Feeding habits of six anuran (Amphibia: Anura) species in a rainforest fragment in Northeastern Brazil

Although Brazil encompasses one of the most abundant anuran faunas in the world, quantitative information on anuran ecology and diet are limited, especially in the Northeastern region. We analyzed the diet of six species: Hyla albomarginata, Hyla cf. branneri, Hyla minuta, Phyllomedusa aff. hypochondrialis (Hylidae), Leptodactylus natalensis, and Physalaemus cuvieri (Leptodactylidae) in a temporary pond in a rainforest remnant in Pernambuco, between 1999-2000. We analyzed diet composition, degree of food preference, and seasonal variations in diet. Leptodactylus natalensis and P. cuvieri showed higher diet diversity, whereas H. minuta consumed fewer food items. Insecta, Arachnida, and plants were preferential items for most species. Acari were consumed by all species; Hymenoptera, Odonata, and Coleoptera were also often consumed. A slight increase in diet diversity occurred in the rainy season. The species showed a generalist feeding behaviour, although P. cuvieri consumed Formicidae as major prey item.

As "Disquisitiones" do naturalista Arruda da Câmara (1752-1811) e as relações entre a Química e a Fisiologia no final do Século das Luzes

This work is intended to rescue the field of validity of the "Disquisitiones" by the naturalist Arruda da Câmara placing them in the scientific and historical context of the end of the "Century of Light". Thus, a tentative is made here to reconstruct the debate established among the several theories that served as background of the relationships between Chemistry and Physiology of that time. In the present work is presented by the first time an integral translation of the "Disquisitiones" and a biographical resume of the naturalist in the historical context of his epoch in Northeast Brazil, especially in Pernambuco.

O ensino da química na Escola Superior de Agricultura "São Bento", Olinda - São Lourenço da Mata - Pernambuco (1912-1936)

The present work proposes the investigation of the role of chemistry in the curriculum of the Higher School of Agriculture "São Bento" (1912-1936) and its function in the education of agronomic engineers. The circumstances under which the Higher Schools of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine in Olinda were founded at the beginning of the XXth century are discussed. The article further treats the influence of the principles of Justus von Liebig, which were seen at that time as essential for a rational agriculture.

COMPOSIÇÃO CENTESIMAL E DE MINERAIS DE MARISCOS CRUS E COZIDOS DA CIDADE DE NATAL/RN

Este estudo teve como objetivo analisar a composição centesimal e os teores de zinco, cobre e ferro de cinco tipos de mariscos crus e cozidos: Camarão (Penaeus brasiliensis), Caranguejo (Ucides cordatus), Lagosta (Panulirus argus), Ostra (Crassostrea rhizophorae) e Mexilhão (Anomalocardia brasiliana), crus e cozidos, provenientes da cidade de Natal/RN. As amostras da parte comestível de cada alimento foram adquiridas em peixaria do cais do porto. Os mariscos foram considerados fontes expressivas de proteínas e minerais, enquanto as quantidades de lipídeos e calorias foram baixas. Observou-se na maioria das amostras teores de proteínas e de cinzas aumentados após a cocção. A concentração de zinco foi variada, apresentando-se a ostra como a maior fonte dentre as espécies estudadas. Os maiores teores de ferro e cobre foram verificados no mexilhão e na ostra. A cocção provocou perdas de 50% de cobre no mexilhão e praticamente não alterou as concentrações do referido nutriente no caranguejo. Esperamos que estes resultados contribuam para bancos de dados que auxiliarão na melhor estimativa de consumo de nutrientes em inquéritos dietéticos.