Epidemiological and nosological aspects of Leishmania naiffi Lainson & Shaw, 1989

Leismania naiffi was isolated from 10 out of 64 armadillos (Dasypus novemcinctus) examined in Amazonas, Pará and Rondônia States in the Brazilian Amazon Region. The isolates were obtained in culture from samples of liver (3), spleen (3), lymph nodes (2), skin (1) and blood (1) from the infected animals. Heavy infections with the same parasite were detected for the first time in Psychodopygus squamiventris, a common man-biting phlebotomine, in amazonas and Pará. A new case of cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by L. naiffi is described from the Manaus area, making a total of three known cases of human infection by this parasite.

Infection of Oxydoras kneri Bleecker, 1862 (Pisces, Doradidae) by the acanthocephalan Paracavisoma impudica (Diesing, 1851) Kritcher, 1957

Infection of Oxydoras kneri by the acanthocephalan Paracavisoma impudica is described. The parasites do not penetrate deeply into the host gut wall and do not reach the muscularis layers. Host reaction is minimal, consisting of limited fibrosis around the proboscides. Haemorrhages and lymphocyte infiltration are not observed, and phagocytic cells are only present occasionally. Oxydoras kneri is a newly reported host for Paracavisoma impudica.

Description of Eimeria motelo sp. n. (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from the yellow footed tortoise, Geochelone denticulata (Chelonia: Testudinidae), and replacement of Eimeria carinii Lainson, Costa & Shaw, 1990 by Eimeria lainsoni nom. nov.

Eimeria motelo sp. n. is described from faeces of the yellow-footed tortoise, Geochelone denticulata (L.). Oocysts are irregularly ellipsoidal or cylindrical, with slightly expressed lobed protrusions and irregularities at the poles, possibly caused by wrinkling of the oocyst wall, 17 (15-19) × 9.4 (8.5-11) µm, shape index (length/width) being 1.81 (1.45-2). The oocyst wall is smooth, single-layered, 0.5 µm thick with no micropyle. There are no polar bodies. Sporocysts are ellipsoidal, 8.9 (7.5-10) × 4.4 (4-5) µm, shape index 2.03 (1.7-2.5). A sporocyst residuum is present, composed of many granules of irregular size. The sporozoites are elongate, lying lengthwise in the sporocysts. Comparison with other species of the genus Eimeria parasitising members of family Testudinidae indicates that the presently described coccidium represents a new species. The name of Eimeria carinii Lainson, Costa & Shaw, 1990 is found to be preoccupied by a homonym, Eimeria carinii Pinto 1928 given to a coccidium from Rattus norvegicus. Therefore, it is replaced by Eimeria lainsoni nom. nov.

Phorcotabanus cinereus (Wiedemann, 1821) (Diptera, Tabanidae), an ornithophilic species of Tabanid in Central Amazon, Brazil

In Central Amazon, Brazil, the tabanid Phorcotabanus cinereus (Wiedemann) was recorded attacking the native duck Cairina moschata (Linnaeus) (Anseriformes, Anatidae). The flight and behavior of the tabanid during the attacks and the host's defenses were videotaped and analyzed in slow motion. The tabanid was recorded flying rapidly around the heads of the ducks before landing. Landing always took place on the beak, and then the tabanid walked to the fleshy caruncle on the basal part of the beak to bite and feed. Firstly the duck defends itself through lateral harsh head movements, and then, when it is being bitten, it defends itself by rubbing its head on the body, or dipping the head into water, when swimming. If disturbed, the fly resumed the same pattern of flight as before and would generally try to land again on the same host and bite in the same place. This feeding activity was observed predominantly between 9:30 am and 4:30 pm and always in open areas, near aquatic environments, from June 1996 to January 1997, the dry season in Central Amazon. To test the attractiveness of other animals to P. cinereus, mammals, caimans and domestic and wild birds were placed in suitable habitat and the response of P. cinereus observed. P. cinereus did not attack these animals, suggesting that this species has a preference for ducks, which are plentiful in the region.

O gênero Callideriphus Blanchard, 1851 (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae, Heteropsini)

The genus Callideriphus Blanchard, 1851 (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae, Heteropsini). The genus Callideriphus comprises only two species: C. grossipes Blanchard, 1851 (type species) and C. tucumanus sp. nov. (Argentina, Tucumán). The type locality of C. grossipes had been originally indicated as Chile, but it is supposedly considered erroneous. Its distribution, actually, extends from Southeastern Brazil up to Argentina, along the Atlantic Forest. This species is extremely variable in regard to its coloration and elytral punctation. Two subspecies are recognized: C. grossipes grossipes Blanchard, 1851 (BRAZIL: Minas Gerais, Espírito Santo, São Paulo, Paraná, Santa Catarina) and C. grossipes flavipennis Melzer, 1934 (BRAZIL: Santa Catarina, Rio Grande do Sul; ARGENTINA: Chaco, Entre Ríos, Buenos Aires). Four intermediate forms are recorded and commented. Redescription and a key to species are added. Nomenclatural changes: Callideriphus grossipes grossipes Blanchard, 1851 = C. grossipes var. brasliensis Melzer, 1923 syn. nov. = C. rubricollis Melzer, 1934 syn. nov.; Callideriphus grossipes flavipennis Melzer, 1934 stat nov. = C. signaticollis Melzer, 1934 syn. nov.

Revisão do gênero Mecocephala Dallas, 1851 (Heteroptera, Pentatomidae)

Revision of the genus Mecocephala Dallas, 1851 (Heteroptera, Pentatomidae). The genus Mecocephala Dallas, 1851 is revised, and some taxonomic and geographical distribution data are evaluated. The following species are considered to belong to this genus: M. acuminata Dallas, 1851 = M. holmbergi Pirán, 1969 syn. nov., M. curculionoides Pirán, 1959, M. bonariensis sp. nov., M. magna sp. nov., M. maldonadensis sp. nov., and M. zikani sp. nov.; their distribution is restricted to southern Neotropical Region. Other species, formerly placed in Mecocephala, are considered, respectively: M. rubripes Berg, 1894 incertae sedis, M. darwini Kirkaldy, 1909 incertae sedis, M. atra Bergroth, 1914 incertae sedis, Paramecocephala uruguayensis (Pirán, 1970) comb. nov., Paramecocephala fusca (Haglund, 1868) comb. nov. A key to the species is presented.

Reestruturação do gênero Deois Fennah; descrição de um novo gênero e de novas espécies (Homoptera, Cercopidae, Tomaspidinae)

Restructure of the genus Deois Fennah; description of a new genus and new species (Homoptera, Cercopidae, Tomaspidinae). The genus Deois Fennah is reviewed and some changes in the taxonomy are introduced. The genus and its four subgenera are redefined, having now the following composition: 1) subgenus Deois (Deois) with: D. (D.) correntina (Berg, 1879), D. (D.) grandis Sakakibara, 1979, D. (D.) knoblauchii (Berg, 1879) (formerly in D. (Pandysia)), D. (D.) morialis (China & Myers, 1934), D. (D.) mourei Cavichioli & Sakakibara, 1994, D. (D.) piraporae Sakakibara, 1979, D. (D.) pseudoflavopicta (Lallemand, 1938) comb. nov. (formerly in Mahanarva) = D. (D.) similis Sakakibara, 1979 syn. nov., D. (D.) rubropicta Sakakibara, 1979, D. (D.) spinulata sp. nov., D. (D.) terrea (Germar, 1821), D. (D.) uniformis (Distant, 1909). 2) subgenus Deois (Pandysia) with: D. (P.) bergi sp. nov., D. (P.) crenulata sp. nov., D. (P.) schach (Fabricius, 1787) = Sphenorhyna transiens Walker, 1851 syn. nov.. 3) Deois (Fennahia) with: D. (F.) coerulea (Lallemand, 1924), D. (F.) flexuosa (Walker, 1851). 4) Deois (Acanthodeois) with: D. (A.) flavopicta (Stål, 1854), Deois (A.) incompleta (Walker, 1851). The genus Orodamnis Fennah, 1953 stat. nov. (formerly Deois (Orodamnis)) with: Orodamnis rhynchosporae (China & Myers, 1934) comb. nov. The genus Deoisella gen. nov. is described for: Deoisella fasciata sp. nov. (type species) and Deoisella picklesi (China & Myers, 1934) comb. nov.

Records of Myodopsylla wolffsohni wolffsohni (Rothschild, 1903) (Siphonaptera, Ischnopsyllidae) on Myotis nigricans Schinz, 1821 (Chiroptera, Vespertilionidae), from the State of Paraná, Southern Brazil

The flea, Myodopsylla wolffsohni wolffsohni (Rothschild, 1903), had been recorded for the first time in the State of Paraná in 1940, on the bat, Myotis levis (I. Geoffroy, 1824). Previously, this species of flea had only been recorded on Myotis nigricans, in the Amazonian region. This is the second record of M. w. wolffsohni on M. nigricans in Brazil, and the first in the State of Paraná. Although this flea has been found on undetermined Chiroptera in the State of Santa Catarina, the present record represents the meridional limit of geographic distribution for the infestation on M. nigricans.

Survey of potential sharpshooter and spittlebug vectors of Xylella fastidiosa to grapevines at the São Francisco River Valley, Brazil

Survey of potential sharpshooter and spittlebug vectors of Xylella fastidiosa to grapevines at the São Francisco River Valley, Brazil. Pierce's disease of grapevines, caused by Xylella fastidiosa, is a serious problem in some regions of North America, not yet reported in Brazil. In this study, a survey of potential sharpshooter (Hemiptera, Cicadellidae, Cicadellinae) and spittlebug (Hemiptera, Cercopidae) vectors of X. fastidiosa was conducted in vineyards at the São Francisco River Valley, a major grape growing region in Brazil. Four vineyards of Vitis vinifera L. were sampled fortnightly from June/2005 to June/2007, using yellow sticky cards, each placed at two different heights (45 cm aboveground and 45 cm above the crop canopy) in 10 sampling localities. A total of 4,095 specimens of sharpshooters were collected, nearly all from 3 Proconiini species, Homalodisca spottii Takiya, Cavichioli & McKamey, 2006 (96.8% of the specimens), Tapajosa fulvopunctata (Signoret, 1854) (3.1%), and Tretogonia cribrata Melichar, 1926 (1 specimen). Hortensia similis (Walker, 1851) (2 specimens) was the only Cicadellini species. Only 1 cercopid specimen, belonging to Aeneolamia colon (Germar, 1821), was trapped. Even though they are not considered potential Xylella vectors, 2 Gyponini leafhoppers were collected: Curtara samera DeLong & Freytag, 1972 (11 specimens) and Curtara inflata DeLong & Freytag, 1976 (1 specimen). Homalodisca spottii was observed feeding and mating on green branches of grapevines, in addition to egg masses. Because of its prevalence on the crop canopy, occurrence throughout the year (with peaks from February to August), and ability to colonize grapevines, H. spottii could be an important vector if a X. fastidiosa strain pathogenic to grapevines becomes introduced at the São Francisco River Valley.

Atratividade e preferência alimentar de adultos de Epicauta atomaria (Germ., 1821) (Col.: Meloidae) em maracujazeiros (Passiflora spp.), sob condições de laboratório

A atratividade e a preferência alimentar de adultos de Epicauta atomaria (Germ., 1821) por folhas de espécies de maracujazeiro Passiflora spp. foram avaliadas sob condições de laboratório. Em testes de atratividade realizados em placas de Petri e olfatômetro, os discos foliares e extratos foliares de P. setacea e P. edulis f. flavicarpa foram os mais preferidos por adultos de E. atomaria, enquanto P. giberti, P. nitida e P. alata foram os menos preferidas nos dois tipos de recipientes. Nos testes de consumo com e sem chance de escolha utilizando discos foliares, P. setacea foi a mais consumida, confirmando sua suscetibilidade; P. giberti e P. nitida foram pouco consumidas, apresentando não-preferência para alimentação como mecanismo de resistência; P. edulis f. flavicarpa e P. alata também revelaram não-preferência para alimentação, porém em níveis mais baixos.

História da química e da geologia: Joseph Black e James Hutton como referências para educação em ciências

The second half of eighteenth century is marked by the advancement of chemistry and geology. The first science acquired the law of conservation of mass and this science represented a important support to geology and mineralogy. We say that both became modern science that time. Our aim is to show up some interrelations between history of chemistry and history of geology by means of the study of Joseph Black's and James Hutton's works. We defend that it is positive to science education to understand and approach the relations among different and disciplinary areas of science.

Joseph Neng Shun Kwong: a famous and obscure scientist

Many students and professionals in chemistry and chemical engineering related the name Kwong with one of the most remarkable equations of state with two parameters. In the same way, very few people know who Kowng was. This article shows some of the unknown personal and professional facts of Joseph Neng Shun Kwong, a person who devoted almost four decades of his life to the industrial research in the adhesives industry.

The Hegel's Vorlesungen über die Philosophie der Religion (1821-1831) sources and critical editions from Marheineke to Jaeschke

In this paper I provide a concise plan about Hegel's Lectures on the Philosophy of Religion critical editions, laying stress on the method followed by editors in order to build a coherent text with the sources at their disposal. The Marheineke's edition (1832) is analysed with special attention since it was the edition that caused the division between a Right and a Left, opening the discussion on speculative theism as a consequence of the difficulty to distinguish the systematic part from the historical one in the reasoning carried out by Hegel.