Composição faunística de insetos predadores em fragmento florestal e em área de hortaliças na região de Jaboticabal, estado de São Paulo

A population survey was carried out in a forest fragment and in an area of vegetables, from November/1996 to February/1998, aiming to determine the predator insect species and the influence of abiotic factors. The samples were taken weekly by light traps. The results were evaluated using faunistic analysis and simple correlation with temperature, relative humidity and rainfall. In the forest fragment higher similarity in the abundance of species was observed comparing to the area of vegetables, but the largest number of captured individuals (95%) occurred in this last habitat. Metius sp., Polpochila impressifrons (Dej.), Eulissus sp. and Doru sp. were predominant species in both areas, evidencing they may play an important role as pest predators in areas of vegetables. Arthrostictus speciosus (Dej.) and Leptotrachelus sp. predominated in the forest fragment, and the same was observed with Paederus sp. in the vegetable area. This species is probably adapted for open and hot places, while A. speciosus and Leptotrachelus sp. can be adapted for dark and humid places of forests.

Análise filogenética de Phytophthora capsici Leonian do estado de São Paulo baseada na seqüência de nucleotídeos da região ITS-5.8S rDNA

Phylogenetic analysis through morphological and cultural traits is considered inconsistent and hard to be scientifically accepted once there is no way to establish the direction of evolution on morphological traits. Molecular markers are suitable for phylogenetic analysis. The sequencing of ITS1 and ITS2 (internal transcribed spacers) regions and of 5.8S gene from ribosomal DNA were used to estimate the genetic variation and distance of 10 Phytophthora capsici isolates. The amount of genetic variation amongst isolated P. capsici from distinct regions of São Paulo State was 0.1 to 1.6 and 0.1 to 1.1% at ITS1 and ITS2, respectively, and a phylogenetic distance of about 78.5% between P. capsici and Phytophthora spp. was observed.

New record for the army ant Labidus mars (Formicidae: Ecitoninae) in the Atlantic Rain Forest of São Paulo State, Brazil

The occurrence of the army ant Labidus mars in Mogi das Cruzes (SP, Brazil) is recorded and includes additional information about the area, diet and foraging schedule of this rare army ant. This species of Ecitoninae was collected from two mature fruits of the Syagrus romanzoffiana (Arecaceae) and were probably in the foraging phase.

Longitudinal distribution of Copepoda populations in the transition zone of Paranapanema River and Jurumirim Reservoir (São Paulo, Brazil) and interchange with two lateral lakes.

Longitudinal changes in composition, abundance, and distribution of copepods were studied at the transition zone of Paranapanema River-Jurumirim Reservoir (SP, Brazil). The interchange of biotic material between marginal lakes and the river system was also examined. Water samples were obtained from 6 stations along a stretch of 13 km of the Paranapanema River, from an upstream reach with high water velocity up to the river mouth into Jurumirim Reservoir. Two other sites in lateral lakes were also sampled. Nine copepod taxa were identified: 3 calanoids (Argyrodiaptomus furcatus Sars, Notodiaptomus iheringi Wright, and N. conifer Sars) and 6 cyclopoids (Eucyclops Claus, Microcyclops Claus, Mesocyclops longisetus Thiébaud, Thermocyclops decipiens Fischer, T. minutus Lowndes, and Paracyclops Claus). Harpacticoids were also collected. Calanoid and cyclopoid nauplii and copepodids, and harpacticoids were the most abundant organisms. In general, there was a longitudinal decrease in copepod abundance, whereas an increase was detected near the lakes. The abundance of most copepods was inversely correlated with current velocity and suspended solids. Higher abundance was observed in the river main course during the rainy season, during which there is a higher connectivity between the lakes and the main river. This promotes exportation of biologic material from marginal lakes to the river system, a biotic exchange reflecting the importance of marginal lakes to the river community structure.

The condition factor of fishes from two river basins in São Paulo state, Southeast of Brazil

This work describes the relative condition factor of the Hypostomus strigaticeps, Astyanax altiparanae, Astyanax scabripinnis, Astyanax fasciatus, Astyanax sp1., Characidium aff. zebra, Piabina argentea, Hypostomus ancistroides, Hypostomus sp1., Parodon tortuosus, Serrapinus heterodon, and Bryconamericus sp., of the APA of São Pedro and Analândia (22°-23°S and 47°30'-48°30'W). The condition factor provides information about the physical state of the animal in the environment. In order to compare different species, the relative condition factor was used. Variations in this factor were correlated with variations through the year and with subsequent alterations in the physiological state of the fishes. The relative condition factor was shown to be efficient in indicating changes in fish condition throughout the year.

Three new species of Tenuipalpus Donnadieu (Acari, Tenuipalpidae) from the State of São Paulo, Brazil

Three new species of Tenuipalpus, T. carlosflechtmanni n. sp., T. moraesi n. sp. and T. ariauae n. sp., collected on wild plants in Brazil, are described and illustrated. Copyright © 2006 Magnolia Press.

Faecal contamination (viral and bacteria) detection in groundwater used for drinking purposes in São Paulo, Brazil

This project has been developed to evaluate the possible relationship between the cesspit (pit latrine) in as far as it degrades the quality of underground water. Its importance is due to the fact that in the rural communities in the State of São Paulo (Brazil) this type of cesspit is very common as a means of sewage disposal and these communities use underground water for their supply of drinking water. Rural properties distributed over the rural area in the municipality of São José do Rio Preto were selected. A preliminary study was then set up to determine the social situation and health of the households as well as qualitative evaluations on the type of water supply and sewage disposal of these communities. Campaigns of water sampling then followed and laboratory analyses of water taken from wells were carried out. Parameters were set up to evaluate the potability according to Brazilian legislation (2004) paying attention to microbiologic (coliforms, Crytosporidium sp., and adenovirus). The analyses showed evidence of possible interaction between the wells and the sewage effluents and drainage in these communities. A PCR reaction to detect adenovirus showed a presence in 53.3% of the samples. The tests for the detection of Cryotosporidium sp all showed a negative result.

Fauna parasitária de peixes oriundos de pesque-pague do município de Guariba, São Paulo, Brasil

This study describes the occurrence and the seasonality of parasites of cultivated fish from a fee fishing farm located in Guariba, São Paulo State, Brazil (21°15'22'' S, 48°18'58'' W and 595 m of altitude), from August, 2001 to July, 2002. The presence of parasites was researched in pacu Piaractus mesopotamicus (Characidae), common carp Cyprinus carpio (Cyprinidae), nile-tilapia Oreochromis niloticus (Cichlidae), tambacu hybrid (male of P. mesopotamicus x female of tambaqui-Colossoma macropomum) and piraputanga Brycon hillari (Characidae). Results demonstrate that out of 100 fish examined, 15% were sponged for at least one of the following parasites: Trichodina sp.; monogenean helminths; copepodits of Lemaea cyprinacea; adults of L. cyprinacea; or Dolops carvalhoi. In decreasing order, the susceptibility degree of the hosts was C. carpio, P. mesopotamicus, B. hillari, tambacu hybrid and O. niloticus. In decreasing order the reported parasites were monogenean helminths, Dolops carvalhoi, Trichodina sp., adults of Lernaea cyprinacea and their young shapes.

Espectro de agentes etiológicos associados a surtos de doenças transmitidas por alimentos em núcleos receptores turísticos de três regiões geográficas do Estado de São Paulo

Foodborne and waterborne diseases are spread by the consumption of food or water contaminated with bacteria and/or their toxins, viruses, parasites or chemicals. The aim of the research reported here was to establish the spectrum of etiologic agents of foodborne outbreaks at 15 tourist resorts in three geographic regions of the State of Sao Paulo (Brazil). The study was based on the cases reported to the Epidemic Surveillance Center (CVE) of the Public Health Authority of the State of São Paulo (SES), from 2002 to 2005. The tourist centers were chosen at random in three regions of the state (Capital, Interior and Coast) and offered the following attractions: events, agribusiness, cultural history, shopping, town center, gastronomy, health and leisure, sun and sea. Among the bacteria, the results showed that Salmonella spp. were most frequently associated with outbreaks, followed by Shigella spp., enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Clostridium perfringens, Bacillus cereus and Campylobacter spp. Viruses (Rotavirus and Hepatitis A) played a part in many of the cases, while the frequency of parasites and worm infestations was low in the foodborne disease outbreaks at these resorts. The mixed foods (rice, beans, liver, potatoes, barbecue, juice), fish and poultry were the three commonest vehicles implicated in the outbreaks.

Acute toxicity of waters from the urban drainage channels of Santos (São Paulo, Brazil)

The objective of this study was to evaluate the toxicity of water which flows toward the beaches of Santos, SP, Brazil. Water samples were collected from eight urban drainage channels and a small creek, in March, April and August 2005. For each sample, some physical-chemical parameters were analyzed: pH, dissolved oxygen, temperature, salinity, presence of free chlorine and total ammonia contents. Acute toxicity tests (48h) with Daphnia similis were also performed with the samples. The level of ammonia was relatively high in the majority of the samples (≥ 1.5 mg/L), and free chlorine was measurable in most of them. Acute toxicity was observed in four water samples (stations 3, 4, 5 and 7), at least in one occasion. The toxicity was positively correlated with the ammonia concentrations and salinity. Because acute toxicity was detected, actions aiming to control the pollution sources and improve the water quality are recommended.

Análise da evolução da paisagem no entorno da represa dos rios jaguari e jacareí, estado de são paulo, com base em sensoriamento remoto e SIG

The primary objective of this study is to evaluate by means of remote sensing and GIS, the landscape evolution around the Jaguari and Jacareí River Dam, located in the eastern section of the State of São Paulo, Brazil. For this purpose we used LANDSAT 5/YM and CBERS-2/CCD images from 1984/1985 and 2006, respectively, considering the following classes of land use: forest, cultivated forest, agriculture, urban areas and water bodies. The two selected dates reflect important changes in the region such as the installation of the dam and subsequent urbanization of parts of its margins and the enlargement of the Fernão Dias Federal Highway, which contributed to an increase of areas of anthropic activities in the studied region. The results also indicate an increase in areas covered by native and planted forests, thus confirming a similar trend in other areas of the State of São Paulo.

Classificação climática para os municípios de Botucatu e São Manuel, SP

Climatic classification defines the geographical limits of different climate types all over the world, and it is considered essential to study similar areas. This work updates the climatic classification of the municipal districts of Botucatu and of São Manuel, State of Sao Paulo, where the experimental farms of the Schools of Agronomical Sciences - UNESP, Campus of Botucatu, State of São Paulo, are located. Koppen's and Thornthwaite's methods were used for the air temperature and precipitation data, in a 36-year period (from 1971 to 2006). For both municipal districts of Botucatu and São Manuel, the climate was characterized as being Cfa, hot climate with rains in the summer and drought in the winter, and the average temperature in the hottest month is above 22 °C. According to Thornthwaite's classification, there was a small difference due to the humidity index, characterized as B2rB′3a′ (humid climate with small hydro deficiency - April, July and August, with annual potential evapotranspiration of 945.15 mm and concentration of the potential evapotranspiration in the summer of 33%) in the district of Botucatu, and as B1rB′3a′ (humid climate with small hidric deficiency - April, July and August, with annual potential evapotranspiration of 994.21 mm and concentration of the potential evapotranspiration in the summer of 33%)in the district of São Manuel.

Paisagem natural paleógena da bacia sedimentar de São Paulo no município de guarulhos, estado de São Paulo

Paleogene sediments of this region represent a significant source of water for urban, industrial and agricultural activities. This basin is part of the Southeastern Brazilian Continental Rift, which occupies a large portion of this geographical area. This study aims to present the evolution of the natural Paleogene landscape, through an analysis of its stratigraphic intcrops and underground portions based on the concept of facies and facies associations. A total of nine clastic and separate lithofacies were recognized and grouped into two main facies associations. These data suggest the existence of two depositional interdigitated systems: fluvial braided fans, which were predominant in parts of the northern and central area, and another composed of lacustrine sediments found in its central-south region. The paleogeography herein outlined will help considerably in the detection of new areas for mineral and water resources prospection, as well as in urban planning projects of this region.

Condições hidrológicas de uma bacia hidrográfica com diferentes usos do solo na região de taquaritinga, SP

In areas where human activities, as agriculture, are developed land use contributes to physical, chemical and biological characteristics of water. This study aimed to identify physical and chemical variations of the water monitoring network in 4 first magnitude watersheds with different land use/occupation in the hydrographic basin of the Glori Farm Creek in the city of Taquaritinga, State of Sao Paulo, from February to July, 2005. The methodology consisted of weekly sample water collections to naalyze turbidity, temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH and electric conductivity. The characterization of the hydrological conditions of the watersheds showed that agricultural activities, including the productive system of the sugarcane cultivation, have affected the quality of water resources.

Diagnóstico da qualidade da água na microbacia do córrego recanto, em americana, no estado de São Paulo

The environmental degradation observed in the Piracicaba, Capivari and Jundiaí watershed has been one of the principal preoccupations of the environmental agencies in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. In this context, there is inserted the Americana county which is cut by streams of unsuitable quality for the human consumption and other uses. The main goal of the present work was evaluated the water quality of the Recanto Creek, affluent of the Quilombo stream, at the Americana county, state of São Paulo, Brazil. The research was developed in the period from March of 2007 to March of 2008, when it was measured the flow and the following physical-chemical water quality parameters: temperature; turbidity; pH; dissolved oxygen (OD); phosphorus (P); ammonia nitrogen (NH 4); nitrate (NO 3); chemical demand of oxygen (DQO), besides total coliforms. The results demonstrated a variation of the flow from 34.3 to 375.2 L s -1, during the evaluated period. The parameters dissolved oxygen, phosphorus, ammonia nitrogen and nitrate presented values out of the limits recommended for rivers of class 3, like the Recanto Creek, suggesting water pollution due to the organic matter disposal.