A new species of Trichogenes from the rio Itapemirim drainage, southeastern Brazil, with comments on the monophyly of the genus (Siluriformes: Trichomycteridae)

A new species of the formerly monotypic genus Trichogenes is described from a high-altitude stream of the rio Itapemirim system, an isolated Atlantic drainage in the State of Espírito Santo, southeastern Brazil. Trichogenes claviger, new species, differs from all other trichomycterids by the sexually dimorphic posterior process of the opercle, much elongated in males; the terminal mouth; the deeply bifurcated anterior neural spines and the presence of a large anterodorsal claw-like process on the neural arches of the anterior four free vertebrae. The new species also differs from its only congener, T. longipinnis, by a number of additional traits, including the the lack of branched anal-fin rays in specimens of any size; the broader than long posterior nostril; the deeper head (head depth 72.9-86.6% HL); the presence of a fine dark line along the base of the anal fin; the lack of dark spots on cheeks; the shape of the interopercle; the presence of odontodes on a bony expansion on the posterodorsal margin of the interopercle; the fewer vertebrae (35); the absence of an antorbital; and the fewer pleural ribs (eight). Small juveniles of the new species are also strikingly different from those of all other Trichomycteridae, including T. longipinnis, having a very large lateral eye, an upturned mouth, and compressed head. Trichogenes claviger occurs in shaded sectors of a blackwater sluggish stream with sandy substrate and patchy accumulations of vegetable debris, a habitat markedly different from the rocky torrential environment known for T. longipinnis. A comparison of the internal anatomy of the two species provides the basis for a hypothesis of a monophyletic Trichogenes. Data from the new species further support a sister-group relationship between Trichogeninae and Copionodontinae, as well as the position of that clade as sister group to all remaining Trichomycteridae.

Description of a new species of the genus Leporinus Spix (Characiformes: Anostomidae) from the rio Araguaia, Brazil, with comments on the taxonomy and distribution of L. parae and L. lacustris

A new species of the genus Leporinus is described from the rio Araguaia, in Mato Grosso and Goiás states, Brazil. The new species has the dental formula 4/3, a unique feature within the genus; all other species of Leporinus have dental formulae 3/3, 3/4 or 4/4. In addition, the new species can also be distinguished by the following combination of characters: 36 to 37 scales in the lateral line, 4/4.5 or 4/5 series of scales in the transversal line, 16 circumpeduncular scale series, anal fin surpassing base of lower caudal-fin rays and three blotches along the lateral line. The new species shares with L. parae and L. lacustris a rather deep body, terminal mouth, long anal fin, three small dark blotches on the lateral line, the latter two, particularly the last one, usually fading, and preference for lentic habitats. Comments on the taxonomy and distribution of the species L. parae and L. lacustris are provided.

O saber Kamaiurá sobre a saúde do corpo

Os Kamaiurá são um povo de língua Tupi que, juntamente com povos das famílias linguísticas Aruak, Karib, Tupi e da língua isolada Trumai, habita o Alto Xingu (MT). A homogeneidade cultural entre esses povos é evidenciada em múltiplos aspectos, como forma e disposição das aldeias, tipo de habitação, hábitos alimentares, reclusão pubertária, pinturas e adornos corporais, uso do uluri pelas mulheres, festas e cerimônias, como o Kwaryp. Esse padrão cultural comum resulta da longa ocupação de uma mesma área geográfica e da frequência de casamentos interétnicos. O presente trabalho mostra como o saber sobre a saúde do corpo é construído a partir de elementos que compõem a visão do mundo Kamaiurá, em que observação, experimentação e mitologia se conjugam. Descreve os cuidados dispensados ao corpo e as regras culturais e espirituais relativos às diferentes etapas do ciclo vital.

Curcumin could prevent methemoglobinemia induced by dapsone in rats

The curcumin`s effect given orally by gavage in single- or multiple-dose regimens on methemoglobinemia induced by dapsone (DDS) was investigated in male Wistar rats. In the single-dose regimen, groups of 10 rats received either vehicle alone, or curcumin at 0.1, 1.0, 10, or 30 mg/kg body weight (bw), or curcumin at 0.02, 0.1, 1, 10, or 30 mg/kg bw plus DDS at 40 mg/kg bw, intraperitoneally (i.p.), 2 hours after. In the multiple-dose regimen, groups of 10 rats received either vehicle alone, or curcumin at 0.1, 1.0, 10, or 30 mg/kg bw for 5 days, with or without DDS (40 mg/kg bw, i.p.) 2 hours after on the fifth day. In both regimens, further groups of 10 rats were given DDS alone (positive controls) or normal saline (negative controls) i.p. Single-dose treatment with curcumin at 0.02 and 0.1 mg/kg bw significantly reduced DDS-induced methemoglobin formation, while the higher doses showed a pro-oxidant effect, significantly increasing DDS-induced methemoglobinemia. In the multiple-dose regimen, treatment with curcumin at 0.1 mg/kg bw significantly reduced DDS-induced methemoglobin formation, but the higher doses were without significant effect compared to DDS alone. It is concluded that curcumin at low doses mitigates methemoglobinemia induced by dapsone in rats, both in single- and multiple-dose regimens. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.