Long-term trends of polychlorinated biphenyls and chlorinated pesticides in franciscana dolphin (Pontoporia blainvillei) from Southern Brazil

2010 ◽  
Vol 60 (3) ◽  
pp. 412-418 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juliana Leonel ◽  
Jose L. Sericano ◽  
Gilberto Fillmann ◽  
Eduardo Secchi ◽  
Rosalinda C. Montone
Keyword(s):  
Polychlorinated Biphenyls ◽  
Southern Brazil ◽  
Chlorinated Pesticides ◽  
Long Term Trends ◽  
Pontoporia Blainvillei ◽  
Franciscana Dolphin

scholarly journals Trends in the Frequency of Intense Precipitation Events in Southern and Southeastern Brazil during 1960–2004

2011 ◽  
Vol 24 (7) ◽  
pp. 1913-1921 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mateus da Silva Teixeira ◽  
Prakki Satyamurty
Keyword(s):  
Extreme Rainfall ◽  
Southeastern Brazil ◽  
Extreme Rainfall Event ◽  
Southern Brazil ◽  
Extreme Rainfall Events ◽  
Rainfall Events ◽  
Annual Frequency ◽  
Long Term Trends ◽  
Increasing Trends

Abstract A new approach to define heavy and extreme rainfall events based on cluster analysis and area-average rainfall series is presented. The annual frequency of the heavy and extreme rainfall events is obtained for the southeastern and southern Brazil regions. In the 1960–2004 period, 510 (98) and 466 (77) heavy (extreme) rainfall events are identified in the two regions. Monthly distributions of the events closely follow the monthly climatological rainfall in the two regions. In both regions, annual heavy and extreme rainfall event frequencies present increasing trends in the 45-yr period. However, only in southern Brazil is the trend statistically significant. Although longer time series are necessary to ensure the existence of long-term trends, the positive trends are somewhat alarming since they indicate that climate changes, in terms of rainfall regimes, are possibly under way in Brazil.

scholarly journals First record of an anomalously colored franciscana dolphin, Pontoporia blainvillei

2014 ◽  
Vol 86 (3) ◽  
pp. 1221-1226 ◽  
Author(s):  
MARTA J. CREMER ◽  
CAMILA M. SARTORI ◽  
BEATRIZ SCHULZE ◽  
RENAN L. PAITACH ◽  
ANNELISE C. HOLZ
Keyword(s):  
First Record ◽  
Southern Brazil ◽  
First Case ◽  
Pontoporia Blainvillei ◽  
Franciscana Dolphin

On October 2011, a newborn franciscana dolphin with an anomalously coloration was sighted in Babitonga Bay, southern Brazil. The calf was totally white. Besides the potential mother and newborn, the group also had the presence of another adult, who always was swimming behind the pair. Both adults had the typical coloration of the species, with the back in grayish brown. The group, composed by the white franciscana calf, his pontential mother and one more adult, was reported in five occasions. The group was always in the same area where it was first recorded and showed the same position during swimming. Between first and last sighting of the white calf (113 days) the color has not changed. This is the first case of a white franciscana dolphin. This coloration has never been reported despite the high number of dead franciscanas recovered each year along the distribution of the species, resulting from accidental capture in fishing nets. This fact leads us to believe that this is a very rare characteristic for this species. We considered the possibility that this franciscana could be an albino dolphin.

scholarly journals Milk composition of franciscana dolphin (Pontoporia blainvillei) from Rio Grande do Sul, southern Brazil

2008 ◽  
Vol 88 (6) ◽  
pp. 1099-1101 ◽  
Author(s):  
Glauco Caon ◽  
Eduardo Resende Secchi ◽  
Edison Capp ◽  
Luiz Carlos Kucharski
Keyword(s):  
Milk Composition ◽  
Reproductive Period ◽  
Southern Brazil ◽  
External Energy ◽  
Baleen Whales ◽  
Coastal Species ◽  
Gill Net ◽  
Lactating Females ◽  
Pontoporia Blainvillei ◽  
Franciscana Dolphin

Milk is the only external energy source for mammals in their early stages of life. Its composition varies during lactation in baleen whales and pinnipeds, while only descriptive studies are available for odontocetes. The aim of this work was to identify the components of the milk of franciscana, Pontoporia blainvillei, from southern Brazil. Samples were manually collected from lactating females (N = 5) incidentally caught in the gill-net fishery. The amount of fat, protein, carbohydrate, mineral and trace metal content, and caloric value of the samples were estimated. Milk of the franciscana dolphin presented mean fat, protein and carbohydrate concentrations similar to those described for other coastal species. A significant increase in fat concentration was observed in winter months, with a higher energy density. Potassium was the mineral found in higher amounts. Zinc, mercury and copper were detected in low concentrations. Due to different habitat conditions along the species distribution, the presence of a highly seasonal reproductive period and inter-population genetic variability, studies on milk composition in other areas is recommended.

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