https://repositorio.uema.br/jspui/handle/123456789/2054 Mon, 21 Sep 2026 20:10:54 GMT 2026-09-21T20:10:54Z http://repositorio.uema.br:80/retrieve/1cf11cb7-6165-4832-a157-f3fc2de7b2a3/ciencias_biologicas-removebg-preview.png https://repositorio.uema.br/jspui/handle/123456789/2054 https://repositorio.uema.br/jspui/handle/123456789/6771 Título: Inventário das espécies de serpentes da mata de cocais em áreas semiurbanizadas no município de Bacabal – Maranhão Abstact: Snakes are essential for ecological balance, controlling prey populations and connecting different levels in food chains. Even though they are a highly important group, knowledge about their diversity in the Cocais Forest region is still limited, especially in semi-urban areas of the state of Maranhão. With that in mind, this study aimed to make an inventory of snake species, looking at their richness, abundance, diversity, similarity between sampled areas, and the effectiveness of the collection methods used. The collections took place in three areas that are representative of the municipality, using techniques like Time-Constrained Searching (TCS), Pitfall and Interception Traps (PIT), Opportunistic Encounters (OE), and Records from Third Parties (RTP). A total of 62 snakes were found, belonging to 17 species, 13 genera, and four families, with Dipsadidae being the most represented. The species Erythrolamprus poecilogyrus, Oxyrhopus trigeminus, and Leptodeira annulata were the most abundant. Richness estimators suggested that more species occur in the region, as the accumulation curves did not level off. Area 1 had the highest diversity indices, Area 2 had the highest evenness index, and Area 3 had the lowest richness and abundance indices. The similarity comparison showed that Areas 1 and 2 were the most similar, indicating that environmental characteristics play an important role in shaping snake community composition. Among the methods used, Time-Constrained Search was the most effective in documenting the species. The data obtained show that, despite human influence, the remaining Cocais Forest in Bacabal harbors considerable snake diversity and that this study is the first systematic survey of these reptiles in the city, contributing to the knowledge of the herpetofauna of Maranhão and serving as a basis for future research, conservation measures, and educational actions. Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://repositorio.uema.br/jspui/handle/123456789/6771 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z https://repositorio.uema.br/jspui/handle/123456789/6770 Título: Levantamento das famílias de Gerromorpha em ecossistemas aquáticos da Mesorregião Centro Maranhense Abstact: The infraorder Gerromorpha belongs to the suborder Heteroptera (Hemiptera) and comprises aquatic and semi-aquatic insects adapted for locomotion on the water surface. Despite their ecological importance, there are still gaps in knowledge regarding the distribution of these organisms in the municipality of Bacabal, Maranhão. In this context, this study aimed to inventory the families of the infraorder Gerromorpha in lentic and lotic environments within the municipality of Bacabal, Maranhão. Sampling was conducted throughout 2025 in various aquatic environments, covering both diurnal and nocturnal periods. The collected biological material was processed at the Biological and Health Sciences Laboratory (LAMCBioS) of the State University of Maranhão, Bacabal Campus. Specimens were preserved in 80% ethyl alcohol and identified using a stereomicroscope and taxonomic keys specific to each group. A total of 253 individuals were recorded, distributed across four families (Gerridae, Hydrometridae, Mesoveliidae, and Veliidae) and ten genera. The family Gerridae exhibited the highest abundance of individuals, followed by Mesoveliidae, Veliidae, and Hydrometridae. These results expand knowledge regarding the taxonomic composition of Gerromorpha in Bacabal, Maranhão, and provide information that can support future studies on the distribution of these organisms in the region's aquatic environments. Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://repositorio.uema.br/jspui/handle/123456789/6770 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z https://repositorio.uema.br/jspui/handle/123456789/6746 Título: Pequenos cientistas: educação ambiental e biodiversidade no Ensino Fundamental Abstact: Macroinvertebrates, especially aquatic insects, play an important ecological role and function as excellent bioindicators due to their sensitivity to environmental changes. The inclusion of these organisms in pedagogical practices serves as a powerful didactic tool for Environmental Education in Elementary School, facilitating the understanding of ecological concepts and their scientific importance while promoting environmental awareness and the appreciation of biodiversity within the school context. The adopted methodology is based on interactive pedagogical practices, featuring expository and playful activities that stimulate scientific curiosity and student leadership toward caring for the environment as a whole. Students engaged in nature observation, including direct contact with insect species understood as bioindicators of ecosystem quality, which enabled the development of scientific curiosity. The methodology was applied to a class of 23 elementary school students. The results demonstrate that using aquatic insects as a didactic resource significantly enhanced learning and benefited the development of an investigative attitude and interest in science from childhood. Furthermore, they indicate that the playful and interactive approach promotes the understanding of biodiversity and sustainability concepts, in addition to encouraging more conscious attitudes toward the environment. It is concluded that the integration of environmental education in elementary school is essential for fostering a culture of preservation and respect for nature from childhood Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://repositorio.uema.br/jspui/handle/123456789/6746 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z https://repositorio.uema.br/jspui/handle/123456789/6745 Título: Levantamento de (Heteroptera: Gerromorpha: Gerridae) do Estado do Maranhão, Brasil Abstact: Aquatic organisms are crucial for maintaining the entire terrestrial ecosystem; they play a fundamental role in assessing and monitoring the impacts of human activities on aquatic ecosystems by serving as bioindicators. Among the Gerromorpha, the family Gerridae is considered the most significant due to its extensive morphological and ecological diversity. The state of Maranhão stands out for its diverse ecosystems and abundant natural resources. However, the sustainability of these resources has been compromised, making research into monitoring these communities essential. The specimens examined came from the Maranhão Zoological Collection and the UEMA Aquatic Entomology Laboratory, originating from collections made between 2010 and 2023 across various municipalities in the state, including environmental conservation areas. Material sorting was conducted at the Biological and Health Sciences Laboratory (LAMCBioS) at the State University of Maranhão (UEMA), Bacabal campus. A total of 339 specimens were identified, representing nine species across four genera, all preserved in 80% ethyl alcohol. Identification was performed using a stereomicroscope and taxonomic keys specific to each group. Data were tabulated in a spreadsheet and subsequently used to generate distribution maps for each species using QGIS 3.40.0 (QGIS Bratislava) software. Specimens from several municipalities—including Caxias, Matões, Carolina, Presidente Dutra, and Barra do Corda—were analyzed and identified. Six species were identified, one of which represents a new record for the state. This research significantly enriches knowledge regarding the diversity of aquatic insect fauna in Maranhão. Mon, 13 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://repositorio.uema.br/jspui/handle/123456789/6745 2026-07-13T00:00:00Z