A new species of Hemigrammus from the upper Rio Tapajos basin in Brazil (Teleostei : Characiformes : Characidae)

Hemigrommus silimoni is described from the Rio Juruena, upper Rio Tapajos basin, Mato Grosso State, Brazil. The new species is distinguished from all congeners, and in fact from the remaining Characidae, by the autapomorphic presence of an ocellus-like blotch on the caudal-fin dorsal lobe. The high level of fish endemicity In the Rio Juruena (upper Rio Tapajos basin) is discussed.

A New Species of Fissurella from Sao Pedro e Sao Paulo Archipelago, Brazil (Vetigastropoda, Fissurellidae)

Fissurella mesoatlantica n. sp. is endemic to the Saint Peter and Saint Paul Archipelago, Brazil, located approximately in the middle Atlantic (00 degrees 55N. 29 degrees 20W). The species is very similar to F. clenchi from the mainland Brazilian coast, differing in having a taller. more richly sculptured shell and by anatomical details. such its the papillae of mantle border and epipodial tentacles. A complete anatomical description is included.

A NEW GENUS AND SPECIES OF CAMAENID FROM THE AMAZON RAINFOREST, BRAZIL (PULMONATA, HELICOIDEA)

Olympus nimbus, new genus and species, is described for the Amazon Rainforest, collected at Neblina Peak, Amazonas, Brazil. The taxon is clearly related to the camaenid genus Solaropsis because of conchological and anatomical attributes. However, the new taxon differs from its allies mainly in its smaller size (about 15 mm), its tall spire (almost as tall as wide), its narrow umbilicus, in lacking a bursa copulatrix diverticulum and a clear penial epiphallus, and by its complex internal penial organization. This paper also discusses the state of current knowledge of the South American Camaenidae.

COMPARATIVE ANATOMICAL STUDY OF TWO SPECIES OF SEMELE FROM THAILAND (BIVALVIA: TELLINOIDEA)

An anatomical description of two semelids from Thailand is presented, based on samples from Kungkrabaen Bay, Gulf of Thailand. The species are Semele sinensis A. Adams, 1853, and S. carnicolor (Hanley, 1845), both with Indo-Pacific distributions. Morphology in these two species is typically tellinoidean, each with a long internal ligamental element (resilium), a distance between the inner fold of the mantle edge and the other two folds, long and branched gastric ducts to the digestive diverticula, and a stomach diverticulum located in the posterodorsal corner of the gastric chamber, projecting posteriorly. The main anatomical differentiation between the two species is in the character of the labial palps.

Influence of the use of Aliquat 336 in the immobilization procedure in sol-gel of lipase from Bacillus sp ITP-001

Aliquat 336, a liquid hydrophobic material, was used at different concentrations (0.5-3.0%, w/v) as an additive in the preparation of encapsulated lipase from Bacillus sp. ITP-001 on sol-gel silica matrices using tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) as the precursor. The resulting hydrophobic matrices and immobilized lipases were characterized with regard to specific surface area (BET method), adsorption-desorption isotherms, pore volume (Vp) and size (dp) by nitrogen adsorption (BJH method) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The catalytic activities and the corresponding coupling yields were assayed in the hydrolysis of olive oil. In comparison with pure silica matrices, the immobilization process in the presence of Aliquat 336 decreased the values for specific surface area and increased the values for pore specific volume (Vp) and mean pore diameter (dp). This behavior may be related to the partial adsorption of the enzyme on the external surface of the hydrophobic matrix as indicated by scanning electron microscopy. Aliquat 336 concentrations in the range from 0.5 to 1.5% (w/v) provided immobilized derivatives with higher coupling yields and better substrate affinity. The highest coupling yield (Y-A = 71%) was obtained for the immobilized enzyme prepared in the presence of 1.5% Aliquat which gave the following morphological properties: specific surface area = 183 m(2)/g, pore specific volume (Vp) = 0.36 cc/g and mean pore diameter (dp)= 91 angstrom. (c) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

In vivo and in vitro antioxidant activity and hepatoprotective properties of polyphenols from Halimeda opuntia (Linnaeus) Lamouroux

Antioxidant activity and hepatoprotective properties of the aqueous extract and tetrahydrofuran-extracted phenolic fractions of Halimeda opuntia (Linnaeus) Lamouroux were investigated in rats with chemically induced liver injury. Total polyphenols were determined by using the Folin-Ciocalteau reagent. Liver damage was induced by CCl4 and assessed by a histological technique. Reverse transcription/polymerase chain reaction (RT/PCR) analysis showed increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) gene expression and activities in the group treated with free phenolic acid (FPA) fractions of H. opuntia, suggesting inducing effects on both enzymes. In addition, rats treated with FPA fractions displayed lower liver thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) levels than those observed for rats in the CCl4-treated group. These data suggest that the phenolic fractions from H. opuntia may protect the liver against oxidative stress-inducing effects of chemicals by modulating its antioxidant enzymes and oxidative status.

EFFECT OF THERMAL TREATMENT ON THE CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF WOOD FROM Eucalyptus grandis W. Hill ex Maiden UNDER DIFFERENT ATMOSPHERIC CONDITIONS

Thermal treatment (thermal rectification) is a process in which technological properties of wood are modified using thermal energy, the result of Which is often value-added wood. Thermally treated wood takes on similar color shades to tropical woods and offers considerable resistance to destructive microorganisms and climate action, in addition to having high dimensional stability and low hygroscopicity. Wood samples of Eucalyptus grandis were subjected to various thermal treatments, as performed in presence (140 degrees C; 160 degrees C; 180 degrees C) or in absence of oxygen (160 degrees C; 180 degrees C; 200 degrees C) inside a thermal treatment chamber, and then studied as to their chemical characteristics. Increasing the maximum treatment temperatures led to a reduction in the holocellulose content of samples as a result of the degradation and volatilization of hemicelluloses, also leading to an increase in the relative lignin content. Except for glucose, all monosaccharide levels were found to decrease in samples after the thermal treatment at a maximum temperature of 200 degrees C. The thermal treatment above 160 degrees C led to increased levels of total extractives in the wood samples, probably ascribed to the emergence of low molecular weight substances as a result of thermal degradation. Overall, it was not possible to clearly determine the effect of presence or absence of oxygen in the air during thermal treatment on the chemical characteristics of the relevant wood samples.

The impact of mortality from external causes on human development in the Brazilian borderland

This article estimates the impact of mortality from external causes on the human development index (HDI) along the Brazilian borderland from 2000 to 2005. Data obtained from Brazilian government agencies were combined using the methodology defined by the United Nations Development Program, revealing the HDI according to actual conditions. Subsequently, deaths from external causes were excluded in order to estimate their impact on the index, recalculating life expectancy using the technique of competing causes. HDI showed a gradual increase from North to South, with the most developed regions concentrated in the South, consistent with studies using other sets of economic indicators. By excluding mortality from external causes, the highest gains appeared in regions where the HDI (under actual conditions) were lower, and the magnitude of gains declined towards the South.

The Microbiome of Brazilian Mangrove Sediments as Revealed by Metagenomics

Here we embark in a deep metagenomic survey that revealed the taxonomic and potential metabolic pathways aspects of mangrove sediment microbiology. The extraction of DNA from sediment samples and the direct application of pyrosequencing resulted in approximately 215 Mb of data from four distinct mangrove areas (BrMgv01 to 04) in Brazil. The taxonomic approaches applied revealed the dominance of Deltaproteobacteria and Gammaproteobacteria in the samples. Paired statistical analysis showed higher proportions of specific taxonomic groups in each dataset. The metabolic reconstruction indicated the possible occurrence of processes modulated by the prevailing conditions found in mangrove sediments. In terms of carbon cycling, the sequences indicated the prevalence of genes involved in the metabolism of methane, formaldehyde, and carbon dioxide. With respect to the nitrogen cycle, evidence for sequences associated with dissimilatory reduction of nitrate, nitrogen immobilization, and denitrification was detected. Sequences related to the production of adenylsulfate, sulfite, and H2S were relevant to the sulphur cycle. These data indicate that the microbial core involved in methane, nitrogen, and sulphur metabolism consists mainly of Burkholderiaceae, Planctomycetaceae, Rhodobacteraceae, and Desulfobacteraceae. Comparison of our data to datasets from soil and sea samples resulted in the allotment of the mangrove sediments between those samples. The results of this study add valuable data about the composition of microbial communities in mangroves and also shed light on possible transformations promoted by microbial organisms in mangrove sediments.

NEW RECORDS OF MOSQUITOES FROM NORTHWESTERN ARGENTINA

Eleven mosquito species, namely Aedes hastatus, Ae. fulvus, Coquillettidia albicosta, Cq. juxtamansonia, Culex aliciae, Cx. delpontei, Cx. oedipus, Cx. pedroi, Mansonia flaveola, Uranotaenia leucoptera, and Wyeomyia oblita, are recorded for the first time from northwestern Argentina. In addition, 3 species, Cx. brethesi, Limatus durhami, and Ur. nataliae, are reported for the first time from Salta Province. These records extend the geographical distribution of these 3 species to Salta Province. This study also extends the geographical distributions of Cq. nigricans, Cx. chidesteri, and Ma. humeralis to Jujuy Province and of Ae. meprai, Ae. milleri, Ae. oligopistus, Cx. brethesi, Cx. fernandezi, and Cx. tatoi to Tucuman Province.

Allometric growth of two species of Ephemeroptera from Neotropical mountains streams

The present study evaluated the relative growth and allometry of Massartella brieni Lestage and Thraulodes sp. (Leptophlebiidae: Ephemeroptera). The morphometric analysis was based on 23 measurements and was conducted using a multivariate approach. Throughout postembryonic ontogeny, all of the head measurements, including those of the mouthparts, exhibited negative allometric growth. The mesothorax and wing pad exhibited positive allometric growth. The hind legs lengths in M. brieni and the fore and hind legs lengths in Thraulodes sp. exhibited positive allometry. The abdominal length in these two species exhibited positive allometric growth. Positive allometry was also observed along the abdomen width for M. brieni, and isometry was observed for Thraulodes sp. The relative strengthening of the thorax (in preparation for the winged stage) and the relative increase in the abdomen (which may be related to the development of the reproductive structures) during growth indicate that many of the structures that exhibit positive allometric growth are related to the transition from the aquatic to the adult stage of development.

Expression of genes from the lignin synthesis pathway in guineagrass genotypes differing in cell-wall digestibility

Rapid decline in cell-wall digestibility hinders efficient use of warm-season grasses. The objective of this study was to identify genes whose expressions are related to the slope of decline in cell-wall digestibility. Eleven guineagrass genotypes were harvested at three ages and classified according to fibre digestibility. Extreme genotypes were separated into groups with either FAST or SLOW decline in fibre digestibility. Expression of transcripts from six genes from the lignin synthesis pathway was quantified by real-time PCR. Fast decline in fibre digestibility was associated with higher DM yield after 90 d of regrowth. Apart from lower fibre digestibility and higher lignin content for the FAST group, there were no other differences between the two groups for the chemical composition of stems and leaves. Maturity affected differently the expression of two of the six genes, cinnamate 4-hydroxylase and caffeoyl-CoA O-methyltransferase (C4H and CCoAOMT). Genotypes with fast decline in fibre digestibility had greater increase in the expression of C4H and CCoAOMT from 30 to 60 d of regrowth, than genotypes with slower decline. Expression of C4H and CCoAOMT appears to be related to the decline in cell-wall digestibility with advance in maturity of guineagrass.

Paepalanthus sphaeroides, a new species of Eriocaulaceae from the Atlantic Forest, Brazil

We describe and illustrate Paepalanthus sphaeroides (Eriocaulaceae, Paepalanthoideae) from the Mantiqueira Range in South-eastern Brazil and compare it with the morphologically most similar species: Paepalanthus aequalis and Paepalanthus eriophaeus. Paepalanthus sphaeroides has unique membranaceous sheaths tightly adpressed to the scapes, patent involucral bracts slightly surpassing the capitula, and sepals of the staminate flowers fused from the base to the middle as distinctive characteristics. Comments on morphological variation, geographical distribution, ecology, conservation status, as well as a distribution map, line drawings, and photos are provided.

Comparative neurocranial morphology of angelsharks from the south-western Atlantic Ocean (Chondrichthyes, Elasmobranchii, Squatinidae): implications for taxonomy and phylogeny

Neurocrania of three species of angelsharks from the south-western Atlantic Ocean, occurring off south-eastern and southern Brazil, are described. A detailed morphological description is provided of the neurocranium of Squatina guggenheim and compared with S. argentina and S. occulta. Despite being generally conservative, the neurocranium of Squatina presents significant differences among these species which aid in their identification, which is otherwise problematical. The main distinctions were found in rostral projections, anterior fontanellae, supraorbital crests, upper and lower postorbital processes, otic capsules, suborbital crests, and pterotic processes. Squatina guggenheim and S. occulta share more neurocranial characters when compared to S. argentina. No basal angle was found, but we confirm the presence of a very much reduced and barely noticeable basioccipital fovea in Squatina; systematic implications within elasmobranchs of these and other features are discussed.

Removal of Pb2+ from aqueous solutions using two Brazilian rocks containing zeolites

The removal of Pb2+ from aqueous solution by two Brazilian rocks that contain zeolites-amygdaloidal dacite (ZD) and sandstone (ZS)-was examined by batch experiments. ZD contains mordenite and ZS, stilbite. The effects of contact time, concentration of metal in solution and capacity of Na+ to recover the adsorbed metals were evaluated at room temperature (20A degrees C). The sorption equilibrium was reached in the 30 min of agitation time. Both materials removed 100% of Pb2+ from solutions at concentrations up to 50 mg/L, and at concentrations larger than 100 mg/L of Pb2+, the adsorption capacity of sandstone was more efficient than that of amygdaloidal dacite due to the larger quantities and the type of zeolites (stilbite) in the cement of this rock. All adsorbed Pb2+ was easily replaced by Na+ in both samples. The analysis of the adsorption models using nonlinear regression revealed that the Sips and the Freundlich isotherms provided the best fit for the ZS and ZD experimental data, respectively, indicating the heterogeneous adsorption surfaces of these zeolites.