Morphology of eggs of Dioctophyme renale Goeze, 1782 (Nematoda: Dioctophymatidae) and influences of temperature on development of first-stage larvae in the eggs

Este estudo teve a finalidade de fornecer dados morfológicos de ovos de D. renale e do desenvolvimento de larvas de primeiro estádio em ovos mantidos em diferentes temperaturas. Os ovos foram obtidos por centrífugação da urina de cães parasitados e colocados em placas de Petri em estufa BOD, durante 90 dias. O experimento consistiu de três tratamentos (GI - 15 ºC, GII - 20 ºC e GIII - 26 ºC) com cinco repetições cada. Os ovos apresentaram tamanho médio de 67,23 x 42,78 µm, e o tempo médio de incubação foi inversamente proporcional à temperatura de incubação e as larvas apresentaram motilidade por aproximadamente uma semana após sua formação.

The matrix-tolerance hypothesis: an empirical test with frogs in the Atlantic Forest

The matrix-tolerance hypothesis suggests that the most abundant species in the inter-habitat matrix would be less vulnerable to their habitat fragmentation. This model was tested with leaf-litter frogs in the Atlantic Forest where the fragmentation process is older and more severe than in the Amazon, where the model was first developed. Frog abundance data from the agricultural matrix, forest fragments and continuous forest localities were used. We found an expected negative correlation between the abundance of frogs in the matrix and their vulnerability to fragmentation, however, results varied with fragment size and species traits. Smaller fragments exhibited stronger matrix-vulnerability correlation than intermediate fragments, while no significant relation was observed for large fragments. Moreover, some species that avoid the matrix were not sensitive to a decrease in the patch size, and the opposite was also true, indicating significant differences with that expected from the model. Most of the species that use the matrix were forest species with aquatic larvae development, but those species do not necessarily respond to fragmentation or fragment size, and thus affect more intensively the strengthen of the expected relationship. Therefore, the main relationship expected by the matrix-tolerance hypothesis was observed in the Atlantic Forest; however we noted that the prediction of this hypothesis can be substantially affected by the size of the fragments, and by species traits. We propose that matrix-tolerance model should be broadened to become a more effective model, including other patch characteristics, particularly fragment size, and individual species traits (e. g., reproductive mode and habitat preference).

External Morphology of the Immatures of Polybia paulista (Hymenoptera: Vespidae)

The immatures of Polybia paulista Ihering were described using light and scanning electron microscopy and the results are compared with previous descriptions within the same or related wasps. This study is based on 2 whole nests collected in the municipality of Rio Claro, São Paulo, in Brazil. We have detected the existence of 5 larval instars. The main morphological alterations over development occur in the relative size of structures, yet certain structures appear with subsequent instars and become more evident later in development: increasing density in the number of body spines and papillae; the appearance of body setae in fifth-instar larvae; opening of spiracles upon second-instar larvae; 2 body shapes in fifth-instar larvae; the appearance of a lateral tooth on the mandibles of fourth instar; presence of spines on the maxillae of fifth-instar larvae; altered shape of galea and palps upon third-instar larvae from a cluster of sensilla to a conical elevation; and the appearance of spines on postmentum upon fourth-instar larvae. This way, the present study presents a detailed description of the immatures of P. paulista, and we hope the presented information can be useful to morphological, taxonomic, and phylogenetic studies.

Caracterização de novos isolados de Bacillus thuringiensis para o controle de importantes insetos-praga da agricultura

A bactéria Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner produz um corpo de inclusão paraesporal (cristal) de natureza proteica, formado durante a esporulação, que atua de forma eficiente no controle de insetos-praga de culturas economicamente importantes. Esse cristal é constituído de proteínas Cry, que são codificadas pelos genes cry; um isolado pode ser caracterizado pelo conteúdo de genes cry que apresenta. Visando caracterizar novos isolados no combate de insetos-praga pertencentes às ordens Lepidoptera e Coleoptera, 76 isolados bacterianos foram analisados molecularmente e tiveram seu potencial de controle avaliado por meio de bioensaios com larvas de Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith), Sphenophorus levis Vaurie e Tenebrio molitor Linnaeus. As análises moleculares indicaram 11 isolados (14,5% da coleção), contendo genes lepidóptero-específicos e 17 (22,37%) com genes coleóptero-específicos. As análises de patogenicidade revelaram dois isolados com alto potencial de controle para lagartas de S. frugiperda, um para larvas de S. levis e seis prejudiciais ao desenvolvimento das larvas de T. molitor. Esses isolados de B. thuringiensis podem ser promissores no controle biológico das referidas pragas.

Seasonal effect of three pasture plants species on the free-living stages of Haemonchus contortus

Avaliaram-se o desenvolvimento e a sobrevivência dos estágios de vida livre de Haemonchus contortus em fezes obtidas de ovinos infectados por esse nematódeo, depositadas nas quatro estações do ano, em pastagens de três espécies de gramíneas (Brachiaria decumbens cv Australiana, Cynodon dactylon cv. Coast-cross e Panicum maximum cv. Aruana), com duas alturas (5cm e 30cm) no momento da deposição das fezes. Amostras de fezes e de capim foram coletadas uma, duas, quatro, oito, 12 e 16 semanas após a deposição das fezes e processadas em laboratório, para recuperação de larvas infectantes. O maior número de larvas infectantes foi recuperado das amostras de capim e de fezes nas pastagens com 30cm de altura. As condições climáticas que mais favoreceram o desenvolvimento e a sobrevivência das larvas nas fezes, bem como a sobrevivência e a manutenção das larvas no capim foram aquelas com temperaturas médias em torno de 17ºC, acompanhadas de baixas precipitações pluviométricas. As temperaturas mais altas e as precipitações elevadas, que ocorrem na chamada estação das águas, foram desfavoráveis para a recuperação de larvas infectantes da pastagem. de forma geral, a pastagem de Aruana foi a que possibilitou as maiores recuperações de larvas.

Biologia de Psyllobora confluens alimentada com o fungo Erysiphe cichoracearum

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar os aspectos biológicos de Psyllobora confluens alimentada com o fungo Erysiphe cichoracearum em folhas de quiabeiro. Larvas recém-eclodidas de P. confluens foram individualizadas e alimentadas diariamente com hifas e conídios do fungo, em folhas de quiabeiro, a 23,6±3 e 27,4±2ºC e fotófase de 12 horas. A duração dos estágios imaturos, os aspectos reprodutivos e a longevidade de P. confluens foram avaliados. O período de desenvolvimento de larva a adulto foi 20,5 dias a 23,6ºC e 16,6 dias a 27,4ºC. em ambas as temperaturas, 80% das larvas de P. confluens atingiram a fase adulta. Fêmeas de P. confluens apresentaram período de oviposição de 32,7 dias, com capacidade diária e total de oviposição de 16,8 e 439,9 ovos, respectivamente. A longevidade das fêmeas foi de 46,1 dias e a dos machos 58,7 dias. P. confluens, ao se alimentar do fungo E. cichoracearum em folhas de quiabeiro, completa o ciclo de vida e apresenta elevados padrões de sobrevivência e reprodução.

Folhas de amoreira tratadas com vitamina e esterol e seus efeitos em parâmetros biológicos de Bombyx mori L.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of adding different concentrations of the leaf additives nandrolone decanoate, ascorbic acid, retinol palmitate and retinol acetate on biological parameters of Bombyx mori larvae. The results showed that nandrolone and ascorbic acid, both at 0.5%, provide the best value for the development of the larvae of B. mori, values which do not correspond to significant increases in cocoon and silk production; 1.0% of retinol palmitate show negative effect to larvae development.

Salinidade e composição iônica da água na larvicultura do camarão-da-amazônia, Macrobrachium amazonicum

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Levedura íntegra e leverura autolisada como pronutriente em dieta para reprodutores de Tílápia do Nilo (Oreochromis niloticus)

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

EXTERNAL MORPHOLOGY OF THE IMMATURES OF POLYBIA PAULISTA (HYMENOPTERA: VESPIDAE)

The immatures of Polybia paulista Ihering were described using light and scanning electron microscopy and the results are compared with previous descriptions within the same or related wasps. This study is based on 2 whole nests collected in the municipality of Rio Claro, Sao Paulo, in Brazil. We have detected the existence of 5 larval instars. The main morphological alterations over development occur in the relative size of structures, yet certain structures appear with subsequent instars and become more evident later in development: increasing density in the number of body spines and papillae; the appearance of body setae in fifth-instar larvae; opening of spiracles upon second-instar larvae; 2 body shapes in fifth-instar larvae; the appearance of a lateral tooth on the mandibles of fourth instar; presence of spines on the maxillae of fifth-instar larvae; altered shape of galea and palps upon third-instar larvae from a cluster of sensilla to a conical elevation; and the appearance of spines on postmentum upon fourth-instar larvae. This way, the present study presents a detailed description of the immatures of P. paulista, and we hope the presented information can be useful to morphological, taxonomic, and phylogenetic studies.

Hide, survive and hitch a ride, the dispersal of Antarctic krill into the nursery habitats

Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba), a key species of Southern Ocean food webs plays a central role in ecosystem processes, community dynamics of apex predators and as a commercial fishery target. A decline in krill abundance during the late 20th century in the SW Atlantic sector has been linked to a concomitant decrease in sea ice, based on the hypothesis that sea ice acts as a feeding ground for overwintering larvae. However, evidence supporting this hypothesis has been scarce due to logistical challenges of collecting data in austral winter. Here we report on a winter study that involved diver observations of larval krill in their under-ice environment, ship-based studies of krill, sea ice physical characteristics, and biophysical model analyses of krill-ocean-ice interactions. We present evidence that complex under-ice topography is vital for larval krill in terms of dispersal and advection into high productive nursery habitats, rather than the provision by the ice environment of food. Further, ongoing changes in sea ice will lead to increases in sea-ice regimes favourable for overwintering larval krill but shifting southwards. This will result in ice-free conditions in the SW Atlantic, which will be conducive for enhancing food supplies due to sufficient light and iron availability, thus enhancing larvae development and growth. However, the associated impact on dispersal and advection may lead to a net shift in krill from the SW Atlantic to regions further east by the eastward flowing ACC and the northern branch of the Weddell Gyre, with profound consequences for the Southern Ocean pelagic ecosystem.

Effects of suspended sediments on the development of eggs and larvae of striped bass and white perch

The possible ecological effects of suspended sediments are manifold. Briefly, suspended sediments may cause an increased surface for microorganism growth, fewer temperature fluctuations, chemical adsorption or absorption, blanketing, mechanical-abrasive actions, and light penetration reduction (Cairns, 1968). Sherk and Cronin (1970) have pointed out that the above effects have been little studied in the estuarine environment. The ecological effects of suspended sediments on fish eggs and larvae may be of prime importance t o the C and D Canal area, an important spawning and primary nursery area for a variety of estuary: e species (Johnson,1972). This section discusses the effects of suspended sediment on the eggs and larvae of striped bass and white perch.

Development of spiny lobster (Panulirus argus) phyllosoma larvae in the plankton near Bermuda

Farmer, M.W.; Ward, J.; Luckhurst, B.E.