4 SPECIES OF BRAZILIAN POISON FROGS RELATED TO EPIPEDOBATES-PICTUS (DENDROBATIDAE) - TAXONOMY AND NATURAL-HISTORY OBSERVATIONS

We present morphological and natural history data on Epipedobates pictus and three additional taxa currently regarded as synonyms of the former: Epipedobates braccatus, E. flavopictus, and E. hahneli. Topotypes of the four species were examined. Morphological data on tadpoles and adults, in addition to distribution patterns and vocalizations, indicate that the four taxa represent distinct species. Two groups are evident within them: (1) the slender-bodied, Amazonian E. hahneli with small flash marks on the thighs and a low-finned tadpole, and (2) the robust bodied, almost extra-Amazonian E. braccatus, E. flavopictus, and E. pictus with large flash marks on the thighs and tadpoles with fins of moderate height.

Four species of Brazilian poison frogs related to Epipedobates pictus (Dendrobatidae): taxonomy and natural history observations

Presents morphological and natural history data on Epipedobates pictus and three additional taxa currently regarded as synonyms of the former: Epipedobates braccatus, E. flavopictus and E. hahneli. Morphological data on tadpoles and adults, in addition to distribution patterns and vocalizations, indicate that the four taxa represent distinct species. -from Authors

Padrões de crescimento em otólitos de larvas de Pomatoschistus pictus (Pisces, Gobiidae)

Dissertação mest., Biologia Marinha, Universidade do Algarve, 2006

Muscarinic M1 Receptor Gene Expression in Streptozotocin Induced Diabetic Rats: Regulation of Insulin Secretion By Aegle marmelose And Costus pictus Leaf Extracts

The present work is to understand the alterations of total Muscarinic and Muscarinic MI receptors in brain and pancreatic islets of Streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. The work focuses on the evaluation of the antihyperglycemic activity of aqueous extracts of Aegle marmelose and Costus pictus leaves in vivo and the changes in the total Muscarinic and Muscarinic MI receptors during diabetes and after the treatment with insulin. The insulin secretory activity of Aegle marmelose and Costus pictus leaf extracts and the effect of cholinergic receptor agonist were investigated in vitro using rat primary pancreatic islet culture. Muscarinic MI receptor kinetics and gene expression during diabetes and regulation of insulin secretion by Aegle marmelose and Costus pie/us leaf extracts will help us to elucidate the role of Muscarinic and Muscarinic MI receptors in hyperglycemia and the regulatory activity of these plant extracts on insulin secretion through Muscarinic receptors.

Estrutura populacional e maturidade sexual de Sylviocarcinus pictus (h. Milne-Eduards, 1853) e S. Devillei h. Milne-Eduards, 1853 (Brachyura, Trichodactylidae) das ilhas do estuário amazônico no entorno de Belém, Pará, Brasil

A dissertação foi elaborada no formato de artigos, separados em capítulos, conforme formatação do Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia Aquática e Pesca da Universidade Federal do Pará. E todos os experimentos foram conduzidos sob licença ambiental (IBAMA/MMA nº 02018.00729/06-36). O capítulo geral contém uma breve introdução sobre os caranguejos de água doce, com ênfase para os Trichodactylidae. Em seguida, apresentam-se os objetivos e a metodologia comum utilizada no trabalho. Os resultados foram agrupados em quatro capítulos, abordando aspectos da biologia de duas espécies de caranguejos dulcícolas presentes na baía do Guajará, Pará, Brasil: Sylviocarcinus devillei H. Milne-Eduards, 1853 e Sylviocarcinus pictus (H. Milne-Eduards, 1853). No primeiro capítulo foi investigada a estrutura populacional (razão sexual e estrutura em tamanho), bem como a distribuição dos caranguejos em relação aos locais de coleta e aos fatores abióticos (temperatura e salinidade). O segundo capítulo aborda a seletividade das armadilhas utilizadas na captura dos espécimens. No terceiro capitulo foi estimado o tamanho de maturidade sexual morfológica através de dados de comprimento e peso corporal, realizado para S. devillei e S. pictus e no último capítulo foi investigado o tamanho de maturidade a partir de análises histológicas das gônadas de S. pictus. Ao final, foram apresentadas as conclusões gerais e perspectivas.

Gonadal development in the freshwater crab Sylviocarcinus pictus (H. Milne Edwards, 1853) (Brachyura: Trichodactylidae) from the Guamá river, state of Pará, Brazil

Os estádios de desenvolvimento das gônadas de machos e fêmeas de caranguejos Sylviocarcinus pictus (H. Milne Eduards, 1853) foram descritos por meio de observações macroscópicas e microscópicas (técnica histológica). A descrição histológica foi baseada em 40 espécimes (20 de cada sexo). Foram identificados quatro estádios de desenvolvimento para as fêmeas: imaturo, em maturação, maturo e em reabsorção. As seguintes células foram encontradas: ovogônias, ovócitos em vitelogênese inicial, ovócitos em vitelogênese avançada, células foliculares e folículos pós-ovulatórios. Três estádios de desenvolvimento foram encontrados para os machos: imaturo, em maturação e maturo, com indicação de: espermatogônias, espermatócitos, espermátides, espermatozóides e espermatóforos. Tais dados sugerem o padrão descrito na literatura. O tamanho da maturidade sexual foi de 32,3 mm de largura da carapaça para machos e 31,5 mm para fêmeas. Os estádios gonadais observados macroscopicamente por meio do volume e da coloração das gônadas foram validados pela análise histológica, sendo um critério útil e ágil para a identificação da maturidade sexual para a espécie. O presente estudo oferece informações inéditas sobre a biologia reprodutiva de Sylviocarcinus pictus.

Aboral ectoderm-specific expression and regulation of the LpS1 genes of {\it Lytechinus pictus\/}

The Spec genes serve as molecular markers for examining the ontogeny of the aboral ectoderm lineage of sea urchin embryos. These genes are activated at late-cleavage stage only in cells contributing to the aboral ectoderm of Strongylocentrotus purpuratus and encode 14,000-17,000 Da calcium-binding proteins. A comparative analysis was undertaken to better understand the mechanisms underlying the activation and function of the Spec genes by investigating Spec homologues from Lytechinus pictus, a distantly related sea urchin. Spec antibodies cross-reacted with 34,000 Da proteins in L. pictus embryos that displayed a similar ontogenetic pattern to that of Spec proteins. One cDNA clone, LpS1, was isolated by hybridization to a synthetic oligonucleotide corresponding to a calcium-binding domain or EF-hand. The LpS1 mRNA has developmental properties similar to those of the Spec mRNAs. LpS1 encodes a 34,000 Da protein containing eight EF-hand domains, which share structural homology with the Spec EF-hands; however, little else in the protein sequence is conserved, implying that calcium-binding is important for Spec protein function. Genomic DNA blot analysis showed two LpS1 genes, LpS1$\alpha$ and LpS1$\beta$, in L. pictus. Partial gene structures for both LpS1$\alpha$ and $\beta$ were constructed based on genomic clones isolated from an L. pictus genomic library. These revealed internal duplications of the LpS1 genes that accounted for the eight EF-hand domains in the LpS1 proteins. Sequencing analysis showed there was little in common among the 5$\sp\prime$-flanking regions of the LpS1 and Spec genes except for the presence of a binding site for the transcription factor USF.^ A sea urchin gene-transfer expression system showed that 762 base pairs (bp) of 5$\sp\prime$-flanking DNA from the LpS1$\beta$ gene were sufficient for correct temporal and spatial expression of reporter genes in sea urchin embryos. Deletions at the 5$\sp\prime$ end to 511, 368, or 108bp resulted in a 3-4 fold decrease in chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) activity and disrupted the restricted activation of the lac Z gene in aboral ectoderm cells.^ A full-length Spec1 protein and a truncated LpS1 protein were induced and partially purified from an in vitro expression system. (Abstract shortened with permission of author.) ^

Coherence and Historical understanding in children's Biography and Historical Nonfiction Literature: A Content Analysis of Selected Orbis Pictus Books

The purpose of this study was to investigate a selection of children's historical nonfiction literature for evidence of coherence. Although research has been conducted on coherence of textbook material and its influences on comprehension there has been limited study on coherence in children's nonfiction literature. Generally, textual coherence has been seen as critical in the comprehensibility of content area textbooks because it concerns the unity of connections among ideas and information. Disciplinary coherence concerns the extent to which authors of historical text show readers how historians think and write. Since young readers are apprentices in learning historical content and conventions of historical thinking, evidence of disciplinary coherence is significant in nonfiction literature for young readers. The sample of the study contained 32 books published between 1989 and 2000 ranging in length from less than 90 pages to more than 150 pages. Content analysis was the quantitative research technique used to measure 84 variables of textual and disciplinary coherence in three passages of each book, as proportions of the total number of words for each book. Reliability analyses and an examination of 750 correlations showed the extent to which variables were related in the books. Three important findings emerged from the study that should be considered in the selection and use of children's historical nonfiction literature in classrooms. First, characteristics of coherence are significantly related together in high quality nonfiction literature. Second, shorter books have a higher proportion of textual coherence than longer books as measured in three passages. Third, presence of the author is related to characteristics of coherence throughout the books. The findings show that nonfiction literature offers students content that researchers have found textbooks lack. Both younger and older students have the opportunity to learn the conventions of historical thinking as they learn content through nonfiction literature. Further, the children's literature, represented in the Orbis Pictus list, shows students that authors select, interpret, and question information, and give other interpretations. The implications of the study for teaching history, teacher preparation in content and literacy, school practices, children's librarians, and publishers of children's nonfiction are discussed.

Joh. Amos Comenii orbis sensualium pictus : hoc est omnium principalium in mundo rerum, et in vita actionum, pictura & nomenclatura = Joh. Amos Comenius's Visible world, or, A nomenclature, and pictures of all the chief things that are in the world, and of men's employments therein : in above 150 cuts /

Includes index.

Neuester orbis pictus; oder, Die sichtbare Welt in Bildern, ein Universalbilderbuch,

Mode of access: Internet.

Anesthesia of captive African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus) using a medetomidine-ketamine-atropine combination

Seven captive male African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus) weighing 25-32 kg each, were anesthetized by i.m. injection via hand syringe with a combination of 1.5 mg/kg ketamine, 40 mu g/kg medetomidine, and 0.05 mg/kg atropine. Following endotracheal intubation, each animal was connected to a bain closed-circuit system that delivered 1.5% isoflurane and 2 L/min oxygen. Atipamezole (0.1 mg/kg i.v.; 0.1 mg/kg i.m.) was given at the end of each procedure (60 min following injection of medetomidine/ketamine/atropine). Time to sternal recumbency was 5-8 min. Times to standing after atipamezole administration were 8-20 min. This anesthetic regimen was repeated on three separate occasions (September 2000, February 2002, and October 2002) on all males to perform electroejaculation procedures. Each procedure was < 80 min from injection to standing. Dogs showed excellent muscle relaxation during the procedures. Arterial blood samples were collected at 10-min intervals for blood gases in one procedure (September 2000). Separate venous samples were taken from each dog during each procedure for hematology and biochemistry. These values were within the normal range for this species. Arterial hemoglobin oxygen saturation (SpO2) and heart rate (HR) were monitored continuously in addition to other anesthesia monitoring procedures (body temperature, respiratory rate [RR], capillary refill time, blink response, pupil position, deep pain perception reflex). All dogs maintained relatively stable SpO2 profiles during monitoring, with a mean (+/- SD) SpO2 of 92% +/- 5.4%. All other physiological variables (HR, RR, body temperature, blood pressure) were within normal limits. Following each procedure, normal behavior was noted in all dogs. All the dogs were reunited into the pack at completion of their anesthetic procedures. An injectable medetomidine-ketamine-atropine combination with maintenance by gaseous isoflurane and oxygen provides an inexpensive, reliable anesthetic for captive African wild dogs.

Moving to stay in place: behavioral mechanisms for coexistence of African large carnivores

Most ecosystems have multiple predator species that not only compete for shared prey, but also pose direct threats to each other. These intraguild interactions are key drivers of carnivore community structure, with ecosystem-wide cascading effects. Yet, behavioral mechanisms for coexistence of multiple carnivore species remain poorly understood. The challenges of studying large, free-ranging carnivores have resulted in mainly coarse-scale examination of behavioral strategies without information about all interacting competitors. We overcame some of these challenges by examining the concurrent fine-scale movement decisions of almost all individuals of four large mammalian carnivore species in a closed terrestrial system. We found that the intensity of intraguild interactions did not follow a simple hierarchical allometric pattern, because spatial and behavioral tactics of subordinate species changed with threat and resource levels across seasons. Lions (Panthera leo) were generally unrestricted and anchored themselves in areas rich in not only their principal prey, but also, during periods of resource limitation (dry season), rich in the main prey for other carnivores. Because of this, the greatest cost (potential intraguild predation) for subordinate carnivores was spatially coupled with the highest potential benefit of resource acquisition (prey-rich areas), especially in the dry season. Leopard (P. pardus) and cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) overlapped with the home range of lions but minimized their risk using fine-scaled avoidance behaviors and restricted resource acquisition tactics. The cost of intraguild competition was most apparent for cheetahs, especially during the wet season, as areas with energetically rewarding large prey (wildebeest) were avoided when they overlapped highly with the activity areas of lions. Contrary to expectation, the smallest species (African wild dog, Lycaon pictus) did not avoid only lions, but also used multiple tactics to minimize encountering all other competitors. Intraguild competition thus forced wild dogs into areas with the lowest resource availability year round. Coexistence of multiple carnivore species has typically been explained by dietary niche separation, but our multi-scaled movement results suggest that differences in resource acquisition may instead be a consequence of avoiding intraguild competition. We generate a more realistic representation of hierarchical behavioral interactions that may ultimately drive spatially explicit trophic structures of multi-predator communities.

Development of hexagrammids (Pisces: Scorpaeniformes) in the northeastern Pacific Ocean

Larvae of Oxylebius pictus, Zaniolepis sp., Ophiodon elongatus, Hexagrommos stelleri, H. decagrammus, H. lagocephalus, H. octogrammus, and Pleurogrammus monopterygius are described and illustrated from field collections which were supplemented by laboratory reared specimens of some species. Larvae hatch at a rather large size (3-9 mm), are heavily pigmented, and undergo direct development to an epipelagic prejuvenile stage. Larvae or the five genera are separable on the basis of body shape, pigmentation, and meristic characters. Larvae or the four species of Hexagrammos, which are quite similar in appearance, are separable on the basis of a combination of several pigmentation characters. Developmental evidence indicates that Oxylebius and Zaniolepis are similar to each other and are more similar to presumed primitive coUids than the other included genera. Ophiodon is dissimilar to the other four genera. Pleurogrammus and Hexagrommos have similar appearing larvae. Among the species of Hexagrammos a progression or increasing larval pigmentation can be seen from H. stelleri to H. decagrammus, H. lagocephalus, and H. octogrammus. (PDF file contains 50 pages.)