocagem do cultivo. Palavras-chave: camarão; fitoplâncton; tilapia; zooplâncton. AbstractAn experiment was conducted during 95 days to evaluate plankton densities in polyculture of Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei and Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus. The experiment design was randomized with three treatments and four replicates each. The treatments were as follows: monoculture with 10 shrimps m² (10S:0F); polyculture with 10 shrimps and 0.5 fish m²

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Provision of shade reduces radiant heat load on feedlot cattle, thus reducing demand of water and energy for thermoregulation. While the positive effects of shade on animal welfare are widely known, the literature lacks data on the magnitude of its economic impacts. In this study, we propose the concept of novel shade design to prove that a correctly oriented and dimensioned roof structure, which optimizes shade to be displaced within the pens, motivates cattle to seek shade, protect them from short-wave solar radiation, and is resilient to counteract weather adverse conditions. The beneficial outcome is improvement in animal welfare and productive performance, as well as increments on financial return and sustainability. To attest these benefits, eight hundred B. indicus × Bos taurus bulls were randomly assigned in pens with or without shade from a galvanized steel-roof structure. Performance data (e.g., dry matter intake, body weight gain, feed efficiency and hot carcass weight) and heat stress indicators (e.g., subcutaneous temperature, body-surface temperature, respiratory rate and water intake) were assessed along the study period. The economic outcomes derived from shade implementation were determined using the net present value. Meteorological variables were also monitored every 1 min, and grouped in a thermal comfort index for feedlot cattle, the InComfort Index (InCI). The shade structure efficiently reduced radiant heat load on cattle in pens with shade. According to the classification of the InCI, during very hot days (InCI > 0.6; around noon with mean solar radiation above 800 W m−2 and mean air temperature above 33°C), greater proportion (80%) of animals in shaded pens were using shade. Under such circumstances, cattle in shade had water intake reduced by 3.4 L per animal, body temperature was lower by 5°C, subcutaneous temperature was lower by 1°C and respiration rate was lower by 10 breaths min−1 compared to animals in pens without shade (P = 0.0001). Although dry matter intake was similar (P = 0.6805), cattle in pens with shade had higher average daily gain reflected in a heavier hot carcass weight (8 kg animal−1; P = 0.0002). Considering an initial investment of $90 per animal to build a structure that lasts 15 years, the expected payback time is four finishing cycles (~110 days per cycle). In conclusion, this study confirms that the proposed novel shade design is economically profitable, improves performance, and enhances animal welfare.