A NEW METHOD TO OBTAIN GOOD ANATOMICAL SLIDES OF HETEROGENEOUS PLANT PARTS

A new method is presented to prepare anatomical slides of plant materials including a combination of soft and hard tissues, such as stems with cambial variants, arboreal monocotyledons, and tree bark The method integrates previous techniques aimed at softening the samples and making them thereby more homogeneous, with the use of anti-tearing polystyrene foam solution In addition, we suggest two other alternatives to protect the sections from tearing adhesive tape and/or Mayer`s albumin adhesive, both combined with the polystyrene foam solution This solution is cheap and easy to make by dissolving any packaging polystyrene m butyl acetate It is applied before each section is cut on a sliding microtome and ensures that all the tissues in the section will hold together This novel microtechnical procedure will facilitate the study of heterogeneous plant portions, as shown in some illustrated examples

Reproductive biology of six Brazilian Myrtaceae: is there a syndrome associated with buzz-pollination?

The floral phenology and reproductive biology of six sympatric arboreal Myrtaceae species were studied in the coastal plain forest (Ubatuba, Brazil, 44 degrees 48`W 23 degrees 22`S), from September 1999 to April 2002. Flowering started in the transition from the driest to the most humid season (Sep/Oct) and lasted until March. The sequence with which the species flowered each year was consistently the same. However, the timing of flowering onset, peak, end, and overlap differed from one year to another. Myrtaceae species were classified as xenogamic according to the pollen:ovule ratios, but two of them seem to present some degree of self-compatibility. Flowers of all species opened at sunrise and lasted for I day. Bombus morio (Apidae: Bombini) was the most common visitor followed by Melipona rufiventris (Apidae: Meliponini). Buzz pollination in Myrtaceae was common at the study area and seems to be related to bees` behaviour and to some aspects of flowers` morphology.

The evolution of jumping performance in anurans: morphological correlates and ecological implications

We investigated the evolution of anuran locomotor performance and its morphological correlates as a function of habitat use and lifestyles. We reanalysed a subset of the data reported by Zug (Smithson. Contrib. Zool. 1978; 276: 1-31) employing phylogenetically explicit statistical methods (n = 56 species), and assembled morphological data on the ratio between hind-limb length and snout-vent length (SVL) from the literature and museum specimens for a large subgroup of the species from the original paper (n = 43 species). Analyses using independent contrasts revealed that classifying anurans into terrestrial, semi-aquatic, and arboreal categories cannot distinguish between the effects of phylogeny and ecological diversification in anuran locomotor performance. However, a more refined classification subdividing terrestrial species into `fossorials` and `non-fossorials`, and arboreal species into `open canopy`, `low canopy` and `high canopy`, suggests that part of the variation in locomotor performance and in hind-limb morphology can be attributed to ecological diversification. In particular, fossorial species had significantly lower jumping performances and shorter hind limbs than other species after controlling for SVL, illustrating how the trade-off between burrowing efficiency and jumping performance has resulted in morphological specialization in this group.

Effect of substrate on the locomotion behaviour of the South American iguanian lizard Polychrus acutirostris

Arboreal and terrestrial habitats impose different constraints on tetrapod locomotion. We studied Polychrus acutirostris, a tree-dwelling lizard that also moves on the ground, in order to evaluate the effects of support incline and diameter on locomotion parameters. Limb movements of six specimens were filmed to quantify kinematic variables (velocity, stride frequency, stride length, and limb coordination) on distinct perch diameters (4.0, 1.5, 0.8 cm) and inclines (90, 45, and on level ground). The results show a notable slowness in arboreal habitat combined with a relatively fast locomotion when using the ground as temporary habitat. These animals developed walking trots mainly using lateral sequence. Non-symmetrical trots adopted at the highest velocities on the ground indicate difficulties of ""accommodation"" to the constraints imposed by this condition. Velocity generally decreases with the decreasing diameter, and with increasing incline, of the supports. Slowness, gaits favouring the body stability, elective role of the stride frequency in the modulation of the speed, and the role of the hindlimb in the force exchange to propel the body, constitute the main features of the locomotion pattern of P. acutirostris.

Review and cladistic analysis of the Neotropical tarantula genus Ephebopus Simon 1892 (Araneae : Theraphosidae) with notes on the Aviculariinae

The tarantula genus Ephebopus Simon 1892 is reviewed and includes the type species, E. murinus (Walckenaer 1837), and E. uatuman Lucas, Silva & Bertani 1992, E. cyanognathus West & Marshall 2000, E. rufescens West & Marshall 2000 and Ephebopus foliatus, sp. nov., from Guyana. Ephebopus violaceus Mello-Leitao 1930 is transferred to Tapinauchenius Ausserer, where it is a senior synonym of Tapinauchenius purpureus Schmidt 1995 new synonymy. Ephebopus fossor Pocock 1903 is considered a nomen dubium. Ephebopus occurs in northeastern South America where it is known only from Brazil, Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana. Spiders of the genus are generally fossorial; however, Ephebopus murinus has a developmental stage that is arboreal. A cladistic analysis of the Theraphosidae retrieves the Aviculariinae as monophyletic, including Avicularia Lamarck, Iridopelma Pocock 1901, Pachistopelma Pocock 1901, Tapinauchenius, Psalmopoeus Pocock, Ephebopus, Stromatopelma Karsch and Heteroscodra Pocock, having as a synapomorphy the well-developed scopulae on tarsi and metatarsi I-II that is very laterally extended.

Phylogeny and ecology determine morphological structure in a snake assemblage in the central Brazilian Cerrado

To investigate the role of ecological and historical factors in the organization of communities, we describe the ecomorphological structure of an assemblage of snakes (61 species in six families) in the Cerrado (a savanna-like grassland) of Distrito Federal, Brazil. These snakes vary in habits, with some being fossorial, cryptozoic, terrestrial, semi-aquatic, or arboreal. Periods of activity also vary. A multivariate analysis identified distinct morphological groups associated with patterns of resource use. We report higher niche diversification compared to snakes in the Caatinga (a semi-arid region in northeastern Brazil), with fossorial and cryptozoic species occupying morphological space that is not occupied in the Caatinga. Monte Carlo permutations from canonical phylogenetic ordination revealed a significant phylogenetic effect on morphology for Colubridae, Colubrinae, Viperidae, Elapidae, and Boidae indicating that morphological divergence occurred in the distant past. We conclude that phylogeny is the most important factor determining structure of this Neotropical assemblage. Nevertheless, our results also suggest a strong ecological component characterizes a peculiar snake fauna.

A PCR-RFLP assay for gender assignment in the three-toed sloths (Bradypus, Pilosa, Bradypodidae)

The three-toed sloths (Bradypus) are slow-moving arboreal neotropical mammals. Understanding demographic variables (such as sex ratio) of populations is a key for conservation purposes. Nevertheless, gender assignment of Bradypus is particularly challenging because of the lack of sexual dimorphism in infants and in adults, particularly B. torquatus, the most endangered of the three-toed sloths, in which sex is attributed by visual observation of the reproductively active males. Here, we standardized a method for sexing Bradypus individuals using PCR-RFLP of sex-linked genes ZFX/ZFY. This assay was validated with known-gender animals and proved accurate to assign gender on three Bradypus species.

Trypanosoma cruzi in Brazilian Amazonia: Lineages TCI and TCIIa in wild primates, Rhodnius spp. and in humans with Chagas disease associated with oral transmission

In this study, we provide phylogenetic and biogeographic evidence that the Trypanosomo cruzi lineages T. cruzi I (TCI) and T. cruzi IIa (TCIIa) circulate amongst non-human primates in Brazilian Amazonia, and are transmitted by Rhodnius species in overlapping arboreal transmission cycles, sporadically infecting humans. TO presented higher prevalence rates, and no lineages other than TCI and TCIIa were found in this study in wild monkeys and Rhodnius from the Amazonian region. We characterised TO and TCIIa from wild primates (16 TO and five TCIIa), Rhodnius spp, (13 TCI and nine TCIIa), and humans with Chagas disease associated with oral transmission (14 TO and five TCIIa) in Brazilian Amazonia. To our knowledge, TCIIa had not been associated with wild monkeys until now. Polymorphisms of ssrDNA, cytochrome b gene sequences and randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) patterns clearly separated TCIIa from TCIIb-e and TCI lineages, and disclosed small intra-lineage polymorphisms amongst isolates from Amazonia. These data are important in understanding the complexity of the transmission cycles, genetic structure, and evolutionary history of T cruzi populations circulating in Amazonia, and they contribute to both the unravelling of human infection routes and the pathological peculiarities of Chagas disease in this region. (C) 2008 Australian Society for Parasitology Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Os efeitos da estrutura de habitat sobre as comunidades de aranhas em uma floresta de caatinga do nordeste brasileiro

The inherent complexity of natural communities is a challenge to our understanding about how the habitat influences the abundance, local distribution and species diversity. The habitat can influence community structure in multiple ways and elucidate these relationships has provoked a lot of debate in ecology. The habitat heterogeneity hypothesis states that an increase in habitat heterogeneity (number of habitats) leads to an increase in species diversity in the landscape due to an expansion in niche dimensions. This study aims to identify whether this hypothesis is valid for the spiders that inhabit a locality in the Caatinga of northeastern Brazil. Cursorial and arboreal spiders were sampled in 30 plots within an area of Caatinga together with measures of environmental complexity, habitat heterogeneity and environmental parameters related to multiple aspects of vegetation architecture and species composition of woody plants. Stepwise multiple regressions were used to define which local environmental parameters best explain the variation in arboreal and cursorial spiders richness. Then a NMDS (Nonmetric multidimensional scaling) was used to reduce the number of predictive variables to those who are the most important and best represent the variation in spiders richness associated with the environment they were sampled. The results show a clear segregation between the guilds of arboreal and cursorial spiders, both related to what kind of environmental variables best explain its variation as well as in relation to what part of the vegetation they occupy

Análise quali-quantitativa da arborização na praça XV de novembro em Ribeirão Preto - SP, Brasil

A Praça XV de Novembro, implantada em meados do século XIX, tem grande valor histórico-cultural, além de se constituir em uma das principais áreas verdes do centro da cidade de Ribeirão Preto. Visando ao conhecimento detalhado da vegetação para fins de orientação do manejo e conservação dessa área, foi feito um levantamento quali-quantitativo e fitossociológico das árvores e palmeiras da praça. Foram medidas altura e Diâmetro à Altura do Peito (DAP) e identificados todos os indivíduos de porte arbóreo (árvores e palmeiras) presentes na Praça, em nível de espécie. A praça ocupa uma área de 15.456,00 m², onde foram amostradas 42 espécies distribuídas por 19 famílias, num total de 161 indivíduos. Apesar de o local apresentar arborização com alto índice de diversidade de espécies (Shannon-Weaver de 3,14), os exemplares necessitam de maior atenção quanto a problemas ligados à fitossanidade e podas adequadas, fazendo que resulte em espaço seguro para os frequentadores e em boa qualidade paisagística.

Environmental adaptation of the source of the subbasin of Rico Stream, Monte Alto - SP, Brazil

Este trabalho teve como principal objetivo definir padrões fotográficos que representem o uso e a ocupação do solo da cabeceira de drenagem do Córrego Rico, localizada no Município de Monte Alto, Estado de São Paulo, para fins de adequação ambiental no que tange à legislação florestal brasileira. O mapeamento foi realizado utilizando técnicas de sensoriamento remoto e interpretação visual da imagem World View, seguida da digitalização da rede de drenagem e vegetações (naturais e agrícolas) no AutoCad, com auxílio de documentos e trabalho de campo. A área de estudo apresenta uma superfície de 2.141,53 ha, e os resultados permitiram constatar que a principal cultura é a cana-de-açúcar, com 546,34 ha, seguida de pastagens, com 251,22 ha, culturas perenes, com 191,71 ha, Eucalipto, com 57,31 ha, e a cebola, com 49,52 ha da área total, confirmando o avanço dos canaviais na região. A área possui 375,04 ha de áreas de preservação permanente (APPs), e desta superfície verificou-se que apenas 72,17 ha (19,24%) encontram-se compostos por vegetação arbórea ou mata, e destas 302,87 ha precisam ser enriquecidos e reflorestados com vegetação nativa da região, de acordo com legislação vigente. Os dados de área possibilitam futuras propostas de modelos de adequação ambiental para a microbacia, de acordo com a legislação ambiental vigente.

Influência do uso e ocupação de solo na qualidade de água de um reservatório mesotrófico na região semiárida tropiocal

In the semiarid region of northeastern of Brazil, the reservoirs are vulnerable to water level seasonal fluctuations, they re related to the hydrological cycle. The rain periods are irregular and there are long periods of drought that increases eutrophication process. That happens because of the water level s reduction and nutrient concentration. The Boqueirao, located in northeastern Brazil , is a mesotrophic reservoir. The reservoir is naturally susceptible to deterioration of water quality. This happens because of the potential diffuse sources arising from the use and occupation of the basin, associated with shallow soil caatinga biome and highly vulnerable to erosion. This study aimed to analyze the influence of the use and occupation of the area around and the water quality of the watershed. A study of the area around the Boqueirão was performed, taking the potentially polluting activities. Limnological variables were monitored monthly in 3 points of the reservoir to assess the water quality. Was evidenced an event of prolonged drought, with rainfall below the historical average for the year of study. By the index of water quality, the watershed was classified as " good " during the whole year of 2012. According to the trophic index adopted the reservoir is characterized as mesotrophic. The main anthropogenic impacts identified in the soil were arboreal selective logging, mining, diffuse contribution of residues from agricultural and livestock activities. The lack of precipitation and the degradation of the surrounding area, affect negatively the water quality, requiring immediate control to prevent degradation of the watershed . Although there wasn t a majority polluting activity in the region. The total of several impacting activities, the high susceptibility of the soil and the selective clearing of caatinga vegetation can accelerate the natural process of eutrophication in the water body

Atividade de morcegos insetívoros (mammalia, chiroptera) no pampa brasileiro: uso de hábitat e sazonalidade

Bats correspond to 20% of the extant mammal species and, with a few exceptions, use echolocation, a spacial orientation system based on emission and analysis of echoes from sound waves, generally ultrasounds. Echolocation was discovered in the 1940 s and since the 1970 s ultrasound detectors have been commercially available, allowing the investigation of several aspects of the natural history and ecology of bats. Passive acoustic monitoring has been frequently used in habitat use studies, predominantly in North America and Europe, by comparing the number of bat passes between different habitat types. This dissertation presents the first evaluation of the spacial and seasonal variation patterns in the activity of insectivorous bats in the Brazilian biome Pampa, in the state of Rio Grande do Sul. Since bat activity can vary according to habitat type, time of year and climatic conditions, the following hypotheses were tested: 1. bat activity varies between different types of habitat; 2. bat activity varies seasonally; 3. bat activity is influenced by temperature, humidity and wind speed. The acoustic samples were taken along fixed transects of 1500 meters, which were monitored monthly from April 2009 to March 2010. Five habitat types were sampled: eucalypts, stream, riparian forest, wetland and grassland. In each sample, the number of bat passes was obtained by using an ultrasound detector Pettersson D230. A total of 1183 bat passes were registered. Greater bat activity levels was observed along large eucalypts (1.93 bat passes/3min) and along a stream (1.61 bat passes/3 min). A riparian forest (0.94 bat passes/3 min) and a wetland area (0.61 bat passes/3 min) exhibited statistically equal levels of activity. Bat passes were fewer in grassland areas (0,16 bat passes/3 min). Bat activity was not correlated with abiotic factors. However, bat activity was significantly low in the colder season, winter, and was similar in autumn, spring and summer. The observed preference for vegetation borders and water courses agrees with reports from other countries and is attributed predominantly to the high prey abundance in these types of environments. Additionally, low activity in the winter is probably a response to the reduced availability of insects, and to lower temperatures. Our results indicate which areas of arboreal vegetation and water courses should be priorities for the conservation of bats and that alterations of these habitat types might negatively influence bat activity in the region

HELMINTH FAUNA of TWO GECKO LIZARDS, HEMIDACTYLUS AGRIUS and LYGODACTYLUS KLUGEI (GEKKONIDADE), FROM CAATINGA BIOME, NORTHEASTERN BRAZIL.

This study presented data on helminth fauna of two gecko lizards, Hemidactylus agrius and Lygodactylus klugei, from Caatinga biome in northeastern Brazil. It was found four helminth species parasitizing H. agrius, cistacanth of Centrorhynchidae (Acanthocephala) and the nematodes Physalopteridae (larvae), Parapharyngodon alvarengai (Pharyngodonidae) and Skrjabinelazia sp. (Seuratidade). The host Lygodactylus klugei presented two helminth species, one individual of Mesocoelium monas (Trematoda: Mesocoeliidae) in the small intestine and one encysted larvae of Physalopteridae (Nematoda: Physalopteridae) attached at stomach wall. The lizard species showed a low prevalence and low richness of helminths. Moreover, H. agrius presented a low intensity of infection. The foraging mode, arboreal habit and a restricted composition of diet could favoring the low prevalence, low infection rates and low richness of helminths found in these geckonid host species.

Culicídeos vetores em uma unidade de conservação da caatinga na região do seridó no Rio Grande do Norte aspectos da transmissão de doenças

The scarcity of occurrence records of culicid species, transmitting insects of etiologic agents for arboviruses, protozoan diseases and philarioses, and lack of information about their interactions with the forest environment make the Caatinga one of the most unknown biomes in Brazil. The aim of this study was to identify culicid species in a conservation unit located in a preserved area of the Caatinga and the possible associations with local abiotic factors, as well as characterize the natural and artificial ecotopes present in the Caatinga of Rio Grande do Norte state. The Ecological Station of Serido (ESEC-Seridó) is a Caatinga Conservation Unit located in a rural area of Rio Grande do Norte. The hot and dry climate of the Caatinga, along with a short rainy season, favor the adaptation and resistance of plants, resulting in completely distinct landscapes over the course of the year. The study took place over the course of one year, with monthly collections between 10h-12h, 14h-16h and 18h-20h. Adult mosquitoes were collected in a forest area using a manual suction trap with human bait as attractant at the three times and a Shannon trap for night collections. During the rainy season ovitraps were randomly distributed at different sites. The different capture sites were observed and photographed. Immature and adult insects captured were taken to the laboratory for identification. Of the 5081 insects collected in human-bait and Shannon traps, 75% were Mansonia wilsoni. In addition, Aedeomyia, Aedes, Anopheles, Coquillettidia, Culex, Haemagogus, Mansonia and Psorophora were identified. Of the 92 Haemagogus eggs found, 71 were collected on the banks of a reservoir. Mosquito larvae were found and photographed in an artificial breeding site of a neighboring rural area. Humidity had the greatest influence on culicid density in the Caatinga. Rain was important in the appearance of Haemagogus, Anopheles, Aedes and Psorophora. Temperature had a negative influence on Anopheles triannulatus. The occurence of important vector species of diseases in a little known preserved area of the Caatinga as well as environmental and sociocultural questions are factors that favor the emergence of transmitting insects, making these areas potential subject to the resurgence of diseases