Qualidade fisiológica da semente e adubação com zinco na cultura do milho-doce

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

Zaprionus indianus: uma visão da espécie invasora sob o aspecto genético e evolutivo

Pós-graduação em Genética - IBILCE

Diplomacia, integração e desenvolvimento: Brasil e Argentina (1950-1962)

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

A pedra e a água: uma leitura comparada de Pedro Páramo (1955), de Juan Rulfo, e Como água para chocolate (1989), de Laura Esquivel

Pós-graduação em Letras - FCLAS

O romance, leituras da história: a saga de Cristóvão Colombo em terras americanas

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Filogenia molecular dos xenarthra (Mammalia): análise do grupo cingulata a partir de sequências nucleotídicas do gene mitocondrial rRNA 16S

Os Xenarthra são o grupo de mamíferos que inclui os tatus, os tamanduás e as preguiças. A América do Sul serviu de cenário para a história natural do grupo que, somente no fim do Cenozóico, dispersou-se para a América Central e, com uma perda de variedade, chegou à América do Norte e à algu-mas ilhas do Caribe. Trinta e uma espécies estão descritas dentro da linha-gem dos Xenarthra. Elas estão classificadas em 13 gêneros, quatro famílias (Bradypodidae, Megalonychidae, Myrmecophagidae e Dasypodidae) e duas ordens (Cingulata e Pilosa). A filogenia deste grupo tem sido alvo de diver-sas pesquisas que analisaram tanto dados morfológicos, quanto moleculares. Delsuc et al. (2003) analisaram seqüências de genes mitocondriais e nucleares e confirmaram a monofilia das três subfamílias (Dasypodinae, Euphacti-nae e Tolypeutinae) inclusas na família Dasypodidae. Delsuc et al. (2003) geraram a seguinte árvore: (((Bradypus, Choloepus)100, ((Myrmecophaga, Tamandua)100, Cyclopes)100), ((D. kappleri, D. novemcinctus)100, (Toly-pentes, (Priodontes, Cabassous)54)100, (Zaedyus, (Euphractus, Chaetophrac-tus)60)100)). Gaudin (2005) apresentou um trabalho que reviu e ampliou as análises morfológicas apresentadas até então, concluindo que os tatus atu-ais estão divididos em dois grupos, um mais basal (Dasypodinae) e outro mais derivado (Euphractinae), de acordo com o seguinte arranjo: (Bradypus, Tamandua), (Dasypus, (Priodontes, (Cabassous, (Tolypeutes, (Euphractus, Chaetophractus, (Zaedyus, Chlamyphorus)42)36)72)72)40)85). Neste traba-lho utilizou-se parte do gene mitocondrial rRNA 16S de 12 táxons atu-ais de Xenarthra para analisar a filogenia do grupo através do critério de máxima verossimilhança. Nossos resultados são apresentados analisando-se o gene 16S e analisando o banco de dados do 16S mais o de Delsuc et al. (2003). Nas duas situações, as filogenias apresentadas apóiam os resulta-dos de Delsuc et al. (2003): (Bradypus, (Choloepus, ((Cyclopes, (Myrme-cophaga, Tamandua)100)100, (Dasypus, (((Cabassous, Priodontes)68, Toly-peutes)100,((Chaetophractus, Euphractus)65, Zaedyus)100)100)100)100)100). Uma melhora nos valores de bootstrap nos ramos dentro das sub-famílias da família Dasypodidae é percebida em relação ao trabalho de Delsuc et al. (2003). Acreditamos que Elementos de Transposição do tipo (LINES) são os marcadores moleculares mais adequados para confirmar o arranjo obtido com as seqüências de genes mitocondriais e nucleares.

Home range and habitat selection by the tropical screech-owl in a Brazilian savanna

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

A fotografia amadora e fotoclubista no Brasil e no México: trajetórias e conexões latino-americanas (1940-1950)

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Infecção por strigea falconis em buteo magnirostris no Brasil

Background: Buteo magnirostris, popularly known as roadside hawk belongs to the family Accipitridae, Ciconiiformes. The specimen is common throughout Brazil inhabiting open areas, tolerating disturbed areas very well, but avoiding dense forests. The trematodes are common parasites in the intestines of birds of prey, with scant notice of pathogenic infections. However, severe infections of trematodes Strigeidae family have been previously reported as a cause of anemia, diarrhea, enteritis, weight loss and death. This paper aims to report the occurrence of infection in S. Falconis in B. magnirostris diagnosed by post mortem examination. Case: The specimen of B. magnirostris, male, young was sent for necropsy at the Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology, Federal Rural University of Semi-Arid (UFERSA), Mossoró-RN, Brazil. With a history of apathy, anorexia, diarrhea and death in one course of 24 h. The free bird life and even puppy had been captured for training and practice of falconry shortly before the clinical manifestation of infection (time of captivity uninformed). On physical examination ruffled feathers, cachexia and pallor of skeletal muscle was observed. At necropsy there was severe enteritis with petechiae and accumulation of liquid contents into the duodenum. Fifty-two trematodes were found set in duodenal mucosa. The other organs and structures showed no changes. Fragments of all organs were harvested, fixed in 10% formalin buffered, routinely processed for histopathology and stained with hematoxylin and eosin (HE). Parasites were carefully collected, washed in saline, fixed, processed and identified according to the morphology and taxonomy. Histologically, the lesions were restricted to the duodenum and were characterized by melting, severe atrophy and necrosis of the epithelial cells of the intestinal villi; inflammatory infiltrate (consisting of lymphocytes, plasma cells and eosinophils) in the lamina propria, in addition to trematodes infiltrated the mucosa and lamina propria. These were 60-80 mm in diameter, consisted of parenchymal body enclosed by the integument. In some cross sections of the parasite was possible to observe the presence of cecum, testis and uterus, with some variations between sections; there were also yellowish eggs and coated with a delicate membrane. The trematodes contain approximately 1 mm in length and used as morphology and taxonomy has been identified as S. Falconis. Discussion: S. Falconis is a trematode intestinal parasite of birds of prey, with reports of its occurrence in Europe, North America and Central. In neotropical regions is described the occurrence of the subspecies S. Falconis brasiliana. Although the absence of clinical signs is a common pattern, parasitism by trematodes may become evident, common to captivity stress conditions, and thus infections, even for low pathogenic parasites can cause diarrhea, anorexia, weight loss and death, as reported in this paper. A factor that possibly contributed to the scant notice is its small size, which makes the observation of this parasite in analysis of necropsy in non-pathological conditions and also not familiar with the technical laboratories in the morphological shape of the eggs, which creates difficulty in finding the parasite in parasitological analysis in captive animals. Despite being considered poorly pathogenic trematodes, epidemiologically, the presence of the parasite should be considered a health risk to free-living predators, newly captive in parks, zoos, veterinary hospitals, triage center for wildlife and creators, as they may express pathogenicity in immunosuppressed animals. This work contributes to recording the presence S. falconis parasitizing the duodenal mucosa of B. magnirostris in Brazil.

Sulfate Mineral Paragenesis in Pennsylvanian Rocks and The Occurrence of Slavikite in Nebraska

The acid weathering of pyrite-bearing Pennsylvanian clastic sedimentary rocks in southeastern Nebraska locally produces the secondary sulfate minerals alunogen, copiapite, epsomite, felsobanyaite/basaluminite, gypsum, halotrichite, jarosite, rozenite, and slavikite. Of these mineral occurrences, four are first-time discoveries in the state or the surrounding region. Slavikite (NaMg2Fe5 (S04)7 (OH) 6• 33H20), which has been reported only once before in North America and from a handful of sites in Europe and South America, was found in abundance at an outcrop at Brownville, NE. The pH values in 1:1 solutions of deionized water of the studied minerals, excluding epsomite, range from 1.94 to 4.82. Therefore, segregations of secondary minerals in themselves are significant microenvironmental reservoirs of acid that can be mobilized during precipitation events. Because of its role in liberating and concentrating ions such as Al3+, Fe2+, Fe3+, Mg3+, and SO42-, acid rock weathering should be considered in local to regional assessments of surface-water and groundwater chemistry. Observations also suggest that rock weathering by the growth of sulfate salts is a potential factor in local hillslope development, one that has not previously been considered in the study area.

Host-Specificity of Myxoma Virus: Pathogenesis of South American and North American Strains of Myxoma Virus in Two North American Lagomorph Species

The pathogenesis of South American and North American myxoma viruses was examined in two species of North American lagomorphs, Sylvilagus nuttallii (mountain cottontail) and Sylvilagus audubonii (desert cottontail) both of which have been shown to have the potential to transmit the South American type of myxoma virus. Following infection with the South American strain (Lausanne, Lu), S. nuttallii developed both a local lesion and secondary lesions on the skin. They did not develop the classical myxomatosis seen in European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus). The infection at the inoculation site did not resolve during the 20-day time course of the trial and contained transmissible virus titres at all times. In contrast, S. audubonii infected with Lu had very few signs of disseminated infection and partially controlled virus replication at the inoculation site. The prototype Californian strain of myxoma virus (MSW) was able to replicate at the inoculation site of both species but did not induce clinical signs of a disseminated infection. In S. audubonii, there was a rapid response to MSW characterized by a massive T lymphocyte infiltration of the inoculation site by day 5. MSW did not reach transmissible titres at the inoculation site in either species. This might explain why the Californian myxoma virus has not expanded its host-range in North America.

Biotic Interrelationships of Helminth Parasitism

Biotic interrelationships in Alaska have so far suffered little from man's attempts to improve upon nature. As a result of these favorable circumstances, biological investigation in Alaska offers unusual opportunity for elucidating problems which can no longer be approached in the more populated parts of North America. One is very fortunate to have the opportunity of working under these conditions, since present trends indicate that Alaska is soon to go by the way of the great wildernesses which once existed in the United States and Canada.

Studies on Some North American Shrew Cestodes

In spite of the importance of the various species of shrews to the biotic community, several aspects of their ecology remain very incompletely known. The helminths parasitic in the more conspicuous small mammals in North America have been studied more or less completely, but those occurring in shrews have been largely disregarded. This situation is particularly inappropriate when one considers that shrews often constitute the most abundant mammalian group in a given area. We have attempted to secure an adequate amount of shrew helminth material for study, and it is the purpose of this paper to present observations resulting from this work.

HOME RANGES AND MOVEMENTS OF COYOTES IN THE NORTHERN CHIHUAHUAN DESERT

The coyote (Canis latrans) is among the most studied animals in North America. Because of its adaptability and success as a predator, the coyote has flourished and is still expanding its range. Coyotes can now be found throughout most of North America and south into Central America (Voight and Berg 1987). Studies in recent years have been extensive to understand the interrelationships of prey and coyotes (Shelton and Klindt 1974, Beckoff and Wells 1981), as well as demographic relationships (Davis et al. 1975, Knowlton and Stoddart 1978, Mitchell 1979, Bowen 1981) and feeding strategies (Todd and Keith 1976, Andelt et al. 1987, MacCracken and Hansen 1987, Gese et al. 1988a). With the advance of radio telemetry, researchers have investigated lifestyle characteristics spatially with home ranges or temporally with movements in relation to habitat requirements. Researchers have studied home ranges of coyotes in various regions of the United States (Livaitis and Shaw 1980, Andelt 1981, Springer 1982, Pyrah 1984, Gese et al. 1988a) and Canada (Bowen 1982). Some studies of home range were separated by season (Ozoga and Harger 1966) or relation to nearby food sources (Danner and Smith 1980). Home range analysis in relation to social interactions of coyotes has been either neglected, overlooked, or avoided. Gese et al. (1988a) recognized a transient class of coyote by home range size. Coyote social systems are very complex and can vary by season or locality in addition to some reports of group or pack systems (Hamlin and Schweitzer 1979, Beckoff and Wells 1981, Bowen 1981, Gese et al. 1988b). Coyotes maintain communication with conspecifics through vocal and olfactory signals (Lehner 1987, Bowen and McTaggert Cowan 1980). Social interactions may be by far the most complex and least understood aspect related to coyote ecology. Coyote movements can be related to many factors including food, water, cover, and social interactions. Movements in relation to food sources are well documented (Fitch 1948, Todd and Keith 1976, Danner and Smith 1980) although reports on movements in relation to water have not been reported, probably because of limited research in desert situations. There has been some mention of coyotes' movements in relation to cover (Wells and Beckoff 1982). The objectives of this study were to delineate annual and seasonal home ranges, movements, and habitat use of coyotes in the northern Chihuahuan desert.

SCWDS BRIEFS: Volume 21, Number 3 (October 2005)

H5N1 Influenza Virus in Wild Birds: A Fact Sheet Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus H5N1 and Wild Birds What are avian influenza viruses? What is a Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza virus? What is “Bird Flu” and what is “HPAI H5N1”? What do we know about avian influenza viruses in wild birds? Do we have HPAI H5N1 in North America? Is there currently a public health risk associated with HPAI H5N1 in wild birds? Is there a domestic animal health risk associated with HPAI in wild birds? What is the possibility of HPAI H5N1 entering North America via migratory wild birds? What is the possibility of this virus being maintained in wild bird populations? Do we have surveillance for HPAI H5N1 in the United States? Additional information on HPAI can be found at these websites: The recognized geographic and species distribution of chronic wasting disease (CWD) has expanded since early September 2005 to include Hampshire County in the eastern panhandle of West Virginia National Fish and Wildlife Health Initiative Guiding Principles Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) virus was isolated from seven white-tailed deer in southwestern Michigan during September 2005 During the past summer, more than 500 head of livestock in North Dakota and South Dakota were lost to one of the largest recorded anthrax outbreaks in U.S. history. Most of the losses were in cattle, but horses, bison, and farm-reared elk also were affected. Dr. John Fischer, Director of SCWDS, has received this year’s Special Recognition Award from the International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (IAFWA). Dr. William Randolph Davidson is retiring in November 2005.