Distribution of constitutive heterochromatin in Triatoma melanocephala (Hemiptera, Triatominae)

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

Distribution of constitutive heterochromatin in species of triatomines with fragmentation of sex chromosomes X

Cytogenetic analyses of triatomines are considered to be important taxonomic tools. Thus, we analyzed the pattern of constitutive heterochromatin in 7 species of triatomine with fragmentation of the sex chromosome X, focusing on the cytotaxonomy of these triatomines. The species analyzed included Triatoma vitticeps, Triatoma melanocephala, Triatoma tibiamaculata, Triatoma protracta, Meccus pallidipennis, Panstrongylus megistus, and Panstrongylus lignarius. The seminiferous tubules of the adult males were subjected to C-banding. P. megistus and P. lignarius showed differences in chromosome number and disposition of constitutive heterochromatin, as only P. lignarius showed C-blocks in autosomes. C-banding can differentiate these species, since one of the sex chromosome (X) is heterochromatic in T. vitticeps. T. protracta showed C-blocks in both ends of all autosomes, T. tibiamaculata showed terminal C-dots in some autosomal pairs and M. pallidipennis did not show constitutive heterochromatin in autosomes. Thus, we confirmed the heterochromatic pattern of 7 species of insects and emphasized the importance of cytogenetic techniques for C-banding for taxonomy studies of the triatomines, which are important vectors of Chagas disease.

Spatio-temporal distribution of calling male frogs in Morro do Diabo State Park (Southeastern Brazil): implications for conservation and management in a seasonally dry tropical forest

The aims of this study are to determine how anuran calling males are spatially and temporally distributed in the Morro do Diabo State Park (MDSP), and to test for indicator species in different breeding habitats. We found high species turnover among breeding habitats of different hydroperiods. Our results indicate that spatial partitioning is more important than seasonal occurrence in permitting species coexistence at MDSP. Indicator Species Analysis identified one species associated with a local stream, one species associated with permanent ponds, two species associated with temporary ponds, and three species associated with a semipermanent pond. Guilds of species do not appear to stratify their distributions throughout the year, since most species occur during the rainy and warm months and are thus temporally overlapping. The main conservation implication of our work is the need to protect the different areas of the park where these unique breeding habitats, and their associated anuran assemblages, are found.

A new species of Amerotyphlops from Northeastern Brazil, with comments on distribution of related species

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

Advertisement call, colour variation, natural history, and geographic distribution of Proceratophrys caramaschii (Anura: Odontophrynidae)

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Chromosomal characteristics and distribution of constitutive heterochromatin in the Matogrossensis and Rubrovaria subcomplexes

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

Spatial distribution of the daily precipitation concentration index in Algeria

In this paper, the spatial and temporal distribution of the daily precipitation concentration index (CI) in Algeria (south Mediterranean Sea) has been assessed. CI is an index related to the rainfall intensity and erosive capacity; therefore, this index is of great interest for studies on torrential rainfall and floods. Forty-two daily rainfall series based on high-quality and fairly regular rainfall records for the period from 1970 to 2008 were used. The daily precipitation CI results allowed the identification of three climate zones: the northern country, characterized by coastal regions with CI values between 0.59 and 0.63; the highlands, with values between 0.57 and 0.62, except for the region of Biskra (CI = 0.70); and the southern region of the country, with high rainfall concentrations with values between 0.62 and 0.69.

Distribution of non-LEE-encoded type 3 secretion system dependent effectors in enteropathogenic Escherichia coli

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

Implementing new northernmost records to modelling the distribution of Hypsiboas caingua (Anura: Hylidae) in South America

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Ecological distribution of the shrimp Pleoticus muelleri (Bate, 1888) and Artemesia longinaris Bate, 1888 (Decapoda, Penaeoidea) in the southeastern Brazilian littoral

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

Resistance to tetracycline and β-lactams and distribution of resistance markers in enteric microorganisms and pseudomonads isolated from the oral cavity

This study evaluated the occurrence of enteric bacteria and pseudomonads resistant to tetracycline and beta-lactams in the oral cavity of patients exhibiting gingivitis (n=89); periodontitis (n=79), periodontally healthy (n=50) and wearing complete dentures (n=41). Microbial identification and presence of resistance markers associated with the production of beta-lactamases and tetracycline resistance were performed by using biochemical tests and PCR. Susceptibility tests were carried out in 201 isolates of enteric cocci and rods. Resistance to ampicillin, amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, imipenem, meropenem and tetracycline was detected in 57.4%, 34.6%, 2.4%, 1.9% and 36.5% of the isolates, respectively. beta-lactamase production was observed in 41.2% of tested microorganisms, while the most commonly found beta-lactamase genetic determinant was gene bla(TEM). Tetracycline resistance was disseminated and a wide scope of tet genes were detected in all studied microbial genus.

Systematics and distribution of freshwater Audouinella (Arochaetiaceae, Rhodophyta) in Brazil

Forty-five Brazilian populations of freshwater Audouinella were analysed using multivariate morphometrics. These populations were statistically related to seven type specimens. Five species are recognised on the basis of qualitative (plant colour and size, basal system type and branch angle) and quantitative (length and diameter of vegetative cells and monosporangia) characters. A. hermannii (syn. A. violacea) is characterised by a reddish colour, an irregular prostrate basal system, open branch angles (greater than or equal to 25 degrees) and small monosporangia (less than or equal to 15 mu m in diameter). A. macrospora (syn. A. chalybea var. brasiliensis) is distinguished from the other Brazilian species by having a bluish colour, a basal system composed of well-developed rhizoids, narrow branch angles (< 25 degrees) and large monosporangia (greater than or equal to 15 mu m in diameter). A. meiospora is microscopic and has a reddish colour, a basal system composed of creeping filaments, narrow branch angles and small monosporangia. A. pysmaea (syn. A. leibleinii) is characterised by being bluish, having an irregular prostrate basal system, narrow branch angles and small monosporangia. A, tenella is distinct from the other species by having a reddish colour, an irregular prostrate basal system, open branch angles, small monosporangia and small vegetative cells (less than or equal to 6 mu m in diameter). An identification key and revised descriptions and synonyms are presented for the five species. A. meiospora and A. tenella are reported for the first time for Brazil. A. macrospora and A. pygmaea were the most widespread species and occurred in tropical and subtropical regions. A. meiospora was found at two sites in a tropical rainforest region, whereas A. hermannii and A. tenella were found at only one site. Selected physical and chemical environmental data (temperature, specific conductance, current velocity, turbidity, pH and dissolved oxygen) are presented for most species.

Distribution of the root system of peach palm under drip irrigation

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

Distribution of stream macroalgae in the northwest region of Sao Paulo State, southeastern Brazil

Forty-four stream segments were sampled from May to October in 1992 and 1993 in the northwest region of São Paulo State, southeastern Brazil (19 degrees 45'-21 degrees 25'S, 49 degrees 05'-51 degrees 30'S). Thirty-six macroalgal subgeneric taxa were found and Chlorophyta was the dominant algal group (47% species), followed by Cyanophyta (33.5%), Rhodophyta (14%) and Chrysophyta (5.5%). The most widespread species were Stigeoclonium helveticum (25% sites), Batrachospermum delicatulum and Compsopogon coeruleus (20.5%). Distribution was patchy, with species number per sampling site ranging from 0 to six (3.1 +/- 1.7) and correlated positively with species abundance. Species cover ranged from 0 to 61% of the stream bottom (19.1 +/- 19.7%). Most sites (57%) were dominated by one or two macroalgae species. No significant difference was found between the frequency distribution of variables measured for streams and for total macroalgae, but the most widespread species differed for most parameters and occurred over wider ranges of environmental conditions. Mean species number and abundance were close to values found in distinct regions or biomes of North America. Higher conductance and lower oxygen values, as well as rocky substrata, generally constituted the most favourable combination of conditions for the development of macroalgae in the region. The pattern of strong dominance of few species was considered to be typical for stream macroalgal communities in general.

Distribution of melanin-concentrating hormone neurons projecting to the medial mammillary nucleus

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