Evidence of food items used by <Emphasis Type=Italic>Fulmarus glacialoides</Emphasis> (Smith 1840) (Procellariiformes: Procellariidae) in Southern Brazil

Monitoring trips were conducted along the coast of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil from July 1997 to July 1998 to contribute toward knowledge on the feeding habits of Fulmarus glacialoides during migration. Five hundred and sixty two carcasses of F. glacialoides were found, 42 of which were in adequate conditions for collection and subsequent stomach content analysis. All stomach revealed the remains of cephalopods. The following were identified from the 60 lower beaks of cephalopods found: Sepidae, Histioteuthis sp., Discoteuthis sp., Chiroteuthis sp., Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni, Lycoteuthis sp., Lycoteuthis lorigera, Ancistrocheirus lesueuri, Alluroteuthis antarctica, Loligo plei and Argonauta nodosa. Histioteuthis sp. was found in 70% of stomachs analyzed, with a mean biomass of 53 g. Fish were identified through otoliths and were found in the stomach contents of two specimens. Elytra from insects were found in the contents of eight stomachs, at least 20 of which were coleopterans. A Belostomatidae was found in the contents of one stomach.     

Two new species of Petunia (Solanaceae) from southern Brazil

Two new species of Petunia Jussieu from Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul states in Brazil are described and compared with the other seven specieS. A key and synopsis of all the species of Petunia are provided     

Two new species of Petunia (Solanaceae) from southern Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

Petunia bajeensis and P. riograndensis, two new species from southern Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil are described, and their morphological distinction from related species and features of their habitats are discussed.     

An ethnobiological assessment of Rumohra adiantiformis (samambaia-preta) extractivism in Southern Brazil

The fronds of Rumohra adiantiformis, also known as ‘7-weeks-fern,’ ‘leatherleaf’ or ‘samambaia-preta,’ are used worldwide as florists’ greenery. Costa Rica and the USA cultivate and export R. adiantiformis, whereas in South Africa and Brazil this trade is based on extractivism. In Brazil, R. adiantiformis is harvested in the Atlantic Forest biome; 50% of the production comes from the slopes of the ‘Serra Geral’ (state of Rio Grande do Sul), where some 2000 families harvest and trade R. adiantiformis as their main source of revenue. However, harvesting, trading and transporting wild ornamental species is illegal in the Atlantic Forest, This study evaluates R. adiantiformis extractivism in hilly areas of Rio Grande do Sul, from an ethnobotanical/ethnoecological perspective. The study reveals that emic perceptions on the sustainability of R. adiantiformis extractivism are in agreement with relevant ecological data. The regeneration areas on the slopes of the Serra Geral have the highest plant density ever reported for R. adiantiformis; its extractivism has low environment impact and generates significant income for local communities. Further studies of these areas are important in order to support neoextractivism as a suitable form of use of the state's biodiversity.     

Breeding success of the colonist species Bubulcus ibis (Linnaeus, 1758) and four native species

This work evaluated the breeding success of Bubulcus ibis (Ardeidae), Egretta thula, Nycticorax nycticorax, Phimosus infuscatus and Plegadis chihi in Rio Grande do Sul during two consecutive nesting seasons. Mean clutch size for B. ibis was 2.59 in 1998/1999 and 2.49 in 1999/2000. The species with both the smallest and largest clutch was P. infuscatus, with 2.04 in 1999/2000, and 3.16 in 1998/1999. The highest mean number of nestlings per nest was 2.86 for P. chihi in 1998/1999 and the lowest was 1.85 for B. ibis in 1998/1999 and P. infuscatus in 1999/2000. In both nesting seasons all the species had major success, laying three eggs and raising two nestlings, exept for B. ibis. The breeding success for P. chihi varied from 1.54 young/nest in 1998/1999 to 0.4 in 1999/2000, whereas B. ibis ranged from 1.16 in the first period to 0.99 in the second.     

Pollen from tree and shrub taxa in the atmosphere of Caxias do Sul (Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil)

An aerobiological study has been carried out in the region of Caxias do Sul in southern Brazil. Pollen monitoring was performed from January 1, 2001 through to December 31, 2002. A total of 30,469 pollen grains were collected during this period, and 40 pollen types were identified; of these, 23,389 pollen grains, representing 29 pollen types, originated from tree and shrub taxa. The maximum pollen concentration was registered in August 2001 and October 2002. In the study area, the pollen type Mimosa scabrella (18.8%) was much more abundant than all of the pollen types from tree and shrub taxa, such as: Urticaceae (18.4%), Myrtaceae (10.2%), Cupressaceae (7.7%), Myrsine (4.8%), Sorocea (3.9%), Pinaceae (2.9%), Asteraceae (2.2%) and Ricinus (2.1%). These nine pollen types accounted for the largest pollen concentrations of all the tree and shrub taxa. The pollen types Carya, Melastomataceae, Mimosa scabrella, Myrsine and Sorocea are reported for the first time in an aerobiological study in Brazil.     

Niche-tracking migrants and niche-switching residents: evolution of climatic niches in New World warblers (Parulidae)

Differences in life-history traits between tropical and temperate lineages are often attributed to differences in their climatic niche dynamics. For example, the more frequent appearance of migratory behaviour in temperate-breeding species than in species originally breeding in the tropics is believed to have resulted partly from tropical climatic stability and niche conservatism constraining tropical species from shifting their ranges. However, little is known about the patterns and processes underlying climatic niche evolution in migrant and resident animals. We evaluated the evolution of overlap in climatic niches between seasons and its relationship to migratory behaviour in the Parulidae, a family of New World passerine birds. We used ordination methods to measure seasonal niche overlap and niche breadth of 54 resident and 49 migrant species and used phylogenetic comparative methods to assess patterns of climatic niche evolution. We found that despite travelling thousands of kilometres, migrants tracked climatic conditions across the year to a greater extent than tropical residents. Migrant species had wider niches than resident species, although residents as a group occupied a wider climatic space and niches of migrants and residents overlapped extensively. Neither breeding latitude nor migratory distance explained variation among species in climatic niche overlap between seasons. Our findings support the notion that tropical species have narrower niches than temperate-breeders, but does not necessarily constrain their ability to shift or expand their geographical ranges and become migratory. Overall, the tropics may have been historically less likely to experience the suite of components that generate strong selection pressures for the evolution of migratory behaviour.     

Climate change and oceanic barriers: genetic differentiation in Pomatomus saltatrix (Pisces: Pomatomidae) in the North Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea

Nucleotide variation of partial cytochrome b sequences was analysed in the bluefish Pomatomus saltatrix to investigate the population-structuring roles of climate change and oceanic barriers. Western and eastern North Atlantic Ocean populations appeared to be totally isolated, with the latter connected to the Mediterranean Sea within which further structuring occurred.     

中国石龙子个体发育过程中头部两性异型和食性的变化

许多动物呈现个体大小、局部形态特征 (头部大小 )和体色的两性异形[5,14 ,15,2 1,2 2 ] 。 Darwin[12 ] 认为两性谋求各自最大的繁殖利益导致了两性异形 ,因此两性异形是性选择压力作用的结果。自 Darwin以来 ,许多同行认为性选择压力和非性选择压力均能导致动物的两性异形 ,两种选择压力在不同的动物中所起的作用是不同的 [2～ 5,7,10 ,16,2 1～ 2 6] 。性选择压力导致的两性异形与繁殖成功率直接有关。非性选择压力导致的两性异形与繁殖成功率无关或无直接的关系 ,如两性寿命的差异 [13 ]、两性食性的分离 [6,2 1]和两性分配用于生长的…     

Mapping of spatiotemporal distribution of Tibraca limbativentris Stal (Hem.: Pentatomidae) in flooded rice crop in Southern Brazil

The rice stem bug, Tibraca limbativentris Stal (Hem.: Pentatomidae), is one of the main insect pests in Brazilian rice crops. Knowledge of its spatiotemporal distribution can support the development of an effective sampling system and improve IPM strategies. This study aimed to map the spatiotemporal distribution of rice stem bug in flooded rice crop in Southern Brazil. Flooded rice crop was scouted for two seasons to estimate insect densities. Four occurrence categories were observed: no insect, only adults, only nymphs, and both phases. The relationship between phenological stages and insect categories was established. Interpolation (mapping) of occurrence categories of T. limbativentris was performed by multiquadric equations. In two seasons during the rice cycle, the results indicate that rice stem bug “adults” were the most abundant category until the mid-vegetative phase of the rice; “nymphs” were the most abundant from the end of vegetative phase; “adults + nymphs” occurred from the beginning of reproductive phase; there were no rice stem bugs in more than 66% of the area, as they were most concentrated near the edge of the crop. The information presented here provides further knowledge about T. limbativentris spatiotemporal dynamics that can be applied to improve IPM strategies, such as developing sampling plans and localized control measures at the edge of rice fields.     

Three new species of Croton (Euphorbiaceae) from Brazil

Summary   Croton imbricatus L. R. Lima & Pirani from Bahia, C. muellerianus L. R. Lima from Paraná and C. pygmaeus L. R. Lima from Rio Grande do Sul are described and illustrated. They are included in Croton section Lamprocroton (Müll. Arg.) Pax because they are much branched subshrubs or shrubs, bearing leaves with a lepidote indumentum (at least in part), inflorescences lacking bisexual cymules, and pistillate flowers with bifid styles.

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Résumé   Croton imbricatus L. R. Lima & Pirani da Bahia, C. muellerianus L. R. Lima do Paraná e C. pygmaeus L. R. Lima do Rio Grande do Sul s?o descritas e ilustradas. Elas s?o representantes de Croton section Lamprocroton (Müll. Arg.) Pax e tal posicionamento sistemático é devido ao hábito arbustivo ou subarbustivo bastante ramificado, com indumento da folhagem lepidoto pelo menos em parte, inflorescências sem címulas bissexuadas e flores pistiladas com estiletes uma vez bífidos.

     

Neotropical Monogenoidea. 43. Diplectanum monticellii n. sp. (Diplectanidae) from the gills of Cynoscion leiarchus (Perciformes: Sciaenidae) in Brazil

Diplectanum monticellii n. sp. is described from the gills of Cynoscion leiarchus, a marine Sciaenidae, from Itacuru?á, Rio de Janeiro (type locality); Baía de Guaratuba, Paraná; and Pontal do Sul, Paraná in Brazil. The new species is characterized by the following features: bell-shaped male copulatory organ with a sleevelike base, accessory piece absent, vas deferens looping left intestinal cecum, vaginal aperture sinistroventral, and ventral anchor with elongate superficial and deep roots.     

Variation in dietary patterns among and within polyphagous grasshopper species (Orthoptera: Acrididae)

Individuals of two polyphagous grasshopper species,Melanoplus differentialis andSchistocerca albolineata, were reared under standardized conditions to eliminate prior experience as an influence on feeding behavior. Individuals were offered four plants in simultaneous choice tests from 8 to 14 times during development to adulthood. Individual insects varied in the preferred plant and the strength of preference, in the strength of the preference hierarchy among the four plants, and in breadth of feeding in choice tests. Average feeding diversity in choice tests increased significantly in later instars, but the sexes did not differ in feeding pattern. In both species a significant preference for one plant was generally but not invariably associated with a consistent preference hierarchy. Breadth of feeding in all tests was inversely related to the strength of preference and of the preference hierarchy. Although the two species differed in feeding diversity and in the relationship between preference and strength of preference hierarchy, evidence suggests that these differences were due to the specific plants used rather than to true interspecific differences. The existence of such variation under highly standardized rearing conditions suggests that genetic variation for these characteristics may exist in natural populations of polyphagous grasshoppers.     

Isolation and characterization of polymorphic tetranucleotide microsatellite loci in the pelagic perciform fish Pomatomus saltatrix (Linnaeus, 1766) from South Africa

Eight polymorphic microsatellite loci, containing simple tetranucleotide repeats, were isolated de novo from a Pomatomus saltatrix partial genomic library using the fast isolation by amplified fragment length polymorphism of sequences containing repeats protocol. These loci were further characterized in 100 individuals from two putative populations off the South African east coast. The loci are highly polymorphic with 18-37 alleles (on average 24 alleles/locus) and the observed heterozygosity in both populations was high (0.79). These loci will be used to assess population structuring in P. saltatrix along the southern African coast with consideration of implications for future management of this important linefish species.     

Population dynamics of phytophagous and predatory mites (Acari: Tetranychidae, Eriophyidae, Phytoseiidae) on bamboo plants in Fujian, China

The seasonal cycle and population dynamics of Schizotetranychus nanjingensis Ma and Yuan, Aponychus corpuzae Rimando (Tetranychidae), Aculus bambusae Kuang (Eriophyidae) and their natural enemy Typhlodromus bambusae Ehara (Phytoseiidae) were studied during 1996–1998 in moso bamboo forests in Nanping, Fujian, China. Damage to bamboo leaves was often caused by mixed populations of the three phytophagous species, which displayed different seasonal dynamics: S. nanjingensis fed actively and reproduced in May and from late July to late October (aestivating from June to mid July), Ap. corpuzae was active and reproduced from mid July to late November, and Ac. bambusae from July to next February. During Spring S. nanjingensis was the dominant species with the greatest niche width, but in Summer Ac. bambusae and Ap. corpuzae became dominant and had greater niche widths. In Autumn, Ac. bambusae decreased but both S. nanjingensis and Ap. corpuzae mites increased and the latter became dominant. In winter all species decreased sharply in number. The two spider mite species (S. nanjingensis and Ap. corpuzae) had high niche overlaps in all four seasons. Niche overlaps between the eriophyid Ac. bambusae and the two spider mites were similarly high except during the spring when Ac. bambusae was absent. The predatory mite (T. bambusae) had higher niche overlap with Ap. corpuzae than with others during Autumn and Winter, but during Spring and Summer niche overlap was higher with S. nanjingensis.     

Impact of the arundo wasp,Tetramesa romana (Hymenoptera: Eurytomidae), on biomass of the invasive weed,Arundo donax (Poaceae: Arundinoideae), and on revegetation of riparian habitat along the Rio Grande in Texas

An invasive grass, Arundo donax, occupies thousands of hectares of arid riparian habitat along the Rio Grande in Texas and Mexico, and has negative impacts on national security, water resources, and riparian ecosystems. The shoot-tip-galling wasp Tetramesa romana was released in 2009 between Brownsville and Del Rio, Texas, and has dispersed over 800?km along the river channel. Plots along the river were surveyed for shoot counts of arundo and all other plant species in 2016 at seven sites in regions in which prior studies had documented a 22% decline in arundo biomass (estimated from live shoot length) from 2007 to 2014. Estimated live biomass declined a further 32% between 2014 and 2016. Native plants accounted for 86% of the 44 species encountered in plots. Individual plots averaged five plant species, and arundo was most abundant in only 9 of 21 plots. Arundo live biomass and shoot density were negatively associated with plant diversity, indicating that live arundo interferes with germination and/or survival of other plant species. The proportion of dead shoots in plots, proportion of wasp-galled shoots, and density of exit holes made by emerging adult wasps per metre live main shoot length were positively associated with plant diversity in a combined model. Regressions indicated that the effects of wasp damage measures on diversity were mediated through their effects on main shoot mortality. By reducing live arundo biomass, the arundo wasp is fostering recovery of native plant communities at riparian sites along the Rio Grande.