A survey of the Anopheles Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) along the Acre And Purus Rivers, Amazon Basin, Brazil

From January 19 to February 25, 1997 an entomological survey of the seringais and larger towns along the Acre and Purus rivers was made as part of the project “Revisitando a Amazônia de Carlos Chagas; da Borracha a Biodiversidad”. Eleven anopheline species and 1285 specimens were collected landing on human baits. The four most abundant species were Anopheles albitarsis s.l. (n=778), A. darlingi (n=359), A. rangeli (n=69) and A. oswaldoi (n=60). A total of 252 larvae were collected of which 10 anopheline species were identified. The most abundant species collected were A. albitarsis s.l. (n=88), A. deaneorum (n=45) and A. triannulatus (n=40). The low numbers of Anopheles collected and the absence of the principal malaria vector A. darlingi at the seringais sites suggests that they arc not high risk malarious areas. Other Diptera collected were Culex sp., Mansonia titillans, Mansonia pseudotitillans, Psorophora ciliata, Psorophora sp., Coquillettidia (Rhynchotaenia) sp., Simulium amazonicum and S. sanguineum.

Daldinia eschscholtzii (Ascomycota, Xylariaceae) isolated from the Brazilian Amazon: taxonomic features and mycelial growth conditions

The Amazon has a high diversity of fungi, including species of the genus Daldinia (Ascomycota, Xylariaceae), which produce secondary metabolites with recognized nematicidal and antimicrobial activity. The ecological role of Daldinia is important, as stromata serve as refuges to many insects and arthropodes, and the fungi contribute to the degradation of vegetable organic matter. The aim of this study was to analyze the taxonomic features and mycelial growth conditions in vitro of a Daldinia specimen collected in the Brazilian Amazon. Morphological and molecular studies of the fungus identified it as D. eschscholtzii. To evaluate mycelial growth, we cultivated the fungus at 20, 25, 30, 35, and 40 °C in malt extract-peptone agar (MEPA), malt extract-peptone (MEP), potato dextrose (PD), and minimum medium (MM). The best mycelial growth occurred at 35 °C, although the greatest amount of biomass was obtained at 25 °C and 30 °C. PD proved to be the best medium for biomass production.

Taxonomic relevance of seed and seedling morphology in two Amazonian species of Entada (Leguminosae)

We carried out a comparative morphological study to evaluate the taxonomic value of seed and seedling traits of Entada polystachya and E. simplicata (Leguminosae, Mimosoideae, Mimoseae). Seeds of both species were collected from wild populations in Roraima State, Brazil. Our results show consistent quantitative and qualitative differences between these species regarding their seeds and seedlings. Testa fracture lines, funiculus impression, lens characters, radicle shape and length, and cotyledon lobes length, seedling morphology group, number of pinnae at first node, and hypocotyl length permit a straightforward distinction of E. polystachya from E. simplicata, supporting a recent treatment of the latter taxon as a distinct species, endemic to Roraima State, northern Amazonia, Brazil.

Bat survey of the lower Juruena River and five new records for the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil

ABSTRACT The northern Brazilian state of Mato Grosso is considered an important biogeographical region, but has many sampling gaps. Apart from the well-documented non volant mammal community in the region, the bat fauna still poorly recorded. The aim of this study was to record the bat species of Juruena National Park, northern Mato Grosso, Brazil. Nineteen sites were sampled using mist-nets placed at ground level and near potential bat roosts. We collected 115 individuals belonging to 35 species and five families, which increased the number of species known for Mato Grosso´s Amazon from 86 to 91. The five new records were: Peropteryx kappleri, Peropteryx leucoptera, Lonchorhina inusitata, Tonatia saurophila, and Artibeus concolor. Our results pointed out the necessity of more studies in order to better estimate the bat diversity in northern Mato Grosso.

PANDORA - Survey of Brazilian cardiologists about cholesterol reduction

OBJECTIVE: To report about a group of physicians' understanding of the recommendations of the II Brazilian Guidelines Conference on Dyslipidemias, and about the state of the art of primary and secondary prevention of atherosclerosis. METHODS: Through the use of a questionnaire on dyslipidemia, atherosclerosis prevention, and recommendations for lipid targets established by the II Brazilian Guidelines Conference on Dyslipidemias, 746 physicians, 98% cardiologists, were evaluated. RESULTS:Eighty-seven percent of the respondents stated that the treatment of dyslipidemia changes the natural history of coronary disease. Although most of the participants followed the total cholesterol recommendations (<200mg/dL for atherosclerosis prevention), only 55.8% would adopt the target of LDL-C <100 mg/dL for secondary prevention. Between 30.5 and 36.7% answered, in different questions, that the recommended level for HDL-C should be <35mg/dL. Only 32.7% would treat their patients indefinitely with lipid- lowering drugs. If the drug treatment did not reach the proposed target, only 35.5% would increase the dosage, and 29.4% would change the medication. Participants did not know the targets proposed for diabetics. CONCLUSION: Although the participating physicians valued the role played by lipids in the prevention of atherosclerosis, serious deficiencies exist in their knowledge of the recommendations given during the II Brazilian Guidelines Conference on Dyslipidemias.

Metanotal gland of the genus Eidmanacris (Grylloidea, Phalangopsidae): taxonomic importance

The present study compares the metanotal gland through scanning electron microscopy in five species of Eidmanacris: E. corumbatai Garcia, 1998, E. alboannulata (Piza, 1960), E. dissimilis Desutter-Grandcolas, 1995, E. larvaeformis (Chopard, 1938) and Eidmanacris sp. The general external configuration of the gland was determined by the presence of two median projections with apical opening and a cluster of bristles just above these projections. Although there is a general pattern for this gland, each species has its own pattern, which can be defined mainly by the arrangement of the bristles and the position of the median projections. Our results suggest the taxonomical importance of these structures, which should be better analyzed when describing species of the genus Eidmanacris. In addition, while observing the reproductive behavior of these species, we concluded that the release of this gland secretion is important for the success of mating.

Taxonomic notes on the genus Pseudodynerus (Hymenoptera, Vespidae, Eumeninae)

The differences between Pseudodynerus auratoides (Bertoni, 1918) and Pseudodynerus serratus (Fox, 1902) are established. Lectotypes of Stenodynerus mondaiensis Bertoni, 1918 and Stenodynerus auratoides Bertoni, 1918 are designated. Pseudodynerus penicillatus (Zavattari, 1912) is redescribed and newly raised from synonymy under P. serratus (Fox, 1902).

Taxonomic redescription of the Portuguese man-of-war, Physalia physalis (Cnidaria, Hydrozoa, Siphonophorae, Cystonectae) from Brazil

Although Physalia physalis (Linnaeus, 1758) is widely known from the Brazilian waters, specimens from this coast were never properly described. We describe Brazilian specimens of P. physalis including information on morphology, cnidome, SEM, and histological studies. Taxonomical issues concerning the development of the colonies and eventual synonymy with Physalia utriculus (La Martinière, 1787) are also added.

Use of camera-traps in natural trails and shelters for the mammalian survey in the Atlantic Forest

In order to evaluate the efficiency of different mammalian survey methods, we compared traditional sampling techniques (use of camera-traps on roads and artificial trails, track censuses, and direct field visualization) with an alternative sampling design (camera-traps positioned in natural areas such as natural trails and shelters). We conducted the study in a deciduous Atlantic-Forest park in southern Brazil, and additionally compared our results with a previous intensive study carried out in the same area. Our considerably smaller sampling effort (example: 336 trap.day for our camera-traps versus 2,154 trap.day for the earlier study) registered the presence of 85% of the local known species, with camera-traps being 68% efficient. Moreover, shelter camera-traps revealed a different species composition regarding most of other sampling methods. This sampling strategy involving natural forest sites was therefore able to effectively optimize the chances of evaluating species composition in a shorter period, especially with respect to lower-density and cryptic species, as well as to detect species that avoid open, disturbed sites such as roads and man-made forest trails.

Taxonomic revision of doubtful Brazilian freshwater shrimp species of genus Macrobrachium (Decapoda, Palaemonidae)

The freshwater prawns of the genus Macrobrachium Spence Bate, 1868 are widely distributed in rivers of tropical and subtropical regions and represent an interesting group with controversial taxonomy. The morphological characters traditionally used to separate species have shown a high intraspecific variation. Doubts about the status of M. birai Lobão, Melo & Fernandes, 1986, M. holthuisi Genofre & Lobão, 1978 and M. petronioi Melo, Lobão & Fernandes, 1986 have been arisen due to the high resemblance of the former two species with M. olfersi (Wiegmann, 1836), and the latter one with M. potiuna (Müller, 1880). Therefore, we performed a detailed morphological analysis of these species, including new characters not usually used in the species recognition. The present results here with molecular data lead us to conclude that M. birai and M. holthuisi are junior synonyms of M. olfersi, and M. petronioi is a junior synonym of M. potiuna. Considering these synonymies, 17 valid species are now reported for the Brazilian territory.

Taxonomic and numeric structure of Chironomidae (Diptera) in different habitats of a Neotropical floodplain

We characterized the local benthic Chironomidae by analyzing the numerical density, biomass, diversity index of Shannon-Wiener and dominance of larvae in the main channel of the Ivinhema River, in a secondary channel, in five lakes connected to the main channel and in five lakes without connection. Of the 68 taxa identified, Aedokritus sp., Tanytarsus sp., Chironomus strenzkei Fittkau, 1968 and Procladius sp.1 were found in all sampling sites and were considered morphospecies with greater of greatest ecological plasticity. Chironomus strenzkei Fittkau, 1968, contributed with the greatest biomass in the central region of lakes without connection, whereas Aedokritus sp. dominated in the littoral of lakes. The greater values of diversity indices in the littoral region of channels were due to the greater water flow and to the higher food availability in these areas. The dominance indices, by contrast, were greater on the central region of these environments. The littoral region has exclusive characteristics, representing habitats that could play important controlling in the numerical density and index diversity on the ecosystem, whereas that the biomass of benthic invertebrates in the central region in some biotopes would have different spatial probably according organisms drift.

The taxonomic status of Phlebotomus oliverioi (Diptera, Psychodidae) and a lectotype designation for Psathyromyia brasiliensis

Phlebotomus oliverioi Barretto & Coutinho, 1941 was originally described based only on the male holotype and has since been considered junior-synonym of Psathyromyia brasiliensis (Costa Lima, 1932). The study of the holotype of Ph. oliverioi allowed us to conclude that the head of this specimen belongs to the genus Psychodopygus and the wings, thorax and abdomen belong to a different species of Psathyromyia. Thus, Ph. oliverioi is a not valid species, and must be removed from the synonym and excluded from the provisions of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (Articles 17.2 and 23.8). The specimen was measured, drawn, photographed and the morphological characters are discussed. Lectotype and paralectotypes to Pa. brasiliensis are designated.

Taxonomic review of the Neotropical genus Neopachylus (Arachnida, Opiliones, Gonyleptidae)

A taxonomic review of the genus Neopachylus Roewer, 1913 together with keys to the species for both males and females are presented. Gephyropachylus marginatus Mello-Leitão, 1931 is considered a junior subjective synonym of Neopachylus serrinha Soares & Soares, 1947, and Huralvius incertus Mello-Leitão, 1935 is considered a synonym of Neopachylus nebulosus (Mello-Leitão, 1936). This genus is restricted to southern Brazil, occurring in states of Paraná, Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul.

A survey of planorbid molluscs in the Amazonian region of Brazil

A survey of the plarnorbid fauna in the Brazilian states of the Amazonian river basin revealed the occurence of 14 species, 8 of the genus Biomphalaria, 4 of Drepanotrema, 1 of Antillorbis and 1 of Plesiophysa, besides a naturalized puopulation of Helisoma duryi at Santa Rosa, municipality of Formosa, state of Goiás. The following is the distribution of the species by genera, in decreasing order of frequency (number of localities in parenthesis): 1. Biomphalaria straminea (50): Acre, Amazonas, Distrito Federal, Goiás, Maranhão, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, Pará and Roraima; 2. B. occidentalis (30): Acre, Amazonas, Mato Grosso and Mato Grosso do Sul; 3. B. schrammi (22); Distrito Federal, Goiás, Maranhão, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul and Pará; 4. B. amazonica (14): Acre, Amazonas and Rondônia; 5. B. glabrata (13): Distrito Federal, Goiás, Maranhão and Pará; 6. B. peregrina (4): Distrito Federal, Goiás and Mato Grosso do Sul; 7. B. tenagophila (2): Distrito Federal and Goiás; 8. B. oligoza (2): Mato Grosso do Sul; 9. Drepanotrema lucidium (72): Acre, Amapá, Amazonas, Distrito Federal, Goiás, Maranhão, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, Pará, Rondônia and Roraima; 10. D. anatinum (41): Acre, Amazonas, Distrito Federal, Goiás, Maranhão, Mato Grosso do Sul, Pará, Rondônia and Roraima; 11. D. depressissimum (19): Acre, Amazonas, Distrito Federal, Goiás, Maranhão, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul and Pará; 12. D. cimex (15): Acre, Amazonas, Distrito Federal, Goiás, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul and Pará; 13. Antillorbis nordestensis (3): Distrito Federal, Maranhão and Pará; 14. Plesiophysa ornata (1): Goiás. B. glabrata is responsibel for transmission of schistosomiasis mansoni in northeastern Pará, northern Marnhão and central Goiás including the Distrito Fedreal. B. tenagophila, although susceptible to experimental infection with Schistosoma mansoni, has not been found naturally infected so far in the area. B. straminea has been incriminated as...

Taxonomic review of Lutzomyia walkeri (Newstead, 1914) [= Lutzomyia marajoensis (Damasceno & Causey, 1944)] and the resurrection of Lutzomyia dubitans (Sherlock, 1962) (Diptera: Psychodidae)

Examination of the holotype of Lutzomyia marajoensis (Damasceno & Causey, 1944) shows this species to be identical to Lutzomyia walkeri (Newstead, 1914). The name Lutxomyia dubitans (Sherlock, 1962) is resurrected for another sand fly which has been incorrectly named L. marajoensis since 1961. Newly discovered structural differences between males and females of L walkeri from L. dubitans are presented.