RCAAP Repository

Seven new species of Paracentronodus Sakakibara, 1971 from Brazil, are described: P. canarinus sp. n. (type loc: Pedro Canário, Espírito Santo); P. cristatus sp. n. (type loc: Sinop, Mato Grosso); P. favisiae sp. n. (type loc: Encruzilhada, Bahia); P. nalalinae sp. n. (type loc: Caraça, Minas Gerais); P. nevesi sp. n. (type loc: Caruaru, Pernambuco); P. nigrostriatus sp. n. (type loc: Sinop, Mato Grosso), and P. urbanae sp. n. (type loc: Encruzilhada, Bahia). Hemiptycha viridistriga Walker, 1858, considered by Metcalf & Wade (1965) in Hypheodana Metcalf, 1952, as Darninae genus, is transferred to Centronodinae, as Paracentronodus viridistriga (Walker, 1858) comb. n. Illustrations and a key for the species are also given.

Anilocra montti sp. n. (Isopoda, Cymothoidae) is described from the mouths and branchial chambers of caged salmon and trout from Puerto Montt, Chile. The description is based on a detailed study of 30 male specimens. No females were found, indicating that salminoids are not the normal hosts of the parasite. The new species differs from others in the genus by having carinae on pereopods 4-7, a pleon that is abruptly narrower than the pereon, second pleopods without appendices masculina, a pleotelson that is wider than long and uropods with subequal rami.

Thirty stray dogs Canis familiaris Linnaeus, 1758 were collected in San Juan de Lurigancho, Lima, Peru, between January and March 1997 and necropsied for helminths. Three species were collected: the cestodes Dipylidium caninum (Linnaeus, 1758) Railliet, 1892 and Taenia pisiformis (Bloch, 1780) and the nematode Toxocara canis (Werner, 1782) Stiles, 1905. Fifty per cent of the examined dogs showed one or two parasites. A total of 303 (0-116) helminths were recovered and the intensity of infection was 30,3. The Simpson index (C) for all parasite species was 0,414, indicating a dominance by one species in the parasite community. The mean diversity in the infracommunities of C. familiaris was H' = 0,038 and uniformity index of Pielou J = 0,207. Dipylidium caninum, T. pisiformis, and T. canis presented a prevalence of infection of 33,30%, 10% and 16,6% respectively. Dipylidium caninum presented the highest frequency and mean intensity of infection. Dipylidium caninum was the helminth with the highest dominance (94%) whereas the lowest was due to T. pisiformis (4%) and T. canis (2%). Helminths were not related to the age of the hosts, prevalence and mean intensity of infection. Out of the 10 equally divided segments of the intestinal gut, D. caninum was found from the 6th to the 9th segment. T canis preferred almost exclusively the 1st segment while T. pisiformis was randomly distributed.

Studies on the communities of galling insects and their host plants were performed in three "cerrado" physiognomies that occur in Minas Gerais: "campo sujo", "cerrado" sensu strictu, and "cerradão". Galls and host plants were collected along transects in a total of 3,000 herbs, 300 shrubs and 135 trees in each physiognomy. Ninety two species of galling insects (morphotypes) on 62 host plant species of 28 families were found. The highest galling insect richness was observed in the "cerrado". Approximately 75.0% of galling insects belonged to the Cecidomyiidae (Diptera). The highest gall frequency was found on leaves (58.70%) of the host plants, and was glabrous (83.70%). Most gall shape were elliptic (30.43%). A low similarity in galling insect species was observed among the three sampled physiognomies - the highest similarity index was observed between "cerrado" and "campo sujo" (SΦrensen index = 0.20), indicating that the presence of rare species of galling insects might be common in these environments.

The list of the 49 American nicteribiid batflies species is presented, with informations about countries and hosts that were found in the literature.

The use of nectar and pollen of a bromeliad by two heliconiine butterflies, Heliconius ethilla narcaea Godart, 1819 and H. sara apseudes (Hübner, [1813]) (Lepidoptera, Nymphalidae, Heliconiinae), is herein reported. Observations were made during a pollination study of Aechmea gracilis Lindman (Bromeliaceae, Bromelioidea) in a second-growth forest of the village Vila Dois Rios, Ilha Grande, Rio de Janeiro State, southeastern Brazil. Field observations showed that H. ethilla can be more aggressive than H. sara in exploiting A. gracilis floral resources. Temporal differences in the use of these resources were also observed: H. sara remained comparatively less time on flowers than H. ethilla.

A new species of Centris Fabricius, 1804 is described as C. xanthomelaena (body size 15 mm, forewing length 10.33 mm, head width 5.25 mm, second abdominal tergum width 5.75 mm). The specimens were captured when visiting the yellow flowers of Chamaecrista amiciela (I. & B.) I. & B., Caesalpiniaceae and of Stimaphyllom auriculatum (Cav.) Adr. Juss, Malpighiaceae.

Prey foraging behavior in the Black Lion Tamarin, Leontopithecus chrysopygus (Mikan, 1823) was observed in the Caetetus Ecological Station, southeastern Brazil, during 550 hours of direct observations between December 1993 and February 1995. The scan sampling method was used to gather data. These tamarins use manipulative, specific-site foraging behavior. When searching for animal prey items, they examine a variety of microhabitats. The most important microhabitat used for prey foraging behavior was tree cavities (41% of the foraging observations), but palm trees (22%), bamboo (12%), vines (11%), bark (5%), seed pods of the "jequitiba" tree (4%), other places (3%) and epiphytes (2%) were also observed. Animal preys were frequently captured in understory (71.6%, n = 96) and in middle layers (21.6%, n = 29), but infrequently in the canopy (5.9%, n = 8) and in the ground (0.7%, n = 1). Prey foraging behavior showed a similar pattern to that observed for animal prey captured: 54.9% (n = 380) in understory, 35.5% (n = 246) in middle layers, 8.9% (n = 62) in the canopy and 0.6% (n = 4) in the ground. Thus, the understory and middle layers are the most important foraging areas. Also, apparently only L. chrysopygus, among the genus Leontopithecus, has adapted to areas with strong seasonality of climate and resources.

Calacarus heveae Feres, 1992 was the first eriophyid mite reported from Hevea brasiliensis Muell. Arg. This mite was first found in northwestern São Paulo State, Brazil. Feres (1998) described two additional species, Shevtchenkella petiolula and Phyllocoptruta seringueirae, from the same host and from same region. The commercial monocultural planting of the Amazonian rubber tree in the northwestern region of São Paulo State started about 18 years ago. In the Amazonian region, the native rubber tree grows dispersed between other plant species. Until now these eriophyids have been collected only on monocultural plantings. This paper reports the occurrence of C. heveae, S. petiolula and P. seringueirae on H. brasiliensis in the Amazonian Forest for the first time. The monocultural method in association with prevailing climatic conditions allows periodic outbreaks of these mites is believed. These new records for those three eriophyid species on rubber trees growing in natural conditions corroborate this hypothesis.

Specimens of Aedes albopictus (Skuse, 1894) were caugth using human bait with electric aspirator and a modified CDC trap.

The utilisation of multiple gears and the surveying of other areas than that of mangrove habitats have increased in 27 the number of fish species known in the Guaratuba Bay, an estuarine ecosystem located in the southern of Brazilian coastal region (25º52'S, 48º39'W). The new occurrence of a typically freshwater species (Pimelodidae) and of several Clupeiformes and Gobiidae species, reveals the importance of the salt marsh and the innermost zones of this Bay to the distribution of certain fish groups.

Two species of marine cladocerans, Penilia avirostris Dana, 1852 and Evadne tergestina Claus, 1877 were collected in thirteen samples at a fixed station in Guanabara Bay, Rio de Janeiro (30-meter depth) by means of vertical tows with a 200 µm mesh size net at different times from September 12th to 15th, 1995. The parthenogenetic females of Evadne tergestina bore mature embryos (with pigmented eye) only in the samples collected at night, whereas Penilia avirostris at any time of day. This phenomenon was interpreted based on the greater visibility of the Evadne tergestina brood: one of the benefits for embryo maturing during the darkness period would be a decrease of predation on gravid females.

The presence of Charybdis helleri (A. Milne Edwards, 1867), an Indo-Pacific species, in one of the estuaries of the State of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil is reported here.

The type locality, depositary museums, geographical oceurrences, biological behaviour, flowers visited and taxonomical notes from the species of the neotropical Colletini are mentioned. The following nomenclatural changes are introduced: Monidia Cockerell, 1905; Rhynchocolletes Moure, 1943; Hemicotelles Toro & Cabezas, 1997; Xanthocotelles Toro & Cabezas, 1978 and Colletes griseus Smith, 1879 are revalidated; Colletes desanlisi nom. n. is proposed to Colletes similis Joergensen, 1912, non Schenck, 1853 nec Robertson, 1904; a new combination to Mourecotelles biciliatus (Cockerell, 1918) is given. Lectotypes of the following species are designated: Colletes araucariae Friese, 1910; C. argentinas Friese, 1908; C. atripilis Vachal, 1909; C. azureus Friese, 1912; C. chalybaeus Friese, 1910; C. ciliatus Friese, 1910; C. clarus Joergensen, 1912; C. cognata Spinola, 1851; C. costaricensis Friese, 1916; C. cyaniventris Spinola, 1851; C. dimidiala Spinola, 1851; C. enodis Vachal, 1909; C. eupogonites Moure, 1949; C. extensicornis Vachal, 1909; C.fulvipes Spinola, 1851; C. glycyrrhizae Joergensen, 1912; C. griseus Smith, 1879; C. joergenseni Friese, 1910; C. laticeps Friese, 1910; C. longipes Friese, 1910; C. lycii Joergensen, 1912; C. mininca Cockerell, 1914; C. molaguensis Cockerell, 1912; C. murinus Friese, 1900; C. musculus Friese, 1910; C. neuqueenensis Friese, 1910; C. perplexas Smith, 1879; C. peruvicus Cockerell, 1913; C. plantaris Vachal, 1909; C. senilis Smith, 1879; C. speculiventris Cockerell, 1917; C. pinnatus Vachal, 1909; C. rugicollis Friese, 1900; C. schrottkyi Joergensen, 1912; C. sicheli Vachal, 1909; C. spiloptera Cockerell, 1917; C. steinbachi Friese, 1910; C. sulcatus Vachal, 1909; C. tingoensis Cockerell, 1926; C. tomentasus Friese, 1910; C. vachali Joergensen, 1912; C. virgatus Vachal, 1904; C. weiskei Friese, 1912; Monia griseaWcstwood, 1875. Are recognized as new synonyms; Colletes argentinas Friese, 1908, syn. n. of C. rugicollis Friese, 1900; C. campai Herbst, 1920, syn. n. of C. rhodaspis Cockerell, 1909; C. viridans Vachal, 1909, syn. n. of C. cyunescens (Haliday, 1837).

The type localities, depositary museums, taxonomical comments and host plants of the species of Hylaeus Fabricius, 1793, the unique genus of the Hylaeinae in the Neotropical Region, are mentioned. Lectotypes of the following species are designated: Prosopis bothros Schrottky, 1910; Prosopisfissa Vachal, 1901; Prosopis itapuensis Schrottky, 1906; Prosopis opaca Schrottky, 1906; Prosopis opaciventris Friese, 1925; Prosopis paraguayensis Schrottky, 1906; Prosopis recisa Vachal, 1910; Prosopis scabra Vachal, 1909; Prosopis sculptilis Schrottky, 1910; Prosopis tricolor Schrottky, 1906 and Prosopis trivittata Friese, 1916. The following ones are recognized as new combinations; Hylaeus petroselini (Schrottky, 1906); Hylaeus polybioides (Schrottky, 1906), Hylaeus polybiaeformis (Schrottky, 1907) and Hylaeus psammophilus (Schrottky, 1906).

The present study seeks to elucidatc reproduetive aspects of Sphoeroides testudineus (Linnaeus, 1758), Tetraodontidae. Monthly collections were accomplished for one year (November/98-October/99), in the gamboa do Baguaçu, Bay of Paranaguá with a Fyke net. The macroscopic analysis of the gonad stages allowed us to estimate the sexual proportion as 1:1 during the whole period, except in the months of May and October, when the proportions of two females for one male and two males for one female were observed respectively. The analysis of the relative frequency of the monthly gonad stages and the Curve of Maturation aided in the determination of the reproduetive period, that oceurred from September to January. Microscopic analyses of the female gonads allowed us to characterize four develo-pment phases of the ovarian follicle, six stages of ovarian development and the type of spawn, which was parceled. The first maturation for females was estimated to be betwecn 10-11 cm of length.

The present study analyses the reproductive aspects of Sphoeroides greeleyi (Gilbert, 1900), such as morphology and histochemistry of carbohydrates in the oogenesis phases, maturity scale, time and type of spawn, sexual rate and first ripened mature size for females. From the monthly captured animais (Nov 1998 to Nov 1999) the morphometric data (entire length and total weight) were extracted and the sex and the gonadal maturity were determined. Some ovaries were prepared for microscopic analysis that charac-terized six phases for the development of the ovarian folheies. Through the carbohydrates analysis the acid carbohydrates could be related to the oogenesis maintenance and the neutral carbohydrates to the beginning of embryonic development. A maturity scale containing six stages of gonadal development was determined. The reproductive period is between August and January and the spawn time is from October to January. The first ripened mature size for females oceurs between 6,5cm and 7.5 cm of total length. The sexual rate shows that there are more females than males during the reproductive period.

Lizards may benefit from gain of heat from contact with the substrate via conduction. In this study, evidence that the lizards Mabuya agilis (Raddi, 1823) and Mabuya macrorhynclui Hoge, 1946 (Scincidae) inhabiting two restinga habitats in southeastern Brazil (Grussaf, Rio de Janeiro and Praia das Neves, Espfrito Santo), may shift microhabitat preferences along the day, and that such shifts may be related to the use of cacti surfaces as direct sources of heat is presented. For both species, body temperature (Tb) was always significantly correlated (p < 0,05) with air temperature (Ta). Tb was significantly correlated (p < 0,0.5) with substrate temperature (Ts) for M. agilis collected on cacti, but not for specimens collected on the ground. For M. macrorhyncha collected on cacti, both Ta and Ts were more important in conjunction than separately, in explaining lizard Tb. Use of cacti as perches by M. agilis was more frequent during late afternoon when environmental temperatures are declining, but such a trend was not evident for M. macrorhynclui. We suggest that the use of cacti as direct heat sources may be more evident in the ground-dwelling M. agilis than in the scansorial M. macrorhynclui.

The cynodontid fish Rhaphiodon vulpinus Agassiz, 1829, known as "peixe-cachorro", is the only species of the family oceurring in the Pantanal of Mato Grosso. The initial development of its larvae was characterized, based on material collected with a 500 µm mesh size plankton-net, in several biotopes of the Pantanal of Barão de Melgaço, State of Mato Grosso, Central Brazil. The analysis was carried out with 72 larvae with standard length (SL) between 4.7 and 13.8 mm. The morphometric measurements varied positively with standard length, and body proportions ranged 8.1-17.8% for head length (HL), 6.2-10.1% for body height, and 63.673.5%, 16.8-21.6%, and 61.8-78.2% SL, respectively for pre-dorsal, pre-pectoral and pre-anal distances. The eye diameter varied positively with HL and its proportion varied between 9.1 -22.5% HL. The body relations did not show great variation along the larval development. The morphologicai characterization of larvae from 4.7 to 5.8 mm SL, in the pre-flexion phase, showed lhe presence of anembryonic finfold covering the unraycd fins, exposed branchial arches, absence of exogenous digestive content, unpigmented eyes and round shaped head. Larvae with SL between 8.1 and 13.8 mm SL were in the flexion phase, presenting a pointed head, mouth filled with externai and internai rows of numerous teeth, presence of exogenous food, pigmented eyes, branchial filaments still exposed, evident swimming-bladder, and formation of the first caudal, dorsal and anal fins' rays. Only individuais in the pre-flexion and flexion phases were analyzed, and no completely developed fin was evidenced. A maximum number of 69 myomeres was counted and no evident pigmentation over the body observed. Comparing R. vulpinus larvae to those of other Characiformes, it was observed that this species and Apareiodon affinis Steindachner, 1879 present smaller body proportions, and variation range of body height, while R. vulpinus is characterized by a shorter eye diameter. The myomere number is a relevam feature for the idenlification of R. vulpinus larvae, since it is the Characiform that possesses the highest myomere number, among those species of this family studied so far.

The project "Survey of the Entomolo-gical Fauna in Paraná" (PROFAUPAR) was carried out in eight localities of Paraná, Brazil, during two years. In the first year a total of 1.607 specimens of Syrphidae were collected with Malaise trap. The species Toxomerus tibicen (Wiedemann, 1830), Microdon milis Curran, 1940 and Leucopodella gracilis (Williston, 1891) were the most abundant. The abundance and seasonality of each species are evaluated.