Phytophagous and fungivorous mites (Acari: Prostigmata, Astigmata) from Peru

This is an updated checklist of phytophagous and fungivorous mites from Peru (Prostigmata: Tetranychidae, Tarsonemidae, Tenuipalpidae, Tydeidae, Eriophyidae, Diptilomiopidae; Astigmata: Acaridae, Winterschmidtiidae). The data are mainly based on an extensive survey carried out in the Peruvian territory in 2006, as well as on the new records of mites from minor collections and previous records. In addition to the new data collection, the presence of predators associated with the phytophagous mites collected is noted.

Comparison between multiple sets and half-pyramid resistance exercise bouts for muscle damage profile

The present study compared the changes in markers of muscle damage after bouts of resistance exercise employing the Multiple-sets (MS) and Half-pyramid (HP) training systems. Ten healthy men (26.1 +/- 6.3 years), who had been involved in regular resistance training, performed MS and HP bouts, 14 days apart, in a randomised, counter-balanced manner. For the MS bout, participants performed three sets of maximum repetitions at 75%-1RM (i.e. 75% of a One Repetition Maximum) for the three exercises, starting with the bench press, followed by pec deck and decline bench press. For the HP bout, the participants performed three sets of maximum repetitions with 67%-1RM, 74%-1RM and 80%-1RM for the first, second and third sets, respectively, for the same three exercise sequences as the MS bout. The total volume of load lifted was equated between both bouts. Muscle soreness, plasma creatine kinase (CK) activity, myoglobin (Mb) and C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations were assessed before and for three days after each exercise bout, and the changes over time were compared between MS and HP using two-way repeated measures ANOVA. Muscle soreness developed significantly (P<0.01) after both bouts, but no significant difference was observed between MS and HP. Plasma CK activity and Mb concentration increased significantly (P<0.01) without significant differences between bouts, and CRP concentration did not change significantly after either bout. These results suggest that the muscle damage profile is similar for MS and HP, probably due to the similar total volume of load lifted.

Fishes of Paranagua Estuarine Complex, South West Atlantic

The objective of this work was to present an updated checklist of the currently known fishes in the Paranagua Estuarine Complex (PEC) and provides comments on conservation status for the treated species. We used a large dataset derived from a pool of studies which have been conducted within there along the last 30 years. Each study was based on monthly samplings and conducted in several estuarine habitat; thus, the pool covers practically all estuarine habitats and takes into account the seasonal cycle in the system. The PEC ichthyofauna represents a mixture between that fauna typical from the tropical Brazilian coast and that with affinities of temperate Argentinean and Uruguayan zones. The PEC harbors a rich fish fauna of 213 species, inserted in the families that are common along the Brazilian coast. Only a minor part (8%) of the PEC fish fauna was evaluated as regards the conservation status, mostly because of the lack of basic biological and ecological information for most species. Despite part of the among-estuaries differences are due to different and incomplete sampling efforts, the richness in the PEC is surprisingly higher than other systems in Brazil and around world, which emphasize the importance of the region for global biodiversity conservation.

Fishes of Paranaguá Estuarine Complex, South West Atlantic

The objective of this work was to present an updated checklist of the currently known fishes in the Paranaguá Estuarine Complex (PEC) and provides comments on conservation status for the treated species. We used a large dataset derived from a pool of studies which have been conducted within there along the last 30 years. Each study was based on monthly samplings and conducted in several estuarine habitat; thus, the pool covers practically all estuarine habitats and takes into account the seasonal cycle in the system. The PEC ichthyofauna represents a mixture between that fauna typical from the tropical Brazilian coast and that with affinities of temperate Argentinean and Uruguayan zones. The PEC harbors a rich fish fauna of 213 species, inserted in the families that are common along the Brazilian coast. Only a minor part (8%) of the PEC fish fauna was evaluated as regards the conservation status, mostly because of the lack of basic biological and ecological information for most species. Despite part of the among-estuaries differences are due to different and incomplete sampling efforts, the richness in the PEC is surprisingly higher than other systems in Brazil and around world, which emphasize the importance of the region for global biodiversity conservation.