Seasonal variations in spatial usage by the estuarine dolphin, Sotalia guianensis (van Bénéden, 1864) (Cetacea; Delphinidae) at its southern limit of distribution.

The use of space by the resident population of estuarine dolphins (Sotalia guianensis) in Norte Bay, southern Brazil was studied by boat surveys between 2000 and 2003. Data such as the geographical position and group size was collected at 5-minute intervals using focal-group sampling. The distribution and seasonal and daily group home-ranges were estimated using a GIS (Geographic Information System) environment. The dolphins did not use the area homogeneously, restricting their activities to a well-defined area located in the western part of the bay, while the use of the eastern part was not observed. A discrepancy between the Environment Protection Area of Anhatomirim, created especially to protect this population and the distribution of the dolphins was observed. Seasonal group home-range varied both qualitatively and quantitatively among the four consecutive seasons analyzed. The dolphins tended to use a larger area in cold seasons, when apparently the abundance of major prey items is lower. Core areas of intense use were identified, and also varied seasonally. These core areas may be regarded as critical habitats and require special legislation and control. The mean daily group home-range did not differ statistically among seasons. The present study corroborates a spatially strict residency pattern of the estuarine dolphin in highly productive coastal ecosystems.     

Behavior of estuarine dolphin, Sotalia guianensis (Cetacea, Delphinidae), in controlled boat traffic situation at southern coast of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil

Dolphin/whale watching activity represents the major source of income to many local communities, however many studies describe negative effects of this activity on animals’ normal behavior. In this paper we describe a behavioral analysis of estuarine dolphins (Sotalia guianensis), proximity pattern and breathing synchrony during the first year after the delimitation of a coastal reserve and enforcement of rules to control boat traffic at southern Rio Grande do Norte (Brazil). Different from studies conducted before the delimitation of the coastal reserve, our results show that forage behavior did not decrease and overall activity budget did not change in the presence of boats, although animals would still increase proximity and breathing synchrony during the first semester. We conclude that simple rules for control of boat traffic are effective in minimizing the short term negative impacts on dolphins. However, the enforcement of common rules is a difficult compromise between community needs and vulnerability of dolphin populations.     

Timing of ontogenetic changes of two cranial regions in Sotalia guianensis (Delphinidae)

Despite the fact that heterochronic processes seem to be an important process determining morphological evolution of the delphinid skull, previous workers have not found allometric scaling as relevant factor in the differentiation within the genus Sotalia. Here we analyzed the skull ontogeny of the estuarine dolphin S. guianensis and investigate differential growth and shape changes of two cranial regions – the neurocranium and the face – in order to evaluate the relevance of cranial compartmentalization on the ontogeny of this structure. Our results show that, even though both cranial regions stop growing at adulthood, the face has higher initial growth rates than the neurocranium. The rate of shape changes is also different for both regions, with the face showing a initially higher, but rapidly decreasing rate of change, while the neurocranium shows a slow decreasing rate, leading to persistent and localized shape changes throughout adult life, a pattern that could be related to epigenetic regional factors. The pattern of ontogenetic shape change described here is similar to those described for other groups of Delphinidae and also match intra and interspecific variation found within the family, suggesting that mosaic heterochrony could be an important factor in the morphological evolution of this group.     

Day and night sounds of the Guiana dolphin, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sotalia guianensis</Emphasis> (Cetacea: Delphinidae) in southeastern Brazil

Many cetaceans are known to be acoustically active at night. However, for most dolphin species, there is little information about their nocturnal acoustic activities. To study the acoustic repertoire of Sotalia guianensis, diurnal and nocturnal sounds (whistles, burst pulses, low-frequency narrowband (LFN) sounds, and clicks) were identified in the Cananéia estuary (25° 01′ S–25° 13′ S/47° 52′ W–48° 06′ W), south of the state of São Paulo, southeastern Brazil, during April, June, and November of 2012. The emission rate of these sounds was compared between daytime and nighttime using the chi-squared statistical test. The mean values of the acoustic parameters of whistles, burst pulses, LFN sounds, and clicks were compared using the t test. Whistles, burst pulses, and LFN sounds were more frequent at night, as these individuals require greater acoustic communication in the absence of light, mainly for social communication. Echolocation emission rates were similar in both day and nighttime. Dolphin sound structure also varied throughout the day, with dolphins emitting lower-frequency sounds at night. Low-frequency sounds, with longer wavelengths, provide many advantages for dolphins active at night because such sounds propagate greater distances. This study demonstrates that the sounds produced by S. guianensis are dependent on the time of day, with social communication sounds being more influenced by the presence of light.     

First record of Pseudoterranova (Nematoda: Anisakidae) from the Chilean dolphin, Cephalorhynchus eutropia (Cetacea: Delphinidae)

Larvae of third and fourth stages of Pseudoterranova were isolated for the first time from Cephalorhynchus eutropia in south coast of Chile. Morphological characteristics of hosts and parasites are given.     

A new species of Adiantum (Pteridaceae) from Bahia, Brazil

A new species,Adiantum discolor Prado (Pteridaceae), known only from the wet forests of eastern coastal Brazil, in Bahia, is described and illustrated. It is distinguished principally by its 2-pinnate fronds with a long stipe, 2 or 3 pairs of lateral pinnae, discolorous laminae, and glabrous indusia. Uma nova espécie,Adiantum discolor Prado (Pteridaceae), conhecida somente das florestas úmidas da costa leste do Brasil, no Estado da Bahia, é descrita e ilustrada. Distingüe-se princi-palmente pelas frondes 2-pinadas com um longo pecíolo, 2 ou 3 pares de pinas laterais, laminas discolores e indúsios glabros.     

Two new species of Mendoncia (Acanthaceae) from Bahia, Brazil

Two new species, Mendoncia bahiensis and Mendoncia blanchetiana, of the subgenus Bremekampia are described and illustrated. A key to four species represented in Bahia and commentary on their taxonomic affinities are provided.     

Three new species of Dendropanax (Araliaceae) from Bahia, Brazil

Three new species of BrazilianDendropanax from the rain forests of Bahia state are described and illustrated.Dendropanax amorimii, endemic to the rain forests near Boa Nova, in southern Bahia, is characterized by compound umbellate inflorescences with elongated primary branches each having a proximal whorl of bracts, and by leaves with well-developed tertiary venation.Dendropanax bahiensis, endemic to the Atlantic rain forests of southern Bahia, is distinguished by its large and membranous leaves with reddish schizogenous glands on the abaxial surface and by the reduced and branched inflorescences with short-pedicellate flowers and large fruits.Dendropanax geniculatus, an endemic species from the “matas de grotão” of Serra da Chapadinha, Chapada Diamantina, is characterized by simple and usually geniculate inflorescences bearing long-pedicellate flowers and fruits.     

A new species of Chamaecrista Moench (Caesalpiniaceae) from interior Bahia,Brazil

Chamaecrista arboae, a species of sect.Absus ser.Absoideae newly discovered on Chapada Diamantina in interior Bahia, Brazil, is described, figured, and discussed.     

A new species of Aspidosperma Mart. (Apocynaceae) from Bahia, Brazil

A new species,Aspidosperma thomasii, collected in the vicinity of Uruçuca is described. It belongs to subgenusAspidosperma sectionAspidosperma and is closely related to theA. parvifolium A. DC. group.     

A new species of Senna (Caesalpiniaceae) from coastal northern Bahia,Brazil

Irwin, Howard S. (Clark Garden, 193 I. U. Willets Road, Albertson, NY 11507) and Rupert C. Barneby (New York Botanical Garden, Bronx, NY 10458-9980). A new species of Senna (Caesalpiniaceae) from coastal northern Bahia, Brazil. Brittonia 37: 192–194. 1985. - Senna (sect. Chamaefistula ser. Laxiflorae) phlebadenia, closely akin to S. australis, but the only known species of the genus with secondary veins of leaflets excurrent into a marginal nectary, is described and illustrated from two collections from the coastal plain of Bahia northeast of Salvador.     

Corynosoma cetaceum Johnston and Best, 1942 (Acanthocephala) in Chilean dolphin, Cephalorhynchus entropia Gray, 1846 (Cetacea: Delphinidae)

The finding of Corynosoma cetaceum Johnston and Best 1942, as a parasite of Cephalorhynchus eutropia Gray, 1846, is reported. This constitutes the first record of this acanthocephala in a new host, as well a new geographic distribution.     

New taxa of Leguminosae-Caesalpinioideae from Bahia,Brazil

Brodriguesia santosii, gen. & sp. nov., from the coastal rain forest of Bahia, is described, illustrated and compared with nearly related genera of the tribe Detarieae. In addition, three new species, Arapatiella emarginata (the second species of the genus), Swartzia oblata, S. pinheiroana and one new variety, Goniorrhachis marginata var. bahiana, are presented.     

The diversity and distribution of the cetaceans of Costa Rica (Cetacea: Delphinidae, Physeteridae, Ziphiidae y Balaenopteridae)

The first complete checklist of Costa Rican cetaceans is presented with a total of 28 species (35% of the group's world diversity). Most of the species occur in the Pacific Ocean (89%) and most are considered oceanic (57%), common (54%) and resident (68%). The known distribution and status of each species are also provided.     

Capture and commercialization of blue land crabs ("guaiamum") Cardisoma guanhumi (Lattreille, 1825) along the coast of Bahia State, Brazil: an ethnoecological approach

Background

Blue Land Crab (Cardisoma guanhumi) is one of the most important crustacean species captured and commercialized in Brazil. Although this species is not considered to be threatened with extinction, populations of C. guanhumi are known to be rapidly diminishing due to heavy harvesting pressures and degradation of their natural habitats, highlighting the necessity of developing and implanting management and protection strategies for their populations. There have been no ethnozoological publications that have focused specifically on C. guanhumi, in spite of importance of this type of information for developing efficient management plans of resource utilization. So, the present work describes the ethnoecological aspects of the capture and commercialization of C. guanhumi by a fishing community in northeastern Brazil.

Methods

Field work was carried out in the municipality of Mucuri, Bahia in Brazil, between the months of January and March/2011 through the use of open semi-structured interviews with all of the crustacean harvesters in city who acknowledged their work in capturing this species, totaling 12 interviewees. The informants were identified through the use of the "snowball" sampling technique. In addition to the interviews themselves, the "guided tour" technique and direct observations was employed.

Results

According all the interviewees, the C. guanhumi is popularly called "guaiamum" and is collected in "apicum" zones. They recognize sexual dimorphism in the species based on three morphological characteristics and the harvesters also pointed two stages in the reproductive cycle during the year and another phase mentioned by the interviewees was ecdysis. All of the interviewed affirmed that the size and the quantities C. guanhumi stocks in Mucuri have been diminishing. All of the interviewees agreed that the species and other mangrove resources constituted their principal source of income. The harvesters dedicated three to five days a week to collect Blue Land Crabs and the principal technique utilized for capturing is a trap called a "ratoeira" (rat-trap).

Conclusions

The results of the present work demonstrated that the community retains a vast and important volume of knowledge about C. guanhumi that could subsidize both scientific studies and the elaboration of viable management and conservation strategies for this species.     

Aechmea itapoana,a new species from Bahia (Brazil): Taxonomy and ecology

Aechmea itapoana is a new, conspicuous and distinct species from the coastal sand dune scrub of N.E. Brazil. Its possible relationships within subgenusChevaliera, toA. multiflora andA. rodriguesia are discussed.     

A new acicular-leaved species of Sauvagesia (Ochnaceae) from Chapada Diamantina, Bahia, Brazil

A new species of Sauvagesia is described and illustrated under the name Sauvagesia paniculata. This new species is morphologically similar to the acicular-leaved species of the subsect. Vellozianae. However, S. paniculata can be clearly differentiated from the other acicular-leaved species by the paniculate inflorescence. Other diagnostic characters of S. paniculata include the shorter pedicel and longer leaves. This new species seems to be narrowly endemic to the “campo rupestre” vegetation in the Esbarrancado mountain range of Mucugê, in the Chapada Diamantina, Bahia, Brazil.