Spermatogenesis and spermiogenesis in Didymocystis wedli Ariola, 1902 (Didymozoidae, Digenea)

The ultrastructure of the male reproductive system of Didymocystis wedli was studied for the first time, demonstrating spermiogenesis and spermatogenesis at different cell stages. The spermatozoa morphology was compared with that of other Digenea species. It was observed that the different cells of the spermatogenesis process follow the classic pattern reported for the majority of the parasitic platyhelminthes. During spermiogenesis, rootlet fibers, electrondense bodies and median cytoplasmic process were not observed. The mature spermatozoa of D. wedli were filiform, presenting nucleus, mitochondrion and two 9+1 axonemes, with a biflagellate distal extremity.

Pathology and first report of natural infections of the eye trematode Philophthalmus lachrymosus Braun, 1902 (Digenea, Philophthalmidae) in a non-human mammalian host

The avian eye trematode Philophthalmus lachrymosus Braun, 1902 is for the first time referred naturally occurring in a non-human mammalian host. Previously, natural infections with P. lachrymosus and other species of Philophthalmus have been occasionally reported from man, with few data on experimental infections of non-human mammals. Results presented here are related to the report of two cases of philophthalmosis due to natural infections of wild Brazilian capybaras, Hydrochaeris hydrochaeris L., 1766 with P. lachrymosus and associated pathology. Clinical signs, gross and microscopic lesions as well as new morphometric data on the parasite are presented.

A new Eimeria (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae), possessing mitra-shaped oocysts, from the Neotropical chelid turtle Batrachemys heliostemma (Testudines: Chelidae), and its comparison with Eimeria mitraria (Laveran & Mesnil 1902)

Eimeria jirkamoraveci sp. n. is described from faeces of two specimens of the toad-headed, side-necked turtle Batrachemys heliostemma collected at Iquitos in Peru. Oocysts are ovoid to almost spherical, 10.6 (8-12) × 8.9 (7-10) mum, without micropyle, polar granule and oocyst residuum. One conically stretched end and three blunt conical tubercles at the opposite end of oocyst give it mitra-like appearance. Sporocysts are elongated, ellipsoidal, 7.2 (6-8) × 4.1 (4-4.5) mum, with a small, knob-like Stieda body and sporocyst residuum composed of fine granules. To avoid possible conspecificity, the described new species is thoroughly compared with the most similar coccidium, E. mitraria, collected from its type host, Chinemys reevesii.

Systaltocerus platyrhinus Labram & Imhoff, 1840: redescrições e considerações sobre a sinonímia com Homalorhamphus vestitus Haedo Rossi & Viana, 1957 (Coleoptera, Anthribidae, Anthribinae)

Systaltocerus platyrhinus Labram & Imhoff, 1840: redescriptions and considerations about the synonymy with Homalorhamphus vestitus Haedo Rossi & Viana, 1957 (Coleoptera, Anthribidae, Anthribinae). The genus Systaltocerus Labram & Imhoff, 1840 and the species S. platyrhinus Labram & Imhoff, 1840 (type species), are redescribed. Illustrations of the mouth pieces, endosternites, wing venation, male and female terminalia, and rectal plates, are given for the first time. New data on geographic distribution are also presented. Nomenclatural changes introduced: Systaltocerus Labram & Imhoff, 1840 = Homalorhamphus Haedo Rossi & Viana, 1957 syn. nov.; Systaltocerus platyrhinus Labram & Imhoff, 1840 = Homalorhamphus vestitus Haedo Rossi & Viana, 1957 syn. nov.

Espécies novas de Centris Fabricius (Hymenoptera, Apoidea)

Three new species of Centris Fabricius, 1804 are described: C. (Melacentris) melanosara sp. nov. (Viçosa-MG, Brazil), C. (Ptilotopus) melampoda sp. nov. (Manaus-AM, Brazil), and C. (Ptilotopus) erythrotricha sp. nov. (Pucallpa, Peru). Centris (Melacentris) frieseana nom. nov., a new name given to Centris friesei Ducke, 1902, non Schrottky, 1902. Comments and comparison between C. (Melacentris) rhodoprocta Moure & Seabra, 1961 and C. (Ptilotopus) nobilis Westwood, 1840, are given. All the species are figured.

Orientações pedagógicas das "casas de asilo da infância desvalida" (1834-1840)

Este estudo sobre os primeiros anos de atividades da Sociedade das Casas de Asilo da Infância Desvalida firmou-se na exploração do arquivo da instituição, denominada desde há poucos anos Fundação D. Pedro IV. Ela orientou-se pela filantropia, seguindo as tendências manifestadas pelas classes hegemônicas européias, sobretudo em França, tendo à sua frente o ex-Imperador do Brasil, que regressou a Lisboa após a derrota dos absolutistas. As Casas de Asilo tinham uma fisionomia própria que se distinguia das salles d'asile. No intuito de acharem um rumo ajustado às necessidades da sociedade portuguesa, os animadores da iniciativa começaram por criar uma "escola de ensino". Colhidos os primeiros frutos da experiência, o movimento das Casas de Asilo começou a difundir-se pelo país e a diversificar as suas intervenções. Embora destinadas a um público de crianças provenientes de famílias muito pobres ou indigentes, em idade pré-escolar, essas instituições configuravam as escolas de Primeiras Letras, mas incluíam no currículo atividades educativas, manuais ou artísticas, e de educação social, visando à integração de seu público. Apesar disso, essa experiência de educação infantil não logrou desprender-se da tradição escolarizante que a marcava.