The night and day of dung beetles (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae) in the Serra do Japi, Brazil: elytra colour related to daily activity

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Caracterização anatômica foliar para 14 espécies de Xyris L. (Xyridaceae) da Serra do Cipó, MG, Brasil

As folhas de X. anamariae, X. archeri, X. hymenachne, X. melanopoda, X. minarum, X. obcordata, X. paraensis, X. pilosa, X. platystachia, X. pterygoblephara, X. savanensis, X. spinulosa, X. tortilis e X. tortula, foram preparadas segundo técnicas usuais para estudos anatômicos. A análise comparativa, da região basal desses órgãos, mostrou diferenças na estrutura da epiderme, na organização do mesofilo e no número e grau de agrupamento dos feixes vasculares, dependendo da espécie considerada. Esses aspectos foram utilizados na caracterização de cada representante estudado e, analisados em conjunto para indicar formas diferentes de especialização foliar, relacionadas à deficiência hídrica.

Domínios do café: ferrovias, exportação e mercado interno em São Paulo (1888-1917)

Não obstante o peso decisivo das receitas geradas pelo café para os balanços financeiros das ferrovias paulistas entre 1888 e 1917, e a centralidade da atividade cafeeira na economia paulista de então, discute-se neste artigo a especialização relativa ao nível da produção verificada em São Paulo e a questão dos fretes das ferrovias neste cenário. Parte-se da ideia de que a cafeicultura, em seu desenvolvimento, demandava a diversificação de culturas agrícolas, pois as unidades básicas de produção - as fazendas de café - não se caracterizavam unicamente pela monocultura, sendo que os nexos entre uma produção voltada à exportação e outra voltada ao mercado interno davam-se nas relações de trabalho estabelecidas entre contratantes e contratados, e nas formas pelas quais os fazendeiros expropriavam aqueles que se subordinavam aos seus interesses. Verifica-se no caso estudado o aumento simultâneo das quantidades de café e de alimentos transportadas e transacionadas pela Cia. Mogiana nos marcos da periodização proposta; porém, percebe-se estreita dependência em relação à receita gerada pelo transporte de café. Aponta-se, ainda, a especialização absoluta ao nível do crédito e da circulação (transportes) que caracterizavam este complexo econômico.

Toque: qual o uso atual pelo enfermeiro?

Este trabalho tem como objetivo verificar o uso do toque pelo enfermeiro, na categoria proposta por LE MAY (1986), assim como sua percepção de quando e por que ele o utiliza. Foram entrevistados, para tanto, 37 enfermeiros (20 docentes, 16 assistenciais e 1 aprimorando), em setembro de 1995, na capital e interior do Estado de São Paulo, constatando-se que a maioria da amostra coletada fez menção ao toque de forma expressiva, referindo utilizá-lo principalmente para demonstrar empatia e segurança em momentos que percebe a expressão das emoções do paciente.

Microhabitat and plant structure of Characeae (Chlorophyta) populations in streams from São Paulo State, southeastern Brazil

Microhabitat distribution was investigated in five populations of Characeae (two of Chara guairensis, two of Nitella subglomerata and one of Nitella sp.) to determine the distributional patterns, the morphometric and reproductive adaptations to varying environmental conditions and niche width on a scale of few centimeters. Variations in physical variables revealed some general trends of microhabitat distribution for the Characeae populations studied, with occurrence under the following conditions: slow and narrow current velocities; substrata predominantly composed of small particle size (sand-clay); variable and generally low depths. In terms of morphological adaptations, we found some general patterns: plants with longer whorl branchlets also had longer internodes in all populations studied, whereas longer plants had also thicker axis. The former were generally associated with higher biomass (percent cover). Few correlations of morphological characters were observed with environmental variables (e.g. plant length with irradiance: negative in two populations and positive in one population). Despite the general patterns of occurrence mentioned above, our results also indicated that each population differed in its responses to environmental variables and had particular morphological and reproductive adaptations. The Characean populations occurred under a narrower range of microhabitat conditions than other macroalgae from lotic habitats, particularly lower current velocity (6.7-9.8 cm s(-1)) and a more specific substratum type (sand-clay). Niche width values (0.60-0.99) of the Characeae populations studied indicate a high degree of habitat specialization and are among the highest yet found in lotic macroalgae. The relatively narrow variations in microhabitat conditions and high niche widths here reported for Characean populations, suggest a lower tolerance to variations in current velocity, depth, irradiance and substratum type. These characteristics probably explain the relatively restricted distribution of Characeae species in streams of S (a) over tildeo Paulo State with low frequency of records in most regions.

Comparative wood anatomy of root and stem in Styrax camporum (Styracaceae)

Styrax camporum Pohl is a shrub common in the cerrado vegetation of south-eastern Brazil. Root and stem wood in Styrax camporum differ quantitatively and qualitatively. Quantitative differences follow normal expectations: roots have wider and longer vessel elements, a lower vessel frequency, a lower ray frequency, and wider rays. Qualitative features of the roots are: simple perforation plates, vestured pits, and septate libriform fibres; qualitative features of the stems are: multiple perforation plates, non-vestured pits, and non-septate fibre-tracheids. Based on generally accepted evolutionary trends, root wood of Styrax camporum has more specialized features than stem wood. Additional comparative studies of stem and root anatomy are needed to determine if such differences between root and stem anatomy are widespread, and consistent with the lines of specialization observed in monocotyledons.

Biology and behaviour of the neotropical ant-mimicking spider Aphantochilus rogersi (Araneae: Aphantochilidae): nesting, maternal care and ontogeny of ant-hunting techniques

Aphantochilus rogersi is an ant-mimicking spider that preys exclusively on cephalotine ants. The spiders oviposit in close proximity to nests of the model ant Zacryptocerus pusillus, and emergent spiderlings tend to remain in the vicinity of natal egg sacs. Females of A. rogersi actively defend their egg sacs against approaching workers of Z. pusillus, but the latter may sometimes destroy the eggs. Feeding specialization on these ants is confirmed by more than 300 observations of young and adult A. rogersi carrying ant corpses in the held. Although A. rogersi possesses several behavioural traits which may reduce the risk of being injured by ants during subjugation, field and laboratory observations showed that social defence by Z. pusillus may cause mutilation to the spiders. Tests in captivity revealed an ontogenetic change in the prey-capture techniques employed by A. rogersi. Early-instar spiderlings can apparently only seize the ant's petiole tightly if they are able to approach the ant from the front. As the ant is paralysed, the spiderling positions itself vertically in relation to the substratum. Larger spiders, on the other hand, attack ants most frequently from behind, and seem better equipped to seize the ant's petiole firmly with their larger chelicerae. Owing to their greater strength, late-instar spiders are able to Lift the struggling ant aloft. The selection of a suitable oviposition site, the mother's ability to defend herself and the eggs from nearby ants, and the capacity to capture and subdue ants safely from emergence to maturity, are regarded as crucial traits inherent in the mimetic and feeding specialization by A. rogersi.

Phylogeography of the Solanaceae-infecting Basidiomycota fungus Rhizoctonia solani AG-3 based on sequence analysis of two nuclear DNA loci

Background: the soil fungus Rhizoctonia solani anastomosis group 3 (AG-3) is an important pathogen of cultivated plants in the family Solanaceae. Isolates of R. solani AG-3 are taxonomically related based on the composition of cellular fatty acids, phylogenetic analysis of nuclear ribosomal DNA (rDNA) and beta-tubulin gene sequences, and somatic hyphal interactions. Despite the close genetic relationship among isolates of R. solani AG-3, field populations from potato and tobacco exhibit comparative differences in their disease biology, dispersal ecology, host specialization, genetic diversity and population structure. However, little information is available on how field populations of R. solani AG-3 on potato and tobacco are shaped by population genetic processes. In this study, two field populations of R. solani AG-3 from potato in North Carolina (NC) and the Northern USA; and two field populations from tobacco in NC and Southern Brazil were examined using sequence analysis of two cloned regions of nuclear DNA (pP42F and pP89).Results: Populations of R. solani AG-3 from potato were genetically diverse with a high frequency of heterozygosity, while limited or no genetic diversity was observed within the highly homozygous tobacco populations from NC and Brazil. Except for one isolate (TBR24), all NC and Brazilian isolates from tobacco shared the same alleles. No alleles were shared between potato and tobacco populations of R. solani AG-3, indicating no gene flow between them. To infer historical events that influenced current geographical patterns observed for populations of R. solani AG-3 from potato, we performed an analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) and a nested clade analysis (NCA). Population differentiation was detected for locus pP89 (Phi(ST) = 0.257, significant at P < 0.05) but not for locus pP42F (Phi(ST) = 0.034, not significant). Results based on NCA of the pP89 locus suggest that historical restricted gene flow is a plausible explanation for the geographical association of clades. Coalescent-based simulations of genealogical relationships between populations of R. solani AG-3 from potato and tobacco were used to estimate the amount and directionality of historical migration patterns in time, and the ages of mutations of populations. Low rates of historical movement of genes were observed between the potato and tobacco populations of R. solani AG-3.Conclusion: the two sisters populations of the basidiomycete fungus R. solani AG-3 from potato and tobacco represent two genetically distinct and historically divergent lineages that have probably evolved within the range of their particular related Solanaceae hosts as sympatric species.

Associations of spiders of the genus Peucetia (Oxyopidae) with plants bearing glandular hairs

Two common South American species of lynx spiders, Peucetia rubrolineata and P. flava (Oxyopidae), were surveyed on three localities in southeastern Brazil to determine plant choice. Both species were found to be associated with plants bearing glandular trichomes. A literature review and complementary data show that ten Peucetia species are associated with up to 55 plant species bearing glandular trichomes in at least 20 distinct vegetation types (phytophysiognomies) in more than 36 localities in the Neotropical, Neartic, Afrotropical, and Paleartic regions. The main plant families used by the spiders were Solanaceae, Asteraceae, and Melastomataceae. The specialization of the Peucetia species for plants bearing glandular trichomes may have evolved because insects adhered to these sticky structures may be used as prey by the spiders.

Utilization of epiphytes by birds in a Brazilian Atlantic Forest

Epiphytes constitute a great part of the vegetation biomass in Neotropical forests, offering a large variety of resources to birds. Despite their structural and ecological importance, few studies investigated the use of epiphytes by birds in the Neotropical region. We studied the bird species that exploit vascular epiphytes (and hemi-epiphytes) in an Atlantic forest site in southeastern Brazil. The resources exploited, seasonal variation in the use of epiphytes, the frequency of foraging and selectivity in epiphytes, and the relationship between the use of epiphytes and the participation in mixed-species bird flocks were investigated. After 360 h of observations along trails crossing the forest, 24 bird species (12 families) were recorded in a total of 74 events of epiphyte exploitation. Thamnophilidae (four species), Trochiliclae, Thraupidae and Furnariidae (three species) were the richest bird families in our sample, while Furnariidae and Dendrocolaptidae were the more frequently recorded families. Plants in the Bromeliaceae and Araceae families were the most abundant and more frequently exploited epiphytes. Nectar, water, nest material and invertebrates were the most frequently exploited resources, mainly from Bromeliaceae. None of the species for which we had enough data revealed to be a frequent user of epiphytes for foraging or selective to any epiphyte group. The White-eyed Foliage-gleaner (Automolus leucophthalmus; Furnariidae), a common participant of understory mixed-species flocks, exploited epiphytes more frequently when associated with mixed-species flocks. The utilization of epiphytes was opportunistic for most of the bird species recorded and occurred throughout the year with no seasonal variation.

A new and threatened species of Scinax (Anura: Hylidae) from Queimada Grande Island, southeastern Brazil

We describe a new species of hylid frog, Scinax peixotoi, from Queimada Grande Island, southeastern Brazil. The new species belongs to the Scinax perpusillus species group, in which all known forms inhabit bromeliads, and is diagnosed by the following set of characters: moderate-size (males 18.8-20.7 mm SVL, females 22.4-25.1 mm SVL); canthus rostralis distinct; dorsal skin slightly rugose; and a distinct advertisement call with relatively low dominant frequency. The new species is known from a single population on Queimada Grande, an island of 43 ha, approximately 33 km distant from the coast of São Paulo State, where it inhabits scattered patches of bromeliads. The highly specialized and patchy habitat of S. peixotoi, associated with its small range size, make this species highly susceptible to stochastic or anthropogenic habitat disturbances, which could lead it to extinction. Copyright © 2007 Magnolia Press.

A comparative study of cytoarchitecture and serotonergic afferents in the suprachiasmatic nucleus of primates (Cebus apella and Callithrix jacchus) and rats (Wistar and Long Evans strains)

The suprachiasmatic nucleus, an essential diencephalic component of the circadian timing system, plays a role in the generation and modulation of behavioral and neuroendocrine rhythms in mammals. Its cytoarchitecture, neurochemical and hodological characteristics have been investigated in various mammalian species, particularly in rodents. In most species, two subdivisions, based on these aspects and considered to reflect functional specialization within the nucleus, can be recognized. Many studies reveal a typical dense innervation by serotonergic fibers in this nucleus, mainly in the ventromedial area, overlapping the retinal afferents. However, a different pattern occurs in certain animals, which lead us to investigate the distribution of serotonergic afferents in the suprachiasmatic nucleus of the Capuchin monkey, Cebus apella, compared to the marmoset, Callithrix jacchus, and two Rattus norvegicus lines (Long Evans and Wistar), and to reported findings for other mammalian species. Our morphometric data show the volume and length of the suprachiasmatic nucleus along the rostrocaudal axis to be greatest in C. apella > C. jacchus > Long Evans ≥ Wistar rats, in agreement with their body sizes. In C. apella, however, the serotonergic terminals occupy only some 10% of the nucleus' area, less than the 25% seen in the marmoset and rats. The distribution of the serotonergic fibers in C. apella does not follow the characteristic ventral organization pattern seen in the rodents. These findings raise questions concerning the intrinsic organization of the nucleus, as well as regarding the functional relationship between serotonergic input and retinal afferents in this diurnal species. © 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Evaluación del conocimiento de los cirujanos dentistas brasileños sobre aspectos bioéticos en el tratamiento odontológico

Professional-patient relationship and its importance for a good performance and success of the dental treatment must be reflected upon by means of their bioethical aspects. Our study aimed at evaluating dentist-surgeons' knowledge (n=163) in conducting specialization courses at São Paulo State University-UNESP, on these aspects. Out of the people surveyed, 88.1% mentioned that a decision for the treatment should be made by mutual agreement between professionals and patients, however, 26.4% report that patients' or their legal representative's participation in decision-making can cause negative interference. Professionals' acting when patients choose a less suitable treatment, 95.6% try to convince patients that it is not the best choice and persuade them for a better one by keeping the paternalistic model. It was noticed that 20.3% did not know how to relate the importance of professional-patient interaction as regards the dental treatment. It was therefore concluded that many dentist-surgeons are not taking these bioethical aspects into account in clinical practice.

Estudo anatômico e distribuição das papilas valadas no gato doméstico

The tongue of domestic animals varies in size and shape and according to these animals feeding habits, there are different degrees of tongue surface specialization. At the dorsal surface of the tongue lingual papillae can be observed, such as the vallate papillae, related to taste perception. With the help of a magnifying glass, differences in the number, size and distribution of vallate papillae were studied. Fifty five tongues of adult domestic cats from both sexes (38 females and 17 males) were analyzed. The samples were fixed in 10% buffered formalin. The vallate papillae were found to be symmetrically distributed on 21 tongues (38.18%). However, it was observed that in some of the tongues the number of vallate papillae varied when one side of the tongue was compared to its contralateral side. The vallate papillae showed different shapes: elongated (42.58%), oval (31.61%), round (25.48%) and pear shaped (0.33%). The vallate papillae were classified into 10 different categories: symmetrical I (2 right and 2 left), II (3:3), III (4:4) and asymmetrical IV (3:2), V (4:2), VI (2:3), VII (4:3), VIII (5:3), IX (3:4) and X (4:5). Measurements of length and width were made with averages of 0.84 ± 0.23 mm and 0.55 ± 0.18 mm, respectively, besides the calculation of the total area of these papillae per tongue, that showed average of 2,74 ± 0,31 mm 2 in males and 1,94 ± 0,14 mm 2 in females However, upon examining the lingual papillae of the cat tongues, specimens demonstrating 7, 8 or 9 vallate papillae, arranged in pairs (4:3, 5:3, 3:4 and 4:5) by category, were observed in this study but not cited in the literature.

Preliminary Overview of the Economies of Latin America and the Caribbean 2010

Includes bibliography