Differential fruit consumption of two Melastomataceae by birds in Serra da Mantiqueira, southeastern Brazil

In this study we report on the consumption of two syntopic Melastomataceae species by birds in a lower montane forest in Monte Verde, southeastern Brazil. The species of frugivores were identified and characterized by their methods of capture and consumption of fruits. We also provide information on abundance, phenology of plants and fruit characteristics of the two Melastomataceae species. The 13 observed species of birds formed two statistically distinct frugivorous groups with taxonomic and behavioral differences. Five of seven bird species that fed on L. aff. sublanata fruits belong to the subfamily Thraupinae and most fruits were mashed before swallowed. Four of the eight bird species that visited M. cinerascens belong to the subfamily Turdinae and all fruits were swallowed whole. Only two bird species were common visitors of both Melastomataceae species. Our findings show that fruits of the two Melastomataceae species with similar morphological characteristics were exploited differently by frugivorours birds.

Quirópteros da Estação Ecológica da Serra das Araras, Mato Grosso, Brasil, com o primeiro registro de Artibeus gnomus e A. anderseni para o cerrado

We present the results of the first bat inventory at the 'Serra das Araras' Ecological Station, MT, in the northwestern portion of the Cerrado domain. We captured bats using the traditional ground-level mist netting and, occasionally, high nets placed 3 m above the ground, and hand nets for hoosting bats. We recorded 23 species distributed in six families (Emballonuridae, Noctilionidae, Mormoopidae, Phyllostomidae, Molossidae, and Vespertilionidae), including Artibeus gnomus and A. anderseni, which had never been recorded in the Cerrado domain. © 2004 Instituto de Ciências Biológicas - UFMG.

As rochas intrusivas da Formação Serra Geral na Porção leste da Bacia do Paraná no Estado de São Paulo: Aspectos petrográficos e geoquímicos - Resultados preliminares

The purpose of this paper is to present preliminary aspects of the petrography and chemistry of intrusive rocks (sills and dykes) from the eastern portion of the Parana Basin in the State of Säo Paulo. Data from 80 samples of the region show a subaphyric and subophitic nature and have plagioclase (25-50%), augite (3-39%), pigeonite (0-10%) and magnetite (4-20%) as an essential minerals. Apatite and quartz are present as accessory minerals. The geochemical data of intrusive rocks show a basic to intermediate composition (48% < SiO 2 < 56%) and a high Ti nature (TiO 2 > 2%). Based on the minor and trace composition of the intrusive rocks, two different magma types were recognized, named Paranapanema and Pitanga. The spatial distribution of these magma types is not alleatory in the studied region. The intrusive rocks of Pitanga magma type are displayed in the Campinas-Paulinia region, while the Paranapanema magma type cover a large region above that one, between Rio Claro and Cajuru. Furthermore, the chemical composition of the lava flows of the Serra Geral Formation, sampled in this work, reveals a magma of Urubici type. So, the intrusive rocks of the eastern portion of the of State Säo Paulo are not the extension of the lava flows, or they aren't a portions which don't reach the surface.

A família Myrtaceae na reserva particular do patrimônio natural da Serra do Caraça, Catas Altas, Minas Gerais, Brasil

This is a floristic survey of Myrtaceae in the Serra do Caraça, Minas Gerais. Fifty two species were found belonging to 12 genera - Myrcia with 17 species, Eugenia with nine, Campomanesia and Myrciaria with five species each, Psidium with four, Siphoneugena with three, Blepharocalyx, Calyptranthes, Marlierea and Myrceugenia with two species each, and Accara and Plinia with one species each. Descriptions of the genera and species, identification keys, geographical distributions, illustrations and comments are provided. © 2005 Instituto de Ciências Biológicas - UFMG.

Relação peso-comprimento e fator de condição de Brycon opalinus (Pisces, Characiformes) no Parque Estadual da Serra do Mar-Núcleo Santa Virgínia, Mata Atlântica, Estado de São Paulo, Brasil

In this study, the length-weight relationship and the condition factor of Brycon opalinus were analyzed in three rivers within the Santa Virgínia Unit, at Serra do Mar State Park, in São Paulo State. The different conditions in these three environments were evidenced, such as the seasonality, reproductive period, and the differences between females and males according to the parameters which evidenced the best physiological condition of the fish. In this species, the condition factor varied along the seasons at all three collection sites. The length of the first gonadal maturation and the reproductive period were long, with the highest intensity in the spring and summer.

Diversity of the ichthyofauna in the Serra do Mar State Park- Núcleo Santa Virgínia, Sáo Paulo State, Brazil

The aim of this work was to assess and compare the diversity of the ichthyofauna in three headwater rivers of Paraíba-do-Sul basin in the Serra do Mar State Park, Núcleo Santa Virgínia. A total of 1,774 specimens of 16 species of fishes belonging to 6 families were caught. Characiforms were the most abundant fish at all three sites, followed by Cyprinodontiformes, Siluriformes, and Perciformes. The Shannon index (H′), evenness (E), and the Jaccard and Morisita-Horn similarity indexes were low, indicating both low diversity and low similarity of species among the three streams. The values of these indexes should be evaluated according to the biotic and abiotic conditions in each environment. It is clear that in mountain streams of the Atlantic Forest, these low values occur because of the presence of a few abundant and many rare species.

Conhecimento popular sobre plantas medicinais em comunidades rurais de mata atlântica - Itacaré, BA, Brasil

This study's goal was to caryy out an ethnobotanical survey focusing on the knowledge and use of medicinal plants within two rural communities (Marambaia and Camboinha), which are situated in an Environmental Protection Area in Atlantic Forest of Southern Bahia, Brazil. These communities use medicinal plants as an important therapeutic activity, which permits the rural inhabitants to be self-sufficient regarding health care. Data were collected through interviews with 26 families (24% of the total). The medicinal plants collected (98 species) were catalogued, identified and deposited at the Herbarium Rio Clarense (HRCB). They belong to 40 families so that Lamiaceae was the most cited. The majority of these species (78%) are cultivated, usually in backyards by local inhabitants. The leaf is the most common part of the plant used in medicinal preparations. The species with the greatest number of citations were Chenopodium ambrosioides L. and Lippia alba (Mill) N.E. Br. These species are also associated with the highest number of therapeutic uses. Use agreement and diversity index from this survey were compared to other surveys conducted in Brazilian Tropical Forests.

Aspectos da reprodução no gênero Characidium Reinhardt, 1867 (Crenuchidae, Characidiinae), na microbacia do Ribeirão Grande, serra da Mantiqueira, sudeste do Brasil

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Dinâmica populacional de Characidium lauroi e C. alipioi (Teleostei, Crenuchidae) na microbacia do Ribeirão Grande, serra da Mantiqueira Oriental, Estado de São Paulo

In low-order streams, the high and variable water flow rates offer both advantages and disadvantages to the life cycle of fishes. Even closely related species living in similar habitats can show differences in life history patterns. Based on oocyte-size distributions, C. lauroi was classified into the fractional spawning type, and C. alipioi into the total spawning type. The absolute fecundity of C. lauroi ranged from 1,313 to 2,925 oocytes; in C. alipioi the absolute fecundity ranged from 2,213 to 25,550 oocytes. The nonparametric Spearman correlation test showed statistical significance between the gonadosomatic index and fecundity for both species. The growth parameters, natural mortality rate and survival rate for females of C. lauroi were: K = 0.68 yr -1, L ∞ = 8.7 cm, t max = 4.4 years, M= 1.62 yr -1, S = 19.79%, and for males: K = 0.78 yr -1, L ∞ = 6.9 cm, t max = 3.8 years, M = 1.89 yr -1, S = 15.11%. The growth parameters, natural mortality rate and survival rate for females of C. alipioi were: K = 0.90 yr -1, L ∞ = 12.2 cm, t max = 3.3 years, M = 1.81 yr -1, S = 16.37%, and for males: K = 0.76 yr -1, L ∞ = 10.1 cm, t max = 3.9 years, M = 1.71 yr -1, S = 18.10%.

Oligosarcus perdido (Characiformes, Characidae), a new species of freshwater fish from Serra da Bodoquena, upper Rio Paraguai basin, Brazil

Oligosarcus perdido, a new species of freshwater fish from Serra da Bodoquena, upper Rio Paraguai basin, Brazil, is described. The new species is distinguished from congeners by the number of lateral-line scales, number of scales around the caudal peduncle, and osteological characters. The osteology of this new species is also documented by stereomicroscopic photography of cleared and stained specimens. Ecological notes based on direct observation by scuba diving in the field are also provided. Copyright © 2007 Magnolia Press.

Heating rate and temperature effects on the BaTiO3 formation by thermal decomposition of (Ba,Ti) organic precursors during the Pechini process

Different thermal treatments for the synthesis of BaTiO3 powder obtained through the Pechini method were studied. The synthesis of BaTiO3 starts at 150 °C by the thermal dehydration of organic precursors. The usual inevitable formation of barium carbonate during the thermal decomposition of the precursor could be retarded at lower calcination temperatures and optimized heating rates. The organic precursors were treated at temperatures between 200 and 400 °C. Then, the samples were calcined at 700 and 800 °C for 4 and 2 h, respectively. The resulting ceramic powders were characterized by gravimetric and differential thermal analyses, X-ray powder diffraction and infrared spectroscopy. It was found that depending on the heating rate and final temperature of the thermal treatment, high amounts of BaCO3 and TiO2 could be present due to the high concentration of organics in the final calcination step. © 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Geologia e litogeoquímica da formação serra geral nos estados de mato grosso e mato grosso do sul

The basalts of the Formação Serra Geral in Parana Basin in the Mato Grosso do Sul and Mato Grosso states cover an area of 180,000 km2. They rest on the Botucatu sandstones and they are recovered by the sedimentary rocks of Bauru and Caiuá Groups. The mineralogical composition of these rocks are plagioclase (40%-55%), clinopyroxenes (19%-40%; augite and pigeonite), opaque minerals (2%-10%; magnetite and ilmenite) and olivine (1.5%). Geochemical data show two different types of basalts, named ATi-Pitanga (2.6% < TiO2 < 4.2%; 396 ppm < Sr < 438 ppm) and BTi-Ribeira (1.7% TiO2 <2.4%, 246 ppm < Sr < 286 ppm). In general, ATi-Pitanga have gently higher La/Yb(n) (6,1 ± 1,5ppm) than those BTi-Ribeira (5.6 ± 1,7ppm). The geochemical differences between ATi-Pitanga and BTi-Ribeira probably are related to different degrees of partial melt of a same mantle source, or to different mantle sources. The field relations show that BTi-Ribeira is displaced towards the north-western margin of the Paraná Basin and the thickness of lava flows increases towards the Paraná Graben, suggesting that ATi-Pitaga overlies BTi-Ribeira.

Diffuse Effect of the Tungsten Doped Ba(Zr0.10Ti0.90)O3 Ferroelectric Ceramics

Barium zirconate titanate Ba(Ti0.90Zr0.10)O3 ceramics doped with WO3 (BZT:2W) have been prepared by a traditional solid phase reaction. The effect of temperature on the structural and electrical properties was investigated. X ray diffraction data evidenced formation of secondary phases for the samples sintered at 1300oC end 1350oC while the pure phase was attained at 1200oC. A modified Curie-Weiss law was used to describe the diffuseness of a phase transition. As temperature increases, the maximum dielectric permittivity decreased. The fine-grained sample showed a 'diffuse-like' ferroelectric behavior. The dielectric permittivity reaches a maximum value (εm ~6420 at 10 kHz) for the ceramics sintered at 1200oC for 4 hours.

Suíte vulcânica serra da bocaina, grupo amoguijá, maciço rio apa-MS

The Rio Apa Massif corresponds to the southeastern portion of the Amazonian Craton and crops out in the Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil. It is constituted by rocks of paleoproterozoic age of Rio Apa Complex, Alto Tererê Group and the plutonic-volcanic suites of the Amoguijá Group, subdivided in Alumiador Intrusive suits and Serra da Bocaina Volcanic. The Volcanic Suite is represented by São Francisco and Bocaina mountains and is constituted by terms of the composition of alkali - rhyolitic to rhyolitic, including in minor amounts riodacite, andesite and dacite. It consists of a variety of textual subvolcanic rocks, volcanic and varied volcanoclastics. The pyroclastic deposits are very expressive and consist of pyroclastic particle immerse in aphanitic matrix, fine grained or amorphous, where quartz, feldspar, chlorite, sericite, microlithes of carbonate, sparse spherulites and reliquiar volcanic glass can be distinguished. The pyroclastic rocks are represented by breccias, ignimbrites, agglomerate, tuffs, lapillistones and pumices and contain commonly vitroclasts, lithoclasts and crystalloclasts, pumices, fiammes, glass shards, spherulites, vesicles and amygdales. They are calc-alkaline rocks with dominant peraluminous character high to middle potassium series and define a sin-colisional dominant tectonic and are genetically associated to the evolution of the Amoguijá Magmatic Arc.

Dinâmica da paisagem do município de Cubatão: Crescimento entre portos, indústrias e a Serra do Mar

With more than 60% of its territory under environmental protection, the city of Cubatão shelters the Industrial Pole and is located midway of two great metropolitan regions of State of São Paulo: Grande São Paulo and Baixada Santista. Both the implantation of industries and the construction of highways stimulated a process of migration and irregular occupation of the territory, with significant loss of the original vegetal covering of Atlantic Forest, in addition to pollution of water resources and the soil. The present work analyzed the dynamics of the landscape of a stretch of the city of Cubatão, associated to the Highway System Anchietas-Imigrantes, on the basis of economic cycles and regional public policies, aiming at helping the urban and environmental planning of coastal cities. We used a temporal series of air photographs of five decades and bibliographical surveys on the description of the region occupation. A non planned urban expansion for the city was evidenced, closely related with regional economic cycles and road building, directed to areas adjacent to highways and railroads, marshland and flooded plains landfills and mounts hillsides, including areas near Serra do Mar State Park. One suggests that the questions of environmental and urban planning of coastal cities are dealt with in the regional domain and in a participative way on the basis of studies of economic expansion and tourist activities in Baixada Santista, guaranteeing the maintenance of the remainders of Atlantic Forest in São Paulo coast.