Cetaceans are highly adapted marine mammals whose survival depends on precise auditory and echolocation systems. Therefore, disease processes affecting these systems, including parasitic infections pose significant morbidity and may result in stranding and death. Here, we describe the pathologic and parasitological findings in an adult, male melon-headed whale ( Peponocephala electra ) stranded dead on the Brazilian coast. The...

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...

Anesthetics are widely employed in aquaculture and in research environments utilizing fish as experimental models, with the aim of mitigating stress and hypermotility during handling procedures. Among the most commonly used anesthetic agents, eugenol stands out for its suitability across multiple species, enabling safer handling and transportation while minimizing physiological impact on the animals. For the experimental proce...

Background Giardiasis remains a globally prevalent neglected parasitic disease, and limitations associated with conventional therapies highlight the need for alternative and complementary strategies. In this context, microalgae biocompounds have emerged as promising sources of antiparasitic agents. Objective This study aims to evaluate the in vitro preliminary screening activity (vital dye exclusion). Methods Aqueous extracts...

Earth's biodiversity is central to ecosystem health and resilience, providing essential functions and services. The Red Sea is a recognised marine biodiversity hotspot with high endemism and unique environmental conditions that support extensive but poorly resolved biodiversity. Here, we applied metagenomic analyses to sediment samples collected from coastal to deep‐sea environments during the Red Sea Decade Expedition 2022 to...

Surface water quality in the Quadrilátero Ferrífero, a mining province in southeastern Brazil, was evaluated by combining water quality indices (WQI), land use and land cover (LULC), and population data to identify spatial and seasonal influences on river chemistry. We analyzed 835 (rainy) and 845 (dry) samples and calculated WQI scores using established methods from the literature. The methods for calculating the WQI detected...

Most emerging zoonotic viral infections originate in wildlife. The Paramyxoviridae and Coronaviridae families are important in terms of zoonotic potential and diversity of host susceptibility. To date, the only paramyxoviruses described in pinnipeds are within the genus Morbillivirus . An alphacoronavirus has been reported in pinnipeds. Herein, we surveyed for Paramyxoviridae and Coronaviridae in 46 animals of four pinniped sp...