Revision of the Neotropical termite genus Orthognathotermes Holmgren (Isoptera: Termitidae: Termitinae)

This is a taxonomic revision of the Neotropical genus Orthognathotermes Holmgren, 1910 (Termitidae, Termitinae), previously with nine species: O. aduncus, O. brevipilosus, O. gibberorum, O. heberi, O. humilis, O. insignis, O. macrocephalus, O. orthognathus and O. wheeleri. We redescribe these species and describe six new species: O. longilamina sp. nov., O. mirim sp. nov., O. okeyma sp. nov., O. pilosus sp. nov., O. tubesauassu sp. nov., and O. uncimandibularis sp. nov., based on soldiers and, when possible, imago castes along with the first description of imagos of O. wheeleri and O. heberi. We present a key for soldier identification and distribution maps for all species.

A new species of Obtusitermes (Isoptera, Termitidae, Nasutitermitinae) from South America

Obtusitermes Snyder is a genus endemic to the Neotropics, restricted to northern South America and southern Central America. Obtusitermes panamae Snyder was described from Quipo, Panama. Herein, we describe Obtusitermes formosulus, n. sp., from Venezuela and Trinidad and Tobago, based on the dimorphic soldier and polymorphic worker. These descriptions provide strong evidence that Parvitermes bacchanalis Mathews should not be included in Obtusitermes.

COMPARATIVE MORPHOLOGICAL STUDY OF SOME TELLINIDAE FROM THAILAND (BIVALVIA: TELLINOIDEA)

A comparative study of seven species of Tellinidae, collected at Kungkrabaen Bay, Gulf of Thailand, is presented. The species are Serratina capsoides (Lamarck, 1818), Moerella cf. Miens (Deshayes, 1854), Cadella cf. semen (Hanley, 1845), Pinguitellina cf. pinguis (Hanley, 1844), Elpidollina sp., and Tellinides timorensis (Lamarck, 1818) of the subfamily Tellininae, and Macomona sp. of the subfamily Macominae. With the objective of performing the study in a comparative and testable scenario, a phylogenetic analysis was carried out based on 43 morphological characters (94 states). A single cladogram was obtained as follows: (Serratina capsoides (Tellinides timorensis (Pinguitellina cf. pinguis (Cadella cf. semen (Moerella cf. Miens (Elpidollina sp. Macomona sp.)))))). A semelid and a solenid were operationally analyzed as part of the ingroup; polarisation was based on a plicatulid. In this analysis, Tellinoidea and Tellinidae were monophyletic, supported by 19 and 9 synapomorphies, respectively. Tellininae was paraphyletic. Good and significant morphological differences were found for all taxa, including at the species level. Some structures are reported for the first time, such as pseudogills, insertion of the pedal protractor dividing the anterior adductor muscle, and a circular muscle surrounding part of the anterior adductor muscle.

Comparative morphology of the gas bladder in driftwood catfishes (Siluriformes: Auchenipteridae)

The gross morphology of the gas bladder is described and illustrated for representatives of most species and all valid genera of the Auchenipteridae (Siluriformes). Although, a simple cordiform gas bladder is present in some species of the family, others are characterized by their distinctive gas-bladder shape and diverticula disposition. An acute posterior end of the gas bladder characterizes Centromochlus heckelii and C. macracanthus, and is variably present in specimens of Auchenipterus. Tocantinsia piresi and Asterophysus batrachus have distinctive gas bladders differing in number of diverticula (two or many). The two species of Trachycorystes are diagnosed based on their gas bladder morphology: T. menezesi has a simple cordiform bladder, whereas T. trachycorystes has a pair of lateral diverticulum and, usually, a well-developed terminal diverticulum. Species of Auchenipterichthys are characterized by having a secondary bladder with simple chamber. Short or elongate and divergent terminal diverticula are exclusive to most cis-andine species of Trachelyopterus. Tetranematichthys and trans-andine species of Trachelyopterus share a well-developed secondary chamber or terminal diverticula ventrally or dorsally connected to the posterior chambers. The small-sized species of Ageneiosus have well-developed gas bladders with a pair of posterior diverticula, whereas large-sized species have a reduced gas bladder with tunica externa varying from non-, partially, or completely ossified. Eight phylogenetic characters are proposed based on the morphology of the gas bladder and associated structures in species of Auchenipteridae, and the evolution of those characters in the family discussed. J. Morphol., 2012. (C) 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

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.

Comparative analysis between ventricular and sinoatrial node vascularization in cats

Biasi C., Borelli V., Benedicto H.G., Pereira M.R., Favaron P.O. & Bombonato P.P. 2012. [Comparative analysis between ventricular and sinoatrial node vascularization in cats.] Analise comparativa entre a vascularizacao ventricular e do no sinoatrial em gatos. Pesquisa Veterinaria Brasileira 31(1): 78-82. Setor de Anatomia dos Animais Domesticos e Silvestres, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinaria e Zootecnia, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Av. Prof. Dr. Orlando Marques de Paiva 87, Cidade Universitaria, Sao Paulo, SP 05508-000, Brazil. E-mail: caiobiasi@usp.br The possible existence of interdependence in the blood nutrition of both atrial and ventricular territories has been a subject of concern to cardiologists, mainly related to vascularization of the sinoatrial node and its dependence on just one coronary artery or both, and its relation with the predominance of these vessels in the ventricular vascularization. Therefore, this research aimed evaluated the relation of blood irrigation of the sinoatrial node in relation to the coronary artery predominance in the ventricle vascularization. In doing so, we analyzed 30 hearts of cats without pedigree, males and females, adults of several ages. They were not carrying any heart problems. The hearts were injected by the thoracic aorta with Neoprene Latex 450, stained with red pigment, and then they were dissected. It was found that when there was a prevalence of ventricular vascularization of the left type (63.34%) the sinoatrial node irrigation was predominantly in the dependency of the Ramus proximalis atrii dextri (78.9%) or with less frequency by Ramus proximalis atrii sinister (21.1%). In the ventricular vascularization of the balanced type (33.34%), the pacemaker irrigation was in dependence more often of Ramus proximalis atrii dextri (80%) or with less frequency the nutrition of the sinoatrial node occurred by Ramus proximalis atril sinister (20%). In a single-case, we observed the ventricular vascularization of the right type (3.34%), the pacemaker nutrition was in an exclusive dependence of the Ramus intermedius atril dextri. These results suggest in this species there is no relationship between both the sinoatrial node irrigation and the type of ventricular vascularization, regardless of gender.