Natural history of the coral snake Micrurus Pyrrhocryptus Cope 1862 (Elapidae) from semideciduous forests of western Brazil.

Coral snakes in the genus Micrurus are widely distributed in the Neotropics, with more than 50 species already described in this region. They are primarily ground or leaf litter dwellers, feed on snakes or other elongate vertebrates, and tend to reproduce during the rainy season. We present data on the biology of Micrurus pyrrhocryptus from two semideciduous forests of Mato Grosso do Sul state, western Brazil. Two snake species were consumed: the dipsadid Sibynomorphus lavillai and the typhlopid Typhlops brongersmianus. Sexual dimorphism is marked in M. pyrrhocryptus. with males attaining larger sizes and having longer tails. Activity was concentrated in the wet season, when reproduction occurs. The defensive behavior in this species is similar to that displayed by other Micron's, although less pronounced.

Reproductive cycle of Hepatus pudibundus (Herbst, 1785) (Crustacea, Decapoda, Calappidae) in Ubatuba, SP, Brazil

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Distribuição do caranguejo Hepatus pudibundus (Herbst, 1785) (Crustacea, Decapoda, Brachyura) na Enseada da Fortaleza, Ubatuba (SP), Brasil

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Fecundity of crab Hepatus-pudibundas (herbst, 1785) (crustacea, decapoda, calappidae) in Ubatuba (SP), Brazil

The egg number and the rate in which they are produced constitute important informations for the comprehension of the reproductive process. The egg number carried by a female crab is related to a body dimension (carapace width or length). These data are adjusted to a linear regression. The specimens of Ii. pudibundus were collected in Ubatuba region, Brazil during the period from January 1991 to July 1993. In this paper 30 females with eggs in the initial embryonic phase were used to estimate ther egg number. The mean fecundity obtained was 75,615 +/- 30,120 eggs/female/spawn. Although the H. pudibundus fecundity was not high, it can be inferred that the larval survival in nature should be large, because it is one of the most abundant crabs in the studied area.

Weight width carapace relationship in the crab hepatus-pudibundus (herbst, 1785) (crustacea, decapoda, calappidae) of the Ubatuba region, SP, Brazil

In populational studies, the weight/width carapace relationship analysis, can furnish indications about the individual physiological variations as a function of the environment, and it can indicate sexual dimorphism. The goal of this research is to find the mathematical expressions of weight/width carapace relationship in the crab Hepatus pudibundus. This study was accomplished by analysing the crabs that were sampled monthly with a shrimp fishing boat equipped with 2 otter-trawl nets, during the period from november/1988 to october/1989. A total of 624 specimens were obtained composed of 244 males and 380 females. In each group the sex, the weight (PE) and the carapace width (LC) were determined. The obtained values agree with the studied range, showing variations during male and female development, represented by the potential function of the equation Y = aX(b). Such variations are probably related to reproductive strategies.

Appraisal of the chelipeds size on Hepatus-pudibundus (Herbst, 1785) (Crustacea, Calappidae) in function of sex and maturation

This paper appraises the influence of chelipeds on sexual and maturation phasis of the crab Hepatus pudibundus (Herbst, 1785), collected in Ubatuba (SP) region. The allometric constants obtained from the regression (carapace width X cheliped weight) adjusted to a power function (Y=aX(b)) were analysed. It was verified that males show larger chelipeds than females. The mean percentage of the chelipeds weight differs in sex and maturation.

Amphibia, Anura, Brachycephalidae, Ischnocnema verrucosa Reinhardt and Luetken, 1862: distribution extension to northeastern Brazil.

Herein I present a new geographical record of Ischnocnema verrucosa Reinhardt and Luetken, 1862 fro northeastern Brazil and briefly discuss the new record with a previous record of similar characteristics.

Population structure of the seabob shrimp Xiphopenaeus kroyeri (Heller, 1862) (Crustacea: Penaeoidea) in the littoral of São Paulo, Brazil

The population structure of the penaeidean shrimp Xyphopenacus kroyeri was studied in Ubatuba Bay, Ubatuba, Sd̃ao Paulo, Brazil. The period and site of juvenile recruitment were monitored using a monthly sampling design with eight fixed areas (transects) from September 1995 to August 1996. The population structure was assessed using size frequency distributions (based on carapace length) for each month and sampling area. Females were significantly larger than males, suggesting a differential growth between sexes. The very low occurrence of large adults in the Bay can be related to offshore migration for reproduction. Recruitment occurred throughout the year, with a peak during the summer, when the highest recruitment rates were obtained along inshore transects. The present investigation revealed valuable information on the biology of the species mainly in the study region, which is considered a nursery ground for juveniles of X. kroyeri. The species showed an important variation from the typical life cycle that it is assumed to hold over its entire range and X. kroyeri should be classified as having a life cycle different from that proposed previously in the literature, i.e. the juveniles prefer inshore areas instead of estuaries. Some suggestions for the seabob fishery management are proposed as an alternative for minimising the impact during the harvest period and adjusting the protection schedule.

GDP 4.0 transfer to SGP 3.0 for SCIAMACHY no2 column processing: Verification with SDOAS / GDOAS prototype algorithms and delta-validation with NDACC / UV-visible network data

Until mid 2006, SCIAMACHY data processors for the operational retrieval of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) column data were based on the historical version 2 of the GOME Data Processor (GDP). On top of known problems inherent to GDP 2, ground-based validations of SCIAMACHY NO2 data revealed issues specific to SCIAMACHY, like a large cloud-dependent offset occurring at Northern latitudes. In 2006, the GDOAS prototype algorithm of the improved GDP version 4 was transferred to the off-line SCIAMACHY Ground Processor (SGP) version 3.0. In parallel, the calibration of SCIAMACHY radiometric data was upgraded. Before operational switch-on of SGP 3.0 and public release of upgraded SCIAMACHY NO2 data, we have investigated the accuracy of the algorithm transfer: (a) by checking the consistency of SGP 3.0 with prototype algorithms; and (b) by comparing SGP 3.0 NO2 data with ground-based observations reported by the WMO/GAW NDACC network of UV-visible DOAS/SAOZ spectrometers. This delta-validation study concludes that SGP 3.0 is a significant improvement with respect to the previous processor IPF 5.04. For three particular SCIAMACHY states, the study reveals unexplained features in the slant columns and air mass factors, although the quantitative impact on SGP 3.0 vertical columns is not significant.

Policultivo do camarão de água doce Macrobrachium amazonicum (Heller, 1862) com a Tilápia do Nilo (Oreochromis niloticus) alimentadas com rações peletizada e farelada

The objective of this work was to evaluate the influence of fresh water shrimp Macrobrachium amazonicum (Heller, 1862) in performance of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) cultivated in polyculture system and feeding with ration pelleted and mashed. The work was realized in Centro de Pesquisa em Aqüicultura Ambiental-CPAA/IAP - Toledo/PR during 37 days. Were utilized like experimental unit 16 ponds excavated, covered with concrete but with bottom of soil with dimension the 4 x 3 m and useful volume the 3,5 m 3. Were utilized 30 tilapias e 150 shrimps for experimental unit distributed at an entirely randomized design with 4 treatments and 4 replications, where TF: tilapia feeding with ration mashed; TCF: tilapia and shrimp feeding with ration mashed; TP: tilapia feeding with ration pelleted; TCP: tilapia and shrimp feeding with ration pelleted. The density used were the 2,6 fishes/m 2 with medium initial weight the 5,58 ± 0,10 g and initial length the 5,56 cm, and the density of shrimp was the 13 shrimps/m 2 with initial length the 1,04 cm. The temperature was gauged daily, while the variables dissolved oxygen, pH and electrical conductivity, weekly. The quantity of ration supplied was the 10% of total biomass of fishes, with feed frequency the 4 times a day, being corrected weekly in function of the biometry. During the experimental period the medium values of temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH and electrical conductivity of the ponds water were 23,42 ± 0,83°C, 5,32 ± 0,52 mg/L, 7,02 ± 0,39, e 100,96 ± 1,81 μS/ cm respectively. Won't registering any influence of shrimp during the cultivation and the ration pelleted provide the better conversion alimentary and performance of tilapias.

Amphibia, Anura, Brachycephalidae, Ischnocnema verrucosa Reinhardt and Lütken, 1862: Distribution extension to northeastern Brazil

Herein I present a new geographical record of Ischnocnema verrucosa Reinhardt and Lütken, 1862 for northeastern Brazil and briefly discuss the new record with a previous record of similar characteristics. © 2010 Check List and Authors.

Amphibia, anura, hylidae, hypsiboas raniceps cope, 1862: Distribution extension

Hypsiboas raniceps is a large treefrog typically found in the Cerrado and Caatinga biomes. Here we provide information about new records of this species in the Atlantic Forest and raise some hypotheses that could explain the late record of this species in this biome. © 2010 Check List and Authors.

Production strategies for short term grow-out of the Amazon River prawn Macrobrachium amazonicum (Heller 1862) in ponds

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of stocking ponds using graded and ungraded juveniles and performing drained and combined harvesting on the production of M. amazonicum. A randomized completed-blocks design with 4 treatments (farming strategies) and 3 replicates was used. Treatments were: Upper size-graded juveniles, Lower size-graded juveniles, Ungraded juveniles, all with total drained harvesting, and Combined Harvesting (ungraded juveniles). Twelve earthen ponds were stocked at 40 juveniles.m -2, according to the treatment. After 3.5 months prawns were completely harvested. Lower size-graded prawns showed smaller average weight (3.37 ± 0.25 g) than upper size-graded (4.03 ± 0.40 g) and ungraded ones (3.80 ± 0.16 g). Survival percentage varied from 68 ± 9 to 76 ± 10, productivity was slightly higher than 1,000 kg.ha -1 and apparent feed conversion rate varied from 3.0 ± 0.7 to 3.7 ± 1.3. These parameters did not differ among the farming strategies. The best strategy for short term grow-out M. amazonicum in earthen ponds is stocking ungraded juveniles and performing total harvesting by draining ponds at the end of rearing cycle. Grading juveniles before stocking and selective-harvesting managements are not advantageous because they increase costs and do not improve any production parameter.

Effects of artificial substrate and night-time aeration on the water quality in Macrobrachium amazonicum (Heller 1862) pond culture

The effects of artificial substrate and night-time aeration on the culture of Macrobrachium amazonicum were evaluated in 12 ponds stocked with 45 prawns m-2. A completely randomized design in 2 × 2 factorial scheme with three replicates was used. The combination of factors resulted in four treatments: with substrate and aeration (SA), with substrate and without aeration (SWA), without substrate and with aeration (WSA) and without substrate and aeration (WSWA). The presence of substrate in SA and SWA treatments reduced suspended particles (seston) by ~17.3% and P-orthophosphate by ~50%. The use of aerator (WSA and SA treatments) significantly (P < 0.05) increased the concentration of dissolved oxygen, suspended particles and nutrients in the pond water. These results indicate that the effect of substrate on turbidity and total suspended solids (TSS) values is opposite to the effect of the aerator. The aerators in semi-intensive grow-out M. amazonicum farming lower water quality because they increased the amount of detritus and nutrients in the pond water. On the other hand, the use of artificial substrate reduces turbidity values, chlorophyll a, TSS and P-orthophosphate concentrations. Therefore, the combination of substrate addition and night-time aeration is not interesting because they have opposite effects. © 2013 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.