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The preservation of natural environments guarantees the conservation of biodiversity and ecosystem processes. Biomonitoring programs in preserved sites can be carried out using molecular biomarkers, which reflect possible stresses that exist in the monitored location. The metallothionein (MT) proteins and isoenzyme Cytochrome P4501A (CYP4501A) are among the most used biomarkers and reflect the detoxification of metal and organic xenobiotics, respectively. This study aimed to assess the performance of these biomarkers in natural aquatic environments using a meta-analytic approach. The data search was conducted in ISI Web of Science™, considering papers published until August 2016. Studies included in this research needed to compare reference or control sites and sites under stress and be conducted in situ. In general, both biomarkers were useful when comparing control sites with sites under stress. Moreover, when the data were categorized into groups of organisms, mainly bivalves and fishes, there were differences between the groups and between the monitored environments, marine or freshwater. The use of these biomarkers in fish is suitable for freshwater environments, and bivalves are suitable for marine environments. We concluded that the concomitant use of vertebrate and invertebrate bioindicators is useful to develop an effective biomonitoring program and to avoid biases due the physiology of the selected bioindicator.

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The genera Hemigrammus and Moenkhausia have been traditionally diagnosed mainly by the former having lateral line completely pored whereas the latter having a lateral line with a few pored scales. Those features have been used to diagnose species of both genera in the upper Paraná River floodplain. Specimens with the diagnostic features of Moenkhausia bonita, collected in the upper Paraná River floodplain, exhibited different developmental levels of the lateral line, making it difficult to distinguish them from specimens of Hemigrammus sp. We analyzed the gene encoding cytochrome C oxidase I (COI) and intron 1 of the nuclear gene S7 to investigate the genetic similarities between the called Hemigrammus marginatus and M. bonita and to confirm their identities. Molecular sequences of other Moenkhausia species were analyzed for genus delimitation tests. The results reveal genetic similarities of M. bonita specimens with different developmental levels of the lateral line, and also distinguish between M. bonita and Hemigrammus sp. Species delimitation tests revealed that specimens from the upper Paraná River floodplain were M. bonita and were distinct from other Moenkhausia species. The developmental level of the lateral line is not a consistent characteristic that distinguishes between Moenkhausia and Hemigrammus species.

least 15 OTUs were determined, eight of which belonged to the carapo complex. Our results indicate the existence of at least four Gymnotus species belonging to the carapo clade in the upper Paraná River basin and possibly erroneous previous identifications. Besides that, we identified a possible new species of Gymnotus in the Rio Doce basin. The Generalized Mixed Yule Coalescent (GMYC) and Poisson Tree Processes (PTP) molecular delimitation approaches place other specimens found in the upper Paraná River and Guaíba River (Gymnotus sp.) in well-established groups that should be considered in studies involving the carapo complex. K E Y W O R D S

Bat populations are declining worldwide. Accurate identification is essential to promote species' conservation. However, minimal morphological differences and a high rate of cryptic species make identification difficult, unless voucher specimens are kept, a controversial issue today. The objective of this work was to standardize a method of extracting non-lethal DNA using bats' uropatagium micro-tissue, aiming the molecular identification of species that occur in the region of Maring a PR. The method standardized was efficient, and does not cause serious damage to bats. For future field studies, collection of microtissue and morphometry of the specimens will be sufficient for accurate identification.