Bromeliad-living spiders improve host plant nutrition and growth

Although bromeliads are believed to obtain nutrients from debris deposited by animals in their rosettes, there is little evidence to support this assumption. Using stable isotope methods, we found that the Neotropical jumping spider Psecas chapoda (Salticidae), which lives strictly associated with the terrestrial bromeliad Bromelia balansae, contributed 18% of the total nitrogen of its host plant in a greenhouse experiment. In a one-year field experiment, plants with spiders produced leaves 15% longer than plants from which the spiders were excluded. This is the first study to show nutrient provisioning in a spider-plant system. Because several animal species live strictly associated with bromeliad rosettes, this type of facultative mutualism involving the Bromeliaceac may be more common than previously thought.

Biotic interactions recorded in shells of recent rhynchonelliform brachiopods from San Juan Island, USA

Biotic interactions between brachiopods and spionid polychaete worms, collected around San Juan Islands (USA), were documented using observations from live-collected individuals and traces of bioerosion found in dead brachiopod shells. Specimens of Terebratalia tranversa (Sowerby), Terebratulina unguicula (Carpenter), Laqueus californianus (Koch), and Hemithiris psittacea (Gmelin) were collected from rocky and muddy substrates, from sites ranging from 14.7-93.3 m in depth. Out of 1,131 specimens, 91 shells showed traces of bioerosion represented by horizontal tubes. Tubes are U-shaped, straight or slightly curved, sometimes branched, with both tube openings communicating externally. on internal surfaces of infested shells, blisters are observed. All brachiopod species yielded tubes, except for H. psittacea. Tubes are significantly more frequent on live specimens, and occur preferentially on larger, ventral valves. This pattern suggests selectivity by the infester rather than a taphonomic bias. Given the mode of life of studied brachiopods (epifaunal, sessile, attached to the substrate, lying on dorsal valve), ventral valves of living specimens should offer the most advantageous location for suspension-feeding infesters. Frequent infestation of brachiopods by parasitic spionids is ecologically and commercially noteworthy because farmed molluscs are also commonly infested by parasitic polychaetes. In addition, brachiopod shells are among the most common marine macroscopic fossils found in the Phanerozoic fossil record. From a paleontological perspective, spionid-infested brachiopod shells may be a prime target for studying parasite-host interactions over evolutionary time scales.

Phylogenetic analysis of the neotropical pseudopolybia de saussure, 1863, with description of the male genitalia of pseudopolybia vespiceps (Hymenoptera : Vespidae, epiponini)

The male genitalia of Pseudopolybia vespiceps are described and compared to congeners. Characters of the male genitalia are combined with morphological characters of the females and nests and used in a phylogenetic analysis. The single cladogram resulting supports monophyly of the genus Pseudopolybia and interrelationships among the species as: P. langi + (P. difficilis + (P. compressa + P. vespiceps)). A new, illustrated identification key is presented.

Drill holes in shells of Permian benthic invertebrates

Newly discovered benthic fossils and specimens illustrated in the paleontological literature indicate that drilling predators (or parasites) were present in the Permian. New field data from southern Brazil document the first drill holes ever reported for Permian bivalve mollusks. In addition, a literature review revealed drill holes in shells of articulate brachiopods from Russia, Greece, and West Texas. Holes range in size from 0.1 to 5.8 mm and are typically round, cylindrical, singular penetrations perpendicular to the valve surface. Incomplete, healed, and multiple holes are absent. Drilling frequency, a proxy for predation intensity, is very low: less than 1 percent (this estimate may be seriously affected by taphonomic and monographic biases). Literature data suggest that frequency of drilled specimens varied significantly among higher brachiopod taxa. The geography and stratigraphy of drilled specimens indicate that drilling organisms were worldwide in their occurrence and continuously present in marine ecosystems throughout the Permian. This report is consistent with other recent studies indicating that although drillers were continuously present throughout the Phanerozoic, drilling intensity was lower in the Late Paleozoic and early Mesozoic.

The dawn lek of the Swallow-tailed Hummingbird

We studied the lek behavior of the Swallow-tailed Hummingbird (Eupetomena macroura) in an urbanized area in S (a) over tildeo Paulo state, Southeastern Brazil. During the 22-month study we identified a total of 26 lekking territories in one lek that covered an area of approximately 12 ha. The lek was active throughout the year; the number of singing males per morning ranged from 6-15. The abandonment of territories and the establishment of new ones caused continuous rearrangement of lek boundaries. Lekking territories had a mean size of 217 m(2) and were separated from each other by 24-120 m. on average, males started singing 27 min before sunrise and kept singing for 17 min. At the end of this period and after a few minutes of silent perching, they abandoned their lekking territories until the next morning. During the singing period. males spent 72-100% of the time inside their territories. The lek behavior of E. macroura is unusual compared to other lekking hummingbirds because of the short daily period of lekking, restricted to just before Sunrise. Since males and females of E. macroura possibly defend feeding territories throughout the rest of the day, the short lekking period may represent a tradeoff between two different time budget pressures from lekking and feeding activities.

Identification and characterization of different accessions of itchgrass (Rottboellia cochinchinensis)

Studies were conducted to identify and characterize different accessions of itchgrass. Seeds were collected in the counties of Aramina, Campinas, Dumont, Igarapava, Jaboticabal, and Ribeirao Preto, all in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. Accessions were characterized based on dimensions of their stomata, stomatal index (SI), and length and width of their seed (caryopses and husk). Chromosome number and length also were determined, and accessions were further differentiated using molecular markers (polymerase chain reaction [PCR]). Itchgrass from Ribeirao Preto had much longer and narrower seeds than those from the other locations, and their husks were longer as well. Accessions had similar SIs, both on the abaxial and adaxial leaf surfaces. Stomata from Campinas and Igarapava accessions were longer and wider, whereas those from Dumont and Ribeirao Preto were similar and smaller than all others. The accession from Ribeirao Preto is diploid (2n = 20); the rest are polyploid, with the total length of chromosomes smaller than all others. These differences were confirmed by molecular differentiation (PCR).

Study of structural surface modified tin oxide membrane prepared by sol-gel route sintered at 400 degrees C

This work describes the chemical modification by Tiron(R) molecules of the surface of SnO2 nanoparticles used to prepare nanoporous membranes. Samples prepared with Tiron(R) content between 1 and 20 wt% and fired at 400 C were characterised by X-Ray Powder Diffraction (XRPD), Extended X-ray Absorption Fine Structure (EXAFS), N-2 adsorption isotherms analysis and permeation experiments. XRPD and EXAFS results show a continuous reduction of crystallite size by increasing the Tiron(R) contents until 7.5 wt%. The control exercised by Tiron(R) modifying agent in crystallite growth allows the fine tuning of the average pore size that can be screened from 0.4 to 4 nm as the amount of grafted molecules decreases from 10 to 0 wt%. In consequence, the membrane cut-off can be screened from 1500 to 3500 g.mol(-1).

Adubação foliar. I. Épocas de aplicação de fósforo na cultura da soja

The search for new alternatives in order to increase soybeans productivity has been constant objective of researchers and farmers. The crop responses to phosphorus application in the soil are well defined, being this nutrient very important on its development and yield. The leaf fertilization on this crop appears as a new rationale option, mainly when the plant nutrient levels are low. So, this work aimed to study the effect of phosphorus leaf fertilization, applied at different plant stage, including: V5, R1, R4, V5 + R1, V5 + R4, R1 + R4, V5 + R1 + R4, V5 + R1 + R4 + R6 and test plot. The experiment was installed in a soybeans crop, Monarca cultivar, at Palmital Farm, Ijaci county, Minas Gerais state, Brazil, using a totally randomized design, with 9 treatments and 3 replications. The chelate Quimifol P30 in liquid form with 30% of the nutrient soluble in CNA + water in the, with doses of 21. ha(-1), was utilized as phosphorus source, using the applications performed with a constant pressure CO(2)-nebulizer. The different epochs of phosphorous application significantly altered the grains yield, proportioning significant increases, up to 16% for the V5, V5 + R1, V5 + R4, V5 + R1 + R4, V5 + R1 + R4 + R6 epochs, when compared to the test plot, clearly expressing the positive effect of these applications at V5 stage. The plant height, first legume insertion, and lodging index characteristics were not significantly altered by the different epochs evaluated. It was observed significant response for the nutrient leaf amounts only in the case of K and Zn indices, exclusively in the V5 + R4, and in the V5, V5 + R1 and V5 + R1 + R4 + R6 treatments, respectively.

Sea waves generated by extratropical cyclones in the South Atlantic Ocean: Hindcast and validation against altimeter data

This work presents analyses of the atmospheric conditions and the hindcast of the surface wave field when six extratropical cyclones formed and displaced over the South Atlantic Ocean (10degreesN, 60degreesS; 75degreesW, 15degreesE) between April and September 1999. These events caused high sea waves associated with hazardous conditions along the south and southeast coast of Brazil. The meteorological composite fields for these cyclones show a strong near-surface wind velocity (up to 14 m s(-1)) during its mature phase. The sea-state wave hindcast was obtained using a third-generation wave model forced by the 10-m above ground level wind field from the National Centers for Environmental Prediction-National Center for Atmospheric Research reanalysis dataset. Closer to the south and southeast Brazilian coast, the hindcast results showed significant wave heights of up to 5 m in some of the events. The wave hindcast results for the significant wave height were compared against satellite altimeter data at 6 h intervals. The statistical index showed a systematic underestimation of the significant wave height by 0.5 m. The correlation between wave hindcast and altimeter measurements was greater than 90%, showing a good phase reproduction by the wave model.

The megalopa and early juvenile stages of Calappa tortugae Rathbun, 1933 (Crustacea, Brachyura) reared in the laboratory from South Carolina neuston samples

Neuston samples collected from the Charleston Bump region off the coast of South Carolina, U.S.A., during the summers of 2002 and 2003 consistently included a decapod species of undetermined identity with a large brachyuran megalopa. Despite their resemblance to some calappids, it was impossible to make a definitive identification based solely on general morphology. Therefore, additional neuston tows were taken on the continental shelf near Charleston, during the summer of 2004 to obtain these living megalopae. These were raised successfully through five juvenile stages at the Southeastern Regional Taxonomic Center (SERTC) laboratory. The morphology of the juveniles provided evidence that they are megalopae of Calappa tortugae Rathbun, 1933. Comparisons with megalopae of Hepatus epheliticus (Linnaeus, 1763), H. pudibundus (Herbst, 1785), Calappa flammea (Herbst, 1794) and Cryptosoma balguerii (Desbonne, 1867) are presented here. This is the first complete description of the megalopa morphology of a member of the genus Calappa Weber, 1795 from the Western Atlantic, and it is helpful for taxonomic, systematic and ecological purposes.

A new species of the Bokermannohyla pseudopseudis group from central Bahia, Brazil (Amphibia, Hylidae)

A new species of treefrog is described from Chapada Diamantina in the central State of Bahia, Brazil. The new species is a member of the Bokermannohyla pseudopseudis group, characterized by its small to medium size, head as long as wide, snout short, rounded in dorsal view and nearly truncate in lateral view, eyes and tympanum large, and forearm and prepollex well developed. The new species can be distinguished from the other species of the B. pseudopseudis group by its voice and the shape of its head and snout. it is smaller than B. saxicola and B. pseudopseudis, and has a less developed forearm and prepollex than B. ibitiguara males. The tadpole and vocalizations are described and information on natural history is provided.

Serum iron and plasma fibrinogen concentrations as indicators of systemic inflammatory diseases in horses

Background: Detection of systemic inflammation, which is important for proper diagnosis and prompt treatment, can be challenging.Hypothesis: Measurement of plasma iron concentration is a sensitive method for detecting systemic inflammation in horses compared with measurements of plasma Fibrinogen concentration, a traditional marker for inflammation in the horse.Animals: Ninety-seven horses hospitalized with diseases causing systemic inflammation, 22 horses with localized inflammation, and 12 clinically normal horses were included in this study.Methods: A retrospective study was made on hospitalized horses that had both plasma iron and fibrinogen concentrations measured on hospital admission.Results: Plasma iron concentration was lower in horses with systemic inflammation (64 +/- 45 mu g/dL) than the reference interval minimum (105 mu g/dL) and were significantly lower (P = .001) than the value in a group of horses with local inflammation (123 +/- 45 mu g/dL) and in healthy transported horses (143 +/- 29 mu g/dL). Low plasma iron and high fibrinogen concentrations were both sensitive indicators of systemic inflammation in horses with sensitivity of 90 and 82%, respectively. There was a similar correlation between either continued decreases in iron concentration (R-sp of 0.239) or increases in fibrinogen concentration (R-sp of 0.280) during hospitalization and a worse prognosis.Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Measurement of plasma iron concentration better reflected acute inflammation than did fibrinogen concentration.

Formation of SnO2 supported porous membranes

In this work, the effect of the substrate microstructure on the formation of SnO2 membranes and of the sintering conditions on their porosity have been analysed. Samples have been prepared by colloidal suspensions cast on alumina or kaolin substrates. Supported membranes have been characterized by Hg porosimetry, MEV, XRD and N-2 adsorption-desorption isotherms. The results show that the narrower pore size distribution of alumina substrate allowed to prepare membranes more homogeneous and free of cracks than that supported on kaolin. The crystallite and pore sizes of the membranes could be controlled by adjusting the temperature of sintering, allowing materials with adequate microstructure with application for ultrafiltration process.

SAXS study of formation and growth of tin oxide nanoparticles in the presence of complexing ligands

The effect of acetylacetone (acac) complexing ligand on the formation and growth of tin oxide-based nanoparticles during thermohydrolysis at 70 degreesC of a tin precursor SnCl4-n(acac)(n) (0 less than or equal to n less than or equal to 2) solution was analyzed by in situ small-angle X-ray scattering. A. transparent and stable sol was obtained after 2 h of thermohydrolysis at 70 degreesC, allowing the quantitative determination of the particle volume distribution function and its variation with the reaction time. The number of colloidal particles for equivalent thermohydrolysis temperature and time decreases as the [acac]/[Sn] ratio in initial solution increases from 0.5 to 6. Instead, the amount of soluble species remaining in solution increases for increasing [acac]/[Sn] ratio within the same range. This indicates that increasing amounts of Sn-acetylacetone complexes partially prevent the hydrolysis and consequent formation of colloidal particles. The N-2 adsorption isotherm characterization of freeze-dried powders demonstrates that the average pore size is approximately equal to the average size (approximate to9 Angstrom) of the colloidal primary particles in the sol, and that the porosity and surface area (approximate to200 m(2) g(-1)) are independent of the acac content in the initial solution.