RCAAP Repository

A new species of oxyurid, Skrjabinodon spinosulus, is described, on the basis of samples recovered from Mabuya dorsivittala Cope, 1862 in Brazil. Skrjabinodon spinosulus sp. n. is included in the group in which the males are provided with a spicule. The new species proposed herein, differs from those of the group, by the large number of spines (70-80) on the tail of the females when compared to those (3-48) in the other species. The number of spines is a character of great taxonomic importance in the specific diagnosis of these nematodes. This is the second report of the genus Skrjabinodon Inglis, 1968 in South America.

The larval ontogeny and swimming behavior of the characid fish Salminus brasiliensis (Cuvier, 1816) were studied under experimental laboratory conditions, from hatching to yolk absorption. At day 1, the larvae were transparent, with sparse dendrite chromatophores and a well-developed adhesive organ on the head. The retinal epithelial cells were initiating pigmentation. The branchial arches were at the initial phase of differentiation. The larvae were able to perform only vertical displacements and, when resting on the tank bottom, remained in lateral decumbency, in groups of 3 to 15 larvae. On day 2, the mouth was open, with conical teeth, and the digestive tube presented lumen and folded mucosa. The gaseous bladder and pectoral fins also were in differentiation. The larvae performed vertical and horizontal movements, adhered to the water surface by means of the adhesive organ or formed groups of three to six on the tank bottom. On day 3, the adhesive organ turned dorsal, the retina was pigmented, the digestive tube mucosa showed goblet cells, and the yolk sac exhausted. The larvae were now scattering in the water column forming no groups on the bottom.

The diet, activity and reproductive patterns of several species of bats were investigated in primary forests of Central Amazon. Between August 1996 and August 1997, using mist nets set both at canopy and understorey levels, 936 bats, belonging to 51 species, 31 genera and 6 families were captured. Fecal samples from 35 species were examined, with four food categories and 25 food items identified. Time of captures indicate a wide variation, but the major part of the species presented a peak of activity around the first hour after sunset. Three reproductive peaks were observed: October-November; January-February; and July-August, but reproductive patterns varied among the families. The structure of the bat fauna in Manaus is similar to other sites in the Amazon and Central America, the main common points being: a) a high diversity of bat species, usually more than 40 species representing 6-8 families; b) 3-4 very common and geographically widespread species; c) most species are represented by a few captures; d) frugivorous species dominate the fauna and insectivorous species are less often captured; and e) most species cluster in 2-3 guilds, dominated by small (< 12 g) species.

The genus llithucia Stal, 1869, considered up to now as a junior synonym of Antonae Stal, 1867, is revalidated. Otherwise, the genera Centrugonia Stal, 1869, Electrophina Buckton, 1905, Penichrophorus Richter, 1943, and Achantomedes Fon-seca &amp; Diringshofen, 1974, are brought into llithucia Stal as new synonyms, except Electrophina already considered so. Some other nomenclatural changes are introduced, such as revalidated names, new combinations, restored combinations, and new synonymies: llithucia Stal, 1867 nom. rev. = Centrugonia Stal, 1869 syn. n. = Penichrophorus Richter, 1943 syn. n. = Achantomedes Fonseca &amp; Diringshofen, 1974 syn. n.; llithucia brevicornis (Richter, 1941) comb, n.; llithucia centrotoides (Walker, 1858) comb. n. = Stictocephala nigriventris Funkhouser, 1919 syn. n. = Centrogonia flavolimbata Goding, 1921 syn. n. = Penichrophorus bogotensis Richter, 1943 syn. n. = Ceresa luteimaculata Funkhouser, 1940 syn. n.; llithucia ciliata (Fairmaire, 1846) comb. n. = Ceresa extensa Walker, 1858 syn. n. = Centrogonia lutea Funkhouser, 1919 syn. n.; llithucia dilalata (Richter, 1943) comb. n.; llithucia elegans (Fowler, 1895) comb, n.; llithucia grisescens (Funkhouser, 1940) comb, n.; llithucia incorni-gera (Richter, 1942) comb, n.; llithucia impressa (Richter, 1943) comb, n.; llithucia nasuta (Stal, 1859) comb. n. = Penichrophorus sericatus Richter, 1943 syn. n.; llithuciapinguicornis (Funkhouser, 1919) comb, n.; llithucia reducta (Richter, 1955) comb. n.; llithucia richteri (Kopp &amp; Yonke, 1979) comb, n.; llithucia terminata (Fairmaire, 1846) comb. rest. = Ceresa morio Fairmaire, 1846 syn. n. = Achantomedes flavocephala Fonseca &amp; Diringshofen, 1974 syn. n.; llithucia vianai (Remes-Lenicov, 1970) comb. n. The following new species are described and illustrated: llithucia delvalle sp. n. (from Venezuela), llithucia nigrata sp. n. (from Colombia), and llithucia boliviano sp. n. (from Bolivia).

Some aspects on nidification behavior of three species of turtles [Podocnemis unifdis (Troschel, 1848), Podocnemis sextuberculata (Cornália, 1849) and Podocnemis expansa (Schweigger, 1812)] in the northern Brazilian Amazônia are reported. The three species showed similar nidification activities.

The marine manatee Trichechus manatus manatus Linnaeus, 1758 is endangered in the Brazilian Atlantic coast due to indiscriminate hunting practiced in the past, and to the low reproductive rate of the species. This work studies its use of space and temporal occurrence in the coastal area of Sagi, Northeastern Brazil. Daily observations from the beach of the animals in the sea were made during daytime from 1990 through 1993. The presence of reefs covered with marine algae is a determinant factor in the occurrence of the manatee. They were sighted feeding on algae that grow over the reefs close to beaches that were of high energy during high tide. The range used by manatees shifted according to tide. They occur in depths of 0.4 to 3.8 m; the distance from the beach varies according to the tide level. They show marked seasonality of occurrence, with higher frequencies in December - January and lowest in June - July. Two possible causes of the seasonal occurrence are discussed. Sagi is important for the conservation of the species in Northeastern Brazil as feeding and reproductive grounds.

The following new genera with their type-species are described: Oxynetrini: Cyclopyge gen. n. - type-species: Pyrrhopyge roscius Hopffer, 1874; Pyrrhopygini: Arnysoria gen. n. - type species: Pyrrhopyga [sic] galgala Hewitson, 1866, Chalypyge gen. n. - type species: Pyrrhopyga [sic] chalybea Scudder, 1872, Creonpyge gen. n. - type species: Pyrrhopyga [sic] creon H. Druce, 1874, Cyanopyge gen. n. - type species: Pyrrhopyge sangaris Skinner, 1921, Gunayan gen. n. - type species: Pyrrhopyga [sic] rhacia Hewitson, 1875, Jonaspyge gen. n. - type species: Pyrrhopyga [sic] Jonas C. Felder &amp; R. Felder, 1859, Melanopyge gen. n. - type species: Pyrrhopyga [sic] maculosa Hewitson, 1866, Mimardaris gen. n. - type species: Pyrrhopyga [sic] sela Hewitson, 1866, Mysarbia gen. n. - type species: Pyrrhopyge sejanus Hopffer, 1874, Ochropyge gen. n. - type species: Pyrrhopyge ruficauda Hayward, 1932. Apyrrothrix Lindsey, 1921 and Yanguna Watson, 1893 are revalidated. The following are revalidated combinations: Apyrrothrix araxes (Hewitson, 1867), Apyrrothrix arizonae (Godman &amp; Salvin, 1893), Yanguna cometes cometes (Cramer, 1770), Yanguna cometes cometides Mabille &amp; Boullet, 1908, Yanguna cometes staudingeri (Plštz, 1879), Yanguna cosyra (H. Druce, 1875), Yanguna spatlosa spatlosa (Hewitson, 1871), Yanguna spatlosa aspllos Mabille &amp; Boullet, 1908, Yanguna spatlosa mabillei H.H. Druce, 1909, Yanguna tetricus Bell, 1931, Yanguna thelersa (Hewitson, 1866), The following are new combinations: Cyclopyge roscius roscius (Hopffer, 1874), Cyclopyge roscius flavomaculata (Bell, 1937), Cyclopyge roscius iphimedia (Plštz, 1886), Yanguna erebus (Plštz, 1879), Gunayan rhacia (Hewitson, 1875), Gunayan rubrlcollts (Sepp, [1841]), Gunayan timaeus (Bell, 1931), Chalypyge chalybea chalybea (Scudder, 1872), Chalypyge chalybea chlorts (Evans, 1951), Chalypyge zereda zereda (Hewitson, 1866), Chalypyge zereda hygieia (C. Felder &amp; R. Felder, 1867), Chalypyge zereda insana (Staudinger, 1876), Chalypyge zereda rufinucha (Godman &amp; Salvin, 1879), Chalypyge zereda rufipectus (Godman &amp; Salvin, 1879), Chalypyge zereda zepha (Evans, 1951), Ochropyge ruficauda (Hayward, 1932), Melanopyge cossea (H. Druce, 1875), Melanopyge erythrosticta (Godman &amp; Salvin, 1879), Melanopyge hoffmannl (Freeman, 1977), Melanopyge maculosa (Hewitson, 1866), Melanopyge mulleri (Bell, 1934), Jonaspyge Jonas (C. Felder &amp; R. Felder, 1859), Jonaspyge aesculapus (Staudinger, 1876), Jonaspyge tzotzlll (Freemann, 1969), Creonpyge creon creon (H. Druce, 1874), Creonpyge creon lillana (Nicolay &amp; Small, 1969), Creonpyge creon laylori (Nicolay &amp; Small, 1981), Cyanopyge sangaris (Skinner, 1921), Mysarbia sejanus sejanus (Hoppfer, 1874), Mysarbia sejanus erythrostigma (Ršber, 1925), Arnysoria galgala (Hewitson, 1866), Mimardaris aetata (Godman &amp; Salvin, 1879), Mimardaris Umax (Evans, 1951), Mimardaris mlnthe (Godman &amp; Salvin, 1879), Mimardaris montra (Evans, 1951), Mimardaris pityusa (Hewitson, 1875), Mimardaris porus poms (Evans, 1951), Mimardaris porus mortis (Evans, 1951), Mimardaris sela sela (Hewitson, 1866), Mimardaris sela aequatorea (Róber, 1925), Mimardaris sela chanchamayonis (Draudt, 1924), Mimardaris sela periphema (Hewitson, [1875]), and Mimardaris sela peruviana (Draudt, 1921). The following is a new synonym: Tamyris hygieia C. Felder &amp; R. Felder, 1867 of Pyrrhopyga [sic] zereda Hewitson, 1866. Mysarbia sejanus stolli Mielke, ssp. n. is a replacement name for Papilio thasus Stoll, 1781, preoccupied by Stoll, 1780.

The genus Cundinamarca Rindge, 1983 (Geometridae, Ennominae, Nacophorini) concerns four neotropical species. A fifth species from Brazil is now described: Cundinamarca beckeri sp. n.

Among the portunid crabs collected during the Ilha Grande Project (1966-1969), one specimen of Polybius navigator (Herbst, 1794) was found. This species formerly known from the Eastern Atlantic, Mediterranean and Adriatic and Black Seas is redescribed, illustrated and comments on the new status of the genus is done. It is the first record of this species for the Brazilian coast and Western Atlantic.

The diet of some leaf-nosed frugivorous bats - Artibeus Leach, 1821, Carollia perspicillata (Linnaeus, 1758) and Sturnira lilium (e. Geoffroy, 1810) - was studied for nine consecutive months through faecal analysis of individuais captured with mist-nets in a small forest remnant of Paraná state, Brazil. The analysis revealed that Artibeus spp. exhibited preference for fruits of Ficus spp. and Carollia perspicillata for those of Piper spp., which is in accordance with the results of previous studies. But contrary to what was expected, fruit of Solanum spp. were not found for the diet of Sturnira lilium in spite of their high availabilily (16 species) in the study area and their known relationship with this bat genus. The species of consumed fruit belonged to several plant life forms (trees, bushes, and lianas) and occurred in several habitais. This result emphasizes the importance of keeping habitat diversity, especially in small isolated reserves. Most consumed fruits were green, in agreement with the chiropterochoric syndrome, but ali seeds were small due to limitations of the sampling method. Fruit species abundance in the study area did not seem to have influenced their consumption, but intra-specific fruit availability did so, since most fruits were consumed within their intra-annual peak of availability.

The systematic relationships in the species of the genus Odontesthes Evermann &amp; Kendall, 1906 were analysed by multivariate morphometry, using data adjusted for alometric size effects by orthogonal projections. The results are discussed in terms of morphological differentiation to each geographic units. It was concluded that seven species were identified in the southern Brazilian coast. Five of them inhabit freshwater environments, O. bonariensis (Valenciennes, 1835), O. humensis De Buen, 1953, O. retropinnis (De Buen, 1953), O. aff. perugiae Evermann &amp; Kendall, 1906 and O. mirinensis Bemvenuti, 1995. The freshwater atherinids with the largest body size, O. retropinnis, O. bonariensis and O. humensis, can be distinguished by snout size, mouth position and number of gill rakers on the first branchial arch. The small size silversides, Odontesthes aff. perugiae and O. mirinensis, showed features of similar morphologic and sympatric distribution. The remaining species were represented by O. incisa (Jenyns, 1842), that occurred in coastal areas and O. argentinensis (Valenciennes, 1835) in brackish waters. In the last species, intraespecific morphological variation is attributed to phenotypic plasticity, resulted from environmental conditions found in that ecosystem.

Four colonies of Plebeia saiqui (Holmberg, 1903), of São Francisco de Paula, were studied during the period from October/1998 to October/1999. The counting of the bees was proceeded monthly, differentiated workers that came back with and without pollen in the corbicula. Grains of pollen of pots previously marked were collected monthly and identified. The percentage of the pollen types of the samples was estimated: 20% of Asteraceae, 17% Myrtaceae, 15% type Meliaceae and 10% Euphorbiaceae. The remaining corresponds to other pollen types of small representation, besides those the were no identified. The climatic influence on the pollen collection was analyzed being used simple and multiple regressions. It was verified that in the spring and in the summer the temperature, the solar irradiation and relative humidity were significant for the pollen foraging. During autumn and winter the relative humidity had smaller influence in the pollen collection.

This note reports for the first time a "male sleeping aggregation" of the solitary bee Oxaea austera Gerstaecker, 1867 (Hymenoptera, Apoidea, Oxaeinae) found near the town of Iaçú, Bahia, in Northeastern Brazil. This is also the first record of a species of Oxaea for the caatinga ecosystem.

The cladoceran Kurzia polyspina Hudec, 2000 (Anomopoda, Chydoridae) was found associated with Eichhornia Kunth, 1843 (Pontederiaceae) roots in Paranoá Lake, Brasília. It represents the first record of this species in Brazil and in the Southern Hemisphere. Comments on Kurzia Dybowski &amp; Grochowski, 1894 South American records are included.

The goal of this study is measure the food ingestion by M. roosevelti Eigenmann, 1915 emphasizing its feeding rhythmic. The observations were made between March 1994 to February 1995, in Jiqui Lake, Rio Grande do Norte State. The sample involved 1115 individuais, including 503 males and 613 females, collected in five waiting-net with length of 5.0 to 5.0 m and mesh of 2.0, 2.5 and 3.0 cm between opposites joins, that were exposed for 24 hours and reviewed each 6 hours. The food ingestion was predominant between 6:00 AM to 12:00 AM for males and between 6:00 PM to 12:00 PM for females. The condition factor showed lower values between 6:00 PM to 12:00 PM for males and between 12:00 PM to 6:00 AM for females. The mean level of repletion showed higher values between 12:00PM to 6:00PM for males and between 6:00 PM to 12:00 PM for the females. The higher levels of repletion index for males were observed between 12:00 AM and 12:00 PM for the females and between 6:00 PM to 12:00 PM for males. For this species, plankton constituents, specially algae, are its preferential food.

The effect of riparian deforestation and stream impoundments on an odonate community was studied in áreas of surviving Atlantic forest in Viçosa and in Rio Doce State Park (PERD), Marliéria, Minas Gerais, Brazil. During 1997 16 species of Libellulidae, 4 Coenagrionidae, 2 Gomphidae, 2 Calopterygidae, 1 Megapodagrionidae, 1 Aeshnidae and 3 Protoneuridae were collected. In Viçosa, the association of sampled odonates with lotic or lentic systems, and in PERD for areas with or without riparian vegetation were compared. The results suggest that although overall odonate taxonomic richness is high in areas without riparian vegetation. Likely, because productivity increase of such areas and its invasion by lentic Odonata species.

Bufo ictericus Spix, 1824 toad population (N = 125) foraging in lighted areas in the Corupá Municipality, Santa Catarina State, was surveyed to evaluate the prevalence (percentage of infestation) and the mean infestation intensity of Amblyomma rotundatum Koch, 1844 (Acari, Ixodidae) ticks. The prevalence was of 19.2% and the mean infestation intensity was 7.4 ticks per infested toad. For the first time B. ictericus as host of A. rotundatum is reported.

Charidotis terenosensis sp. n., a new species from Terenos, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, is described.

Bi-monthly otter trawl sampling programme using a stratified random design was carried out at Sepetiba Bay (22º54'-23º04'S; 43º34'-44º10'W), from August 1994 to July 1996, aiming to assess the flatfish species composition and their relative abundance. Fourteen species in eight genera, four families and one suborder were identified. Paralichthyidae is the most diverse and abundant family, contributing to 70% of total number of individuals and to 58,8% of total biomass, being comprised of nine species: Etropus crossotus (Jordan &amp; Gilbert, 1882); E. longimanus (Norman, 1933); Citharichthys spilopterus (Günther, 1862); C. arenaceus (Evermann &amp; Marsh, 1902); C. macrops (Dresel, 1889); Paralichthys orbignyanus (Valenciennes, 1847); P. brasiliensis (Ranzani, 1840); P. patagonicus (Jordan, 1889) e Syacium papillosum (Linnaeus, 1758). Etropus crossotus was the most abundant species amounting 52,5% of the total number and 31,3% of the biomass of Pleuronectiformes, being widespread all over the study area. Additional comments on the species occurrence and their distribution over the Western Atlantic are given and compared to their relative abundance in the Sepetiba Bay.

The taxonomic status of 94 nominal species of Noctuoidea from Cuba described by Herrich-Schäffer, and two species described by Gundlach is discussed. Type material of 49 nominal species preserved in Coll. Gundlach, Instituto de Ecologia y Sistemática, Havana, is evaluated. Seventy species names of Herrich-Schäffer and two of Gundlach are recognized, one genus name and 39 species names are synonymized, 16 new combinations, four reinstated synonyms and two species recalled from synonymy are established.