Abstract A highly aggressive necrotizing disease affecting the zooantharian Palythoa caribaeorum was studied on coastal reefs in northeastern Brazil during March and April of 2008. Approximately 87% of the colonies at each locality showed wounds ranging from 27 cm to 1200 cm long and from 12 to 320 cm wide. This disease initiates with the darkening of the polyps, followed by the appearance of a rapidly enlarging wound that decomposes colony tissues and eventually exposes the substrate. The exposed areas are subsequently colonized by macroalgae, Zoanthus sociatus, and other benthic organisms. The necrotized areas were dark-colored and expelled fetid odors. Although extremely aggressive, complete mortality of the colonies was not observed. Surviving fragments recomposed the colonies within 6 to 9 months. Recurrences of the disease were in the summer of 2008 and from February/2013 to March/2014. During the study period, we found various colonies having black-spots (early stage of necrotizing disease), suggesting stress conditions. Zooxanthellae densities in those black-spots were always lower than in apparently healthy colonies, with reductions of up to 74%. More than one environmental variable seems to influence the zooxanthellae densities significantly, but there is no evidence of any association with abnormally high water temperature, as thermal variations in the study area were within their normal range. Histological analysis showed losses of tissue organization in colonies with black-spots and necrotizing components with hypertrophy and cell apoptosis of the gastrodermal cells; apoptosis of zooxanthellae and damage in completes mesenteries. All these features showed an inflammatory response to necrosis disease.

RESUMO Existe uma demanda por pesquisas prospectivas de microalgas isoladas da região Nordeste do Brasil que possam ser potencialmente importantes à indústria de alimentos. Nesta pesquisa foram avaliadas as características da cinética de crescimento sob condições controladas de cultivo (temperatura = 24 ± 1 ºC, iluminação 150 µmol fótons m-2 s-1, fotoperíodo de 12 h), a qualidade nutricional e o perfil lipídico de doze espécies regionais de microalgas visando suprir esta lacuna. Diferenças nas características de crescimento e na composição química foram observadas nas espécies pesquisadas, com maiores teores de carboidratos (> 25 g 100 g-1) registrados em várias cepas de Chlorococcum e na microalga marinha Amphidinium carterae, de proteína (> 35 g 100 g-1) em Scenedesmus acuminatus e Pediastrum tetras e de lipídios (> 25 g 100 g-1) em A. carterae e em algumas cepas de Chlorococcum sp. (cf. hypnosporum). A Chlamydomonas sp. apresentou os maiores teores de carotenoides (64,92 mg g-1), clorofila-a (234,74 mg g-1) e clorofila-b (59,34 mg g-1). O perfil lipídico evidenciou a presença dos ácidos palmítico, oleico (ω-9), linoleico (ω-6) e α-linolênico (ω-3), com mais de 50% de ômegas em sua composição total de ácidos graxos, em Chlorella cf. minutissima, em quatro cepas de Chlorococcum sp. (cf. hypnosporum), P. tetras, Planktothrix isothrix e S. acuminatus. No que concerne aos nutrientes químicos foi observado que as microalgas citadas são fontes potenciais de produção de ômegas, carotenoides e clorofilas para serem utilizados na indústria de alimentos.

ABSTRACT There is an increasing demand for bioprospection focusing on microalgae isolated from the northeastern region of Brazil with potential importance for food industries. To attend that need, we evaluated the characteristics of 12 regional species of microalgae grown under controlled cultivation conditions (temperature = 24 ± 1 ºC, illumination 150 µmol photons m-2 s-1, photoperiod of 12 h) in terms of their nutritional quality and lipid profiles. Significant differences in growth characteristics and chemical compositions were observed among the species investigated. High carbohydrate contents (> 25 g 100 g-1) were recorded in various strains of Chlorococcum and the marine microalga Amphidinium carterae; high protein contents (> 35 g 100 g-1) were observed in Scenedesmus acuminatus and Pediastrum tetras; and high lipid contents (> 25 g 100 g-1) in A. carterae and some strains of Chlorococcum sp. (cf. hypnosporum). Chlamydomonas sp. demonstrated the greatest production of carotenoids (64.92 mg g-1), chlorophyll-a (234.74 mg g-1), and chlorophyll-b (59.34 mg g-1). The lipid profiles of Chlorella cf. minutissima, four strains of Chlorococcum sp. (cf. hypnosporum), P. tetras, Planktothrix isothrix, and S. acuminatus indicated the presence of palmitic, oleic (ω-9), linoleic (ω-6) and α-linolenic (ω-3) acids, with more than 50% omegas in the total composition of their fatty acids. In terms of chemical nutrients, the microalgae cited were found to be potential sources of omegas, carotenoids, and chlorophylls that could be used in food industries.

We report here the occurrence of seasonal changes in the pigmentation of colonies of Siderastrea spp. during bleaching events on coastal reefs in northeastern Brazil. Bleached affected almost 50% of coral colonies analyzed in Cabo Branco reefs (Paraiba state) in the summer of 2005. The same phenomenon was detected along various coastal reefs in northeastern Brazil during the summer of 2007 and 2008. These events were seasonal, and began with the emergence of pale colonies that became pale-pink and then purple during the rainy months. The patterns and intensity of colonies pigmentation changes varied with the studied sites. The decrease in zooxanthellae density and chlorophyll-a content was quantified in the colonies with their pigmentation pattern altered (bleaching). Microbiological analyses revealed higher densities of bacteria in pink colonies (bleached) as compared to brown colonies (normal). Environmental disturbances may lead to the pigmentation changes in Siderastrea spp., but the immediate causes of this phenomenon are not clear and require further investigations.

Se relata aquí la aparición de cambios estacionales en la pigmentación de colonias de Siderastrea spp. durante los eventos de blanqueamiento en arrecifes costeros del noreste de Brasil. En verano de 2005, existían casi 50% de colonias blanqueadas en los corales analizados en Cabo Branco, Estado de Paraíba. El mismo fenómeno se detectó a lo largo de varios arrecifes costeros en el noreste del país durante el verano de 2007 y 2008. Estos eventos son asociados a la variación estacional, que comenzaron con la aparición de colonias pálidas que luego se convirtieron en rosa pálido y después a morado, durante los meses de lluvias. Los patrones e intensidad de los cambios en la pigmentación de las colonias fueron diferentes en los sitios estudiados. La disminución de la densidad de zooxantelas y del contenido de clorofila-a fue cuantificada en las colonias y comparados con el patrón de pigmentación alterada (blanqueo). Los análisis microbiológicos revelaron densidades más altas de bacterias en colonias rosas (blanqueada) en comparación con las colonias marrones (considerados normales). Las alteraciones ambientales pueden conducir a estos cambios de pigmentación en Siderastrea spp., pero las causas inmediatas de este fenómeno no están claras y requieren más investigación.

Acidentes por animais peçonhentos ocorridos com agricultores sindicalizados do município de Cuité, região do Curimataú paraibano, e práticas de medicina popular por eles utilizadas foram estudadas neste trabalho, através de entrevistas livres e questionários semiestruturados durante o período de junho a agosto de 2010. A idade dos agricultores pesquisados variou de 11 a 90 anos e a incidência de pessoas que sofreram algum acidente com esses animais chegou a 89,3%. Escorpiões, marimbondos, abelhas e serpentes foram os animais mais citados. As extremidades do corpo (mãos, pés, pernas e cabeça) foram as regiões mais atingidas. A prática da medicina popular para tratar desses acidentes inclui vários procedimentos que vão desde tratamentos ritualísticos, uso de animais ou partes dele, até preparos fitoterápicos. O tratamento caseiro é reconhecido como sendo eficaz pela maioria dos que sofreram acidentes (63,9%). Serpentes mortas têm várias partes do corpo arrancadas e usadas em tratamentos zooterápicos diversos. No imaginário dos agricultores, os animais peçonhentos são vistos como perigosos (48,7%) ou nojentos (11,3%), e diversas partes desses animais como chocalho, ferrão da abelha ou couro da cobra são usadas como amuletos de sorte. Inúmeras lendas também foram relatadas com cobras, escorpiões e abelhas. A necessidade de atividades educacionais visando esclarecer esses trabalhadores sobre os perigos dessas práticas é urgente.

Injuries caused by venomous animals reported by the agricultural workers from the municipality of Cuité, Curimataú region of Paraiba State, Northeast of Brazil, and the practices of folk medicine which they use to treat these cases were studied in this work from June to August 2010. The farmers studied aged from 11 to 90 years. The number of people who reported cases of injury by these animals in their families was high (89.3%). Scorpions, wasps, bees and snakes were the most cited and the extremities of the body (hands, feet, legs and head) were the most affected. The practice of folk medicine to treat these injuries includes various procedures ranging from ritualistic treatments, use of animals or parts of them, and some herbal preparations. The folk treatment was reported as effective by most of the workers injured (63.9%). Body parts of dead snakes are used in various zootherapic treatments. In the imaginary of the agricultural workers the venomous animals are considered hazardous (48.7%) or disgusting (11.3%), and several parts of such animals as the rattle, bee sting or snake leather are used as amulet. Several legends have also been reported about snakes, scorpions and bees. The need for educational activities that aim to clarify these workers about the dangers of such practices is urgent.

Acidentes por animais peçonhentos ocorridos com agricultores sindicalizados do município de Cuité, região do Curimataú paraibano, e práticas de medicina popular por eles utilizadas foram estudadas neste trabalho, através de entrevistas livres e questionários semiestruturados durante o período de junho a agosto de 2010. A idade dos agricultores pesquisados variou de 11 a 90 anos e a incidência de pessoas que sofreram algum acidente com esses animais chegou a 89,3%. Escorpiões, marimbondos, abelhas e serpentes foram os animais mais citados. As extremidades do corpo (mãos, pés, pernas e cabeça) foram as regiões mais atingidas. A prática da medicina popular para tratar desses acidentes inclui vários procedimentos que vão desde tratamentos ritualísticos, uso de animais ou partes dele, até preparos fitoterápicos. O tratamento caseiro é reconhecido como sendo eficaz pela maioria dos que sofreram acidentes (63,9%). Serpentes mortas têm várias partes do corpo arrancadas e usadas em tratamentos zooterápicos diversos. No imaginário dos agricultores, os animais peçonhentos são vistos como perigosos (48,7%) ou nojentos (11,3%), e diversas partes desses animais como chocalho, ferrão da abelha ou couro da cobra são usadas como amuletos de sorte. Inúmeras lendas também foram relatadas com cobras, escorpiões e abelhas. A necessidade de atividades educacionais visando esclarecer esses trabalhadores sobre os perigos dessas práticas é urgente.

Injuries caused by venomous animals reported by the agricultural workers from the municipality of Cuité, Curimataú region of Paraiba State, Northeast of Brazil, and the practices of folk medicine which they use to treat these cases were studied in this work from June to August 2010. The farmers studied aged from 11 to 90 years. The number of people who reported cases of injury by these animals in their families was high (89.3%). Scorpions, wasps, bees and snakes were the most cited and the extremities of the body (hands, feet, legs and head) were the most affected. The practice of folk medicine to treat these injuries includes various procedures ranging from ritualistic treatments, use of animals or parts of them, and some herbal preparations. The folk treatment was reported as effective by most of the workers injured (63.9%). Body parts of dead snakes are used in various zootherapic treatments. In the imaginary of the agricultural workers the venomous animals are considered hazardous (48.7%) or disgusting (11.3%), and several parts of such animals as the rattle, bee sting or snake leather are used as amulet. Several legends have also been reported about snakes, scorpions and bees. The need for educational activities that aim to clarify these workers about the dangers of such practices is urgent.