Phylogenetic group distribution among Escherichia coli isolated from rivers in Sao Paulo State, Brazil

The phylogenetic group distribution of Escherichia coli strains isolated from the Sorocaba and Jaguari Rivers located in the State of Sao Paulo, Brazil, is described. E. coli strains from group D were found in both rivers while one strain from group B2 was isolated from the Sorocaba river. These two groups often include strains that can cause extraintestinal diseases. Most of the strains analyzed were allocated into the phylogenetic groups A and B1, supporting the hypothesis that strains from these phylogenetic groups are more abundant in tropical areas. Though both rivers are located in urbanized and industrialized areas where the main source of water pollution is considered to derive from domestic sewage, our results suggest that the major sources of contamination in the sampling sites of both rivers might have originated from animals and not humans.

Successional stage and geographic features determine floristic similarity among Atlantic Forest remnants, Sao Paulo State, Brazil

Analysis of floristic similarity relationships between plant communities can detect patterns of species occurrence and also explain conditioning factors. Searching for such patterns, floristic similarity relationships among Atlantic Forest sites situated at Ibiuna Plateau, Sao Paulo state, Brazil, were analyzed by multivariate techniques. Twenty one forest fragments and six sites within a continuous Forest Reserve were included in the analyses. Floristic composition and structure of the tree community (minimum dbh 5 cm) were assessed using the point centered quarter method. Two methods were used for multivariate analysis: Detrended Correspondence Analysis (DCA) and Two-Way Indicator Species Analysis (TWINSPAN). Similarity relationships among the study areas were based on the successional stage of the community and also on spatial proximity. The more similar the successional stage of the communities, the higher the floristic similarity between them, especially if the communities are geographically close. A floristic gradient from north to south was observed, suggesting a transition between biomes, since northern indicator species are mostly heliophytes, occurring also in cerrado vegetation and seasonal semideciduous forest, while southern indicator species are mostly typical ombrophilous and climax species from typical dense evergreen Atlantic Forest.

On the first terrestrial ostracod of the Superfamily Cytheroidea (Crustacea, Ostracoda): description of Intrepidocythere ibipora n. gen. n. sp from forest leaf litter in Sao Paulo State, Brazil

Of the three superfamilies of Ostracoda present in fresh water, only the Cytheroidea had thus far no records in terrestrial environments. Here, we report on a new genus and species, Intrepidocythere ibipora n. gen. n. sp., of the ostracod superfamily Cytheroidea, from forest leaf litter in Sao Paulo State, Brazil. Judging from morphological similarities, this new genus is believed to be closely related to the genus Elpidium. Possible pathways that led to the colonisation of terrestrial habitats are discussed, and an overview is given on the distribution of the known terrestrial ostracod lineages. The present findings strengthen the idea that terrestrial ostracods are more common than previously thought, at least in tropical areas.

Psammophilous halacarid mites (Trombidiformes, Halacaridae) from the North Coast of Sao Paulo State, Brazil

Five halacarid species are reported from the Brazilian coast for the first time. Scaptognathides delicatulus, formerly known only from its type locality in Kuwait; Scaptognathus gibbosus, known from Galapagos and Somalia; and Scaptognathus insularis known from northeastern Australia, have their distributions extended. Along with these new records, Halacaroides antoniazziae sp. nov. and Acarochelopodia caissara sp. nov. are described. Halacaroides antoniazziae sp. nov. differs from its congeners by the presence of three subgenital setae in males and none in females, 41-44 perigenital setae and two posterior external genital acetabula in males. Acarochelopodia caissara sp. nov. has a rounded anterior epimeral plate margin, the posterior epimeral plates are partially divided into two halves but anteriorly joined by a narrow band, the dorsal setae on tarsus I are grouped 1:2, and the anterior and posterior dorsal plates have a length: width ratio of 1.61-1.77 and 1.60-1.70, respectively.

A new genus of Ectinosomatidae (Copepoda, Harpacticoida) from sublittoral sediments in Ubatuba, Sao Paulo State (Brazil), an updated key to genera and notes on Noodtiella Wells, 1965

Both sexes of a new genus and species of Ectinosomatidae (Copepoda, Harpacticoida) from sublittoral sediments collected on the inner continental shelf in Ubatuba, Sao Paulo State (Brazil) are described in detail. Chaulionyx gen. n. (type species: C. paivacarvalhoi sp. n.) differs from all known genera in the presence of a conspicuous bifid spine on the prehensile P1 endopod. It can be differentiated from other genera with a prehensile endopod (Halophytophilus Brian, 1919; Bradyellopsis Brian, 1925; Klieosoma Hicks & Schriever, 1985) by the presence of distinctive subrectangular middorsal pores on the urosomites and the unarmed male sixth legs. The genus Lineosoma Wells, 1965 is recognized as a paraphyletic taxon and relegated to a junior subjective synonym of Noodtiella Wells, 1965. Arenosetella pectinata Chappuis, 1954a is removed from its floating position in Ectinosomoides Nicholls, 1945, transferred to the genus Noodtiella as N. pectinata comb. n. and considered the senior subjective synonym of N. toukae Mitwally & Montagna, 2001. Dichotomous keys are provided for the identification of the 18 valid species of Noodtiella and the 21 valid genera of the family Ectinosomatidae. Halophytophilus aberrans Wells & Rao, 1987 is placed species incertae sedis in the family.

Carnivore mammals in a fragmented landscape in northeast of Sao Paulo State, Brazil

Sao Paulo is the most developed state in Brazil and little of its native vegetation remains. In Luiz Antonio and Santa Rita do Passa Quatro municipalities, only small fragments of cerrado (Brazilian savanna) physiognomies (cerrado, cerrado sensu stricto) and of semideciduous forest have been left, surrounded by eucalyptus silviculture and sugar-cane agriculture. However, that vegetation mosaic still shelters large mammals, including several carnivore species. To detect the carnivores present in such a mosaic area (50,000 ha), and to find out how they use the landscape, we recorded them through 21 camera traps and 21 track plots, during 18 months. Species richness, diversity and relative frequency were evaluated according to the habitat. Ten species were recorded, some of them locally threatened to extinction (Puma concolor, Leopardus pardalis, Chrysocyon brachyurus). Species diversity did not significantly differ among fragments, and although most species preferred one or another habitat, the carnivore community as a whole explored all the study area regardless of the vegetation cover;eucalyptus plantations were as used by the carnivores as the native fragments. Therefore, it seems possible to maintain such animals in agricultural landscapes, where some large native fragments are left and the matrix is permeable to native fauna.

Diversity of Somatic Coliphages in Coastal Regions with Different Levels of Anthropogenic Activity in Sao Paulo State, Brazil

Bacteriophages are the most abundant and genetically diverse viruses on Earth, with complex ecology in both quantitative and qualitative terms. Somatic coliphages (SC) have been reported to be good indicators of fecal pollution in seawater. This study focused on determining the concentration of SC and their diversity by electron microscopy of seawater, plankton, and bivalve samples collected at three coastal regions in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The SC counts varied from < 1 to 3.4 x 103 PFU/100 ml in seawater (73 samples tested), from < 1 to 4.7 x 10(2) PFU/g in plankton (46 samples tested), and from < 1 to 2.2 x 10(1) PFU/g in bivalves (11 samples tested). In seawater samples, a relationship between the thermotolerant coliforms and Escherichia coli and SC was observed at the three regions (P = 0.0001) according to the anthropogenic activities present at each region. However, SC were found in plankton samples from three regions: Baixada Santista (17/20), Canal de Sao Sebastiao (6/14), and Ubatuba (3/12). In seawater samples collected from Baixada Santista, four morphotypes were observed: A1 (4.5%), B1 (50%), C1 (36.4%), and D1 (9.1%). One coliphage, Siphoviridae type T1, had the longest tail: between 939 and 995 nm. In plankton samples, Siphoviridae (65.8%), Podoviridae (15.8%), Microviridae (15.8%), and Myoviridae (2.6%) were found. In bivalves, only the morphotype B1 was observed. These SC were associated with enteric hosts: enterobacteria, E. coli, Proteus, Salmonella, and Yersinia. Baixada Santista is an area containing a high level of fecal pollution compared to those in the Canal de Sao Sebastiao and Ubatuba. This is the first report of coliphage diversity in seawater, plankton, and bivalve samples collected from Sao Paulo coastal regions. A better characterization of SC diversity in coastal environments will help with the management and evaluation of the microbiological risks for recreation, seafood cultivation, and consumption.

Groundwater favorability map using GIS multicriteria data analysis on crystalline terrain, Sao Paulo State, Brazil

This paper presents the groundwater favorability mapping on a fractured terrain in the eastern portion of Sao Paulo State, Brazil. Remote sensing, airborne geophysical data, photogeologic interpretation, geologic and geomorphologic maps and geographic information system (GIS) techniques have been used. The results of cross-tabulation between these maps and well yield data allowed groundwater prospective parameters in a fractured-bedrock aquifer. These prospective parameters are the base for the favorability analysis whose principle is based on the knowledge-driven method. The mutticriteria analysis (weighted linear combination) was carried out to give a groundwater favorabitity map, because the prospective parameters have different weights of importance and different classes of each parameter. The groundwater favorability map was tested by cross-tabulation with new well yield data and spring occurrence. The wells with the highest values of productivity, as well as all the springs occurrence are situated in the excellent and good favorabitity mapped areas. It shows good coherence between the prospective parameters and the well yield and the importance of GIS techniques for definition of target areas for detail study and wells location. (c) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Microbial diversity associated with algae, ascidians and sponges from the north coast of Sao Paulo state, Brazil

Little is known about the microbial diversity associated with marine macroorganisms, despite the vital role microorganisms may play in marine ecosystems. The aim of the present study was to investigate the diversity of bacteria and fungi isolated from eight marine invertebrate and one algae samples. Data derived from ARDRA and sequencing analyses allowed the identification of marine-derived microorganisms isolated from those samples. Microbial strains identified up to the genus level revealed 144 distinct ribotypes out of 256 fungal strains and 158 distinct ribotypes out of 181 bacterial strains. Filamentous fungi were distributed among 24 different genera belonging to Ascomycota, Zygomycota and Basidiomycota, some of which had never been reported in the literature as marine invertebrate-inhabiting fungi (Pestalotiopsis, Xylaria, Botrysphaeria and Cunnninghamella). Bacterial isolates were affiliated to 41 different genera, being Bacillus, Ruegeria, Micrococcus, Pseudovibrio and Staphylococcus the most abundant ones. Results revealed an unexpected high microbial diversity associated to the macroorganisms which have been collected and suggested the selection of certain microbial taxonomic groups according to the host. The combined data gathered from this investigation contribute to broaden the knowledge of microbial diversity associated to marine macroorganisms, including as a promising source for the discovery of new natural products. (C) 2009 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

Probable consequences of the mitigation of citrus canker eradication methodology in Sao Paulo state

Probable consequences of the mitigation of citrus canker eradication methodology in Sao Paulo state Recently the Sao Paulo state government mitigated its citrus canker eradication methodology adopted since 1999. In April 2009 at least 99.8% of commercial sweet orange orchards were free of citrus canker in Sao Paulo state. Consequently the mitigation of the eradication methodology reduced the high level of safety and the competitiveness of the citrus production sector in Sao Paulo state, Brazil. Therefore we suggest the re-adoption of the same eradication methodology of citrus canker adopted in Sao Paulo from 1999 to 2009, or the adoption of a new methodology, effective for citrus canker suppression, because in new sample surveys citrus canker was detected in >0.36% of affected orchards. This incidence threshold was calculated by using the Duncan test (P <= 0.05) to compare the yearly sample surveys conducted in Sao Paulo state to estimate citrus canker incidence between 1999 and 2009. The calculated minimum significant level was 0.28% among sample surveys and the lowest citrus canker incidence in Sao Paulo state was 0.08%, occurring in 2001. Thus, as an alternative, we suggest the adoption of a new eradication methodology for citrus canker suppression when a new sample survey detected >0.36% of affected orchards in Sao Paulo state, Brazil.

Spatial patterns of soil attributes and components in a mangrove system in Southeast Brazil (Sao Paulo)

Purpose Among environmental factors governing innumerous processes that are active in estuarine environments, those of edaphic character have received special attention in recent studies. With the objectives of determining the spatial patterns of soil attributes and components across different mangrove forest landscapes and obtaining additional information on the cause-effect relationships between these variables and position within the estuary, we analyzed several soil attributes in 31 mangrove soil profiles from the state of So Paulo (Guaruja, Brazil). Materials and methods Soil samples were collected at low tide along two transects within the CrumahA(0) mangrove forest. Samples were analyzed to determine pH, Eh, salinity, and the percentages of sand, silt, clay, total organic carbon (TOC), and total S. Mineralogy of the clay fraction (< 2 mm) was also studied by X-ray diffraction analysis, and partitioning of solid-phase Fe was performed by sequential extraction. Results and discussion The results obtained indicate important differences in soil composition at different depths and landscape positions, causing variations in physicochemical parameters, clay mineralogy, TOC contents, and iron geochemistry. The results also indicate that physicochemical conditions may vary in terms of different local microtopographies. Soil salinity was determined by relative position in relation to flood tide and transition areas with highlands. The proportions of TOC and total S are conditioned by the sedimentation of organic matter derived from vegetation and by the prevailing redox conditions, which clearly favored intense sulfate reduction in the soils (similar to 80% of the total Fe is Fe-pyrite). Particle-size distribution is conditioned by erosive/deposition processes (present and past) and probably by the positioning of ancient and reworked sandy ridges. The existing physicochemical conditions appear to contribute to the synthesis (smectite) and transformation (kaolinite) of clay minerals. Conclusions The results demonstrate that the position of soils in the estuary greatly affects soil attributes. Differences occur even at small scales (meters), indicating that both edaphic (soil classification, soil mineralogy, and soil genesis) and environmental (contamination and carbon stock) studies should take such variability into account.

Social Wasp Diversity (Vespidae, Polistinae) in a Forest Fragment in the Northeast of Sao Paulo State Sampled with Different Methodologies

Social wasp diversity in Semideciduous Seasonal Forests of the northeast of Sao Paulo State is poorly known, causing a lack of information on the diversity of these wasps from these areas which have been degraded. The objective of this work was to evaluate the social wasp (Vespidae, Polistinae) diversity in a Semideciduous Seasonal Forest of the northeast of Sao Paulo State and to compare three different kinds of sampling methodology. Surveys were conducted from August 2005 to September 2006 in the interior, edge and matrix of a Semideciduous Seasonal Forest fragment in Patrocinio Paulista city, Sao Paulo State. Three methodologies were used: 1. Active collection in flowers, 2. Searching for nests, 3. Active collection with attractive liquid. Thirty species of social wasps were collected in the fragment, but the diversity was highest in the edge. Active collection with attractive liquid was the most efficient methodology. Despite the high levels of deforestation, forest fragments in Sao Paulo State have a high diversity of social wasps, reinforcing the importance of their preservation.

Relation between alcohol consumption and traffic violations and accidents in the region of Ribeirao Preto, Sao Paulo State

In recent years, alcohol consumption has been considered an important public health problem. Ethanol, the alcohol used in beverages, is a drug that affects the central nervous system (CNS) and impairs driving skills and co-ordination, increasing risk of deaths and injuries derived from crashes and road accidents. Consumption of alcoholic beverages is implicated with premature deaths, injuries and damages caused by motor vehicle crashes, which result in high costs to government and society. Considering that alcohol consumption is the main responsible factor for deaths and disabilities in young people, the aim of this work was to evaluate the prevalence of blood alcohol in offenders and/or fatal and non-fatal victims of traffic occurrences in the region of Ribeirao Preto, Sao Paulo State, from 2005 to 2007. The results revealed that in 2134 cases investigated, blood alcohol positivity was generally found in young adults, 25-45 years old and male. The study showed the high risk of drinking and driving and the importance in establishing actions of prevention and intervention to promote the reduction in the number of traffic occurrences related to consumption of alcoholic beverages. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Epidemiologic and clinical survey of victims of centipede stings admitted to Hospital Vital Brazil (Sao Paulo, Brazil)

We retrospectively analyzed 98 proven cases of centipede stings admitted to Hospital Vital Brazil, Butantan Institute, Sao Paulo, Brazil, between 1990 and 2007. Most stings occurred at the metropolitan area of Sao Paulo city (n = 94, 95.9%), in the domiciles of patients (n = 67, 68.4%), and during the warm-rainy season (n = 60, 61.2%). The mean age of the victims was 32.0 +/- 18.8-years-old. Cryptops and Otostigmus genera were responsible for most cases. Around 86% of the patients sought medical care within 6 h after the sting. Both lower (56.1%) and upper limbs (41.8%) were most frequently bitten, especially the feet and hands (89.8%). The most frequent local clinical manifestations were pain (94.9%), erythema (44.9%) and edema (21.4%), and the latter was mainly observed in patients bitten by Otostigmus spp. Supportive treatment was used in only 28.6% of the patients, namely administration of local anesthesia (9.2%) and systemic analgesia (13.3%). No sequels or complications were observed in patients, and the prognostic was benign. (c) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Chondrichthyans from the base of the Irati Formation (Early Permian, Parana Basin), Sao Paulo, Brazil

Three species of chondrichthyans are reported from conglomeratic sandstone at the base of the Lower Permian (Artinskian) Irati Formation (Parana Basin) near Rio Claro, Sao Paulo State, Brazil. The fossils include: 1) dispersed teeth of the petalodont ltapyrodus punctatus Silva Santos 1990, first described from the Permian (Artinskian) Pedra do Fogo Formation, Parnaiba Basin, Northeast Brazil; 2) a new species of tooth of the Order Orodontiformes; and 3) a new species of finspine of the Order Ctenacanthiformes. These fossils occur in an allochthonous assemblage of vertebrate remains including other Chondrichthyes, Xenacanthiformes and cladodonts, paleonisciform bony fish, and tetrapods. This discovery is a significant contribution to the sparse record of South American Chondrichthyes from the Early Permian and raises questions regarding the paleoenvironmental adaptations among these fish within Paleozoic basins of Brazil at this time. (C) 2010 International Association for Gondwana Research. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.