RCAAP Repository

The phrenic nerve of albino rats was studied for age changes in number of fibres, myelin sheath thickness and axon calibre. Nerves were excised from three young and three aged rats. There is no significant morphological differences between nerves from young and aged rats and no difference with age was found in the number of fibres, myelin sheath thickness and axon calibre.

In this paper the authors give an anatomical and histological analysis of the male reproductive system of Pomacea canaliculata (Lamarck, 1822). Anatomically, the testis is better evidentiated than the ovary. In the structure of the testis a great number of very small channels converges to a single one. The male copulatory organs result of transformations that take place in the inner surface on the palial membrane. Histologically, the testis of immature males shows seminiferous ducts with round egg-shaped forms. In their lumens we could notice masses of cells that will originate spermatozoids. The penis has a conjunctive muscular sheath that can be seen in van Gieson's coloured preparations.

A morphological study of the yolk nucleus in previtellogenic oocytes from A. bimacularus has been carried out. Six phases of development were described from its formation closed to the oocyte nucleus to its dispersion in the periferic ooplasm. Histochemical techniques indicate proteins, lipids and RNA in the yolk nucleus of A. bimaculatus, but there are no carbohydrate in this structure. The origin and functional activity of the teleost yolk nucleus are discussed.

Plagiometriona (Parametriona) palmeirensis sp.n. is described.

Seven nests of Melitoma segmentaria found in Uberlândia (18º 55' 23" S; 48º 17' 9" W; altitude 854 m) in a termite nest within one of the University of Uberlândia farms, were studied. The nest position, construction, and number of cells are given. The parasite Anthrax Iuctuosus (Bombylidae), that infested 13% of the cells.

Monthly sampling from march 1981 to april 1983 using beach seines, cast nets and gill nets indicated six species, Xenomelaniris brasiliensis, Brevoortia pectinata, Geophagus brasiliensis, Gerres aprion, Genidens genidens and Achirus lineatus, as the most abundant fishes in the Marependi Lagoon, Rio de Janeiro, BraziL The species presented a long reproductive period and the recruitment distributed throughout the year. Analysis of the mean catch per unit effort in relation to month, sampling areas, and environmental factors along with analysis of the length frequency distribution by depth strata indicated that the spatial distribution, related to depth and occurrence of submerged aquatic vegetation seem to be the main factors regulating the species distribution. Alteration of the environmental conditions in the lagoon due to the opening of the Marapendi channel in 1984 caused significative modification in the distribution and abundance patterns of the main species. The impact of these alterations in the Marapendi Lagoon fish community has yet to be determined.

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In this paper the authors give a histological analysis of the albumen gland of mature and immature females of Pomacea canaliculata (Lamarck, 1822). In the immaturity, tthe gland doesn't show any secretory activity, although in the maturity this activity is indicated by the presence of a homogeneous and eosinophilic material in its lumen. We could notice in the capsule gland of matures females a calcareous element is present as a granular and basophilic deposit. The albumen gland is envolved by a thin conjunctive layer that can be seen in van Gieson's coloured preparations.

Two new brazilian species of Tunaima Fennah, 1968 are described: T. brunneoau-rantiaca sp.n. (from São Paulo and Paraná) and T. brunneolutea sp.n. (from Paraná and Rio Grande do Sul).

Wildlife surveys were conducted in two stands of Eucalyptus, one homogeneous and the other with a native species understorey in the Atlantic forest region of southeastern Brazil Deforestation has reduced the original forested habitat to a patchwork of cultivated fields and mono-specific forestry plantations. Wildlife communities were depauperate in the homogeneous stand, but richer in eucalypt forest with native species understorey. Small mammals, particularly didelphid marsupials, used the understorey rather than the eucalypt emergent trees Primates were absent from both areas. The increasing demand for charcoal for the growing steel industry in the region means that eucalypt plantations will persist until an alternative energy source is found. It is essential that management efforts be directed towards multi-use strategies in these plantations Eucalypt plantations with a native species understorey might provide sufficient habitat to support some wildlife species of the rapidly disappearing Atlantic coastal forest ecosystem.

The occurence of Gallilichus hiregoudari D'Souza e Jagannath in Gallus gallus (L.) is widespread in Brazil. All life stages of the mite can be found within the quills of primaries and secondaries of the flight feathers. Nymphal heteromorphism, imbalanced sex ratio toward females and thanatochresis are common features. Damage of the pulp caps and raquis are common pathological findings.

In this paper the authors give an anatomical and histological analysis of the genital duct in mature and immature females of Pomacea canaliculata (Lamarck, 1822). Anatomically, the vagina has an equal dimension in its extension, varying in form and volume, according to the maturation period. In the immaturity, it has a smaller diameter and volume. In the maturity, the vagina increases in volume, having the aspect of a tumescent organ, and in certain specimens shows an albuminous pink thread in its lumen. Histologically, the calcigenic activity of the gland is evidentiated by the presence of an amorphous and basophilic mass, without nuclear material. This material has a fragmented aspect in the vagina lumen that reacts positively in van Kossa's coloured preparations for calcareous salts.

Results from studies with Bulimulidae from Northeast Brazil, with special reference to the State of Pernambuco, are presented. About 14 spp., of Bulimulidae s.s. were collected and represent one of the most diversified families of land snails in this area. From these, Drymaeus rufolineatus (Droüet, 1859) and Simpulopsis corrugata, Guppy, 1866, were recorded for the first time in Northeast Brazil and a new subspecies Drymaeus b. goianensis is described. Data of geografic distribution, ecology and shell morphology for each species are given.

Field observations on a population of Tropidurus melanopleurus confirm conspecificity by detection of courtship behavior. Peculiarities in female and juvenile behavior were observed in this poor known species.

This paper concerns the definition of the caudal fin of nine species of Cichilidae. For this, the caudal fin was analyzed regarding shape and position of the urostyle, parahypural and haemal spine 2 as well as the degree of ossification of the hypuraphophysis, number of caudal rays and distribution on their supporting elements.

Phrynops geofroanus is a carnivorous side-necked turtle. Its feeding behavior is divided in foraging, approach, capture, dilaceration and ingestion, but not necessary all these phases happen. Location of food seems to be visual and recognition olfactory. When food is an agile prey approach is done by pursuing and there is no olfactory recognition.

Notes and comments on the Neotropical genus Leptopyrgota Hendel are presented. The following Brazilian species are described as new: apposita, celeriuscula, accolens, quaerens, ensifera, definienda, cocta, andrei, marci, sarae, juniae, liae, isabelae, gracilenta, flavipes, lenkoi, brevipennis, tibialis, minensis, caelifera, hesterna.

A check-list of the birds of the rio Peixoto de Azevedo, Mato Grosso, Brazil (10º 10' S, 54º 50' W) is presented, based on collections prepared by Werner Bokermann and Emílio Dente during the months of July and August, 1976; June through August, 1977; August of 1978; March, May, June, August and October, 1979; August of 1980 and only sporadically after these dates. Each species account includes the date that specimens were collected, gonad development, weight, color of the soft parts (iris, bill and tarsus), and, when necessary, notes on systematics. Measurements are presented in millimeters and weights in grams, with the mean of the sample expressed between parentheses. Theses data are yet scanty in brazilian ornithological literature.

New data on Brazilian cave fauna are added to previous surveys and the relative abundance and distribution of the cavernicolous taxa is discussed. Terrestrial representatives of several arthropod families and genera are common in both tropical and subtropical Brazilian caves: Endecous and Eidmanacris crickets, Reduviidae heteropterans, Carabidae, Catopinae and Ptilodactylidae beetles, dipterans such as the Chironomidae, Keroplatidae, Phoridae and Drosophilidae, Hydropsychidae trichopterans, Pseudonnanolenidae and Chelodesnidae millipedes, Plato, Ctenus, Loxosceles and Blechroscelis spiders, Pachylinae opilionids, Chernetidae pseudoscorpions and acarians such as the Macrochelidae and Uropodidae. Other taxa are mainly or exclusively tropical Blattelidae, Blattidae and BlaberidaE cockroaches, Histeridae beetles, Noctuoidea moths, social insects as termites and ants, Styloniscidae isopods, Migalomorpha spiders, Amblypigi On the other hand, Psauridae spiders, Goniosoma and Tricommatinae opilionids, Elmidae beetles, and Philosciidae isopods seems to be mainly subtropical. Brazilian aquatic cave fauna seems to be less diversified than the terrestrial one. Siluriform fishes such as pimelodids, trichomycterids and loricariids predominate throughout the country, besides decapod (Macrobrachium shrimps, Potamidae crabs, Aegla anomurans, the latter exclusive of subtropical caves) and amphipod (Spelaeogammarus, in tropical caves, and Hyalella) crustaceans. Insect larvae (e.g. Elmidae coleopterans, Nematocera dipterans, trichopterans) and adults (e.g. Veliidae and Naucoridae heteropterans, Dytiscidae coleopterans), oligochaetes and gastropods such as the Hydrobiidae, are also relatively common. Blechroscelis spiders, Goniosoma opilionids, Zelurus heteropterans, Eidmanacris crickets, Keroplatidae dipterans and Macrobrachium shrimps, among others, live next to the entrance zone in the majority of the caves. But, these animals become troglofiles under certain circunstances (an exceptional input of energy, or the absence of competition with cave-adapted species more efficient).

Five new species of the Genus Psyllobora Chevrolat, 1837 are described and illustrated: P. amazonensis, P. balinti, P. jalapaiensis, P. sicardi and P. veraecrucis.