The karyotype of Lacerta horváthi (Reptilia,Sauria, Lacertidae)

The chromosomes of Lacerta horváthi have been studied by means of conventional, C-banding, and silver-NOR techniques. The karyotype of this species, characterized by 36 acrocentric macrochromosomes, lacks the typical pair of microchromosomes shared by all other lacertid lizards. It is hypothesized that the microchromosomes could have been translocated to the large elements of the karyotype. The occurrence of such a rearrangement in the chromosome complement of L. horváthi underlines its isolation from the other species of the subgenus Archaeolacerta. The C-banding analysis evidences the existence of a female sex heteromorphism in which the W-chromosome has the same shape and size of the Z, but differs from it in being completely heterochromatic. The nucleolar organizer regions (NORs) are located on a pair of medium size chromosomes in subtelomeric position, where the standard Giemsa-staining reveals secondary constrictions.     

A new species of Alstroemeria (Alstroemeriaceae) from Pará, Brazil

A new species,Alstroemeria paraensis, from Pará, Brazil, is described and illustrated. This species is characterized by its robust floral stem, reduced leaves, congested inflorescence, and maculated inner and outer tepals.     

Nomenclatorial changes and redescriptions of three of Navás' Leucochrysa (Nodita) species (Neuroptera, Chrysopidae)

Three species that Navás described - Leucochrysa (Nodita) azevedoi Navás, 1913, Leucochrysa (Nodita) camposi (Navás, 1933) and Leucochrysa (Nodita) morenoi (Navás, 1934) - have received recent taxonomic attention. All three have many similar external features; indeed Navás himself, as well as subsequent authors, have confused the species with each other. Here, (a) misidentifications are corrected; (b) a neotype of Leucochrysa azevedoi is designated; (c) Leucochrysa (Nodita) morenoi, previously synonymized with Leucochrysa (Nodita) camposi, is recognized as a valid species [Reinstated status] All three species are redescribed and illustrated, with special emphasis on the types. Leucochrysa (Nodita) azevedoi was found to be relatively common in agricultural areas along Brazil's Atlantic coast. The two other species are known only from their type localities: Leucochrysa (Nodita) camposi - coastal Ecuador, and Leucochrysa (Nodita) morenoi - Quito, Ecuador.     

A new species of Cuscuta (Convolvulaceae) from Michoacán, Mexico

A new species, Cuscuta cotijana, is described and illustrated from the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt in northwestern Michoacán, Mexico. The species is most closely related to Cuscuta jalapensis, C. mitriformis, C. rugosiceps and C. lindsayi, from which it differs by the large spur-like projections on the outer calyx lobes and the ovoid to conical capsule with a small intrastylar aperture.     

Hematology, serum chemistry, and serology of Galápagos penguins (Spheniscus mendiculus) in the Galápagos Islands, Ecuador

The Galápagos penguin (Spheniscus mendiculus) is an endangered species endemic to the Galápagos Islands, Ecuador. In 2003 and 2004, 195 penguins from 13 colonies on the islands of Isabela and Fernandina in the Galápagos archipelago were examined. Genetic sexing of 157 penguins revealed 62 females and 95 males. Hematology consisted of packed cell volume (n = 134), white blood cell differentials (n = 83), and hemoparasite blood smear evaluation (n = 114). Microfilariae were detected in 22% (25/114) of the blood smears. Female penguins had significantly higher eosinophil counts than males. Serum chemistry on 83 penguins revealed no significant differences between males and females. Birds were seronegative to avian paramyxovirus type 1-3, avian influenza virus, infectious bursal disease virus, Marek's disease virus (herpes), reovirus, avian encephalomyelitis virus, and avian adenovirus type 1 and 2 (n = 75), as well as to West Nile virus (n = 87), and Venezuelan, western and eastern equine encephalitis viruses (n = 26). Seventy-five of 84 (89%) penguins had antibodies to Chlamydophila psittaci but chlamydial DNA was not detected via polymerase chain reaction in samples from 30 birds.     

Brumptomyia angelae, a new species of Phlebotominae (Diptera, Psychodidae) of the Atlantic forest of the state of Paraná, Brazil

The male of Brumptomyia angelae, sp. nov., a new species of Phlebotominae (Diptera, Psychodidae) of the Atlantic forest of the state of Paraná, Brazil, is described and illustrated. This new taxon is closely related to Brumptomyia ortizi Martins, Silva & Falc?o 1971, Brumptomyia nitzulescui (Costa Lima, 1932), and Brumptomyia troglodytes (Lutz, 1922). The male genitalia of these three latter species have also been drawn.     

A new species of Phyllotis (Rodentia,Cricetidae, Sigmodontinae) from Tucumán province,Argentina

A new species of rodent of the genus Phyllotis is described based in cranial and external morphology, as well as morphometric data. Additionally, sequences of the mitochondrial gene cytochrome-b were used to asses the phylogenetic relationships. We have compared our specimens with all the extant species of the genus Phyllotis and also with some species of related genera, particularly with the most similar and with those that occur in the province of Tucumán and northwestern Argentina. The new species is large compared to the average size of the genus, and can be easily distinguished from all other species essentially by coloration and by cranial morphology. It is closely related to the recently described P. anitae, and these two species are, in turn, sister to P. osilae. The only two localities where the new species has been found are in the Upper Montane Forests of the southern portion of the Yungas Ecoregion, in the province of Tucumán, Argentina.     

A new species of Auyantepuia González-Sponga, 1978 (Scorpiones,Chactidae) from French Guiana

A new species of scorpion belonging to the genus Auyantepuia González-Sponga, 1978 (family Chactidae Pocock, 1893) is described on the basis of three specimens collected in a rainforest formation located in Saut Sabbat, South of Mana, French Guiana. This is the tenth species of the Guiano-Amazonian genus Auyantepuia, and the fifth reported from French Guiana.     

Fine structure of the midgut of Sinopanorpa tincta (Navás) (Mecoptera: Panorpidae)

Fine structure of the midgut and degeneration of the midgut epithelium of the scorpionfly Sinopanorpa tincta (Navás) adults were investigated using light microscopy and scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The results show that the tubular midgut lacks gastric caeca and is composed of an outer longitudinal and an inner circular muscle layer, a basal lamina, an epithelium and a lumen from the outside to inside. A peritrophic membrane was not found in the lumen. A mass of nodules was observed on the surface of the basal lamina. Three types of cells were recognized in the epithelium: digestive, secretory, and regenerative cells. The digestive cells contain irregular-shaped infoldings in the basal membrane and two types of microvilli in the apical membrane. The secretory cells are characterized by irregular shape and large quantities of secretory granules in the basal cytoplasm. The regenerative cells are triangular in shape and distributed only in the nodules. The epithelial cells are degenerated through programmed cell-death mechanisms (apoptosis and necrosis). The type, function, and degeneration of the epithelial cells of the midgut are briefly discussed.     

Argyrotaenia sphaleropa (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) in citrus in the State of Paraná, Brazil

Argyrotaenia sphaleropa (Meyrick) is associated with various fruit species in South America. This tortricid was first detected in citrus, Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck, in Brazil, in commercial groves in northern Paraná, during the 1994/95-crop season. The aim of this work was to study the biology of this lepidopteran under laboratory conditions (28 +/- 2 degrees C, 70 +/-10% UR, 14h photofase) using the citrus cultivar Pêra. Larvae obtained from egg masses collected in a commercial citrus grove in Rolandia, PR, were individually placed on citrus terminal leaves inside glass shell vials (8.5 x 2.5 cm) until adulthood. A male and a female moth were then transferred to acrylic cages (13 x 10 cm) containing inside a bouquet made with new citrus flush to serve as oviposition substrate. Adults were fed daily with a 10% honey solution. The biological parameters evaluated were duration of development of egg, larval and pupal stages; pupae weight; duration of pre-oviposition and oviposition periods, fecundity and longevity. The length of the egg to adult stage was around 36 days. The pre-oviposition period was almost two days, the oviposition period approximately ten days and the embryonary period around six days. Adult longevity was almost 15 days for females and nine days for males, and the lifetime fecundity was slightly over 180 eggs.     

Diversity and distribution of Odonata (Insecta) larvae along an altitudinal gradient in Coalcomán mountains, Michoacán, Mexico

Evaluating components of landscape diversity is essential for the implementation of efficient conservation strategies. We evaluated the diversity of Odonata larval assemblages from the Coalcomán mountains (CM), Michoacán, Mexico, and related it to local (site-level) habitat variables. Larvae were collected from shores, riffles and pools in five streams, counted and identified to species, twice per season during 2005. The Shannon Diversity Index (H'), Margalef's Richness Index (R), Simpson's Index as a dominance measure (D) and Pielou's Equitability (J) were used to describe the assemblages, and Renyi's Diversity Profiles were used to order diversity. A Bray-Curtis Similarity Index (BC) was used to evaluate beta diversity. Theoretical richness was estimated using non-parametric and parametric methods. A Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) was applied to explore the relationships of species with site-level environmental variables. A total of 12 245 larvae from 75 species, 28 genera and 8 families were recorded. Over all sites, the dominant species were Erpetogomphus elaps, Macrothemis pseudimitans and Argia pulla. The number of species per locality ranged from 18 to 36, and a high number of species (76%) occurred with relative abundances lower than 1%. A differential distribution of species and abundance in streams, time and strata was observed. Renyi's diversity profiles showed diversity was higher in spring and on shores. Most BC similarity values were smaller than 25%, indicating a high turnover rate in the CM. The high turnover rate reflects a differential distribution of the species along the altitudinal gradient, supporting the hypothesis of Mexico as a betadiverse country. According to the slope of Clench's curve, a reliable list of species was gathered. The CM larval assemblage is currently the largest reported for Mexico, and our results support previous proposals of the CM as a species-rich area for conservation.     

Genetics of colonization in Hypochaeris tenuifolia (Asteraceae,Lactuceae) on Volcán Lonquimay,Chile

Understanding the genetics of colonizing populations has been, and continues to remain, an important focus in evolutionary biology. Different theoretical models predict varying levels of genetic variation in colonizing populations depending upon strength of founder effect, gene flow and rate of population growth and immigration following colonization. We analyse overall genetic variation using amplified fragment length polymorphism markers in colonizing populations of Hypochaeris tenuifolia (Asteraceae) in the southern Andes. Volcán Lonquimay newly erupted on 25 December 1988, producing a side cone, La Navidad, and sent lava and ash into surrounding areas. Many domesticated animals (estimated at 10 000) and many natural plant populations were destroyed. Into this new open habitat have come immigrant populations of several angiosperm species, most conspicuously H. tenuifolia that forms leaf rosettes with flowering scapes to 15 cm and orange-yellow heads 1-2 cm in diameter. Genetic diversity in five founder populations in the eruption zone is compared with that from five nearby survivor populations, as well as with eight isolated northern and four southern populations from throughout the entire range of the species in Chile. Results from 477 individuals representing 447 different multilocus phenotypes, yielded 170 DNA fragments of which 144 (85%) were polymorphic. Genetic diversity within founder populations is neither lower than in survivor populations nor in isolated populations throughout the range of the species, but it is lower among founder populations than among other populations immediately and distantly outside the zone of disturbance. Closest genetic similarity occurs between founders and nearby survivor populations as well as those in adjacent southern regions.     

Spatial heterogeneity of the Tucuruí Reservoir (State of Pará, Amazonia, Brazil) and the distribution of zooplanktonic species

With the purpose of analyzing the horizontal distribution of the zooplankton community of the Tucuruí Reservoir in the State of Pará, Brazil, collections were made at 16 stations during August 1988. The stations cover the regions called Caraipé (C), Ara?agi (B) and Arar?o (A), and represent the different compartments of this ecosystem in regard to the morphometry and the presence or absence of "flooded forest". Our findings showed the existence of three compartments with different limnological characteristics determined as a function of the system's morphometry, a factor that may have influenced the horizontal circulation of the reservoir's water and, consequently, led to physical, chemical and biological differences at each of the sampled stations. All the stations presented physical and chemical stratification and layers of total anoxia or reduced concentrations of oxygen dissolved at depths corresponding to the limit of the euphotic zone. With regard to the zooplankton, a differentiated distribution that was mainly quantitative was found among the compartments (density of organisms and proportion among the species) in the case of Cladocera and Copepoda, and basically qualitative in the case of Rotifera. On the other hand, the greatest densities of organisms for all the groups were recorded at the Caraipé stations. As for the spatial distribution, some species were more restricted or more abundant at given stations. Among the Cladocera, there was a greater abundance of Moina minuta, Bosmina hagmani and Bosminopsis deitersi at the Ara?agi stations, while C. cornuta intermedia, C. cornuta rigaudi and C. cornuta cornuta were more plentiful in the Caraipé and Diaphanosoma birgei in the Arar?o. Among the Rotifera, Trochosphaera aequatoriales and Lecane proiecta, Ascomorpha ecaudis, besides Polyartha cf vulgaris were restricted, respectively, to the Caraipé, Ara?agi and Arar?o stations, while the others, such as Keratella americana and Collotheca sp., were more broadly distributed. As regards Copepoda Calanoida, the dominating species was found to be Notodiaptomus maracaibenses, followed by Notodiaptomus henseni and Argyrodiaptomus azevedoi. The most abundant Cyclopoda species was Thermocyclops minutus, although Thermocyclops decipiens, Mesocyclops longisetus, Mesocyclops meridianus e Metacyclops sp. were also found.     

Lábrea hepatitis in Salvador, Bahia? (Presentation of a possible case)

A case of a four-year-old boy from Salvador, Bahia, Brazil, with a probable Lábrea hepatitis is reported. He ran a rapid course of fever, jaundice, abdominal pain, agitation, coma and death. Histologically, the liver presented widespread hepatic cell lytic and coagulative necrosis, acute fatty changes, mononuclear cell infiltration and cholestasis. The study of the case raises the question whether Lábrea hepatitis can occur outside the Amazonian region, or else its clinico-pathological features lack specificity.     

Distribution of Ecteinascidia turbinata (Ascidiacea: Perophoridae) in mangroves of the Yucatán Peninsula, Mexico

The ascidian Ecteinascidia turbinata synthesizes some of the most promising substances against solid-type tumors, but the only available source are the natural populations of this tunicate, which is reared or collected in different parts of the world. A total of 33 locations were sampled in the Gulf of Mexico and the Yucatan Peninsula. The tunicate was not found in Veracruz, Tabasco and Campeche, but it was well established on mangrove roots in the Yucatan Peninsula where we estimated densities more or less equal to one colony and an average production of 115 g of biomass per lineal meter of mangrove coastline in one location (Río Lagartos). Sustainable management appears to be possible.     

Feeding ecology of Macrobrachium borelli (Nobili) (Decapoda: Palaemonidae) in the flood valley of the River Paraná, Argentina

The feeding habits and selectivity of Macrobrachium borelliiwere studied by examining the stomach content of specimens from anox-bow lake across one year. M. borellii isomnivorous-carnivorous, feeding largely on members oflittoral-benthic communities. The bulk of the stomach content wasformed by oligochaetes, dipteran larvae, and a variety of organismsranging from algae to palaemonids. Copepods and cladocerans were analternative food source in winter, at low-water, when macrophytes haddeclined. Oligochaetes and dipteran larvae were positively, algae andmicrocrustaceans negatively selected. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

The demography of Howler Monkeys (Alouatta palliata) on Barro Colorado Island,Panamá

Chronological ages of Alouattaon Barro Colorado Island (BCI) were estimated from longitudinal dental wear. Combining these data with visual censuses, we approximated the study population’s age profile. A stable model was then constructed; from it we derived agespecific mortality rates. Mortality of immature animals is high, with 88% of the males and 65% of the females dying before 5 years. Adult mortality is low until 11 years, when it accelerates. The average adult life span is 16.6 years for males and 15.5 for females. The maximum life span is over 20 years. A pubertal male growth spurt occurs from 3 to 5 years, at which time females are primiparous. Sexual size differences develop primarily during this time. The 1976 age profile had anomalously few animals aged 7 years and males aged 8–9 and 15–16 years. With corroborating evidence, we hypothesize that these deficits resulted from excessive rainfall in 1963 and 1971, which reduced the fall fruit crop and led to a high juvenile mortality. Within half of our study troops, some adult males have nearly identical ages, suggesting an active process of agemate coalition. We hypothesize a form of kin selection, wherein peripheral male cohorts from the same natal troop have greater survival and social success than solitary animals. The stable model suggests an annual growth rate of 1.5% during the 1970s. Estimates of 16.7 and 4% for the previous two decades, following a yellow-fever epidemic, imply that the BCI population is becoming stationary. A very different age structure existed on neighboring Orchid Island in 1976, suggesting general food limitation. By contrast, the lowered, but continuing growth on BCI suggests a less drastic limiting mechanism. We hypothesize that intratroop social competition limits population growth by regulating subadult survival rates during food scarcity cycles.     

Plant resources of the Tehuacán-Cuicatlán valley, Mexico

Information on richness of plant resources, and their forms of use and management in the biosphere reserve Tehuacan-Cuicatlan, Mexico is analyzed. This 10 000 km² region hosts nearly 2700 vascular plant species, and it is acknowledged as one of the arid areas with the highest floristic diversity in North America. The seven indigenous ethnic groups that live in this region have cultural roots that date back almost 10 000 years. Based upon ethnobotanical and floristic studies, as well as bibliographical sources, a total of 808 useful plant species were identified, most of them (90%) being native, and 44 species being endemic to the region. A total of 681 species are wild plants, 109 are weeds and ruderal plants, and 86 are domesticated crops. However, it was noted that considerable overlap exists between the species of these 3 categories. For example, while wild and ruderal plants (706 species) are foraged by both humans and domestic animals, 59 species of this group are also managed in situ. On the other hand, 168 wild, ruderal and domesticated species are cultivated. The Tehuacán-Cuicatlan Valley is one of the richest regions of Mexico in plant resources. Local knowledge on use and management of plants is a valuable source of information for designing conservation and social development strategies for the biosphere reserve.     

Molecular dissection of the role of histidine in nickel hyperaccumulation in Thlaspi goesingense (Hálácsy)

To understand the role of free histidine (His) in Ni hyperaccumulation in Thlaspi goesingense, we investigated the regulation of His biosynthesis at both the molecular and biochemical levels. Three T. goesingense cDNAs encoding the following His biosynthetic enzymes, ATP phosphoribosyltransferase (THG1, GenBank accession no. AF003347), imidazoleglycerol phosphate dehydratase (THB1, GenBank accession no. AF023140), and histidinol dehydrogenase (THD1, GenBank accession no. AF023141) were isolated by functional complementation of Escherichia coli His auxotrophs. Northern analysis of THG1, THD1, and THB1 gene expression revealed that each gene is expressed in both roots and shoots, but at the concentrations and dosage times of Ni treatment used in this study, these genes failed to show any regulation by Ni. We were also unable to observe any increases in the concentration of free His in root, shoot, or xylem sap of T. goesingense in response to Ni exposure. X-ray absorption spectroscopy of root and shoot tissue from T. goesingense and the non-accumulator species Thlaspi arvense revealed no major differences in the coordination of Ni by His in these tissues. We therefore conclude that the Ni hyperaccumulation phenotype in T. goesingense is not determined by the overproduction of His in response to Ni.