FOLIICOLOUS LICHENS FROM MADEIRA,WITH THE DESCRIPTION OF A NEW GENUS AND TWO NEW SPECIES AND A WORLD-WIDE KEY OF FOLIICOLOUSFELLHANERA

A preliminary annotated list of the foliicolous lichens and of their lichenicolous fungi occurring in the laurisilva in Madeira is presented.FellhaneropsisSérus. & Coppins gen. nov. is introduced to accommodateBacidia myrtillicolaErichsen andBacidia vezdaeCoppins & James, both being present in Madeira on living leaves. Two new species are described:Byssoloma kalbiiSérus. sp. nov. andFellhanera seroexspectataSérus. sp. nov. The following combinations are introduced:Fellhanera lambinonii(Sérus.) Lücking & Sérus.,Fellhaneropsis myrtillicola(Erichsen) Sérus. & Coppins,F. vezdae(Coppins & James) Sérus. & Coppins,Woessia apiahica(Müll. Arg.) Sérus.,W. canariensis(Lumbsch & Vězda) Sérus. andW. vasakii(Vězda) Sérus. A key to all foliicolous species ofFellhanerais presented.Bacidia buxiVězda & Vivant andBacidia gorgoneaVězda & Poelt are reduced into synonymy withFellhaneropsis myrtillicola,Tapellaria similisKalb withByssoloma marginatum(Arnold) Sérus., andBacidia michaelianaSérus. withBacidia lambinoniiSérus.     

STRIGULA MACARONESICA,A NEW SPECIES OF FOLIICOLOUS LICHEN FROM GOMERA AND MADEIRA

Strigula macaronesicaSérus., a new foliicolous species found in Madeira and Gomera, is distinguished by its almost linear thallus growing along leaf margins or scars and by its unusually small obclavate asci.     

Freshwater snails of São Tomé, with special reference to Bulinus forskalii (Ehrenberg), host of Schistosoma intercalatum

São Tomé Island has 3 known taxa of freshwater gastropod, here identified to species for the first time; Neritina afra Sowerby, Ferrissia eburnensis Binder and a distinctive form of Bulinus forskalii (Ehrenberg). The Bulinus acts as intermediate host for the parasite Schistosoma intercalatum Fisher, the cause of human schistosomiasis in foci of infection detected in recent years on São Tomé. A morphological characterization of this snail is presented, in respect of the shell, radula and copulatory organ. It is compared with B. forskalii populations sampled on the African mainland (Nigeria, Cameroon, Gabon and Angola) and with related taxa. Despite differences in the shell from the commonly found form of B. forskalii it seems appropriate to identify the São Tomé population as an extreme conchological variant of this taxon.     

Acaulon fontiquerianum Casas et Sérgio (Musci,Pottiaceae) new to Sardinia (Italy)

Acaulon fontiquerianum Casas et Sérgio (Pottiaceae) was found in the course of bryological research conducted in a coastal area of southeastern Sardinia. The ecological characteristics of the site and the current distribution of the species in the Mediterranean basin are reported.     

Neotropical Monogenoidea. 55. Dactylogyrids parasitising the pintado-amarelo <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pimelodus maculatus</Emphasis> Lacépède (Actinopterygii: Pimelodidae) from the Rio São Francisco,Brazil

Eight species of Dactylogyridae were collected from the gills of the pintado-amarelo Pimelodus maculatus Lacépède in the Rio São Francisco in Brazil: Ameloblastella paranaensis (França, Isaac, Pavanelli &; Takemoto, 2003) Mendoza-Franco &; Scholz, 2009, A. satoi n. sp., Ameloblastella sp., Demidospermus armostus Kritsky &; Gutiérrez, 1998, D. cf. bidiverticulatum (Suriano &; Incorvaia, 1995) Kritsky &; Gutiérrez, 1998, D. ichthyocercus n. sp., D. paravalenciennesi Gutiérrez &; Suriano, 1992 and D. uncusvalidus Gutiérrez &; Suriano, 1992. Two new species, A. satoi n. sp. and D. ichthyocercus n. sp., are described, and A. paranaensis is redescribed. The Rio São Francisco represents new geographical records for the five previously described dactylogyrid species.     

Importation,releases, and establishment ofNeochetina spp. (Col.: Curculionidae) for the biological control of water hyacinth,Ecchhornia crassipes (Lil.: Pontederiaceae), in Benin,West Africa

Water hyacinth,Eichhornia crassipes (Martius) Solms-Laubach (Pontederiaceae) was first reported in Bénin in 1977 and about 10 years later became the major floating water weed in the south east, obstructing boat traffic and fisheries. Water hyacinth multiplies in permanently fresh water in the swampy upper reaches of the Sô River and in tributaries of the Ouémé River. From there it is moved by wind and water flow to the coastal lagoons. The coastal lagoons are brackish during the dry season and water hyacinth eventually dies. In 1991,Neochetina eichhorniae (Warner) (Col.: Curculionidae) of South American origin was imported from Australia via quarantine in Britain to Bénin. A small infestation of the fungusBeauveria bassiana (Bals.) Vuill. (Hyphomycetes) was eliminated from the colony before release by sterilizing eggs and rearing a fungus-free generation. Between late 1991 and mid 1993, about 23,900N. eichhorniae were released at 11 localities along the Ouémé River and in the head waters of the Sô River. Regular monitoring revealed feeding scars by adults on leaves and tunnelling by larvae in petioles at all release sites. By October 1993,N. eichhorniae had spread up to 20 km from some release sites.Neochetina bruchi Hustache was imported in 1992. A total of about 5,700 weevils has been released in six localities since mid 1992. Recoveries of offspring were made in all but one locality. Despite the negative impact of water flow, wind, penetration of salt water, and removal of infested water hyacinth by fishermen,N. eichhorniae andN. bruchi are established in Bénin in a situation typical for coastal West Africa.     

New species and new records of Parmotrema (Parmeliaceae) from India

Abstract:The paper deals with six species of Parmotrema from India. Parmotrema awasthii Divakar & Upreti and Parmotrema upretii Divakar are described as new to science. Parmotrema defectum (Hale) Hale, P. ravum (Krog & Swinscow) Sérus., P. stuhlmannii (C.W. Dodge) Krog & Swinscow and P. tsavoense (Krog & Swinscow) Krog & Swinscow, are new records for the Indian lichen flora.     

GYALIDEOPSIS COCHLEARIFER,A NEW PANTROPICAL,COMMENSALISTIC SPECIES ON FOLIICOLOUSGOMPHILLACEAE

Gyalideopsis cochleariferLücking & Sérus. sp. nov. is a new, pantropical, commensalistic species restricted to foliicolous representatives of certain genera in theGomphillaceae. It produces black spathulate hyphophores and small black apothecia.     

New Karyotypes and Some Considerations about the Chromosomal Diversification of Ctenomys minutus (Rodentia: Ctenomyidae) on the Coastal Plain of the Brazilian State of Rio Grande do Sul

The dominant mammals occupying the subterranean niche in South America are rodents of the genus Ctenomys, which form a large group of 56 species with chromosome numbers ranging from 2n= 10 to 70. In southern Brazil, Ctenomys minutus is the species with the widest geographic distribution, inhabiting sandy fields and dunes extending from Jaguaruna beach in the state of Santa Catarina to the town of São José do Norte in the state of Rio Grande do Sul. Eleven karyotypes (2n= 42; 2n= 46a; 2n= 46b; 2n= 47a; 2n= 47b; 2n= 48a; 2n= 48b; 2n= 49a; 2n= 49b; 2n= 50a and 2n= 50b) were described for this species and zones of hybridization are also known. A sample of 51 C. minutus specimens was collected from five sampling sites about 20 km apart along the coastal plain of Rio Grande do Sul between the municipalities of Tavares (31°23′S 51°09′W) and São José do Norte (31°52′S 51°54′W). We were able to extend the known geographic distribution of C. minutus by 90 km, from Tavares southwards to São José do Norte. During our study we found five karyotypes (2n= 46b, 47b, 48b, 49b and 50b), four of which (2n= 47b, 48b, 49b and 50b) have not previously been described for this species.     

Les gastéropodes et le bivalve Pinna (Pinna) cretacea cretacea (Schlotheim) des dépôts albiens des Rides sud-rifaines (région de Moulay Idriss Zerhoun,nord Maroc)

The « Marnes et calcaires lumachelles à huîtres » Formation (late Albian–early Cenomanian) of the South Riffian Ridges, rich in bivalves, yielded in levels of upper Albian some gastropod specimens including: Ampullina aff. uchauxiensis Cossmann, Ampullina indet., Aporrhaidae indet., Calliomphalus cf. orientalis (Douvillé), Cerithioidea indet., Mrhilaia indet.,?Neogastropoda indet., Pleurotomaria indet., Pseudamaura subbulbiformis (d’Orbigny), Tylostoma aff. globosum Sharpe, and a rare bivalve, Pinna (Pinna) cretacea cretacea (Schlotheim). The two underlying formations « Conglomérat et marnes sableuses » and « Calcaires gréseux » (early to middle Albian?), poor in macrofauna, yielded rare Nerineopsis aff. excavata (Brongniart) and Turritella indet. These species are reported for the first time in the Moroccan Cretaceous deposits.     

Impact of the Três Marias dam on the reproduction of the forage fish Astyanax bimaculatus and A. fasciatus from the São Francisco River,downstream from the dam,southeastern Brazil

Alterations to the hydrologic regime downstream from hydroelectric dams include thermal disturbances which may have an impact on the reproductive success of fish. In order to make a comparative analysis of forage fish reproduction in two sections of the São Francisco River downstream from the Três Marias hydroelectric power plant, we captured 606 specimens of Astyanax fasciatus (n?=?465) and A. bimaculatus (n?=?141) at 2-month intervals between November 2009 and October 2010. Fish were captured in two sections of the São Francisco River: section 1, encompassing the first 34 km immediately downstream from the dam; section 2, after the confluence with the Abaeté River, 34–54 km downstream from the dam. The canonical correlation test indicated that for both species, female reproduction is more dependent on environmental factors than male reproduction. Compared to section 1, the specimens captured in section 2 were more abundant and the females of both species presented larger total length, body weight, gonadosomatic index and fecundity values. Higher values of water temperature, dissolved oxygen and turbidity during the rainy season (September to February) were also recorded for section 2, when compared to section 1 where the physical–chemical conditions of the water do not favour reproduction. Based on this analysis of reproductive parameters, this study shows, for the first time, that the reproductive activity of two species of forage fishes, A. fasciatus and A. bimaculatus, from the section of the São Francisco River immediately downstream from the Três Marias dam is disrupted and that the Abaeté River is an important tributary for the reproductive success of these species.     

Solving the identity of the large Plagiomnium (Musci) from Madeira (Portugal): P. undulatum var. madeirense T. Kop. & C. Sérgio

A new variety of Plagiomnium undulatum (Hedw.) T. Kop. var. madeirense T. Kop. & C. Sérgio is described from Madeira Island. The plants present an aquatic ecology and are characterised by broadly and longly decurrent leaves and by large size of laminal cells. This taxon is illustrated and the specimens studied are mapped.     

Les protéines des corps d'inclusion des baculovirus

La comparaison des protéines des polyèdres des Baculovirus deGalleria mellonella L.,Lymantria dispar L.,Autographa californica Speyer,Mamestra brassicae L.,Arctia caja L.,Bombyx mori L. etAntheraea pernyi Guer. en immunodiffusion montre qu'il existe entre elles une étroite parenté antigénique. Des différences entre ces protéines peuvent être mises en évidence à l'aide de sérums spécifiques obtenus dans des conditions particulières d'immunisation.     

Field collections reveal that São Tomé is the Afrotropical island with the highest diversity of drosophilid flies (Diptera: Drosophilidae)

Summary

The Drosophilid fauna has been less investigated in the Atlantic Afrotropical islands than in the Indian Ocean. Located about 250 km from the continent, the volcanic island of São Tomé has been colonized mostly by natural means, probably by the wind, since the emergence of the island about 15 million years ago, and presumably also by anthropogenic transportation of invasive and domestic species. To date, 37 different Drosophilid species have been mentioned from São Tomé. The present work extends this list to 80 species. The genera Zygothrica, Phorticella and Hypselothyrea are newly recorded from the island. Among these 80 species, only 12 are putatively introduced by human activities, suggesting the preponderance of natural arrivals. Compared to other islands, São Tomé harbours a high diversity of drosophilids. At least 14 species are supposed to be endemic. Future molecular comparisons between the island flies and their continental relatives will probably help to identify other endemic species. The high diversity observed in São Tomé is certainly due to the large size of the island, and to the presence of vast natural altitudinal forests offering a variety of possible habitats. Further collections are likely to lead to an increase of the species list. From now, São Tomé island appears as an excellent laboratory for studying the ecology and evolution of the Drosophila model.     

Postimpoundment Changes in Water Quality and Fish Stocks in Two Large West African Reservoirs (Manantali and Sélingué, Mali)

The recently established large reservoirs Manantali on the river Bafing, tributary to the Senegal River and Sélingué, located on the river Sankarani, tributary to the Niger River, have followed similar changes in limnology and fish populations as those established in West Africa 20 to 30 years ago. Basic water parameters, such as oxygen content, pH, electrical conductivity and temperature show seasonal variations largely determined by the changes in wet and dry seasons. Both waterbodies are monomictic, with water mixing taking place in January, the coldest period of the year. Pre-impoundment forest clearence of the future reservoir bottom in the shallow Sélingué reservoir was carried out only in the proximity of the dam site. In the deeper reservoir Manantali the savanna forest was cleared from an area of about 25 percent, and the tree gallery was cleared along the river. The initial filling of Manantali reservoir was followed by a nearly complete drainage of the reservoir. After refilling some months later, the dissolved oxygen content stayed reasonably high and therefore there was no fish mortality. Also no hydrogen sulphide or a large-scale spread of noxious aquatic plants developed. At present the fish fauna is dominated by cichlids and pelagic species, i.e. at Sélingué by clupeids. and at Manantali by cyprinids (Leptocypris niloticus). In both reservoirs was the genus Citharinus considerably reduced. At Sélingué reservoir disappeared Protopterus annectens. The fish yield estimate is 27 kg/ha/year for Manantali, and 40 kg/ha/year for Sélingué. Both rerservoirs have recorded a slight increase in electrical conductivity. They both serve as a valuable water resource and fish supply for the Sahel region.     

First report of Calyptospora sp. (Apicomplexa,Calyptosporidae) in forage characid fish from the Três Marias Reservoir,São Francisco Basin,Brazil

Coccidians are parasitic protozoans, and Calyptospora is an important genus of coccidia found in freshwater and marine fish of the Americas. This paper describes Calyptospora sp. that were found parasitizing the liver and intestine of Triportheus guentheri and the intestine of Tetragonopterus chalceus, two forage fish species from the Três Marias Reservoir, Upper São Francisco River, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Apicomplexa found in the São Francisco Basin are reported here for the first time.     

Food habits of three carnivores in a mosaic landscape of São Paulo state,Brazil

São Paulo is the most developed state in Brazil, but despite intense land use changes, some mammal species still inhabit remnant fragments of native vegetation of the state. We used fecal analyses to investigate prey diversity, trophic niche breadth, and trophic niche overlap of pumas, ocelots, and maned wolves in protected and non-protected areas in São Paulo state. During 18 months, we inspected more than 10,000 km of roads and trails and collected 233 fecal samples. Maned wolves showed generalist food habit, ocelots were predominantly carnivores, and pumas were strict carnivores. The European hare, an exotic species which had not yet been reported in the study area, was identified in the feces of a puma. Trophic niche breadth was the lowest for maned wolves (BA?=?0.339) and the highest for pumas (BA?=?0.723). Trophic niche overlap was high between maned wolves and ocelots (O_jk?=?0.765) and between pumas and ocelots (O_jk?=?0.639). Significantly different diets of maned wolves and ocelots were observed between dry and rainy seasons. Our findings indicate that these three species may adapt their diets to the disturbed landscapes. This is the second study characterizing food habits of ocelots in Cerrado areas but the first considering a large number of samples.     

Conservation genetics of the highly endangered Azorean endemics <Emphasis Type="Italic">Euphrasia azorica</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Euphrasia grandiflora</Emphasis> using new SSR data

In the Azores Islands, two Euphrasia L. (Orobanchaceae) endemic species are recognized: Euphrasia azorica H.C.Watson, an annual herb, in Flores and Corvo, and Euphrasia grandiflora Hochst. ex Seub., a semi-shrub, in Pico, São Jorge and Terceira. Both species are highly endangered and protected by the Bern Convention and Habitats Directive. A population genetics study was conducted with new microsatellite primer pairs in 159 individuals of E. azorica and E. grandifolia, sampled from populations in Flores, Corvo, Pico and São Jorge. Allele sizing suggested that E. azorica is a diploid while E. grandiflora is a tetraploid. Euphrasia grandiflora revealed higher genetic diversity then E. azorica. The E. grandiflora population of Morro Pelado in São Jorge, displayed higher genetic diversity when compared with all others, while the E. azorica population of Madeira Seca in Corvo, showed the lowest. Private and less common bands were also overall higher in E. grandiflora populations. Population genetic structure analysis confirmed a distinctiveness between the two Azorean endemic Euphrasia, in addition to island-specific genetic patterns in E. azorica. The genetic structure obtained for E. grandiflora was complex with the populations of Cabeço do Mistério in Pico Island and of Pico da Esperança in São Jorge sharing the same genetic group, while a putative spatial barrier to gene flow was still retrieved between both islands. Although some populations of both species might benefit from propagation actions, studies are needed on plant host species and translocations between islands or between some populations of a same island should be avoided, due to the occurrence of putative ESUs. Eradication of invasive species and control of grazing will be fundamental to promote in situ restauration.     

Ammoniteli der GattungParapatoceras aus dem Oberen Mitteljura des Süntels (östliches Wesergebirge,Niedersachsen)

The Parapatocerates from the Süntel (Weser mountains, Northwest Germany) are described being an utmost variable subspecies respectively geographical raceParapatoceras distans (?) bentzi (Potonié) with two possibly modificatorily separated form groups. They differ from the similarP. distans(?) crioconus (Buckman) (=Crioconites Buckman) of Chippenham (England) in primary quadrilobaty and further characteristics accessible only by precise analysis. To establish the speciesdistans Baugier & Sauzé and with this the genusParapatoceras, recovery of the holotype or a determination of a neotype is required. A very similar but probably quinquelobate specimen (Parapatoceras sp.) from the Macrocephalus oolite of Hanover seems to accentuate once more the taxonomically minor degree of the quadri- or quinquelobaty inParapatoceras.