Robust demographic estimates are critical for effective conservation but often lacking for threatened species, demanding long-term, range-wide monitoring to generate data and assess risk. Here, we quantify key demographic parameters and evaluate extinction risk at a metapopulation scale to inform conservation planning for Lahille's bottlenose dolphin, an endangered dolphin endemic to the coastal waters of the Southwest Atlantic Ocean. Using Robust Design mark-recapture models on data from a coordinated photo-identification program (2018-2023) across five Management Units (MUs) in the southern Brazil-Uruguay subpopulation, we estimated abundance and survival. Best estimates indicate a total subpopulation abundance of 341 individuals (95% CI: 333-348), with annual survival varying among MUs from 0.934 (95% CI: 0.856-0.971) to 0.968 (95% CI: 0.926-0.986). Metapopulation-based Population Viability Analysis (PVA) projects a 2% decline in subpopulation size over three generations (63 years) under current conditions, with similar to 4% extinction risk for two MUs. Under a worst-case scenario with increased bycatch and habitat degradation, a 94% decline in the subpopulation is projected. Findings highlight the vulnerability of Lahille's bottlenose dolphins and the urgent need for habitat protection and bycatch mitigation. We recommend maintaining and expanding coordinated, long-term monitoring to support adaptive management.

Existem escassos relatos de neoplasias em aves de ex sittu, sendo mais comum o seu diagnóstico na rotina de clínica de pets não convencionais e em aves com finalidade comercial de produção. O adenocarcinoma é uma neoplasia maligna, invasiva, que tem origem no epitélio glandular de diversos órgãos. Neste relato de caso o objetivo é descrever os achados anatomopatológicos de um adenocarcinoma em um gaivotão (Larus dominicanus). A ave foi recebida na Unidade de Estabilização de Animais marinhos (UEAM), no município de Laguna (SC), no estado de Santa Catarina (SC), Brasil, oriunda do Projeto de Monitoramento de Praias (PMP) Bacia de Santos. No exame de admissão, foi verificado que o animal apresentava ruptura de musculatura abdominal com exposição da cavidade celomática e evisceração de duodeno e pâncreas, necrose tecidual. Diante do quadro clínico e da impossibilidade de reversão, se optou pela eutanásia. No exame necroscópico, se observou necrose na porção duodenal havia e estrangulamento severo do tecido. Na microscopia se observou proliferação de células epiteliais, entre pâncreas e duodeno, com células apresentando anisocitose e anisocariose, visualizadas 23 figuras de mitoses em 10 campos de 40x2,37 mm², além de necrose e hemorragia. Considerando a rotina de atendimentos na UEAM, os casos clínicos comumente encontrado em gaivotas cursam com toxinfeccação por enterobactérias, devido ingesta de alimentos contaminados, causando enterite graves e, por vezes necrose em porções de intestino, podendo estar associada a neoplasia de adenocarcinoma, por causar danos ao DNA, juntamente com as toxinas, proliferando células neoplásicas, sendo assim destaca-se a importância de estudos de neoplasias em aves oriundas de Centros de Reabilitação.

Cetaceans are sentinels of marine ecosystem health and are increasingly exposed to protozoal pathogens. This study investigated the occurrence and molecular identity of Sarcocystidae protozoa in 159 stranded cetaceans representing 21 species along the Brazilian coast. Molecular analysis based on PCR amplification and sequencing of the sarcocystid internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) region revealed infections in 14 individuals, showing a clear habitat-associated distribution. Toxoplasma gondii and Sarcocystis neurona were detected in nine coastal cetaceans, consistent with transmission from terrestrial definitive hosts via land-to-sea runoff. In contrast, a distinct Sarcocystis lineage consistently reported in cetaceans and pinnipeds was identified in six pelagic individuals. Analyses of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I and 18S rDNA markers revealed close similarity to species reported in avian definitive hosts, suggesting a life cycle involving marine or pelagic birds. This ecological segregation reflects differences in parasite transmission pathways and host-habitat interactions. This study provides the first report of S. neurona in Brazilian cetaceans and the first global record of this parasite in Guiana dolphin (Sotalia guianensis). Overall, these findings emphasize the role of habitat use in shaping infection patterns and reinforce the importance of a One Health framework to understand land-sea and potentially marine-specific pathogen transmission, as well as its implications for marine wildlife health and conservation.

Toxoplasma gondii is a globally distributed protozoan capable of infecting marine animals. This study reports the first isolation of T. gondii in Pontoporia blainvillei (Franciscana dolphin), found post-mortem in Laguna, southern coast of Santa Catarina, Brazil. Necropsy was performed on a juvenile female, and pooled tissue samples (heart, lungs, brain, liver) were digested and bioassayed in mice. All three mice died within 21 days post-inoculation. Serological testing by indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) detected antibodies against T. gondii in two mice, with titers of 1:64 and 1:256. Tachyzoites were observed in peritoneal washes and lung imprints, and parasitic cysts were detected in brain tissue. PCR-RFLP analysis identified the ToxoDB genotype #170. This is the first report of genotype #170 in cetaceans, previously found only in alpacas, goats, and free-range chickens in North America. These results emphasize the wide dispersal potential of T. gondii and support the use of cetaceans as sentinels for marine environmental contamination.

Beaked whales, deep-diving cetaceans from the family Ziphiidae, exhibit cryptic behaviors, and data on these species in Brazilian waters are limited to strandings and isolated sightings. This study characterizes the occurrence and acoustic behavior of beaked whales in the Foz do Amazonas Basin using combined visual and passive acoustic monitoring along the Brazilian Equatorial Margin. Audio files were analyzed to identify clicks with frequency-modulated pulses, a diagnostic characteristic of beaked whales. The PAMpal package in R was used to calculate acoustic parameters, including peak frequency, 3- and 10-dB bandwidths, and inter-pulse intervals. Three sightings, eight acoustic detections, and one combined visual-acoustic detection were recorded. Based on diagnostic features, sighting D01 likely corresponds to Mesoplodon europaeus, D05 may represent Mesoplodon, and D06 could belong to either Ziphius or Mesoplodon. Unsupervised clustering based on peak frequency and inter-pulse intervals revealed three distinct acoustic clusters, suggesting that at least three different beaked whale species were detected. Further acoustic classification studies are needed to determine the specific species associated with each cluster. These findings contribute to a broader understanding of the distribution and acoustic ecology of deep-diving beaked whales in the Foz do Amazonas Basin, a region where information on marine megafauna remains scarce.

Galictis cuja is one of the least known mustelids in South America, with its frequency and distribution poorly documented across the Neotropical region from Mexico to Brazil. In February 2024, a female was rescued by fishermen on Porto Beach in Imbituba, Santa Catarina. A clinical examination revealed ectoparasites on the animal, identified as Trichodectes galictidis, a louse species not detected in these animals for over 70 years. This study explores the revival of knowledge regarding the host-parasite relationship between Trichodectes galictidis and Galictis cuja, highlighting a significant research gap. Through a literature review and new data obtained using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), the study documents previously unrecorded characteristics of the parasite. The findings not only revive knowledge of this relationship but also underscore the importance of continued research into the ecological and parasitic dynamics of this species, which remain largely unexplored in the Neotropical region.

Toxoplasma gondii is an intracellular protozoan with worldwide distribution and is of significant importance for One Health due to its zoonotic potential. Although its presence in terrestrial environments is well documented, little is known about its circulation and genetic diversity in the marine ecosystem. This study investigated the occurrence of T. gondii in seabirds rescued from the southern coast of Brazil, focusing on bioassay and molecular characterization. Tissue samples (the heart, brain, liver, lung, and pectoral muscle) from 76 seabirds were received. Of these, 26 were from Larus dominicanus, one Macronectes giganteus, one Pachyptila vittata, five Phalacrocorax brasilianus, two Procellaria aequinoctialis, two Puffinus puffinus, 35 Spheniscus magellanicus, two Sterna hirundo, and two Sula leucogaster. The samples of each bird were processed in pool for peptic digestion. The product of each digestion was inoculated (1 mL/SC) into three mice per bioassay/bird. DNA was extracted for molecular characterization using the PCR–RFLP technique with markers SAG1, 5′-SAG2, 3′-SAG2, Alt. SAG2, SAG3, BTUB, GRA6, c22-8, c29-2, L358, PK1, and Apico. Brain cysts were detected in 16 bioassays. The ToxoDB #170 genotype was identified as an isolate of kelp gull (Larus dominicanus) while another bioassay from the same species did not match the database, suggesting a previously undescribed genotype. Infection occurred through ingestion of sporulated oocysts present in the environment or in fish, bivalves, and crustaceans, which have demonstrated parasitic bioaccumulation. This work highlights the dispersal and infection capacity of different classes of T. gondii hosts and the role of birds as environmental sentinels for marine contamination.

Galictis cuja is one of the least known mustelids in South America, with its frequency and distribution poorly documented across the Neotropical region from Mexico to Brazil. In February 2024, a female was rescued by fishermen on Porto Beach in Imbituba, Santa Catarina. A clinical examination revealed ectoparasites on the animal, identified as Trichodectes galictidis, a louse species not detected in these animals for over 70 years. This study explores the revival of knowledge regarding the host-parasite relationship between Trichodectes galictidis and Galictis cuja, highlighting a significant research gap. Through a literature review and new data obtained using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), the study documents previously unrecorded characteristics of the parasite. The findings not only revive knowledge of this relationship but also underscore the importance of continued research into the ecological and parasitic dynamics of this species, which remain largely unexplored in the Neotropical region.

Paracoccidioidomycosis ceti (PCMC), also called lobomycosis, is a cutaneous disease affecting cetaceans worldwide. It is caused by Paracoccidioides ceti, an uncultivable fungal species recently classified within the Paracoccidioides genus. Although several molecular markers have been used to investigate the PCMC pathogen, the alpha-tubulin gene (TUB1), commonly utilized in genetic studies of cultivable Paracoccidioides, has remained unexplored in this taxon. In this study, we applied a nested polymerase chain reaction targeting TUB1 to amplify fungal sequences from two new cases of PCMC in Brazil: a Lahille's bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus gephyreus) and a common bottlenose dolphin (T. truncatus truncatus). Comparative analysis revealed that the sequences obtained from the infected dolphins were identical to each other and shared similarities with fungi belonging to the P. brasiliensis complex. In the haplotype analysis, P. ceti was found to be only a few mutational steps away from P. brasiliensis sensu stricto and P. americana. Notably, the latter shared the same cleavage sites as P. ceti in the in silico restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. Our findings demonstrate that the nested PCR assay, originally developed for cultivable Paracoccidioides species, is also effective in amplifying TUB1 from P. ceti. Therefore, this method can be considered an additional tool for phylogenetic studies of this uncultivable species, contributing to a better understanding of this peculiar pathogen.

Este estudio investiga la fauna parasitaria de Mugil curema Valenciennes, 1836 (Mugilidae) de Laguna, en el sur de Santa Catarina, Brasil, siendo el primer relevamiento parasitológico de esta especie en la región. Se examinaron un total de 52 ejemplares en busca de ecto e endoparásitos. El examen externo reveló la presencia de ejemplares de Ergasilidae y huevos de copépodos en las branquias, mientras que se identificó el monogeneo Metamicrocotyla macracantha (Alexander, 1954). La prospección interna mostró la presencia de acanthocephala Neoechinorhynchus curemai Noronha, 1973 y de un digeneo no identificado de la familia Haploporidae. El análisis histopatológico reveló lesiones hepáticas e inflamación leve en el tejido intestinal. Estos hallazgos resaltan la importancia de los parásitos en M. curema, contribuyendo a la comprensión ecológica del parasitismo en peces marinos y sus posibles implicancias para la salud humana y el monitoreo ambiental.

The Great Shearwater, Ardenna gravis, is the largest and most abundant species of procellarid seabirds in the South Atlantic. A specimen of this shearwater was found dead and parasitized by a hard tick on Cima Beach, Santa Catarina State, southern Brazil. Morphological and molecular analyses confirmed the tick's identity as Ixodes uriae. Molecular screening for Rickettsiales and Piroplasmida was conducted, and all results were negative, suggesting no immediate health threats. This study reports the first occurrence of this hard tick species parasitizing A. gravis in southern Brazil, highlighting the ecological and epidemiological implications of this finding. This record contributes to the understanding of tick-host interactions in migratory seabirds and emphasizes the need for further research on the ecological roles and health implications of ectoparasites in these avian populations.

MotivationHere, we make available a second version of the BioTIME database, which compiles records of abundance estimates for species in sample events of ecological assemblages through time. The updated version expands version 1.0 of the database by doubling the number of studies and includes substantial additional curation to the taxonomic accuracy of the records, as well as the metadata. Moreover, we now provide an R package (BioTIMEr) to facilitate use of the database.Main Types of Variables IncludedThe database is composed of one main data table containing the abundance records and 11 metadata tables. The data are organised in a hierarchy of scales where 11,989,233 records are nested in 1,603,067 sample events, from 553,253 sampling locations, which are nested in 708 studies. A study is defined as a sampling methodology applied to an assemblage for a minimum of 2 years.Spatial Location and GrainSampling locations in BioTIME are distributed across the planet, including marine, terrestrial and freshwater realms. Spatial grain size and extent vary across studies depending on sampling methodology. We recommend gridding of sampling locations into areas of consistent size.Time Period and GrainThe earliest time series in BioTIME start in 1874, and the most recent records are from 2023. Temporal grain and duration vary across studies. We recommend doing sample-level rarefaction to ensure consistent sampling effort through time before calculating any diversity metric.Major Taxa and Level of MeasurementThe database includes any eukaryotic taxa, with a combined total of 56,400 taxa.Software Formatcsv and. SQL.

Clade 2.3.4.4b highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 virus was detected in the South American sea lions found dead in Santa Catarina, Brazil, in October 2023. Whole genome sequencing and comparative phylogenetic analysis were conducted to investigate the origin, genetic diversity, and zoonotic potentials of the H5N1 viruses. The H5N1 viruses belonged to the genotype B3.2 of clade 2.3.4.4b H5N1 virus, which was identified in North America and disseminated to South America. They have acquired new amino acid substitutions related to mammalian host affinity. Our study provides insights into the genetic landscape of HPAI H5N1 viruses in Brazil, highlighting the continuous evolutionary processes contributing to their possible adaptation to mammalian hosts.

The southern right whale dolphin, Lissodelphis peronii (Lacépède, 1804), is a species of cetacean that is distributed in cold and deep waters throughout the Southern Hemisphere, with records in coastal waters of the Western Atlantic Ocean being extremely rare and difficult to confirm. In 2019, a recording was made of a specimen, still alive, entangled in a beachside fishing gillnet at Cardoso Beach (-28.6073844°S, -48.8247058°W), in the state of Santa Catarina, on the southern coast of Brazil. The recording was made by a lifeguard using a GoPro camera, made available through citizen science. The animal was untangled and released while still alive, and was not found stranded again after the date of the event. Based on existing literature, this is the second record of the species in Brazilian waters. Analyzing meteorological and oceanographic features from the days preceding the record, it was not possible to make any association between the stranding and the variables analyzed, and it was most likely the record of an individual disoriented due to unknown factors.

Camera traps became the main observational method of a myriad of species over large areas. Data sets from camera traps can be used to describe the patterns and monitor the occupancy, abundance, and richness of wildlife, essential information for conservation in times of rapid climate and land-cover changes. Habitat loss and poaching are responsible for historical population losses of mammals in the Atlantic Forest biodiversity hotspot, especially for medium to large-sized species. Here we present a data set from camera trap surveys of medium to large-sized native mammals (>1 kg) across the Atlantic Forest. We compiled data from 5380 ground-level camera trap deployments in 3046 locations, from 2004 to 2020, resulting in 43,068 records of 58 species. These data add to existing data sets of mammals in the Atlantic Forest by including dates of camera operation needed for analyses dealing with imperfect detection. We also included, when available, information on important predictors of detection, namely the camera brand and model, use of bait, and obstruction of camera viewshed that can be measured from example pictures at each camera location. Besides its application in studies on the patterns and mechanisms behind occupancy, relative abundance, richness, and detection, the data set presented here can be used to study species' daily activity patterns, activity levels, and spatiotemporal interactions between species. Moreover, data can be used combined with other data sources in the multiple and expanding uses of integrated population modeling. An R script is available to view summaries of the data set. We expect that this data set will be used to advance the knowledge of mammal assemblages and to inform evidence-based solutions for the conservation of the Atlantic Forest. The data are not copyright restricted; please cite this paper when using the data.

O Farol de Santa Marta (FSM) abriga uma comunidade de pesca tradicional do estado de Santa Catarina (SC). A pesca no FSM é uma atividade com grande importância cultural e socioeconômica, porém, é notória a ausência de informações referente a suas atividades. Neste sentido, o estudo teve como objetivo caracterizar a pesca de pequena escala realizada no Farol de Santa Marta. A caracterização foi realizada através de entrevistas com os mestres de 26 embarcações através do método “bola-de-neve”. Como resultado, foi possível identificar que as principais artes de pesca utilizadas são redes de emalhe de superfície e de fundo e rede de cerco. As principais espécies alvo são a anchova (Pomatomus saltatrix) e a tainha (Mugil liza). As principais embarcações utilizadas no FSM são os botes. As áreas de pesca exploradas têm limite sul na cidade de Passo de Torres (SC) e ao norte na cidade de Florianópolis (SC). A comercialização do pescado é feita para atravessadores e a divisão dos lucros dos pescadores do FSM é em partes. Embora tenha mudado ao longo do tempo, a pesca de pequena escala do Farol de Santa Marta ainda é a principal fonte de renda local da comunidade, gerando renda e alimento para inúmeras famílias. Palavras-chave: Etnobiologia. Conhecimento tradicional. Pesca artesanal. Socioeconomia. Desenvolvimento regional.

This study reports a granulomatous hepatitis caused by Mycobacterium avium in an Atlantic yellow-nosed albatross (Thalassarche chlororhynchos) found dead on Brazil southern coast. At necropsy, the albatross was cachectic and the liver was severely enlarged with multifocal to coalescing white nodules. Histopathological evaluation revealed multifocal to coalescing granulomas with caseous necrosis, surrounded by an infiltrate of macrophages and multinucleated giant cells, and a thin capsule of fibrous connective tissue. The Fite-Faraco staining technique revealed multiple acid-fast bacilli (AFB) stained in magenta, predominantly in the areas of necrosis. Bacterial culture and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis confirmed the presence of Mycobacterium avium in liver samples. This case underscores the importance of wildlife surveillance in coastal regions. Pelagic birds like the Atlantic yellow-nosed albatross can harbor pathogenic agents that represent a threat to wildlife and domestic animals. Enhanced monitoring and research are essential to understand the epidemiology and potential risks associated with such infections in coastal ecosystems.

Leptospirosis is a zoonosis with ubiquitous distribution caused by spirochetes belonging to the genus Leptospira sp., endemic mainly in tropical and subtropical regions of the world and capable of infecting domestic animals, free-living animals, and humans. Although well documented in terrestrial animals and humans, little information is available on its distribution and impact on marine animals. There are few studies assessing cetaceans' health status, and even scarcer are those focused on leptospirosis research. In this context, considering the One Health approach, the present study aimed to investigate the occurrence of pathogenic Leptospira sp. in cetaceans on the Brazilian coast. Kidneys of 142 cetaceans belonging to 19 species were collected. DNA was extracted, and the diagnosis was performed by LipL32-polymerase chain reaction. Genetic characterization was conducted based on secY gene sequencing. Pathogenic Leptospira sp. DNA was detected in 14.8% (21/142) of the tested cetaceans, with coastal species presenting a significantly higher frequency (p-value = 0.03) of infected individuals (25%, 17/68) than oceanic species (7.5%, 4/53). It was possible to amplify and sequence three strains (one for Sotalia guianensis, one for Stenella clymene, and one for Pontoporia blainvillei), all of them identified as Leptospira interrogans, with high similarity with sequences from Icterohaemorrhagiae serogroup. Phylogenetic analysis revealed sequences from the present study grouped in species-specific unique clusters but very close to pinnipeds in the same area, evidencing the presence of two distinct haplotypes circulating on marine mammals in the region. We could demonstrate that cetaceans can act as carriers of pathogenic leptospires. Moreover, the proximity with anthropogenic areas could play an important role in leptospirosis' dynamics of transmission in a One Health context.