Science has a critical role to play in guiding more sustainable development trajectories. Here, we present the Sustainable Amazon Network ( Rede Amazônia Sustentável , RAS): a multidisciplinary research initiative involving more than 30 partner organizations working to assess both social and ecological dimensions of land-use sustainability in eastern Brazilian Amazonia. The research approach adopted by RAS offers three advantages for addressing land-use sustainability problems: (i) the collection of synchronized and co-located ecological and socioeconomic data across broad gradients of past and present human use; (ii) a nested sampling design to aid comparison of ecological and socioeconomic conditions associated with different land uses across local, landscape and regional scales; and (iii) a strong engagement with a wide variety of actors and non-research institutions. Here, we elaborate on these key features, and identify the ways in which RAS can help in highlighting those problems in most urgent need of attention, and in guiding improvements in land-use sustainability in Amazonia and elsewhere in the tropics. We also discuss some of the practical lessons, limitations and realities faced during the development of the RAS initiative so far.

The aim of this study was to evaluate if Lippia alba has different chemotypes according to the chemical composition of the essential oil (EO) considering collection site, and if the EO may have different effects on blood and plasma parameters in silver catfish, Rhamdia quelen, during and immediately after anesthesia. The citral (EO-C) and linalool (EO-L) chemotypes were identified, and both presented similar anesthetic effects for silver catfish. Fish were exposed to two concentrations of each EO, which induced slow and fast anesthesia (100 and 300 µL L -1 , respectively). Blood ions did not change at any time of anesthesia induction and recovery and, therefore, the electrolyte balance was not altered. Blood gases oscillated through all exposure and recovery times, but there was an increase in pO 2 after 10 min recovery in fish anesthetized with EO-C. Glucose increased in fish exposed to both EOs when compared with the control group. Overall, exposure to both EOs (except 100 µL L -1 EO-L at most times) reduced plasma cortisol levels compared to the control and/or ethanol groups. However, as plasma creatinine levels in fish anesthetized with EO-C were higher than control fish, the use of EO-L is preferable.Keywords: Blood gas, Cortisol, Glucose, Plasma ions, Silver Catfish.O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar se Lippia alba apresenta diferentes quimiotipos de acordo com a composição química do óleo essencial (OE), considerando local de coleta e se o OE causa diferentes efeitos nos parâmetros sanguíneos e plasmáticos em jundiá, Rhamdia quelen, durante e imediatamente após a anestesia. Os quimiotipos citral (OE-C) e linalol (OE-L) foram identificados e ambos apresentaram efeito anestésico semelhante para jundiá. Os peixes foram expostos a duas concentrações de cada OE, que induziram anestesia lenta e rápida (100 e 300 mL L -1 , respectivamente). Íons sanguíneos não se alteraram em nenhum tempo e consequentemente, o equilíbrio eletrolítico não foi alterado. Os gases sanguíneos oscilaram durante todo tempo de exposição e recuperação, mas houve aumento na pO 2 após 10 min de recuperação em peixes anestesiados com OE-C. Níveis sanguíneos de glicose aumentaram nos peixes expostos a ambos OEs quando comparados com o grupo controle. De um modo geral, a exposição a ambos OEs (exceto 100 µL L -1 OE-L na maioria dos tempos) reduziu o cortisol plasmático comparado aos grupos controle e etanol. No entanto, como os níveis de creatinina plasmática em peixes anestesiados com OE-C foram maiores que nos peixes controle, é preferível o uso do OE-L.

The viability using Lippia alba essential oil as an anesthetic for fish was studied, particularly with respect to physiological effects during recovery. Anesthesia of silver catfish (Rhamdia quelen) using 100 and 300 μL L of two different chemotypes of L. alba essential oil (citral EO-C and linalool EO-L) prevented the increase of plasma cortisol levels caused by handling, but did not avoid alterations in energetic metabolism. Silver catfish did not have increased the levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive species in the kidney and liver during recovery after anesthesia with either EO, avoiding lipid damage. On the other hand, fish anesthetized with EO-C showed higher protein carbonylation levels, superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione S-transferase activities and non-protein thiol group levels in both tissues compared to controls. Our results suggest that both oils show antioxidant capacity, but anesthesia with EO-L does not cause damage to lipids or proteins, only temporary changes, typical of physiological adjustments during recovery from anesthesia. Therefore, EO-L is an effective anesthetic for silver catfish with fewer side effects than EO-C.

Since the relative ratios of Ca 2+ and Mg 2+ can vary greatly from one water body to another, and lime used for the increase of water hardness or pH can have different ratios of Ca 2+ and Mg 2+ in its composition, the objective of this study was to analyze the growth and survival of silver catfish, Rhamdia quelen, larvae at different calcium and magnesium concentrations. After fertilization, eggs were randomly divided into 4 treatments (three replicates per treatment) with different concentrations

This study investigated the efficacy of essential oils of Lippia alba (EOLA) citral chemotype and Lippia origanoides (EOLO) and their effects on ventilatory frequency (VF) of silver catfish, Rhamdia quelen. Fish were exposed to 50-300 µL L −1 of EOLA and 25-300 µL L −1 of EOLO to determine induction times to sedation, anesthesia, and recovery. Moreover, VF was determined in fish exposed to 5 or 10 µL L −1 of EOLA and of EOLO for 8 h. The increasing concentration of essential oils proportionally decreased sedation and anesthesia induction times. The highest EOLA concentration increased VF of fish from the control group at 1 h of exposure, but VF decreased at both EOLO concentrations after 2 h. The EOLA citral chemotype and EOLO were effective sedatives and anesthetics for silver catfish. However, EOLO was the most suitable sedative for additional studies regarding fish transport as it reduced VF and did not induce VF increase in silver catfish. The EOLA citral chemotype and EOLO are effective sedatives and anesthetics for silver catfish. Moreover, the EOLO is recommended for transport of silver catfish, because it maintains the ventilatory frequency constant, avoiding a possible metabolic stress.

The aim of this study was to investigate the anesthetic effect of the essential oils (EOs) of Lippia alba (citral and linalool chemotypes, EOLA-C and EOLA-L respectively) and Lippia origanoides (chemotype carvacrol, EOLO-Ca) on tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum) juveniles. The tested concentrations of the L. alba and L. origanoides EOs were: 25, 50, 100, and 200 μL/L. Time required to reach the stages of sedation, deep anesthesia, and recovery, as well as ventilatory frequency, were monitored for each EO concentration. The results indicated that all EO concentrations tested induced tambaqui anesthesia and that the ventilatory frequency was altered by the EOs. L. origanoides showed the shortest time to induce sedation and anesthesia, but had long recovery times. L. alba EO (citral 100 μL/L and linalool 200 μL/L) can be used to efficiently anaesthetise tambaqui juveniles with an efficient recovery. (Colossoma macropomum). As concentrações testadas dos EOs de L. alba e L. origanoides foram: 25, 50, 100 ou 200 μL/L. O tempo para atingir os estágios de sedação, anestesia profunda, recuperação e frequência ventilatória foram monitorados em cada concentração de EO. Os resultados indicam que todas as concentrações testadas dos OE induziram a anestesia do tambaqui e que a frequência ventilatória foi alterada pelos EOs. L. origanoides mostrou o tempo mais rápido para induzir sedação e anestesia, mas os tempos de recuperação foram longos. EO L. alba (citral 100 μL/L e linalol 200 μL/L) pode ser utilizado como anestésico em juvenis de tambaqui, pela eficiência em anestesiar e recuperar. RESUMO: O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar o efeito anestésico dos óleos essenciais (EOs) de Lippia alba (quimiotipos citral e linalool -EOLA-C e EOLA-L respectivamente) e Lippia origanoides (quimiotipo carvacrol-EOLO-Ca) em juvenis de tambaqui

Anesthetics are effective to reduce or minimize stress in handling operations related to fish cultures. Aiming to avoid residual effects of synthetic drugs, several natural agents, such as essential oils (EOs), have been tested. The aim of this study was to determine the optimal concentration of the EO of Ocimum micranthum for induction of anesthesia in juveniles of silver catfish (Rhamdia quelen) and grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella). Results demonstrated that the most suitable concentration to sedate silver catfish and carp is 25μL/L, while to anesthetize 200μL/L is more suitable for silver catfish and 100μL/L for grass carp, because these concentrations induce deep anesthesia in less than three min and recovery in less than five min. Analysis of the EO constituents showed methyl chavicol, a compound with carcinogenic potential, as the major component (58.2%). Therefore, the EO of O. micranthum is not recommended for fish anesthesia if the fish are to be used as food.

Parasitic diseases have an enormous health and economic impact and are a particular problem in tropical regions of the world. Disease caused by protozoa, such as trypanosomiasis, are the cause of most parasite related morbidity and mortality. Thus, the aim of this study was to verify the trypanocidal effectiveness of and against in vitro and in vivo and were used in vitro on trypomastigotes at different concentrations (0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 %) and exposure times (0, 1, 3, 6 and 9 h). The three concentrations tested showed trypanocidal activity in vitro, completely eliminating the parasites in small concentration after 6 h of assay. In vivo tests were performed using mice as the experimental model. infected mice were treated with and with dose of 1.5 mL kg during 5 days. These protocols did not provide curative efficacy, however the mice treated with showed a significant increase in the longevity when compared to control group. Active compounds present in essential oils, such as, may potentiate the treatment of trypanosomosis when associated with other trypanocidal drugs.