The Larval Development of Palaemonid Shrimps from the Amazon region reared In the laboratory. VII. Abbreviated development of Pseudopalaemon amazonensis Ramos-Porto, 1979 (Crustacea: Decapoda: Caridea)

Larval development of the freshwater shrimp Pseudopalaemon amazonensis Ramos-Porto was studied in the laboratory based on the offspring of ovigerous females collected in a small “terra-firme” forest stream near Manaus, Brazil. Ovigerous females with a mean total length of 36.5 ± 1.9 mm carried 13-19 eliptical, yolk-rich eggs measuring 2.55 ± 0.16 x 1.64 ± 0.11 mm. The larval period consisted of 3 benthie stages and the larvae accomplished metamorphosis after 7-8 days without feeding. The newly-hatched larva had sessile eyes and all appendages, except for the uropods; chelipeds were present as uniramous buds, but walking legs were fully developed and functional. Descriptions and illustrations of the 3 larval and first juvenile stages are presented.

Leaf anatomical features of three Theobroma species (Malvaceae s.l.) native to the Brazilian Amazon

Theobroma species have economic importance due to their use in the cosmetic and food industries, mainly in the production of chocolate. However, the anatomy of their vegetative structures remains poorly studied. The goal of this study was to describe the anatomical features of Theobroma grandiflorum, T. speciosum and T. subincanum to contribute to the biological knowledge of these species, as well as provide support to the biotechnological studies of native fruit plants of the Amazon. Leaves at different developmental stages were collected and analyzed under light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Sessile and stalked stellate trichomes and digitiform glandular trichomes were observed in the expanded leaves of T. grandiflorum and T. subincanum. These species were also similar in the morphology of the midrib, the organization of the mesophyll and the presence of starch grains in the midrib pith cells. Claviform glandular trichomes and mucilage cells in the epidermis occurred only in the expanded leaves of T. speciosum. The presence of mucilage secretory trichomes in shoot apices (colleters) of all species is a new finding for the genus Theobroma.

Importance of anatomical leaf features for characterization of three species of Mapania (Mapanioideae, Cyperaceae) from the Amazon Forest, Brazil

Mapania belongs to Mapanioideae, a quite controversial subfamily in Cyperaceae due to the existence of unusual characters in both reproductive and vegetative organs. The genus is represented by seven species in Northern Brazil but taxonomic valuable information related to the leaf organs is still unknown. The present study aimed the anatomical description of the leaf organs (either basal leaves or cataphylls and involucral bracts) of three representative Brazilian species of Mapania. Samples of cataphylls, basal leaves and involucral bracts were sectioned and stained for observations under light microscopy. The involucral bracts provide the most elucidative characters (ten) to distinguish the three species The basal leaves provides six distinguishing characters and are useful to M. macrophylla and M. pycnostachya, as they are absent in M. sylvatica. Mesophyll arrangement in the involucral bracts supports the circumscription of M. macrophylla and M. pycnostachya in M. sect. Pycnocephala and of M. sylvatica in M. sect. Mapania. Some features as thin-walled epidermal cells, stomata level and aerenchyma were considered to be adaptive to the humid environment in which the species occur. The translucent cells are here considered as aerenchyma precursors and a supportive function is assumed for the bulliform cells on the basal leaves and involucral bracts. No silica bodies were found which confirm it as a diagnostic character of Mapania among Hypolytreae genera.

Comparative leaf morphological analysis of 20 species of Chrysobalanaceae

Morphological studies focusing on vegetative traits are useful in identifying species when fertile material is not available. The aim of this study was to assess the application of comparative leaf morphology to identify species of the Chrysobalanaceae family. The morphological observations were made with a stereomicroscope. We used the diaphanization technique for viewing venation details. It is shown the descriptions of the leaf morphology, illustrations and an identification key for 20 species from genera Couepia, Licania and Parinari (Chrysobalanaceae) occurring in the Adolpho Ducke Forest Reserve, Manaus, AM, Brazil. The key was constructed using the DELTA (DEscription Language for TAxonomy) software. Leaf traits such as the presence of intersecondary venation and the type of insertion of secondary veins were recorded for each species. These morphological leaf traits are reliable for identifying species of Chrysobalanaceae

Use of anatomical root markers for species identification in Catasetum (Orchidaceae) at the Portal da Amazônia region, MT, Brazil

Orchidaceae is one of the largest botanical families, with approximately 780 genera. Among the genera of this family, Catasetum currently comprises 166 species. The aim of this study was to characterize the root anatomy of eight Catasetum species, verifying adaptations related to epiphytic habit and looking for features that could contribute to the vegetative identification of such species. The species studied were collected at the Portal da Amazônia region, Mato Grosso state, Brazil. The roots were fixed in FAA 50, cut freehand, and stained with astra blue/fuchsin. Illustrations were obtained with a digital camera mounted on a photomicroscope. The roots of examined species shared most of the anatomical characteristics observed in other species of the Catasetum genus, and many of them have adaptations to the epiphytic habit, such as presence of secondary thickening in the velamen cell walls, exodermis, cortex, and medulla. Some specific features were recognized as having taxonomic application, such as composition of the thickening of velamen cell walls, ornamentation of absorbent root-hair walls, presence of tilosomes, composition and thickening of the cortical cell walls, presence of mycorrhizae, endodermal cell wall thickening, the number of protoxylem poles, and composition and thickening of the central area of the vascular cylinder. These traits are important anatomical markers to separate the species within the genus and to generate a dichotomous identification key for Catasetum. Thus, providing a useful tool for taxonomists of this group

Structure and distribution of glandular trichomes in three species of Bignoniaceae

Glandular trichomes play a major role in the morphological characterization of the Bignoniaceae. Due to their great diversity of forms and functions, this study aimed to inventory the glandular trichomes present in the aerial vegetative axis of Amphilophium magnoliifolium, Martinella obovata and Stizophyllum riparium, analyze their structure and register the participation of ants in these plants. Fresh samples from the nodal region, petiole and from medium to apical regions of the leaflet blade were fixed and processed according to usual methods in light and scanning electron microscopies. The glandular trichomes found were: peltate, capitate, stipitate, and patelliform/cupular. Peltate trichomes are the most abundant ones and present the most uniform distribution. Patelliform/cupular trichomes occur at specific regions, such as prophylls, leaflet blade and nodal regions. Martinella obovata is the only species that presents capitate and stipitate trichomes, which are widely distributed along the entire aerial vegetative axis. Ants were found in all species, mainly at nodal regions. The occurrence of the capitate-type trichome is reported for the first time to the genus.

Efeitos do arsênico sôbre a cultura do algodoeiro em terra arenosa

The authors studied the action of arsenic, in the form of lead arsenate and sodium arsenite, on cotton in white sandy soil of Piracicaba, State of S. Paulo, Brazil. The experiment was carried out in Mitscherlich pots, applying increasing quantities of the above mentioned compounds. The following conclusions were reached: sodium arsenite is more toxic than lead arsenate. 48 pounds per acre of lead arsenate and 16 pounds per acre of sodium arsenite reduced the vegetative development and the production of cotton. The roots were more seriously affected than the aerial parts. Sandy soils were sensitive to arsenic toxicity. The arsenic mobilization in the soil seems to depend upon factors such as, the a- cidity, the concentration of Fe2O3, CaO, P2O5 and soil colloids, both clay and humus components. The authors suggest, based on their own experiment and after a detailed study of the literature, the use of organic insecticids which may not leave toxic residues, rotation of crops, application of lime and reduction of arsenical sprays to a mini mum. Arsenic compounds should not be used in soils destined to the cultivation of food plants. Rice should not be planted in soils contaminated by arsenic compounds during several years of cotton cultivation. Future experiments are planed, using other soils such as "terra roxa", in Mitscherlich pots and in field plots.

Sobre o comportamento mitótico e meiótico de cromossomas policêntricos ou com ponto de inserção difuso

Material: Studies were made mainly with Ascaris megalocephála Cloq. univalens and bivalens, and also with Tityus bahiensis Perty. 1) Somatic pairing of heterochromatic regions. The heterochromatic ends of the somatic chromosomes in Ascaris show a very strong tendency for unspecifical somatic pairing which may occur between parts of different chromosomes (Figs. 1, 2, 3, 7, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 18,), between the two ends of the same chromosome either directly (Figs. 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18) or inversely (Fig. 8, in the arrow) and also within a same chromosomal arm (Fig. 6). 2) During the early first cleavage division the chomosomes are an isodiametric cylinder (Figs. 6, 9, 11, 13, 14). But in later metaphase the ends become club shaped (Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 10) which is interpreted as the beginning of migration of chromatic substance from the central euchromatic region towards the heterochromatic regions. This migration becomes more and accentuated in anaphase (Figs. 19, 22, 23) and in the vegetative cells where euchromatic region looses more and more staing power, especially in the intersititial zones between the individual small spherical chromosomes into which the euchromatic region desintegrates. The emigrated chromatin material is finally eliminated with the heterochromatic chromosome ends (Fig. 23 and 24). 3) It seems a general rule that during mitotic anaphase all chromosomes with diffuse or multiple spindle fiber attachement (Ascaris, Tityus, Luzula, Steatococcus, Homoptera and Heteroptera in general) move to the poles in the form of an U with precedence of the chromosomal ends. In Ascaris, the heterocromatic regions are pulled passively towards the poles and only the euchromatic central portion may be U-shaped (Fig. 19, 22, 25). While in the other species this U-shape is perfect since the beginning of anaphase, giving the impression that movement towards the poles begins at both ends of a chromosome simultaneously, this is not the case in Ascaris. There the euchromatic region is at first U-shaped, passing then to form a straight or zig-zag line and becoming again U-shaped during late anaphase. This is explained by the fact that the ends of the euchromatic regions have to pull the weight of the passive heterochromatic portions. 4) While it is generally accepted that, during first meio-tic division untill second anaphase, all attachement regions remain either undivided or at least united closely, this is not the case in chromosomes with diffused or multiple attachment. Here one clearly sees in all cases so far studied four parallel chromatids at first metaphase. In Luzula and Tityus (for Tityus all figs. 26 to 31) this division is allready quite clear in paraphase (pro-metaphase) and it cannot be said wether in other species the division in sister chromatids is allready present, but not visible at this stage. During first anaphase the sister chromatids of Titbits remain more or less in contact, while in Luzula and especially in Ascaris they are quite separated. Thus one can count in late anaphase or telophase of Ascaris megalocephala bivalens, nearly allways, four separate chromosomes near each pole, or a total of eight chromatids per division figure (Figs. 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41).

Ocorrência de nematódeos do gênero Ditylenchus em tubérculos de batatinha no Est. de São Paulo

Irish potato tubers imported from Holland and Germany were planted at the Instituto Agronômico Experiment Station, Campinas, in April, 1955. At digging time, in July, 1955, the tubers were found to be injured by nematodes belonging to the genus Ditylenchus. No visible symptoms were found on the plants during the growing season, since the nematodes did not attack the stems. However, prevailing weather conditions from April to July were not favorable for nema activities, with low temperature and rain precipitation. Therefore, it does not seem safe to assume that, as a rule, the nemas do not attack buds and stems, for further observations may reveal such an occurrence, as it has been reported in the literature. The injury was characterized by spots consisting of decaying brown tissue, the nematodes being found mainly between this and the uninjured tissue. Larvae and adults occurred simultaneously. Fourteen different potato varieties were attacked by the nematodes, the percentage of disfigured tubers ranging from 6 (vars. Irene, Barima and Tedria) to 38 (var. Stamm 456). Studies en the morphology cf the parasites disclosed that two different Ditylenchus forms were present, with Apheten-chus sp. and Aphelenchoides sp. associated with them. The writers have not yet drawn a final conclusion about the identification of the Ditylenchi. However, it was clearly seen that no form can be identified either with D. dipsaci or with D. destructor. Both forms have lateral fields made up of 6 incisures, what separates them from D. dipsaci. On the other hand, measurements as well as some details in the organization of the oesophagus make the identification with D. destructor quite impossible. As far as the origin of the parasites is concerned, the fact that they could not be determined either as D. dipsaci or as D. destructor emphasizes the possibility of being two native species, not introduced with the tubers imported.

Propagação da samambaia-de-metro

The author studied the possibility of propagating "Samambaia de Metro" Polypodium Subauriculatum, by means of spores, since vegetative multiplication is hard to obtain for large numbers of plants. Five treatments were tried, with 4 replications. I - Coarse "Flores Floor" and fine "Flores Floor". II - Coarse Flores Floor and moss. III - Coarse sand, Flores Floor and brick powder VI - Coarse sand, Flores Floor and brick powder V - Coarse sand and Flores Floor. The best germination was obtained with treatment V (Coarse sand et the boltom), topesed by Flores Floor. The pots were permanently kept on a tray pul of water, in a Greenhouse. This method provided over 4.000 offspring, which at 2 ½ years of age were of a size mitable for ornamental use.

Observações preliminares sôbre a longevidade dos "Seedlings" de feijoeiro - Phaseolus vulgaris : em função das reservas cotiledonares

According previous studies about longevity in maize by ACCORSI e ADÂMOLI DE BARROS, (1961) the authors presents in this paper the results of work on longevity of seedlings of beans. Seeds were separated in three groups according their weight, as followings: small 80-120 mg; medium 130-140 mg and big 150-200 mg. The sowing of the seeds was made in pure sand and the seedlings were distributed in distil. water and in complete solution of Arnon and Hoagland. Each treatment was made in two replications with eight seedlings by treatment. At present time the following conclusions can be related: 1.°) - Eight days after germination, the cotiledones of all the seedlings started to fell down, fourteen days after, all cotiledones had fell down. 2.°) - Fifteen days after germination, the seedlings in nutritive solution showed better development than those in distil. water. Table I e II gives results. 3.°) - All seedlings in distil. water showed symptoms of N, Ca, Fe deficiencies. 4.°) - Twenty nine days after germination the seedlings in distil. water manifested exhaust trace, by falling of the leaves and death of some plants although the aplicai buds keep green. 5.°) - After thirty-one days the plants in nutritives solution was in better condition than those in distil. water, although some alteration aboved mentioned was observed. The causes of this alteration are being studied. 6.°) - In many plants in complet solution the seminal leaves showed clorosis initial and some with necrosis, although apical buds keeps in ativity. 7.°) - Symptoms of clorosis and necrosis in diferents stages were observed in all leaflet; these symptoms were more strong in the groups of little seed and medium seeds.

Polinização de Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa (Passiflorales, Passifloraceae), por abelhas (Hymenoptera, Anthophoridae) em Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro

The yellow passion Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa Deg. is allogamous, self incompatible, and it depends of insects pollinators to disseminate the pollen grains. The field work was conducted at Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from October 17 to November 9 and December 12 to 21, 1995. It was analyzed 1565 flower buds, from which 423 showed well developed ovaries, five days after opening, this represents 27% of fruit set by natural pollination. It was observed 76,86 % of completely curved flowers, 21,22 % of partially curved flowers, and 1,92 % flowers without curvature. Five species of bees where observed on the flowers, from which two were the effective pollinator of yellow passion flower: Xylocopa (Megaxylocopa) frontalis (Olivier, 1789) and X. (Neoxylocopa) ordinaria Smith, 1874.

As condições ecológicas da Cephaelis ipecacuanha Rich

The present paper is a simple introduction to the ecological requirements of Cephaelis ipecacuanha and only a few preliminary conclusions are reached. Cephaelis ipecacuanha has the habit of a forest plant, which is closely connected with the meteorological and floristic factors. This makes it very necessary to study its ecolo-gical relationships carefully, so as to understand its productivity in accordance with its mi¬croclimatic and microedaphic reactions. Conclusions: 1 — Within the ecological range of Cephaelis ipecacuanha, some zones show more fa¬vourable phytosociological conditions than other zones. Consequently, the vegetative and biological types must be investigated in different associations. a — The most favourable vegetative and biological types encountered, in regard to the phytosociological characteristcs of Cephaelis ipecacuanha, were found respectively in the rain forest on the slopes of the Serra dos Parecis and in the serclimax of the river Galera and its tributaries. b — The phytosociological optimum of Cephaelis ipecacuanha was seen in the Vochysietum (Vochysia sp.) which corresponds to number 11 of the original text. It can be defined as follows: shading by vegetation approximately 90%, as the herbaceous sinusium covers 90% of the area worked in, though the arboreal and arbustive coverture is only 65% and 60% respectviely. The inclination is pratically nil (less than 5°) but the drainage is good because the soil is deep and silicous-humous, thus facilitating infiltration by the rain water which inundates the ground temporarily during the periods of floods. The pH oscillates between 5 and 6, denoting a slightly acid soil.

Increased frequency of micronuclei in the lymphocytes of patients chronically infected with hepatitis B or hepatitis C virus

In this study, we analysed the frequency of micronuclei (MN), nucleoplasmic bridges (NPBs) and nuclear buds (NBUDs) and evaluated mutagen-induced sensitivity in the lymphocytes of patients chronically infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV). In total, 49 patients with chronic viral hepatitis (28 HBV-infected and 21 HCV-infected patients) and 33 healthy, non-infected blood donor controls were investigated. The frequencies (‰) of MN, NPBs and NBUDs in the controls were 4.41 ± 2.15, 1.15 ± 0.97 and 2.98 ± 1.31, respectively. The frequencies of MN and NPBs were significantly increased (p < 0.0001) in the patient group (7.01 ± 3.23 and 2.76 ± 2.08, respectively) compared with the control group. When considered separately, the HBV-infected patients (7.18 ± 3.57) and HCV-infected patients (3.27 ± 2.40) each had greater numbers of MN than did the controls (p < 0.0001). The HCV-infected patients displayed high numbers of NPBs (2.09 ± 1.33) and NBUDs (4.38 ± 3.28), but only the HBV-infected patients exhibited a significant difference (NPBs = 3.27 ± 2.40, p < 0.0001 and NBUDs = 4.71 ± 2.79, p = 0.03) in comparison with the controls. Similar results were obtained for males, but not for females, when all patients or the HBV-infected group was compared with the controls. The lymphocytes of the infected patients did not exhibit sensitivity to mutagen in comparison with the lymphocytes of the controls (p = 0.06). These results showed that the lymphocytes of patients who were chronically infected with HBV or HCV presented greater chromosomal instability.

Efeitos do sexo, do vigor e do tamanho da planta hospedeira sobre a distribuição de insetos indutores de galhas em Baccharis pseudomyriocephala Teodoro (Asteraceae)

Several hypotheses have been proposed to explain the patterns of host plant utilization by herbivorous insects in natural communities. We tested four hypotheses aiming to understand the pattern of attack by gall-inducing insects on the dioecious shrub, Baccharis pseudomyriocephala (Asteraceae). The shrub occurs in the Parque Estadual do Itacolomi, Southeastern Brazil, and supports ten species of galling insects. The following hypotheses were tested: i) male plants are more attacked by galling insects than female plants; ii) larger plant modules are preferentially attacked by galling insects; iii) galling insects perform better on larger modules than on smaller modules; iv) galling insects increase in abundance with meristematic availability. To address these questions, 240 plants (120 of each sex) were sampled in both reproductive and vegetative periods. We recorded the growth rate (4 cm), inflorescence and fruit production, attack rates of the galling insects, and their survivorship and mortality per shoot (module). Modules were separated into size classes (cm) and analyzed by regressions and ANCOVAs. Module size and reproductive effort were positively correlated with host plant size. We did not observe any effect of host plant gender on either variables. In the same way, host plant sex did not show any influence on the abundance and richness of galling insects. Although the abundance of galling insects showed a positive correlation with shoot size, the trend disappeared when the analyses were performed taking into consideration the number of galls per unit of growth (number of galls/cm of shoot) or biomass (number of galls/dry weight). Larval survivorship was not influenced by shoot size. Also, we observed that the abundance of one species of hemipteran galling insect showed a positive relation with leaf biomass. Therefore, we conclude that gender and vigor of this plant species do not influence the community structure of its galling herbivores.