Dípteros (Culicidae) transmissores de arbovírus em área de proteção ambiental urbana (Parque das Dunas Natal-RN,) 2004-2006

Desenvolvido no Parque das Dunas, segunda reserva ambiental urbana do Brasil, ocupando uma área de 1.172,80 hectares, com característica de mata atlântica de dunas, situada numa faixa litorânea na região urbana do município de Natal (05° 46 S, 35º 12 W), o presente estudo, realizado durante os anos de 2004 a 2006, teve como objetivo identificar as espécies de culicídeos existentes no Parque das Dunas, capazes de transmitir arbovírus, tendo em vista que em 2004 houve uma epizootia de saguis (Callitrix jacchus), que causou grande mortandade, sem definição do agente etiológico. No ano de 2004, foram pesquisados sete pontos no interior da mata, com instalação de 20 armadilhas de ovitrampas e 20 de bambu para coleta dos imaturos. Para os adultos, durante quatro vezes por semana, foram usadas as armadilhas de Sannhon. Foram coletados 5.691 imaturos, sendo 839 Ae. aegypti, 3.184 Ae. albopictus e 1.668 Hg. leucocelaenus. A coleta dos adultos foi realizada de 2004 a 2006, etapa em que se recolheu 17.506 culicídeos adultos, sendo 17.244 Wy. bourrouli, 255 Ae. aegypti, 593 Ae. albopictus, 1.275 Hg. leucocelaenus, 294 Oc. scapularis, 05 Oc. taeniorynchus, 02 Oc. serratus e 3 Li. durhami. Para os imaturos houve correlação significativa entre Ae. aegypti e umidade relativa do ar p = 0, 049 e pluviometria p = 0,00, Ae. albopictus apresentou correlação significativa positiva com a pluviometria, enquanto Hg. leucocelaenus não apresentou nenhuma das variáveis climáticas. Para os adultos, a análise de série temporal aponta flutuação sazonal significativa para Ae. aegypti (p = 0,003); Ae. albopictus (p = 0,04); Oc. scapularis (p = 0,008 ) e Hg. leucocelaenus (p = 0,003). Uma correlação significativa negativa foi observada entre o número de Ae. albopictus coletado e a temperatura (Corr= - 0,50, p = 0,01); isto é, para cada 1°C a mais há diminuição de 7 espécimes. Este estudo teve a participação de uma equipe multidisciplinar: biólogos, entomologistas, para confirmação das espécies; técnicos de laboratório, para acompanhamento diário das larvas eclodidas das armadilhas de ovitrampas. Teve a importante colaboração de profissionais da Fundação Oswaldo Cruz FIOCRUZ/Rio de Janeiro, da Universidade de São Paulo USP para identificação do grupo Wyeomyia.

Ant community richness and composition across a gradient from Eucalyptus plantations to secondary Atlantic Forest

As florestas secundárias e plantações de espécies exóticas estão se expandindo nas paisagens tropicais. No entanto, nossa compreensão sobre o valor destas florestas para a conservação da biodiversidade de invertebrados ainda é incipiente. Neste trabalho, usamos a fauna de formigas de serapilheira para avaliar a diversidade desses insetos entre três florestas de Eucalyptus, sendo uma comercial (quatro anos de idade) e duas abandonadas em diferentes idades de regeneração (16 e 31 anos) e uma área de Mata Atlântica secundária. A riqueza total foi mais alta na floresta secundária e nos plantios de Eucalyptus abandonados há mais tempo. A densidade de espécies na floresta secundária foi significativamente maior quando comparado as plantações de Eucalyptus, mas não difere entre eucaliptais; análise de ordenação revelou diferenças na composição de espécies entre as plantações de Eucalyptus com subbosque ausente e com subbosque desenvolvido ou em desenvolvimento. Ainda, foi constatada uma sobreposição acentuada entre amostras de serapilheira das florestas de eucaliptos abandonadas há mais tempo e a floresta secundária. em geral, plantações de eucalipto foram caracterizadas pela presença de espécies generalistas e de ampla distribuição. Nossos resultados indicam que embora o subbosque de plantações de eucaliptos com maior idade de regeneração suporte um conjunto relativamente alto de espécies generalistas de formigas, é improvável que eucaliptais conservem a maioria das espécies de florestas primárias, especialmente predadores especializados, Dacetini e espécies nômades.

Ant communities (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in an urban ecosystem near the Atlantic Rainforest

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Mite diversity on plants of different families found in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest

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

Anurans of the sandy coastal plains of the Lagamar Paulista, state of São Paulo, Brazil

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

Comportamento germinativo de sementes de diferentes cores de pariparoba [Pothomorphe umbellata (L.) Miq.]

A Pothomorphe umbellata (Piperaceae), é uma espécie medicinal nativa do Brasil, utilizada na indústria de cosméticos e protetores de pele contra raios UVA e UVB. Com o intuito de gerar informações aplicadas à propagação da espécie, o presente trabalho relacionou a coloração e a massa de sementes de P. umbellata a seu comportamento germinativo. A coloração e a massa de sementes de P. umbellata foram características adequadas para avaliar a homogeneidade fisiológica, o vigor, o potencial e o comportamento germinativo. Assim, conclui-se que, embora de germinação lenta, as sementes de coloração preta e mais densa devem ser as escolhidas quando de coleta ou de processo seletivo.

Uredinales sobre Blechnaceae, Thelypteridaceae, Schizaeaceae, Myrtaceae, Oxalidaceae, Rhamnaceae, Rubiaceae, Sapindaceae, Smilacaceae e Vitaceae da Reserva Florestal Armando de Salles Oliveira, São Paulo, SP, Brasil

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

Lodo de esgoto na recuperação de áreas degradadas: efeito nas características físicas do solo

A recuperação de áreas degradadas é um processo lento e requer a adição de resíduos orgânicos como condicionador das propriedades físicas do solo. O lodo de esgoto apresenta elevados teores de matéria orgânica (MO) e nutrientes e, portanto, tem alto potencial para utilização nessas áreas. O objetivo deste trabalho foi verificar o efeito da adição de lodo de esgoto na recuperação das características físicas de um solo degradado (Neossolo Quartzarênico) plantado com espécies nativas da Mata Atlântica, na Fazenda Entre-Rios, pertencente à Cia. Suzano Bahia Sul de Papel e Celulose, na região de Itatinga-SP. O experimento foi conduzido em blocos casualizados com quatro repetições. Os tratamentos foram constituídos por seis doses de lodo de esgoto (0, 2,5, 5, 10, 15 e 20 t ha-1), mais um que recebeu a adubação química. A aplicação de lodo de esgoto, para recuperação de áreas degradadas, aumentou os agregados do solo conforme o aumento das doses de lodo, até 12 meses após sua aplicação. As porosidades (macro, micro e total) do solo foram aumentadas com as maiores doses de lodo de esgoto até seis meses após sua aplicação; apenas a microporosidade foi aumentada até 12 meses após a aplicação. Houve aumento da umidade do solo em função do aumento das doses de lodo no solo até seis meses após a aplicação.

O complexo nuclear vestibular do sagui (callithrix jacchus): caracterização citoarquitetônica e neuroquímica

To the vertebrates, maintain body balance against the gravitational field and be able to orient themselves in the environment are fundamental aspects for survival, in which the participation of vestibular system is essential. As part of this system, the vestibular nuclear complex is the first central station that, by integrating many information (visual, proprioceptive), and the vestibular, assumes the lead role in maintaining balance. In this study, the vestibular nuclear complex was evaluated in relation to its cytoarchitecture and neurochemical content of cells and axon terminals, through the techniques of Nissl staining and immunohistochemistry for neuronal specific nuclear protein (NeuN), glutamate (Glu), substance P (SP), choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) (enzyme that synthesizes acetylcholine-Ach) and glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) (enzyme that synthesizes gamma-amino butyric acid-GABA). The common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) was used as experimental animal, which is a small primate native from the Atlantic Forest in the Brazilian Northeast. As results, the Nissl technique, complemented by immunohistochemistry for NeuN allowed to delineate the vestibular nucleus superior, lateral, medial and inferior (or descending) in the brain of the common marmoset. Neurons and terminals immunoreactive to Glu and ChAT and only immunoreactive terminals to SP and GAD were seen in all nuclei, although in varying density. This study confirms the presence in the vestibular nuclei of the common marmoset, of Glu and SP in terminals, probably from the first order neurons of vestibular ganglion, and of GABA in terminals, presumably from Purkinge cells of the cerebellum. Second-order neurons of the vestibular nuclei seem to use Glu and Ach as neurotransmitters, judging by their expressive presence in the cell bodies of these nuclei in common marmosets, as reported in other species

Estudos in silico da proteína AlkB e prospecção de bactérias alcanotróficas em solos da bacia petrolífera potiguar

Some microorganisms from virgin ecosystems are able to use petroleum it as source of carbon and energy. The knowledge of microbial biodiversity can help to reveal new metabolic systems for utilization alkanes with biotechnological importance. The aim of this study is: i) Accomplish an in silico study of the AlkB protein aimed to understand the probable mechanism involved on selectivity of alkanes in Gram positive and Gram negative bactéria. ii) prospect and analyze the response of the microbial alkanotrophics communities in soil and mangrove sediments of BPP RN and soil of Atlantic forest in the Horto Dois Irmãos Reserve area/PE using the molecular biomarker, gene alkB; with the PCR and PCR-DGGE approach

Centros rombencefálicos de processamento auditivo do sagui (Callithrix jacchus): uma análise citoarquitetônica e neuroquímica

The auditory system is composed by a set of relays from the outer ear to the cerebral cortex. In mammals, the central auditory system is composed by cochlear nuclei, superior olivary complex, inferior colliculus and medial geniculate body. In this study, the auditory rombencephalic centers, the cochlear nuclear complex and the superior olivary complex were evaluated from the cytoarchitecture and neurochemical aspects, thorough Nissl staining and immunohistochemical techniques to reveal specific neuron nuclear protein (NeuN), glutamate (Glu), glutamic acid decarboxilase (GAD), enkephalin (ENK), serotonin (5-HT), choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) and calcium-binding proteins calbindin (CB), calretinin (CR), and parvalbumin (PV). The common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus), a little native primate of the Brazilian atlantic forest was used as an experimental animal. As results, it was noted that the cochlear nuclear complex is composed by anteroventral, posteroventral and dorsal nuclei, and the superior olivary complex is constituted by the lateral and medial superior olivary nuclei and the trapezoid body nucleus. Glu, GAD, ENK, ChAT, CB, CR, PV-immunoreactive cells, fibers and terminals besides besides only 5-HT terminals were found unhomogeneously in all nuclei, of both complex. The emerging data are discussed in a comparative and functional context, and represent an important contribution to knowledge of the central auditory pathways in the common marmoset, and then in primates

O papel das rotas e da obtenção de informações sobre a eficiência no forrageio de dinoponera quadriceps em ambiente natural

In this study, we investigated the role of routes and information attainment for the queenless ant species Dinoponera quadriceps foraging efficiency. Two queenless ant colonies were observed in an area of Atlantic secondary Forest at the FLONA-ICMBio of Nisia Floresta, in the state of Rio Grande do Norte, northeastern Brazil, at least once a week. In the first stage of the study, we observed the workers, from leaving until returning to the colony. In the second stage, we introduced a acrylic plate (100 x 30 x 0,8 cm) on a selected entrance of the nest early in the morning before the ants left the nest. All behavioral recordings were done through focal time and all occurence samplings. The recording windows were of 15 minutes with 1 minute interval, and 5 minute intervals between each observation window. Foraging was the main activity when the workers were outside the nest. There was a positive correlation between time outside the nest and distance travelled by the ants. These variables influenced the proportion of resource that was taken to the nest, that is, the bigger its proportion, the longer the time outside and distance travelled during the search. That proportion also influenced the time the worker remained in the nest before a new trip, the bigger the proportion of the item, the shorter was the time in the nest. During all the study, workers showed fidelity to the route and to the sectors in the home range, even when the screen was in the ant´s way, once they deviated and kept the route. The features of foraging concerning time, distance, route and flexibility to go astray by the workers indicate that decisions are made by each individual and are optimal in terms of a cost-benefit relation. The strategy chosen by queenless ants fits the central place foraging and marginal value theorem theories and demonstrate its flexibility to new informations. This indicates that the workers can learn new environmental landmarks to guide their routes

Uso de rotas na área de uso e a relação com comportamento alimentar em Callithrix jacchus

Callithrix jacchus are small primates that live in cooperative reproductive family groups. They explore their home range in search of fruits, exudates and animal prey. In this study we investigate the existence of traveling routes and its relation with the feeding habits in a group of Callithrix jacchus. The group was followed for 6 months in an area of Atlantic secondary Forest at the FLONA-ICMBio of Nísia Floresta, Rio Grande do Norte. Two observers in alternated days collected data referring to the group s location using a GPS navigation device, plotting data in 5 minute intervals, and with a position accuracy under 9 meters. All behavioral recordings were done through focal time samplings. The recording windows were 15 minutes with 1 minute intervals. The main activity was foraging, which propelled the animals to explore the environment with inconsistent intensity through the months, and correlated with the location of fruits, exudates and sleeping sites. From another standpoint, most activities were focused in the core areas that featured most sleeping sites, exudates trees and fruit trees. Insects, mostly Orthopterans, were hunted in all areas. The greater ratio of movement was registered during the last hours of sunlight, when animals returned to the sleeping sites and ate a greater number of fruits. The spatial and seasonal distribution of fruits forced the animals to travel long routes. The capacity to remember the location and navigate efficiently through feeding sources is important to save energy and time costs. Learning and familiarizing with the environment through the use of landmarks and acquisition of new information is extremely important to increase the chances of survival in a constantly changing environment

Ritmo de atividade de forrageio de Dinoponera quadríceps em ambiente natural

In order to characterize the seasonal and daily rhythm of Dinoponera quadriceps foraging activity in natural environment, four colonies of D. quadriceps were observed in an area of secondary Atlantic forest in northeastern Brazil. Data collection was performed during 72 hours every three months during an annual cycle. Colonies of D. quadriceps exhibited seasonal variation in foraging activity, peaking in the early dry season, followed by a sudden decline at the end of this season and increasing again at the late rainy season. The seasonal rhythm of foraging was positively related to the duration of the daylight and luminosity, and negatively to the time of sunrise and rainfall. Regarding the daily rhythm, foraging activity was predominantly diurnal independent of season. At the early dry season, the colonies had two activity peaks, one in the morning and another in the afternoon, with a decrease in foraging at midday, while in the rest of the year foraging activity was distributed more evenly throughout the daylight. The daily rhythm of foraging activity had a stronger and positive relation with light intensity. The second most important factor determining the daily rhythm of foraging was temperature that was also positively related for most of the year. Relative humidity showed a weak and negative relation with the daily rhythm of foraging in just one month of observation

Padrão de atividades do sagüi callithrix jacchus numa área de caatinga

Callithrix jacchus, as the other species in the family Callitrichidae, lives in social groups. The groups cam be found in different habitats, whose distinct floristic physiognomies and communities are intrinsically related to their behavioral ecology and social relations. Our objective was to describe the social relations and feeding behavior of Callithrix jacchus in the Bioma Caatinga. We observed a group at the FLONA (National Forest IBAMA), in Açu-RN, in northeastern Brazil, compose of five adults (2 females and 3 males) at the beginning of the study. The birth of five animals was registered along the study. The following behavioral categories were registered along eleven months, once a week, through instantaneous focal animal sampling: social grooming, contact, proximity, foraging, feeding, locomotion and rest. Foraging presented the highest levels comparing to other activities, and was more frequent in the dry season. Social grooming was the second more frequent activity, with higher levels in the rainy season, and between the reproductive couple. We found similar results for proximity. The most explored feeding item was the gum, specially in the rainy season. The most explored species for exudates feeding were Cirus limon (limão) and Pitecolobiun foliolosum (jurema branca). The comparision of fruit and insect ingestion between the seasons showed higher percentage for both in the dry season. The general activity pattern was similar to what is registeded in groups the inhabit the Atlantic Forest. These results indicate the flexibility of the species which survives and reproduces in such physically and biologically different environments