Repositório RCAAP

The feeding of P. spinunanus Latreille, 1819 was analyzed from January to December 1995 using the frequency of occurrence, frequency of points and feeding index methods. The species presents a broad trophic specter and diversified, composed by 24 items. The trophic analyses indicated the species show that the categories Crustacea, Osteichthyes, Echinodennata and Mollusca were the rnostexploited resources.

Portunus spinimanus Latreille, 1819 is one abundant Portunidae speeies whieh are eaught by sea-bob-shrimps artisanal fishery in Armaçãodo Itapoeoroy,Penha, Santa Catarina, Brazil. Aiming to analyze its population strueture, a total of 995 males and 1925 fernaleswere eollected by means of overtrawl frorn January to Decernber 1995, between the depthsof 610 10meters,in lhe periodsof morning,afternoonand evening. The width variation of lhe carapaee ranged írom 3.0 to 14.0 em in the males and 3.0 to 11.0emin females. The species presents growth isometric and the males reach width and weight assintoticand bigger that lhe females.The estirnatedfirst maturation width was between 6.8 and 7.6 em, reached with lhe approxirnated age of 15 months. The artisanal fishery in Armação do lrapocoroy is acting with a higher intensity over the juveniles stock.

Study carried out within the urban perimeter of Londrina, which is located in the North of the state of Paraná. The objectives were the identification of urban species of bats and diurnal roosts used by them and the verification of the problems they can cause to the population. The fire brigade, the Autarquia Municipal do Ambiente de Londrina (Municipal Environment Autarchy of Londrina), the Biology Department of the Universidade Estadual de Londrina (State University of Londrina) and local residents helped spot the roosts. The collections were carried out in regular intervals between April 1998 and March 1999. By the end of them, 815 bats of 23 different species had been captured. Among these, 12 were found near or inside human constructions: Noctilio albiventris Desmarest, 1818; Artibeits lituratus (Olfers, 1818); Platyrrhinus lineatus (E. Geoffroy, 1810); Eptesicus brasiliensis Desmarest 1819; Lasiurus bore-alls (Muller 1776); Lasiurus ega (Gervais, 1856); Eumops glaucinus (Wagner, 1843); Molossus rufus (E. Geoffroy, 1805); Molossus molossus (Pallas, 1766); Nyctinomops laticaudatus (E. Geoffroy, 1805); Nyctinomops macrotis (Gray, 1840) e Tadarida brasiliensis (i. Geoffroy, 1824). Roost sites comprised expansion joints, roofs, attics and parks, among others. It can be concluded that bats are treated as undesirable animals by the population due to the lack of knowledge about the subject.

The larva of Cosmariomyia argyrosticta Kertész, 1914 and the puparium of Dactylodeictes lopesi Lindner, 1964 are described for the first time, based on four larvae and 10 puparia and one puparium respectively. Larvae were collected under the bark of fallen trees in an area near of tropical rain forest at Iguaba Grande (22º50'21"S, 42º13'44"W, 18 m) and Buzios (22º44'49"S, 41º52'54"W, 3 m), State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Some biological notes are also presented. The larvae of Cosmariomyia argyrosticta and Dactylodeictes lopesi are compared with Chalcidomorphina aurata Enderlein, 1914 and Vittiger schnusei Kertész, 1909.

Ramnogaster arcuata (Jenyns, 1842) and Platanichthys platana (Regan, 1917), found at the estuary of Lagoa dos Patos and coastal lagoon (Lagoa Mirim) at the South of Brazil, are two sympatric clupeid fishes with very similar features. In order to clarify their taxonomic and geographical situation, delimiting its occurrence in fresh waters, a comparative study of the bony structures of the head, anal and dorsal fins and ventral scutes of these two sardines was developed. The osteological study with clear and stain technique included more information about the differentiation of the groups from the bones of the supramaxilla, dentary, pterygiophore and epipleural ribs. Variations on the body shape of those species were analyzed through the multivariate morphometry, in order to obtain differentiation patterns between the groups. Thirty specimens were selected from each species. The measurements were obtained by truss network, by using 10 homologous anatomical landmarks. The analysis of the principal components, adjusted by Burnaby's orthogonal projection, indicated two main groups, separated along the PC 1. which explained 63.2% of the variation between groups. The diagnostic characters that differentiate R. arcuata from P. platana, were related to segments of distance of the head, longitudinal growth, body height and caudal peduncle. Furthermore, two groups of P. platana were found. In spite of their morphological similarities, they presented a differentiation gradient between the estuary population of the Patos Lagoon and the Mirim Lagoon, possibly resulting from two ecologically different environments.

Five new species of Smicridea McLachlan, 1971, are described and illustrated for specimens collected during entomological inventories in the states of Espírito Santo, Goiás, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo and Paraná (Brazil). Four of these new species belong to the subgenus Rhyacophylax Müller, 1879: S. (R.) froehlichi, S. (R.) jundiai, S. (R.) mangaratiba, S. (R.) ralphi, and one to the subgenus Smicridea McLachlan, 1871: S. (S.) mirnae.

During the project GEDIP, in the coast of the State of Rio Grande do Sul, with some stations off Uruguay, a specimen female of the brachyuran crab Lepteces ornatus Rathbun, 1893 was found. Up till now this species was known only by his type material, from Arrowsmith Bank, Yukatan, Mexico. Description, material examined and distribution are done.

The spider fauna composition of three rubber tree commercial plantations in the Northwest part of São Paulo State, Brazil, was characterized for both canopy and litter strata. On seven occasions from April 2000 to October 2001, samples were taken by beating sheet and hand capture, resulting in a total of 946 individuals, belonging to 24 families and 119 species. The most common species were Italaman santamaria Brescovit, 1997 and Teudis sp. (Anyphaenidae), Castianeira sp. and Falconina aff. gracilis (Corinnidae), Paracleocnemis sp. (Philodromidae), Ibotyporanga naideae Mello-Leitão, 1944 (Pholcidae), Chira spinipes (Taczanowiski, 1871) and Rudra sp. (Salticidae), Achaearanea hirta (Taczanowiski, 1873) and Coleosoma floridanum (Banks, 1900) (Theridiidae) and Goeldia sp. (Titanoecidae). Anyphaenidae, Theridiidae and Salticidae were the most abundant families in the canopy, while Pholcidae and Corinnidae in the litter. Spider abundance was found to be, in general, positively correlated to the litter volume and density of branches in the trees. The use of acaricides and insecticides for one plantation resulted in a decrease in spider abundance for both strata. Abundance values among the samples suggest that the canopy spider abundance decreases with the loss of leaves in the dry season. Simultaneously, litter spider abundance increased in this season, because of the increase in litter volume. The most active canopy spiders, like runners and stalkers, should be investigated for their potential as pest control agents.

The objective of this study was to compare two different morphometric methodologies - traditional measurements and truss networks - based on two species of silversides, Odontesthes bonariensis (Valenciennes, 1835) and O. humensis De Buen, 1953, to determine which of the methods results in more reliable distinction between groups. The traditional measures do not represent the true fish form because it does not take into account alometric variations or distinct growth stages. The measures with truss networks extend over the fish form thoroughly resulting in complete representation of the fish's body when homologous morphologic points are connected. The two sets of measures used in the principal components analysis resulted in two groups. The first principal component presented similar positive coefficients, being interpreted as a variation of "size", due to different stages of fish growth. The second component presented positive and negative coefficients, with different values that were interpreted as changes in the "shape" of the organisms. As the groups overlapped partially on the second component axis (the one that represents shape), data were adjusted to exclude the size effect. The first component, then, presented positive and negative coefficients that were related to changes in the shape of organisms. The variables with positive coefficients were related to the anterior area of the body, while the negative coefficients were associated with the caudal peduncle. These variables were the same ones found in both the adjusted and non-adjusted analysis. This study showed that measures with truss networks represented more clearly the difference between groups of O. bonariensis and O. humensis, than with the traditional measures.

The aim of this study was to estimate the fecundity of Dilocarcinus pagei Stimpson, 1861 and Sylviocarcinus australis Magalhães & Turkay, 1996, collected in the Paraguay River, Porto Murtinho County, State of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, between coordinates 21º42,000'S 57º33,649'W and 21º41,449'S 57º33,770'W, in the period of April 1999 to March 2000. After general collection procedures, the specimens were measured and processed in laboratory conditions. The river water crab species hatch like juveniles and, frequently, female specimens were observed carrying eggs in different stages of development, besides juveniles and eggs at the same time. It was apparent in the frequency distributions that D. pagei has a carapace width average greater than S. australis. The number of eggs and juveniles transported varied amongst species and amongst size class. A size superposition was observed between young and adult females for both species. According to the calculated fecundity index, D. pagei presented slightly more elevated values (7.41) than S. australis (6.65). Eggs are spherical and are not adhering to pleopods. Egg size did not varied during development, continuing with 2mm diameters.

The present work describes mean values of hepatosomatic relation (HSR), splenosomatic relation (SSR) and viscerosomatic relation (VSR) in mullet, Mugil platanus Günther, 1880 (Mugilidae) from Cananéia lagoon-stuarine region, São Paulo, Brazil. Parasites of the following taxonomic categories were found in the respective organs - gills: Monogenean helminths, Trichodinidae, Copepoda and Hirudinea; blood: Haemogregarina mugili Carini, 1932 (Apicomplexa) e Trypanosoma froesi Lima, 1976 (Sarcomastigophora) and liver: cysts of Phagicola sp. The average values of red blood cells count (RBC), hemoglobin rate (Hb), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) of male, female and indifferentiaed, were similar. However, the hematocrit (Hct) in male was higher than female and indifferentiaed. It was not observed significant differences in HSR, SSR and VSR between male and female. Nervertheless, the VSR in indifferentiaed mullet was higher than for male and female.

The reproductive activity parameters of the teleosts Pimelodus maculatus Lacépède, 1803, Leporinus amblyrhynchus Garavello & Britski, 1987 and Schizodon nasutus Kner, 1859 was evaluated at a newly formed reservoir in the Araguari River, Paraná River basin, Southeast Brazil. The fishes were captured by gill nets bimonthly from November 1997 to November 1998 at three sampling stations. The stages of gonad development were identified macroscopically in the field and then confirmed by histological analysis in the laboratory. The females of all species reached larger standard length than the males. Pimelodus maculatus in reproductive activity were captured only in November, 1997 and January, 1998 whereas L. amblyrhynchus and S. nasutus were in activity throughout the year. The gonadosomatic index reached the peak during the advanced maturation stage in all species, but the hepatosomatic index and coelomic fat index exhibited distinct tendencies. Length at first maturity was 9.5 cm SL for amblyrhynchus females and 17.1 and 13.0 cm SL, respectively, for S. nasutus females and males. L. amblyrhynchus and S. nasutus are partial spawners. The size at first maturity and type of spawning of P. maculatus were not possible to determine in this work.

The activities of four colonies of Plebeia saiqui (Holmberg, 1903), of São Francisco de Paula, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, were studied from October, 1998 to September. 1999, comparatively during the oviposition period and the diapause. The construction of the cells was monitored by direct observation of the nests. The duration of the diapause period varied from 76 to 168 days. Monthly, the bees that left and entered were counted for 10 minutes, at each hour, during the complete period of flight activity. Influence of meteorological factors on the activities of bees flight was analyzed through simple and multiple regressions. During the oviposition period was found that solar irradiation, temperature and relative humidity had a significant influence on bees flight activity. However, during the diapausa only solar irradiation and temperature played significant influence on bees flight activity. The wind never influenced in a significant way on the flight of the bees.

A short inventory of the mammalian fauna occurring in an area of the Marajó Island was performed during the rainy season. In addition to captures by using Sherman and Tomahawk traps, and mist-nets, indirect evidence was considered, e.g. finding of body fragments of specimens, vocalization, and testimonies from local people. A total of 57 species (22 families) was recorded. None of them is presently considered as critically endangered according to the IUCN criteria. First confirmed record for the fruit-eating bat Platyrrhinus brachycephalus (Rouk & Carter, 1972) in the Marajó archipelago. Additional surveys conducted in both wet and dry seasons are required for improving the profile of richness and diversity of mammal species in that region.

The reproductive aspects of the freshwater shrimp Palaemon pandaliformis (Stimpson, 1871) were studied from March, 1998 to February, 1999. Monthly, samples were collected with sives, on the river edge, under the edging vegetation or in small pools. At the laboratory, shrimps were sexed and measured in their total lenght, from the tip of the rostrum to the of telson with precision callipters. The ovigerous shrimps were separated and counted for fecundity determination. The eggs diameter was measured with calibrated stereomicroscope. A total of 872 were collected among which, 46% female, 29% male and 25% juvenil. The sex ratio was 1:1.57. Ovigerous females were present during all seasons, but the reproductive peak accurred in Spring. The ovigerous female showed total lenght from 23.0 to 39.6 mm. The mean fecundity was 137 eggs per female, with a minimum of 40 eggs and a maximum of 270 eggs. The first sexual maturation probably occur at 23.0 mm total lenght. The mean diameter os the eggs size was 0.51 mm (minor) and 0.73 mm (major).

The reproductive aspects of the freshwater shrimp Potimirim glabra (Kingsley, 1878) were studied from September 1997 to February 1999. Monthly, samples were collected with sieves, on the river edge, under the edging vegetation or in small pools. At the laboratory, shrimps were sexed and measured in their total lenght, from the tip of the rostrum to the end of telson with precision callipers. The ovigerous shrimps were separated and counted for fecundity determination. The eggs diameter was measured with calibrated stereomicroscope. A total of 3281 shrimps were collected, among which, 47% male, 46% female (13.4% ovigerous females) and 7% young shrimps. The Sex ratio was 1:1. Ovigerous females were present during all seasons, but the reproductive peak occurred in spring. The ovigerous female showed total lenght from 9.5 to 26.0 mm and carapace lenght from 1.6 to 7.3 mm. The mean fecundity was 545 eggs per female, with a minimun of 223 eggs and a maximum of 860 eggs. The first sexual maturation probably occur at 9.5 mm total lenght. The mean diameter of the eggs size was 0.32 mm (minor) and 0.53 mm (major).

Mites started to be considered economically important on rubber tree since the early 1990's, when they were considered responsible for damages caused to this crop and by the consequent yield reduction. The aim of this work was to determine the mites present on this crop in the State of Mato Grosso and to elaborate a key for the separation of the species found. This study was conducted in fields of Plantacoes Edouard Michelin Ltda., in Itiquira, and Triângulo Agro-Industrial S/A. in Pontes e Lacerda. Samplings were conducted monthly in six different clones: PB 260, PR 255, IAN 713, IAN 873, FX 3864 and RRIM 600. Clones PB 260 and IAN 873 were sampled between August 1998 and July 2000; other clones were sampled between August 1999 and July 2000. In the season 1998/1999 samples consisted of 15 leaves of each of 10 plants taken randomly and in the season 1999/2000, 5 leaves of the median stratum of each of 15 plants taken randomly were sampled. A total of 4270 mites were found, belonging to 11 families. Nearly 77,2% of the mites collected belonged to the families Eriophyidae. Tarsone-midae. Tcnuipalpidae and Tetranychidae. composed predominantly by phytophagous species. Phytoseiidae was the most diverse family, with 15 species, followed by the families Tetranychidae and Eriophydae, with five species, and Tydeidae, with four species.

Assemblage structure is related to predictable patterns of species composition, richness, and abundance. Stream habitat heterogeneity can be approached by two markedly hydrological sorts, riffles and pools, mainly featured by current, depth and substrate. Riffle and pool effect was studied on fish assemblages of three headwater terra firme rainforest streams in Urubu River basin. Central Amazonia, by 30-minute diurnal bank-side observational sampling intervals in which specimens were identified and counted. Twenty four habitats were chosen, eigth by stream, four riffles and four pools, for sampling in four trimestral periods in 1996 and 1997. The observations resulted in 754 specimens of 19 species. The most abundant species were: Pyrrhulina brevis Steindachner, 1975, Hemigrammus gr. ocellifer, Hyphessobrycon aff. melazonatus Durbin in Eigenmann, 1908, Hyphessobrycon aff. heterorhabdus (Ulrey, 1864), Iguanodectes variants Géry, 1993, Nannostomus marginatus Eigenmann, 1909. and Aequidens pallidus (Heckel. 1840). Riffles comprised 215 specimens of 15 species, and pools 537 specimens of 17 species. Segregation of assemblages through riffles and pools was explained by a trend of greater species richness and abundance in pools. This pattern might be related to several factors such as higher resource availability and inactivity of nocturnal predator in pools.

The objective of this study was to get some knowledge about the reproductive aspects of Goniopsis cruentata (Latreille, 1803), concerning through sex ratio, morphological sexual maturity, reproductive period, fecundity and eggs size. The crabs were collected monthly in Itacuruçá's Mangroves from November, 1997 to November, 1998. Four hundred and seven crabs were caught and they were 47% males, 36% females and 17% ovigerous females. The sex ratio was 1:1.13 (male:female) (X²= 1.54, p > 0.05). The relation of abdomen width (AW) and carapace width (CW) in females showed a positive allometric grow (b = 1.36), it suggests the size onset of maturity occur from 26.0 a 29.0 mm (CW) in females. The ovigerous females occured during all the research period, except for the winter months (June to August). The size of these ovigerous females varied from 26.0 to 48.8 mm with mean size 35.1 + 5.2 mm. Individual fecundity varied from 29,975 to 142,050 eggs and mean fecundity was 74,751 ± 27 eggs. The mean diameter of the eggs was 300 ± 20 µm.

The growth of the crab Goniospis cruentata (Latreille. 1803), was studied in the laboratory, through of the molt increment and intermolt period. A total of 86 crabs (48 males and 38 females) were collected in the ltacuruçá's Mangrove in Mangaratiba's county. Rio de Janeiro. The crabs were maintened in the laboratory in four 1000 l tanks, with continuous water circulation during fifteen months. They were fed each two days with pieces of fish and fruits. The crabs varied in size from 19.3 to 56.0 mm in males and 23.3 to 48.8 mm in females. The males presented until four molts during the experiment and the females until six molts. The molts oceurred during ali the months. The mean percentage of molt increment was 6.1 ± 2.7%, for both sexes and it decreased with the animal growth. The relation between the molt increment and the carapace width can be expressed by the equation IM = -0.32LC + 18.26 (r = -0.82). This relation didn't show any significative difference between the sexes. The mean intermolt period was of 87.6 + 37.3 days in male crabs and 97.3 ± 27.6 days in females. The growth was contiguous, through successive molts, although the increment was reduced with animal size. The intermolt period was proportional to the animal size increase, however males with autotomy of limbs had the intermolt period reduced.