Climate and environmental conditions are determinant for coral distribution and their very existence. When changes in such conditions occur, their effects on distribution can be predicted through species distribution models, anticipating suitable habitats for the subsistence of species. Mussismilia harttii is one of the most endangered Brazilian endemic reef-building corals, and in increasing risk of extinction. Herein, species distribution models were used to determine the present and future potential habitats for M . harttii . Estimations were made through the maximum entropy approach, predicting suitable habitat losses and gains by the end of the 21st century. For this purpose, species records published in the last 20 years and current and future environmental variables were correlated. The best models were chosen according to the Akaike information criterion (AIC) and evaluated through the partial ROC (AUCratio), a new approach which uses independent occurrence data. Both approaches showed that the models performed satisfactorily in predicting potential habitat areas for the species. Future projections were made using the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) scenarios for 2100, with different levels of greenhouse gas emission. Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs) were used to model the Future Potential Habitat (FPH) of M . harttii in two different scenarios: stabilization of emissions (RCP 4.5) and increase of emissions (RCP 8.5). According to the results, shallow waters to the south of the study area concentrate most of the current potential habitats for the species. However, in future scenarios, there was a loss of suitable areas in relation to the Current Potential Habitat (RCP 4.5 46% and RCP 8.5 59%), whereas there is a southward shift of the suitable areas. In all scenarios of FPH, the temperature was the variable with the greatest contribution to the models (> 35%), followed by the current velocity (> 33%) and bathymetry (>29%). In contrast, there is an increase of deep (50–75 m) suitable areas FPH scenarios, mainly in the southern portion of its distribution, at Abrolhos Bank (off Espirito Santo State). These deeper sites might serve as refugia for the species in global warming scenarios. Coral communities at such depths would be less susceptible to impacts of climate change on temperature and salinity. However, the deep sea is not free from human impacts and measures to protect deeper ecosystems should be prioritized in environmental policies for Brazilian marine conservation, especially the Abrolhos Bank, due to its importance for M . harttii .

Toxoplasmosis is an emerging and re‐emerging infectious disease that can be transmitted through a contaminated environment. Environmental contamination is an emergency health issue, and determining its occurrence is fundamental to a One Health approach. In this study, we addressed the extent of environmental contamination and viability of Toxoplasma gondii oocysts in soil in different environments on Fernando de Noronha Island, Brazil. In addition, we performed species distribution modelling to predict the environmental suitability for coccidia persistence in the studied area. Soil samples were collected in 14 neighbourhoods of the Island and in the four main squares, creating a total of 95 soil samples (five samples per site). The samples were analyzed by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique for the presence of the 18S ribosomal DNA gene of Apicomplexan protozoa, followed by genetic sequencing. We obtained 4.2% (4/95) positive soil samples with 100% similarity for T. gondii sequences. Two out of four positive sites on PCR showed viability of T. gondii oocysts through the mouse bioassay technique. As a result of the application of the species distribution modelling, environmental adequacy for the coccidia was observed throughout the Island. The results confirm the contamination of the soil in this insular environment by T. gondii oocysts and the environmental suitability by modelling application. These findings are an alert for the possibility of infection in animals and humans by contaminated soil, and for contamination of the maritime environment in addition to water resources for consumption by the local population.

Climate and environmental changes are determinant for coral distribution and their very existence. Effects of such changes on distribution can be predicted through ecological niche models, anticipating suitable habitats for subsistence of species. Mussismilia harttii is one of the most widespread Brazilian endemic reef building corals, and in increasing risk of extinction. The ecological niche models were used through the maximal entropy approach to determine the potential present and future habitats for M. harttii, estimating suitable habitat losses and gains at the end of the 21st century. For this purpose, records published in the last 20 years and current and future environmental variables were correlated. The models were evaluated through the Area Under the Operational Curve of the Receiver, using the AUC values and additionally AUCratio, a new approach using independent occurrence data. Both approaches showed that the models performed satisfactorily in predicting areas of potential habitat for the species.The results showed that the area to the south of the São Francisco River is the most suitable for the current habitat of the species, and that nitrate was the most influential variable for the models. Simultaneously, the salinity and temperature exerted greater influence for the models in future scenarios, in which current northernmost and southernmost limits of the potential habitats shifted towards deeper regions, so these deeper sites may serve as a refugia for the species in global warming scenarios. Coral communities at such depths would be less susceptible to the impacts of climate change on temperature and salinity. However, deep sea is not free from human impacts and measures to protect deeper ecosystems should be prioritized in environmental policy for Brazilian marine conservation.

Studies on spatial occupation are fundamental to understand amphibian communities. The aim of this study was to record information on the spatial distribution of anurans in the Tejipió forest, state of Pernambuco, Northeastern Brazil. Fieldwork was carried out weekly between October 2011 and April 2012, with daytime and night-time excursions for time-constrained active searching, in forested and open areas, military construction area and water bodies. Pitfall traps and accidental sightings were also used as alternative collection methods. Data were used to calculate richness, rarefaction curves and richness estimators. A total of 21 species were recorded, distributed in six families: Bufonidae (2 spp.); Craugastoridae (1 sp.); Hylidae (8 spp.); Leptodactylidae (8 spp.); Microhylidae (1 sp.) and Phyllomedusidae (1 sp.). Only the species Rhinella jimi was found occupying all sampled habitats in the research area. Adenomera hylaedactyla and Pristimantis ramagii deserve special care in the area because they are specialists, occupying a smaller number of habitats and microhabitats. The community of anurans of the Tejipió forest is similar to those recorded in other areas of the Atlantic Forest at the Pernambuco State, and its knowledge is essential as a basis for conservation of the area. The gradual recovery of this Atlantic Forest remnant would favor the recolonization of fauna and flora and the conservation of local biodiversity.