Abstract This paper describes the fishing profile and the temporal variation in the commercial landings of elasmobranchs in a global hotspot for their conservation and investigates the variables that influenced the landings. Census data on commercial catches were obtained between April 2008 and October 2010 from nine landing sites in Bragança (Pará, northern Brazil). Five vessel types, four fishing gears, and eight fishing techniques engaged with elasmobranch capture were identified. A total of 2,357 landings were recorded, with a total production of 354 t. The highest yields were recorded in 2009, with sharks being harvested mostly by small and medium-sized vessels, and batoids, by small vessels and canoes. Drifting nets and longlines played a prominent role in elasmobranch fisheries. The results show that the landings were influenced by days at sea, which is common in tropical fisheries. The elasmobranch data series is discontinuous as statistics are absent for most fishing sites albeit imperative for proper management, as well as relevant for decision-makers focusing on their conservation. 200 201 Pará, Pará (Pará Brazil. Brazil . Brazil) types gears identified 2357 2 357 2,35 35 t 2009 mediumsized medium sized batoids canoes fisheries sea management decisionmakers decision makers 20 235 2,3 3 23 2,

Resumo Introdução: ferimentos causados por peixes são comuns entre pescadores e, se não forem adequadamente assistidos, podem levar a complicações significativas. Objetivo: reportar o caso de um pescador que se acidentou com um camurim/robalo (Centropomus spp.) e apresentou infecção secundária com sequelas graves. Métodos: as informações foram obtidas por meio de revisão de prontuários, entrevista com o paciente e registro fotográfico. Resultados: um pescador de 48 anos se acidentou, com a espícula da base da nadadeira do peixe, na falange do quinto quirodáctilo da mão esquerda, apresentando sinais flogísticos em todo o membro. O serviço de saúde não dispunha de condições para identificar o agente da infecção e diferentes antibióticos foram administrados. Sem resultados expressivos, a terapia antibiótica foi suspensa e foi adotado tratamento sintomático. Após 32 dias de hospitalização, o paciente teve alta. No entanto, dois meses após o acidente, a vítima desenvolveu abscesso do membro com limitação de movimentos dos quirodáctilos, necessitando de procedimento cirúrgico. Após o controle da infecção, apresentou sequelas como atrofia muscular, perda parcial de movimento, redução da capacidade motora, sensibilidade local e aparência da mão em garra. Conclusão: lesões causadas por peixes em pescadores podem resultar em consequências graves e irreversíveis e mais atenção deve ser dada ao tema.

Abstract Introduction: fish injuries are common among fishers and, if not properly assisted, can lead to major complications. Objective: to report the case of a fisherman who had an accident with a snook fish (Centropomus spp.) and presented secondary infection with severe sequelae. Methods: the information was obtained by reviewing medical records, interviewing the patient, and photographic record. Results: a 48-year-old fisherman was injured by the spike on the base of the fish fin. It affected the phalanx of his left hand fifth finger, showing signs of inflammation throughout the limb. The health service was unable to identify the infectious agent and prescribed several antibiotics. Without substancial results, the doctors discontinued the antibiotic therapy and adopted a symptomatic treatment. After 32 days in hospital, the patient was discharged. However, two months after the accident, he presented an abscess in the limb, which limited the fingers movement and required a surgical procedure. After the infection was controlled, he presented some sequelae such as muscle atrophy, partial loss of movement, reduced motor capacity, local sensitivity, and clawed-shaped hand. Conclusion: injuries caused by fish can result in serious and irreversible consequences, and more attention should be paid to the subject-matter.

Resumo: Elasmobrânquios apresentam os maiores declínios populacionais entre os vertebrados, sendo considerado um dos grupos com maior risco de extinção. O Litoral Amazônico Brasileiro (BAC) é considerado uma área prioritária para conservação de elasmobrânquios, pois várias espécies são endêmicas da região, e a maioria delas estão ameaçadas de extinção. O presente estudo fez uma análise cientométrica aplicando o método IRAMUTEQ (Interface de R pour les Analyses Multidimensionnelles de Textes et de Questionnaires) para avaliar as tendências de pesquisas com elasmobrânquios no BAC nas últimas quatro décadas. Dez tendências de pesquisa foram identificadas, destacando-se “Biodiversidade”, “Reprodução”, “Ecologia trófica” e “Conservação”. Entretanto, a maioria das publicações encontradas é voltada para o conhecimento da diversidade e abundância das espécies na região, sendo o número de estudos voltados para a reprodução, alimentação e outros aspectos da biologia e ecologia de elasmobrânquios do BAC menos expressivo. Apesar da área de investigação “Conservação” ter se destacado na busca, a quantidade de informações relevantes para que medidas de manejo e conservação possam ser implementadas ainda é baixa. Por fim, apesar de seguir a tendência mundial de estudos com elasmobrânquios entre 2000 a 2010, as investigações sobre o BAC precisam avançar, especialmente considerando o baixo nível de informações básicas sobre a maioria das espécies (biologia e dinâmica populacional) e o conhecimento incompleto da composição específica das espécies de elasmobrânquios em toda a área, aspectos relevantes para a conservação e estudos mais aplicados e que contem com metodologias e tecnologias mais recentes.

Abstract: Elasmobranchs exhibit the biggest population declines among vertebrates, being considered one of the groups with the highest risk of extinction. The Brazilian Amazon Coast (BAC) is considered a priority area for elasmobranch conservation, as many species are endemic to the region, and most of them are threatened with extinction. The present study made a scientometric analysis using the IRAMUTEQ method (Interface de R pour les Analyses Multidimensionnelles de Textes et de Questionnaires) to evaluate the trends of research with elasmobranchs in BAC in the last four decades. Ten research trends were identified, highlighting “Biodiversity”, “Reproduction”, “Trophic Ecology” and “Conservation”. However, most of the publications found are aimed at understanding the diversity and abundance of species in the region, with the number of studies focused on reproduction, feeding and other aspects of the biology and ecology of elasmobranchs in the BAC being less expressive. Although the research area “Conservation” stood out in the search, the amount of relevant information so that management and conservation measures can be implemented is still low. Lastly, despite following the global trend of studies with elasmobranchs between 2000 and 2010, investigations into the BAC need to advance, especially considering the poor level of basic information on most species (Biology and population dynamics) and the incomplete knowledge of specific composition of elasmobranch species in the entire area, aspects relevant to conservation and more applied studies that rely on more recent methodologies and technologies.

ABSTRACT Embryonic malformations can be a result of exposure toxic substances (pollution), lack of nutrients, physical restraint, genetic disorders, or infections and diseases. Such malformations can be classified according to severity and offspring survival outside the uterus. Moreover, abnormalities are normally restricted to a small portion of the litter, mostly, to only one embryo. Here, we report a case of congenital malformation dominance in an offspring of the shortnose guitarfish and compare it with other abnormalities commonly reported in batoids in addition to discussing the possible causes involved in the observed deformities.

ABSTRACT The electrosensory system on elasmobranchs consists of subcutaneous electroreceptor organs known as ampullae of Lorenzini. The present study investigated the ampullae of Lorenzini morphology of the lesser guitarfish Zapteryx brevirostris, using light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The pore number found in the ventral skin surface is much higher than that found in the dorsal portion, characteristic of species that inhabit the euphotic zone. Under light microscopy it was possible to observe that the wall canal consists of a single layer of squamous epithelial cells. The canal features distal expansion, where the ampullae are located with up to six alveoli. The sensory epithelium of ampullae is composed by cubic cells, with oval nucleus, restricted to the interior of the alveoli. With analysis the clusters under scanning electron microscopy, it was possible to observe the structure and the random arrangement of individual ampullae, canals and nerves. The distribution of dorsal and ventral pores and ampullae in Z. brevirostris resembled those of the same family. The number of alveoli per ampullae was similar to that found in euryhaline elasmobranchs species, suggesting that the morphological organization in Z. brevirostris is linked to its possible evolutionary transitory position among batoids.