Uma área de relevante interesse biológico, porém pouco conhecida: a Reserva Florestal do Morro Grande

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

Intrageneric karyotypic divergence in Scythrophrys and new insights into the relationship with Paratelmatobius (Anura, Leptodactylidae)

Three populations of Scythrophrys from Brazil were studied cytogenetically. The karyotype found in Piraquara (Parana State) and Sao Bento do Sul (Santa Catarina State) (karyotype 1) differed from that of Rancho Queimado (Santa Catarina State) (karyotype 11) in NOR location and in the occurrence of some C-bands. In karyotype I, pair 5 contained NOR-bearing chromosomes, while in karyotype 11 the NOR occurred in pair 10. This difference probably accounts for the inverted classification of pairs 5 and 6 in these karyotypes, which appear to be homologous, as suggested by the presence of heterochromatic markers. These karyotypes also differed in the size of the non-centromeric C-bands in pairs 1 and 8. Comparison of the Scythrophrys karyotypes with those of the related genus Paratelmatobius revealed several similarities, especially between karyotype 11 of Scythrophrys and that of P. poecilogaster. Both karyotypes had a NOR in pair 10, so it was inferred to be present also in the common ancestor for these genera. The non-centromeric C-bands in pairs 7, 10, and in pair 5 of karyotype I and pair 6 of karyotype II of Scythrophrys are characters exclusively found in this genus.

Paracoccidioides brasiliensis (Lutz, 1908) isolado por meio de hemocultura em um paciente portadora de símdrome de imunodeficiência adquirida (SIDA)

A case of an AIDS-patient with positive blood culture for Paracoccidioides brasiliensis is reported. The patient was a 29 years old male born in Nova Londrina (Parana State, Brazil) who presented splenomegaly and fever of unknown origin. Three blood cultures were performed, each one of them for aerobic bacteria, mycobacteria and fungi. Cultures for aerobic bacteria and mycobacteria were negative. However, the yeast phase P. brasiliensis was isolated from two cultures in BHI agar, 20 days after inoculation in Negroni medium. The patient was classified in group V according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) criteria for AIDS, due to a Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia. Treatment was discontinued due to an individual decision of the patient on the second dose of amphotericin B. This antibiotic was replaced by ketoconazole in the daily dose of 800 mg. The patient died one year after the isolation of P. brasiliensis on blood culture.

Thermotectonic and fault dynamic analysis of Precambrian basement and tectonic constraints with the Parana basin

The Precambrian crystalline basement of southeast Brazil is affected by many Phanerozoic reactivations of shear zones that developed during the end of the Neoproterozoic in the Brasiliano orogeny. These reactivations with specific tectonic events, a multidisciplinary study was done, involving geology, paleostress, and structural analysis of faults, associated with apatite fission track methods along the northeastern border of the Parana basin in southeast Brazil.The results show that the study area consists of three main tectonic domains, which record different episodes of uplift and reactivation of faults. These faults were brittle in character and resulted in multiple generations of fault products as pseudotachylytes and ultracataclasites, foliated cataclasites and fault gouges.Based on geological evidence and fission track data, an uplift of basement rocks and related tectonic subsidence with consequent deposition in the Parana basin were modeled.The reactivations of the basement record successive uplift events during the Phanerozoic dated via corrected fission track ages, at 387 +/- 50 Ma (Ordovician); 193 +/- 19 Ma (Triassic); 142 +/- 18 Ma (Jurassic), 126 +/- 11 Ma (Early Cretaceous); 89 +/- 10 Ma (Late Cretaceous) and 69 +/- 10 Ma (Late Cretaceous). These results indicate differential uplift of tectonic domains of basement units, probably related to Parana basin subsidence. Six major sedimentary units (supersequences) that have been deposited with their bounding unconformities, seem to have a close relationship with the orogenic events during the evolution of southwestern Gondwana. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Produção e qualidade de raiz tuberosa de cultivares de batata-doce no Oeste do Paraná

The objective of this work was to evaluate sweet potato cultivars with starch processing capability, on two cultivation periods, in the western region of Parana (Brazil). Sweet potato was grown at Marechal Candido Rondon, Parana State (24 degrees 33'40 '' S and 54 degrees 4'12 '' W), at a mean annual temperature between 14 and 28 degrees C. The experiment was designed in complete randomized blocks, in a factorial scheme of 4 cultivars (CNPH 003, CNPH 004, Brazlandia Roxa, and Brazlandia Rosada) and 2 cultivation periods (115 and 183 days), with four repetitions. The evaluated parameters were the root productivities (t ha(-1)) and the physical and chemical root composition (humidity, pH, acidity, starch, total soluble sugars and fibers). Data was submitted to all analysis of variance (Anova) and the means were compared by the Tukey test at 5% of probability, Results indicated that sweet potato yield at the cultivars was higher during the 183 day cultivation period (average of 9.14 t ha(-1)) than during the 115 day cultivation period (average of 4.25 t ha(-1)). Thus the CNPH 003 cultivar seems to be a better indication for starch extraction, due to the lowest fiber content in the root, the driest mass content and the largest yield of starch per area.

Estudo Morfo-anatômico da Folha e do Caule de Piper arboreum Aubl. (Piperaceae)

The genus Piper L. includes a great number of medicinal interest species. P. arboreum is frequent in forests of Maringa, Parana State, Brazil. Its leaves and stem are analyzed morphologic and anatomically, freehand sectioned in cross-section and longitudinal section, and were stained in astra blue and safranin. Petiole and midrib base present 15-20 vascular bundles. The blade is hypostomatic, dorsiventral and shows staurocytic stomatal complex, subepidermis and oil idioblasts. The stem possesses medullary vascular bundles; a typical endodermis is not observed, as it occurs in other Piper species.

Oriented enstatite inclusions in natural diamond.

Six crystal inclusions in a twinned diamond from the Tibagi River deposits near Telemaco Borba, Parana State, Brazil, were identified as forsterite (prismatic crystals) and enstatite (tabular crystals, with a 18.17, b 8.81, c 5.17 A). The prismatic forsterite inclusions are oriented along the <110> directions of the host diamond; the main direction of the tabular enstatite crystals is in the same orientation. The identity and orientation of the inclusions were obtained by X-ray precession camera. Enstatite (210) is nearly parallel with the (111) octahedral layer of diamond; a possible epitaxial relationship is discussed.-R.A.H.

Influencia do soerguimento do alto Paranaiba na sedimentacao pos- basaltica na area do Triangulo Mineiro (MG), borda NNE da Bacia do Parana

Faciologic analysis method was applied to after-basaltic sedimentary deposits in Triangulo Mineiro (MG) area. Faciologic association 1 (Adamantina formation) and unities 1 to 5 (Uberaba formation) are related to the fluvial and lake deposits: faciologic association 3 (Ponte Alta Member) and 2 (Sierra da Galga Member) represent the sedimentary deposits associated to the alluvial fans conditions. With faciologic association and unities it could be to recognize the paleogeografic and tectonic conditions in sedimentation time of that depositional tract. -English summary

Soil humus characteristics in virgin and cleared areas of the paraná river basin in Brazil

A study of the characteristics and distribution of the soil humus fractions in representative ecosystems of central Brazil was carried out with special emphasis on the comparison between the soils under virgin vegetation-Cerrado-and those subjected to cultivation. In spite of the contrasted vegetation and cultural practices in the sites studied, the soil humus showed analogous characteristics: there was a negligible amount of plant residues, the humic and fulvic acids amounted to approximately 70% of the total organic carbon, and about 40% of these humic substances were in extremely stable association with the soil mineral fraction, the HCl-HF treatment being required for their extraction. The stability of such organo-mineral complexes increased slightly in the cultured sites. The study of the humic acid fraction showed increased oxidation and aromaticity in most of the cultivated sites: the lowest values for the IR alkyl vibrations and H/C atomic ratios and the highest ones for the optical density at 465 nm were observed in sites transformed into orchards, whereas the above changes were small in those used as pasture. The 14C NMR spectra confirmed that the proportion of polyalkyl structures decreased in the humic acids of soils subjected to cultivation, as opposed to that of carboxyl groups. In spite of the high stability inferred for the organic matter throughout the wide area examined, the samples from the original Cerrado as well as from those transformed into pastures showed, in laboratory conditions, higher mineralization rates than those from the sites subjected to cultivation. This is partly attributed to the decreased proportions of extractable humic substances in the latter. © 1992.

OLEO ESSENCIAL EM ALGUMAS ESPECIES DE EUCALYPTUS

In this work we used leaves of four species of Eucalyptus - E. bicostata Maiden, E. deanei Maiden, E. dunnii Maiden and E. viminalis Labill, grown in Colombo, Parana State, Brazil. Preliminary studies were done, in the following sequence: botanic identification, olfactory research, extraction and purification of the essential oil of each species. The physical and chemical tests done were the following: relative density, refractive index, optical rotation, solubility, coagulation point and cineol percentage. The essential oils analysed through gaseous chromatography, presented the following cineol percentage: E. bicostata Maiden - 26.92%, E. deanei Maiden - 70.21%, E. dunnii Maiden - 53.16% and E. viminalis Labill - 23.05%.

Alteration of soil properties through a weathering sequence as evaluated by spectral reflectance

In the study of physical, chemical, and mineralogical data related to the weathering of soils and the quantification of their properties, remote sensing constitutes an important technique that, in addition to conventional analyses, can contribute to soil survey. The objectives of this research were to characterize and differentiate soils developed from basaltic rocks that occur in the Parana state, Brazil and to quantify soil properties based on their spectral reflectance. These observations were used to verify the relationship between the soils and reflectance with regard to weathering, organic matter (OM), and forms of Fe. From the least to the most weathered soil, we used a Typic Argiudoll (Reddish Brunizem), Rhodudalf (Terra Roxa Estruturada), and Rhodic Hapludox (Very Dark Red Latosol). The spectral reflectances between 400 and 2500 nm were obtained in the laboratory from soil samples collected at two depth increments, 0- to 20- and 40- to 60-cm, using an Infra Red Intelligent Spectroradiometer (IRIS). Correlation, regression, and discriminant estimates were used in analyzing the soil and spectral data. Results of this study indicated that soils could be separated at the soil-type level based on reflectance intensity in various absorption bands. Soil collected in the 40- to 60-cm depth appeared to have higher reflectance intensities than those from the 0- to 20-cm depth. Removal of OM from soil samples promoted higher reflectance intensity in the entire spectrum. Amorphous and crystalline Fe influenced reflectance differently. Weathering of basaltic soils was correlated with alterations in the reflectance intensities and absorption features of the spectral curves. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that this technique was efficient in the estimation of clay, silt, kaolinite, crystalline Fe, amorphous Fe, and Mg through the use of reflected energy of the soils.

O novo padrão de desenvolvimento agroindustrial e a atuação das cooperativas agropecuárias no Paraná

This article aims at discussing the transformations in the cooperativist rural sector in the state of Paraná since 1970. Considerable active agents in the process of modernization in the agriculture from Paraná, the cooperatives developed also an important role in the productive restructuralization in the State of Paraná, when they started the agroindustrial activities. The verticalization represented a big growth of the cooperatives that act in the rural area, but it also implied in a redirection of the cooperatives' strategies, that started acting in an extremely competitive market.

Sucessão sedimentar do Grupo Bauru na região de Pirapozinho (SP)

There is yet enthusiastic debate in the literature about the environmental conditions that originated the Cretaceous deposits of the Bauru Group, despite many authors accept that arid climatic conditions widely dominant at the base, evolved to chiefly fluvial-lacustrine conditions at the intermediate portion, and to arid conditions again at the top of the unit. The Bauru Group covers an area of about 117.000 km 2 of the Paraná Basin in São Paulo State territory. Core samples of this lithostratigraphic unit collected from a drill hole at Pirapozinho (Southwest of the São Paulo State) are described and together with well log data brought new information that do not agree with the described model. It was identified in this well the Caiuá, Pirapozinho, Santo Anastácio, Araçatuba and Adamantina formations. The study of these core samples clearly showed the dominance of hydrodynamic sedimentary structures and high to medium intensity of bioturbation in whole profile. These characteristics observed in core samples and compared to patterns of geophysical logs testify the dominance of fluvial processes in the Bauru Group deposition at the studied area. These new data suggests that the paleo-environmental evolution of the unit was much more complex, showing strong lateral and vertical changes that diverges from the model more widely accepted in the literature.

Metacryphaeus rotundatus, um novo elemento da fauna de trilobites calmoniidae (phacopida), da formação Ponta Grossa (Devoniano), bacia do Paraná, Brasil

Calmoniids (Delo, 1935) are the most common and abundant group of trilobites of the fossil record of the Devonian Ponta Grossa Formation in the Apucarana sub-basin. Although known since the past century, the study of calmoniids has been taxonomically and stratigraphically biased. This is because some authors centered their studies on some particular genera from a few stratigraphic horizons within the basal portion of the Ponta Grossa Formation. The analyses of 398 specimens of calmoniid trilobites of the rocks of Jaguariaiva Member of the Ponta Grossa Formation, mainly from Tibagi county in the state of Paraná, Brazil, indicate the presence of specimens that are referable to Metacryphaeus rotundatus (Kozlowski, 1923). This is the first record of M. rotundatus in Brazilian Devonian rocks. Metacryphaeus rotundatus is a conspicuous species of the Emsian rocks of the Icla Formation, Bolivia. Although the affinities of the trilobite fauna of the Devonian Paraná Basin, in the context of the Malvinokaffric realm, are with the Brazilian and South Africa provinces, this finding is in accordance with new evidence (e.g., conulariids, homalonotids trilobites), indicating the presence of cosmopolitan species with Andean affinities. Metacryphaeus rotundatus lived in a broad paleoclimatic range, from a temperate, cold temperate to a subpolar climate. Finally, in the Devonian of the Paraná Basin, M. rotundatus lived and were preserved in muddy, organic rich bottoms, deposited in offshore waters, below the storm wave base, associated to marine flooding surfaces.

Chronostratigraphy and radiocarbon age inversion in the Holocene regressive barrier of Paraná, southern Brazil

Twenty-two 14C datings were performed at the central sector of the Paraná coast to define Holocene regressive barrier evolution. The barrier Pleistocene substratum was ascribed an age between 40 400 and 30 000 yr BP, but it can also represent the penultimate sea level highstand during marine isotope stage 5e. The Holocene barrier samples provided ages between 8542-8279 and 2987-2751 cal yr BP, and showed at least six age inversions that were related to age differences between in situ or low-distance transported shells or trunk fragments, and high-distance transported vegetal debris, wood fragments and organic matter samples. The regressive Holocene barrier age was 4402-4135 cal yr BP near the base, and 2987-2751 cal yr BP near the top. Most of the vegetal remains were transported by ebb tidal currents from the estuaries to the inner shelf below wave base level during the mid-Holocene highstand; they were transported onshore by storm waves and littoral currents during the sea level lowering after the sea level maximum, and were deposited mainly as middle shoreface swaley cross-stratification facies. © 2008.