Observações anatômicas sôbre a larva de Thoropa miliaris (Amphibia, Leptodactylidae)

Die kaulquappe von Thoropa miliaris lebt in mittleren Lagen des Itatiáia-Gebirges (Staat Rio de Janeiro), in etwa 1650 m Hoebe, auf fast senkracht stehenden Felsplatten, ueber die staendig eine sehr duenne Schicht Wasser herablaeuft. Die Tiere haben keinen Flossensaum; der zwei- bis dreimal koerperlange Schwanz ist fast drehrund und besitzt an Stelle eines Flossensaumes nur einen ventralen Kiel, der die Schlaengelbewegung gegen den Wasserstrom unterstuetzt. Auch die juengsten Stadien haben keine aeusseren kiemen, sondern innere in einer Atemhoehle, deren Ausgang sich auf der linken Seite in der Mitte des Koerpers befindet. Die Tiere heften sich an den Steinen vermittels ihres sehr grossen Mundapparates fest. Die Lippen tragen zwei oder drei Reihen starker Keratin-Haken, die durch laufende Neubildung ersetzt werden. Die arbeitenden Spitzenzaehne des Hornschnabels in der Mundhoehle werden ebenfalls durch fortgesetztes Wachstum erneuert. Die Saugscheibenwirkung des Mundes wird durch ein Muskelpaar bedingt, das einerseits am Parasphenoid- und am Sphenethmoidknorpel, andererseits mit seinen unteren Buendeln am Prodentale (Spitze des Meckel'schen Knorpels), mit seinem oberen vermittels je zweier Sehnen am Promaxillare ansetzt. Durch die kontraktion dieser Muskeln wird das Prodentale nach oben und dann nach hinten, das Promaxillare (mit Gelenkstellen am Prointermaxillare und Pronasale) nach oben und dann nach vorne gedreht. Hierdurch treten die beiden Kegel des Hornschnabels in die Mundhoehle, da sie den beiden Knorpeln fest aufsitzen. Bei starker Kontraktion werden die Knorpel auseinander gedrueckt und vergroessern die Mundhoehle. Wenn die Lippen, unterstuetzt von den Hakenreihen, fest dem Stein aufliegen, ergibt sich ein Unterdruck in der Mundhoehle, der genuegt, um die Larven auf der Unterlage festzuhalten. Das Loesen des Saugnapfes erfolgt durch die kontraktion einer Gruppe kleiner Muskelbuendel, die einerseits am Unterrand des Prodentale, andererseits an den falten der Unterlippe ansetzen.

Pathoecology and paleodiet in Postclassic: Historic Maya from northern coastal Belize

This paper examines the synergism among diet, disease, and ecology at two related coastal Maya sites in Belize (Marco Gonzalez and San Pedro) for the Postclassic and Historic periods (1350-1650 AD), which immediately follow the Classic period collapse. Stable carbon- and nitrogen-isotope ratios in collagen and stable carbon-isotope ratios in structural carbonate were analysed for bones from 65 humans and a wide variety of faunal species. There are no apparent differences in whole diets or degree of carnivory between individuals with lesions indicative of anemia and those without, but those with lesions appear to have consumed significantly more C4 foods and protein from lower trophic levels. Non-specific infection (periostitis) and vitamin C deficiency (scurvy) are also present in high frequencies and appear to co-occur with lesions indicative of anemia, particularly in childhood. Individuals with scurvy also appear to have consumed significantly more C4 foods than normal individuals. Spondyloarthropathy is common in adults. These findings are discussed in light of: (1) the debate on how anemia versus scurvy are manifest and diagnosed, (2) Spanish ethnohistoric descriptions of the poor state of Maya health at the time of contact, and (3) the Osteological Paradox. We suggest that although this coastal environment exacerbated morbidity because of possible parasitic infection, the inhabitants were probably able to survive physiological stresses better than either their inland contemporaries or their modern counterparts.

Potencial reprodutivo de Chrysoperla externa (Hagen) (Neuroptera, Chrysopidae) em função do número de indivíduos por unidade de criação

Verificou-se o efeito de diferentes densidades de insetos por unidade de criação sobre o potencial reprodutivo de Chrysoperla externa. Utilizaram-se adultos da geração F4 mantidos a 25 ± 1ºC, 70 ± 10% de UR e fotofase de 12 horas. Foram utilizadas as seguintes densidades por unidade de criação (10 cm de diâmetro por 23 cm de altura e volume de 1650 cm³): um macho e três fêmeas, dois machos e seis fêmeas, três machos e nove fêmeas e quatro machos e doze fêmeas. Avaliou-se o período de pré-oviposição, a oviposição diária e total por fêmea e por unidade de criação, as porcentagens de ovos viáveis e inférteis e o índice de aproveitamento, calculado por fêmea e por unidade de criação. A densidade quatro machos e doze fêmeas apresentou melhor aproveitamento da unidade de criação, compensando as reduções observadas nos valores de postura média e total por fêmea.

Characterization of cowpea genotype resistance to Callosobruchus maculatus

The objective of this work was to characterize the resistance of 50 cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) genotypes to Callosobruchus maculatus. A completely randomized design with five replicates per treatment (genotype) was used. No-choice tests were performed using the 50 cowpea genotypes to evaluate the preference for oviposition and the development of the weevil. The genotypes IT85 F-2687, MN05-841 B-49, MNC99-508-1, MNC99-510-8, TVu 1593, Canapuzinho-1-2, and Sanzi Sambili show non-preference-type resistance (oviposition and feeding). IT81 D-1045 Ereto and IT81 D-1045 Enramador exhibit antibiosis against C. maculatus and descend from resistant genitors, which grants them potential to be used in future crossings to obtain cowpea varieties with higher levels of resistance.

Synthesis and magnetic studies of copper(II)-lanthanide(III) 5-bromosalicylideneglycylglycine

The physico-chemical properties of the new 3d-4f heteronuclear complexes with general formula LnCu3(C11H8N2 O4Br)3·13H2O (where Ln = Pr, Eu, Gd, Tb, Er, Yb and H3(C11H8N2 O4Br) - 5-bromosalicylideneglycylglycine) were studied. The compounds were characterized by elemental, spectral and thermal analyses and magnetic measurements. The formation of Schiff base is evidenced by a strong band at ca. 1646-1650 cm-1 attributable to C=N stretching mode. The presence of water molecules is confirmed by broad absorptions with maximum at 3360 - 3368 cm-1. The Cu(II)-Ln(III) complexes are stable up to ca. 318 K. During dehydration process the water molecules are lost probably in two stages. The magnetic susceptibility data for these complexes change with temperature according to the Curie-Weiss law.