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Abstract The dusky grouper (Epinephelus marginatus) is a widely distributed epinephelid species. It inhabits the eastern and southwestern Atlantic Ocean, western Indian Ocean, and Mediterranean Sea. Populations of this species have faced significant threats due to various anthropogenic activities, including environmental degradation and intensified fishing effort. To address declining populations, management strategies involving the release of hatchery-reared juveniles have been implemented. This study evaluated the success of a pilot reintroduction program for juvenile dusky grouper by measuring the potential increase in population size in the area. Inshore marine areas along the southeastern Brazilian coast were previously evaluated to determine the best areas for the reintroduction Twenty thousand juvenile dusky groupers (5–10 cm SL) were released at five locations across five selected areas. Assessments were conducted by underwater visual censuses (UVCs) to quantify the presence of juvenile dusky grouper in the selected areas both before and after the releases. Statistical analysis was performed using a Generalized Linear Model (GLM) to estimate the relationship between predictor (number of individuals) and response (release period, depth and sampling points) variables. The results showed a significant increase in juvenile dusky grouper populations at three of the five release areas post-introduction. The methodology employed for stocking dusky grouper juveniles into areas with declining populations demonstrates promise for future conservation efforts aimed at enhancing abundance of this vital marine resource. Results of this research provide valuable insights for the development and implementation of effective conservation programs targeting the recovery of dusky grouper populations.

ABSTRACT The objective was to verify the existence of lineages in the Mangalarga Marchador breed using microsatellites and to phenotypically characterize the lineages found using linear morphometric measurements taken at the time the animals were registered to be used as a tool for selecting individuals according to each breeder’s selection objective. The genotyping database contained 255,257 Mangalarga Marchador horses born between 2005 and 2021. In addition, a database was used with pedigree information on 622,299 animals born between 1952 and 2020 and a database of phenotypes assessed at the time of definitive registration of these animals, containing 303,248 animals born between 1950 and 2018. The databases used came from the Associação Brasileira dos Criadores do Cavalo Mangalarga Marchador. To verify the existence of genetic differences according to the lineages of the breed, a discriminant analysis of principal components (DAPC) and the Kruskall Wallis test were carried out to perform phenotypic characterization to compare the means of the morphometric measurements, both using the R software. The DAPC analysis showed the genetic differentiation of the Angaí and Herdade lineages in relation to the others. The Herdade lineage showed greater phenotypic differentiation when compared with the three separate genetic groups in this study, demonstrating that the animals of this lineage are smaller and more gathered and have higher scores for gait and morphology. When compared to the historically described Mangalarga Marchador lineages, the breed does not have so many genetic groups, separating it into just three groups (Angaí, Herdade, and General), and when compared to phenotypic characteristics, only the Herdade lineage stood out.

The frequency of species of the genus Eimeria in a dairy herd in the municipality of Boa Esperança, Southern region of the State of Minas Gerais was assessed. From 37 females of the Friesian breed aged three to seven months, 259 feces samples were analyzed between May and September 2008. The examinations to quantify oocysts per gram of feces (OPG) and identify Eimeria species were conducted at the Veterinary Parasitology Laboratory of the Federal University of Lavras. Eleven species of Eimeria were identified, namely: E. bovis (23.2%), E. zuernii (22.6%), E. ellipsoidalis (20.3%), E. cylindrica (14.1%), E. subspherica (5.4%), E. canadensis (3.5%), E. alabamensis (2.4%), E. auburnensis (2.4%), E. pellita (2.1%), E. brasiliensis (2%) and E. bukidnonensis (1.9%). E. bovis, E. zuernii and E. ellipsoidalis were the most frequent and the ones with the highest oocyst shedding over time (p < 0.05). Differences in OPG counts were found between most months studied (p < 0.05). The large number of Eimeria species found, in particular E. bovis and E. zuernii, indicates that Eimeria sp. has significant pathogenic potential in dairy cattle in the South of Minas Gerais.Avaliou-se a frequência das espécies do gênero Eimeria em um rebanho leiteiro, criado no município de Boa Esperança, região Sul do Estado de Minas Gerais. Foram analisadas 259 amostras de fezes de 37 fêmeas bovinas, da raça holandesa, com faixa etária compreendida entre três e sete meses, no período de maio a setembro de 2008. O exame para quantificar oocisto por grama de fezes (OPG) e identificação das espécies de Eimeria foi realizado no Laboratório de Parasitologia Veterinária da UFLA. Foram identificadas onze espécies de Eimeria, sendo elas: E. bovis (23,2%), E. zuernii (22,6%), E. ellipsoidalis (20,3%), E. cylindrica (14,1%), E. subspherica (5,4%), E. canadensis (3,5%), E. alabamensis (2,4%), E. auburnensis (2,4%), E. pellita (2,1%), E. brasiliensis (2%) e E. bukidnonensis, sendo E. bovis, E. zuernii e E. ellipsoidalis as mais frequentes e aquelas com maior número de oocistos eliminados ao longo do tempo (p < 0,05). Diferenças na contagem de OPG foram encontradas na maioria dos meses avaliados (p < 0,05). A grande quantidade de espécies de Eimeria encontradas, em especial E. bovis e E. zuernii, indicam um importante potencial patogênico da Eimeria sp. em gado leiteiro no Sul de Minas Gerais.

The objective of this research was to evaluate the contamination of infecting larvae of parasitic nematodes in cattle on Cynodon sp. pasture. The research was conducted in a milkproduction system situated in the town of Boa Esperança, in the southern region of Minas Gerais state, during the fall-winter seasons 2008. The samples of the grass were collected in ten points inserted into an outline in “W”, previously designed, in the period of morning between at 7:30 and 8:30, observing the presence of dew in all the collections performed. The samples were CUT close to the soil and separated in half, which constituted an upper and lower sample of each collecting point, their being afterwards placed into plastic bag, identified and carried to a plastic foam box . The samples were processed singly. The infecting larvae (L3) were identified and the amount per kilogram of dry matter in forage was estimated (L3/kg DM). The climatic conditions such as temperature, air relative humidity and rainfall enabled the development of the free life stages throughout the period. Even at low rainfall rates during the months of May to August, the counts of the amount of larvae in the pastures were high. Under the conditions of the dry period (Fall/Winter), the L3 forms of Cooperia sp. presented an expressive predominance in relation to the other genera throughout the period. The greatest amount of infecting larvae of this species was found in the months of July and August in the upper pasture, while for the samples of the lower part were found peaks in the months of June and August. The large number of genera of pathogenic helminths to animals in this study along the drier seasons of the year, especially in the upper pasture, demonstrates the importance of these agents as cause of losses in milk production in Minas Gerais state.

This study aimed to evaluate the frequency of the species of Giardia duodenalis species and the genus Cryptosporidium spp. in dairy calves at different ages during the post-weaning phase in a herd located in Boa Esperança, South of Minas Gerais State, Brazil, during the fallwinter season. It were analyzed 254 samples from 37 cows of Holstein breed, aged between three and 10 months in the period from May to September 2008, collected directly from the rectum every 30 days. To search cysts or trophozoites of Giardia duodenalis was used the flotation in zinc sulfate solution to 33% technique, and for detection of Cryptosporidium was used the Ziehl-Neelsen modified technique. Of the 254 samples, 37.79% were positive for cysts or trophozoites of Giardia and 8.93% for Cryptosporidium spp. The comparison of age and positivity to G. duodenalis and Cryptosporidium, it was observed that for both parasites, the age between three and four months is the most affected in the post-weaning phase in cattle. Whereas the post-weaning is a critical point in the growing cattle, this would indicate the pathogenic potential for these parasites in dairy cattle in southern Minas Gerais.

Esta pesquisa teve como objetivo avaliar a frequência da espécie Giardia duodenalis e do gênero Cryptosporidium spp. em bezerras leiteiras, de diferentes faixas etárias, durante a recria de um rebanho localizado em Boa Esperança, região Sul de Minas Gerais, Brasil, durante o outonoinverno. Foram analisadas 254 amostras de fezes de 37 fêmeas bovinas, da raça holandesa, com idades entre três e 10 meses, no período de maio a setembro de 2008, coletadas direto da ampola retal, a cada 30 dias. Para pesquisa de cistos ou trofozoítos de Giardia duodenalis foi utilizada a técnica de centrífugo-flutuação em solução de sulfato de zinco a 33%; para a detecção de Cryptosporidium utilizou-se a técnica de Ziehl-Neelsen modificada. Das 254 amostras analisadas, 37,79% apresentavam-se positivas para cistos e/ou trofozoítos de Giardia sp. e 8,93 % para Cryptosporidium spp. Na comparação entre faixa etária e positividade para G. duodenalis e Cryptosporidium, observou-se que para ambos os parasitos a faixa etária entre três e quatro meses é a mais acometida da fase de recria de bovinos. Considerando que o pós-desmame é um ponto crítico na recria, isso indica o potencial patogênico desses parasitos em gado leiteiro no Sul de Minas Gerais.

Avaliou-se a contaminação por larvas infectantes de nematóides parasitos de bovinos em pastagem de Cynodon sp.. A pesquisa foi conduzida em um sistema de produção de leite localizado no município de Boa Esperança, sul do estado de Minas Gerais, durante os meses de maio a setembro de 2008. As amostras do capim foram coletadas em dez pontos, inseridos em um traçado em “W†previamente delineado, no período da manhã entre as 7:30 e 8:30, observando a presença de orvalho em todas as coletas realizadas. As amostras foram cortadas rente ao solo e separadas ao meio, o que constituía uma amostra superior e inferior de cada ponto de coleta, sendo posteriormente acondicionadas em sacos plásticos, identificados e transportados à temperatura ambiente. As larvas infectantes (L3) foram identificadas e estimou-se a quantidade por quilograma de matéria seca na forragem (L3/kg MS). As condições climáticas, tais como temperatura, umidade relativa do ar e precipitação pluvial, permitiram o desenvolvimento dos estádios de vida livre durante todo o período. Mesmo em baixas taxas de precipitação, durante os meses de maio a agosto, as contagens das quantidades de larvas na pastagem foram altas. Sob as condições do período seco (outono/inverno), as formas L3 de Cooperia sp. tiveram predominância expressiva em relação aos demais gêneros durante todo o período. Maior quantidade de larvas infectantes dessa espécie foi encontrada nos meses de julho e agosto nas amostras de pastagem superior, enquanto que para as amostras da parte inferior foram encontrados picos nos meses de junho e agosto. A grande quantidade de gêneros de helmintos patogênicos aos bovinos encontrados no presente estudo ao longo das estações mais secas do ano, especialmente na parte superior das pastagens, demonstra a importância desses agentes como causadores de perdas na produção leiteira em Minas Gerais.