Avaliação da contaminação por elementos metálicos dos sedimentos do Estuário Santos - São Vicente

Three approaches were applied to evaluate metal contamination in 41 sediment samples from the Santos - São Vicente Estuarine System: normalization to Al, statistical analysis and sediment quality guidelines (SQGs). The results showed increases in the concentrations of Zn, Ni, Pb, Cd, Cr and Hg, which seemed to be associated with human activities. The levels of Al, Fe and Co probably were associated with crustal material or natural weathering processes. About 45% of the samples presented concentrations exceeding TEL-ERL, levels occasionally associated with adverse biological effects. Four of these samples presented concentrations above PEL-ERM, levels frequently associated with adverse biological effects.

The Southern Brazilian shelf: general characteristics, quaternary evolution and sediment distribution

Extending from latitude 34ºS to 22ºS the Southern Brazilian shelf constitutes the only part of the Brazilian shelf with a subtropical to temperate environment. The studies on the different geological aspects of the area began in the 1960's and have recently been reassessed after studies related to the determination of the Economic Exclusive Zone. In terms of morphology, the Southern Brazilian shelf may be divided into three sectors, the São Paulo Bight, the Florianópolis-Mostardas Sector and the Rio Grande Cone, characterized by conspicuous differences in terms of geological determining factors, bathymetry, declivities and the presence of canyons and channels. Despite the existence of hundreds of radiocarbon datings the sea level changes curve of southern Brazil during the Last Glacial Cycle is still a matter of debate. A recent controversy on the Middle and late Holocene sea level changes curve raised the question of the amplitude of the oscillations which occurred in the period. Also, a few but relatively consistent radiocarbon datings suggest the occurrence of a high sea level during Isotope Stage 3. In terms of sedimentary cover the Southern Brazilian shelf exhibits a very strong hydrodynamic control, both latitudinal and bathymetrical. The sector southward from 25ºS is characterized by the influence of the plume of water carrying sediments originating from the Río de La Plata. Actually its presence is conspicuous up to 28ºS, with the area between this latitude and 25ºS constituting a transitional zone. In terms of bathymetry the outer shelf is marked by the "floor-polisher" effect of the Brazil Current, which is responsible for the maintenance of a relict facies in areas deeper than 100 meters.

Paleoproductivity changes during the Late Quaternary in the southeastern Brazilian upper continental margin of the Southwestern Atlantic

Changes in the Brazilian continental margins oceanic productivity and circulation over the last 27,000 years were reconstructed based on sedimentological and microfaunal analyses. Our results suggest that oceanic paleoproductivity and the supply of terrigenous sediments to the Brazilian continental margin were higher during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) than during the Holocene. These changes may have been primarily influenced by significant sea level fluctuations that have occurred since the late Pleistocene. During the LGM, the lower sea level, higher productivity and lower sea-surface paleotemperatures may have been the result of the offshore displacement of the main flow of the Brazil Current. However, during the Holocene, the warm waters of the Brazil Current were displaced toward the coast. This displacement contributed to the increase in water temperature and prevented an increase in oceanic productivity. The decrease in terrigenous supply since the LGM could be related to the increase of the extension of the continental shelf and/or drier climatic conditions.

A catalogue of types of Conopoidea, Diopsoidea, Nerioidea and Tephritoidea (Diptera, Schizophora) in the collection of the Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de São Paulo

A catalogue is provided with the type material of four superfamilies of "Acalyptrate" (Conopoidea, Diopsoidea, Nerioidea and Tephritoidea) held in the collection of the Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de São Paulo (MZUSP), São Paulo, Brazil. Concerning the taxa dealt with herein, the Diptera collection of MZUSP held 77 holotypes, 4 "allotypes" and 194 paratypes. In this paper, information about data labels, preservation and missing structures of the type specimens is given.

Population structure of the lancelet Branchiostoma caribaeum (Cephalochordata: Branchiostomidae) in the Baía de Guanabara, Rio de Janeiro, southeastern Brazil

Population structure of the lancelet Branchiostoma caribaeum Sandevall, 1853 was studied in four surveys, corresponding to austral seasons, in a tropical bay, southeast of Brazil. Abundance was higher in the spring and was positively correlated to coarse sediments, limiting its occurrence to some sectors of the sampling area. Body length and biomass differed seasonally but not between sexes. Sexually mature individuals occurred in all seasons, suggesting continuous breeding that is typical of tropical species. Variation in the frequency of small specimens indicates temporal differences in the intensity of breeding. The body length of recruits differed from other population of lancelets and the small length which B. caribaeum attained sexual maturity in Guanabara Bay may be related to local environmental stress or the great availability of food.

Trichopeltariidae (Crustacea, Decapoda, Brachyura), a new family and superfamily of eubrachyuran crabs with description of one new genus and five new species

A new family, Trichopeltariidae, is proposed to accommodate Sphaeropeltarion edentatum, new genus and species, and four additional genera traditionally placed in the family Atelecyclidae: Trichopeltarion A. Milne-Edwards, 1880 (type genus); Peltarion Hombron & Jacquinot, 1846; Podocatactes Ortmann, 1893; and Pteropeltarion Dell, 1972. Additionally, four new species of Trichopeltarion are described and illustrated. The new family exhibits characters of neither superfamilies of the Section Eubrachyura and is assigned to its own superfamily, Trichopeltarioidea nov. Keys to the genera of Trichopeltariidae fam. nov. and to all species in the family are presented (species of Trichopeltarion excepted). Six new combinations are proposed or confirmed. The genus Krunopeltarion Števčić, 1993, is merged into the synonymy of Trichopeltarion. A lectotype is selected for Trichopeltarion corallinum (Faxon, 1893).

On the type material of Scyllarides deceptor Holthuis, 1963 (Crustacea: Decapoda: Scyllaridae)

The only specimen listed in the original description of Scyllarides deceptor Holthuis, 1963 is the holotype from São Paulo, Brazil, presently housed in the Leiden Museum. From the original description, however, it is clear that the new species was actually based on a number of additional specimens. Six of them exist in the collections of the Museum of Zoology in São Paulo, and are shown herein to be paratypes of S. deceptor. Scyllarides deceptor and S. brasiliensis Rathbun, 1906, continue to be confounded with one another, in consequence of their very similar color patterns and locally sympatric distributions. As many as 251,786 tons of slipper lobsters have been landed in Santa Catarina between 2000 and 2007. These catches have been attributed to S. deceptor alone and did not take into consideration the existence of a second species in the area, S. brasiliensis. Correct recognition of slipper-lobster species will be critical to properly evaluate the lobster stocks in southeastern Brazil. An opportunity is taken herein to elaborate on the taxonomy of S. deceptor and S. brasiliensis.

Revision of the genus Physoclypeus Hendel, 1907 (Diptera, Lauxaniidae), with description of seven new species

The genus Physoclypeus Hendel, 1907 has its distribution restricted to the Neotropical region. In this study, its species have been redescribed, three new combinations have been proposed, three lectotypes have been designated, seven new species have been described, and an identification key to the species is presented. An updated list of species of Physoclypeus is presented as: P. annulatus Hendel, 1925; P. coquilletti (Hendel, 1908); P. farinosus (Hendel, 1925); P. flavus (Wiedemann, 1830); P. hendeli sp. nov. (Type locality, Jamaica, N. Irish Town); P. lineatus (Williston, 1896) new comb.; P. montanus (Becker, 1919) new comb.; P. plaumanni sp. nov. (Type locality, Brazil, Santa Catarina); P. risaraldensis sp. nov. (Type locality, Colombia, Risaralda); P. saltensis sp. nov. (Type locality, Argentina, Salta); P. scutellatus (Curran, 1926) new comb.; P. unimaculatus sp. nov. (Type locality, Mexico, Vera Cruz); P. vitattus sp. nov. (Type locality, Brazil, Santa Catarina) and P. zebrinus sp. nov. (Type locality, Costa Rica, Limón).

A new species of Euprognatha Stimpson, 1871 (Crustacea, Brachyura, Inachoididae) from off coast of northeastern Brazil

A new species of Euprognatha Stimpson, 1871 from off coast of Brazil (Canopus Bank, 02º15.3'00"S - 38º16.0'00"W) is described and illustrated, namely Euprognatha limatula n. sp. The new species is compared to its congeners. Lectotypes are designated for E. acuta A. Milne-Edwards, 1880 and E. granulata Faxon, 1893. A key to the species of Euprognatha is provided.

Polychaete assemblage of an impacted estuary, Guanabara Bay, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Thirty-eight stations were sampled in Guanabara Bay, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to assess the spatio-temporal diversity and biomass of sublittoral polychaetes. Samples were collected during the dry (September 2000) and rainy season (May 2001) in shallow sublittoral sediments. The polychaete spatial composition showed a heterogeneous distribution throughout the bay. A negative gradient of diversity and biomass was observed towards the inner parts of the bay and sheltered areas. A wide azoic area was found inside the bay. Some high-biomass and low-diversity spots were found near a sewage-discharge point. In these areas, the polychaete biomass increased after the rainy season. A diversified polychaete community was identified around the bay mouth, with no dramatic changes of this pattern between the two sampling periods. Deposit-feeders were dominant in the entire study area. The relative importance of carnivores and omnivores increased towards the outer sector, at stations with coarse sediment fractions. Guanabara Bay can be divided into three main zones with respect to environmental conditions and polychaete diversity and biomass patterns: A) High polychaete diversity, hydrodynamically exposed areas composed of sandy, oxidized or moderately reduced sediments with normoxic conditions in the water column. B) Low diversity and high biomass of deposit and suspension-feeding polychaete species in the middle part of the bay near continental inflows, comprising stations sharing similar proportions of silt, clay and fine sands. C) Azoic area or an impoverished polychaete community in hydrodynamically low-energy areas of silt and clay with extremely reduced sediments, high total organic matter content and hypoxic conditions in the water column, located essentially from the mid-bay towards the north sector. High total organic matter content and hypoxic conditions combined with slow water renewal in the inner bay seemed to play a key role in the polychaete diversity and biomass. Sedimentation processes and organic load coming from untreated sewage into the bay may have negatively affected the survivorship of the fauna.

Novos táxons em Elaphidionini e Eburiini (Cerambycidae, Cerambycinae)

São descritos novos táxons em Cerambycinae, Elaphidionini: Parapantonyssus gen. nov., espécie-tipo, P. ipiri sp. nov. da Guatemala (San Marcos); Aposphaerion nigritum sp. nov. da Bolívia. Em Eburiini: Beraba tate sp. nov., da Bolívia; Eburodacrys translucida do Brasil (Paraíba); E. errata sp. nov. e E. fraterna sp. nov. da Bolívia.

Novos táxons em Onciderini (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae, Lamiinae)

Novos táxons descritos: Oncideres sparsemaculatus sp. nov., da Guatemala (San Marcos); Oncideres estebani sp. nov. da Costa Rica (Alajuela); Neohylus alexandrei sp. nov. e Hypsioma bahiensis, sp. nov. do Brasil (Rondônia e Bahia, respectivamente); Paraplerodia gen. nov., espécie-tipo, P. acarinata sp. nov., Hesycha biguttata sp. nov., Trestonia lateapicata sp. nov. e Pseudobeta transversa sp. nov. da Bolívia (Santa Cruz).

Registros novos e adicionais de teleósteos marinhos na costa brasileira

São apresentadas novas informações sobre a distribuição geográfica de algumas espécies de peixes teleósteos que ocorrem na costa brasileira, incluindo duas espécies que nunca haviam sido registradas em nossas águas. Os serranídeos Pseudogramma gregoryi (assinalado da Flórida à Venezuela) e Plectranthias garrupellus (registrado da Carolina do Norte ao Caribe) foram encontrados, respectivamente, na costa do Ceará e na costa sudeste-sul do Brasil. São aqui mencionados e discutidos os dois primeiros registros do gênero Caristius (Caristiidae) no Brasil, bem como os primeiros registros na costa sudeste-sul do Brasil das espécies Enchelycore carychroa (Muraenidae), e Chilomycterus antillarum (Diodontidae), e da espécie Neobythites brasiliensis(Bythitidae) no nordeste do Brasil. É também assinalada a ocorrência mais setentrional do pargo Calamus mu (Sparidae), uma espécie até então circunscrita à região entre o Espírito Santo e São Paulo, e são discutidos os registros adicionais de Bascanichthys paulensis (Ophichthidae), Nezumia aequalis (Macrouridae), Antigonia combatia (Caproidae) e Notolycodes schmidti (Zoarcidae) na costa brasileira.

Abuso sexual na infância e adolescência: perfil das vítimas e agressores em município do sul do Brasil

Estudo descritivo e de corte transversal que objetivou conhecer as características do abuso sexual em crianças e adolescentes de zero a 14 anos, a partir dos casos registrados nos Conselhos Tutelares e programas de atendimento do município de Londrina-PR, em 2006. Os dados foram coletados por meio de formulário e posteriormente analisados por frequência (absoluta e relativa) e proporção. Dos 186 casos, as vítimas foram predominantemente do sexo feminino (74,2%) e o risco de incidência foi maior na idade de 10 anos entre as meninas (coeficiente de cinco por 1.000); 97,3% dos agressores eram do sexo masculino; maior parte dos abusos ocorreu na residência das vítimas (52,7%) e durou menos de seis meses (57%). Houve lesão corporal em 90,3% dos casos, com seqüela física e psicológica em 97,8%. O abuso sexual entre crianças e adolescentes constitui-se um problema de saúde pública, além da estreita interface com as questões policiais e jurídicas.

Comparative descriptions of eggs from three species of Rhodnius (Hemiptera: Reduviidae: Triatominae)

The authors describe and compare the morphological and ultrastructural characteristics of eggs from the three most recent described species of the genus Rhodnius Stål, 1859, which have not previously been studied. These species are Rhodnius colombiensis (Mejia, Galvão & Jurberg 1999), Rhodnius milesi (Carcavallo, Rocha, Galvão & Jurberg 2001) and Rhodnius stali (Lent, Jurberg & Galvão 1993). The results revealed that there are similarities in the exochorial architecture of optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy; these include the predominance of hexagonal cells that are common to all Rhodnius species and variable degrees of lateral flattening, which is common not only to species of this genus, but also to the Rhodniini tribe. Differences in overall colour, the presence of a collar in R. milesi, a longitudinal bevel in R. stali and the precise length of R. colombiensis can be useful distinguishing features. As a result of this study, the key for egg identification proposed by Barata in 1981 can be updated.