Researches
Standardization of semen freezing for elasmobranchs and reproduction induced by artificial insemination in elasmobranchs
Maintaining a healthy population in an ex situ environment is a difficult problem to solve, especially for large organisms, as in the case of many sharks and rays, as no single institution would be able to maintain a squad with individuals from the same species. species, in sufficient numbers, to enable genetic variability that guarantees the constitution of a continuous population without the need for new captures in the wild. This task becomes possible with the exchange of genetic material that facilitates the exchange between the squad from different institutions, with the ultimate objective of creating a healthy and diverse population even if the individuals do not live in the same place. The third line of research aims to establish the best parameters that allow the extraction and freezing of semen from different species of elasmobranchs, ensuring their long-term viability, which will enable exchanges between aquariums and partner institutions. The line of research is developed in partnership with the Reprocon Institute (Reproduction 4 Conservation). Elasmobranchs represent a group of species characterized by low fertility and long life. The strategy allows for high energy investment in the development of a few offspring, but the advantage lies in introducing offspring into ecosystems that are already fully developed and readily capable of surviving without parental care. The impacts caused by human activities on the ecosystems where they live (i.e. fishing, navigation, habitat degradation) end up compromising this strategy since any population loss for these species, however small, is difficult to recover and the time needed to reestablish the populations to past levels is necessarily long. In this way, the extraction and freezing protocols developed are not only applicable in the ex situ environment of the aquarium network around the world, but can also be applied to free-living individuals, expanding knowledge about the reproductive biology of these species. In addition to the lines of research implemented throughout 2022, the development of studies produced by aquarists, veterinarians and biologists at the Rio de Janeiro Marine Aquarium also bore fruit in the form of participation in congresses and the publication of reproductive success for the big-tip shark. reef white Triaenodon obesus. Based on the knowledge accumulated since its inauguration in 2016, AquaRio professionals have gained experience on the biology of hundreds of species. Such observations are in many cases pioneering, given the academic community's lack of knowledge about the life history of many of the species on display. The possibility of disseminating to the scientific community and society in general the technical-scientific knowledge accumulated over the years enhances the role of IMAM-AquaRio as a center that produces scientific knowledge.
Environmental Education
The Education team works daily and directly with visitors, with the goal of promoting scientific outreach and raising community awareness about the research and activities carried out both inside and outside AquaRio. The existence of this team is extremely important, as it goes far beyond offering school visits and educational activities, it is a key element in building a more conscious, critical, and environmentally engaged society. Our environmental educators foster dialogue between science and society, connecting visitors with topics such as biodiversity conservation, climate change, marine pollution, and ocean literacy. They also help to dispel myths and fears about certain animals like sharks, rays, and jellyfish, promoting empathy and respect for marine life.
Antifouling and tolerance at different water temperatures experiments in native and invasive barnacles
The study is the pioneer in developing a protocol to cultivate native and invasive barnacle species of the gender Megabalanus, common in ships and petroleum platforms. Its purpose is to test antifouling agents on the larvae and the survival of adults submitted to different water temperatures. These results will be interesting to different industries, and will allow better guidance about the control, maintenance and eradication of invasive species.
Development of a protector against cnidarian burns found on the sea shores
The tentacles of jellyfish and caravels (cnidarian) have urticating cells (nematocysts) containing toxins with paralyzing effect on smaller prey, but on human skin cause redness and pain. The study approaches the development of a protector to prevent these urticating cells from penetrating the skin and inoculating the venom, avoiding, consequently, that people get burned by the animal.
Reproduction of bamboo shark - Chiloscyllium punctatum
This work aims to generate a protocol on the reproduction of bamboo sharks (Chiloscyllium punctatum) in captivity, following the intervals between spawning, the period of embryo growth and, later, the growth of the pups in AquaRio
Morphology of the electric-ray embryo Narcine brasiliensis.
This work aims to describe the embryonic morphology of the electric ray Narcine brasiliensis, identifying stages of development along the gestation, seeking sexual dimorphism between males and females, and comparing the different growth stages from the embryo, neonate to the adult individual.
Reprodution of Elacatinus figaro
Study that aims to the improvement of breeding in captivity of the Neon goby fish (Elacatinus fígaro), through monitoring the development of their larvae. This species is endemic to our coast and it’s endangered to extinction.
Hematological and biochemical analysis of Hypanus berthalutzae kept under human care - preliminary reports.
The objective was to determine hematological and serum biochemical parameters in animals of the species Hypanus berthalutzae, butter ray, without clinical changes of disease, inhabitants of the Rio de Janeiro Marine Aquarium-AquaRio. Hematological parameters such as globular volume (26%), number of leukocytes (58243.3±9601.6 X106/μL) and thrombocytes (12756.7±6530.3 X106/μL) were evaluated. The biochemical parameters evaluated included urea (1544.7 ± 110.9 mg/dL), creatinine (0.5±0.2 mg/dL), total protein (3.8±0.1 g/dL), albumin ( 1.1±0.4 g/dL) and aspartate aminotransferase (13.5±2.1 IU/L). The data could be used as reference values for the species under human care.
Transfer of maternal microbiota
New research with rays and sharks in order to identify if there is in the elasmobranchs the transference of the maternal microbiota, that is, the bacteria that inhabit the living being, to the pups, as it occurs in mammals, or if the microbiota is acquired after birth.
Breeding of Seahorses in captivity
Research that aims at acquiring knowledge about the best way of cultivating and developing the seahorse (<i>Hippocampus reidi</i>). The obtained results will be able to subsidize new strategies for the maintenance of the species, thus collaborating with the restoration of the native fauna, in previous or future environments in which this species is in extinct state.
Development of tonic immobility techniques for veterinary procedures in sharks
The maintenance of thousands of living organisms in ex situ environments, which reproduce as closely as possible the conditions of the natural environment where they occur in nature, requires the training of an excellent team of aquarists and veterinarians. However, an integral part of veterinary care to ensure the health of the herd is carrying out routine examinations that expose the animals to possible stress and can put the team involved at risk. In this sense, the focus of the second line of research is the shark species (Selachii) kept in the enclosures of the Rio de Janeiro Marine Aquarium (AquaRio). The development of techniques that minimize the negative effects of exams that need to be routine allows their incorporation into more efficient management protocols, allowing them to be more specific or even individualized. The techniques learned are of interest not only for the routine of AquaRio professionals, but can also be incorporated into the protocols of other institutions that maintain the same species under human care.
Characterization of the use of space by fish without oceanic tank
In this study, we will identify the use of space, in a three-dimensional scale, of the organisms living in the oceanic tank from AquaRio, which will be divided in both depth and width, and will have a set of photographic cameras equipped with motion sensors. These cameras will be installed in order to record the movement of the different species (and when possible of each individual, such as larger fish) for an uninterrupted period. The obtained data (photographs) will be analyzed in order to identify if there are specific preferences and or individual.
Primeira tomografia computadorizada de moreia-verde Gymnothorax funebris no Brasil
Uma moreia-verde passou por procedimento de tomografia para avaliação de uma lesão traumática antiga na mandíbula. Foi identificado importante encurtamento do lado esquerdo da mandíbula, com cerca de 2,7 cm de diferença do lado direito para o esquerdo, promovendo acntuado desvio à esquerda. Nota-se leve subluxação de articulação temporomandibular no lado esquerdo. A lesão de origem traumática já está calcificada e o procedimento cirúrgico corretivo pode ser planejado a partir de agora.
Hematology assessment survey of AquaRio’s animals
Little is known about the hematological characterization of many marine animals, especially fish and elasmobranchs. The objective of the research is to carry out a hematological evaluation of animals kept in captivity by AquaRio, in order to have sanitary control of the animals, to investigate hemoparasitoses, to diagnose possible diseases and to standardize hematological and biochemical values.
Analysis of microbial diversity in different species and body parts of estuarine and coastal rays off the coast of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Important research to study the "animal host ecosystem", also called microbioma, with the purpose of providing important information to deal with secondary infections in man and to favor the maintenance of the health of these streaks.
Manipulation of corals microbiome and BMCs (“Beneficial Microorganisms for Corals”) for reefs recovering and conservation
An innovating study that aims to protect and recover worldwide coral reefs threatened by whitening and others diseases. The innovating approach of this research in progress, has been extremely sustainable and viable, establishes the beneficial manipulation of marine natural microbiomes, that are already there and are native from this ecossystem, to protect these coral environment.
Reproduction, Growth, and Ex Situ Behavior of Elasmobranchs
This line of research is developed in association with the Laboratory of Biology and Fisheries Technology (BioTecPesca – Institute of Biology/UFRJ), focusing on elasmobranch species of the Brazilian ichthyofauna, such as the electric rays Narcine brasiliensis (Olfers, 1831) and Hypanus guttatus (Bloch & Schneider, 1801), as well as species already recognized as threatened and prohibited from being fished, like the butterfly ray Gymnura altavela (Linnaeus, 1758). The studies associated with this research line address major knowledge gaps concerning these species and respond to demands from public authorities, the productive sector, and academia. They also emphasize raising awareness among the general population and consumers who are directly or indirectly connected to the fishing, processing, and consumption of sharks and rays. The research also includes studies that correlate the extent of environmental impacts and their consequences on the quality of life of elasmobranchs that inhabit degraded ecosystems. These studies allow for the characterization of metals and the expression of proteins, metalloproteins, and enzymes in different fish organs exposed to environmental contamination, both in the wild and under human care. The research is carried out in partnership with the Laboratory for Environmental Health Assessment and Promotion (Oswaldo Cruz Institute/Fiocruz). The results not only help identify the scale of environmental degradation, but also provide essential data for human health and food safety.