RCAAP Repository

A study about composition, relative abundance and densities of peracarid populations associated to worm reefs of P. caudata (Kröyer, 1856) from Caiobá Beach, Matinhos, State of Paraná (25º51'S and 48º 32'W) was carried out. Monthly samples were obtained from August/1997 to July/1998. The density was calculated as the number of individuais per liter of worm reef. Three amphipod and three isopod species were obtained. The total density of the amphipod populations varied from 3.85 ind./l (July) to 70.56 ind./l (December) and that of the isopod from 0.25 ind./l (May) to 11.73 ind./l (March), The annual fluctuation of the amphipod densities was closely related to the weight fluctuation of the associated algae. The most numerous amphipod species was Elasmopus pectenicrus (Bate, 1862) followed by Hyale media (Dana, 1853) and Ericthonius brasiliensis (Dana, 1853). The isopod Paradynoides brasiliensis Loyola e Silva, 1960 was the most numerous followed by Excirolana armata (Dana, 1852) and Dynoides castroi Loyola e Silva, 1960. All amphipods and two isopod species were considered as constant species and they showed continuous breeding all year round. The occurrence of males, females (including ovigerous ones) and juveniles in the most amphipod and isopod populations in the present study indicates that these peracarids perform a complete life cycle within the Phragmatopoma caudata reefs. These constitute an alternative substrate to peracarids living on phytal and sandy habitats.

The utilization of artificial receptacles to oviposition by mosquitoes in forest environment may indicate a sinantropic tendency or behaviour. Our data revealed that tires were as the most acceptable breeding for Culex (Culex) eduardoi Casal & Garcia 1968.The population density of this species was higher and summer seasons.

Bostricobranchus digonas Abbott, 1951 was discovered by dredging near Cotinga Island, Paranaguá Bay, Paraná (25º31'511"S, 48º28'714"W). Concentrated in a small area 1.5 m deep, the animals were collected by a Van Veen device. All sizes from 3 mm up to 2 cm in body diameter were recovered. This is the first report of a species of this genus in the South Atlantic and its oeeurrenee is diseussed.

The white croaker Micropogonias fumieri (Desmarest, 1823) is one of the most abundant fish species in the Sepetiba Bay, being heavily exploited in fisheries. Two hundred eleven fishes, captured from October 1998 to September 1999, in monthly samplings with otter trawling, were studied. The aim here is to characterize morphometrics of populations that use de Bay in order to compare with other areas. Measurements included standard length (SL), head length (HL), Pre-dorsal distance (PDD), pectoral distance (PD), ventral distance (VD) and anal distance (AD), pectoral length (PL) and eye diarneter (ED). The values of HL, PDD, PD, VD, AD, were related to SL, while ED was related to HL. Scatterplot from logaritrnized data, by sex, were analyzed in order to assess alometry. Males outnumber females with differences being highly significant (p < 0.01), mainly in size c1ass 100 and 150 mm SL. The studied population varying from 62 to 205 mm. Head length varied from 28.7 to 38.6% SL; PDD 32.5 to 42.9%; PD 276 to 41.1 %; VD 26.6 to 44.8%; AD 58.1 to 76.8%; and PL 10.8 to 29.8%. Eye diameter varied from 16.7 to 26.1 % HL. Positive alometry (k > I) were shown for PL in both sexes, and for AD in female, indicating that these measurements increase proportionately more than the standard length; isometric growth (k = 1) were shown for HL, PDD, PD, VD in both sexes, for AD in males; negative alometry (k < 1) was shown only for ED in relation to head length (HL), in both males and females. The white croaker populations in lhe Sepetiba Bay seems to be similar in their morphometrics aspects to the populations of coastal zone at Southeast Brazil, which differ from South coastal zone populations.

The hemocyte composition of adults of Amblyomma cajennense (Fabricius, 1787) Koch, 1844 adults consisted of three basic cellular types: prahemocyte I (PR I), plasmatocyte (PL) and spherulocyte (ES II). Among the ixodids observed (A. cajennense; A. dissimile Koch, 1844; Rhipicephalus sanguineus Latreille, 1806; Anocentor nitens (Neumann, 1897) Schulze, 1937; Boophilus microplus Canestrini, 1887 and Haemaphysalis sp.) only A. cajennense was different in the adult hemolymph colour. It changed from amber to deep blue as the ixodid age advanced. This fact could be associated with the presence of hemocyanin in the hemolymph and points out the need to develop further investigations about the Ixodidae hemolymph pratein composition as well as the function of all the types found in it. This information could aid the studies on ticks control.

Two species of Basilia Miranda Ribeiro, 1903 (Nycteribiidae) and eigth species of Streblidae were collected from Brasília. Basilia anceps Guimarães &amp; D' Andretta, 1956; B. hughscotti Guimarães &amp; D' Andretta, 1956; Megistopoda aranea (Coquillet, 1899); M. proxima (Séguy, 1926) and Neotrichobius delicatus (Machado-Allison, 1966) are collected for the first time at the Federal District.

The northern coast of Pernambuco State, Brazil, is an wintering area for shorebirds originally from north America, especially from the east. The first flocks arrive in September, staying till April, when they molts, change plumage, and acquire enough biomass to migrate back to the northern hemisfere. In order to calculate flight range mass and length of the wing of Charadrius semipalmatus Bonaparte, 1825, Calidris fuscicollis Vieillot, 1819, C. pusilla Linnaeus, 1766 and C. alba Pallas, 1764 was recorded. Traps were carried out in Coroa do Avião (7º40' S and 34º50'W) in the northern coast of the State of Pernambuco, between May 1992 and April 1995. The length of the wing was registered with the wing spread (from the insertion of the bone till the extremity of the longest primary remige). Individuals which were changing the tenth primary were not included in this measuring. Mass was taken in grarns, and flight range was calculated using the equations proposed for adult individuais. The individual with the highest flight range reached around 1831,87 km, and had been trapped and ringed in 14th April 1994, when had 61,5 g and wing measuring 12,9 cm, with intermediate plumage. The highest flight range reached by C. fuscicollis was around 1906,43 km. It had been trapped and ringed in the 3rd of May 1992, with weight of 50 g, and wing of 12,9 cm, and had reproduction plumage. The individual with the highest flight range reached 3545,77 km, had been trapped and ringed in 15th April 1994, weighted 44 g, wing measured 10 cm, and presented intermediate plumage. The specimen of C. alba which presented the highest flight range, of 82 g, wing of 13,4 cm, and had intennediate plumage.

Bandaromimus Linnavuori, 1959 is reported for the first time in Brazil. Two new species are described: Bandaromimus matogrossensis sp. nov. (Brazil, Mato Grosso) and Bandaromimus insularis sp. nov. (Brazil, Paraná). The female of Bandaromimus parvicauda Linnavuori &amp; Heller, 1961 is described and the illustrations of male genitalia is also added.

Nomenclatural actions are taken in the Neotropical Eumaeini in advance of publication of the Atlas of Neotropical Lepidoptera Checklist. Lectotypes are designated for eleven species group names: Lycaena astiocha Prittwitz, 1865; Thecla azia Hewitson, 1873; Thecla beroea Hewitson, 1868; Thecla cupa Druce, 1907; Thecla daraba Hewitson, 1867; Thecla duma Hewitson, 1878; Thecla erenea Hewitson, 1867; Thecla galliena Hewitson, 1867; Thecla guacanagari Wallengren, 1860; Thecla stagira Hewitson, 1867; and Thecla thoria Hewitson, 1867. Thecla duma Hewitson, 1878 and Thecla columbinia Strand, 1916 are transferred from Eumaeini to Deudorigini (Theclinae). Lycaena vanessoides Prittwitz, 1865 is transferred from Polyommatinae to Theclinae (Eumaeini). Six type localities are changed: Colombia to Africa for Thecla columbinia Strand, 1916; Amazon to Guayaquil for Thecla daraba Hewitson, 1867; Colombia to Southeast Asia for Thecla duma Hewitson, 1878; Bolivia to Westem North America for Ignata illepida K. Johnson, 1992; Argentina to the United States for Strymon nivnix K. Johnson, Eisele &amp; MacPherson, 1990; and Dominican Republic to mainland Central and South America for Tmolus victoria K. Johnson &amp; Matusik, 1989. Seven new synonyms are: Lycaena vanessoides Prittwitz, 1865 = Thecla hygela Hewitson, 1868 syn. nov.; Thecla saepium Boisduval, 1852 = Ignata illepida K. Johnson, 1992 syn. nov.; Thecla tyriam H.H. Druce, 1907 = Zigirina minutia K. Johnson &amp; Adams, 1997 syn. nov.; Thecla halciones Butler &amp; H. Druce, 1872 = Decussata colombiana K. Johnson, Austin, Le Crom &amp; Sal azar, 1997 syn. nov.; Papilio celmus Cramer, 1775 = Tmolus victoria K. Johnson &amp; Matusik, 1989 syn. nov.; Thecla daraba Hewitson, 1867 = Thecla tyleri Dyar, 1913 syn. nov.; and Thecla galliena Hewitson, 1877 = Thecla iopas Godman &amp; Salvin, 1887 syn. nov. The generic name Decussata K. Johnson, Austin, Le Crom &amp; Salazar, 1997 is a new junior synonym of Ostrinotes K. Johnson, Austin, Le Crom &amp; Salazar, 1997. The unavailable infra-subspecific name Thecla orobiana forma ♀ cosmophila Tessmann, 1928 is available as Thecla cosmophila Bridges, 1988. Seven new combinations are: Hypokopelates columbinia (Strand, 1916) comb. nov.; Mithras cosmophila Bridges, 1988 comb. nov.; Nicolaea cupa (Druce, 1907) comb. nov.; Salazaria elizabetha (Salazar, Vélez &amp; K. Johnson, 1997) comb. nov.; Ostrinotes halciones (Butler &amp; H. Druce, 1872) comb. nov.; Strephonota tyriam (H.H. Druce, 1907) comb. nov.; and Aubergina vanessoides (Prittwitz, 1865) comb. nov. The holotypes of seven eumaeines are composed of parts belonging to different species: Strymon andrewi K. Johnson &amp; Matusik, 1988; Decussata colombiana K. Johnson, Austin, Le Crom &amp; Salazar, 1997; Trochusinus elizabetha Salazar, Vélez &amp; K. Johnson, 1997; lgnata illepida K. Johnson, 1992; Zigirina minutia K. Johnson &amp; Adams, 1997; Strymon nivnix K. Johnson, Eisele &amp; MacPherson, 1990; and Tmolus victoria K. Johnson &amp; Matusik, 1989. Some parts of these holotypes are excluded to clarify the identity of these names. Three chronic misspellings are corrected: Papilio ganimedes Crarner, 1775, for Papilio ganymedes [sic] Fabricius, 1776;Thecla atnius Herrich-Schäffer, [1853], for Thecla atrius [sic] Herrich-Schäffer, [1858]; and Rusticus minyas Hübner, [1809], for Rusticus minijas [sic] Poey, 1832. The name Electrostrymon minikyanos K. Johnson &amp; Matusik, 1988, is treated as a nomen dubium. The subjective synonymy of Thecla guacanagari Wallengren, 1860, and Thecla azia Hewitson, 1873, is referred to the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature for conditional suppression of the first name. Precedence for the names Papilio dion Schaller, 1788, and Hesperia columella Fabricius, 1793, is reversed under Article 23.9.1 of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature.

Pteropoda studies were carried out offshore São Pedro and São Paulo Archipelago (0º56'2"N e 29º20'6"W) to assess biodiversity and spatial distribution. A Bongo net (mesh size 300 micrometer) was hauled obliquely from a depth between 0 and 50 m and Oand 100 m by the REVIZEE-SCORE/NE I oceanographic expedition on board of the Brazilian Navy Oceanographic Ship Antares. Samples were collected at 16 stations from September to October 1995. A total of 880 organisms distributed in 20 species, 14 genera and 9 families were identified. At the layer 0-50 m, Creseis virgula (Rang (828) was the most frequent species (71.43%), followed by Limacina inflata (Orbigny, (836) and Cavolinia inflexa (Lesueur, 18(3) (64.28%, each). ln terms of relative abundance outranked L. inflara (varying between 57.5 and 92.24%) and C. virgula (varying between 60.0 and 72.73%). At the layer 0-100 m, C. virgula was very frequent (80%), L. inflata (70%) and Cuvierina columnella (Rang (827) (40%) were frequent, other species had less than 30% of frequency. L. inflata varied from 37.5 to 100% and C. virgula from 42.42 to 100% of relative abundance. Species diversity varied from medium to low ( < 2.0 bits.ind-1) in both layers. At the layer 0-50 m C. virgula was directly correlated to temperature and salinity, while at the layer 0-100 m L. inflata was correlated to these parameters, showing that these species are Tropical Water indicators.

Investigations concerning to the breeding period of brachyuran crabs provide fundamental information to determine their reproductive cycle, and also to establish management plans for species mainly in protected areas. This study provides data on the breeding period of M.forceps (A. Milne Edwards, 1875) in the southeastern Brazilian coast. Monthly samplings were carried out during a one year-round. A catch effort of approximately four hours was allocated to each monthly survey. The breeding intensity was determined based on the percentage of ovigerous crabs within the whole adult female population. A total of 137 adult females was obtained, from which 80.3% presented eggs attached on their pleopods. Ovigerous females were observed yearround, usually comprising more than 60% of sampled adult females. The ovigerous frequency was not statistically correlated to the environmental analyzed factors.

A new species of bufonid load, Bufo jimi sp. nov., is described from Maracás and Itagibá, State of Bahia, Brazil. This species shows close relationships to B. paracnemis Lutz, 1925 by sharing the presence of tibial glands and the paratoid glands shape. The new species is a member of the Bufo marinus-group, and is characlerized by having well-defined glands in most part of dorsal faceof the forearms, in the extcrn side of the feet and in both sides of cloacal region.

Based on features of the holotype and seven Brazilian specimens examined under stereomicroscope, light microscope, and scanning electron microscope, Eunice rubra Grube, 1856 is redescribed, allowing for intraspecific variation and providing informationon characters not included in a previous redescription. Characters important for the taxonomy of the genus varied widely, although in some cases because of fixation artefacts.

Worm burdens were evaluated and compared in two groups of the guinea pig, Cavia poreellus (Linnaeus, 1758): animals of the first group were conventionally maintained in an institutional animal house and those of the second group were openly kept in pet shops in Brazil. Animals from both sources were infected only with the nematode Paraspidodera uncinata (Rudolphi, 1819) Travassos, 1914 (10% of prevalence in guinea pigs from lhe institutional facility and 40% in those animals from the pet shop). Other helminth samples recovered from Brazilian guinea pigs during 52 years and that are deposited in the Helminthological Collection of the Oswaldo Cruz Institute (CHIOC) were also analyzed. Paraspidodera uncinata and the cestode Monoecocestus parcitesticulatus Rêgo, 1960 were identified in these samples.

The spider fauna (Araneae) of a sugar eane plantation was surveyed monthly by hand colteetion and beating vegetation in sugar cane fields across Botucatu, State of São Paulo, Brazil. Composition and rchness (family and species where identifieation to species was possible) microhabitat preferenees were reeorded, and diversity and evenness indices were calculated. A total of 1291 spiders belonging to 73 species and 20 families were collected. The most diverse families were Theridiidae, Salticidae, and Araneidae, and the most abundant ones were Theridiidae, Saltieidae, Anyphaenidae, and Araneidae, Seven species represented 58.6% of the total fauna, with Crysso pulcherrima (Mello-Leitão,1917) (Theridiidae) composing 28.2%. About 65% of the spiders occupied the upper part of the plants (above 20 cm). Five spider species were present in the sugar cane throughout crop development. Evidence of spiders feeding on sugar cane pest species was observed.

Diversity of owlet-moth (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae) in Salvador do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The purpose of this paper is to describe the Noctuidae community in Salvador do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul. Light traps captured the insects of this research. The quantitative data were collected through weekly sampling, during one year (1994-1995); the qualitative data were collected through non-systematic sampling, during four consecutive years. The community characterization was based on the richness, abundance, specific constancy, diversity indices and abundance distribution; also total richness estimates were calculated, by nonparametric statistical procedures. In the systematized collecting there were captured 4017 noctuids of 108 species, distributed in 14 subfamilies; in the non-systematized, another 189 additional species and two subfamilies. Amphipyrinae, Hadeninae and Ophiderinae had the largest species richness. The more constant species were noctuids of great economic importance; the accessories were related to specific vegetable groups; the accidentals have their host unknown. The accessories and accidental species were captured more in spring and summer; also in these periods were measured the highest values of richness, abundance and diversity. There was no fit between observed/calculated log normal and log series distribution models. The 2nd order Jackknife and Michaelis-Menten equation procedures estimated that the total richness values were close to the total number of the species in the studied area.

Description and biological aspects of a new species of Sigelgaita Heinrich, 1939, the first known to occur east of the Andes, S. cerei Becker, are presented. S. cerei larvae were collected on "restinga" ecosystems feeding on Pilosocereus arrabidae (Lem.) Byles &amp; Rowl. (Parque Nacional da Restinga de Jurubatiba-Macaé and Área de Proteção Ambiental de Barra de Marica, Rio de Janeiro) and rarely on Cereus obtusus Haw. (PNRJ). Life cycle and behavior of larvae are presented. Larvae are found singly on flower buds, on fruit or more frequently on stem of the plants. They build chambers in the cladodium where they complete their larval development, then droping to the ground in order to pupate. Trichogramma sp. was parasitizing 72% of eggs and a species of braconid was parasitizing half out of ten larvae collected from fruits of Cereus obtusus. S. cerei larvae develop a special role in the colonization and establishment of a diverse fauna associates with the hosts such as insects, spiders and yeasts. Ants, such as Camponotus crassus Mayr, 1862 and C. cingulatus Mayr, 1862 are among the insects which most frequently nest in the chambers abandoned by the larvae of this moth species.

Sennius leptophyllicola sp. nov. is described from Paraná, Brazil and reported to feed in seeds of Cassia leptophylla Vogel with Pygiopachymerus lineola (Chevrolat, 1871). Both species attach their eggs to the outside of the fruit valves of the host. Their oviposition behavior places them in oviposition guild A of JOHNSON (1981). Eggs were described based upon scanning electron micrographs.

A survey of the stonefly (Plecoptera) fauna of streams of the Almas River basin, Pirenópolis, Goiás State, Central Brazil, is presented as well as data of some factors that could affeet the temporal distribution of the adults. For checking adult phenology, light sources were used in three stations from June 1993 to Jully 1994. The sampled individuais were identified to species or morphospecies, as possible. In this study, 301 individuais belonging to the perlid genera Anacroneuria Klapálek, 1909, Kempnyia Klapálek, 1916 and Macrogynoplax Enderlein, 1909 were collected. Adults of most species were collected along the studied period, except for those of Kempnyia that were restricted to the warm-rainy season, the same pattern for this genus in southeastern Brazil. Although adults of most species were collected along most of the studied period, the largest number of adults was collected in the months with larger mean temperatures, showing a clear seasonality in abundance.

The stonefly (Pleeoptera) nymphs of streams of the Almas River basin, Pirenópolis, Goiás State, Central Brazil, and some abiotie factors that might affect their temporal distribution were studied. Nymphs were sampled monthly (June 1993 to July 1994) in five stations with a Surber sampler, and each sample consisted of 20 units totalling 2 m². In each station, stream velocity, discharge, temperature, electrical conductivity and pH were measured in order to assess their influence on the density of nymphs. Nymphs were identified to genus level. In general, the annual variation in density of nymphs, in four stations, showed that the seasonal variation was not clearly influenced by the annual rain cycle. In the case of the one of the stations, where numbers of stonefly nymphs were low and the anthropic action high, there was a density peak in the rainy season. This peak was probably related to dilution of the organie pollution in the rainy season, improving the environmental conditions for the Pleeoptera.