Uso do bivalve límnico Anodontites tenebricosus (LEA, 1834) no biomonitoramento de metais do Rio Ribeira de Iguape

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

The Genome Sequence of Taurine Cattle: A Window to Ruminant Biology and Evolution

To understand the biology and evolution of ruminants, the cattle genome was sequenced to about sevenfold coverage. The cattle genome contains a minimum of 22,000 genes, with a core set of 14,345 orthologs shared among seven mammalian species of which 1217 are absent or undetected in noneutherian (marsupial or monotreme) genomes. Cattle-specific evolutionary breakpoint regions in chromosomes have a higher density of segmental duplications, enrichment of repetitive elements, and species-specific variations in genes associated with lactation and immune responsiveness. Genes involved in metabolism are generally highly conserved, although five metabolic genes are deleted or extensively diverged from their human orthologs. The cattle genome sequence thus provides a resource for understanding mammalian evolution and accelerating livestock genetic improvement for milk and meat production.

O Barão do Rio Branco no Itamaraty (1902-1912)

Os cem anos do fim da gestão do Barão do Rio Branco no Ministério das Relações Exteriores do Brasil coincidem com um momento politicamente propício para se revisitar o legado do patrono da diplomacia brasileira, em especial o referente aos Estados Unidos e ao Prata, os dois principais eixos das relações externas do País. Examinam-se o teor das relações com a potência hegemônica do hemisfério e o caráter oscilante daquelas com a Argentina. A partir de fontes primárias e bibliográficas, o autor procura demonstrar que Rio Branco, além do fechamento dos limites do território nacional, firmou tendências e procedimentos que se incorporaram à tradição da diplomacia brasileira, analisando, para isso, a função do alinhamento Rio de Janeiro-Washington no conjunto da política externa do chanceler e o padrão das relações com o governo argentino, fatores que influenciaram seus movimentos no entorno geográfico. A política de prestígio desenvolvida por Rio Branco decorreu da aspiração em diferenciar seu país do conjunto de nações do segmento sul do hemisfério, identificadas com convulsões políticas e insolvência financeira.

Feeding habits of the spider crab Libinia spinosa H. Milne Edwards, 1834 (Decapoda, Brachyura) in Ubatuba Bay, São Paulo, Brazil

The main goal of this study was the identification of the items of the diet of the L. spinosa, based on the stomach contents analysis. The crabs were obtained from Ubatuba region north-eastern shore of São Paulo State. In the laboratory, all the individuals were dissected, the stomach was retreated and fixed in 10% formaline. The alimentary items were identified under stereomicroscope and analysed by the method of Frequency of Occurrence. A total of 194 stomachs was analysed and nine alimentary items were obtained. Unindentified material was found in 98% of analysed stomach and poriferan were present in less then 1% of stomachs. These results pointed a diversified diet explored by this crab, as well as the employment of some different methods for food intake. This suggested that these crabs could occupy different position in the trophic chain.

Larval development of Epialtus bituberculatus H. Milne Edwards, 1834 (Crustacea : Decapoda : Brachyura : Majidae) with comments on majid larvae from the southwestern Atlantic

The larval development of the spider crab Epialtus bituberculatus H. Milne Edwards which Lives on rocky shores with algae such as Sargassum and Hypneia, is described. Larvae were obtained from ovigerous females collected in Ubatuba, State of São Paulo, Brazil. Rearing was carried out at 24 +/- 1 degreesC, with an average salinity of 35 parts per thousand. Larval development consists of two zoeal stages and one megalopa. Zoeal development was completed in 9.5 days. Analysis indicated that zoeae of E. bituberculatus are very similar to those of E. brasiliensis Dana and Acanthonyx scutiformis (Dana). Differences noted between these species pertain to the setation of the carapace, maxillule and second maxilliped. The main morphological features useful for identification are presented together with a summary of features that characterize larvae of majid subfamilies in Brazil. A key for the identification of southwestern Atlantic majid zoeae to the family level is provided.

Reproductive output of the spider crab Epialtus bituberculatus (H. Milne Edwards, 1834) (Crustacea, Decapoda, Brachyura) associated with beds of the alga Sargassum cymosum (C. Agardh, 1820) on the southeastern Brazilian coast

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Age and growth of the Scalloped Hammerhead shark, Sphyrna lewini (Griffith and Smith, 1834), from the southern Brazilian coast

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

LOSS OF HEMISPERMATOPHORES AND SEXUAL-BEHAVIOR OF TITYUS-BAHIENSIS (PERTY, 1834) (SCORPIONES, BUTHIDAE)

Male scorpions (Tityus bahiensis) that have been deprived of their hemispermatophores and hemispermatophore sheaths retain their ability to court females despite their inability to mate successfully. Although hemispermatophores usually regenerate rapidly in nature, no such regeneration occurred after experimental amputation.

Systematic consideration of petiole anatomy of species of Echinodorus Richard (Alismataceae) from north-eastern Brazil

Petiole anatomy of the north-eastern Brazilian species Echinodorus glandulosus, E. palaefolius, E. pubescens, E subalatus, E lanceolatus and E paniculatus were examined. All species had petioles with an epidermis composed of tabular cells with thin walls. The chlorenchyma just below the epidermis alternates with collateral vascular bundles. The interior of the petiole is filled by aerenchyma with ample open spaces or lacunas. The lacunas are bridged at intervals by plates, or by diaphragm-like linkages. There are lactiferous ducts and groups of fibres throughout the entire length of the petiole, but more frequently in the chlorenchyma. Important taxonomic characteristics for the genus Echinodorus include the shape and outline of the petiole in transversal section, the presence of winged extensions, and the number of vascular bundle arcs. Exceptions occur in E. lanceolatus and E. paniculatus, whose petioles have similar anatomic patterns. A comparative chart of the petiole anatomic characteristics analyzed is presented. (c) 2007 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

LARVAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE SPIDER CRAB ACANTHONYX-PETIVERII EDWARDS,H.MILNE, 1834 (DECAPODA, MAJIDAE) IN THE LABORATORY

The larval development of Acanthonyx petiverii H. M. Edwards, 1834, was studied in the laboratory through eggs hatched from ovigerous females collected in Ubatuba, state of São Paulo, Brazil. The rearings were carried out in a climatic room with constant temperature (25 degrees +/- 1 degrees C) and salinity (34,5 parts per thousand). The larvae were maintained individually and the food consisted of Artemia nauplii. The larval development of A. petiverii consists of two zoeal stages and a megalopa. All the larval stages were drawn and described in detail. Tables include those presenting morphological characters that allow the identification of zoeae and megalopa of A. petiverii. A comparative study was realized with previously studied majid species that occur in southern and southeastern Brazil.

Larval development of Epialtus bituperculatus H. Milne Edwards, 1834 (Crustacea: Decapoda: Brachyura: Majidae) with comments on majid larvae from the southwestern Atlantic

The larval development of the spider crab Epialtus bituberculatus H. Milne Edwards which lives on rocky shores with algae such as Sargassum and Hypeneia, is described. Larvae were obtained from ovigerous females collected in Ubatuba, State of São Paulo, Brazil. Rearing was carried out at 24 ± 1°C, with an average salinity of 35%. Larval development consists of two zoeal stages and one megalopa. Zoeal development was completed in 9.5 days. Analysis indicated that zoeae of E. bituberculatus are very similar to those of E. brasiliensis Dana and Acanthonyx scutiformis (Dana). Differences noted between these species pertain to the setation of the carapace, maxillule and second maxilliped. The main morphological features useful for identification are presented together with a summary of features that characterize larvae of majid subfamilies in Brazil. A key for the identification of southwestern Atlantic majid zoeae to the family level is provided.