Impacto de inimigos naturais e de fatores meteorológicos sobre uma população de Brevicoryne brassicae (L.) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) em couve

Neste estudo, visou-se avaliar o impacto de inimigos naturais e de fatores meteorológicos na população do pulgão Brevicoryne brassicae (L.), na cultura da couve, usando-se correlação simples e análise de regressão múltipla com seleção de variáveis pelo método stepwise. A amostragem de B. brassicae foi realizada por procura visual e dos inimigos naturais através de armadilhas de sucção e de solo. Formas ápteras de B. brassicae começaram a infestar a couve em julho, atingindo pico populacional em setembro. Os fatores que apresentaram correlação significativa com a população de B. brassicae, no período que abrangeu todo o levantamento populacional, foram Diaeretiella rapae (Mc'Intosh), aranhas presentes no solo, precipitação pluviométrica e umidade relativa, sugerindo que tais fatores tiveram função importante na mortalidade do pulgão. No período de maior crescimento e declínio populacional de B. brassicae, aranhas presentes no solo mostraram-se como o fator de mortalidade mais significativo relacionado com a variação da densidade populacional do pulgão.

Efeitos do sistema de plantio e da consorciação soja-milho sobre artrópodes capturados no solo

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar os efeitos do plantio direto e da consorciação soja [Glycine max (L.) Merrill] e milho (Zea mays L.) sobre artrópodes que vivem no solo. Os tratamentos constituíram um fatorial 3 x 2 (monocultura de soja, monocultura de milho, consorciação soja-milho x plantio direto, plantio convencional) em blocos casualizados com quatro repetições; as amostragens foram efetuadas com armadilhas de solo, durante 1996 a 1998. Resultados estatisticamente significativos em pelo menos uma safra indicaram que o plantio direto foi favorável a predadores, como formigas (Brachymyrmex sp., Camponotus spp. e Ectatomma sp.), carabídeos (Metius sp.) e aranhas (Lycosidae). A consorciação soja-milho aumentou o número de Acrididae, enquanto a presença do milho favoreceu a ocorrência de Dermaptera em sistemas de consorciação soja-milho.

Flutuação populacional e análise faunística de Carabidae e Staphylinidae (Coleoptera) em Jaboticabal, São Paulo

In this study a population survey of Carabidae and Staphylinidae (Coleoptera) adults was carried out with the aim to analyze their populations through faunistic indexes and to determine the influence of temperature, relative humidity and rainfall. The study was conducted in two areas cultivated with soybean/corn under no-tillage and conventional tillage systems and adjacent to a forest fragment and a Pinus stand, respectively. Beetles were sampled by pitfall traps distributed in two 100-m transects. The fauna was characterized by diversity (H), evenness (J), abundance, dominance, frequency and constancy indexes. The influence of air temperature, relative humidity and rainfall was verified using stepwise regression. The carabids Abaris basistriatus Chaudoir, Odontochila nodicornis (Dejean) and Scarites sp. were classified as predominant species in both areas, while Selenophorus alternans Dejean only classified as predominant in the area under conventional tillage system, likewise for Megacephala sp. and Selenophorus seriatoporus Putz. in the no-tillage area. The predominant species showed just one population peak each year, usually observed from December to January. The pluvial precipitation influenced the occurrence of the carabids positively and significantly, with O. nodicornis and Megacephala sp. being the most demanding species in relation to the effect of humidity on their dispersal.

Anurans of the sandy coastal plains of the Lagamar Paulista, state of São Paulo, Brazil

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

The nest architecture of the ant, Pheidole oxyops Forel, 1908 (Hymenoptera : Formicidae)

Pheidole oxyops builds subterranean nests, with an external architecture that is distinctive and easily recognizable by its wide and specific entrance hole, measuring up to 12.2 cm in diameter, denoting a pitfall-trap. In order to study the nests'internal architecture, seven nests were excavated; four were identified with neutral talc, while the others were cast in cement and then excavated. Measurements were made in order to gain a better understanding of their structures, and a photographic documentation was obtained as well. The excavations revealed that the nests are perpendicular relative to the ground, beginning with a cylindrical channel with a mean length of 13.5 cm, containing irregular formations, and whose diameter becomes progressively narrower until the first chamber is formed. As the channel continues, dish-like chambers appear, interconnected by channels that become progressively narrower and longer, while the chambers are arranged at greater distances from each other as nest depth increases. Both channels and chambers are located on the vertical projection of the entrance hole. Nests may reach a depth of up to 5.09 m, with a number of chambers ranging between 4 and 14.

Diversidade de Seirini (Collembola, Arthropleona, Entomobryidae), em áreas úmidas da caatinga

The family Entomobryidae is one of the most diverse families of Collembola in Northeast Brazil. Data on its diversity may be considered undervalued due to low collection efforts in the region. In this study, five areas in the Northeast region were sampled, to evaluate the species richness of this family. The study was done in the Serra da Jibóia, Santa Terezinha municipality, Bahia; Serra das Confusões, Caracol municipality, Piauí; Chapada do Araripe, Crato municipality, Ceará; Mata do Pau-Ferro, Areia municipality, Paraíba and Parque Nacional de Ubajara, Ubajara municipality, Ceará, all considered humid areas of Caatinga. Collections were made using pitfall traps and entomological aspirators. All the collected material was screened, mounted on slides, identified and, finally, the descriptions of some of the new species encountered were made. A total of 48 Entomobryidae species belonging to nine genera were recorded and 27 of these were new to science, representing a percentage of 56.25% of the total. A new record for Brazil was identified and several new records were made to the States. Seira was the genus with wider distribution and it was the only one found in all areas and the most representative with the highest number of recorded species (26). This result was expected, because individuals of the genus Seira have a good adaptability to semi-arid environments, a fact that has already been proven in previous research. Seven new species of Seira were described. A dichotomous key to genera and species of Seirini from Brazil was drafted. This work demonstrates the great potential of Entomobryidae and Seirini in the Northeast, despite having been held in very restricted areas, obtained important results for the knowledge of fauna of the group

Colêmbolos (arthropoda: hexapoda: collembola) numa área de caatinga do nordeste brasileiro

Edaphic ecosystems are the basis for the production of terrestrial biological resources and their dynamics affect not only the natural environment but also society and their economic activities. In Caatinga biome, the semi-arid climate associated with an inadequate soil management has increased the degradation and loss of productive potential of the soil. In this context, the study of soil fauna, including springtails, becomes an important indicator of soil quality. This study aimed to evaluate the fauna of Collembola in an area of Caatinga of Rio Grande do Norte State and the influence of biotic and abiotic factors, such as soil, vegetation and climate characteristics, on the structure of the taxocenosis. The environmental variables which were used were the following ones: granulometry (represented by the proportion of sand), quantity of organic matter and soil pH, richness, density and aerial biomass of the vegetal structure, and necromass. We used pitfall traps intending to collect specimens of the epiedaphic fauna of Collembola in 30 points located on Cauaçu Farm, João Câmara, RN, in July (rainy season) and November (dry season) 2011. We collected 5513 individuals of 15 species distributed in 13 genera and 9 families of Collembola. Five of the recorded species are new to science, confirming the expected high degree of endemism for Caatinga biome, and the highest abundance was recorded in the rainy season, which suggests Collembola sensitivity to low humidity. Four species were more abundant in the dry season, all of them belonged to the Order Entomobryomorpha. Results of statistical analyzes suggest that plant species richness, aerial biomass of vegetal structure, proportion of sand in the soil, pH and humidity are the main influences to the abundance of Collembola in the region studied

Melanoma tipo animal: relato de dois casos

Dificuldade potencial no diagnóstico histológico de melanomas é a dificuldade em reconhecer variantes pouco frequentes de melanoma. Entre elas, as mais desafiantes incluem exemplos de melanoma desmoplásico, melanoma nevoide, o chamado melanoma de desvio mínimo, melanomas com proeminente síntese de pigmento ou melanoma tipo animal e o nevo azul maligno. Os autores descrevem dois casos de melanoma tipo animal e discute-se a importância do diagnóstico diferencial clinico-histopatológico nesses casos.

Reproductive biology and feeding habits of Stenocercus caducus (Iguanidae) in semideciduous forest in central Brazil.

Sexual dimorphism, reproduction and diet are described for Stenocercus caducus from semideciduous forest, in Mato Grosso do Sul state, Central Brazil. Lizards are collected in pitfall traps from December 2000, to December 2001. Sexual dimorphism in S. caducus is apparent, mainly in coloration; although females reach a larger SVL than males. A wide variety of arthropods are fed by S. caducus, with ants and termites numerically, and orthopterans and beetles volumetrically the most common prey items. Ontogenetic differences in diet were noted for S. caducus, with juveniles feeding on lesser prey types and smaller sized prey than adults. The reproduction was seasonal, concentrated in the rainy season, with deposition of more than one clutch per season.

Mamíferos não voadores do Parque Estadual Carlos Botelho, Continuum florestal do Paranapiacaba

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

Analysis of Ant Communities Comparing Two Methods for Sampling Ants in an Urban Park in the City of São Paulo, Brazil

This study aimed to analyze the species composition and functional groups of the ant community and to assess the efficiency of two sampling methods, pitfall and leaf litter sampling, in an urban park. A total of 1,401 ants were collected, which belonged to six subfamilies and 36 species. The predominant species was Wasmannia auropunctata (present in 45.36% of the samples), while the functional group of opportunistic ants were the most frequent (present in 83.75% of the samples) and abundant (95.29% of the total collected specimens) functional group. The Jaccard Similarity Index showed a low similarity between the two sampling methods, as the difference of the number of individuals for each species between these two methods was not significant in only one case (Linepithema sp. 1, p = 0.4561). The fungus-growing and cryptic ants were more collected in leaflitter samples (p<0.0001; p = 0.0348 respectively). Although there was no significant difference (p = 0.6397) between the two sampling methods for the total individuals of opportunistic ants, more species of this group were collected in pitfall traps. This difference was not significant because of the high presence of W. auropunctata, an opportunistic ant, in samples of leaf litter. Due to the predominance of tramp ants in the studied area, this article illustrates the importance of green urban areas in ant control strategies, since these sites could be used as a source of new colonization for these ants. Furthermore, the combination of the two sampling methods seems to be complementary for obtaining a more complete picture of the ant community.

Lagartos (Squamata: Lacertilia) em áreas de floresta e de pastagem em Espigão do Oeste, Rondônia, sudoeste da Amazônia, Brasil

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Hábitos alimentares de serpentes em Espigão do Oeste, Rondônia, Brasil

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Similarity of ground-dwelling anuran (Amphibia) composition among different vegetation physiognomies in a Mesophytic Semideciduous Forest from southeastern Brazil

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

Seasonal variation in body size of tropical anuran amphibians.

Most anurans are considered short lived reproducing only once, with adult size being an important factor contributing to mating success. We sampled anurans with 30 pitfall traps in three forest patches of the northwestern São Paulo State, Brazil, throughout one year. Our objective was to analyze the variation in anuran body size between the dry and rainy season. Our hypothesis is that anurans registered during the rainy season will be larger than conspecifics registered during dry season, since there is a selective advantage in having a larger body size during reproduction activity. The most abundant species registered in the patches were Eupemphix nattereri, Physalaemus cuvieri and Leptodactylus podicipinus. Males and females of E. nattereri and P. cuvieri recorded in the rainy season were larger than of those captured in the dry one. In contrast, males of L. podicipinus were larger in the dry season than in the rainy season. Besides, the operational sex ratio (OSR) in the breeding season was biased towards males in these three species with, respectively, 4.66, 3.2 and 1.87 males per female. Our results suggest that probably body size variation between different seasons is a consequence of individuals' turnover between rainy seasons. Lower individuals captured in the dry season, would be reproductively active adults in the next breeding season.