Nesting habits and colonial productivity of Polistes canadensis canadensis (L.) (Hymenoptera-Vespidae) in a Caatinga area, Bahia State Brazil

The paper aims at increasing the knowledge on the ecology of Polistes canadensis canadensis colonies in a Caatinga region. We studied some aspects of P.c. canadensis nesting habitats and colonial productivity. In the environmental conditions studied, this species nests on several types of substrata, particulary on thorny plants and in caves. The colony productivity and the cell reoccupation rate varies from one colony to another. In some colonies, we found cells with one, two and, more rarely, three reoccupations, this is upto four individuals produced in one cell only. The rate of the first reoccupation was 2.88-34.78%, with na average rate of 15.96%. The number of adults produced by the colonies of Flc, canadensis varied from 10 to 576 individuals. Productivity, given by the relationship between the number of born adults and the number of cell existing in the nest, varied from 31.25 to 123.19% and presented an average of 88.50%.

Notes on the feeding habits of the skate Rioraja agassizi (Chondrichthyes, Rajidae) off southeastern Brazil

Feeding habits of the skate Rioraja agassizi were analyzed in southeastern Brazil from samples obtained along Silo Paulo coast. A total of 258 specimens were examined, ranging between 96 and 532 mm total length. About 57.85% were females and 42.15% were males, resulting in a 1:1.37 sex-ratio to females. From 223 stomachs collected (94 males and 129 females) empty stomachs represented only 1.4%. Nine prey categories were identified: Polychaeta, Copepoda, Cumacea, Isopoda, Gammaridea, Dendrobranchiata, Brachyura, Teleostei, and one non-animal category (non-identifiable items). Crustaceans were the most important item, indicating that the species has a carcinophagic preference. The presence of fish was just verified in juveniles and some adult individuals, with predominance in summer. Sex, maturity stage and seasonality did not influence the feeding habits of the species.

Clinical evaluation of the association of noncarious cervical lesions, parafunctional habits, and TMD diagnosis

Objective: To verify a potential association between the presence of noncarious cervical lesions, parafunctional habits, and temporomandibular disorder (TMD) diagnosis. Method and Materials: Sample-size calculation provided a value of 130 participants with a confidence level of 95% and an error margin of 5%. A population of 132 volunteers (30 men: mean age, 23.7 +/- 3.05 years; 102 women: mean age, 24.9 +/- 5.86 years) underwent an oral examination and was interviewed by a trained dentist. The following parameters were registered: personal details, TMD diagnosis, parafunctional habits, and noncarious cervical lesion presence. The population was then divided into a noncarious cervical lesion group and a control group and subjected to the t test, chi-square test, Fisher exact test, and Spearman correlation (alpha = .05). Results: Noncarious cervical lesions were present in 39% of the population, with the largest concentrations found in the maxillary premolars (32%). The data showed a significant association between noncarious cervical lesion presence, tooth clenching (P = .03), and nail biting (P = .02), as well as a relation with TMD diagnosis (Fonseca Index [P = .01] and Research Diagnostic Criteria for TMD (RDC/TMD) [P = .004] ). In the noncarious cervical lesion group, direct rank correlation was found between maxillary premolars and clenching (P = .03), mandibular canines and nail biting (P = .05), and mandibular incisors and parafunctional habits without dental contacts (P = .02). Conclusion: Parafunctional habits and TMD presence should be taken into account in the diagnosis and treatment plan of noncarious cervical lesions.

Food and feeding habits of the neotropical river otter Lontra longicaudis (Carnivora, Mustelidae)

A study of the feeding habits of the neotropical river otter, Lontra longicaudis, based on focal analysis was carried out from July 1986 to July 1987. The study was conducted at a dam in the 'Duas Bocas' Biological Reserve near the town of Cariacica, Espirito Santo State, Brazil. This reserve spreads over an area of 2 910 ha, the surface being mainly covered by the Atlantic Rain Forest. In order to identify the fish and other animal remains found in otter fecal samples, these were compared to the homologous structures of identical species living in the dam. The results of 288 samples were expressed in numbers and frequency of occurrence. Fishes were the most important food item, being present in 281 samples (97.2 %). A species of the genus Geophagus was frequently found in spraints, eaten during all months studied and present in 88.9 % of the samples. Astyanax, Pimelodella, Hoplias, Leporinus, Rhamdia, Tilapia and two other unidentified genera were found less frequently. In decreasing order of occurrence, crustaceans, amphibia, mammals, insects and birds were also encountered. Seasonal variation was verified in the scats between the dry and rainy seasons, with a higher frequency of food items occurring in the latter. In agreement with other species of otters, fishes also are the most commonly ingested prey. Two characteristics of fishes, greater abundance and easier capture, make them the major prey of otters, implying that otters are opportunistic predators eating whatever is more available.

P-100. Habits and prevalence of lesions in an oral cancer prevention program

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and characterises of oral lesion in individuals that participated in an Oral Cancer Prevention Program, and also to verify the habits related to tobacco, alcoholic beverages and sun screen. Methods: Seven-hundred and thirty-eight subjects were examined (354 women and 384 men), in Valparaiso, S.P., Brazil. A questionaire was used for the interview for information about habits and characteristics of the lesions. Results: The data showed that 11 % of the subjects had lesions, 13.58% extra oral, and 86.42% intraoral, mainly located in the buccal mucosa, alveolar ridge and floor of mouth. These subjects were sent to the Oral Oncology Center of UNESP-School of Dentistry. As for the habits, 24% smoke (57.7% of them smoke more than 10 cigarettes per day), and 21.4% drink alcoholic beverage frequently. Only 43% used sun screen. Conclusion: According to the results the population has to be aware of lesions, particularly with regard to oral cancer prevention.

Feeding habits and habitat use in Bothrops pubescens (Viperidae, Crotalinae) from southern Brazil

Bothrops pubescens is a member of the neuwiedi complex that occurs in southern Brazil and Uruguay. We studied the ecology of B. pubescens from a field site (at Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil) and based on preserved specimens from the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. In Santa Maria, individuals were collected during visual encounter surveys (VES), in pitfall traps with drift fences and during incidental encounters. Most snakes found in the field were on the ground, mainly on leaf litter, in mosaics of light and shadow or in completely shaded areas. In disturbed areas, snakes were usually associated with country houses and agricultural fields. Snakes were found much more frequently in forests and forest edges than in open habitats. The diet of B. pubescens comprised small mammals (56.2% of individual prey found), anurans (21.2%), lizards (7.5%), snakes (7.5%), birds (5.0%), and centipedes (2.5%). Prey predator mass ratios ranged from 0.002-0.627, and larger snakes tended to consume larger prey. Bothrops pubescens seems to be able to survive in disturbed areas, mainly those close to forests, and this ability may be facilitated by its generalized feeding habits. Copyright 2005 Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles.

Puncture wounds by driftwood catfish during bucket baths: Local habits of riverside people and fish natural history in the Amazon

Objective. - To assess the prevalence of stings by small spiny driftwood catfish (carataí) of the genus Centromochlus (Auchenipteridae) accidentally caught in buckets during bucket bathing by riverside people along the Brazilian Amazon and to determine the probability of catching specimens of these fish during random throws of a bucket into the river. Methods. - We interviewed 27 adult residents living at the confluence of the Negro and Solimões rivers in Brazil regarding whether or not they had ever been stung by driftwood catfish while bucket bathing. To assess the likelihood of catching catfish in bathing buckets, we randomly threw a typical plastic bucket used for bathing in 4 series of 10 throws into the river at dusk or night around a floating house. Results. - Seventeen of the 27 subjects (63%) reported being injured by driftwood catfish during bucket bathing. Three individuals (17.6%) had been injured 2 to 3 times, totaling 23 puncture accidents. All stings occurred at dusk or early night. In the 4 series of 10 bucket throws, we caught 3 driftwood catfish (in 1 series we did not catch any fish). Thus, the chance of catching a driftwood catfish in a single bucket throw at dusk was slightly less than 10%. Conclusions. - The prevalence of stings by driftwood catfish to people bucket bathing in this section of the Brazilian Amazon is high, partly because of the relatively high chances of catching these small catfish during random throws of a bathing bucket into the river.

Functional feeding habits of Chironomidae larvae (Insecta, Diptera) in a lotic system from Midwestern region of São Paulo State, Brazil

Functional feeding habits of Chironomidae larvae (Insecta, Diptera) in a lotic system from Mid-western region of São Paulo State, Brazil were analyzed. Collectors were the dominant organisms, repre-sented by genera Chironomus, Fissimentum and Cryptochironomus, following by shredders and predators.

Association between breast-feeding practices and sucking habits: A cross-sectional study of children in their first year of life

In addition to providing nutrition and immunological protection, breast-feeding has positive effects on the development of the infant's oral cavity. The aim of the present study is to assess breast-feeding patterns and to analyze the influence of breast-feeding practices and maternal sociodemographic variables on the prevalence of non-nutritive sucking habits in a sample of Brazilian infants. This cross-sectional study was carried out in Southern Brazil. A random sample of 100 mothers of infants up to 12 months of age was interviewed during the National Vaccination Campaign Day. The prevalence and median duration of breast-feeding were assessed. Breast-feeding practice, the exposure factor, was categorized as exclusive breast-feeding, predominant breast-feeding, complementary breast-feeding, or weaning. Maternal sociodemographic variables included age, race, marital status, educational level, profession, and family income. The outcome investigated was the prevalence of sucking habits (pacifier use and thumb sucking). We used two-sample tests, the chi-square test and Fisher exact test0 for statistical analyses of the data. The study revealed that 75% of infants were being breast-fed. Pacifier use and thumb sucking were common in 55%. Bottle-feeding was prevalent in 74% of infants. Breast-feeding was negatively correlated with pacifier use and thumb sucking (OR = 0.11; 95% CI: 0.03 to 0.4). Bottle-feeding was strongly associated with weaning (p = 0.0003). Among the sociodemographic variables, only marital status showed a statistical association with sucking habits (p = 0.04). These findings suggest that breast-feeding can prevent the occurrence of sucking habits. Although we could not evaluate causality assessment, malocclusion prevention seems to be yet one more reason for promoting breast-feeding practices.

Feeding habits of Guiana dolphins, Sotalia guianensis, from south-eastern Brazil: New items and a knowledge review

This study presents new information on feeding habits of Guiana dolphins, Sotalia guianensis, in south-eastern Brazil, together with new regression equations to evaluate the weight and length of fish from otoliths, showing an overview on the knowledge about this species-diet in this area. Eighteen stomach contents had been analysed and compared to 180 samples collected in another eight feeding studies. The analysed specimens were either incidentally caught in gillnets used in coastal waters by the fleet based in the Cananéia main harbour (25°00âS 47°55âW), south of São Paulo State, or found dead in inner waters of the Cananéia estuary between 2003 and 2009. Based on the index of relative importance analysis, the most important fish species were the banded croaker, Paralonchurus brasiliensis. Doryteuthis plei was the most representative cephalopod species. Stellifer rastrifer was the most important fish species observed in dolphins in inner estuarine waters and P. brasiliensis in recovered dolphins from coastal waters. Loliguncula brevis is the only cephalopod species reported from dolphins found in inner estuarine waters up to date. Doryteuthis plei was the most important cephalopod species observed in coastal dolphins. When considering other feeding studies, the most representative fish family in the diet of S. guianensis was Sciaenidae, which is mainly represented by demersal fishes. The main preys of S. guianensis are abundant in the studied areas, which may indicate an opportunistic feeding habit. The majority of them are not the most important target species by the commercial fishery in south-eastern Brazil. © 2012 Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom.