Mammifères pleistocènes de Algoz, en Algarve: une revision

At Algoz, Algarve, some mammals were found. The fauna, as revised here, corresponds to lowermost Middle Pleistocene (Biharian), just before the first glacial advance of Gunz glaciation. It is much older than it was previously regarded (Riss-Wurm interglacial). Evidence indicates an humid, swampy, riparian environment rich in plant life, and a nearby forest. Climate seems to have been rather warm (see ANTUNES et al., 1985). Age and ecology suggest that Algoz and Morgadinho, also in Algarve, are correlative (Morgadinho's age is from Villanyian to Biharian, and is thus compatible with that from Algoz). Lithology and palynological analysis corroborate this view. Algoz is the first locality of this age known in Portugal. Morgadinho and perhaps lacustrine limestones at Ponte das Lavadeiras (Faro) are more or less the same age.

Evaluation of the allergenicity of spore and mycelia extracts of Pisolithus tinctorius

The antigenic and allergenic chemical analysis of spore and mycelia extracts of Pisolithus tinctorius was carried out. The spores were collected from basidiocarps in plantations of Eucalyptus spp and the mycelia from culture in MNM medium. With basis on the fungus growth curve, the mycelia masses were obtained after 10, 20, 30, and 40 days of incubation, which correspond, respectively, to the beginning, middle and end of the log phase, and beginning of the decline phase. The mycelia masses, together with the spores, were submitted to the action of three extractors (Coca, Tris-HCl, and ammonium bicarbonate). The contents of carbohydrates and proteins were determined. The SDS-PAGE electrophoretical analysis revealed separate fractions in these extracts, besides common fractions, in function of cultivation time and extraction methods. The selected extracts for the allergic tests were the ones with the highest number of fractions. The prick-tests were conducted in 374 patients – rural workers, eucalyptus plantation works and college students. The positivity to the "prick test" with the antigenic extract of P. tinctorius was, respectively, 3.78%, 28.20% and 6.40%. Most prick-test positive patients (82.75%) also presented symptoms of respiratory allergy (asthma and rhinitis). There was no reactivity difference when the spore and mycelia extracts were employed. The analysis of the positive patients’ sera revealed the presence of IgE specific to the P. tinctorius antigens. Since Pisolithus tinctorius is found as mycorrhyza of Eucalyptus spp, and this plant is used in reforestation in most countries, the importance of that fungus should be regarded as a possible cause of respiratory allergies, especially in occupationally exposed workers

A afirmação do direito de águas

This thesis aims at demonstrating the dogmatic autonomy of Water Law. It also intends to clarify that this branch of law must not be confused with other similar subjects of law. To accomplish this task, the thesis justifies the dogmatic autonomy of Water Law beginning by discussing the emergence of this branch of law both at international and regional levels. The thesis analyses the emergence of International Water Law, discussing the reasons of its existence, its subject and importance. It also explains the relationship between international watercourses and the need to regulate them, considering that rules related to the use and management of such resources, although created at international level, are meant to be applied at regional and local levels. The thesis demonstrates that the fact that some waters are international, because they cross different states or serve as border between two or more states, justifies the existence of international water law rules aplicable to the region and to the watercourse they are supposed to regulate. For this reason, this thesis considers not only international water law in relation with the aplicable regional water law, but also the regional law in relation with the rules aplicable to the water basins and particularly with the concerned water basin states. This relationship between rules leads us to discuss how these three spectrums of rules are conciliated, namely international or universal, regional and water basin rules. To demonstrate how all this works we chose SADC for our case study. The thesis also studies the States who benefit from rules of international water law, and all other subjects who directly use water from international watercourses, and the conclusion we reach is that who really benefits are the population of such states whose rights of access, use and management are regulated by international, regional and basin rules As we can imagine, it is not easy to concile so many different rules, applicable to a scarce resource to which many subjects in many states compete for. And the interaction of the different interests, which is done under different spectrum of rules, is what guided our study, in which we analyse how all this process functions. And the main reason of all the discussion is to conclude that there is, in fact, a dogmatic autonomy of water law. To reach such a conclusion, the thesis begins by studying how international water law is applied at local level. Considering that international watercourses usually have different regimes adopted by the basin states, which difference may cause conflicts, the thesis discusses how water law may contribute to solve possible conflicts. To do this, the thesis studies and compares rules of international water law with rules of water law applicable to SADC states, and figures out the level of interaction between such rules. Considering that basin states have to obey to local rules, first of all, and after that to international and basin level rules, the thesis studies how the differents interests at stake are managed by riparian states, who act on behalf of their population. SADC appeared to provide an excellent case study to reach this goal. And the thesis discusses all these matters, the rules and principles applicable, and provides solutions where applicable, always considering water as subject of our study. Accordingly, we discuss the right to water, its nature and how it functions, considering the facts mentioned previously. And, as we conclude, all these legal discussions over water are a clear sign of the dogmatic autonomy of water

Hepatitis B and C virus infection among Brazilian Amazon riparians

INTRODUCTION: Viral hepatitis is a major public health concern in Brazil. There are few past studies on this issue, especially among riparian communities. This study aims at determining the seroprevalence of viral hepatitis B and C in the riparian community of Pacuí Island, within the Cametá municipality of Pará State, Brazil. Moreover, this study aims to investigate the principal risk factors that this community is exposed to. METHODS: The current study has accessed blood samples from 181 volunteers who have answered an epidemiological questionnaire. Analyses on serological markers have been tested with commercial ELISA kits for detecting HBsAg, total anti-HBc, anti-HBs, and anti-HCV. Within seroreactive patients for HCV, RT-PCR and line probe assay have been performed to identify the viral genotype. RESULTS: In the serological marker analysis for hepatitis B, no reactivity for HBsAg, rate of 1.1% for total anti-HBc, and rate of 19.3% for anti-HBs have been observed. On hepatitis C, 8.8% seroprevalence has been found, in which 62.5% have gotten viral RNA. Among the risk factors studied, the following have been highlighted: non-use of condoms, sharing of cutting instruments, use of illicit drugs, and reports of family disease with HBV or HCV. CONCLUSIONS: The vaccination coverage against HBV is low, and the high prevalence of HCV within this community has been observed.

Leaf micronutrient concentrations and potential photosynthesis in Ochroma pyramidale established in a degraded land

In the Brazilian Amazon, large areas of abandoned lands may revert to secondary forest. In the process, pioneer tree species have an important role to restore productivity in old fields and improve environmental conditions. To determine potential photosynthesis (Apot), stomatal conductance (g), transpiration (E), and leaf micronutrient concentrations in Ochroma pyramidale (Cav. ex Lam.) Urban a study was carried out in the Brazilian Amazon (01o 51' S; 60o 04' W). Photosynthetic parameters were measured at increasing [CO2], saturating light intensity (1 mmol (photons) m-2 s-1), and ambient temperature. The rate of electron-transport (J), Apot,and water-use efficiency (WUE) increased consistently at increasing internal CO2 concentration (Ci). Conversely, increasing [CO2] decreased gs, E, and photorespiration (Pr). At the CO2-saturated region of the CO2 response curve (1.1 mmol (CO2) mol-1(air), J was 120 μmol (e-) m-2s-1 and Apot reached up to 24 μmol (CO2) m-2s-1. Likewise, at saturating C1 g and E were 30 and 1.4 mmol (H2O) m-2s-1, respectively, and P 2 r about 1.5 μmol (CO2) m-2s-1. Foliar nutrients were 185, 134, 50, and 10 μmol (element) m-2 (leaf area) for Fe, Mn, Zn, and Cu, respectively. It was concluded that [CO ] probably limits light saturated photosynthesis in this site. Furthermore, from a nutritional point of view, the low Fe to Cu ratio (15:1) may reflect nutritional imbalance in O. pyramidale at this site.

Epidemiological studies of Mansonella ozzardi (Nematoda, Onchocercidae) in indigenous communities of Pauini municipality, Amazonas, Brazil

The Mansonella ozzardi has a widespread distribution among the indigenous and riverine communities of Amazonas, Brazil. We estimated the prevalence of Mansonella ozzardi in indigenous communities of the Pauini municipality, Amazonas state, Brazil and the rate of parasitic infection in vectors. We collected thick blood smears from individuals from six Apurinã indigenous communities along the Purus River and its tributaries. Collections of simuliids were made and dissected, and the larval instars of M. ozzardi identified. The overall prevalence of M. ozzardi was 28.40%, with the highest incidence among males and agricultural workers. Among age groups, children 2-9 years of age had the lowest incidence, while individuals older than 58 exhibited the highest rates of infection. We found infected simuliids in three communities, with Parasitic Infection Rates (PIR) of 0.34-6.58%. The prevalence of M. ozzardi among the Apurinã people is high, possibly related to the diary activities of the riparian people, where a high abundance of the vectors exists.

Environmental determinants for natural regeneration of gallery forest at the Cerrado/Amazonia boundaries in Brazil

Natural regeneration and structure and their relationship to environmental variables were studied in three sections of a gallery forest, in Eastern Mato Grosso, Brazil (14º43′S and 52º21′W). The assumption was that natural regeneration is constrained by environmental determinants at all stages of development of the tree community. The objective was to analyse the forest structure and to verify the relationship between species distribution and abundance at different stages of regeneration and environmental variables. In each section, 47 contiguous (10x10m) permanent plots were established to sample trees (gbh≥15cm), following a systematic design. Seedlings (0.01 to 1m height), saplings (1.01 to 2m) and poles (from 2.01m height to gbh<15cm) were sampled in sub-plots of 1x1m, 2x2m and 5x5m, respectively. In each plot, soil properties, gaps projection, bamboos, rocky cover, declivity and depth of ground watertable were determined. The relationships between the environmental variables with trees and seedling communities were assessed by canonical correspondence analysis. In spite of the sections being near to each other, they presented large differences in floristics, structure and site conditions. The forest soil presented a low cation exchange capacity and a high level of Al saturation. The occurrence of bamboos and gaps and the depth of ground watertable limited the occurrence of poles and trees. The high degree of structural heterogeneity for each regeneration category was related primarily to a humidity gradient; but soil fertility (Ca+Mg) was also a determinant of seedling and sapling communities.

Soil CO2 efflux in central Amazonia: environmental and methodological effects

Soil respiration plays a significant role in the carbon cycle of Amazonian rainforests. Measurements of soil respiration have only been carried out in few places in the Amazon. This study investigated the effects of the method of ring insertion in the soil as well as of rainfall and spatial distribution on CO2 emission in the central Amazon region. The ring insertion effect increased the soil emission about 13-20% for sandy and loamy soils during the firsts 4-7 hours, respectively. After rainfall events below 2 mm, the soil respiration did not change, but for rainfall greater than 3 mm, after 2 hours there was a decrease in soil temperature and respiration of about 10-34% for the loamy and sand soils, with emissions returning to normal after around 15-18 hours. The size of the measurement areas and the spatial distribution of soil respiration were better estimated using the Shuttle Radar Topographic Mission (SRTM) data. The Campina reserve is a mosaic of bare soil, stunted heath forest-SHF and tall heath forest-THF. The estimated total average CO2 emissions from the area was 3.08±0.8 µmol CO2 m-2 s-1. The Cuieiras reserve is another mosaic of plateau, slope, Campinarana and riparian forests and the total average emission from the area was 3.82±0.76 µmol CO2 m-2 s-1. We also found that the main control factor of the soil respiration was soil temperature, with 90% explained by regression analysis. Automated soil respiration datasets are a good tool to improve the technique and increase the reliability of measurements to allow a better understanding of all possible factors driven by soil respiration processes.

New record of a very specialized interaction: myrcidris epicharis Ward 1990 (Pseudomyrmecinae) and its myrmecophyte host Myrcia madida McVaugh (Myrtaceae) in Brazilian Meridional Amazon

In this study we present a new record of a plant-animal interaction: the mutualistic relationship between the specialist plant-ant Myrcidris epicharis Ward, 1990 (Pseudomyrmecinae) and its myrmecophyte host Myrcia madida McVaugh (Myrtaceae). We observed more than 50 individuals of M. madida occupied by M. epicharis in islands and margins of the Juruena River, in Cotriguaçu, Mato Grosso, Brazil (Meridional Amazon). We discuss a possible distribution of this symbiotic interaction throughout all the riparian forest of the Amazon River basin and its consequence to coevolution of the system.

Myxomycetes collection preserved in the herbarium of the Federal University of Roraima (Brazil)

First records of myxomycetes in the North region of Brazil go back to the 19th century. Nevertheless, the myxobiota of this region is still largely unexplored, with only 42 species recorded, distributed in 20 genera and seven families. The objectives of this paper were to characterize the Myxomycetes collection of the Herbarium of the Federal University of Roraima (UFRR) and to add new records for the myxobiota of this State. The collection holds specimens collected in fragments of Open Ombrophilous Forest, Seasonal Semi-deciduous Forest, Riparian Forest, deforested areas and urban home gardens in the state of Roraima. The 157 exsiccates were analyzed and identified or redetermined based on identification keys, descriptions and illustrations. The collection is in good conditions of preservation and includes all subclasses of Myxomycetes, 83% of its orders, 50% of its families, and 20 species. Trichiales, with one family, three genera and six species, represents 62% of all exsiccates. Cribraria aff. splendens, Metatrichia vesparia, Physarella oblonga, Stemonaria longa and Stemonitis splendens are new records for Roraima and Arcyria obvelata, Comatricha pulchella, Stemonitis pallida and Stemonitopsis aequalis are referred for the first time in the Northern Region, enlarging the knowledge of the Brazilian geographic distribution of these species.

Photosynthetic parameters and growth in seedlings of Bertholletia excelsa and Carapa guianensis in response to pre-acclimation to full sunlight and mild water stress

Light and water are important factors that may limit the growth and development of higher plants. The aim of this study was to evaluate photosynthetic parameters and growth in seedlings of Bertholletia excelsa and Carapa guianensis in response to pre-acclimation to full sunlight and mild water stress. I used six independent pre-acclimation treatments (0, 90 (11h15-12h45), 180 (10h30-13h30), 360 (09h00-15h00), 540 (07h30-16h30) and 720 min (06h00-18h00)) varying the time of exposure to full sunlight (PFS) during 30 days, followed by whole-day outdoor exposure for 120 days. Before PFS, the plants were kept in a greenhouse at low light levels (0.8 mol m-2 day-1). The PFS of 0 min corresponded to plants constantly kept under greenhouse conditions. From the beginning to the end of the experiment, each PFS treatment was submitted to two water regimes: moderate water stress (MWS, pre-dawn leaf water potential (ΨL) of -500 to -700 kPa) and without water stress (WWS, ΨL of -300 kPa, soil kept at field capacity). Plants under MWS received only a fraction of the amount of water applied to the well-watered ones. At the end of the 120-day-period under outdoor conditions, I evaluated light saturated photosynthesis (Amax), stomatal conductance (g s), transpiration (E) and plant growth. Both Amax and g s were higher for all plants under the PFS treatment. Stem diameter growth rate and Amax were higher for C. guianensis subjected to MWS than in well-watered plants. The contrary was true for B. excelsa. The growth of seedlings was enhanced by exposure to full sunlight for 180 minutes in both species. However, plants of B. excelsa were sensitive to moderate water stress. The higher photosynthetic rates and faster growth of C. guianensis under full sun and moderate water stress make this species a promissory candidate to be tested in reforestation programs.

Influence of river ecological condition on changes in physico-chemical water parameters along rivers

Dissertação de mestrado em Ecology

Composition and diversity of Trichoptera (Insecta) larvae communities in the middle section of the Jacuí river and some tributaries, State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

The taxonomic composition and diversity of Trichoptera larvae communities were studied in four lotic sites in central region of State of Rio Grande do Sul. Sampling was done monthly from June, 2001 to May, 2002 in four sites located at the middle section of Jacuí River (Point 4) and in three tributaries (Carijinho River - Point 1; Lajeado da Gringa - Point 2 and Lajeado do Gringo - Point 3), with a Surber sampler. The total number of larvae collected was 29,143, belonging to 25 genera distributed in nine families; twenty of these genera are new records for the State. The highest abundance was found at Point 2 (n = 12,547). The highest standardized richness, for a 1,177 specimens sample chosen by chance, was recorded at Point 1, followed by Point 4 (17.7 and 16 genera, respectively). The highest diversity was found at Point 1, and the lowest at Point 3 (H' = 1.31 and H' = 0.77, respectively). Point 1 had the lowest anthropic influence and the best preserved riparian vegetation, while Point 3 presented the highest anthropic impact, and a very reduced riparian vegetation. The diversity of Trichoptera observed in this study is low, compared to the estimated maximum theoretical diversity. Low diversity values are related to the low evenness, since the richness was relatively high. The Trichoptera larvae communities seem to be related to the food availability and physical features (riparian vegetation and anthropic influence) of the study sites.

Species richness and community structure of arboreal spider assemblages in fragments of three vegetational types at Banhado Grande wet plain, Gravataí River, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

The taxonomic composition, observed and estimated species richness, and patterns of community structure of arboreal spider assemblages in eleven sites surrounding the "Banhado Grande" wet plain in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, are presented. These sites represent three different vegetational types: hillside (four sites), riparian (five sites) and flooded forests (two sites). The spiders were captured by beating on foliage and "aerial litter". A sample was defined as the result of beating on twenty bushes, tree branches or "aerial litter" clusters, which roughly corresponds to one-hour search effort per sample. Fifty five samples (five per site) were obtained, resulting in an observed richness of 212 species present as adult or identifiable juveniles. The total richness for all samples was estimated to be between 250 (Bootstrap) to 354 species (Jackknife 2). Confidence intervals of both sample and individual-based rarefaction curves for each vegetation type clearly indicated that flooded forest is the poorest vegetation type with respect to spider species richness, with hillside and riparian forests having a similar number of species. The percentage complementarity between the eleven sites indicated that all sites contain a distinct set of species, irrespective of their vegetation types. Nevertheless, the spider assemblages in riparian and hillside forests are more similar with respect to each other than when compared to flooded forest. Both cluster and nonmetric multidimensional scaling analyses showed no strong correspondence between the spider arboreal fauna and the three vegetation types. Moreover, a Mantel test revealed no significant association between species composition and geographic distance among sites.

Composition and diversity of Ephemeroptera (Insecta) nymph communities in the middle section of the Jacuí River and some tributaries, southern Brazil

The taxonomic composition and diversity of assemblages of Ephemeroptera nymphs of four lotic environments in the central region of State of Rio Grande do Sul, a subtropical area in southern Brazil, were evaluated. Samplings were done monthly, with a Surber sampler, from June 2001 to May 2002, in the Jacuí River and three of its tributaries. The total number of nymphs collected in the four sampling sites was 11,007 in five families and 19 genera, of these, 11 are new records for the State. The highest diversity occurred in Point 4 (H'=2.41) and the lowest in Point 2 (H'=1.69). Point 4 had the highest environmental stability, conservation of the riparian vegetation and the lowest anthropic impact, while Point 2 presented a large environmental simplification due to a direct anthropic influence (e.g. domestic sewerage, trampling by cattle). The diversity of nymphs observed in the total area is high, compared to the estimated maximum theoretical diversity; a result of the high evenness and richness recorded. Rarefaction curves, calculated for a sample of 1,018 specimens, showed a similar expectation of richness for the four sampling sites. This result seems to be associated with the overall environmental homogeneity of the region caused by long-term alterations (land use and deforestation). In summary, higher diversity of Ephemeroptera nymph assemblages seems to be associated with habitat complexity, a good vegetation cover and a lower anthropic influence.