Artigo Zoo

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Survey of cnidarian accident records in some beaches of the coast of Pernambuco (Brazil)

Ricardo F. Neves 1
Fernanda D. Amaral 2
Andrea Q. Steiner 3

1

Pós-Graduação em Ensino das Ciências, Universidade
Federal Rural de
Pernambuco. Av. Dom
Manuel de Medeiros, s/n,
Dois Irmãos. 52171- 900
Recife PE. [e-mail] 2
Departamento de Biologia,
Área de Zoologia,
Laboratório de Ambientes
Recifais, Universidade
Federal Rural de
Pernambuco.
3
Associação Pernambucana de Defesa da Natureza.

Abstract Cnidarians are among the most venomous organisms known to man. They are characterized by stinging cells called cnidocytes, and several species, such as the Portuguese-man-ofwar and the jellyfish, can cause harm to human beings. Despite not attracting () much attention on the Brazilian coast, the studies that have been carried out to date show that the occurrence of this kind of accident is significant. The aim of this study was to survey cnidarian related accidents with beach goers on some beaches of the state of Pernambuco, as well as to investigate the knowledge of relevant professions on this theme.
() Archives of hospitals and life guard posts were visited for the survey, and 17 professionals were interviewed. During the visits, records were obtained for a total of 35 accidents at Boa Viagem
Beach (Recife) over a two-year period, as well as informal records of an average of four to five cases a week at Piedade Beach and an average of two to three cases a week for Pontas de Pedras Beach. As to the knowledge of the professionals interviewed, most answers agree, in general, with the literature available, despite a certain level of inadequate or insufficient information on the theme.
Key words Dangerous marine animals, Accidents, Cnidarians, Pernambuco

Resumo Os cnidários estão entre os organismos mais peçonhentos que se conhecem. Caracterizam-se por possuir células urticantes denominadas cnidócitos, e diversas espécies, como as chamadas caravelas e águas-vivas,