RCAAP Repository

Apenesia quadrimera sp. n., A. rotunda sp. n. and A. clypeata sp. n. are described and illustrated. New geographic records and variation data of A. cusco Evans, 1966, A distinta Corrêa & Azevedo, 2001, A. funebris Evans, 1963, A. fusilis Corrêa & Azevedo, 2001, A. inca Evans, 1963 and A. transversa Evans, 1963 are added.

The diel of the giant armadillo - Priodontes maximus (Kerr,1792) - was studied in the field at Fazenda São Miguel, Unaí, Minas Gerais, Brazil, through 82 samples collected at foraging excavations and 25 fecal samples. In both types of sample the most common item was insects (Isoptera e Hymenoptera) and, in less quantity, plant fragments and orhers invertebrates (Aranae, Blattaria, Coleoptera, Diplopoda, Scorpiones). These data suggest the giant armadillo is a specialist on insects with an opportunistic foraging strategy.

Data on immature stages and range extension of Prepona pheridamas (Cramer, 1777) are presented. The larva feed on Hirtella gracilipes (Hook. f.) (Chrysobalanaceae), the same natural hostplant for Agrias claudina godmani Fruhstorfer,1895 in the high Rio Arinos region, Mato Grosso State.

The oviposition behavior and development time of Brachymeria villoso (Oliver, 1790) on Trypoxylon albitarse Fabricius, 1804 (Sphecidae) is reported. The parasitism occurs through a little hole made by the parasitoid female in the host nest wall. This hole is used by the parasitoid offspring after its emergence to left the host nest. The parasitoid egg is laid on the host larva before it built its cocoon, when such structure is made the parasitoid egg hatch into a larva that feeds on the living host larva and the parasitoid growth enclosed in the host cocoon without build its own. The development time of B. villosa was 65 days. From two nest of T. albitarse were reared 12 females and one male of B. villosa.

Little information is available about natural populations of fishes exposed to polluted waters in Brazil. Contaminants may be lethal or predispose fishes to sickness, being the analysis of aquatic organisms a good indicator of environmental quality. The violinha, Rineloricaria strigilata (Hensel, 1868), is a common loricariid catfish in the Guaíba lake basin, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, and has been selected as a bioindicator for being resident, occurring in more than 50% of the samples, and by showing externally detectable neoplasies. These are characterized by its dark pigmentation, bony plates hypertrophy, and hypertrophy and irregular arrangement of the odontodes. Histology showed hypertrophied epitelial tissues, with an increased number of secretory cells, blood cells, and melanina pigments, giving the dark appearance to the neoplasm. Observed frequencies of neoplasm were higher in lake Guaíba than in comparativo samples. Inside lake Guaíba, a pattern of distribution of neoplasm was observed, with the absence of neoplasm in fishes at the collected site that receives water from rio Jacuí, and frequencies of 3.04 to 16.81% in the collection localities in front of Porto Alegre and downstream localities, that receive water from rio Jacuí, rio dos Sinos and rio Gravataí, that drain urban and industrial area of Porto Alegre and neighborhood cities.

This study presents data on morphometric variation for length and width of elytra in tive sympatric species of the genus Chauliognathus Hentz, 1830: C. flavipes Fabricius, 1781, C. octomaculatus Pie, 1915, C. expansus Waterhouse, 1878, C. fallax Germar, 1824 and C. lineatus Zwetsch & Machado, 2000. The meaning of this variation is discussed in the light of the theory of mimicry and visual communication between prey and predator. Females are larger than males in all species, except C. expansus. The analysis of variance for length of elytron as well as for width showed that the differences between species are significant for males and females; significant interaction (sex x species) was also found. The similarity in color pattern of these species, as well as similarities in the morphometric analysis, suggests that they could form a mimetic ring of the Müllerian type, which the authors suggest be called, a "yellow-black" complex.

This study analyzes the use of aquatic mammals by prehistoric societies of Santa Catarina Island, Southern Brazil. Samples from two archaeological sites were examined: Rio do Meio (RM) and Porto do Rio Vermelho (SCPRV). Nine aquatic mammal species were found: a) pinnipeds: Arctocephalus australis (Zimmerman, 1783) and A. tropicalis (Gray, 1872), and b) cetaceans: Eubalaena australis (Desmoulins, 1822), Delphinus delphis Linnaeus, 1758, Stenella frontalis (Cuvier, 1829), Steno bredanensis (Lesson, 1828), Tursiops truncatus (Montagu, 1821), Pontoporia blainvillei (Gervais & d'Orbigny, 1844) and a non-identified rorqual from the genus Balaenoptera Lacépède, 1804. Three especies of semi-aquatic mammals were also recorded: Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris (Linnaeus, 1758), Tapirus terrestris (Linnaeus, 1758) and Lontra longicaudis (Olfers,1818). Both sites presented similar species diversity, although abundance was greater at the most recent site (RM). There were more samples from axial skeletons, but in genera the anatomical regions were homogeneously distributed among the identified taxa.

Anthodioctes moratoi Urban, 1999 was described based on specimens collected in tlhe state of Amazonas during a study of the ecology of trap-nesting bees and wasps. Sampling was done between 1988 and 1990 north of Manaus, in areas of the "Forest Fragment Biological Dynamics Project". Wooden trap-nests were set in different heights inside continuous forests, forest fragments of different sizes, natural gaps inside continuous forest, and in cleared areas between forest fragments. A total of 61 nests were collected from which 33 males and 46 females emerged. The majority of nests was collected in continuous forests, at 15 m height, in holes 4.8 mm in diameter. No nest was collected in cleared areas. There was no correlation, neither between number of nests and monthly precipitation, nor between the monthly number of nests constructed in the two consecutive years. No nest was constructed between January and June 1989. Overall, this coincided with the period of least activity of other trap-nesting bees in the studied areas. The nests consisted of a linear series of brood cells with walls made of resinous material mixed with small wood chips. The average length of the provisioned cell was 13,4 mm. Half of this length was occupied by a pollen mass. The number of provisioned cells varied between two and nine. In 52% of the nests there was brood mortality in at least one cell. The phorid fly Phalacrotophora (Omapanta) sp. was the only nest associate, emerged, from just one cell.

The effects of forest fragmentation on the patterns of vertical abundance and richness of solitary wasp and bee communities was investigated near Manaus, Amazonas. Wasps and bees were trap-nested at 1,5, 8 and 15 m above the ground in continuous primary forestand isolated forest fragments. In general, the number of nests and species increased with height for both groups. In particular, bee species richness at 15 m was almost twice that at 1,5 mm. However, one species of Trypoxylon Latreille, 1796 (Sphecidae) consistently nested in the understorey. Thus, patterns of abundance and richness distributions indicated stratification. A contingency analysis showed that fragmentation altered stratification of nesting activity of the wasp community in fragments. However, a similar pattern was not found for the bees. These results are discussed with particular reference to prey and floral resources availability and microclimatic conditions.

lt's presented a survey of bat species from Parque Nacional do Iguaçu, Paraná State, it has a area of 170.086,76 ha, located in west ofthe Paraná State. A total of 1403 individuais belonging to 26 species were registred.

The systematics of the species included by STICHEL (1910) in his Cinericiifonnes section of the genus Audre Hemming, 1934 are reviewed. "Audre" guttata jaibensis, ssp.n., is described from northern Minas Gerais. The synonomizing of two taxa described by Schweitzer & Kaye, Hamearis precaria Schweitzer & Kaye, 1941, and H. precaria ab. similis Schweitzer & Kaye, 1941, with "Audre" cinericia is explained. Descriptions of the habitat and adult behavior of "Audre" guttata jaibensis are provided.

Eight new riodinid taxa from the Central Brazilian plateau are described as follows: Euselasia thucydides truncata ssp. n.; Mesosemia pardalis sp. n.; Eurybia rubeolata planaltensis ssp. n. Symmachia basilissa paracatuensis ssp. n.; Audre drucei nordensis ssp. n.; Audre caracensis sp. n.; Nymphidium caricae goiacensis ssp. n.; Thisbe rupestre sp. n. The food plant of Audre caracensis is recorded as a Myrtaceae. Notes are included on the habits, habitais and range of each taxon.

Artificial reefs have become an important and popular resource enhancement technique by concentrating fishes and by increasing natural production of biological resources. In order to increase the necto-benthic colonization potencial, an artificial reef was installed on the northern coast of Rio de Janeiro (21º27'S, 41ºOO'W), an area with typically low relief bottom. Measuring nearly 1500 m², the reef consisted of four sets of different materials randomly disposed: concrete pipes (N = 12); tires structures (N = 20); and cement tanks (N = 7) and pre-made blocks (N = 4). ln order to determine the artificial reef effects on the teleost community, trammel nets were used for monthly sampling the reef site (RA) and on a control area (AC) with sandy bottom. During the 23-month survey from April/96 to March/98, were recorded: a) Chaetodipterus faber (Broussonet, 1782) and Haemulon aurolieatum (Cuvier, 1829) as exclusive species of the RA; b) higher values of species richness and abundance on the RA, at least in 5 of 8 periods; c) increase on the fish abundance on summer months. Correlation analysis indicated that salinity and precipitation were the most significant environmental factors correlated with the temporal fish community variation. This results highlight the importance of rainfall periodicity and the influence of Paraíba do Sul River on the nekton assemblage distribution. It is suggested that the functional role of the artificial reef might be related to higher availability of local shelter and food resources.

Gut contents of 304 individuals of the silverside Odontesthes humensis de Buen, 1953 were analyzed using frequency of occurrence (FO%) and gravimetric (P%) methods. A total of 207 individuals (68.1%) had some food itens in the gut, while 97 individuals (31.9%) had empty guts. The silverside Odontesthes humensis has presented a benthic carnivorous diet, preying mainly on molluscs and arthropods. The molluscs Heleobia sp. (FO = 61.35%) and Corbicula fluminea (Müller, 1774) (FO = 57.97%) were the most frequent itens, followed by Neocorbicula limosa (Maton, 1811) (FO = 17.39%). Among the arthropods, the coleoptera insects (FO= 18.84%) were dominant followed by, insect larvae (FO = 6.76%), the crustacean Palaemonetes argentinus Nobili, 1901 (FO = 1.93%) and isopods (FO = 1.45%). Vegetal remains, organic matter and digested fish were grouped due to low frequency (FO = 9.13%) being considered occasional. Juvenile fed mainly on insect larvae and moluscs, while the adults preferred molluscs and coleoptera. On the description of its feeding apparatus the importance of a protrusible upper jaw was observed, being important on the capture of prey in inaccessible places. A protrusible mouth and the format of the pharingean plates, are important morphological characters that assist on the capture and handling of prey. The molariform shaped pharingean teeth help break hard food items, as shells and carapaces.

Tropical fishes like Leporinus macrocephalus Garavello & Britski, 1988 ("piauçu") and the hybrid "tambacu" (Piaractus mesopotamicus Holmberg, 1887 "pacu" male x Colossoma macropomum Cuvier, 1818 "tambaqui" female) were experimentally infected with four inocula of trophonts of Ichthyophthirius multifiliis Fouquet, 1876 (Protozoa, Ciliophora) and the infection level was evaluated. Each one of twelve experimental units consisted of a tank with 200 liters of water and two specimens of each kind of fish. The following treatments were designed to each tank, in triplicate: 8, 16,32 and 64 trophonts. After 8 days of exposure the fishes were killed and the number of trophonts was counted at a stereoscopic microscope. This assay showed to be feasible at tropical conditions and was able to show that "tambacu" was more susceptiblc than "piauçu".

Artificial reefs have been used in many countries to increase coastal fishery productivity. In order to increase fish attraction to the Northern Coast of Rio de Janeiro State, it was installed an artificial reef (1,500 m²) 5 nautical miles off Manguinhos's Bay (São Francisco de ltabapoana, Rio de Janeiro). The artificial structures were made of tires, concrete and cement blocks. A gill net of 125 x 3 m was monthly used in the artificial reef (AR) and in a control area (CA) to determine the effect of the experimental structures on the stock and diversity of coastal sharks. Considering the complexity of a sustainable elasmobranch exploitation, sharks were focused in this study. During 24 months of investigation (April/96 to March/98), a total of 325 individuais distributed in four shark species were captured in the two areas (AR and CA): Mustelus higmani (Springer & Lowe, 1963) (AR = 70; CA = 82 individuals), Rhizoprionodon lalandii (Valenciennes, 1839) (AR = 86; CA = 56 individuals), R. porosus (Poey, 1861) (AR = 16; CA = 14 individuals) and Carcharhinus brachyurus (Günther, 1870) (AR = 1 individual). The attractive potential of the artificial reef is suggested by the predominance of the shark R. lalandii in the reef complex after the first year of monitoring, with the increase of the structures.

The use of fragrances to attract males of Euglossinae bees has been an important tool to increase the knowledge of the group. In the Northeastern of Brazil, studies on euglossine bees are still uncommon, mainly in urban areas. The goals of this study are to identify the Euglossinae species composition, to know the diversity and the community structure of Euglossinae species, verify their preferences for different fragrances and evaluate the phenology of these species, in two Atlantic Forest fragments of the city of João Pessoa, Paraíba state, Brazil. Bees were sampled at 15 days intervals, over the course of one year, from 8:00 to 17:00 hours, through the use of traps baited with seven types of fragrances. In both areas, 1082 individuals belonging to nine species were sampled. None significant difference of diversity and relative abundance of bees between fragments were observed. Eucalyptol was the most attractive fragrance. Bees were more abundant between 8:00 and 9:00 AM. Visits to the fragrances were more frequent from the middle of dry season to the beginning of the rainy season and positively correlated with the monthly mean temperature. Most species of bees visited all the baits over the year, but the number of attracted males was highest in April.

Eois tegularia (Guenée, [1858]) and Eois glauculata (Walker, [1863]) larvae were studied by one year in semidec iduous forest at Canchim Farm (EMBRAPA), São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil. Specimens were hosted by species of Piper Linnaeus (Piperaceae): P. mollicomum Kunth, P. amalogo Linnaeus, P. glabratum Kunth and P. gaudichaudianum Kunth. Some parasitoids were reared from the larvae of Eois Hübner, 1818 species, as follow. Hymenoptera: Cotesia Cameron, 1891, Apanteles Foerster, 1862, Glyptapanteles Ashmead, 1904, Dolichogenidea Viereck, 1911, Meteorus Haliday, 1835 (Braconidae); Mesochorus Gravenhorst, 1829, Venturia Schrottky, 1902 (Ichneumonidae); Elachertus Spinola, 1811 (Eulophidae); Perilampus Latreille, 1809 (Perilampidae), Diptera: Myiopharus Brauer & Bergenstamm, 1889 (Tachinidae).

Euplusia aridicola sp. n., a member of the short longued group, is described as a new species. It can be easily recognized by the large white yellowish pubescence on the sides of terga second to fourth, the bright anterior half of mesoscutum covered by yellowish hairs; clypeus medially bicarinate. The holotype was colleted in Ibiraba, Barra, a semi-arid region of Bahia, Brazil, using eucalyptol, as an attractant.

Forcepsioneura haerteli sp. n. and F. westfalli sp. n. are described and illustrated from material collected respectively in the Santa Catarina State (Blumenau), Brazil and in the Napo Province (Limoncocha), Ecuador. Some notes are made on Forcepsioneura soncta (Hagen,1860) and a male topotype is illustrated. A key to males of Forcepsioneura is provided.