Diffusion Model Applied to Postfeeding Larval Dispersal in Blowflies (Diptera: Calliphoridae)

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Categorização functional trófica das comunidades de macroinvertebrados de dois reservatórios na região centro-oeste do Estado de São Paulo, Brasil

The use of the concept of guild can be useful for the functional trophic categorization of communities, because there is no requirement identification of organisms in the level of species and not to treat each species as a separate entity. The aim of this study was to analyze the functional feeding groups (collectors-gatherers, collectors-filterers, shredders, predators and grazer-scrapers) of the macroinvertebrate communities of two reservoirs in the Midwestern region of São Paulo State. Sampling was carried out in rainy (March/April - 2001) and dry (July/August - 2001) seasons and the data obtained indicate that 'collectors-gatherers' is the most frequent guild. This fact suggests a great importance of organic matter as a food source in the diet of the macroinvertebrates analyzed.

Dynamics of foraging and recruitment behavior in the Asian subterranean termite Coptotermes gestroi (Rhinotermitidae)

The present study investigated the trail-following behavior of the subterranean termite Coptotermes gestroi (Wasmann Rhinotermitidae) under laboratory conditions. The results showed that workers were the first to initiate the exploration to the food source. When food was discovered they returned to the nest laying a trail for recruiting nestmates to the food source. In this situation, workers always traveled significantly faster when returning from the arenas. Both workers and soldiers were recruited to the food source; however, the soldier/worker proportion was higher during the first phase of the recruitment. When no food was available, the number of recruited nestmates and the speed on their way back to the nest were significantly lower. The results also showed that scout foragers always laid trail pheromones when entering into unknown territories, and that chemical signals found in the food could induce workers of C. gestroi to increase their travel speed. Copyright © 2012 Alberto Arab et al.

A metabolic pathway assembled by enzyme selection may support herbivory of leaf-cutter ants on plant starch

Mutualistic associations shape the evolution in different organism groups. The association between the leaf-cutter ant Atta sexdens and the basidiomycete fungus Leucoagaricus gongylophorus has enabled them to degrade starch from plant material generating glucose, which is a major food source for both mutualists. Starch degradation is promoted by enzymes contained in the fecal fluid that ants deposit on the fungus culture in cut leaves inside the nests. To understand the dynamics of starch degradation in ant nests, we purified and characterized starch degrading enzymes from the ant fecal fluid and from laboratory cultures of L. gongylophorus and found that the ants intestine positively selects fungal α-amylase and a maltase likely produced by the ants, as a negative selection is imposed to fungal maltase and ant α-amylases. Selected enzymes are more resistant to catabolic repression by glucose and proposed to structure a metabolic pathway in which the fungal α-amylase initiates starch catalysis to generate byproducts which are sequentially degraded by the maltase to produce glucose. The pathway is responsible for effective degradation of starch and proposed to represent a major evolutionary innovation enabling efficient starch assimilation from plant material by leaf-cutters. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd.

Frugivoria por morcegos em floresta estacional semidecídua: dieta, riqueza de espécies e germinação de sementes após passagem pelo sistema digestivo

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Fungos negros derivados de Atta spp: diversidade e fatores de virulência

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

Efeito do nitrogênio e da combinação das formas de nitrogênio na atividade das enzimas redutase do nitrato e glutamina sintetase em milho (Zea mays L.) e na produtividade

Pós-graduação em Agronomia - FEIS

Comportamentos de competição entre formigas urbanas frente a uma fonte de alimento

Pós-graduação em Ciências Biológicas (Zoologia) - IBRC

Coptotermes gestroi (Isoptera, Rhinotermitidae): dinâmica de colônias inteiras, necessidades hídricas e alocação de castas entre diferentes fontes alimentares

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Efeito de recurso floral na composição qualitativa de apitoxina

Pós-graduação em Zootecnia - FMVZ

Behavior and foraging technique of the Ingram's squirrel Guerlinguetus ingrami (Sciuridae: Rodentia) in an Araucaria moist forest fragment

This work describes the foraging techniques, body positions and behavior of free-ranging Ingram's squirrel Guerlinguetus ingrami Thomas, 1901 in a region of the Araucaria moist forest, in the Atlantic Forest of southern Brazil. The animals were observed using the all occurrence sampling method with the aid of binoculars and a digital camcorder. All behaviors were described in diagrams and an ethogram. We recorded five basic body positions, 24 behaviors, two food choices, and three feeding strategies utilized to open fruits of Syagrus romanzoffiana (Cham.), the main food source of Ingram's squirrels. We also observed a variance in the animals' stance, which is possibly influenced by predation risk, and discuss the causes of some behaviors.

Preparação e incorporação do substrato em atta sexdens rubropilosa forel, 1908 (Hymenoptera: formicidae) e morfofuncionalidade mandibular em espécies de atta

Pós-graduação em Agronomia (Proteção de Plantas) - FCA

Asymmetrical Dependence Between a Neotropical Mistletoe and its Avian Seed Disperser

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Flexible feeding kinematics of a tropical carnivorous anuran tadpole

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Distribution, management and diversity of yam local varieties in Brazil: a study on Dioscorea alata L.

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