Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry screening of piperidine alkaloids from Senna spectabilis (Fabaceae) extracts: Fast identification of new constituents and co-metabolites

The fragmentation pattern of a homologous series of piperidine alkaloids isolated from S. spectabilis was investigated using electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-MS/MS). The ESI-MS and ESI-MS/MS analyses of EtOH extracts and fractions from flowers and fruits of S. spectabilis allowed to elucidate the structures of four new compounds. The identification of these co-metabolites, based on the fragmentation patterns of previously isolated compounds, and further confirmed by accurate mass spectrometry defines this technique as a powerful tool to determine the metabolomic profile of species which has pharmacological importance. ©2005 Sociedade Brasileira de Química.

Tetrabdella neotropica (Acari: Bdellidae), a new genus and species from Brazil

Tetrabdella neotropica Hernandes & Feres n. gen., n. sp. is the first representative of the family Bdellidae from South America. It can be distinguished from other bdellid mites by the presence of two trichobothriae on tarsi III and IV. The subfamily Spinibdellinae is herein redefined to accomodate the new genus. A key to world genera of Bdellidae is presented. Copyright © 2006 Magnolia Press.

A new genus and species of tarsonemid mite (Acari: Tarsonemidae) from Brazil

Biscutulumnemus neotropicus gen. nov., sp. nov. (Tarsonemidae: Tarsoneminae: Tarsonemini) is described from adult female and male mites, collected on Croton floribundus Spreng., from São José do Rio Preto, State of São Paulo, Brazil. This new genus resembles members of Dendmptus and Tarsonemus, but male mites have two triangular shields anterolaterally to the prodorsal shield and the sejugal apodeme is absent. In addition, Biscutulumnemus differs from Dendroptus by the presence of femoral seta l″ and tibial solenidion φ1 and the presence of a vestigial apodeme I on female mites. Unlike Tarsonemus, Biscutulumnemus has a beaklike gnathosomal capsule, a round flange on leg IV of male mites, and stigmata very close to v1 on the prodorsal shield of female mites. Copyright © 2006 Magnolia Press.

Amphibian secretions for drug discovery studies: A search for new antiparasitic and antifungal compounds

The antiparasitic and antifungal activities of nine amphibian skin secretions were studied in different in vitro models. Seven secretions presented a considerable antiprotozoan activity and one showed promising results against Candida sp. These results can be the basis for the development of new drugs, especially for neglected parasitic diseases. © 2007 Bentham Science Publishers Ltd.

The energetic cost of maintenance in ruminants: From classical to new concepts and prediction systems

The cost of maintenance makes up a large part of total energy costs in ruminants. Metabolizable energy (ME) requirement for maintenance (MEm) is the daily ME intake that exactly balances heat energy (HE). The net energy requirement for maintenance (NEm) is estimated subtracting MEm from the HE produced by the processing of the diet. Men cannot be directly measured experimentally and is estimated by measuring basal metabolism in fasted animals or by regression measuring the recovered energy in fed animals. MEm and NEm usually, but not always, are expressed in terms of BW0.75. However, this scaling factor is substantially empirical and its exponent is often inadequate, especially for growing animals. MEm estimated by different feeding systems (AFRC, CNCPS, CSIRO, INRA, NRC) were compared by using dairy cattle data. The comparison showed that these systems differ in the approaches used to estimate MEm and for its quantification. The CSIRO system estimated the highest MEm, mostly because it includes a correction factor to increase ME as the feeding level increases. Relative to CSIRO estimates, those of NRC, INRA, CNCPS, and AFRC were on average 0.92, 0.86, 0.84, and 0.78, respectively. MEm is affected by the previous nutritional history of the animals. This phenomenon is best predicted by dynamic models, of which several have been published in the last decades. They are based either on energy flows or on nutrient flows. Some of the different approaches used were described and discussed.

Leposoma osvaldoi avila-pires, 1995 (Squamata: Gymnophthalmidae): New records and distribution map in the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil

The present study provides the distribution map and reports new records of the gymnophthalmid lizard Leposoma osvaldoi Avila-Pires, 1995, from Mato Grosso state, Brazil, extending the known geographical distribution of the species ca. 42 km northeastern in straight line from the nearest record in the state. © 2011 Check List and Authors.

New records and distribution extensions of three species of Mesoclemmys Gray, 1863 (Testudines: Chelidae) in Mato Grosso state, Brazil, with observations on terrestrial movements

Distribution patterns of most of the 20 Neotropical freshwater turtles belonging to the family Chelidae are usually based on few locality records. We here report on vouchered records of three species of the chelid genus Mesoclemmys in the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso. Presence of M. vanderhaegei is confirmed for the Amazon River Basin, and M. gibba and M. raniceps are recorded in Mato Grosso for the first time. © 2012 Check List and Authors.

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.

Three new taxa of meliosma (Sabiaceae) neotropical sabiaceae: Three new species and a new variety of meliosma

Three new neotropical species of Sabiaceae, M. robusta from Peru, M. starkii from Mexico, Meliosma cornejoi, and a new variety, M. boliviensis var. sumacensis from Ecuador, are here described and illustrated. © President and Fellows of Harvard College, 2012.

Bambuina bambui: A new genus and species of cave cricket from brazil (orthoptera: Grylloidea: Phalangopsidae: Luzarinae)

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

The pernicious cycle of vlus in brazil: Epidemiology, pathogeny and auxiliary healing methods

Venous leg ulcers (VLUs) represent the most advanced stage of chronic venous insufficiency. Despite the large body of knowledge available regarding the risk factors and aetiopathogeny of the condition, patients referred to public health care systems in developing countries often do not receive adequate diagnosis or early treatment, leading to clinical evolution and disease recurrence. This review collates updated information about the epidemiology, risk factors, aetiopathogeny, diagnosis, ulcer healing methods and determinant factors of the pernicious cycle of VLUs in developing countries, with a focus on the Brazilian setting.

Two new species and a review of the inseminating freshwater fish genus Monotocheirodon (Characiformes: Characidae) from Peru and Bolivia

Two new species of inseminating freshwater fishes of the genus Monotocheirodon, family Characidae, are described from Peru. Males and females of both new species have an external, visually obvious urogenital papilla that was not detected in the females in previous studies, with this longer in males, which use it as an inseminating organ. A third inseminating species from Bolivia, Monotocheirodon pearsoni, unstudied in any detail since its original description in 1924, is redescribed. This latter species lacks an inseminating organ. Monotocheirodon is redescribed, its phylogenetic relationships are briefly discussed and it is suggested that it is possibly related to the stevardiin genera Ceratobranchia, Othonocheirodus, and Odontostoechus.

New species and records of Anacroneuria (Plecoptera: Perlidae) from Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

A new genus and species of pterodectine feather mite (Acari: Proctophyllodidae) from Tod-Tyrants in Brazil (Passeriformes: Tyrannidae)

A new genus and species of feather mite, Hemitriccodectes furcatus gen. nov., sp. nov., is described from passerines of the genus Hemitriccus from Brazil: Hemitriccus furcatus, H. margaritaceiventer and H. striaticollis (Tyrannidae). The new genus belongs to the Pterodectes generic complex and most clearly differs from previously established genera of this complex by the following combination of features: trochanteral setae sRIII are present, and solenidia σ are absent from genua III. The new genus also lacks dorsal hysteroromal setae c1. © 2013 Versita Warsaw and Springer-Verlag Wien.