Evaluation of the aquatic macroinvertebrate community as a tool for monitoring a reservoir in the Pitangui river basin, Parana, Brazil

Evaluation of the aquatic macroinvertebrate community as a tool for monitoring a reservoir in the Pitangui river basin, Parana, Brazil. Benthic and nektonic macroinvertebrates play an important role in the structure and function of aquatic ecosystems and their distribution is influenced by chemical features of the substrate, vegetation composition, and water depth. Knowledge on the fauna contributes to the assessment of water quality and development of biodiversity conservation activities. Different biotic factors affecting the invertebrate community were evaluated in the Alagados reservoir, the main water source of the city of Ponta Grossa, Parana. In five different sampling points, 18,473 specimens of aquatic or semiaquatic macroinvertebrates were collected, belonging to 46 taxa of the phylla Annelida (Hirudinea and Oligochaeta), Mollusca (Gastropoda), Platyhelminthes (Turbellaria), Nematoda and Arthropoda (Arachnida, Crustacea and Insecta). This community was composed mainly of predators (45.7% of the taxa sampled), collectors and/or filterers (23.9%), scrapers (15.2%), shredders (13.0%) and detritivores (2.2%). Diversity (H`) and evenness (J) indices were significantly low for the sites examined, and H` ranged between 0.3301 and 1.0396. Regarding tolerance of organisms to organic pollution, more sensitive taxa were very rare (Plecoptera) or unusual (Trichoptera and Ephemeroptera). Among the more resistant groups are Chironomidae and Hirudinea, both fairly common in the samples. This study corroborates the importance of bioindicators as a tool to assess water quality for human consumption and for the conservation of aquatic environments, integrating physical, chemical and biological factors in monitoring programs.

Notas sobre depósitos de Taveiro estratigrafia, paleontologia, idade, paleoecologia

This paper reports some research work that has been done to support Geological Survey's field work for the 1:50.000 Carta Geológica de Portugal, (sheets 19-C Figueira da Foz and 19-D Coimbra-Lousã). Its main purpose was to establish the age of some continental formations. At Cerâmica do Mondego, Ld.ª near Taveiro, two series were observed. The lower one is mainly pelitic, montmorillonite being predominant. It also includes some sandy beds and channel deposits with high energy sediments (conglomerate with limestone pebbles). The upper series lies unconformably upon the former, and there is a neat discontinuity surface between the two. It mainly consists of sands, kaolinite being the most abundant of the clay minerals. This seems to indicate an intensive weathering, an acid, well drained environment and transportation by quite high energy running waters. No fossils were recorded. Preliminary paleontological results are presented, along with some data concerning other localities (Aveiro, etc.). Fossils found in the lower series are: gastropoda (Bulimus gaudryi, TV. 15 bed), several vertebrates (TV. 18), fishes (TV. 19?) and plants (TV. 19-TV. 24). Vertebrata belong to the same fauna as that from Vizo, Aveiro, etc. The presence of mammals is most important as only a single tooth was previously Know in Europe (Southern France) in Late Cretaceous formations. Elsewhere there are some mammalian remains in Peru besides the rich assemblages found in the USA and Mongolia. Plants are representative of the «Debeya flora» well known at several localities in Beira Litoral province, in «Buçaco sandstones», and in Lisbon's «Basaltic Complex». The most important stratigraphical conclusion is that the lower series is Upper Campanian and/or Maastrichtian in age, and not Tertiary as sometimes it has been considered. As at Aveiro, «Bebeya flora» occurs in-beds somewhat higher than those with the Aveiro-Vizo-Taveiro vertebrate fauna. Correlation with other «Debeya flora» localities are now more clear. Data concerning Taveiro lower series, in the whole, point out to a rather warm (and moist?) environment in an occasionally (seasonally?) flooded region.

Contributions à la Paléontologie du Miocène moyen continental du Bassin du Tage. I - Quelques mollusques - Pero Filho, Póvoa de Santarém, Sítio do Mirante

Some land and freshwater mollusks (Gastropoda, Pelecypoda) from three middle Miocene localities: Pêro Filho, Póvoa de Santarém, Sítio do Mirante, all in Ribatejo province, Portugal, are summarily studied. On a systematical viewpoint it has been shown (see also Tableau): - the presence of the genus Janulus, whose species only survive now at Madeira and Canary's islands; - the presence of "Helix" cotteri that may indeed belong in the genus Megalotachea, common in western Europe since "Helvetian" to Messinian times; - Limax, Testacella, Acroloxus and Pseudamnicola are quoted for the first time in portuguese tertiary formations; Ferrisia has been identified for the first time in Iberian Peninsule; - the presence of other forms previously quoted by ANTUNES & ZBYSZEWSKI (1973), is confirmed: Bithynia, Theodoxus, Pisidium. Such faunules are compatible with a middle Miocene age. On a paleobiogeographical viewpoint, some forms suggest mediterranean affinities. Fossil associations do correspond ecologically to either palustrine or stagnant, calm and shallow water conditions (Sítio do Mirante, and essentially also Póvoa de Santarém), or to fluviatile conditions (Pêro Filho).

Notas sobre depósitos de Taveiro estratigrafia, paleontologia, idade, paleoecologia

This paper reports some research work that has been done to support Geological Survey's field work for the 1:50.000 Carta Geológica de Portugal, (sheets 19-C Figueira da Foz and 19-D Coimbra-Lousã). Its main purpose was to establish the age of some continental formations. At Cerâmica do Mondego, Lda. near Taveiro, two series were observed. The lower one is mainly pelitic, montmorillonite being predominant. It also includes some sandy beds and channel deposits with high energy sediments (conglomerate with limestone pebbles). The upper series lies unconformably upon the former, and there is a neat discontinuity surface between the two. It mainly consists of sands, kaolinite being the most abundant of the clay minerals. This seems to indicate an intensive weathering, an acid, well drained environment and transportation by quite high energy running waters. No fossils were recorded. Preliminary paleontological results are presented, along with some data concerning other localities (Aveiro, etc). Fossils found in the lower series are: gastropoda (Bulimus gaudryi, TV. 15 bed), several vertebrates (TV. 18), fishes (TV. 19?) and plants (TV. 19-TV. 24). Vertebrata belong to the same fauna as that from Vizo, Aveiro, etc. The presence of mammals is most important as only a single tooth was previously know in Europe (Southern France) in Late Cretaceous formations. Elsewhere there are some mammalian remains in Peru besides the rich assemblages found in the USA and Mongolia. Plants are representative of the «Debeya flora» well known at several localities in Beira Litoral province, in «Buçaco sandstones», and in Lisbon's «Basaltic Complex». The most important stratigraphical conclusion is that the lower series is Upper Campanian and/or Maastrichtian in age, and not Tertiary as sometimes it has been considered. As at Aveiro, «Bebeya flora» occurs in-beds somewhat higher than those with the Aveiro-Vizo-Taveiro vertebrate fauna. Correlation with other «Debeya flora» localities are now more clear. Data concerning Taveiro lower series, in the whole, point out to a rather warm (and moist?) environment in an occasionally (seasonally?) flooded region.

Vertébrés du Miocène moyen de Amor (Leiria) - importance stratigraphique

Some outcrops in the western part of Leiria's diapir yielded continental fossils in five points near Amor village (mammals, other vertebrata, and gastropoda). This is most significant as it is the first locality where miocene age could undoubtedly been ascribed to formations northwards the Iberian Central Chain and Nazare's accident. Mammalian fauna comprises 18 taxa. A new cricetid species, Fahlbuschia freudenthali n. sp. is described. This fauna allows to date fossil-bearing units from Upper Orleanian, MN5 mammal zone, that may be correlated to Upper Langhian marine stage. As the fauna is quite varied, it is possible to recognize the main characters of environment and of climatic conditions. It may probably be assumed that at the time the climate was of mediterranean type, generally warmer than today.

Le gisement pleistocène de Morgadinho, en Algarve

Small mammals from a water well near Morgadinho indicate an age comprised between Middle Villafranchian, MN 17 zone and lowermost Middle Pleistocene, MN 20. This fauna corresponds to an humid region under a possibly temperate (certainly not cool) climate. Nearly all Gastropoda have quaternary affinities. Most are freshwater dwellers. Ostracoda lived in lacustrine or extensive swamp enviromnents rich in plants. They also point out to fresh waters (eventually oligohaline; this may suggest some kind of communication with the sea, which would not be very close by), and to water temperatures over 10.5°C. Charophyta thrive in fresh, carbonate-rich waters. Cyprinid fishes are also freshwater dwellers, and amphibians exclude any significant salinity. Palynological analysis shows climate should be warm and rather humid. Near Morgadinho there was a mixte mesophytic forest (and perhaps a sempervirent, large leave type forest at Algoz). Morgadinho and Algoz (this locality being dated MN 20, lowermost Middle Pleistocene) are probably correlative, and this may also be true for lacustrine limestones at Ponte das Lavadeiras, near Faro.

Upper Paleocene-Early Eocene mollusks of Silveirinha (Figueira da Foz, West Central Portugal)

A collection of fossil gastropods and bivalves assembled at the Thanetian/Ypresian vertebrate site of Silveirinha (Figueira da Foz, West Central Portugal) is analysed from the point of view of systematics and palaeoecology. The diversity is scarce but the age and exceptional characteristics of the site are factors that substantiate a detailed study. The taxa identified are: Bithynia soaresi sp. nov., Gyraulus antunesi sp. nov., Chlamys sp. and Cardiiacea gen. sp. indet. The prevailing of freshwater gastropods and the occurrence of 2 fragments of marine bivalves suggest a palaeoenvironmental setting that is in conformity with interpretations already established, which are based both in sedimentologic and vertebrate data. These interpretations point out the existence of a freshwater environment opened from time to time to marine influences, resulting from a palaeoatlantic coast placed some kilometres westwards.

Manual of conchology, structural and systematic : with illustrations of the species. by George W. Tryon, Jr.

Ser.2, v.22

Manual of conchology, structural and systematic : with illustrations of the species. by George W. Tryon, Jr.

Ser.2, v.20

Manual of conchology, structural and systematic : with illustrations of the species. by George W. Tryon, Jr.

Ser.2, v.14

Manual of conchology, structural and systematic : with illustrations of the species. by George W. Tryon, Jr.

Ser.2, v.19

Manual of conchology, structural and systematic : with illustrations of the species. by George W. Tryon, Jr.

Ser.2, v.18

Manual of conchology, structural and systematic : with illustrations of the species. by George W. Tryon, Jr.

Ser.2, v.21

Manual of conchology, structural and systematic : with illustrations of the species. by George W. Tryon, Jr.

Ser.2, v.10

Manual of conchology, structural and systematic : with illustrations of the species. by George W. Tryon, Jr.

Ser.2, v.15