Geothermal investigations in an area of induced seismic activity, northern São Paulo State, Brazil

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Distribution of stream macroalgae in the eastern Atlantic Rainforest of São Paulo State, southeastern Brazil

Fifty-two stream segments were sampled from 16 August to 13 September in 1993 in the eastern Atlantic Rainforest of São Paulo State, southeastern Brazil (22°55′-25°00′S, 44°48′-48°03′W). Forty-two macroalgal subgeneric taxa were found and the most widespread species were Audouinella pygmaea (21% of sites), Compsopogon leptoclados and Microcoleus subtorulosus (19%). Macroalgal species number per sampling site ranged from 0 to six (2.6 ± 1.7) and was positively correlated to species abundance, whereas species cover ranged from 0 to 70% of the stream bed (15.5 ± 20.8%). No significant correlation was found among macroalgal species number and abundance with any physical or chemical variable analyzed. Most sites were dominated by one or few macroalgal species, mainly, Audouinella macrospora, C. leptoclados and M. subtorulosus. No significant difference was found between the frequency distribution of variables measured for streams and for total macroalgae but the most widespread species (A. pygmaea) differed significantly for current velocity, specific conductance, turbidity and pH. Overall means for macroalgal occurrence include the following values: temperature (X̄ = 19.9°C), current velocity (X̄ = 45 cm s-1), oxygen saturation (X̄ = 66%), specific conductance (X̄ = 59.6 μS cm-1), turbidity (X̄ = 5 NTU) and pH (X̄ = 7.1). This pattern of patchy distribution and dominance by few species has been suggested as typical of stream macroalgal communities and has been ascribed to the rapid fluctuation of physical and chemical conditions. Total macroalgal species richness as well as mean species number per sampling site were considerably lower than found in similar studies of other regions. The Intermediate Disturbance Hypothesis was applied to explain these results: the same factor (high precipitation) responsible for the maintainance of the high species diversity in the surrounding forest can be, paradoxically, a constraint to the development of a more diverse macroalgal flora in streams. © 1996 Kluwer Academic Publishers.

Microhabitat and plant structure of Batrachospermum (Batrachospermales, Rhodophyta) populations in four streams of São Paulo State, southeastern Brazil

Microhabitat and plant structure of seven Batrachospermum populations (four of Batrachospermum delicatulum (= Sirodotia delicatula), one of Batrachospermum macrosporum and two of the 'Chantransia' stage), including the influence of physical variables (current velocity, depth, irradiance and substratum), were investigated in four streams of São Paulo State, southeastern Brazil. The populations of B. delicatulum and the 'Chantransia' stage occurred under very diverse microhabitat conditions, which probably contributes to their wide spatial and seasonal distribution in Brazilian streams. Results suggest branch reconfiguration as a probable mechanism of adaptation to current velocity based on the occurrence of: (i) B. macrosporum (a large mucilaginous form with presumably little ability for branch reconfiguration) under lower current velocity than B. delicatulum; (ii) only dense plants in populations with high current velocities (> 60 cm s-1), whereas 53-77% of dense plants were seen in populations exposed to lower currents (< 40 cm s-1); (iii) positive correlations of plant length with internode length in populations under low current velocities and negative correlation in a population with high velocity (132 cm s-1); and (iv) negative correlations of current velocity with plant diameter and internode length in a population under high flow. This study, involving mainly dioecious populations, revealed that B. delicatulum displayed higher fertilization rates than B. macrosporum. A complementary explanation for a dioecious species to increase fertilization success was proposed consisting of outcrossing among intermingled male and female adjacent plants within an algal spot.

Costs estimates and rentability of the guava culture {psidium guajava l. patuma cv.) in monte alto county, Sao Paulo state

This work intended to calculate the rentability of the guava culture Paluma cv. in Monte Alto region-SP, estimating the costs of the implantation, maintenance, production and the gross income of this culture in the first three years of cultivation. The production system utilized refers to the cultural treatments usually used in this culture in the region. The costs estimates were based on the total operational costs methodology used by the Agricultural Economics Institute (I.E.A.). The results obtained showed that the implantation and maintenance costs of the culture, in the two first years was Rs7.402,31/alqueire. Considering the possibility that in guava orchard, on irrigated conditions, reach in the fourthy year a productivity of 80t/alqueire and that the current price is Rs0,20/kg, it is possible to estimate the gross income around of Rs16.000,00/alqueire, resulting in a net income of Rs9.497,06/alqueire.

Hydrochemistry on a waste disposal area of sand mining activities at Analandia, Sao Paulo State, Brazil, and their implications on the mobilization of uranium

Groundwaters and surface waters from an area of treatment of sand for industrial purposes at Analandia municipality, nearly in the center of Sao Paulo State, Brazil, were chemically and isotopically analyzed with two aims: to evaluate if the anthropogenic activities that has taken place for the last 6 years is affecting the quality of the hydrological resources and to relate the hydrogeochemical behaviour of the uranium isotopes 234U and 238U with the pattern of circulation of groundwaters.

Adenocalymma ubatubensis Assis and Semir, a new species of Bignoniaceae from Ubatuba, Sao Paulo State, Brazil

Adenocalymma ubatubensis, a new species from southeastern coastal Brazil, is described and illustrated. The species is distinguished by its large pseudostipules and calyx without nectaries.

Phytochemical evidence for the plant origin of Brazilian propolis from Sao Paulo state

Propolis and plant secretions from three species, most frequently mentioned as botanical sources of the bee glue in Brazil (Baccharis dracunculifolia, Araucaria angustifolia and Eucalyptus citriodora) have been investigated using GC-MS. Based on chemical evidence, B. dracunculifolia was shown to be the main propolis source in Sao Paulo state. The antibacterial and antifungal activities of all four materials were also tested, the most active being propolis and Baccharis leaf exudate.

Four new Neotetranychus Trägardh (Acari: Tetranychidae) from São Paulo State, Brazil

Neotetranychus peniculus Aranda n. sp. from Bauhinia holophylla (Fabaceae), N. rhaphidoseta Aranda n.sp from Tabebuia ochraceae (Bignoniaceae), N. granifer Feres and Flechtmann n. sp. from Bauhinia forficata and N. asper Feres and Flechtmann n. sp. from Alchornea glandulosa (Euphorbiaceae) from São Paulo State, Brazil, are described and figured.

The occurrence and foraging behavior of the army ant Eciton vagans dubitatum in the Itirapina area, São Paulo State, Brazil (Hymenoptera, Formicidae)

This paper discusses the occurrence of the army ant Eciton vagans dubitatum in a semi-deciduous forest, Itirapina area, São Paulo State, Brazil. Comparisons of bivouac and raiding pattern are done in relation to other subspecies of Eciton vagans.

Growth parameters and nutrient content in four multipurpose tree species with potential characteristics for agroforestry systems in a Cerrado region in Botucatu, São Paulo State, Brazil

In order to evaluate growth characteristics, adaptability, biomass production, nutrient recycling, nutrient distribution and the ability to regenerate degraded land, a trial using four multipurpose tree species (Leucaena leucocephala, Leucaena diversifolia, Acacia melanoxylon and Mimosa scabrella) was undertaken over two years in a distrophic red yellow latosol (oxisol) following a randomized block experimental design with four replications. At the age of two years, A. melanoxylon and L. diversifolia were the tallest species (5.25 and 4.97 m, respectively) and A. melanoxylon and M. scabrella had the largest diameters at 20 cm from tree base. Mimosa scabrella and A. melanoxylon had the highest dry matter production and quantity of nutrients in the above ground biomass. In all species, the highest nutrient contents were found in the leaves, followed by branches and stems. From all species, the highest Nutrient Utilization Efficiency Indexes were obtained for sulphur, phosphorous, and magnesium; L. diversifolia was the most efficient for nitrogen, potassium, calcium, sulphur, and manganese, while A. melanoxylon was the most efficient for phosphorus, magnesium, boron, iron, and zinc. Litter production levels over a three month period were as follows: M. scabrella > A. melanoxylon > L. diversifolia > L. leucocephala. Litter nutrient content was higher in M. scabrella than in the other species.

New record for the army ant Labidus mars (Formicidae: Ecitoninae) in the Atlantic Rain Forest of São Paulo State, Brazil

The occurrence of the army ant Labidus mars in Mogi das Cruzes (SP, Brazil) is recorded and includes additional information about the area, diet and foraging schedule of this rare army ant. This species of Ecitoninae was collected from two mature fruits of the Syagrus romanzoffiana (Arecaceae) and were probably in the foraging phase.

Temporal-spatial distribution of the hermit crab Loxopagurus loxochelis (Decapoda: Diogenidae) from Ubatuba Bay, São Paulo State, Brazil

The present work was conducted to determine the distribution of Loxopagurus loxochelis collected monthly, over a period of one year, in Ubatuba Bay (from September/95 to August/96). A total of 179 specimens were collected (138 males, 30 females and 11 ovigerous females). The greatest depth, predominance of very fine sand and highest mean value of organic matter contents of sediment, in combination with the low temperatures registered in winter (July and August), determined the presence of L. loxochelis in the subarea located at the Ubatuba Bay mouth, exposed to the open sea with high water current energy, important because this position insures that spawned larvae will enter into the oceanic circulation.

Pollution by hexachlorobenzene and pentachlorophenol in the coastal plain of São Paulo state, Brazil

Organochlorine compounds were dumped by chemical industries during the 1970s in many areas of the coastal plain of São Paulo state in Brazil. These dumps, located on hillsides and in valleys, in both rural and urban environments, are responsible for soil and water pollution. The objective of this work was to determine how the pollutants have spread in an area occupied by a spodosol-type soil mantle. The study combines soil morphological observations with soil and water analysis of hexachlorobenzene (HCB) and pentachlorophenol (PCP) in soil toposequences. The results indicate that the highest pollutant concentrations are observed near the dump site and that the compounds contamination is increasing. A map integrating topography and chemical concentrations was created to visualize the spatial distribution of HCB levels in the landscape. Physical and chemical analyses were performed to measure HCB and PCP levels in the soil. Soil water appears to act as a vector of HCB, probably through complexation with and dispersal of dissolved organic matter. The persistence of HCB at the studied site is most likely due to the low pH values in combination with a high content of organic matter. HCB was consistently found in higher concentrations than PCP. It is plausible that the cause of this difference is that PCP is degraded more easily under sunlight than HCB and that degradation of PCP under acid conditions leads to the formation of HCB. © 2003 Published by Elsevier B.V.

A comparative study of protein and enzymatic activity in venoms of some common wasps (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) from São Paulo State

The Hymenoptera Aculeata venoms, with few exceptions, have been poorly studied and characterized. Nevertheless, they have raised increasing interest due to their medical importance, since accidents with these insects are fairly frequent in Brazil and may cause severe allergic reactions. The objectives of the present work were the quantitative characterization of the main allergenic enzymes present in the venom of the species Polybia paulista, Polybia ignobilis, Polistes simillimus, and Agelaia pallipes pallipes through biochemical assays for the determination of total protein content, as well as the level of the enzymatic activity of phospholipase, hyaluronidase, acid phosphatase and esterase. These results, in addition to providing biochemical knowledge about the venom of the species in question, also supply studies that allow phylogenetic inferences among them.

Pheno and genotyping of Staphylococcus aureus, isolated from bovine milk samples from São Paulo State, Brazil

In the present study, 87 Staphylococcus aureus isolates obtained from milk samples of 87 cows with mastitis in 6 different municipal districts of 2 regions of São Paulo State, Brazil, were compared pheno and genotypically. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) analysis of the strains was performed, and PCR was carried out to detect genes for a number of staphylococcal cell surface proteins, exoproteins, and 3 classes of agr genes. Nine distinct S. aureus lineages (LA-LI) were identified by PFGE. The lineages LA and LE, which accounted together for 63 strains (72.2%), were prevalent and had been collected from all of the 6 municipal districts, indicating a broad geographic distribution of these lineages; LB, LC, LD, LF, LG, LH, and LI, however, were isolated sporadically and accounted for 24 strains (27.8%). Some characteristics, like penicillin resistance and the presence of cap8 and agr class II genes, were associated with the prevalent lineages (LA and LE), and penicillin susceptibility and the presence of cna and cap5 genes were associated with sporadic lineages. According to the present results, some S. aureus lineages possess a combination of genes that confer the propensity to cause and disseminate infection, and only a limited number of clones are responsible for the cases of bovine mastitis on the various farms. © 2004 NRC Canada.