Substrate distribution in fungus chambers in nests of Atta bisphaerica Forel, 1908 (Hym., Formicidae)

Substrate distribution was studied in three adult colonies of the leaf-cutting ant Atta bisphaerica Forel, 1908 using dye. Some supply holes were mapped using baits made from small plastic straws impregnated with citric pulp. Two holes, equidistant from one another, were then selected in each nest. The colonies were excavated completely 24 h after bait placement. During excavation, fungus chambers were checked for dye. We observed that the dyed baits were distributed in all sectors and at all depths regardless of where the baits had been placed. This supported the hypothesis that toxic baits placed in a single supply hole are uniformly distributed throughout the colony.

Larval development of Apiomithrax violaceus (A. Milne Edwards, 1868) (Decapoda : Brachyura : Majoidea : Pisidae) reared in laboratory conditions, and a review of larval characters of Pisidae

Apiomithrax violaceus (A. Milne Edwards, 1868 ) is a pisid majoid crab occurring in tropical and subtropical coastal waters of the eastern and western South Atlantic. Larval development consists of two zoeal stages and a megalopa. Beginning with the first zoea, the duration of each larval stage at 24degreesC was 3-8 (5+/-1), 3-5 (4+/-0.5) and 9-15 (11+/-2) days, the megalopa and first crab instar appearing 9-11 (10+/-1) and 20-27 (23+/-2) days after hatching, respectively. Larval characters agree with those proposed for the Majoidea, in having nine or more setae on the scaphognathite in the first zoea and well-developed pleopods in the second zoea. However, larvae of A . violaceus do not fit larval pisid features. Zoeal stages differ from most other Pisidae in having lateral spines, a long rostral spine extending beyond the antenna, two spines per telson fork and a dorsolateral process on the third abdominal somite. The megalopa differs in having a spine dorsally on the carapace and on the basial segment of the second pereiopod. Two characters that are potentially unique to Apiomithrax include a zoeal antenna with an exopod that is much longer than the protopod, and a rostral spine that is longer than the dorsal spine. These characters should facilitate the identification of this taxon and could also be useful for phylogenetic studies. A review of larvae of 28 species among 14 genera indicated that there is no apparent single larval character that differentiates the Pisidae, with more limited phylogenetic analyses suggesting that this is a paraphyletic group. Apiomithrax , Eurynolambrus , Pisoides , Rochinia and Scyra have the most divergent morphological characters within the family. The analysis and inclusion of additional taxa is likely to shed more light on the sister-group relationships of the Pisidae. However, based on the extent of morphological interspecific variability of known larvae it is likely that the group, as presently defined by adult morphology, is not monophyletic.

Ontogenetic shifts in the digestive tube and diet of Bryconamericus stramineus Eigenmann, 1908 (Osteichthyes, Characidae)

Aim: Studies on feeding of early life stages are very important to the understanding of the biology and trophic ecology of fish species. Therefore, the aim of this work is to describe the development of the digestive tube, and to characterize the diet of larvae and juveniles of Bryconamericus stramineus Eigenmann, 1908 of the upper Parana River floodplain; Methods: Larvae were obtained from, monthly samples during nychthemeral cycles with four-hour interval between samplings from February/91 to February/92, utilizing a conical-cylindrical plankton net; Results: At the preflexion stage, larvae at approximately 4.00 mm SL, showed a morphologically undifferentiated straight tube, with the anterior region more dilated. At the flexion stage a differentiation in the anterior region of the digestive tube occurs, with the intestine wall getting thicker (8.30 mm SL). The formation of pyloric caeca occurs at 9.00 mm SL. At the postflexion stage the first loop is formed at 9.25 mm SL and the second loop at about 10.00 mm SL. Bryconamericus stramineus consumed mainly cladocerans, also ingesting copepods, rotifers, nematodes, algae, insects and inorganic particles. Along the development, there was an increase in the number of food items and a diversification in the number of consumed taxa; Conclusions: Changes in the diet of B. stramineus larvae were not observed, being them zooplanktivores during all the initial development. However, an increase of large preys, such as insects larvae, was observed at the end of the larval period and in juveniles, suggesting a tendency towards invertivory. Larvae and juveniles preferentially fed during the night.

Ultrastructural studies of the mandibular glands of the minima, media and soldier ants of Atta sexdens rubropilosa (Forel 1908)

The mandibular glands of Hymenoptera are structures associated with the mandibles and constitute part of the salivary glands system. Histological studies in workers of Atta sexdens rubropilosa revealed that this gland contains two portions: a secretory and a storage portion or reservoir. Both portions are connected by means of canaliculi. The object of the present work was the study of the ultratructure of the mandibular glands of minima, media and soldier ant of A. s. rubropilosa by TEM techniques. The glands, in the three castes studied, possess a reservoir, constituted by a simple pavementous epithelium surrounded by the cuticular intima and the secretory portion is constituted by cells of rounded shape. The secretory cells, mainly of minima and soldier, were rich in smooth endoplasmic reticulum. The media worker and soldier presented a large number of mitochondria, of varying shape. Well-developed Golgi complexes were also present in the soldiers. The secretory cells in minima, media and soldier were provided with collecting intracellular canaliculi, which were linked to the reservoir through the extracellular portion. The cytoplasm of the canaliculi-forming cell was poor in organelles. In the individuals of the three castes of A. s. rubropilosa, the presence of lipid secretion granules suggested, beyond the other functions, also a possible pheromonal action. The different roles executed by the different insect castes are directly dependent on the glandular products and, consequently, on the secretory cellular characteristics. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

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.

Ovary and oocyte maturation of the tick Amblyomma brasiliense Aragao, 1908 (Acari: Ixodidae)

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

Morphological Organization of the Dorsal Protuberance of Linepithema humile (Mayr, 1868) Ant's Larvae (Hymenoptera, Formicidae)

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Condition factor of Astyanax intermedius Eigenmann, 1908 (OSTEICHTHYES, CHARACIDAE) parasitised by Paracymothoa astyanaxi Lemos de Castro, 1955 (CRUSTACEA, CYMOTHOIDAE) in the Grande River, Serra do Mar State Park - Santa Virgínia Unit, São Paulo, Brazil

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

Redescription of Astyanax goyacensis Eigenmann, 1908 (Ostariophysi: Characiformes: Characidae)

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Primeiro registro de predação de Poecilia reticulata Peters, 1859 e Phalloceros caudimaculatus (Hensel, 1868) por Noctilio leporinus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Chiroptera, Noctilionidae)

Noctilio leporinus (Chiroptera, Noctilionidae) has adaptations to piscivorous feeding habits, but also consumes crustaceans and insects. Between June 2005 and May 2006, bats were surveyed with mist nets during two evenings per month in the gallery forest of Corrego dos Tenentes, Pindorama, São Paulo State, Brazil. The objectives were to collect fecal samples and identify the fish species that were consumed by N. leporinus in this fragmented forest landscape. We documented two new fish species to its diet, the guppy Poecilia reticulata, Peters, 1859 and the "guaru" Phalloceros caudimaculatus (Hensel, 1868). Both fish species forage near the surface of water for insects and zooplankton, which is an area also utilized by N. leporinus when foraging for insects, crustaceans and fishs.

Retrato policial: um perfil da praça de polícia em São Paulo (1868-1896)

O objetivo deste artigo é apresentar um perfil das praças que cerraram fileira na polícia de São Paulo entre 1868 e 1896. A partir de dados biográficos - altura, idade, local de nascimento, cor da pele, ofício anterior, situação familiar - buscamos identificar, na base da pirâmide hierárquica, pistas sobre o processo de formação do aparato policial paulista; ao mesmo tempo em que pretendemos traçar um recorte da população - pobre e masculina - num período de crise do escravismo, de inflexão do sistema de mão-de-obra, de incorporação de um importante contingente estrangeiro, e de mudança do paradigma político no país.

Yeasts associated with nests of the leaf-cutting ant Atta sexdens rubropilosa Forel, 1908

A total of 137 yeasts associated with the leaf-cutting ant Atta sexdens rubropilosa Forel, 1908 were characterized, being selected 93 for analysis. Twenty four species belonging to seven genera(Candida, Cryptococcus, Rhodotorula, Sporobolomyces, Tremella, Trichosporon, Pichia) were isolated from the different analysed material. The genus Candida was widely distributed, with C. homilentoma, C. colliculosa-like, C. famata and C. colliculosa being the most prevalent. A few isolates did not fit the standard descriptions and probably some of them could be new biotypes or even new species. Three strains of black yeasts were also isolated, and four others were identified as being Candida spp. The effective number of yeast species was higher in newer sponge. The origin, distribution and relative importance of these microorganisms for the ants are discussed.

GROWTH OF OOCYTE AND NURSE CHAMBER DURING OOGENESIS IN QUEENS OF THE LEAF-CUTTING ANT ATTA SEXDENS RUBROPILOSA FOREL, 1908 (HYM, FORMICIDAE)

Volume changes of the vitellarium components of the leaf-cutting ant Atta sexdens rubropilosa are reported. The oocyte grew to approximately 409 times of its initial volume and reached a maximum value of 1.2 x 10(7) mu m(3). The follicle increase in size at a more or less constant rate up to the 12(th), showing an elevated growth rate thereafter. The mean number of follicles per ovariole was 16.42 +/- 3.58.

Paracoccidioides brasiliensis (Lutz, 1908) isolado por meio de hemocultura em um paciente portadora de símdrome de imunodeficiência adquirida (SIDA)

A case of an AIDS-patient with positive blood culture for Paracoccidioides brasiliensis is reported. The patient was a 29 years old male born in Nova Londrina (Parana State, Brazil) who presented splenomegaly and fever of unknown origin. Three blood cultures were performed, each one of them for aerobic bacteria, mycobacteria and fungi. Cultures for aerobic bacteria and mycobacteria were negative. However, the yeast phase P. brasiliensis was isolated from two cultures in BHI agar, 20 days after inoculation in Negroni medium. The patient was classified in group V according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) criteria for AIDS, due to a Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia. Treatment was discontinued due to an individual decision of the patient on the second dose of amphotericin B. This antibiotic was replaced by ketoconazole in the daily dose of 800 mg. The patient died one year after the isolation of P. brasiliensis on blood culture.