The first zoeal stage of the genus Cronius (Brachyura, Portunidae) from the Brazilian coast, hatched in a laboratory

This study describes the first zoeal stage of Cronius ruber and Cronius tumidulus. The zoeae can be distinguished using the setation of the cephalic appendages and the lateral process on the abdominal somite.

Population biology of spine shrimp Exhippolysmata oplophoroides (Holthuis) (Caridea, Hippolytidae) in a subtropical region, São Paulo, Brazil

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

Juvenile development of the crab Bathyrhombila sp (Crustacea, Decapoda, Pseudorhombilidae) from megalopae obtained in the neuston

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

The intramandibular gland of leaf-cutting ants (Atta sexdens rubropilosa Forel 1908)

The eusociality developed in Hymenoptera and Isoptera is driven by an efficient interaction between exocrine glands and jointed appendages, both in close interaction with the environment. In this context, the mandible of ants plays an important role, since, in addition to being the main jointed appendage, it possess glandular functions. As an example we might name the two glands associated with the mandible: the mandibular and the intramandibular glands. The intramandibular gland is found inside the mandible and consists of a hypertrophied secretory epithelium and secretory cells in the mandible's lumen. The secretion of the secretory epithelium is liberated through intracuticular ducts that open at the base of hairs at the mandible's surface. The secretion of the intramandibular gland (epithelium and secretory cells) reacted positively to tests for the detection of polysaccharides and proteins, thus suggesting that it consists of glycoproteins. The ultrastructure of the secretor epithelium presents variations related to the developmental stage of the individual, showing a large number of ribosomes and microvilli close to the cuticle in young individuals, while in the older specimens it was possible to note the formation of ail intracellular reservoir. These variations of secretory epithelium, as also the interaction between the cellular groups inside the mandible, are important information about this gland in leaf-cutting ants. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Floral anatomy of Bromeliaceae, with particular reference to the evolution of epigyny and septal nectaries in commelinid monocots

Floral anatomy is described in ten genera of Bromeliaceae, including three members of subfamily Bromelioideae, three Tillandsioideae, and four genera of the polyphyletic subfamily Pitcairnioideae (including Brocchinia, the putatively basal genus of Bromeliaceae). Bromeliaceae are probably unique in the order Poales in possessing septal nectaries and epigynous or semi-epigynous flowers. Evidence presented here from floral ontogeny, vasculature, and the relative positions of nectary and ovules indicates that there could have been one or more reversals to apparent hypogyny in Bromeliaceae, although this hypothesis requires a better-resolved phylogeny. Such evolutionary reversals probably evolved in response to specialist pollinators, and in conjunction with other aspects of floral morphology of Bromeliaceae, such as the petal appendages of some species. The ovary is initiated in an inferior position even in semi-epigynous or hypogynous species. The ovary of all so-called hypogynous Bromeliaceae is actually semi-inferior, because the septal nectary is infralocular; in these species the nectaries have a labyrinthine surface and many vascular bundles. Brocchinia differs from most other fully epigynous species in that each carpel is secretory at the apex and reproductive, rather than secretory, at the base.

Reproductive biology of Abolboda pulchella and A. poarchon (Xyridaceae: Poales)

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Seed morphology and post-seminal development of Tillandsia L. (Bromeliaceae) from the Campos Gerais, Paraná, Southern Brazil

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

A New Species of Proceratophrys (Anura: Cycloramphidae) from Midwestern Brazil

We describe adult morphology, advertisement call, and natural history aspects of a new frog species from riparian habitats alongside intermittent headwater streams in southwestern Cerrado, the second largest biome in Brazil. Presently known from three localities in Mato Grosso State, the new species belongs to the Proceratophrys cristiceps group. It is characterized mainly by small size (adult snout vent length approximately 46 mm), snout rounded in dorsal view and obtuse in lateral view, absence of flared lips, dorsal skin granular, and absence of both postocular swellings and prominent palpebral appendages. The advertisement call of the new species consists of a single note with 19-25 pulses. Calls are repeated at mean intervals of 0.7 sec. Mean dominant frequency is 1,250.2 Hz, with ascendant modulation.

FLORAL ANATOMY of XYRIDS (POALES): CONTRIBUTIONS TO THEIR REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY, TAXONOMY, and PHYLOGENY

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

The in vivo electrical parameters of toad skin

1. 1. Open-circuit voltage (PD) and short-circuit current (SCC) across toad skin were studied in in vivo conditions. An improved technique for fastening a lucite chamber on the abdominal region of the animal was developed. 2. 2. Saline bridges (230 mM Nacl in 4% agar solution) were placed subcutaneously to make the connections between the extracellular fluid and the half-cells. 3. 3. A clear relationship was observed between the electrical parameters and sodium transport by the skin, since PD and SCC were related to the sodium concentration of the bathing solution, and abolished by the presence of amiloride-a specific sodium transport inhibitor in epithelia. 4. 4. The initial control values of SCC in vivo were higher than those in vitro, which was attributed to hormonal stimulation. However, these high initial control values of SCC in vivo fell with time, reaching steady levels after a 2 hr period. 5. 5. Vasopressin failed to increase SCC in vivo when the external sodium concentration was 115 mM, being effective only when the sodium concentration was low (5 mM). 6. 6. On the other hand, in isolated preparations vasopressin significantly promoted an increase in both PD and SCC. © 1983.

Structure and development of the ovule in Bromeliaceae

Ovule structure and development are described for twelve species of Bromeliaceae, representing ten genera and all three subfamilies, including all three tribes of the polyphyletic subfamily Pitcairnioideae (Brocchinieae, Puyeae and Pitcairnieae). The characteristic micropylar and chalazal seed appendages of Bromeliaceae are compared with developing structures in the ovules. Chalazal seed appendages have also been reported in the putatively related family Rapateaceae, but they differ in detailed structure, and may have evolved independently in the two families.

Homologies of floral structures in velloziaceae with particular reference to the corona

New data on floral morphology, development, and vasculature in two Brazilian genera of the monocot family Velloziaceae (Pandanales) are used to explore the homologies of their unusual floral structures, especially the corona of Barbacenia and the corona-like appendages and multiple stamens of some Vellozia species. All Velloziaceae have epigynous flowers. Some species of Vellozia are polyandrous, and stamen number can be variable within species. In Vellozia jolyi, there is a single stamen opposite each sepal and a stamen fascicle (of three secondary stamens) opposite each petal. Each stamen possesses a single vascular bundle, and these are united into a single aggregate bundle in proximal regions of the fascicle. Stamens mature centripetally within each fascicle. The coronal appendages of both genera are closely associated with the stamens, but they share some vasculature with the tepals and develop late in ontogeny. The coronal organs cannot readily be homologized with any of the typical floral organs, but they show partial homology with both tepals and stamens. They are most readily interpreted as a late elaboration of the region between the petals and stamens associated with epigyny and the hypanthium. © 2010 by The University of Chicago. All rights reserved.

Morfologia de sementes e de estádios iniciais de plântulas de espécies de Bromeliaceae da Amazônia

Seeds of Aechmea bromeliifolia, A. castelnavii (Bromelioideae); Dyckia duckei, D. racemosa (Pitcairnioideae) and Tillandsia adpressiflora (Tillandsioideae) were collected in the Amazon regions (Mato Grosso) and studied to describe morphological characterization and post-seminal development, which can be taxonomically useful, and to assess percent germination. All the species have epigeous germination and produce cryptocotyledonary plantlets. Seeds have no dormancy and percent germination is high (over 86%), which facilitates the production of seedlings and conservation studies. Exclusive characteristics of the genera include: the seed coat of Aechmea (Bromelioideae) has mucilage that prevents desiccation; whereas that of Dyckia (Pitcairnioideae) has membranaceous wings and that of Tillandsia (Tillandsioideae) has feathery appendages, both of which make dispersal easier and establish the epiphytic habit. Initial post-seminal development of Aechmea (Bromelioideae) and Dyckia (Pitcairnioideae) is marked by the emergence of primary roots, interpreted as a basal character, whereas that of Tillandsia adpressiflora (Tillandsioideae) is marked by the emergence of the cotyledon, interpreted as a derived character. Dyckia and Tillandsia have a small tank only in the seedling phase while the contrary occurs in Aechmea.

Tafonomia dos Pygocephalomorpha (Crustacea, Peracarida, Malacostraca), Permiano, Bacia do Paraná, Brasil, e seu significado paleoambiental

Taphonomy of the pygocephalomorpha (Crustacea, Peracarida, Malacostraca), Permian, Paraná Basin, Brazil, and its paleoenvironmental meaning. Crustaceans (Pygocephalomorpha, Peracarida) are the main fossil invertebrates recorded in the Early Permian Assistência Formation, Irati Subgroup, State of São Paulo, Paraná Basin. For this study, samples taken from the base of the Ipeúna Member, Bairrinho Bed, State of São Paulo, were analyzed and complemented by fossils from the Irati Formation, State of Rio Grande do Sul. The taphonomic spectrum of the pygocephalomorphs includes three main preservational modes: Type 1. Complete pygocephalomorphs (with outstretched or flexed abdomen), which are associated to cream-colored mudstones and more commonly to black shales. In rare cases, molds of soft parts are preserved. They suffered rapid burial (hours to days) by mud blankets associated to storm events in anoxic bottoms, below storm wave base with minimum bottom disruption, followed by low rates of background sedimentation; Type 2. Partly articulated (carapace and abdomen, with or without caudal fan and without appendages) pygocephalomorphs, with extended or flexed abdomen, which are present in cream-colored pelites, associated with hummocky cross-stratifications, intercalated with black shales. These may represent individuals or remains lying in the sediment-water interface preserved by rapid burial associated to episodic sedimentation events; Type 3. Disarticulated pygocephalomorphs, with isolated carapaces, abdomen, or abdominal segments. This is the predominant preservational mode in our samples. The skeletal remains can be found isolated or in dense, bioclast-supported concentrations (micro-coquines), representing proximal to distal tempestites. Finally, the extreme preservational quality seen in crustaceans of the Type 1 recorded in black shales, occasionally with molds of soft parts, indicates that the host rocks may represent Konservat-Lagerstätten deposits, as already suggested to coeval occurrences of the Irati Formation in Uruguay. © 2013 by the Sociedade Brasileira de Paleontologia.

Morphological diversity of setae on the second maxilliped of fiddler crabs (Decapoda: Ocypodidae) from the southwestern Atlantic coast

Fiddler crabs are deposit feeders, and use the setae on their mouth appendages to manipulate sediment particles to extract food. The number of spoon-tipped setae on the second maxilliped is frequently related to the distribution of fiddler crabs on estuarine sediments, but no study has compared the morphological diversity of these setae among multiple fiddler crab species. Here, we describe and classify the setae of the second maxillipeds of the nine Uca spp. known from the Brazilian coast. The second maxilliped of each species was examined by scanning electron microscopy. Six types of setae (five papposerrate, and one pappose) were described on the meropodite of the second maxilliped. Among the papposerrate setae, one type had a spoon-like tip, and the morphology of this type, especially the degree of curvature, differed between species. Members of Uca leptodactylus, U. uruguayensis, and U. maracoani had highly concave spoon-tipped setae. In U. rapax and U. cumulanta, the setal tip was moderately curved, while in U. thayeri, U. burgersi, and U. mordax, this curvature was slight. At the other extreme, the meropodite of the second maxilliped of U. vocator lacked setae altogether. This is the first study that describes differences in the degree of curvature of spoon-tipped setae in fiddler crabs. This trait may be strongly related to the distribution of these fiddler crabs on different estuarine substrates. © 2012, The American Microscopical Society, Inc.