This study evaluated the effects of providing 3–15 kg of a soluble and biodegradable biopolymer-based enrichment material (blend of biodegradable polymers and natural fibers) to prepartum sows housed in farrowing crates. Fifteen sows were blocked by body weight and backfat thickness and assigned to three treatments: no enrichment material (CONT), 3 kg of enrichment material (BN3), or 15 kg of enrichment material with added nut...

Species of Micropleura Linstow, 1906 (Dracunculoidea: Nematoda) are common parasites of crocodilians worldwide. Studies related to this genus remain scarce, particularly regarding genetic characterizations, due to the difficulty in obtaining the parasite specimens. Although the morphology of M . vazi Travassos, 1933, a parasite of Caiman spp. in the Neotropics, has been previously evaluated, some morphological inconsistencies...

Bioacoustic studies of bats have advanced significantly in recent decades, driven by the popularization of ultrasonic recorders and the training of human resources; however, many species still lack detailed descriptions of their echolocation calls. We hypothesised that recording conditions (free-flight vs. flight tent) significantly alter the structure of echolocation calls. Natalus macrourus echolocation calls based on our st...

Aim We investigate the distribution of dispersal modes — endozoochory (via animal ingestion), synzoochory (via animal seed accumulation) and anemochory (via wind)—and seed mass of woody plants across Brazilian ecosystems, testing whether their relative abundance in local plant communities could be predicted by climate, edaphic factors and dispersal agents (e.g., the main vectors moving seeds). We expected climate to be the mai...

In 2021 and 2022, two offshore small-magnitude earthquakes (3.5 and 3.7) occurred in the northeastern Brazilian continental margin. Both occurrences produced hydroacoustic T-waves, which were recorded by H10N and H10S hydrophone arrays located near Ascension Island and owned by the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization. We analyzed hydroacoustic T-waves recorded by the two arrays using cross-correlation of three-h...

Geobacter bacteria produce multiheme c -type cytochrome nanowires that are involved in long-range extracellular electron transfer. The ability of these protein nanowires to conduct electrical current makes them promising candidates for electronic devices, offering several functional and sustainable advantages over traditional materials. Therefore, this study focused on synthesizing hybrid protein fibers that mimic the natural...

Wide-area maritime surveillance is an increasingly important focus for countries with large Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ), such as Portugal, which are responsible for monitoring and protecting these zones and their resources. Passive acoustic autonomous buoy networks equipped with hydrophones are a promising approach for wide-area maritime surveillance. However, achieving a discrete, low-cost system introduces many technical...

The lateral hypothalamus (LH) is a key brain region involved in integrating cardiovascular and autonomic components of the stress response, yet the local neurochemical mechanisms governing these functions remain poorly understood. This study examined the contribution of nitrergic neurotransmission within the LH to cardiovascular adjustments induced by acute restraint stress in rats. To this end, animals received bilateral micr...

Purpose Oswaldofilaria bacillaris is the type species of the genus, but its morphology remains little known and partially contradictory. Moreover, there are no genetic data and scanning electron microscopical observations on the species, like in most Oswaldofilaria spp. The phylogenetic relationships among Oswaldofilaria spp. are practically unknown. This study aimed to evaluate the detailed morphology of O . bacillaris , prov...