Caracterização morfológica de espécies de Hemerobius Linnaeus, 1758 (Neuroptera, Hemerobiidae) associadas a cultivos de café (Coffea arabica L.), milho (Zea mays L.) e erva-mate (Ilex paraguariensis St. Hill.)

The predators were collected in mate crop in Cascavel and São Mateus do Sul, Paraná, Brazil and some other additional specimens in coffee and maize crops in Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil. Illustrations obtained by SEM are given by the first time to the principal structures. Three species of Hemerobius were identified: H. bolivari Banks, 1910; H. domingensis Banks, 1941 and H. gaitoi Monserrat, 1996. H. domingensis is recorded for the first time to Brazil.

ANÁLISE DESCRITIVA QUANTITATIVA da AGUARDENTE DE CANA DURANTE O ENVELHECIMENTO em TONEL DE CARVALHO (Quercus alba L.)

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

Determinação do perfil de compostos voláteis e avaliação do sabor e aroma de bebidas produzidas a partir da erva-mate (Ilex paraguariensis)

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

Natural history of the coral snake Micrurus Pyrrhocryptus Cope 1862 (Elapidae) from semideciduous forests of western Brazil.

Coral snakes in the genus Micrurus are widely distributed in the Neotropics, with more than 50 species already described in this region. They are primarily ground or leaf litter dwellers, feed on snakes or other elongate vertebrates, and tend to reproduce during the rainy season. We present data on the biology of Micrurus pyrrhocryptus from two semideciduous forests of Mato Grosso do Sul state, western Brazil. Two snake species were consumed: the dipsadid Sibynomorphus lavillai and the typhlopid Typhlops brongersmianus. Sexual dimorphism is marked in M. pyrrhocryptus. with males attaining larger sizes and having longer tails. Activity was concentrated in the wet season, when reproduction occurs. The defensive behavior in this species is similar to that displayed by other Micron's, although less pronounced.

Population and reproductive biology of the crab Uca burgersi (Crustacea : Ocypodidae) in three subtropical mangrove forests

Population and reproductive biology were studied in three populations of the crab Uca burgersi Holthuis, 1967, in the Indaia, Cavalo and Ubatumirim mangrove forests (Ubatuba, São Paulo State, Brazil). Crabs were collected during low tide (August 2001 through July 2002), by digging the sediment, with a standard capture effort (two persons for 30 min.). Carapace width was measured, and gonad developmental stage was recorded from all specimens. U. burgersi was most abundant in the Cavalo mangrove, where the largest mate was found. Juvenile crabs were found year-round at all three sites. However, the ratio of ovigerous females was very low, even null in the Cavalo mangrove. The gonad development rate indicated that U. burgersi was reproducing continuously, but more intensively during spring and summer, with recruitment occurring in winter. The synchrony between the populational and reproductive biology in the three areas showed that local features were not the limiting factors. It is suggested that this species is a habitat generalist.

Floristic relationships among inland swamp forests of Southeastern and Central-Western Brazil

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

The role of riverine forests for food supply for the omnivorous fish Brycon opalinus Cuvier, 1819 (Characidae) in the Serra do Mar, Southeast Brazil

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

From forests to cattail: how does the riparian zone influence stream fish?

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

An analysis of the floristic composition and diversity of Amazonian forests including those of the Guiana Shield

A large number of newly published and unpublished hectare plots in Amazonia and the Guiana Shield area allow an analysis of family composition and testing of hypotheses concerning alpha-diversity in the south American rain forest. Using data from 94 plots the family-level floristic patterns in wet tropical South America are described. To test diversity patterns, 268 plots are used in this large area. Contrary to a widely held belief, western Amazonian plots are not necessarily the most diverse. Several central Amazonian plots have equal or even higher tree diversity. Annual rainfall is not a good estimator for tree diversity in the Amazonia area and Guiana shield. Plots in the Guiana Shield area (and eastern Amazonia) usually have lower diversity than those in central or western Amazonia. It is argued that this is not because of low rainfall or low nutrient status of the soil but because of the small area of the relatively isolated rain forest area in eastern Amazonia and the Guiana Shield. The low diversity on nutrient-poor white sand soils in the Amazon basin is not necessarily due to their Low nutrient status but is, at least partly, caused by their small extent and fragmented nature.

Arbutin-2 '-sulphonyl from the infusion of Ilex theezans leaves

A sulphate arbutin derivative was isolated from the leaves of flex theezans, an adulterant of mate (flex paraguariensis). The structure was determined by spectral analysis. (C) 2004 Published by Elsevier B.V.

Mantispa minuta Fabricius (Neuroptera : Mantispidae) on egg sacs of the orb-weaver spider Parawixia bistriata (Araneidae) in forests of Eucalyptus grandis in Brazil

This is the first report of the interaction between the two entomophagous agents Mantispa minuta Fabricius (Mantispidae) and Parawixia bistriata Rengger, an orb-weaver spider (Araneidae). From egg sacs kept in the laboratory we observed the emergence of adult neuropterans followed by the emergence of a high number of spiderlings. This association illustrates the interactions among the invertebrate predators coexisting in Eucalyptus plantations managed without chemical treatment, in the State of São Paulo, Brazil.

Studies on the constituents of a Brazilian folk infusion. Isolation and structure elucidation of new triterpene saponins from Ilex amara leaves

The isolation of three new triterpene saponins 3beta-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->3)-alpha-L-2-O-acetylara-binopyranosylolean-12-en-28-oic acid 28-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl ester (2), 3beta-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->2)-alpha-L-O-arabinopyranosylurs-12-en-28-oic acid (3), and 3beta-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->2)-beta-D-O-galactopyranosylurs-12-en-28-oic acid (4) together with five known saponins and one flavonoid glycoside from the aqueous infusion of flex amara (Vellozo) Loes. leaves is reported. All structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, including the concerted application of one-dimensional (H-1, TOCSY, C-13, and C-13 DEPT NMR) and two-dimensional NMR techniques (DQF-COSY, HSQC, and HMBC).

Bird species of black water inundation forests in the Jau National Park (Amazonas state, Brazil): their contribution to regional species richness

We compared the relative contribution of blackwater inundation forest (igapo) and unflooded (terra firme) forest for regional bird species diversity in the lower Rio Negro region. For analyses of habitat preference we used mist-net samples and an unpublished bird species check-list. The igapo forest had lower bird species diversity than the terra firme forest. However, some 14% of the forest bird species in the region are restricted to igapo forest. Species composition was found to be distinct between the understories of the two forest types. Common forest bird guilds in the Neotropics such as ant-following birds avoid igapo forest. The differential habitat selection among birds in the inundated and unflooded forest is likely to result from vegetation structure and biological interactions such as aggressive behaviour. Since the inundated forest has a typical biota, conservation efforts needs to be directed to protect these habitats. Unfortunately, inundation forests are threatened by several human actions, especially dam construction. The extent of protected areas in the Brazilian Amazon is insufficient for the adequate protection of the inundated habitats, because it includes only 3% of the total area.

Density and spatial distribution of Atta sexdens rubropilosa and Atta laevigata colonies (Hym., Formicidae) in Eucalyptus spp. forests

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)