Ticks associated with wild animals in the Nhecolândia Pantanal, Brazil

A study of ticks associated with wild animals was carried out from September 1996 to April 1998 at the Fazenda Alegria (21,000 ha), in the Nhecolândia Pantanal, State of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, a sunken plain bordering the upper Paraguay river, located 19 × 08′S; 56 × 46′W. A total of 81 wild animals (13 species, 6 orders) were captured with the aid of nets, and ticks were found on 63 (78%). Tick species identified included Boophilus microplus (Canestrini), Amblyomma cajennense (F.), A. parvum (Aragão), A. pseudo-concolor (Aragão), A. scalpturatum (Neumann), A. nodosum (Neumann), A. ovale (Koch), and A. tigrinum (Koch). Dragging from grasslands (campos) yielded negative results compared to the high concentration of ticks, mainly nymphs, that were collected from leaves in the forests (capão). Predominance of immature instars (Amblyomma genera) was observed in the end of winter (August-September). Ticks were associated mainly with coatis, deer (Mazama gouazoubira) and anteater, and these animals may play a role in the epidemiology of tick-transmitted pathogens in the Pantanal if one considers their coexistence with local domestic animals.

The Bauru Group: A continental Cretaceous unit in Brazil - Concepts based on micropaleontological, oxygen isotope and stratigraphical data

The integration of outcrop and subsurface information, including micropaleontological data, facies and sequence stratigraphic studies, and oxygen isotope analysis, allow us to present a new stratigraphic model for the Cretaceous continental deposits of the Bauru Group, Brazil. Thirty-eight fossil taxa were recovered from these deposits, including 29 species of ostracodes and 9 species of charophytes. Seven of these ostracode species and three subspecies are new and formally described here. The associations of Chara barbosai - Ilyocypris cf. riograndensis, found in the Adamantina Formation, and Amblyochara sp. - Neuquenocypris minor mineira nov. subsp., found in the Marília Formation. Ponte Alta Member, represent two distinct groups that are respectively Turonian-Santonian and Maastrichtian (probably Late Maastrichtian) in age. Therefore, a hiatus, encompassing more than 11 Ma, separates those two formations. From bottom to top, four depositional cycles were recognized in the Bauru Group in western São Paulo: cycles 1 and 2 belong to Caiuá Formation (fluvio-lacustrine and lacustrine deposits in the Presidente Prudente region), cycle 3 to the Santo Anastácio and lower Adamantina Formation (respectively fluvial and lacustrine deposits), and cycle 4 to the upper Adamantina Formation (fluvio-lacustrine facies). An erosional unconformity separates the Caiuá and Santo Anastácio Formations (between cycles 2 and 3). The Marília Formation is a distinct unit from the underlying succession; it does not occur in western São Paulo, but is found in restricted areas of São Paulo, Minas Gerais, Mato Grosso do Sul and Goiás States. During the deposition of the Bauru Group (Aptian? to Maastrichtian) the climate was hot and arid-semiarid. Shallow lakes underwent fluctuations in expansion (wet phases) and contraction (dry phases), as well as variations in salinity. During the deposition of the Adamantina Formation (Turonian-Santonian) there were long, dry periods that caused segmentation of large lakes (due to topographic irregularities in the basaltic substrate) and sometimes exposures of the lake floors; when flooded these lake floors were colonized by extensive meadows of single species of charophytes. Small ephemeral ponds, that were hydrochemically unstable and colonized by multiple species of charophytes, were the depositional sites for the marls and mudstones of Ponte Alta Member (Maastrichtian, Late Maastrichtian?). Our micropaleontological age control, combined with the Late Cretaceous ages of volcanic ashes found in the southeastern Brazil coastal basins, and the stratigraphic position of analcimites from the Jaboticabal-SP region, suggest a Late Coniacian-Santonian age for important magmatic events occurred in the interior of Brazil (north-central São Paulo State, Triângulo Mineiro, and southwestern Goiás State).

Ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) on Wild Marsh-Deer (Blastocerus dichotomus) from Southeast Brazil: Infestations before and after Habitat Loss

The lake from Porto-Primavera hydroelectric power station inundated an area of 2,200 km2 at the border of São Paulo and Mato-Grosso do Sul States, Brazil. Infestations by ticks were evaluated on 135 marsh deer, Blastocerus dichotomus (Illiger), captured before and after inundation. Ticks were collected for identification, and infestation level of animals was assessed by scoring. Deer were divided into four groups according to capture location and temporal relation to the inundation. Groups 1, 2, and 3 were captured before inundation. Group 4 was captured after inundation. Four tick species were found: Amblyomma cajennense (F.), Amblyomma triste Koch, Anocentor nitens (Neumann), and Boophilus microplus (Canestrini). Groups 1, 2, 3, and 4 had 30, 45, 100, and 96%, respectively, of animals carrying B. microplus ticks. A. triste was observed on 16, 22, 22, and 88% of animals from groups 1,2,3, and 4, respectively. A. nitens and A. cajennense were observed only on group 4, on 32 and 16% of the animals, respectively. Groups 1 and 2 had only 4.8 and 6.1% of animals with high infestation levels, respectively, and no ticks on 46.8% and 45.5% of the animals, respectively. Conversely, groups 3 and 4 lacked noninfested animals and had high infestation levels on 77.8 and 50% of deer, respectively. Marsh area shrinkage was blamed for higher infestation levels on deer from groups 3 and 4. The widespread presence of A. triste on marsh deer, a Neotropical tick species, raises the possibility of a natural host-parasite relationship.

Tuberculosis survey of free-ranging marsh deer (Blastocerus dichotomus) in Brazil

Esophageal-pharyngeal fluids from 53 free-ranging marsh deer (Blastocerus dichotomus) captured for a research program in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, were assayed for tuberculosis. Total DNA was extracted, amplified by polymerase chain reaction using specific primers for Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (M. tuberculosis, M. bovis, M. microti, and M. africanum), and observed by agarose gel electrophoresis stained with ethidium bromide. All samples were negative. This, along with necropsy and histopathology data, suggests that these animals are not shedding and probably do not have active disease.

Faixas de controle de plantas daninhas e seus reflexos no crescimento de plantas de eucalipto

Two field trial were conducted in Eucalyptus grandis W. Hill ex Maiden x Eucalyptus urophylla S.T. Blake crops at Três Lagoas, Mato Grosso do Sul State and Brotas, São Paulo State, Brazil, to evaluate the effects of weed control in strip of different width on the Eucalyptus plant growth. The experiments consisted of two groups treatments: group 1 - with constant width control strips being kept during the first 12 months, i.e., at 0, 25, 50, 100, 125 and 150cm on each side of the Eucalyptus row and, group 2: with increasing width control strips being adopted along the experimental period, i.e., at 25 to 150, 25-50-150, 50 to 150, 50-125-150, 100-125-150, 100 tot 150 and 125 to 150 cm on each side of the Eucalyptus row during the first 12 months. At 49 moths after planting it was verified that the Eucalyptus plants that had grown both in the constant and increasing width control strips, equal to or higher than 100 and 50 cm, respectively, showed higher steam diameter, plant height, volume and annual increment average of wood. These results led to the conclusion that the minimum control strip width should be 100 cm on each side of the Eucalyptus row in order to keep the crop free of weed interference.

Evaluation of the development of Fafia - Pfaffia glomerata (Spreng.) Pedersen

The aim of this experiment is to evaluate the development in height of the plants of four accessions (2 from Parana - accession 1 and 2, one from São Paulo - accession 3, and one from Mato Grosso do Sul State- accession 4). The experimental design was made of randomized blocks, with four treatments (accessions) and four replications. In each plot were planted 24 seedlings. Five evaluations of the height were accomplished, with an interval of two months, starting from the second month after the planting of the seedlings. The results show a significant difference between accession 4 and other three accessions in first evaluation (141.42 % higher than accession 2, the lowest of three and 44.16 % higher than accession 3, the highest of three), demonstrating a higher vigour of this accession on initial stage of its development. In the second and third evaluation, all accessions have no statistical difference, demonstrating a similar level of development at intermedial stages of development. At 5 th evaluation, all accessions have almost the same result, with no statistical difference among them. This is a clear result of similar level of development of this species in these accessions, representing a stabilization of their height development at the end of first year. We concluded that fáfia possesses a strong initial growth, with visible difference among the accessions in the first months. From the eight month on, we observed a slight decrease in the height. This suggests the end of annual cycle.

Ocorrência de formigas Acromyrmex Mayr, 1865, em alguns municípios do Brasil

It were collected species of Acromyrmex Mayr, 1865 in many brazilian cities from Santa Catarina, Paraná, São Paulo, Minas Gerais, Goiás, Mato Grosso do Sul, Mato Grosso, Rondônia and Amapá states and in Paraguay and Uruguay, with the purpose to bring up-to-date their occurrence. Specimens collected on trips were identified at laboratory of Fca/Unesp/Botucatu-SP. It were recorded, for the first time, the occurrence of A. rugosus rugosus (F. Smith, 1858) in Paraná, Rondônia and Santa Catarina states; A. subterraneus subterraneus (Forel, 1893) in Amapá and Bahia; A. diasi Gonçalves, 1982 in Rio Grande do Sul and Paraná states; A. coronatus (Fabricius, 1804) in Paraná; A. balzani (Emery, 1890) in Amapá and A. subterranens brunneus (Forel, 1911) in Goiás.

Efeitos da dessecação de plantas de soja no potencial fisiológico e sanitário das sementes

The objective of this paper was to verify the ideal moment of application of desiccants on the soybeans crop, to obtain seeds with maximum physiological and sanitary quality. The cultivar IAC-15 was sowed at the experimental area of FE/UNESP - Campus of Ilha Solteira, located in the district of Selvíria, State of Mato Grosso do Sul (20° 22′S, 51° 22′W at approximately 335 m of altitude). The experimental design was a randomized block, with treatments in a factorial scheme of 3×3 and 4×4 (dessicant x application time), in 1996/97 and 1997/98, respectively. The desiccants applied during the season agricultural year 1996/97 were: paraquat, diquat, paraquat+diquat mix at the doses 400; 300; 200+150 e 400 g a.i.ha -1, respectively. In 1997/98 the same desiccants were used, at the same doses, with additional treatment application of ammonium glufosinate at the dose of 400 g a.i.ha -1. The desiccants were applied three times in 1996/97 and four times in 1997/98 with 5 days intervals starting at the R 6 stage. According to the environmental conditions of this research the best desiccation time was when soybean plants had 80% to 90% of pods with yellow and brown coloration and seeds with 45% to 60% of water content. There were no effects of any of the desiccants tested in the physiological and sanitary potential required for commercialization of the seeds.

Estimation of variance components and prediction of breeding values in rubber tree breeding using the REML/BLUP procedure

The present paper deals with estimation of variance components, prediction of breeding values and selection in a population of rubber tree [Hevea brasiliensis (Willd. ex Adr. de Juss.) Müell.-Arg.] from Rio Branco, State of Acre, Brazil. The REML/BLUP (restricted maximum likelihood/best linear unbiased prediction) procedure was applied. For this purpose, 37 rubber tree families were obtained and assessed in a randomized complete block design, with three unbalanced replications. The field trial was carried out at the Experimental Station of UNESP, located in Selvíria, State of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. The quantitative traits evaluated were: girth (G), bark thickness (BT), number of latex vessel rings (NR), and plant height (PH). Given the unbalanced condition of the progeny test, the REML/BLUP procedure was used for estimation. The narrow-sense individual heritability estimates were 0.43 for G, 0.18 for BT, 0.01 for NR, and 0.51 for PH. Two selection strategies were adopted: one short-term (ST - selection intensity of 8.85%) and the other long-term (LT - selection intensity of 26.56%). For G, the estimated genetic gains in relation to the population average were 26.80% and 17.94%, respectively, according to the ST and LT strategies. The effective population sizes were 22.35 and 46.03, respectively. The LT and ST strategies maintained 45.80% and 28.24%, respectively, of the original genetic diversity represented in the progeny test. So, it can be inferred that this population has potential for both breeding and ex situ genetic conservation as a supplier of genetic material for advanced rubber tree breeding programs. Copyright by the Brazilian Society of Genetics.

Primeiro registro documentado de Alectrurus tricolor para o Pantanal, Brasil

The Cock-tailed Tyrant (Alectrurus tricolor, Vielliot 1816) is reported here for the first time in the Brazilian Pantanal. The species was seen twice (August and September 2005) in the northern portion of Fazenda Rio Negro, in the region of Nhecolândia. Sexual displays were observed, suggesting that reproduction is occuring in this area.

Resistência à penetração de um solo em recuperação sob sistemas agrosilvopastoris

In the Research and Teaching Farm of the State University of São Paulo (UNESP) - Campus of Ilha Solteira, located in Selviria, in Mato Grosso do Sul State, a study was conducted with the objective of investigating the resistance to penetration of a highly degraded soil due to construction of a Hydroelectric Power Plant. The experimental design was a completely randomized, with five treatments and five replications. The treatments were constituted of the following uses and managements: area in advanced state of degradation; area under regeneration cultivated 13 years with Pinus; area under regeneration cultivated 11 years with green manure and pasture; degraded area with natural regeneration; and area with natural vegetation (savanna). The system where the area was under regeneration with Pinus cultivation and the niches with natural regeneration were the closest to natural condition (savanna). Except for the natural area (savanna), all others presented a higher resistance to penetration in the layer of 0.20-0.40 m, which represents serious limitations for growth of plant roots.

Os granitóides brasilianos da faixa de dobramentos paraguai, MS e MT

The Brazilian Granitic Province from southeastern Mato Grosso do Sul and Mato Grosso region, central western Brazil, can be divided into two major groups and/or magmatic events related to the evolution of the Paraguay Fold Belt. The southern portion crops out in Mato Grosso do Sul State and is constituted by the Taboco, Rio Negro, Coxim and Sonora massifs forming NE-SW oriented, elongated small intrusions. The north portion crops out in Mato Grosso State and is constituted by the São Vicente, Araguaiana and Lajinha batholiths. Lithogeochemical aspects of the northern granites point to Type-I granites ranging from K calc-alkaline to high-K, peraluminous to metaluminous in composition, generated in an environment of continental collision and/or post- collision decompression. The southern granites are Type-I, from K calc-alkaline to high-K, peraluminous to subordinate metalummous, in a syn-collision continental arc environment with the exception of some pre-collisional facies from the Rio Negro Massif. The southern granites have less SiO 2 and K 2O, and are less differentiated and evolved than granites from the northern region. The four southern granites can be grouped into two subordinate sets with the degree of differentiation increasing from South (Taboco and Rio Negro) to North (Coxim and Sonora). The granitic rocks are characterized by a magmatism generated by melting of material from the lower crust which suggests that in this province the formation from non-cogenetic magmas with diversified compositions and distinct degrees of fractioning reaching more steady consolidated environments at the end of the collisional event in the southeastern Amazonian Craton.

Morfo-anatomia do eixo vegetativo aéreo de Achyrocline alata (Kunth) DC. (Asteraceae)

Achyrocline alata occurs in a dense and low vegetation in Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil and it has been studied under physical-chemical and yield aspects, being scarce anatomical data. The present work has as objective the study of the aerial vegetative axis. Stem is cylindrical and hairy, having five wings, which are arisen from their leaves. The blade shows the presence of uniseriate epidermis, which is covered by the cuticle of variable thickness; and non-glandular and glandular trichomes. The non-glandular trichomes are uniseriate and multicellular and have their apex cell in whip form, while the glandular trichomes are multicellular, uniseriate or biseriate. The mesophyll is dorsiventral with uni-stratified palisade parenchyma in most of the cases and lacunal parenchyma formed by three to four layers of irregular cells. Only one collateral vascular bundle occurs in the midvein. Stem in transversal section is covered by epidermis with trichomes similar to leaves; the cortex is constituted by a discontinuous area of angular collenchyma, which is followed by chlorophyll parenchyma. Vascular cylinder that is delimited by pericycle shows vascular bundles of collateral type. In the secondary structure, the periderm is originated from epidermal and subepidermal tissues. In vascular region, the fascicular cambium differs into secondary xylem and phloem, while interfascicular cambium produces sclerenchymatous tissue.

Sistema de reprodução em pequenas populações fragmentadas e em árvores isoladas de Hymenaea stigonocarpa

Six microsatellite loci were used to quantify the mating system of two small fragmented populations (Selviria - SEL and Aparecida do Tabuado - APT, Mato Grosso do Sul State) and isolated trees in pastures, of the bat-pollinated tropical tree Hymenaea stignocarpa, growing in the Center-west region of Brazil. In SEL population, seeds were collected from 11 mother-trees; in APT, from three trees and, in the case of isolated trees, from six individuals growing at least 500 m apart in pastures. To investigate if there are differences on mating system between trees in populations and isolated trees, trees from populations were pooled as a group and, likewise, the isolated trees were pooled to another group. The outcrossing rate was higher in the populations (t̂ m= 0.873) than in isolated trees (t̂ m=0.857), but the difference was not significant. Significant and high differences between multi-locus and single-locus outcrossing rate were detected in populations (t̂ m- t̂ s=0.301, P<0.05) and isolated trees (t̂ m- t̂ s=0.276, P<0.05), suggesting mating between relatives. Higher paternity correlation was observed in trees from population (r̂ p=0.636) than in isolated trees (r̂ p=0.377), indicating the occurrence of some correlated matings and that part of offspring are full-sibs. It was not observed increased in self-fertilization rate in isolated trees in pastures. In general terms, the unique observed difference in mating system between populations and isolate trees was the high rate of correlated matings in trees from populations, due probably to the small distance among coespecifics and the pollinator behavior, visiting near trees.

Distribution and habitat use of Sordellina punctata (Serpentes, Colubridae), with a new record from State of São Paulo, Brazil

Sordellina punctata occurs throughout south and southeastern Brazil in the Atlantic Forest domain (states of São Paulo, Paraná and Santa Catarina). Records from the states of Rio de Janeiro and Mato Grosso do Sul are questionable. A new record from southwestern São Paulo extends its distribution west and northward, probably indicating a wider range in the past. Habitat use in S. punctata implies that it may be more associated with wetlands and other saturated areas than truly aquatics ones.