A new species of Bryconadenos (Characiformes: Characidae) from the rio Curuá, rio Xingu drainage, Brazil

A second inseminating species bearing club cells organized into an anal-fin gland in sexually active males belonging to the genus Bryconadenos was recently discovered in the rio Xingu drainage and is described as new. It is distinguished from B. tanaothoros by the presence of a conspicuous dark blotch at the humeral region, and fewer scale rows between dorsal-fin origin and anal-fin origin. Males of B. weitzmani have longer pelvic fins at sizes beyond 30 mm SL. Bryconadenos weitzmani is further distinguished from B. tanaothoros by the cup shape of the anal-fin gland, its lower part much more developed than the upper, whereas in B. tanaothoros there is just a slit separating the almost equally developed upper and lower parts.

Potamotrygon boesemani (Chondrichthyes: Myliobatiformes: Potamotrygonidae), a new species of Neotropical freshwater stingray from Surinam

Potamotrygon boesemani, new species, is described from the Corantijn river drainage in Surinam. The species has a diagnostic dorsal color pattern formed by deep orange to red ocellated spots of irregular form, encircled by relatively broad black rings. Potamotrygon boesemani is distinguished from other ocellated congeners (P. motoro, P. henlei and P. leopoldi) by the more intensely colored ocelli, which are usually yellow in the latter species. From P. motoro it is also distinguished by the darker dorsal background coloration, by the broader black contour of the dorsal ocelli, and by the irregular form of the ocelli as compared to the more rounded shape in the latter species. From P. henlei and P. leopoldi, it is distinguished by the lack of ocelli on tail. From the tentatively identified specimen of P. ocellata, which also has dark orange ocelli, the irregular contour of the ocelli in the new species is also distinctive. The teeth are relatively smaller and in greater number than in P. motoro and P. ocellata, with up to 45 rows in the upper jaw.

A new species of Sickesia (Laniatores: Stygnidae: Opiliones) and new records for the State of Piauí, Brazil

Sickesia tremembe sp. nov. is described from Piauí, Northeast Brazil (type-locality: Sete Cidades National Park, Brasileira and Piracuruca municipalities). It differs from S. usta and S. helmuti by the clavate male femur IV and chelicerae segment I with a pair of large tubercles on retrolateral surface. The Stygnidae Stygnus polyacanthus (Mello-Leitão, 1923); the Cosmetidae, Gryne pluriarcuata Mello-Leitão, 1936 and undetermined species of Paecilaema and Gryne and also representatives of Escadabiidae and Sclerosomatidae (Gagrellinae) are recorded from this state, for the first time.

Litter size, effects of maternal body size, and date of birth in South American scorpions (Arachnida: Scorpiones)

We present new data on litter size and date of birth (month) for 21 South American scorpions species. We provide data for one katoikogenic species, the liochelid Opisthacanthus cayaporum Vellard, 1932 (offspring = 3; birth month: Jan); and for several apoikogenic species, such as the bothriurids Bothriurus araguayae Vellard, 1934 (53; Sep), B. rochensis San Martín, 1965 (22-28; Jan, Aug); the buthids Ananteris balzanii Thorell, 1891 (10-34; Jan-Mar), Physoctonus debilis (Koch, 1840) (2; Sep), Rhopalurus amazonicus Lourenço, 1986 (19; Nov), R. lacrau Lourenço & Pinto-da-Rocha, 1997 (30; Dec), R. laticauda Thorell, 1876 (41; Nov), R. rochai Borelli, 1910 (11-47; Dec-Jan, Mar-Apr), Tityus bahiensis (Perty, 1833) (4-23; Oct-Mar), T. clathratus Koch, 1844 (8-18; Nov-Jan), T. costatus (Karsch, 1879) (21-25; Jan, Apr), T. kuryi Lourenço, 1997 (4-16; Mar), T. mattogrossensis Borelli, 1901(8-9; May), T. obscurus (Gervais, 1843) (16-31; Jan-Feb, May, Jul), T. serrulatus Lutz & Mello, 1922 (8-36; Dec, Feb-Apr), T. silvestris Pocock, 1897 (5-14; Dec-Jan, Apr), T. stigmurus (Thorell, 1876) (10-18; Nov, Jan, Mar), Tityus sp. 1 (T. clathratus group - 7-12; Feb-Apr), Tityus sp. 2 (T. bahiensis group - 2; Mar); and the chactid Brotheas sp. (8-21; Jan, Apr). We observed multiple broods: R. lacrau (offspring in the 2nd brood = 27), T. kuryi (6-16), T. obscurus (2-32), T. silvestris (8), T. stigmurus (4-9), T. bahiensis (offspring in the 2nd brood = 2-18; 3rd = 1), and T. costatus (2nd brood = 18; 3rd = 4). We found statistically significant positive correlation between female size and litter size for T. bahiensis and T. silvestris, and nonsignificant correlation for T. serrulatus.

Immature stages of the moth Lobeza dentilinea (Lepidoptera: Notodontidae), with redescription of the species based on male and female morphology

Egg and pupa of Lobeza dentilinea Schaus, 1901 are described and illustrated for the first time. Eggs are smooth, dome-shaped, and greenish at oviposition. Last instar larvae have an aposematic coloration and the chaetotaxy is very similar to other notodontines, except for the number of lateral setae: L. dentilinea has three instead of four lateral setae on abdominal segments A3-A6. Pupae are light brown and typical of the family, with the last abdominal segments broadly round. Evidence from the adult morphology supporting the placement of the genus in Notodontinae includes proboscis smaller than the length of the head, epiphysis with more than half the length of tibia, tarsal claws simple, and labial palpi short. Male and female are confidently associated, and a redescription of the species is presented based on both sexes. Larvae of L. dentilinea are here recorded feeding on a Melastomataceae.

Chemical composition, acetylcholinesterase inhibitory and antifungal activities of Pera glabrata (Schott) Baill. (Euphorbiaceae)

Pera glabrata (Schott) Baill. was selected for this study after showing a preliminary positive result in a screening of Atlantic Forest plant species in the search for acetylcholinesterase inhibitors and antifungal compounds. The bioassays were conducted with crude ethanol extract of the leaves using direct bioautography method for acetylcholinesterase and antifungal activities. This extract was partitioned with hexane, chloroform and ethyl acetate solvents. The active chloroform fraction was submitted to silica gel chromatography column affording 12 groups. Caffeine, an alkaloid, which showed detection limits of 0.1 and 1.0 µg for anticholinesterasic and antifungal activities, respectively, was isolated from group nine. After microplate analyses, only groups four, nine, 10, 11 and 12 showed acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity of 40% or higher. The group 12 was purified by preparative layer chromatography affording four sub-fractions. Two sub-fractions from this group were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and gas chromatography-flame ionization detector. The first sub-fraction showed anticholinesterasic activity and contained two major compounds: 9-hydroxy-4-megastigmen-3-one (84%) and caffeine (6%). The second sub-fraction presented five major compounds identified as 9-hydroxy-4-megastigmen-3-one, isololiolide, (-) loliolide, palmitic acid and lupeol and did not show activity.

Two new species of Moenkhausia Eigenmann (Characiformes: Characidae) from Serra do Cachimbo, Pará, Northern Brazil

Two new species of Moenkhausia, one from the rio Tapajós and the other from the rio Xingu basins are described as apparently endemics of the Serra do Cachimbo. Both species, along with M. petymbuaba, share a distinct color pattern composed of large conspicuous dark blotches on the base of the body scales. Moenkhausia chlorophthalma, from rio Treze de Maio, a tributary to rio Curuá (rio Xingu basin), is distinguished by the presence of a proximal well delimited black area on the adipose fin and a green eye in life. Moenkhausia plumbea of the headwaters of tributaries of the rio Braço Norte, rio Tapajós basin is diagnosed by the presence of a dark longitudinal stripe across the eye and six branched pelvic-fin rays (vs. seven). Relationships of the new species with other Moenkhausia are discussed.

Systematics of Lamontichthys Miranda-Ribeiro (Siluriformes: Loricariidae), with the description of two new species

The taxonomic revision of the genus Lamontichthys Miranda-Ribeiro, based on the examination of 164 specimens of different river drainages throughout the Amazon basin, revealed the presence of six species of which two are new. Lamontichthys filamentosus occurs in the upper and middle portions of the rio Amazonas basin; L. llanero in the río Orinoco basin; L. maracaibero in the lago Maracaibo basin; and L. stibaros in the upper río Amazonas basin. Lamontichthys avacanoeiro, new species, occurs in the upper rio Tocantins basin; and L. parakana, new species, in the lower rio Tocantins basin. The new species represent a considerable extension in the so far known distribution of the genus. A parsimony analysis, including 87 osteological and external morphological characters from Lamontichthys and related taxa (total of 16), resulted in three most parsimonious trees with 194 steps (CI = 0.73 and RI = 0.78). The hypothesis of monophyly of Lamontichthys is corroborated and supported by six derived characters. Within Lamontichthys two monophyletic assemblages are recognized, one includes L. avacanoeiro and L. stibaros, the other includes L. maracaibero and the clade formed by L. filamentosus and L. llanero. The relationships of Lamontichthys parakana, a species that was not included in the phylogenetic analysis is discussed. The monophyly and relationships of the monotypic genus Pterosturisoma microps are also discussed.

A new species of Hemiancistrus from the rio Araguaia basin, Goiás state, Brazil (Siluriformes: Loricariidae)

Hemiancistrus cerrado is described from the tributaries of rio Araguaia, rio Tocantins basin. Hemiancistrus cerrado has external similarities with H. megalopteryx and H. punctulatus from coastal streams of southern Brazil, and can be distinguished by having a larger internarial width, 15.9-21.1% of head length (vs. 11.2-14.0% in H. megalopteryx and 11.2-13.9% in H. punctulatus) and, with little overlap, by the larger adipose-fin spine length, 9.4-13.6% of standard length (vs. 7.1-8.7% in H. megalopteryx and 7.4-10.0% in H. punctulatus). Hemiancistrus cerrado further differs from H. megalopteryx by having the pectoral-fin spine reaching maximally to the middle of the pelvic-fin spine when adpressed in adult males (vs. reaching tip). Hemiancistrus cerrado differs from other members of Hemiancistrus by color and numerous morphometric and meristic data.

Mamíferos não voadores (Mammalia) da Estação Ecológica Serra Geral do Tocantins

A comunidade de mamíferos terrestres foi amostrada em três localidades (1-Mateiros, TO; 2- Rio da Conceição, TO e 3- Formosa do Rio Preto, BA) no interior da Estação Ecológica Serra Geral do Tocantins. Para o registro dos marsupiais e pequenos roedores foram utilizadas armadilhas convencionais (5.396 armadilhas.noite) e armadilhas de queda (5.300 pitfalls.noite) nas diferentes fitofisionomias encontradas, entre elas: campo úmido, campo limpo, campo sujo, campo cerrado, cerrado sensu stricto, cerrado com afloramentos rochosos, mata de galeria e mata de galeria úmida. No caso dos mamíferos de médio e grande porte, foram obtidos registros casuais através de observação direta e evidências indiretas (rastros, fezes, crânios e carcaças de animais encontrados mortos). Foram amostradas 24 espécies de pequenos mamíferos e 17 espécies de mamíferos de médio e grande porte, totalizando 41 espécies para a região. Considerando-se os pequenos mamíferos, a comunidade foi representada por várias espécies raras e de abundância intermediária, e poucas espécies muito abundantes. Os roedores cricetídeos dominaram tanto em número de espécies (14) quanto em abundância (50% da comunidade). As espécies se distribuíram, basicamente, em dois tipos de fisionomias: um grupo esteve restrito aos ambientes florestais, e outro às formações abertas, demonstrando a grande seletividade de hábitats e a importância de se amostrar o mosaico de hábitats presente na região para uma melhor caracterização da diversidade deste grupo de mamíferos. Em termos biogeográficos, a fauna de pequenos mamíferos amostrada apresentou certa sobreposição com a fauna da Caatinga e da Amazônia, evidenciando a importância destes domínios para a composição de espécies das comunidades que habitam a porção norte do Cerrado, além da presença de espécies endêmicas e de distribuição geográfica restrita ao norte do domínio, caracterizando uma comunidade distinta de outras regiões do Cerrado. Em relação aos mamíferos de médio e grande porte, a presença de um elevado número de espécies ameaçadas de extinção (10) também ressalta a importância da preservação desta região.

Morcegos (Mammalia: Chiroptera) da Estação Ecológica Serra Geral do Tocantins: composição específica e considerações taxonômicas

Registramos 39 espécies de quirópteros na Estação Ecológica Serra Geral do Tocantins e áreas adjacentes, nordeste do estado do Tocantins, durante 28 dias de trabalho de campo nos anos de 2003 e 2008 e na estação chuvosa. Este estudo da quiropterofauna é um dos primeiros para o estado do Tocantins, aumentando o número de espécies conhecido para esta região, com 29 espécies registradas pela primeira vez no estado. As espécies mais abundantes foram P. lineatus e C. perspicillata, com 23,5 e 15,4% do total de capturas. A diversidade no nível de família também foi alta: Phyllostomidae (26 espécies), Vespertilionidae (5), Molossidae (3), Emballonuridae (2), Mormoopidae (1), Noctilionidae (1) e Thyropteridae (1). A maioria das áreas mésicas e de cerrado (s.s.) não estão incluídas em unidades de conservação, representando uma ameaça para espécies restritas a estes tipos de hábitats, como T. devivoi que foi capturada apenas em áreas de veredas com Heliconiacea. Além disso, a região vem sendo alterada devido ao rápido avanço da agricultura e pastagens e do turismo crescente. Assim, a elevada diversidade de morcegos registrada na região, além dos diversos papéis ecológicos que estas espécies desempenham, somadas às ameaças acima relatadas, aumentam as prioridades em se estabelecer estratégias de conservação para este grupo de mamíferos nas regiões adjacentes à Estação Ecológica Serra Geral do Tocantins. Dentre as espécies com interesse taxonômico, biogeográfico e de conservação destacam-se Lonchophylla dekeyseri, Glyphonycteris behnii, Micronycteris sanborni, Artibeus anderseni, Sturnira tildae e a recém-descrita Thyroptera devivoi.

Modulation of peritoneal macrophage activity by the saturation state of the fatty acid moiety of phosphatidylcholine

To determine the effects of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids in phosphatidylcholine (PC) on macrophage activity, peritoneal lavage cells were cultured in the presence of phosphatidylcholine rich in saturated or unsaturated fatty acids (sat PC and unsat PC, respectively), both used at concentrations of 32 and 64 µM. The treatment of peritoneal macrophages with 64 µM unsat PC increased the production of hydrogen peroxide by 48.3% compared to control (148.3 ± 16.3 vs 100.0 ± 1.8%, N = 15), and both doses of unsat PC increased adhesion capacity by nearly 50%. Moreover, 64 µM unsat PC decreased neutral red uptake by lysosomes by 32.5% compared to the untreated group (67.5 ± 6.8 vs 100.0 ± 5.5%, N = 15), while both 32 and 64 µM unsat PC decreased the production of lipopolysaccharide-elicited nitric oxide by 30.4% (13.5 ± 2.6 vs 19.4 ± 2.5 µM) and 46.4% (10.4 ± 3.1 vs 19.4 ± 2.5 µM), respectively. Unsat PC did not affect anion production in non-stimulated cells or phagocytosis of unopsonized zymosan particles. A different result pattern was obtained for macrophages treated with sat PC. Phorbol 12-miristate 13-acetate-elicited superoxide production and neutral red uptake were decreased by nearly 25% by 32 and 64 µM sat PC, respectively. Sat PC did not affect nitric oxide or hydrogen peroxide production, adhesion capacity or zymosan phagocytosis. Thus, PC modifies macrophage activity, but this effect depends on cell activation state, fatty acid saturation and esterification to PC molecule and PC concentration. Taken together, these results indicate that the fatty acid moiety of PC modulates macrophage activity and, consequently, is likely to affect immune system regulation in vivo.

Should reproductively isolated populations of Lutzomyia longipalpis sensu lato receive taxonomically valid names?

A group of 18 research workers involved in different aspects of the biology of Lutzomyia longipalpis discussed whether or not it is important to give taxonomically valid names to populations that have been defined by biological, biochemical and molecular methods to be reproductively isolated. The type material of this medically important species has been lost and because of this it was recommended that a colony should be established from insects captured in the region of the type area and that their description should serve as the basis for future descriptions. It was pointed out that there is a lack of uniformity in the naming of closely related American sand flies and that some of the differences between populations of Lu. longipalpis are greater than those between accepted species. The majority of the participants agreed that the populations that have been defined in the literature as sibling species should be named.

A phylogenetic analysis of Brycon and Henochilus (Characiformes, Characidae, Bryconinae) based on the mitochondrial gene 16S rRNA

The genus Brycon, the largest subunit of the Bryconinae, has 42 valid species distributed from southern Mexico to the La Plata River in Argentina. Henochilus is a monotypic genus, comprising a single species (H. wheatlandii) found in the upper Rio Doce basin. In the present study, partial sequences of the mitochondrial gene 16S were obtained for fifteen species of Brycon and for Henochilus wheatlandii. The results showed that the genus Brycon is paraphyletic, since Henochilus is the sister-group of B. ferox and B. insignis. The most basal species analyzed were the trans-Andean species B. henni, B. petrosus, and B. chagrensis.

Photodynamic inactivation of four Candida species induced by photogem®

This study evaluated the in vitro susceptibility of C. albicans, C. dubliniensis, C. tropicalis and C. krusei to photodynamic therapy (PDT) induced by Photogem® and light emitting diode (LED). Suspensions of each Candida strain were treated with three photosensitizer (PS) concentrations (10, 25 and 50 mg/L) and exposed to 18.0, 25.5 and 37.5 J/cm² LED light fluences (λ ~ 455 nm). Control suspensions were treated only with PS concentrations, only exposed to the LED light fluences or not exposed to LED light or PS. Sixteen experimental conditions were obtained and each condition was repeated three times. From each sample, serial dilutions were obtained and aliquots were plated on Sabouraud Dextrose Agar. After incubation of plates (37 ºC for 48 hours), colonies were counted (cfu/mL) and the data were statistically analyzed by ANOVA and the Tukey test (α=0.05). Complete killing of C. albicans was observed after 18.0 J/cm² in association with 50 mg/L of PS. C. dubliniensis were inactivated after 18.0 J/cm² using 25 mg/L of PS. The inactivation of C. tropicalis was observed after photosensitization with 25 mg/L and subsequent illumination at 25.5 J/cm². For C. krusei, none of the associations between PS and light resulted in complete killing of this species. PDT proved to be effective for the inactivation of C. albicans, C. dubliniensis and C. tropicalis. In addition, reduction in the viability of C. krusei was achieved with some of the PS and light associations.