Helminths Infecting Sympatric Congeneric Treefrogs in Northeastern Brazil

This article reviews the forthcoming issue of FIR containing an important collection of articles on the origins and developments of religious movements and, later, research movements focused on a powerful psychoactive beverage consisting of the mixture of certain vines (ayahuasca) and leaves (chacrona) found mainly in Western Amazonia. The religious interpretations resulting from the ritual ingestion of the beverage have produced the most varied practices and beliefs, beginning with the indigenous peoples and mestizo herbalists, then migrant rubber-tappers from northeastern Brazil; in the 1960s, urbanites from major cities in Brazil and Europe seeking alternative forms of religious inspiration; and, in the 1990s, a group of Brazilian researchers who have combined anthropological and religious understanding of the phenomena along with legal expertise for the protection of the religious freedom necessary for the religions’ developments. With the diversification and globalization of these new religious movements, the article points to new directions for field research in these religions.

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Clinical, epidemiological and climatic factors related to the occurrence of cutaneous leishmaniasis in an endemic area in northeastern Brazil

Brazilian Journal of Biology ◽

10.1590/1519-6984.224937 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

R. S. Oliveira ◽

K. B. A. Pimentel ◽

M. L. Moura ◽

C. F. Aragão ◽

A. S. Guimarães-e-Silva ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cutaneous Leishmaniasis ◽

Climatic Factors ◽

Wide Distribution ◽

Northeastern Brazil ◽

Public Health Issue ◽

Air Humidity ◽

Disease Occurrence ◽

Relative Air Humidity ◽

Age Range ◽

And Control

Abstract Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a neglected tropical disease with a wide distribution in the Americas. Brazil is an endemic country and present cases in all states. This study aimed to describe the occurrence, the underlying clinical and epidemiological factors, and the correlation of climatic variables with the frequency of reported CL cases in the municipality of Caxias, state of Maranhão, Brazil. This is a retrospective and descriptive epidemiological study based on data extracted from the Brazilian Information System of Diseases Notification, from 2007 to 2017. Maximum and minimum temperature, precipitation, and relative air humidity data were provided by the Brazilian National Institute of Meteorology. A total of 201 reported autochthonous CL cases were analyzed. The predominance of cases was observed in males (70.1%). The age range between 31 and 60 years old was the most affected, with 96 cases (47.9%). Of the total number of registered cases, 38.8% of the affected individuals were engaged in agriculture-related activities. The georeferenced distribution revealed the heterogeneity of disease occurrence, with cases concentrated in the Western and Southern regions of the municipality. An association was detected between relative air humidity (monthly mean) and the number of CL cases per month (p = 0.04). CL continues to be a concerning public health issue in Caxias. In this context, there is a pressing need to strengthen measures of prevention and control of the disease through the network of health services of the municipality, considering local and regional particularities.

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A Synopsis of Dicliptera (Acanthaceae) in Brazil, with the Description of Two New Species

Systematic Botany ◽

10.1600/036364420x15862837791186 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 45 (2) ◽

pp. 340-348

Author(s):

James Lucas da Costa-Lima ◽

Earl Celestino de Oliveira Chagas

Keyword(s):

New Species ◽

South America ◽

The State ◽

Northeastern Brazil ◽

Mato Grosso ◽

The North ◽

New Synonyms ◽

Two New Species ◽

Mato Grosso Do Sul ◽

A New Species

Abstract—A synopsis of Dicliptera (Acanthaceae) for Brazil is presented. Six species are recognized: Dicliptera ciliaris, D. sexangularis, and D. squarrosa, widely distributed in South America; D. purpurascens, which ranges from the North Region of Brazil (in the state of Acre) to eastern Bolivia; D. gracilirama, a new species from the Atlantic Forest of northeastern Brazil; and D. granchaquenha, a new species recorded in dry and semideciduous forests in Bolivia and western Brazil, in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul. Furthermore, we propose new synonyms and designate lectotypes for eleven names. An identification key to the six accepted Dicliptera species in Brazil is provided.

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A New Species of Justicia (Acanthaceae: Acanthoideae: Justicieae) from Northeastern Brazil

Systematic Botany ◽

10.1600/036364420x15862837791177 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 45 (2) ◽

pp. 328-333

Author(s):

Camila Alcantara ◽

Gleison Soares ◽

Francisco de Assis Ribeiro dos Santos ◽

Marccus Alves

Keyword(s):

New Species ◽

Rio Grande ◽

Morphological Characters ◽

Northeastern Brazil ◽

Distribution Map ◽

Key To Species ◽

A New Species

Abstract—Justicia rubrobracteata, a new species from northeastern Brazil, is described and illustrated. The new species is morphologically similar to J. aequilabris due to its shrubby habit, and terminal and axillary spicate inflorescences with red flowers. However, J. rubrobracteata is differentiated mainly by the shape and color of its bracts and bracteoles as well as an orangish macula in the corolla, and a torulose capsule. In addition, J. rubrobracteata is only known from northeastern Brazil, from the states of Paraíba and Rio Grande do Norte, while J. aequilabris is widely distributed in Bolivia, Brazil, and Paraguay. A table with the main morphological characters of both species is included, as well as photographs, a key to species of Justicia for the states of Paraíba and Rio Grande do Norte in northeastern Brazil, a distribution map of both species, and conservation data for the new species.

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