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This study evaluated anti-obesity effect and intestinal health of obese rats treated with MP, focusing on food consumption and somatic, biochemical, and histological parameters. 32 Wistar rats with ± 40...

The study of local ecological knowledge (LEK) fosters a better understanding of the relationship between humans and the environment. We assessed respondents' ecological knowledge of primates in a rural community located near the Atlantic Forest remnants in the state of Paraíba, Brazil. Populations of Alouatta belzebul (red-handed howler monkeys), Sapajus flavius (blonde capuchins), and Callithrix jacchus (the common marmoset) inhabit the region. We conducted 200 semi-structured interviews and applied thematic content analysis, with weighting, to the responses to quantify the LEK. Respondents showed a low LEK, despite the community's proximity to forest remnants. However, the LEK was significantly higher among men, as well as among those who had a greater degree of contact with the primates. Age did not influence LEK. The studied community apparently does not intensively exploit the forest resources nor does it economically depend on primates, which may explain these individuals' low levels of knowledge about these animals. Such data may support future studies, as well as environmental education and action plans, especially for A. belzebul and S. flavius, both of which are endangered species and targets of the National Action Plan for the Conservation of the Primates of the Northeast.

A percepção ambiental é essencial no entendimento das relações entre as populações humanas e o ambiente, e os mapas mentais têm sido adotados como estratégia para representação desta por crianças. Neste sentido, buscamos avaliar a percepção ambiental infantil sobre primatas em uma comunidade localizada no entorno da Reserva Particular do Patrimônio Natural (RPPN) Engenho Gargaú na Paraíba. Na RPPN vivem as espécies Alouatta belzebul, Sapajus flavius e Callithrix jacchus. Foram coletados 102 mapas mentais de crianças, com idade média de 10 anos. Os resultados mostraram que aquelas que tiveram anteriormente contato com primatas apresentaram maior aproximação com a realidade em seus desenhos, tanto na caracterização destes, quanto do ambiente representado, evidenciando um maior contato com o meio ambiente e, possivelmente, com a RPPN. Tais resultados subsidiarão futuras pesquisas e programas de Educação Ambiental, especificamente, envolvendo A. belzebul e S. flavius, ambos ameaçados de extinção.