RCAAP Repository

The Neotropic cormorant is one of the most comm on estuarine birds along SantaCatarina's shore, especially in artisanal fishery areas, where it obtains food easily. During the period from January, 1996 to December, 1999, and of January to December, 2001, the cormorants were monitored monthly in the estuary. The population P. brasilianus (Gmelin, 1789) presented seasonal changes with the same annual pattern of increment of the abundance. Significant differences were recorded between the seasons and the medium abundance of birds. Those differences can be attributed to the events of the life cicle of the species and the oscillations in the estuary water temperature.

The crustaeeans of Aeglidae family oeeur in South America's fresh water enviranments, featuring as important links in the food chains. The present article has the intention to give an acount of the results from investigations made from April/2000 to July/2001 on the biological and ecological features of Aegla leptodactyla Buckup & Rossi, 1977, an endemic species from the headwaters of the Rio Pelotas Basin in Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil. The sampling was performed at the Rio da Divisa, tributary of Rio Pelotas, municipal district of São José dos Ausentes, Rio Grande do Sul. The animais were collected with a hand net (puçá) at four different sites of the river. High contents of dissolved oxygen was verified, with a medium value of 108% and alow conductivity (avarage of 13.7mS/cm). The water mean temperature was 16ºC and the pH remained neutral, average of 7.5. The velocity of the water current varied from 0.54 to 0.78m/s. A total of 1,323 males and 1,112 females of A. leptodactyla was sampled. Ovigerous females were observed from April through September and the smallest egg bearing female measured 14.09 mm cephalothorax length. The recruitment took place in November and December. The sex-ratio of the population was 1.19 males for 1 female.

To verify the possible occurrence of Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus, 1761) and Aedes albopictus (Skuse, 1894) in a rural area in Northern Paraná, Brazil, a water tank was installedon a farm, to work as an artificial breeding site. Collections were carried out every 15 days, during a period of 2 years. 12,876 Culicidae larvae, belonging to 10 different species, including Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus, were collected, indicating their occurrence.

Monitoring of the shorebirds of the Diamanle Branco saline located at the municipality of Galinhos, in the coast of the State of Rio Grande do Norte, was initiated in 1998, with qualitative surveys, bird traps using mist net, captured and banding and field observations on the diet of some species. Parameters such as constancy were verified, specific diversity was calculated through Pearson correlation, We registered 21 species of shorebirds, as follows: Pluvialis squatarola (Linnaeus, 1758), Charadrius semipulmatus Bonaparte 1825, renaria interpres (Linnaeus, 1758), Tringaflavipes (Gmelin, 1789), T. melanoleuca (Gmelin, 1789) and Actitis macularia (Linnaeus, 1766). It was observed the reproduction of Charadrius collaris Vieillot, 1818, C. wilsonia Ord, 1814 and Himantopus himantopus (Müller, 1776), in the surroundings of the saline evaporation tanks. The observation of Calidris himantopus (Bonaparte, 1826) in the evaporation tanks comprised the first record of the species in Northeastern Brazil. It was verified that A. interpres, T. flavipes, T. melanoleuca and Calidris pusilla (Linnaeus, 1766) feed upon A rtemia franciscana (Kellog, 1996) in the first hours ofthe day in the evaporation tanks. The mean diversity comprised 2 and 3, and the results of equibility showed that the species are well distributed in the samples. A positive association was registered between Haematopus palliatus Temminck, 1820, C. collaris, C. wilsonia, and H. himantopus. These, in turn, associated inversely to A. interpres, A. macularia, C.pusilla and C. minutilla (Vieillot, 1819), which is possibly due to the fact that some species are resident, reproducing in the locality, with movements distinct from that specie wich migrate during the boreal winter. Traps, surveys, re-lraps, and recovers indicate that the Diamante Branco saline comprises na important area for the conservation of the shorebids.

Results of a decapad fauna survey canducted during the AquaRAP expeditian to Río Tahuamanu and Río Manuripi Basins, in the Departmentaf Panda, Balivia, in September, 1996 are presented. Ten species of shrimps and crabs, representing three families and six genera were faund. New recards for Balivia were Macrobrachium depressimanum Pereira, 1993, Macrobrachium brasiliense (Heller, 1862), Acetes paraguayensis Hansen, 1919, Sylviocarcinus devillei H. Milne-Edwards, 1853, Sylviocarcinus maldonadoensis (Pretzmann, 1978), and valdivia serrata White, 1847.

The new species of didemnid ascidian, Trididemnum maragogi sp. nov., is described from the Northeastern Brazilian coast. Many small colonies aggregate on calcareous algae. They are brown and more or less covered by spicules, depending on exposure to the sun, which suggests the presence of symbiotic algae. This species is characterized by a non pigmented zooid with a very long oral siphon bordered by six finger-like lobes, a branchial sac with anterior and posterior non perforated areas, a short muscular process on the esophageal peduncle and a testis with one large follicle partially surrounded by 6-7 coils of the sperm duct.

The determination of morphologic variability within and between populations of phytoseiid mites is important for the precise species identification. Euseius citrifolius Denmark & Muma, 1970 and Euseius concordis (Chant, 1959) are phytoseiids commonly found on different crops in Brazil and other South American countries. The morphologic characterization of populations preliminarily identified as E. citrifolius and E. concordis was done through examination of 10 adult females and 10 adult males of each population and of 2 to 10 adult females and males resulting from crosses between those populations. The plant substrate and collection site of each population were: E. citrijolius: Bauhinia sp. in Arroio do Meio, Rio Grande do Sul, Coffea arabica Linnaeus in Campinas, São Paulo and Terminalia catappa Linnaeus in Petrolina, Pernambuco. E. concordis: Passiflora edulis Sims. i.flavicarpa Deg. in Arroio do Meio, Manihot esculenta (Crantz) in Jaguariúna, São Paulo, Hevea brasiliensis Muell. Arg. in Pontes e Lacerda, Mato Grosso, T. catappa in Petrolina and C arabica in Viçosa, Minas Gerais. A comparison of the measurements of different structures of individuals of each population and of type specimens of E. citrifolius and E. concordis confirmed the preliminary identification of the populations. Significant relationships were observed between mean setal lengths and the respective ranges within each population. Females and males of E. citrifolius from Petrolina and E. concordis from Jaguariúna had some of the setae generally shorter than those of other populations of the same species. Measurements of males resulting from heterogamic crosses indicated that E. citrifolius and E. concordis reproduce by pseudo-arrhenotoky.

Saccopteryx leptura (Schreber, 1774) is reported from two new localities in southeastern Brazil, both in Atlantic forest remains in the state of Rio de Janeiro. Analysisof food material showed that individuals from both localities had preyedon insects in the order Hymenoptera. Cheek contents were available from one specimen, and in this case identification of the food item (flying ants) achieved generic level (Pheidole Westwood, 1841). Aspects in the social behavior observed in a colony suggest that the same traits documented in Central American populations (small colonies, monogamic mating system, and retention of young for up to a year in the parental unit) may also characterize this species in the southern most part of its range. In both external and craniodental selected measurements, specimens from Rio de Janeiro were close to the upper limits of the ranges known for the species.

This study investigated the effects of sublethal concentrations of the pesticide monocrotophos (organophosphate) on the agonistic behavior of two fishes species, Astyanax altiparanae Garutti & Britski, 2000 (lambari) and Oreochromis niloticus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Nile tilapia). Sublethal concentrations of the pesticide for the two species were determined and lambari was more resistant than Nile tilapia. The sublethal concentrations were smaller than 400 mgl-1 for lambari and 20 mgl-1 for Nile tilapia. The two species were tested in grouping conditions (triads) and isolation, under monocrotophos concentrations of 200 mgl-1 for lambari and 5 mgl-1 for Nile tilapia. The concentration decreased the aggressiveness in lambari, but in Nile tilapia an opposite effect was detected. The results show a species-specific effect of the monocrotophoson aggression.

The ichthyofauna composition of the Baía da Ribeira was analyzed between December 1998 and November2001. The instruments used were an otter-trawl net, beach seines, cast net and visual census. It was registered two classes, composed by 16 orders, 59 families and 148 species. The high wealth of the region is due to the great diversity of environments and its location at the north limit of Argentine an Zoogeographic Province. The instruments diversification, the samples regions and the long sampling period were the responsables to the great numbers of collected species in comparison to some others studies at the same area.

Aedes (Stegomyia) albopictus (Skuse, 1894) is an exotic Culicidae species in Brazil. Since its first report in this country, the mosquito has been increasing its geographic distribution. This mosquito is a natural dengue and Japanese Encephalitis virus vector in Asia. The females preference for oviposition sites related with homospecific immature presence was assessed. The experiment was performed with Aedes albopictus from laboratory colony since March ]999, in the Laboratório de Entomologia Médica e Veterinária, Departamento de Zoologia, Universidade Federal do Paraná. The preferred container was the one that kept pupae for 24 hours, with 643 eggs, 30,6% at total. The eggs recipients received 11,45% from total set by the females, and the following numbers to the others: larva 1 (15,79%), larva 2 (14,69%), pupa 1 (20,74%), pupa 2 (30,58%), control (6,75%). Although the ANOVA did not detect significant difference among the treatments, the data possibly indicate that Aedes albopictus prefer laying eggs in containers previously colonized by immature.

In this study carried out in the Biological Reserve of Poço das Antas, Rio de Janeiro state, southeastern Brazil, a roost of Molossus rufus (E. Geoffroy, 1805) was sampled one night per month, from November 2000 to October, 2001. The colonies in this species can exceed more than five hundreds, being present both sexes. The total number of animals captured was higher in the spring and declined in the autumn and winter. Between April to July the proportion of males overcome the females, while in other months the females prevailed. Molossus rufus have seasonal reproduction. Females arrived by July and the number increases until November. Few animals remained in this roost during colder months. Such fact suggests that females and great part of the males leave this roof after the end of the reproduction. Pregnant females were captured between September, October, November and February. Lactating females were observed in August, October, November, December and February. Active males were observed in all months, being overcome by males with abdominal testes only in July.

Two new species of Chinaia Bruner & Metcalf, 1934 are described: Chinaia bidentata sp. nov. (Brazil, Paraná) and Chinaia rubra sp. nov. (Brazil, Amazonas). The new species can be distinguished by the aspect of the male genitalia, mainly by the shape of aedeagus and pygofer. In addition, is presented a key to males of Chinaia.

Some morphometric relationships in Macrobrachium amazonicum (Heller, 1862) reared in earthen ponds were studied. A total of 239 individuals were collected, sexed and sorted to juvenile or adult. Total length (Lt), post-orbital length (Lpo), carapace length (Lcp) and queliped length (Lql) were measured. The relationships Lt/Lpo, Lpo/Lcp and Lt/Lcp are the same for juveniles, males and females, indicating unchanged growth pattern during post-larval ontogenetic development. While Lt/Lpo showed isometric growth, Lpo/Lcp and Lt/Lcp showed negative allometry. On the other hand, for the Lql/Lcp relationship, juveniles showed isometric growth, females slight positive allometry and males a strong positive allometry. It suggests that the importance of chelipeds may be different in these groups. Quelipeds play important role on food capture and on agonistic, social and reproductive behavior. Therefore, inter and intraspecific interactions may change during prawn growth, even after morphological

N. ferruginea sp. nov., is described from Brazil and a key of identification of the species is presented. The new species is from Paraná (São José dos Pinhais, Jundiaí do Sul).

A study of the viability of small populations of Hymenoptera is a matter of importance to gain a better zoological, ethological, genetical and ecological knowledge of these insects, and for conservation purposes, mainly because of the consequences to the survival of colonies of many species of bees, wasps, and ants. Based on the Whiting (1943) principle, Kerr & Vencovski (1982) presented a hypothesis that states that viable populations of stingless bees (Meliponini) should have at least 40 colonies to survive. This number was later extended to 44 colonies by Kerr (1985). This would be necessary to avoid any substantial amount of homozygosis in the pair of chromosomic sexual loci, by keeping at least six different sexual gene alleles in a reproductive population. In most cases this would prevent the production of useless diploid males. However, several facts weigh against considering this as a general rule. From 1990 to 2001, 287 colony divisions were made, starting with 28 foundation colonies, in the inbreeding and population experiments with the Meliponini reported here. These experiments constitute the most extensive and longest scientific research ever made with Meliponini bees. In ten different experiments presented here, seven species (one with two subspecies) of Meliponini bees were inbred in five localities inside their wide-reaching native habitats, and in two localities far away from these habitats. This was done for several years. On the whole, the number of colonies increased and the loss of colonies over the years was small. In two of these experiments, although these populations were far (1,000 km and 1,200 km) from their native habitat, their foundation colonies were multiplied successfuly. It was possible to build up seven strong and three expanding medium populations, starting with one, two, three or even five colonies. However, in six other cases examined here, the Whiting (1943) principle and the hypothesis of Kerr & Vencovski (1982) and Kerr (1985), possibly hold up. In two other cases, the results are still unclear. Outside native habitats, most inbreeding experiments failed, possibly because of conditions that cause ecological stress. Although much more data are still needed, a new working hypothesis on the molecular level was presented to explain the results of the experiments described here. In the absence of any considerable stress, and in the eventuality of a good nutritive situation, even individual bees that are homozygous in the pair of chromosomic sexual locus would produce a sufficient amount of a sex determining substance. Therefore, the female genes of all the diploid individuals of a colony, both homozygous and heterozygous, would be activated. However, situations of considerable stress would cause a poor physiological and nutritive condition. This, together with homozygosis in the pair of chromosomic sexual locus, would lead to a smaller production of the sex determining substance. When this happens in the diploid homozygous individuals of a colony, in relation to sex, only male genes are activated. As a result, all such homozygous diploid bees of the colony become useless males. However, when there is a heterozygous situation in the chromosomic sexual locus of all bees of a colony, all diploid individuals would produce a high amount of the sex determining substance. Consequently, all diploid individuals of such a colony would become females (queens and workers). Stresses, including ecological stress, as well as the nutritive condition and the genetic situation in the chromosomic sexual loci, will have a key influence in the life and behavior of the Meliponini, including sex determination. In relation to genetic factors, hybrid vigour may often cause a greater production of biological substances. This may be due to the presence of a greater number of copies of allelic genes when there is heterozygosis. This is a hypothesis requiring further research. However, in the experiments presented here, this hypothesis seems to apply well to the production of a sex determining substance in bees (Apoidea) and other Hymenoptera.

Gills of the seawater fish Cathorops spixii (Agassiz, 1829) were submitted to routine processing for observation in scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The wrinkled surface of the gill filaments showed well-defined cellular ultrastructures. Microridges on cellular surface were projected over all gill structures, including respiratory lamellae. Chloride cells were usually at primary lamellae. Some rodlet cells were found. Mucous secretory cells were uncommon at all parts of the gill arches. The pharyngeal region of the gill arches showed a lot of taste buds but no spines. There were small and strong rakers. Such morphology is indicative of fishes that swallow small food but do not have filtering habits. At the ultrastructural level the gills of C. spixii presented the typical morphological pattern of Teleostei fishes.

Chlorotettix hamiltoni nom. nov. is proposed for Chlorotettix dentatus Zanol, 2001, preoccupied by Chlorotettix dentatus Sanders & DeLong, 1923.

Males of Euglossa mandibularis Friese, 1899 can be categorized by (1) presence or (2) absence of scutellar tuft (a morphological feature of dense setae found in females' scutellum of the genera Euglossa Latreille, 1802 and Eulaema Lepeletier, 1841). A multivariate statistical analysis using six morphological measures (hindtibia length and width, head width, intertegular span, midbasitarsus length and scape length) show that males of the categories 1 and 2 were significantly different in relation to such measures. The width head, hindtibia length and scape length were the measures that most influenced the observed differences. Levene test suggest there is not effect of stabilizing selection on males without scutellar tuft. Since there is a fluctuation in the proportion of males with scutellar tuft occurring in a single population, the observed morphological differences might be environmentally determined.

Description of the female and notes on the geographical distribution of Cladonota amazonica (Andrade, 1978) are presented.