Identification of the shark species Rhizoprionodon lalandii and R-porosus (Elasmobranchii, Carcharhinidae) by multiplex PCR and PCR-RFLP techniques

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

First assessment of the endoparasitic nematode fauna of four psammophilous species of Tropiduridae (Squamata: Iguania) endemic to north-eastern Brazil

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

The functional biogeography of species: Biogeographical species roles of birds in Wallacea and the West Indies

Biogeographical systems can be analyzed as networks of species and geographical units. Within such a biogeographical network, individual species may differ fundamentally in their linkage pattern, and therefore hold different topological roles. To advance our understanding of the relationship between species traits and large-scale species distribution patterns in archipelagos, we use a network approach to classify birds as one of four biogeographical species roles: peripherals, connectors, module hubs, and network hubs. These roles are based upon the position of species within the modular network of islands and species in Wallacea and the West Indies. We test whether species traits - including habitat requirements, altitudinal range-span, feeding guild, trophic level, and body length - correlate with species roles. In both archipelagos, habitat requirements, altitudinal range-span and body length show strong relations to species roles. In particular, species that occupy coastal- and open habitats, as well as habitat generalists, show higher proportions of connectors and network hubs and thus tend to span several biogeographical modules (i.e. subregions). Likewise, large body size and a wide altitudinal range-span are related to a wide distribution on many islands and across several biogeographical modules. On the other hand, species restricted to interior forest are mainly characterized as peripherals and, thus, have narrow and localized distributions within biogeographical modules rather than across the archipelago-wide network. These results suggest that the ecological amplitude of a species is highly related to its geographical distribution within and across bio geographical subregions and furthermore supports the idea that large-scale species distributions relate to distributions at the local community level. We finally discuss how our biogeographical species roles may correspond to the stages of the taxon cycle and other prominent theories of species assembly. © 2013 The Authors.

How well will Brazil's system of atlantic forest reserves maintain viable bird populations?

It is crucial for biodiversity conservation that protected areas are large and effective enough to support viable populations of their original species. We used a point count distance sampling method to estimate population sizes of a range of bird species in three Atlantic forest protected areas of size 5600, 22,500, and 46,050 ha. Population sizes were generally related to reserve area, although in the mid-sized reserve, there were many rare species reflecting a high degree of habitat heterogeneity. The proportions of forest species having estimated populations > 500 ranged from 55% of 210 species in the largest reserve to just 25% of 140 species in the smallest reserve. All forest species in the largest reserves had expected populations > 100, but in the small reserve, 28% (38 species) had populations < 100 individuals. Atlantic forest endemics were no more or less likely to have small populations than widespread species. There are 79 reserves (> 1000 ha) in the Atlantic forest lowlands. However, all but three reserves in the north of the region (Espirito Santo and states north) are smaller than 10,000 ha, and we predict serious levels of local extinction from these reserves. Habitat heterogeneity within reserves may promote species richness within them, but it may also be important in determining species loss over time by suppressing populations of individual species. We suggest that most reserves in the region are so small that homogeneity in the habitat/altitude within them is beneficial for maintenance of their (comparatively small) original species compliment. A lack of protection in the north, continued detrimental human activity inside reserves, and our poor knowledge of how well the reserve system protects individual taxa, are crucial considerations in biodiversity management in the region.

Mammal occurrence and roadkill in two adjacent ecoregions (Atlantic Forest and Cerrado) in south-western Brazil

This paper examines the frequencies of mammal roadkill in two adjacent biogeographic ecoregions (Atlantic Forest and Cerrado) of Brazil. Mammals were recorded during a seven-year period and over 3,900 km of roads, in order to obtain data for frequencies of species in habitats (sites) and frequencies of species killed by cars on roads. Sites (n = 80) within ecoregions (Cerrado, n = 57; Atlantic Forest, n = 23) were searched for records of mammals. Species surveyed in the entire region totaled 33, belonging to nine orders and 16 families. In the Cerrado, 31 species were recorded in habitats; of these, 25 were found dead on roads. In the Atlantic Forest ecoregions, however, we found 21 species in habitats, 16 of which were also found dead on roads. There was no overall significant difference between ecoregions for frequencies of occurrence in habitats or for roadkills, but there were differences between individual species. Hence, anteaters were mostly recorded in the Cerrado ecoregion, whereas caviomorph rodents tended to be more frequent in the Atlantic Forest ecoregion (seen mainly by roadkills). The greater number of species (overall and threatened) and the greater abundance of species records in the Cerrado suggest that this ecoregion has a greater biodiversity and is better conserved than the Atlantic Forest ecoregion, in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, south-western Brazil.

Population genetic structure revealed by a school of the freshwater migratory fish, Brycon hilarii

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Evaluation of the Spreading of Isolated Bacterias from Dental Consulting-Room using RAPD Technique

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Somatic meiosis and development of the juvenile gametophyte in members of the Batrachospermales sensu lato (Rhodophyta)

Seven populations (six in culture and one sampled directly from nature) of the freshwater red algal families Batrachospermaceae, Lemaneaceae and Thoreaceae were examined, involving three species of Batrachospermum, two of Paralemanea and one of Thorea. All 'Chantransia' stages ultimately produced juvenile gametophytes. The production of juvenile gametophytes in the three populations of Batrachospermum was generally most abundant at 15°C and low irradiances (47-68 μmol photons m-2 s-1). The most abundant gametophyte development in the Paralemanea species was observed at 10°C and low or high irradiances (47-142 μmol photons m-2 s-1). Gametophyte production in Thoreaceae occurred at higher temperatures (20°C) and also at low irradiances. In species of the Batrachospermaceae and Lemaneaceae, the 'elimination cells' can be situated on the basal or suprabasal cell of the juvenile gametophyte, but the position is usually fixed in individual species. The presence and position of the elimination cells remain to be established in Thoreaceae. Our results corroborate a previous study suggesting that the position of elimination cells is such a constant feature that it is of potential diagnostic value at the generic or infrageneric (sectional or specific) level. The characteristics observed in the development of the juvenile gametophytes in species of Batrachospermaceae and Lemaneaceae essentially agreed with general descriptions in the previous studies. The characteristics of the Thoreaceae, with a distinctive developmental pattern of the juvenile gametophyte and the occurrence of two morphological types in the 'Chantransia' stage, support the proposal to elevate it to the ordinal level. Two remarkable observations in Batrachospermum species were the production of numerous juvenile gametophytes from filaments of the same plant of the 'Chantransia' stage and the formation of a system of rhizoidal filaments or cell agglomeration of the juvenile gametophytes, which produced new gametophytes. These two characteristics potentially increase the formation of additional gametophytes under favourable conditions.

Photosynthetic responses to temperature in tropical lotic macroalgae

A comparative analysis of the photosynthetic responses to temperature (10-30°C) was carried out under short-term laboratory conditions by chlorophyll fluorescence and oxygen (O2) evolution. Ten lotic macroalgal species from southeastern Brazil (20°11-20°48′S, 49°18-49°41′W) were tested, including Bacillariophyta, Chlorophyta, Cyanophyta, Rhodophyta and Xanthophyta. Temperature had significant effects on electron transport rate (ETR) only for three species (Terpsinoe musica, Bacillariophyta; Cladophora glomerata, Chlorophyta; and C. coeruleus, Rhodophyta), with highest values at 25-30°C, whereas the remaining species had no significant responses. It also had similar effects on non-photochemical quenching and ETR. Differences in net photosynthesis/dark respiration ratios at distinct temperatures were found, with an increasing trend of respiration with higher temperatures. This implies in a decreasing balance between net primary production and temperature, representing more critical conditions toward higher temperatures for most species. In contrast, high net photosynthesis and photosynthesis/dark respiration ratios at high and wide ranges of temperature were found in three species of green algae, suggesting that these algae can be important primary producers in lotic ecosystems, particularly in tropical regions. Optimal photosynthetic rates were observed under similar environmental temperatures for five species (two rhodophytes, two chlorophytes and one diatom) considering both techniques, suggesting acclimation to their respective ambient temperatures. C. coeruleus was the only species with peaks of ETR and O 2 evolution under similar field-measured temperatures. All species kept values of ETR and net photosynthesis close to the optimum under a broad range of temperatures. Increased non-photochemical quenching, as a measure of thermal dissipation of excess energy, toward higher temperatures was observed in some species, as well as positive correlation of non-photochemical quenching with ETR, and were interpreted as two mechanisms of adaptation of the photosynthetic apparatus to temperature changes. Different optimal temperatures were found for individual species by each technique, generally under lower temperatures by O2 evolution, indicating dependence on distinct factors: increases in temperature generally induced higher ETR due to increased enzymatic activity, whereas increments of enzymatic activity were compensated by increased respiration and photorespiration leading to decreases in net photosynthesis.

Size-fecundity relationships and reproductive investment in female frogs in the Pantanal, south-western Brazil

The ovarian complement of anurans exhibiting different reproductive modes is highly diverse, and intraspecific variation in reproductive output of anurans is generally related to variation in female properties and/or environmental conditions. The size-fecundity relationships, reproductive investment, and correlation between ovary mass and fat body mass were investigated for females of an anuran assemblage in the Pantanal, Brazil. Female body size was positively correlated with clutch size among seven of the eight species analyzed. However, these results seem to be influenced by seasonal variation in fecundity. Interspecific size-fecundity relationships revealed that female SVL was positively correlated with clutch size and egg size regardless of reproductive mode. Among 11 species analyzed, the reproductive investment (RI: ovary mass relative to body mass) varied from 5.5 to 18%, and there were no differences among reproductive modes and activity patterns (explosive/prolonged). RI correlated negatively with female size. Among three Leptodactylus species examined, negative correlation between ovary mass and fat body mass was verified for two species. Variations in the reproductive strategies are closely related to the reproductive activity patterns and reproductive modes exhibited by individual species, but are also influenced by environmental conditions. However, regardless of reproductive mode or activity pattern, each species seems to exhibit a reproductive strategy that allows them to respond differently to the same environmental restrictions.

The effect of silver nanoparticles and nystatin on mixed biofilms of Candida glabrata and Candida albicans on acrylic

The aim of this study was to compare biofi lm formation by Candida glabrata and Candida albicans on acrylic, either individually or when combined (single and dual species) and then examine the antimicrobial effects of silver nanoparticles and nystatin on these biofi lms. Candidal adhesion and biofi lm assays were performed on acrylic surface in the presence of artifi cial saliva (AS) for 2 h and 48 h, respectively. Candida glabrata and C. albicans adherence was determined by the number of colony forming units (CFUs) recovered from the biofi lms on CHROMagar ® Candida . In addition, crystal violet (CV) staining was used as an indicator of biofi lm biomass and to quantify biofi lm formation ability. Pre-formed biofi lms were treated either with silver nanoparticles or nystatin and the effect of these agents on the biofi lms was evaluated after 24 h. Results showed that both species adhered to and formed biofi lms on acrylic surfaces. A signifi cantly ( P < 0.05) higher number of CFUs was evident in C. glabrata biofi lms compared with those formed by C. albicans . Comparing single and dual species biofi lms, equivalent CFU numbers were evident for the individual species. Both silver nanoparticles and nystatin reduced biofi lm biomass and the CFUs of single and dual species biofi lms ( P < 0.05). Silver nanoparticles had a signifi cantly ( P < 0.05) greater effect on reducing C. glabrata biofi lm biomass compared with C. albicans . Similarly, nystatin was more effective in reducing the number of CFUs of dual species biofi lms compared with those of single species ( P < 0.05). In summary, C. glabrata and C. albicans can co-exist in biofi lms without apparent antagonism, and both silver nanoparticles and nystatin exhibit inhibitory effects on biofi lms of these species. © 2013 ISHAM.

Intraspecific scaling of arterial blood pressure in the Burmese python

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Multiple Determinants of Anuran Richness and Occurrence in an Agricultural Region in South-Eastern Brazil

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Thermal behavior of Ca2+ and Cu2+ oxalates obtained by precipitation in homogeneous solution from dimethyl oxalate hydrolysis

Mixed calcium and copper oxalates, with different proportions of Ca2+ and Cu2+ ions, were precipitated by dimethyl oxalate hydrolysis in homogeneous solution. The compounds were evaluated by means of scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, thermogravimetry (TG), and differential thermal analysis (DTA). The results suggested quantitative precipitation without solid solution formation. From the TG and DTA curves, it was possible to evaluate the Ca2+ ion proportion in the solid phase and to confirm the precipitation of the individual species.

Polyembryony increases embryo and seedling mortality but also enhances seed individual survival in Handroanthus species (Bignoniaceae)

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)