This paper provides a case study of a threatened seahorse species, Hippocampus reidi, highlighting the importance of using ecological information to assist conservation and management initiatives. Underwater visual sighting data (50 x 2m transect) gathered along the NE, SE and S portions of the Brazilian coast revealed an unequal distribution across localities, perhaps related to harvesting pressure, and a mean density of 0.026 ind.m -2 . Our findings suggest some restricted spatial use by H. reidi, which was consistent with its estimated home range, and with re-sighting of specimens. Reproduction was recorded year-round, however productive peaks may exist. Components of habitat structure mostly used as anchoring points were mangrove plants, macroalgae, cnidarians, seagrass, sponges, and bryozoans. Conservation recommendations include: further characterization and mapping of habitats; assessment of availability and condition of microhabitats in selected areas, and studies on dispersal routes during initial life stages.Neste artigo apresenta-se um estudo de caso de uma espécie ameaçada de cavalo-marinho, Hippocampus reidi, enfatizando a importância de utilizar informações ecológicas nas ações de conservação e manejo. Dados de censo visual (transectos de 50 x 2m) obtidos nas porções NE, SE e S da costa brasileira revelaram uma distribuição heterogênea entre as localidades, talvez relacionada à pressão de coleta, e uma densidade média de 0.026 ind.m -2. Os resultados sugerem limitação no uso do espaço por H. reidi (consistente com a área vital estimada e com a re-avistagem de exemplares) e que a reprodução ocorre o ano inteiro, embora com possíveis picos. Os componentes da estrutura do habitat mais freqüentemente utilizados como pontos de ancoragem pelos cavalos-marinhos foram vegetação de mangue, macroalgas, cnidários, capim marinho e briozoários. Recomendações conservacionistas incluem caracterização adicional e mapeamento de habitats; avaliação da disponibilidade e condição dos microhabitats em áreas selecionadas, e estudos sobre rotas de dispersão durante as fases iniciais de vida.

BackgroundHumans in various cultures have feared snakes, provoking an aversion and persecution that hinders conservation efforts for these reptiles. Such fact suggests that conservation strategies for snakes should consider the interactions and perceptions of the local population towards these animals. The aim of this study was to investigate students' perception of snakes and if attitudes and knowledge may differ according to gender and local residence (urban or rural).MethodsData was collected in the second half of 2012 and consisted of questionnaires applied to 108 students in the Basic Education School in the municipality of Sumé, located in the semiarid region of Northeastern Brazil.ResultsThe male respondents recognized more species than female did. Part of the students affirmed to have a fear of snakes, especially women. Nearly half of respondents (49%) showed negative behaviour towards these animals, reflecting the influence of potential risk and myths associated with snakes, and supported by a limited knowledge about these animals and their ecological and utilitarian role. We find that the rural students recognized significantly more species than the urban students.ConclusionsOur results point to the need for educational interventions in order to increase knowledge about the positive aspects associated with snakes, seeking to minimize the influence of myths and beliefs that contribute to a strong aversion to snakes by the locals. Conservation strategies should therefore engage students but also teachers, who are key individuals in the process.

Marine molluscs are sold all over the world as curios and souvenirs. This market encompasses about 5,000 species of molluscs (bivalves and gastropods) worldwide, but the mollusc species involved in this trade are undocumented in all but a very small number of countries. The present study provides a baseline assessment of the mollusc species used in the manufacture of crafts, marine curiosities and souvenirs in northeastern Brazil. A total of 126 species (41 bivalves and 85 gastropods) were found to be sold individually as decorative pieces or incorporated into utilitarian objects. Overall, the families most represented were Veneridae bivalves (9 species) and the gastropods Conidae and Strombidae (8 species each). Large gastropod shells were observed in all of the localities surveyed (mainly as part of table lamps). The main species used were the King helmet Cassis tuberosa, the Hebrew volute Voluta ebraea, and the Goliath conch Eustrombus goliath. The majority of the species involved are harvested from the Atlantic Ocean (68%), but many are imported from Indo-Pacific countries, such as cowries Monetaria moneta. Among the species harvested in the Atlantic Ocean, 11.2% are endemic to Brazil as, for example, the Brazilian chank (Turbinella laevigata). The majority of the species sold in northeastern Brazil tend to inhabit shallow habitats, which facilitates their capture. As there are no official statistics available concerning the marine curio and souvenir trade in Brazil, some species may be endangered. Harvesting regulations should include minimum capture sizes, capture quotas, specific periods for harvesting, and the use of non-destructive techniques.

Animais medicinais constituem uma parte integral da Medicina Popular Brasileira tanto em áreas urbanas quanto rurais. Não obstante, embora o uso de animais medicinais represente um importante componente da medicina tradicional tem sido pouco estudado quando comparado às plantas medicinais. O presente trabalho apresenta uma revisão sobre os invertebrados medicinais. Os resultados revelam que pelo menos 81 espécies de invertebrados de cinco grupos taxonômicos diferentes são usados para tratamento de diferentes doenças no Brasil. Os grupos com maior número de espécies foram insetos (n=41 espécies), moluscos (n=17) e crustáceos (n=16). Esses resultados evidenciam a importância dos invertebrados medicinais como alternativa terapěutica. Alguns dos animais medicinais comercializados constam em listas de espécies ameaçadas, evidenciando a necessidade premente de se considerar a zooterapia dentro do contexto da conservação da biodiversidade no Brasil. Ações conservacionistas, não devem ser direcionadas apenas às espécies ameaçadas, mas também a espécies cujo uso seja amplamente disseminado no país. Além dos aspectos biológicos, os fatores econômicos e socioculturais influenciam a relação das pessoas e a utilização de recursos zooterápicos. A necessidade de novos estudos, sobre a fauna medicinal do Brasil é evidente, visando a busca de uma melhor compreensão desta forma de terapia, levando em consideração não só os seus aspectos ecológicos, mas também cultural e farmacológicos.

The present work presents an inventory of the traditional medicinal uses of animals in the municipality of Bom Sucesso in Paraíba State (PB) in the semiarid northeastern region of Brazil. Information was obtained through the use of semi-structured interviews with 50 people who use zootherapeutic products. A total of 25 animal species used for medicinal purposes were identified (18 vertebrates and seven invertebrates) distributed among five taxonomic categories; the groups with the largest numbers of citations were: mammals (8 citations), insects (7), and reptiles (5). The most cited animal species were: Tubinambis merianae “teju” lizards (44 citations); Apis mellifera Italian honeybees (318 citations); Gallus gallus chickens (31 citations); Ovis aries sheep (31 citations); Crotalus durissus rattlesnakes (14 citations); Boa constrictor (12 citations); and Bos taurus cattle (12 citations). A significant number of illnesses and conditions treated with animal-based medicines were cited, and the category with the greatest number of citations was “problems affecting the respiratory system”. Our results suggest that the use of zootherapeutics in the region is persistent, and that knowledge about these curative practices is an integral part of the regional culture. As such, studies concerning the uses of zootherapeutics are important windows to understanding human/environmental/cultural interactions and a pathway to conciliating regional cultures with efforts to conserve the native fauna.

We provide the first annotated checklist of ophiuroids from the continental shelf of the State of Paraíba, northeastern Brazil. Identification keys and taxonomic diagnoses for 23 species, belonging to 14 genera and 8 families, are provided. The material is deposited in the Invertebrate Collection Paulo Young, at the Federal University of Paraíba. Ophiopsila hartmeyeri represents the first record for the northeastern region of Brazil, while Ophiolepis impressa, Ophiolepis paucispina, Amphiura stimpsoni, Amphiodia riisei, Ophiactis quinqueradia, Ophiocoma wendtii and Ophionereis olivaceae are new records for the State of Paraíba. The number of species known for the state was increased from 16 to 23, representing approximately 17% of the species known for Brazil and 54% of the species known for northeastern Brazil. The recorded fauna has a large geographical and bathymetrical distribution.

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Presently more than 1900 species of sea stars are recognized, of which 77 are recorded for the coast of Brazil. Although the first starfish record in Brazil was published 363 years ago, our knowledge of this fauna remains unsatisfactory from a systematic and ecological point of view, particularly in the north and northeastern regions of the country. This study provides the first annotated list of sea stars from northeastern Brazil. Material described herein is housed at the collections of the Federal University of Paraíba, Federal University of Sergipe, and the Federal University of Bahia, Museum of Zoology of the University of São Paulo and Museu Nacional do Rio de Janeiro. Twenty-one species were identified, belonging to 12 genera, 10 families, and 5 orders. Descriptions of species are provided. Three new occurrences were recorded for northeast Brazil: Astropecten alligator, Luidia ludwigi scotti, and Mithrodia clavigera. Highest diversities of Asteroidea were encountered for the states of Bahia (n = 14 spp), Paraíba (n = 12 spp) and Pernambuco (n = 9 spp). No species were recorded for the states of Maranhão and Sergipe. Sandy substrates and depths below 10 m were the least sampled areas over the continental shelf. Herein we provide a first panorama on the fauna of Asteroidea occurring in the northeast region of Brazil, hopefully to function as a basic reference for biodiversity studies in this poorly studied area.