Morphological caste differences and non-sterility of workers in Brachygastra augusti (Hymenoptera, Vespidae, Epiponini), a neotropical swarm-founding wasp

Morphological caste differences and ovary conditions were analyzed in four colonies of Brachygastra augusti collected in different stages of the colony cycle. Differences between castes are distinct suggesting pre-imaginal determination. Many intermediates (non-inseminated ovary-developed females) were found. Because these intermediate females were morphologically similar to workers, it is suggested that they are young ovary-developed workers. Because there is a more evident overlap between queens and workers in the colony in pre-emergence of workers stage, and in three colonies in latter stages, especially in worker-production colonies, it is suggested that smaller queens are probably less viable than larger queens as observed in previously studied epiponines.

ARE CORPORAL ALLOMETRIC MEASUREMENTS GOOD PREDICTORS of PALATABILITY IN NEOTROPICAL BUTTERFLIES (LEPIDOPTERA)?

Since palatable butterflies are more dependent on evasive flight to escape from predators, they should be more restricted in their flight-related morphology than unpalatable ones. We compared: the ratios between the (1) length of head plus thorax and the length of abdomen (A/B), (2) length of the tip of the head to wing base and the length of the wing base to end of the abdomen (C/D), (3) the variances of A/B and C/D, (4) the proportion between the thoracic and the body weight, and (5) the flight speed between palatable and unpalatable butterflies. A/B and thoracic/body weight were higher for palatable species, indicating higher body symmetry and muscular mass. However, flight speed did not differ. Unexpectedly, the variance of A/B was higher for palatable species while that of C/D did not differ. Therefore, corporal allometric measurements of Neotropical butterflies are good predictors of palatability, though not of flight speed.

Persistence and stability of cichlid assemblages in neotropical floodplain lagoons

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Frugivory by the fish Brycon hilarii (Characidae) in western Brazil

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Four new cunaxoidine genera (Acari: Prostigmata: Cunaxidae) and the description of two new Neotropical species

In this paper the genus Cunaxoides Baker & Hoffmann, 1948, as delimited by Den Heyer (1979a, 1981b), is revised and divided into five genera, viz. Cunaxoides Baker & Hoffmann, Bunaxella gen. nov., Dunaxeus gen. nov., Funaxopsis gen. nov. and Qunaxella gen. nov.. Two new Neotropical species, Dunaxoides duosetosus and Qunaxella triasetosa are described and figured. Additional southern African material is reported. A key to the genera and species of the new genera of the subfamily Cunaxoidinae is provided.

New Neotropical cunaxine species (Acari: Prostigmata: Cunaxidae)

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

The role of spatial and temporal descriptors for neotropical tadpole communities in southern Brazil

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

New Neotropical species of Ceraeochrysa Adams (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae)

Species of Ceraeochrysa Adams are distributed from southeast Canada to Argentina. Larvae feed on aphids, thrips, white flies, mites, and neonatal larvae of Lepidoptera in varied agroecosystems. Seven species are known in Venezuela, viz. Ceraeochrysa achillea Freitas & Penny, C. angulata (Navas), C. bitacornua Freitas & Penny, C. caligata (Banks), C. cubana (Hagen), C. everes (Banks), and C. valida (Banks). In this study, three species are described as new to science, Ceraeochrysa melaenopareia sp. nov., Ceraeochrysa pittieri sp. nov., and Ceraeochrysa torresi sp. nov.

The first report of Hepatozoon sp (Apicomplexa : Hepatozoidae) in neotropical felids from Brazil

In order to investigate the occurrence of Hepatozoon infection in Neotropical felids from Brazil, blood from the jugular or cephalic vein was taken from 29 non-domestic felids including ocelot (Leopardus pardalis), little spotted cat (Leopardus tigrinus), margay (Leopardus wiedii), and jaguarondi (Puma yagouaroundi) from the Northeast region of Brazil. Hepatozoon infection was confirmed by light microscopy and molecular techniques. The results showed five naturally infected felids. Partial sequences of the 18S rRNA gene of the Hepatozoon sp. from these felids were further analyzed. Sequences revealed that the isolates found are closely related to Hepatozoon sp. from domestic cats in Spain. Hepatozoon species from Neotropical felids were identified molecularly and characterized for the first time. This is also the first report of Hepatozoon infection in a little spotted cat. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Acute exposure of a glyphosate-based herbicide affects the gills and liver of the Neotropical fish, Piaractus mesopotamicus

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

A new genus of Neotropical Chrysopini (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae)

Titanochrysa Sosa & Freitas is a new genus of Neotropical Chrysopini (Chrysopidae: Chrysopinae) recorded from Costa Rica, Venezuela and Brazil. Titanochrysa gen. nov. shares several external and genitalic characters with Ceraeochrysa Adams, 1982; Chrysopodes Navas, 1913; Cryptochrysa Freitas & Penny, 2000; Parachrysopiella Brooks & Barnard, 1990 and Ungla Navas 1914. It may be distinguished from those genera by its very long sternite 8+9, sternites 2-8 usually with microtholi, male genitalia with the dorsal surface of the arcessus striated, gonosaccus well-developed, bearing elongate gonosetae and microsetae, and a spoon-like gonapsis. Herein, Titanochrysa circumfusa (Burmeister, 1939) [= Chrysopodes circumfusa (Burmeister)] comb. nov. and Titanochrysa pseudovaricosa (Penny) [= Ceraeochrysa pseudovaricosa Penny, 1998] comb. nov. were identified; Titanochrysa ferreirai Sosa & Freitas sp. nov. and Titanochrysa trespuntensis Sosa & Freitas sp. nov. were described. The external morphology, and male and female genitalia of all these species are described. Titanochrysa circumfusa (Burmeister, 1939) comb. nov. is recorded for the first time from Venezuela.

Contemporary pollen flow, mating patterns and effective population size inferred from paternity analysis in a small fragmented population of the Neotropical tree Copaifera langsdorffii Desf. (Leguminosae-Caesalpinioideae)

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