RCAAP Repository

A survey of streblid batflies on phyllostomid bats was carried out from caves in Distrito Federal, Brazil during 1997 and 1998. Thirteen species were found on eight species of bats. Two species of batflies, Trichobius lonchophyllae Wenzel, 1966 and T. propinquus Wenzel, 1976, are new records for Brazil.

Mating couples of two species of the genus Chimarra Stephens, C. (Curgia) brasiliana (Ulmer, 1905) and C. (Curgia) ypsilon Flint, 1983, were collected with light trap at Paraná State, Brazil. The females are described and illustrations of the genitalia are presented.

Assycuera gen. n. (type species: Anyclocera macroteta Bates, 1880) is proposed to accomodate four species formerly placed in Ancylocera Audinet-Serville, 1834: Assycuera waterhousei (White, 1855) comb, n., Assycuera macrotela (Bates, 1880) comb, n., Assycuera rubella (Bates, 1892), comb. n. and Assycuera scabricollis (Chemsak, 1963) comb. n. The characters used to assemble these species into the new genus were mainly the gradually clavate femora and the antennae of the male with the 11th segment elongate, filiform, the scape not enlarged at base and the pedicel not projected outerly. All the species are redescribed, illustrated and keyed. The males of Assycuera scabricollis and A. rubella are described for the first time. The key presented by Monné & Napp (2000b) for the Neotropical genera of Ancylocerina is modified in order to include the new genus.

A synopsis of the genus Ancylocera Audinet-Serville, 1834 is presented. The genus is redescribed, with description of two new species, Ancylocera. sergioi sp. n., from Brazil and A. spinula sp. n., from Colômbia, and a key to the species is provided. All the species (except A. cardinalis) are illustrated and comments on their hosts and distribution are given.

A study of the annual abundance fluctuation, temporal distribution and size composition of Aegla castro Schmitt, 1942 was carried out at the Buraco do Padre, Quebra-Perna River, Tibagi River Basin, in the municipality of Ponta Grossa, Paraná State. The samplings were done monthly, from February/97 to January/98 with the aid of a hand net and screens at three stations, under an effort of 120 minutes. The average air temperature ranged from 15.0ºC (May, July, September and October) to 24.3ºC (December and January), and the water temperature from 15.8ºC (July) to 22.3ºC (December). The dissolved oxygen oscillated from 95.7% (March) to 100. 2% (August) saturation, and the pH from 6.1 (July) to 7.2 (September). The water flow speed varied from 0.2 m/s to 1.2 m/s. Sulfates and phosphates had values less than 0.2 ppm and the ammonia values alternated from 0.1 to 0.6 ppm. A total of 827 specimens were obtained, among which 384 males, 311 females and 132 juveniles. The abundance of Aegla castro varied from 27 (July/97) to 204 (September/97). In the Station 1 higher number and larger specimens were obtained with predominance of males. Juveniles and adults of both sexes occurred in all three sites, but the proportion between juveniles and adults was different. So, these habitats are appropriate to the development of these animals. Males grow up larger than females, due to the reproductive effort of the last ones.

The reproductive biology of Aegla caslro Schmitt, 1942 from Buraco do Padre, Ponta Grossa, Paraná State, was analyzed. The sampling was done monthly, from February/97 to January/98 with aid of hand net and screens at three stations, under an effort of 120 minutes. The mean air temperature ranged from 15.0ºC (May, July, September and October) to 24.3ºC (December and January), and the water temperature from 15.8ºC (July) to 22.3ºC (December). The dissolved oxygen oscillated from 95.7% (March) to 100.2% saturation (August) and the pH from 6.1 (July) to 7.2 (September). A total of 827 specimens were obtained among which 384 males, 311 females and 132 juveniles. Males predominated over females, but the sex ratio followed the standard model of 1:1. Juveniles were found during all the study period, except in May and September. The peaks of their frequency curve occurred in April and December. The reproduction is discontinuous type with greater intensity in the colder months, from May to October. The females take part of the reproduction for two consecutive years and the species longevity was estimated in two years. The carapace length of the various development stages ranged as following: juveniles < 6.4 mm, immature females and males = from 6.5 to 12.2 mm and mature females and males = from 12.3 to 29.5 mm.

Poecilia vivipara (Bloch &amp; Schneider. 1801) is a species that lives in the Rodrigo de Freitas lagoon, a coastal lagoon in the city of Rio de Janeiro. The objective of this study was to increase the knowledge about reproductive aspects of P. vivipara population including: the female size when it begins reproduction, the number of offsprings per gestation, embrionary development stages and the number of pregnant females. The results show that P. vivipara reproduces throughout the whole year with its first maturation occurring at 29 mm. The proportion found of females to males was 3:1. Embryos showed four developmental stages until birth with sexual differentiation occurring after 15mm.

Thirty shells of Tamayoa (Tamayops) banghaasi (Thiele, 1927) from Ilha Grande, Rio de Janeiro, were analyzed with a stereomicroscop showing the following characteristics: discoid shell, without macrosculptures; ovate-lunate aperture without teeth. Thin, sharp and not-reflected lip; umbilicus with 1/5 of the shell's diameter; impressed suture, total whorls from 4 to 5.5; protoconch with 1.5 to 2 whorls; yellowish-amber, translucent and glossy periostracum. The morphology of the shells were discussed, as well as the shell's dimensions. The conchomorphological patterns are important for systematic studies of mollusks and this work presents data that can be used in future studies about the family.

Oogenesis involves a set of transformations which are undergone by female germ cells These cells change into oogonias and then into mature oocytes. Sexually mature female fish were collected monthly, during one year, from the Sapucaí River, a tributary of the Rio Grande, which is part of the Furnas Reservoir in the state of Minas Gerais. During the several stages of maturation, we observed small round oogonias with a large nucleus, a single nucleolus, and weakly stained cytoplasm with eosinophilic granules. The primary oocytes showed a large basophilic nucleus, with a developed peripheral nucleolus and a reduced cytoplasm. The previtellogenic oocytes presented voluminous cytoplasm and nucleus with several small peripheral nucleoli. The oocytes underwent vitellogenesis with the development of the zona radiata and the follicle cells. Their cytochemical reactions indicated that the two layers of the zona radiata of A. fasciatus contained proteins and polysaccharides. The initially squamous follicle cells, became cuboidal. In mature oocytes, the nucleus moved toward the periphery, next to the micropyle, and the yolk granules formed by proteins, fulfilled the cytoplasm. The clear unstained vesicles are likely to be the cortical alveoli in the perivitelline region.

Oogenesis involves a sequense of transformations which are undergone by female germ cells. These cells change into oogonias and then into mature oocytes. Sexually mature females were collected monthly, during one year, from the Rio Sapucaí, tributary of the Rio Grande, which is part of the Furnas Reservoir system in the state of Minas Gerais. The observed material showed that oogonias were small spherical cells, had a big spherical nucleus, with a single nucleolus, and weakly stained cytoplasm with eosinophilic granules (FG stained), which indicate their protein content. The primary oocytes showed a big basophilic nucleus, with a large peripheral nucleolus, and several smaller nucleoli. They show a reduced cytoplasmic content. The previtellogenic oocytes presented voluminous cytoplasm and nucleus with several small peripheral nucleoli. The oocytes underwent vitellogenesis with the development of the zona radiata and the follicle cells. The zona radiata had two layers, the outer and the inner, which showed its protein content when stained with CM and FG techniques. TB pH 2.5 and pH 4.0 staining showed that oocytes undergoing vitellogenesis presented weakly stained cytoplasm and peripheral cytoplasmic vesicles. The follicle cells that were squamous became cuboidal. In mature oocytes, the yolk granules that filled the cytoplasm became green and blue when stained with FG and CM techniques, indicating their protein content. The perivitclline region showed rosy stained vesicles (TB pH 2.5 and pH 4.0) spread among the weakly stained peripheral vesicles, which seemed to be the cortical alveoli. The zona radiata cells, CM and FG stained, still showed two layers like the oocytes from the previous stage, but thicker.

The diet of P. leucoptera (Vieillot, 1818) was studied using the emetic tartar which induces birds' regurgitation. Birds were captured and treated between May 1996 and June 1997 in the Atlantic Forest at the city of Guapimirim, State of Rio de Janeiro, southeastern Brazil. The study area is a secondary forest continuous to the Serra dos Órgãos forest. Insect fragments of Coleoptera and Hymenoptera were the items most frequently found in the regurgitate samples. Besides contributing to the knowledge of the species diet, pictures of identified Arthropoda fragments are presented in order to aid future works on avian feeding.

The architecture and biology of Euplusia mussitans (Fabricius, 1787) nests were investigated, using trap nests made by wood, which were randomly distributed in a fragment of a coastal sand dunes, in Salvador, Bahia. Brazil (12º56'S and 38º21'W). 10 nests were found in cavities with 1.5 cm in diameter. From them emerged 10 females and 16 males (Sex ratio = 0,38). The nest cells were made of small pieces of bark cemented together with resin. The number of cells in the nests varied from 2 to 4, with females cells at the inner end and males cells towards the entrance. No significant difference was observed (t= 0.7274, P > 0.05) between the medium size for males (6.3 mm ± 0.16) and for females (6.4 mm ± 0.29). The development time of females was longer than males.

The histological study of the exocrine glands in the swarming females showed the presence of tergal glands, mandibular glands, salivary glands and sternal glands. Tergal and sternal glands are not developed in the physogastric queens, probably, because of a regression process. The development of mandibular glands is similar in swarming females and physogastric queens.

Larvae of Hemiargus hanno (Stoll, 1790) (Lepidoptera, Lycaenidae, Polyommatinae) are for the first time reported to be attended under field conditions by ants of the formicine genus Brachymyrmex Mayr, 1868 (Myrmelachistini). Structural features of the last instar larva and pupa of H. hanno are described and illustrated with the aid of scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

Biological aspects of Leptinaria unlamellata (d'Orbigny, 1835) were studied, such as: onset of sexual maturity, occurrence of self-fertilization and shell length measurement at different stages of development. In isolated specimens of L. unilamellata, sexual maturity was reached at 74 days (minimum time) and 104 days (maximum time). For the grouped specimens, the minimum time was 71 days. The occurrence of self-fertilization was observed in both species, 100% of specimens. The total numberof young per birth varied from one to 22 (average: 7,35 ± 5,78), the total number of offsprings per mollusc varied from two to eight (average: 4,1 ± 1,41) and total number of young per mollusc varied from five to 46 (average: 30,21 ± 8,08). As to the shell length in different growth stages, it was observed that in L. unilamellata, growth rhythm was similar until 15 days for age. After this period grouped specimens showed a high growth rhythm until 105 days after which the growth rhythm of grouped specimens became constant and the growth rhythm isolated specimens became greater. Grouped and isolated specimens reached a maximum size of 18,7 mm and 20,6 mm respectively. In the moment of the sexual maturity, the length of the shell in the individuals that were kept grouped was smaller than the isolated ones for L. unilamellata. In this specie individuals that were kept isolated reach larger length of shell.

Biological aspects of Bradybaena similaris (Férussac, 1821) were studied, such as: onset of sexual maturity, occurrence of self-fertilization, oviposition, incubation period, eclosion rate and shell length measurement at different stages of development. It was noted that in isolated B. similaris the minimum and maximum time for reaching sexual maturity were 109 and 180 days, respectively. When kept in groups, the minimum time was 78 days. The occurrence of self-fertilization was observed in 18.4% of specimens. The total number of eggs per oviposition varied from one to 38 (average: 3,5 ± 7,15), the total number of eggs per mollusc varied from one to 39 (average: 7,0 ± 10,21) and the total number of oviposition per mollusc varied form one to six (averege: 2,0 ± 1,27). Thirty ovipositions (894 eggs) were followed and the minimum eclosion time of the young was 14 days, the maximum eclosion time was 35 days and the average 23,69 days. The eclosion average percent was 81,22. As to the shell length in different growth stages, it was observed that in B. similaris the length of the shell was similar until 30 days for age. After this period isolated specimens acquired a greater growth rhythm when compared to that of grouped specimens. The maximum shell length of isolated specimens was 17,4 mm whereas grouped specimens reached 14,5 mm. In this specie, individuals that were kept grouped became sexually mature earlier than isolated ones. Individuals kept isolated reach larger length of shell. In the moment of the sexual maturity, the length of the shell in the individuals tha were kept isolated was smaller than the grouped.

Aiming at obtaining the community profile and verifying the occurrence of antagonism and association among ciliates, samples of rumen content were analysed in 100 bovines soon after their death. The animals were killed at the Juiz de Fora Municipal slaughter house (Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais State, Brazil) between August 1996 and May 1997. Ciliates occurred, respectively, in the following percents and samples number: Entodinium Stein, 1859 (50,48; 100), Diplodinium Schuberg, 1888 (5,59; 98), Eudiplodinium Dogiel, 1927 (6,91; 97), Ostracodinium Dogiel, 1927 (9,68; 95), hotricha Stein, 1859 (4,15; 93), Dasytricha Schuberg, 1888 (3,31; 93), Metadi nium Awerinzew &amp; Mutafowa, 1914 (3,06; 90), Eremoplastron Kofoid &amp; MacLennan. 1932 (7,39; 87), Epidinium Crawley, 1923 (5,31; 73), Charonina Strand, 1928 (1,33; 65), Eodinium Kofoid &amp; MacLennan, 1932 (1,49; 59), Diploplastron Kofoid &amp; MacLennan, 1932 (0,88; 24), Elytroplastron Kofoid &amp; MacLennan, 1932 (0,36; 16), Polyplastron Dogiel, 1927 (0,04; 03) and Buetschlia Schuberg, 1888 (0,02; 01). When the antagonistic behaviour and the association were analyzed, it was observed that Eudiplodinium was detected in the absence of Polyplastron and in the presence of Epidinium in 94% and 73% of the samples, respectively. These data confirm the antagonism and the coexistence among particular populations of rumen ciliates and allowed the identification of 94% of the samples examined as being of profile type B, none of type A and 3% of mixed A-B community and of type O. It is suggested the use of the term community profile instead of population profile, as the respective types involve associations of various ciliate populations.

A controlled experiment, related with the mating system of Scinax rizibilis (Bokermann, 1964), was conducted to assess if larval variation could be due to size of male or its ability to manage an amplexus. Adult individuals were caught during breeding activity (from February 1993 to January 1994), in a temporary pond in the municipality of Ribeirão Branco. São Paulo State, southeastern Brazil. The duration of the larval period was not different between tadpoles of large and small males, nor was it different between tadpoles coming from natural or artificial pairs. The reproductive status of the male (if it had managed an amplexus) also did not influence the total length nor the mass of the tadpoles close to metamorphosis. However, tadpoles of larger and heavier males were, on average, approximately 5.5% and 11% larger and heavier, respectively, than tadpoles of smaller males. These results indicate that the breeding system of S. rizibilis could potentially have a directional effect on the larval characteristics.

The purpose of this work is to analyse the taxonomy and distributional patterns of the species of the genus Munida Leach, 1820 which occur along the Brazilian coast. The species of Munida present some peculiar characteristics, rarely found in any other marine group. They live in groups with great number of individuals (gregariousness) and with several species found together in the same population (sintopy). In addition, they exhibit a great degree of intraspeciftc variation and, paradoxally, a little variability among the species. These factors make a better understanding of the systematics of this group very difficult. In the present study the utilization of non variable characters was emphasized. As a corollary of this study, "species-complexes" were defined including groups of species morphologically very similar but yet well characterized. Sixteen species with distribution along the Brazilian coast were studied. An identification key is provided. A general discussion where the main problems on taxonomy and distributional patterns of species were analysed was done.

The project PRS-GEDIP was carried out in the Rio Grande do Sul coast, with some few stations off Maldonado (Uruguay), by means of a convention between Instituto Oceanográfico USP (IOUSP) and the Grupo Executivo do Desenvolvimento da Indústria da Pesca (GEDIP) of Rio Grande do Sul. The purpose of this project was the acquisition of data in order to have a better biotic and abiotic characterization of the southern Brazilian coast. Among the Galatheidae, about 1200 specimens of the genus Munida Leach, 1820 were collected, including five species as follows: Munida flinti Benedict, 1902; M. forceps A. Milne Edwards, 1880; M. iris A. Milne Edwards, 1880; M. irrasa A. Milne Edwards. 1880 and M. longipes A. Milne Edwards, 1880. The description, material examined, remarks and maps of the stations where each species was collected are done.