Mineral dust concentrations have been measured from a monitoring aerosol station set up at Sal, Cape Verde Island between December 1991 and December 1994 in order to assess the transport process of African dust over the North‐eastern Tropical Atlantic. These measurements indicate a pronounced seasonal pattern, with maximum dust concentrations observed during winter. A meteorological analysis shows that the transport of dust occurs at low altitudes, in the trade winds layer, during this season. Large quantities of dust are carried out of North‐western Africa, in particular from the Sahel at these altitudes. Such process could constitute the major supply of atmospheric mineral matter to the surface sea water of the Eastern Atlantic.

Objetivou-se avaliar a influência da ordem de entrada na sala de ordenha no comportamento e produção de leite em vacas mestiças. Foram utilizadas dez vacas com produção média diária de 12 l/vaca. O período experimental foi de 12 dias, divididos em dois grupos de seis dias cada (ordem habitual e ordem alterada). Foram observados os comportamentos: Entrada do animal na sala de ordenha, tempo de permanência na ordenha, ruminação no período de espera e movimentação dentro do curral de espera que foram coletados a cada intervalo de 5 minutos. Os dados foram analisados utilizando a ANOVA seguido pelo teste de Tukey e teste Qui-quadrado a 5% de significância. Foi observada diferença significativa para a produção de leite no turno matutino, demonstrando uma queda na produção de leite nesse turno. A quantidade de leite produzido no turno vespertino, a produção total diária e o tempo de permanência na sala de ordenha não apresentaram diferenças significativas. Foram observadas significativas alterações comportamentais nos animais, quando modificado o sistema de entrada na sala de ordenha. Conclui-se que a quebra da rotina diária com alterações na linha habitual de ordenha causa redução de comportamentos que expressam a tranquilidade dos animais.

Data analysis in goat production, such as those related to body and scrotal measurements, indicate the productive and reproductive animal development. The current study aimed to evaluate the correlations between thoracic perimeter (TP), body length (BL), body compacity (BC), body volume (BV), and scrotal circumference (SC) with body weight (BW) in young male goats of Saanen and Boer breeds. It was used 38 Saanen and 24 Boer male goats, with age average of 7.2 ± 2.0 months. Thoracic perimeter and body length measurements were obtained using a tape measure (cm) and the live weight (kg) a mechanic scale. The variables body compacity (BC) and body volume (BV) were calculated using the equations:  and . Boer breed showed live weight and body compacity higher than Saanen breed (p < 0.05). Regarding correlations between biometric measurements and body weight, we did not find any statistical differences between the breeds (p > 0.05). The scrotal circumference presented the lowest association with body weight (p < 0.05). However, all biometric measurements showed highly significant correlations with live body (p < 0.01). In conclusion, thoracic perimeter was the main measure of body weight predictor, considering efficiency and practical aspects.

No abstract

Several foods are available for the formulation of rations in Brazil; however, the effectiveness of a few of these foods has been evaluated in diets for bullfrog tadpoles (Lithobates catesbeianus). This study aimed to evaluate alternative foods (worm meal, peeled banana, peeled pumpkin, and peeled avocado) with different levels of crude protein and ether extract for the nutrition of bullfrog tadpoles to obtain the best animal performance and water quality. In a 60 days long experiment, a total of 480 bullfrog tadpoles (stage 25 of the Gosner table, 1960) with an average weight of 0.107 ± 0.004 g, were used. The experimental design was completely randomized (DIC) in a factorial scheme (2x2) with four treatments [rations with 320 g/kg crude protein (CP) and 90 g/kg ether extract (EE); 380 g/kg CP and 90 g/kg EE; T3:320 g/kg CP and 110 g/kg EE; 380 g/kg CP and 110 g/kg EE] each consisting of four replicates. To verify the normality of the data, the results of zootechnical performance, water quality, and proximate composition were subjected to the Shapiro-Wilk and Bartlett tests. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was then performed, and the means were compared using Duncan's test at 5% of probability. The verified results of animal performance, water quality, and proximate composition were not influenced by the suggested diets. The best diet formulated based on easily acquired alternative ingredients can offer 320 g/kg CP and 90 g/kg EE to the tadpoles of bullfrog.