Contributions on Gargaphia (Heteroptera, Tingidae) systematics: redescriptions of two South American species with considerations on the status of G. inca

Gargaphia inca Monte, 1943 was synonymized with G. opima Drake, 1931 without any declared reasons. Gargaphia inca is known only from its type location (Satipo, Peru), and G. opima from Colombia (Villavencio) and Peru (Cam. Del Pichis, type-locality), in addition to the new records here presented, including the first record for Ecuador. Both species are redescribed, and the status of G. inca is revisited and raised from synonymy. Illustrations of some of the most remarkable differences between these taxa are provided, as well as dorsal habitus images. Discussions on the genus systematic status and this nomenclatural act are presented.

Cephalopoda as prey of juvenile Southern elephant seals at Isla 25 de Mayo/King George, South Shetland Islands

The aim of the present study was to enhance the knowledge of the feeding habits of the juvenile component of the population of Southern elephant seals [Mirounga leonina (Linnaeus, 1758)] from Isla 25 de Mayo, South Shetland Islands, age class whose diet information is scarce. A total of 60 individuals were stomach lavaged in the spring - summer seasons of three consecutive years (2003, 2004 and 2005) of which 53.3 % (n = 32) presented food remnants. The Antarctic glacial squid Psychroteuthis glacialis Thiele, 1921 was the dominant prey taxon in terms of frequency of occurrence (68.7%), numerical abundance (60.1%) and biomass (51.5%), contributing 84.1% to the total relative importance index. Other squid prey species of importance were Slosarczykovia circumantartica Lipinski, 2001 in terms of occurrence (37.5%) and numerical abundance (14%) and Moroteuthis knipovitchi Filippova, 1972 in terms of biomass (16%). All identified cephalopod prey taxa are distributed south of the Antarctic Polar Front, except for the squid Martialia hyadesi Rochebrune & Mabille, 1889 which has a circumpolar distribution associated to the Polar Frontal Zone. No significant differences in the sizes of P. glacialis preyed upon by elephant seals were found between sexes and years. However, significant interannual differences were found in the taxonomical composition of their diet. This would be associated with temporal changes in food availability at the foraging areas of seals, which in turn may have been influenced by changes in oceanographic conditions as a result of the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) phenomenon that occurred during part of the study period. Furthermore, a differential response of males and females to this temporal variation was observed, with the former being also associated to a predation on octopods. This would suggest a sexual segregation in foraging habits of this species from the early stages of its life cycle.

Compositae: Mutisia Lutzii G. M. Barroso n. sp

Planta muitíssimo interessante, que se distingue das demais espécies do gênero pela forma pectinada da folha. Dedicamos a linda espécie ao Dr. Adolpho Lutz, eminente sábio, que tanto trabalhou em prol da ciência, no Brasil.

Ciclo biológico de Paraibatrema inesperata n.g., n.sp. (Trematoda, Paramphistomidae), a partir de metacercárias desenvolvidas em Biomphalaria tenagophila (D'Orbigny, 1835) (Mollusca, Planorbidae)

Em exemplares de B. tenagophila, capturados em ambiente natural, foram encontradas paranfistomocercárias de precoce encistamento. Procedeu-se à infecção, per os, de animais de biotério; em camundongos e ratos, verificou-se o desenvolviemnto de trematóide paranfistomídeo desconhecido e que, por suas características, não se enquadra nos g~eneros conhecidos de Paramphistomidae de mamíferos. Para o parasito em apreço é proposta a denominação Paraibatema inesperata n.g, n.sp.. A partir de miracídios, oriundos de ovos eliminados pelos roedores em experiência, procurou-se infectar B. tenagophila e B. glabrata, criadas no moluscário. Verificou-se ser ativa a penetração dos miracídios no tecido do molusco, sendo freqüente a formação de tumorações nas antenas. A evolução experimental no hospedeiro intermediário apresenta-se lenta; ao fim de 40 dias de pós-infecção, não se observou a formação de esporocistos, rédias e cercárias.

Neoparaseuratum travasssosi, n. g., n. sp. (Nematoda: Quimperiidae), a new parasite from thorny catfish Pterododas granulosus in Brazil

A new nematode genus and species. Neoparaseuratum travassosi n. g., n. sp., is described from the intestine of the freshwater thorny catfish, Pterodoras granulosus (Valenciennes), from the Paraná River, Brazil. This seuratoid nematode species represents a new genus of the family Quimperiidae, being characterized mainly by the presence of numerous narrow longitudinal bands of inflated cuticle extending along the cephalic region of the body, small deirids, postoesophageal position of the excretory pore, relatively short (0.159-0.303 mm), equal spicules and a gubernaculum, the absence of caudal alae and preanal sucker in the male, and by some other features.

On Machadosentis travassosi n. g., n. sp. (Eoacanthocephala: Quadrigyridae) parasite of a moray Gymnothorax ocellatus in Brazil

Machadosentis travassosi n. g., n. sp. an acanthocephalan parasite of a moray are proposed after comparison with the related genera in Quadrigyridae VVan Cleave, 1920. The new genus differs from the other related by the arrangement of proboscis hooks (five circles of rows with five hooks each, with well developed roots) besides the distribution of cuticular spines.