Scent-marking behaviour in free-ranging golden-faced saki monkeys, Pithecia pithecia chrysocephala: Sex differences and context

Scent-marking behaviour of golden-faced saki monkey, Pithecia pithecia chrysocephala, was observed intermittently between 1987 and 1990 for a family group in a Central Amazonian forest fragment. of 95 scent-marking events (during 275.5 hours of observation), throat-and-chest rubbing accounted for all except one anogenital rubbing. Nine of the throat-and-chest markings also involved touching groin with hands and eight markings (including the anogenital), urinating on the marked branch. Marking behaviour is strongly sex related, with the adult male making 88.4% of the markings. Scent-marking frequency by the adult male increased during breeding periods. Scent-marking behaviour seems related to courtship, and possibly stimulates sexual behaviour. All regularly marked spots consisted of horizontal branches on commonly travelled routes. Eleven occurred in feeding trees and lianas, but none in sleeping trees. Scent-marking behaviour in the monkeys studied here was not related to intergroup encounters and probably did not have a territorial function, although it may do so where different groups interact.

Morphological variation in two genetically distinct groups of the golden-striped salamander, Chioglossa lusitanica (Amphibia : Urodela)

Morphometric and colour pattern variation in the endemic Iberian salamander Chioglosso lusitanica is concordant with the genetic differentiation of two groups of populations separated by the Mondego river ill Portugal. Salamanders from the south have shorter digits than those from the north. Clinal variation with a south to north increase in limb. toe and finger length was found superiniposed on this dichotomy resulting in stepped clines for characters describing appendage size. Genetic variability was paralleled by colour pattern variability in the contact zone and in northern populations. To explain the observed parallels we invoke the neutral processes of vicariant isolation. admixture in a secondary contact zone, genetic drift in addition to selection acting along all environmental gradient. Morphological constraints imposed by a highly specialized ecological niche may explain why the genetic subdivision of C. lusitanica since the early, Pleistocene has remained fairly cryptic.

Características físico-químicas, cozimento e produtividade de mandioca cultivar IAC 576-70 em diferentes épocas de colheita.

The instability of cassava culinary quality is a problem in the market. This work had the purpose of evaluating the interference of the productivity, rain precipitation and physical-chemical characteristics on the cooking time of the IAC 576-70 cultivar, from the 6(th) to the 12(th) month after the planting. The physical parameters evaluated were: difficulty in peeling (easy, medium, and hard), difficulty in cutting in long, thin sticks with a manual machine, being those cut in a subjective way. In the analysis of the cooked root, the percentage of water absorbed into the cassava pieces, the color, white points formed inside the pieces of cassava, gel formation around the pieces of cassava, and cooking time were evaluated. The pH, acidity, moisture, ashes, fibers, ether extract, protein, reducing sugars, and starch of the roots were also monthly evaluated. From the results obtained in the present work, it may be concluded that the cassava IAC 576-70, when planted in July, in Botucatu-SP area, must be harvested at the age of nine months, without damage to the productivity, starch level and root cooking, and the harvest could be extended up to ten months. The producers should follow the sum of precipitation index ten days before the harvest, and this value should be the smallest as it may be and the producers should not harvest when this value is more than 100 mm, in order not to hinder the cooking of the root.

Documenting the advantages and limitations of different classes of molecular markers in a well-established phylogeographic context: lessons from the Iberian endemic Golden-striped salamander, Chioglossa lusitanica (Caudata: Salamandridae)

Previous analyses of mitochondrial (mt)DNA and allozymes covering the range of the Iberian endemic golden-striped salamander, Chioglossa lusitanica, suggested a Pleistocene split of the historical species distribution into two population units (north and south of the Mondego river), postglacial expansion into the northernmost extant range, and secondary contact with neutral diffusion of genes close to the Mondego river. We extended analysis of molecular variation over the species range using seven microsatellite loci and the nuclear P-fibrinogen intron 7 (beta-fibint7). Both microsatellites and beta-fibint7 showed moderate to high levels of population structure, concordant with patterns detected with mtDNA and allozymes; and a general pattern of isolation-by-distance, contrasting the marked differentiation of two population groups suggested by mtDNA and allozymes. Bayesian multilocus analyses showed contrasting results as populations north and south of the Douro river were clearly differentiated based on microsatellites, whereas allozymes revealed differentiation north and south of the Mondego river. Additionally, decreased microsatellite variability in the north supported the hypothesis of postglacial colonization of this region. The well-documented evolutionary history of C. lusitanica, provides an excellent framework within which the advantages and limitations of different classes of markers can be evaluated in defining patterns of population substructure and inferring evolutionary processes across distinct spatio-temporal scales. The present study serves as a cautionary note for investigations that rely on a single type of molecular marker, especially when the organism under study exhibits a widespread distribution and complex natural history. (C) 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2008, 95, 371-387.

PLANT-TO-SEED TRANSMISSION of CURTOBACTERIUM FLACCUMFACIENS pv. FLACCUMACIENS IN A DRY BEAN CULTIVAR

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

Efeitos da idade dos frutos, método e condição de secagem sobre a qualidade de sementes de quiabeiro. II. Cultivar Amarelinho

Fruits of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench.) cv. Amarelinho were harvested at three times: 35, 45 and 55 days after anthesis. Half part of the fruits of each harvest time was shelled and the seeds were dried in natural environment of laboratory or in dry chamber. The other half was dried unshelled in the same two conditions. Water contents of seeds were evaluated at harvest time and before the germination test, that was carried out when the seeds were in hygroscopic equilibrium with the two environments. The physiological quality of seeds was affected by the interaction effects of fruit age, drying method and drying condition. The highest values for percentage of germination were obtained from seeds taken from fruits 55 days old (up to 92%) and the hard seeds percentage was not affected by drying method and drying condition. The seeds from fruits of 35 and 45 days old had the germination percentage increased when dried inside the fruit in natural environment.

Ausência de patogenicidade de Xylella fastidiosa da escaldadura da folha da ameixeira na cultivar de pessegueiro flordasun

Xylella fastidiosa associated to plum leaf scald is reported to belong to the same group of the strain that causes the phony disease of peach. Plants of plum cultivars Santa Rosa and Harry Pickstone and peach cultivar Flordasun, grafted on peach rootstock, were inoculated by using buds collected from plum plants severely infected with X. fastidiosa. Peach plants did not develop symptoms of phony disease, after four years in the greenhouse. In contrast, plum plants from both cultivars inoculated either in the rootstock or in the canopy developed leaf scald symptoms. DAS-ELISA tests with antibody against X. fastidiosa and isolation on BCYE medium indicated the presence of the bacterium in plum tissues. These tests were negative for Flordasun peach for both stem and root samples.

Comparison of medetomidine-ketamine and dexmedetomidine-ketamine anesthesia in golden-headed lion tamarins

The cardiovascular, respiratory, and anesthetic effects of medetomidine-ketamine (20 μg/kg bodyweight [BW] and 10 mg/kg BW) (MK group) or dexmedetomidine-ketamine (10 μg/kg BW and 10 mg/kg BW) (DK group) were studied in golden-headed lion tamarins. Heart rate decreased after administration of both combinations; this reduction was statistically greater in the DK group than in the MK group after 15 and 45 minutes. Systolic arterial pressure decreased in a similar way in both groups, except at 15 minutes, when systolic arterial pressure was significantly lower in the DK group. Diastolic arterial pressure, mean arterial pressure, respiratory rate, and rectal temperature were progressively reduced in all groups. Sedation time was significantly shorter and anesthesia time was significantly longer in the DK group compared with MK group. Anesthetic quality and analgesia scores were significantly greater at 5 and 15 minutes in the DK group compared with the MK group. The administration of dexmedetomidine-ketamine is as safe and effective as the administration of medetomidine-ketamine in tamarins.

Alkaline phosphatase localization in golden hamster epididymidis: A biochemical and histochemical investigation

The aim of this study was to determine alkaline phosphatase (ALP; E.C. 3.1.3.1) activity and major expression in homogenates obtained from different regions of Golden hamster epididymis, comprising the initial segment, head, body and tail, with concomitant research of this enzyme localization and activity in samples of tissues. These were collected from the same regions and investigated by histochemical conventional study performed on frozen histological sections. No significant differences in mean ALP activity, reported as U.100 mg-1 of tissue, were observed among the biological specimens collected from the epididymidis initial segment (0.92 ± 0.28 U.100 mg-1 tissue), head (1.07 ± 0.67 U.100 mg-1 tissue) and body (0.77 ± 0.23 U.100 mg-1 tissue). However, mean ALP activity was significantly higher in the epididymal tail (8.94 ± 0.40 U.100 mg-1 tissue) compared with the precedent segments. The findings suggested that ALP plays a significant role in the tail of the Golden hamster epididymidis, mediating androgenic segregation necessary to maintain the epithelial integrity. Furthermore, ALP acts on active transport of substances between the luminal fluid and spermatozoon membrane, and contrariwise. Thus, the high concentration of ALP in the epididymal tail helps to indicate the importance of this enzyme in the metabolism and maintenance of spermatozoa maturation and storage into the epididymidis luminal compartment, perhaps directly influencing the normal reproductive morphophysiology.

Efeitos da ciclosporina a sobre a função renal de cães da raça Golden Retriever normais ou afetados pela distrofia muscular

The muscular dystrophy of Golden Retriever is a degenerative miopaty caused by the absence of dystrophy and it is genetically homologue of the Duchenne muscular dystrophy in humans, so, these dogs are considerably experimental models for studies on cellular therapy. Their successful depends of the adequate immunosuppression. Cyclosporin A is indicated for that and the monitoring of blood concentration and adverse effects are essential to viabilise the therapy. It was studied GRMD dogs, and normal dogs from the same breed, submitted for therapy with CsA, associated, on GRMD, of cell transplantation. It was evaluated the possible effects of the drug on renal functions. It has been considerate the clinic manifestations, urinalisis, testis of glomerular function and blood concentrations of urea, cretinine, sodium and potassium. In our results we found a discrete increase of blood urea on booth groups; increased levels of urine's cylinders and protein and also increase of urinary density on GRMD group. CsA therapy could make acute lesions on renal tubules, especially on GRMD. These dogs also have different reactions than normal dogs on relation of ions homeostasis and renal function. However, earlier diagnosis and adequate treatment could prevent the development of renal diseases.

Análise das dosagens e concentrações séricas da ciclosporina A em cães da raça Golden Retriever normais ou afetados pela distrofia muscular

The muscular dystrophy of Golden Retriever (GRMD) is a degenerative miopaty caused by the absence of dystrophy and it is genetically homologue of the Duchenne muscular dystrophy in humans, so, these dogs are considerably experimental models for studies on cellular therapy. Their successful depends of the adequate immunosuppression. Cyclosporin A (CsA) is indicated for that and the monitoring of the blood concentration and adverse effects are essential to viabilise the therapy. It was studied GRMD dogs, and normal dogs from the same breed, submitted for therapy with CsA, associated, on GRMD, of cell transplantation. It was evaluated blood concentration of the drug, between two or tree days using the method of FPIA. In our results we found that the CsA blood concentrations oscillated too much on six than eight of our animals. We concluded that the doses varieties individually and the correct dosage as to important as the evaluation of the blood concentration of the drug and became viable for cell therapy.

Período total de prevenção a interferência das plantas daninhas na cultura da alface cultivar Solaris

This research work aimed to determine the total period of interference of weeds prevention of lettuce cultivar Solaris. The experiment was conducted in Universidade Estadual de Londrina, in the period of autumn/ winter of 2008. The lettuce crop remained free from weed interference from emergence up to 0, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 e 60 days. The experiment was arranged in a randomized block design with four replications. The weed community was composed by Bidens pilosa, Amaranthus hybridus, Oxalis corniculata, Euphorbia heterophylla, Spinacia oleracea, Commelina benghalensis e Lepidium virginicum. It was determined dry and fresh matter of weeds, and number of lettuce leaves. Assuming a tolerance of 5% for crop production decrease, it was verified that the total period of interference prevention (TPIP) occurred up to 21 days after transplanting. Weed interference throughout the crop cycle reduced 25% of its yield.

Uniconazole on mango floral induction cultivar 'Kent' at submedio são francisco region, Brazil

In order to provide efficient crop management which enables the scaling of the production of mango in semi-arid conditions and achieve a greater precision in the recommendation, evaluating the effect and the influence of uniconazole foliar spray, on the emission of vegetative flushes in the cultivar 'Kent', field tests were carried out in a productive orchard. Treatments tested were three uniconazole dosages, 500, 1,000 and 1,500 mg L-1, with one, two or three respective foliar sprayings. Another treatment with paclobutrazol was used at 2.0 g a.i./m of canopy diameter, with a single application via soil and a control (without spraying of plant growth regulators), where spreader-sticker was added and the pH was adjusted. With 30, 60 and 90 days after the first spraying of the flowering inducer the growth of branches were evaluated, as well as the percentage of flowering in all treatments after 120 days of first spraying. The sprayings started in the orchard after the emission of the second vegetative flush after pruning of production, through airassisted sprayer with flow rate of 1,000 L ha-1. The experimental design was done through randomized blocks with four replications, using three plants per plot. It was observed that paclobutrazol was significantly highlighted in relation to other treatments and that the uniconazole with one, two and three foliar sprayings presented inhibition of the vegetative growth in mango 'Kent' and showed, even at low proportions, signs of flowering.