Descrição de um surto de lepidopterismo (dermatite associada ao contato com mariposas) entre marinheiros, ocorrido em Salvador, Estado da Bahia

A ocorrência uma dermatite pápulo-pruriginosa em toda a tripulação de um navio comercial filipino em Salvador, BA, foi associada ao contato com mariposas do gênero Hylesia. Esta enfermidade insólita é causada por cerdas corporais das mariposas (flechettes). O relato dos casos serve como alerta para possíveis situações semelhantes.

New species of Bokermannohyla (Anura, Hylidae) from Central Bahia, Brazil

A new species of treefrog closely related to Bokermannohyla alvarengai is described from Chapada Diamantina centrally located in the State of Bahia, Brazil. In comparison to B. alvarengai, the new species is smaller in size, with less developed forearm and prepollexes, and smaller tympani. We describe the tadpole, advertisement call and provide information on its natural history. We propose the B. alvarengai group to accommodate this species and the new species described here.

Seroprevalence of Neospora caninum in dairy cattle in Bahia, Brazil

Sera collected from 447 dairy cattle on 14 dairy farms were tested for Neospora caninum antibodies by use of an immunofluorescent antibody technique. Positive reactions with titres greater than or equal to 1:200 were found in 63 (14.09%) of animals. Neospora positive sera were also tested for Toxoplasma gondii antibodies by using a commercial latex agglutination test. Antibodies to T. gondii were detected in 3 (4.76%) of 63 N. caninum positive sera. These results indicate that N. caninum infection is widespread among dairy cattle in Bahia state. (C) 1999 Elsevier B.V. B.V. All rights reserved.

A new species of the Bokermannohyla pseudopseudis group from central Bahia, Brazil (Amphibia, Hylidae)

A new species of treefrog is described from Chapada Diamantina in the central State of Bahia, Brazil. The new species is a member of the Bokermannohyla pseudopseudis group, characterized by its small to medium size, head as long as wide, snout short, rounded in dorsal view and nearly truncate in lateral view, eyes and tympanum large, and forearm and prepollex well developed. The new species can be distinguished from the other species of the B. pseudopseudis group by its voice and the shape of its head and snout. it is smaller than B. saxicola and B. pseudopseudis, and has a less developed forearm and prepollex than B. ibitiguara males. The tadpole and vocalizations are described and information on natural history is provided.

Nesting habits and colonial productivity of Polistes canadensis canadensis (L.) (Hymenoptera-Vespidae) in a Caatinga area, Bahia State Brazil

The paper aims at increasing the knowledge on the ecology of Polistes canadensis canadensis colonies in a Caatinga region. We studied some aspects of P.c. canadensis nesting habitats and colonial productivity. In the environmental conditions studied, this species nests on several types of substrata, particulary on thorny plants and in caves. The colony productivity and the cell reoccupation rate varies from one colony to another. In some colonies, we found cells with one, two and, more rarely, three reoccupations, this is upto four individuals produced in one cell only. The rate of the first reoccupation was 2.88-34.78%, with na average rate of 15.96%. The number of adults produced by the colonies of Flc, canadensis varied from 10 to 576 individuals. Productivity, given by the relationship between the number of born adults and the number of cell existing in the nest, varied from 31.25 to 123.19% and presented an average of 88.50%.

A NEW SPECIES of THE BOKERMANNOHYLA MARTINSI GROUP FROM CENTRAL BAHIA, BRAZIL WITH COMMENTS on BOKERMANNOHYLA (ANURA: HYLIDAE)

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

Faunal analysis of the species Anastrepha in the fruit growing complex Gaviao River, Bahia, Brazil

Besides being considered the greatest pests of fruit growing, fruit flies constitute a large obstacle to the growth of the exportation of fresh fruit. Knowledge of the structure of fruit fly communities is of great importance to the bioecological studies of these insects, but there is a lack of information about the faunistic composition of fruit flies in Brazil. The objective of this work was to analysis the composition of the species of Anastrepha, in eleven mango orchards of the fruit growing complex Gaviao River, Bahia, Brazil. These studies were done in 2004 and 2005, in Anage, Caraibas and Belo Campo town, 23 McPhail traps, which collected 798 female fruit flies from the genus Anastrepha. The structure of these communities was evaluated in each orchard by means of faunistic indexes frequency, constancy, dominance, diversity and similarity. The number of species varied from four to eight in each orchard; and the following species was recorded: Anastrepha fraterculus (Wiedemann), Anastrepha obliqua (Macquart), Anastrepha dissimilis Stone, Anastrepha amita Zucchi, Anastrepha distincta Greene, Anastrepha pickeli Lima. Anastrepha sororcula Zucchi and Anastrepha zenildae Zucchi. The most frequent and dominant species were A. fraterculus and A. obliqua. The indexes of diversity varied from 1.01 to 1.62. In general, the similarity between orchards was high (above 55.0%). We observed the formation of groups, one constituted by Frutvale, Carlan, Santa Clara and Panorama orchards; another composed of Cofet, Campo Gaviao and Ouro Verde and a third group formed by Boa Vista orchard. Barra da Onca and Arruda are distinguished from other orchards.

Contribuição a análise morfométrica das regiões das bacias do Jequitinhonha e Extremo Sul, no Estado da Bahia

Four variables were analysed: drainage density, relief, slope angle and topographic rugosity. The maps show the spatial distribution of these variables, whose analysis allow relief classification and a more rational utilization of the environmental resources. -after English summary

Sistema de Informações Geográficas para o Mapeamento e Controle do Crime: Proposta para o Município de Feira de Santana, Bahia

The mapping crime using a Geographical Information System (SIG), besides a scientific activity, is an intelligent strategy of violence figthing, constituted in a base of information for discerning analysis of data, for better understanding and control of criminal action. This proposal of a GIS, for the region of Feira de Santana, State of Bahia - Brazil, shows how the mapping crime can be carried through a set of computational tools composed of hardware and software, through space information, in the study of its causes, consequences and ways for its control.

Characterization of the social wasp guild (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) visiting flowers in the Caatinga (Itatim, Bahia, Brazil)

Thirteen species of flower-visiting social wasps were collected from 41 plant species. The number of wasp species did not vary significantly. On the other hand, the number of individuals varied significantly during the data collection period. Four of the wasp species (Mischocyttarus lanei, Polybia ignobilis, Polybia occidentalis, and Polybia sericea) showed changes in body size over the year. The total wasp biomass and the number of plants monthly visited by wasps had a positive significant correlation. The structure of this social wasp community is characterized by a small number of dominant species, a large number species that are not frequently present and several plant species visited by few wasps. Social wasp species are differently affected by seasonal changes in the 'caatinga'.

Optimization of xylanase biosynthesis by Aspergillus japonicus isolated from a Caatinga area in the Brazilian state of Bahia

The objective of this research was to investigate the potential of xylanase production by Aspergillus japonicus and to determine the effects of cultivation conditions in the process, aiming toward optimization of enzyme production. The best temperature, as well as the best carbon source, for biomass production was determined through an automated turbidimetric method (Bioscreen-C). The enzyme activity of this fungus was separately evaluated in two solid substrates (wheat and soybean bran) and in Vogel medium, adding other carbon sources. Temperature effects, cultivation time, and spore concentrations were also tested. The best temperature for enzyme and biomass production was 25°C; however, the best carbon source for growth (determined by the Bioscreen C) did not turn out to be a good inducer of xylanase production. Maximum xylanase activity was achieved when the fungus was cultivated in wheat bran (without the addition of any other carbon source) using a spore concentration of 1 × 107 spores/mL (25°C, pH 5.0, 120 h). A. japonicus is a good xylanase producer under the conditions presented in these assays. © 2006 Academic Journals.