Spatial distribution and shell utilization in three sympatric hermit crabs at non-consolidated sublittoral of estuarine-bay complex in São Vicente, São Paulo, Brazil

The objective of the present study was to characterize the spatial distribution and shell utilization of three hermit crab species in the estuarine-bay complex of São Vicente, São Paulo State, Brazil. Monthly samples were done throughout two years, in the non-consolidated sub-littoral at the estuarine-bay complex. The environmental factors, such as temperature, salinity and depth, were measured every month. The three hermit crab species, Clibanarius vittatus, Loxopagurus loxochelis and Isocheles sawayai, were captured utilizing shells from six gastropods species; 92.7% of the hermit crabs utilized Stramonita haemastoma. The results suggest a strong correlation between hermit crabs spatial distribution and salinity, which was considered the main environmental factor limiting their distribution in the estuary. I. sawayai was the only species present in all transects sampled; C. vittatus was captured only in regions with low salinity and L. loxochelis occurred only in high salinity waters.

Prevalência de tracoma cicatricial em Botucatu - Estado de São Paulo

Purpose: To evaluate the prevalence of cicatricial trachoma in a population-based sample at Botucatu city-Sao Paulo State, Brazil. Methods: A population-based cross-sectional study with randomized clustered sampling of households was conducted in the urban area of the city of Botucatu, São Paulo State, Brazil. The sample was estimated in 3000 person having been appraised 2554 patient (85,1% of the intended sample) from which 2339 had more than 10 year old at the research time. All the participants were submitted to ophthalmologic examination and the data were statistical analyzed. Results: Three cicatricial trachoma carriers were detected. So, the prevalence of this affection is Botucatu city is 0,13%, affecting mainly over 40'th and having trichiasis. Conclusion: Nevertheless the low prevalence rate of cicatricial trachoma in our region, to prevent trachoma blindness is the cicatrical form of the disease is very important to treat the trichiasis.

Relação peso-comprimento e fator de condição de Salminus hilarii Valenciennes 1850 (Osteichthyes, Characidae) em um trecho da bacia do rio Sorocaba, Estado de São Paulo, Brasil

The length-weight relationship and condition factor of Salminus hilarii were analyzed in a section of the lower part of the Sorocaba river basin, São Paulo State. By studying male, female and immature individuals separately, different length-weight patterns were found for each. The same happened when distinct seasonal variations of the relationships were compared, related to feeding alterations and to the reproductive period of the species.

Performance of 19-year-old provenances of Liquidambar styraciflua in Paraguaçu Paulista, São Paulo

The genetic variation in the growth of seven 19-year-old Liquidambar styraciflua provenances was studied in Paraguaçu Paulista, São Paulo State, Brazil. The trial was established in a complete randomized block design with seven provenances, four replications and twelve-tree square plots. Significant differences among provenances were detected for diameter at breast height, height and volume, indicating the possibility of increasing timber yield through selection of the most productive provenances. Genetic correlations between growth traits were high and statistically significant. The provenance from Finca las Victorias, Guatemala had the best and the provenance from Franklin, Virginia, United States the poorest performance for all traits. A growth comparison of Pinus caribaea var. bahamensis with the best provenance at the same site indicated that the potential of L. styraciflua for silviculture in the region of Paraguaçu Paulista is high.

Flebotomíneos (Diptera, Psychodidae) de área de cerrado no Município de Corumbataí, Centro-leste do Estado de São Paulo, Brasil.

Distribution and ecology knowledge of sandfly species is essential for epidemiology vigilance and risk determination for transmission of leishmaniasis. Sandfly trapping was carried out in a cerrado strictu sensu vegetation fragment in a rural area of Corumbataí Municipality, São Paulo State, Brazil, during July to November 2004. Two CDC light traps were used from 18h to 8h, once a month, resulting in 112 total hours of capture. During this period, 60 sandfly specimens of ten different species were sampled. The most abundant species and the one found in all captures was Pintomyia monticola totalizing 15 (25.0%) specimens, the second more abundant one was P. pessoai with 14 (23.3%) and the third one was Brumptomyia guimaraesi with 12 (20.0%) individuals collected. Other captured species were Psathyromyia aragaoi, B. avellari, B. brumpti, B. cunhai, P. bianchigalatiae, Evandromyia termitophila and Nyssomyia whitmani which corresponded to 19 (31.2%) specimens captured. Pintomyia pessoai and N. whitmani presence indicates transmission risk of American Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in the area.

Categorização functional trófica das comunidades de macroinvertebrados de dois reservatórios na região centro-oeste do Estado de São Paulo, Brasil

The use of the concept of guild can be useful for the functional trophic categorization of communities, because there is no requirement identification of organisms in the level of species and not to treat each species as a separate entity. The aim of this study was to analyze the functional feeding groups (collectors-gatherers, collectors-filterers, shredders, predators and grazer-scrapers) of the macroinvertebrate communities of two reservoirs in the Midwestern region of São Paulo State. Sampling was carried out in rainy (March/April - 2001) and dry (July/August - 2001) seasons and the data obtained indicate that 'collectors-gatherers' is the most frequent guild. This fact suggests a great importance of organic matter as a food source in the diet of the macroinvertebrates analyzed.

Litogeoquímica E aspectos Petrogenéticos dos basaltos da Província Magmática do Paraná na porção centro-norte do Estado de São Paulo

The petrographic and geochemical characterization of flood basalts of Serra Geral Formation are here presented. The investigated areas are situated in four different regions of São Paulo state: Jaú, Ribeirão Preto, Franca and Fernandópolis. They represent almost the total area of outcrops of basalts in the São Paulo State. The petrographical data reveals that these rocks are constituted mainly by plagioclase (30-40%), pyroxenes, augite and pigeonita (20-30%) and magnetite (5-15%), and show a intergranular texture and its varieties intersertal, hialophitic and pilotaxitic. The geochemical data show a basic and tholeiitic affinity of the studied basalts, with high-Ti content (TiO2 > 1.8%), typical of the northern region of Paraná Basin. Three different magma-types were recognized: Paranapanema, Urubici and Pitanga. The first magma-type is concentrated in the Fernandópolis region, the second in the Franca region, and the Pitanga occurs in the Ribeirão Preto and Jaú regions. The distribution patterns of these magma-types and the detailed study of geochemical data showed that they are, probably, generated by a melting of a continental lithospheric mantle.

Variação genética, interação genótipo solo e ganhos na seleção em teste de progěnies de Corymbia citriodora Hook em Luiz Antonio, São Paulo

The aim of this study was to investigate the genetic variation, the genotype × soil interaction and the selection among and within Corymbia citriodora progenies in three different kinds of soils (Red Latossol, Quartz Sand and Purple Latossol), which occur in the Luiz Antônio Experimental Station, São Paulo State, Brazil. The progeny test was established 1983, using 56 open-pollinated families of C. citriodora. Twenty fve years after planting the following traits were measured: height, diameter at breast height (Dbh), stem form and survival. Best growth occurred in Purple Latossol. Significant differences among progenies were detected for most traits in all sites, suggesting the possibility of improvement by selection. In the analysis with sites, Significant differences among locals, progenies and genotypes × soil interaction were detected, confiming that the tested material has sufficient genetic variation to be explored by selection in all sites. The analysis of genotype × soil interaction indicates that growth traits present single interaction and the same progenies can be selected in each site. On the order hand, genotype × soil interaction for stem form and survival was complex; and specifc progenies need to be selected for each kind of soil. The population, due to its high genetic variation and strong genetic control of traits, permits to obtain considerable genetic gains by selection among and within progenies.

Anticorpos anti-Leptospira spp. em animais selvagens do zoológico municipal de Ribeirão Preto, Estado de São Paulo, Brasil

Leptospirosis may affect all domestic and wild animals as well as human beings. Some serological studies have shown the involvement of wild species in the epidemiology of the disease. Once captive wild animals are not much studied, especially in Brazil, the present study aimed to detect anti- Leptospira spp. antibodies in animals from Ribeirão Preto city zoo, in São Paulo state, Brazil. Blood samples were collected from captive birds, fish, reptiles and mammals, sinanthropics and free-living animals and also from employees between March and October, 2006. Four hundred and three blood samples were obtained, 388 animals' samples (110 reptiles, 143 birds, 110 mammals and 25 fish) and 15 humans'. The sera were analysed by Microscopic Agglutination Test using 22 serovars from pathological leptospiras and two from non-pathological serovars. Among the animal samples, 339 were from captive animals, and 49 from free-living ones, captured with traps inside the zoo. One hundred and three (103/388 = 26.5%) samples reacted to leptospirosis, ninety-two (92/339 = 27.1%) samples were from captive animals and eleven (11/49 = 22.4%) from free-living ones. All humans' samples were negative. Serological titles varied from 40 to 5.120, with predominance of titles between 40 and 80 and the most frequent serovars were Patoc, Andamana, Canicola, Icterohaemorrhagiae and Panama.

Compartimentação fisiográfica do município de peruíbe, litoral de São Paulo - uma abordagem metodológica como subsídio à avaliação geotécnica de terrenos

This paper presents a method applied to the seacoast town of Peruibe, São Paulo State, Brazil. The method encompasses the application of remote sensing interpretation techniques and field survey to obtain geotechnical data and thus generate cartographic products composed of easily grouped units that work as database objects and can de used to assist geotechnical zoning. The so-called Compartmentalization Basic Units (CBUs) show the smallest land surface analyzed from its physiographic elements and have in their cores the same geotechnical properties, making it easier to analyze the potentialities and the fragilities of the physical environment and its susceptibility to the action of natural and anthropic processes. In the study area, sixty-eight units were individualized in which geotechnical properties were inferred by photo interpretation criteria, using textural properties of the image adjusted with field observations. The method proved to be easily reproducible, and is especially useful in regions where the absence of basic maps makes it impossible to establish homogeneous zones through traditional overlay of different topic informations.

Ocorrência de anormalidades morfológicas externas em caranguejos marinhos (Decapoda, Brachyura) no litoral norte do estado de são paulo

Deformities and abnormalities in crustaceans have been associated to genetic problem, which occurred during molt process, damage caused by ectobionts, predators or environmental stress caused by chemical wastes. Some crab specimens collected in the São Paulo littoral were found having body abnormalities. They belong to the following crab species: Callinectes ornatus (Ordway, 1863), Arenaeus cribrarius (Lamarck, 1818) and Leurocyclus tuberculosus (H. Milne Edwards; Lucas, 1843). Samplings were performed by trawling during July 2008, August and October 2009 at the Ubatuba region, São Paulo State, Brazil. Body abnormalities were verified in the cheliped dactyl (C. ornatus an adult male), carapace deformities (A. cribrarius an adult male) and abdominal alterations (C. ornatus an adult female; L. tuberculosus an adult male and an ovigerous female). The record and analysis of such occurrences can help in the distinction of natural or human impact caused alterations. In this way, the occurrence study of this kind of body alterations could provide tools in order to control unprotected environmental areas, as well as bring subsides to understand the unusual variations during the ontogeny of important species in the benthic community.

Mudanças ontogenéticas na dieta de Oreochromis niloticus and Tilapia rendalli da represa de Barra Bonita (rio Tietê, Estado de São Paulo, Brasil)

The Nile Tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, and the Congo Tilapia, Tilapia rendalli, are important members of the African cichlids, and have been introduced to many Brazilian lakes and reservoirs. These species exhibit a large feeding flexibility and may modify their habits during their growth. In the Barra Bonita reservoir, these species are well adapted, representing more than 80% of fish. This study aimed to analyze ontogenetic variation with regard to the diet of these species in this important reservoir. Samples were taken monthly, from March 2007 to February 2008, in Anhembi, São Paulo State. Both species were analyzed by grouping individuals according to size classes. The coexistence of these species was observed in this environment, to which fish were introduced, as well as discreet differences in diet, being that Oreochromis niloticus was considered as an detritivorous, since the detritus was constant in the diet of almost all size classes, and presents some changes in its diet according to the different size classes. While T. rendalli may was defined as herbivorous, and the contribution of food resources to the diet of T. rendalli seems to be different from that of O. niloticus along the size classes.

Análise da compacidade do solo na área urbana de Bauru/ Estado de São Paulo utilizando Ensaios de Penetração Padronizado e sísmica de refração

This study was done to determine compactness of soil strata in the urban area of Bauru, central São Paulo State using standard penetration test (SPT) and seismic refraction methods. Frequency distribution within boreholes was measured every meter to a depth of 30 meters. The geometric mean of standard penetration test values was computed every meter. A biplot graph showing the relationship of SPT with depth indicates soil stratification. In addition, five sections of seismic refraction values, which also indicate the compactness of soil strata, were obtained. A comparison of the two methods shows significant correlation between the results obtained from each.

Falhas reprodutivas associadas com a presença de do vírus da artrite-encefalite caprina, toxoplasma gondii e neospora caninum em caprinos no estado de São Paulo, Brasil

This study aimed at assessing the occurrence of antibodies against the caprine arthritis-encephalitis virus (CAEV), Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum, as well as the associations between the presence of antibodies and the occurrence of reproductive failures in goats. Serum samples were collected from 923 goats of both sexes, over 3 months of age, from 17 dairy farms located in different municipalities of São Paulo State, Brazil. Infections by T. gondii, N. caninum and CAEV were evaluated by indirect methods of diagnosis based on indirect fluorescence antibody test (IFAT), Neospora agglutination test (NAT), and agar gel immunodiffusion (AGID), respectively. A survey was conducted on the farms to obtain information about reproduction dates (abortions, stillbirths and births of weak and premature kids) and zoosanitary management. Antibodies against CAEV, T. gondii and N. caninum was found in 37.81%, 23.62% and 17.23% respectively. There was no significant association between the presence of anti-CAEV antibodies and CAEV/T. gondii or CAEV/N. caninum co-infection, suggesting that CAEV does not predispose goats to infection by these agents. However, when CAEV/T. gondii (p<0.01) or CAEV/N. caninum (p<0.001) co-infection was present, the occurrence of reproductive failures was significantly higher what could indicate that CAEV-induced immunosuppression may predispose goats to develop the clinical symptoms of toxoplasmosis and neosporosis increasing the risks of the reproductive failures.

Estudo da mcrobiota fúngica gastrintestinal de morcegos (Mammalia, Chiroptera) da região noroeste do estado de São Paulo: Potencial zoonótico

Bats are hosts of a rich diversity of microorganisms. Many studies indicate a close link between bats and fungi with pathogenic potential, especially for living in environments such as caves, caverns and hollow trees, favorable to the maintenance and spread of fungi. The objective was to study the gastrointestinal mycoflora of bats. Of the 98 samples belonging to 11 species of bats coming from 15 studied cities, 20% of the species were Carollia perspicillata, 19% Artibeus lituratus, 17% Molossus rufus, 13% Glossophaga soricina, 9% Nyctinomops macrotis, 8% Molossus molossus, 7% Desmodus rotundus, 2% Lasiurus ega and 1% Eptesicus furinalis, Myotis nigricans and Tadarida brasiliensis. The genus Aspergillus sp. was isolated from 29% of the samples, followed by 6% Microsporum sp. and Penicillium sp. 4% Trichophyton sp. and zygomycetes and 2% Fusarium sp. Of yeast species, 14% were from Rhodotorula sp., 10% Candida sp. and 2% Cryptococcus sp., 22% of isolates remained unidentified. All 82 cultures of organs were negative for Histoplasma capsulatum. There was a statistically significant association between the results of microbiological culture and bat species (p < 0.05). We conclude that the bats can act as disperser agents of fungi with pathogenic potential, although other studies should be performed to establish strategies to identify the main factors correlated with the growth and spread of microorganisms in nature and implication of bats in the epidemiological cycle.