Nest architecture of Pachycondyla striata Fr. Smith, 1858 (Formicidae, Ponerinae)

Nine nests of Pachycondyla striata Fr. Smith, 1858 were excavated between 2006 and 2007 at the UNESP university campus in Rio Claro, SP, southeastern Brazil. The P. striata population was larger in the two nests excavated in the months of August and November, 2006. The nests of this species are simple and poorly elaborated, with chambers and tunnels close to the ground surface. P. striata places the pupae in chambers isolated from the other individuals. The lack of chambers with the specific purpose of conditioning food and garbage underscores the simplicity of these nests.

Biological aspects of Schizodon nasutus Kner, 1858 (Characiformes, Anostomidae) in the low Sorocaba river basin, São Paulo state, Brazil

Four biological aspects of Schizodon nasutus in the low Sorocaba river basin, São Paulo, Brazil were analysed. These were accomplished during the year seasons. The fish diet and the feeding activity were investigated by studying the repletion index, which showed no significant differences between seasons. The food items analysed by frequency of occurrence and dominance showed a predominance of vegetable items in the diet. The reproduction, analysed by using the gonadosomatic index, indicated that the reproductive period occurs during the summer period when temperatures are higher and rainfalls are more intense. The amount of accumulated fat and condition factor varied according to reproduction, especially for females.

CONDITION of Hoplias aff. malabaricus (BLOCH, 1794) IN TWO COASTAL STREAMS of ITANHAEM RIVER BASIN, BRAZIL

The main purpose of this research was to measure the condition of the fish species Hoplias aff. malabaricus collected in Aguapeu River (black waters) and Branco River (white waters), which belong to Itanhaem River basin, a coastal watershed in São Paulo state, Brazil. Individuals of Hoplias aff. malabaricus were sampled by using gill nets, monthly from March 2001 to February 2002. The Condition Factor was obtained through the length-weight relationship, assuming that the higher the mass for a given length, the better the condition of the fish. The Condition Factor was compared among fishes from both rivers, resulting that Branco River individuals have significantly lower condition. Limnological aspects were studied from May 2001 to November 2002 and some show significant differences between Aguapeu River and Branco River. These were salinity, do and total organic N, which the higher values being observed in Branco River propably due to estuarine waters influence. However, the lower condition of the Branco River fishes should also be an effect of a disturbance due to the sand mining in this river, since this activity cause important alterations to the environment, affecting the whole biota, included aquatic macrophytes, invertebrates and fishes.

Desenvolvimento pós-embrionário de Pagurus brevidactylus (Stimpson, 1858) (Decapoda, Paguridae), em laboratório

All the larval stages of the hermit crab Pagurus brevidactylus were studied in the laboratory, with special emphasis on external morphology and on the duration of each stage. The larvae were kept in individual containers, with water of 35 salinity and fed on nauplii of Artemia salina; room temperature was maintained at 24±1ºC. The post-embryonic development includes four stages of zoea and one of megalopa. All the larval stages are drawn and described in detail.

DISTRIBUIÇÃO DE SUBSTRATOS NAS COLÔNIAS DE Atta laevigata (F. Smith, 1858) (HYMENOPTERA: FORMICIDAE)

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

THE LEG EXOCRINE SYSTEM IN SERRITERMES-SERRIFER (HAGEN, 1858), PHYLOGENETIC IMPLICATIONS (ISOPTERA, SERRITERMITIDAE

The leg exocrine gland was examined in two species of Neotropical termites. Scanning microscopy studies showed a set of pores on the ventral surface of the first and second tarsomeres in all legs of Serritermes serrifer. In Heterotermes tenuis these pores are present on a sunken plate in all castes. To date, this gland has been observed only in Rhinotermitid species. The presence of leg exocrine gland provides additional evidence supporting a close phylogenetic relationship between the Serritermitidae and Rhinotermitidae.

Nest architecture of Atta laevigata (F. Smith, 1858) (Hymenoptera : Formicidae)

The internal structure of three nests of Atta laevigata was studied in Botucatu city, São Paulo State, Brazil. Two nests were excavated through the opening of trenches and one was cement-moulded to enable a better view of the internal structures. The three nests presented a similar structure, with the depths and number of chambers varying as a function of the loose soil area of the nests. The number of chambers ranged from 1149 to 7864, reaching as deep as 7 m underground. Chamber volume ranged from 0.03 to 511. The foraging tunnels extended as far as 70m from the loose soil region. The nests of this species are the deepest within the genus Atta and have the highest number of chambers.

ZOEAL MORPHOLOGY OF PACHYGRAPSUS-GRACILIS (SAUSSURE, 1858) (DECAPODA, GRAPSIDAE) REARED IN THE LABORATORY

The larval development of Pachygrapsus gracilis was studied in the laboratory under conditions of 25-degrees-C temperature and 20, 24, 28, 32 and 34 parts per thousand salinity. The objective of the study was to characterize the plankton phase of life of this species.

Morphological and quantitative aspects of nodule formation in hemolymph of the blowfly Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius, 1794)

Insects manifest effective immune responses that include both cellular and humoral components. Morphological and quantitative aspects of cellular and Immoral cooperation during nodule formation in Chrysomya megacephala hemolymph against Saccharomyces cerevisae yeast cells were demonstrated for the first time. The analyses were performed in non-injected larvae (NIL), saline-injected larvae (SIL) and yeast-injected larvae (YIL). The hemolymph of injected groups was collected 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 12, 24, 36, or 48-h post-injection. Morphological aspects of YIL nodulation were investigated using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Quantitative analyses consisted of total (THC) and differential hemocyte counts (DHC) in all the groups and total yeast count (TYC) in YIL, which were performed in an improved Neubauer chamber. Nodule formation was initiated at approximately 2-h post-injection. Twelve hours after the injection, TEM revealed the presence of an amorphous membrane, at the same time that circulating hemocyte number decreased significantly contrasting the increase of yeast number. Our results showed the ability of C megacephala hemolymph to perform humoral encapsulation when hemocyte population is insufficient to eliminate the microorganisms, warranting consideration in future investigations on the relative roles played by cellular and humoral elements of innate immunity of this calliphorid. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Desenvolvimento pós-embrionário de Ceraeochrysa cincta (Schneider, 1851) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) alimentada com ovos de Diatraea saccharallis (Fabricius, 1794) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae)

The lacewings (Ceraeochrysa cincta) are important predators found associated to many pests in several agroecosystems. Eggs of Sitotroga cerealella and Anagasta kuehniella are used traditionally for massal rearing of these predators. Other foods can be used in substitution to the traditional ones, but little is known about the biology of lacewings and other alternative foods. So, this work was carried out to evaluate the effect of different diets on the post-embryonic development of C. cincta in laboratory. After been individualized in glass tubes, each larva was fed with S. cereallella and Diatraea saccharallis. It was evaluated the larvae duration, weight and viability in each instar, the duration, weight and viability of the pupa and pre-pupa stages and the duration of the post-embryonic period. It was adopted a completely randomized design with ten replications per treatment, each consisting of five eggs or larvae of C. cincta. Larvae were weighed 48 hours after hatching and 48 hours after each molt, and pre-pupae and pupae, 48 hours after starting these stages. There was no effect of the kind of food provided on the parameters evaluated. Therefore, D. saccharallis eggs can be used to feed C. cincta.

Bioinsecticide action of the venom of Africanized bees Apis mellifera Linnaeus 1758 (Hymenoptera: Apidae): I - The most susceptible age of Diatraea saccharalis Fabricius 1794 (Lepeletier: Pyralidae) eggs to the venom action

The present paper aimed at testing the action of non-lyophilized venom of Africanized bees Apis mellifera through topical applications on Diatraea saccharalis egg masses. The CL50, DL50 and the most susceptible age of eggs to the venom topic application were also determined. Three-day-old eggs were the most susceptible to the venom action with CL50 equal to 8.6 mg/ml and DL50 equal to 0.173 mg/mass. The venom loses its action after being stored for 15 days.

A new species of Hemigrammus Gill, 1858 (Characiformes: Characidae) from Río Caura, Venezuela

A new characid species, Hemigrammus taphorni, is described from the Río Caura drainage, Venezuela. The new species is distinguished from its congeners by characters related to its color pattern, number of scale rows below the lateral line, teeth morphology, and dorsal-fin length. A brief discussion about the putative relationships of H. taphorni is provided. Copyright © 2007 Magnolia Press.

Alimentação de Serrasalmus maculatus (Kner, 1858) (characiformes; serrasalmidae) no trecho inferior bacia do rio Sorocaba, São Paulo, Brasil

The aim of this study was to discuss aspects of the diet of Serrasalmus maculatus. Fish were collected using gill nets, whose lengths measured 100 m and mesh diameters varied from 3 to 8 cm. A total of 107 individuals were collected. Their length varied from 62 to 210 mm. They were mainly represented by female and immature individuals. No individual was caught in temperatures below 21°C. Four feeding item categories were observed: fish muscle pieces, parts of fish fins, plant fragments, and insects. Comparisons made among individual length classes revealed some significant differences within stomach consumed contents. Individuals whose length exceeded 165 mm consumed only parts of fish muscles and plants. The food availability in the environment and the class lengths amplitude may, however, have influenced the results, in which ontogenetic differences should not be precisely observed.

Zammara smaragdula walker, 1858 (hemiptera: Cicadidae): First record for Brazil

The present note reports the first record for Brazil of the cicada Zammara smaragdula Walker, 1858 (Hemiptera, Cicadidae, Zammarini). This new record brings the number of reported Cicadidae species for Brazil to 153, including three species in the genus Zammara. © 2011 Check List and Authors.