Advertisement call of Hyla jimi and Hyla elianeae (Anura, Hylidae) in the Botucatu Region, São Paulo, Brazil

Neste trabalho apresenta-se a descrição do canto de anúncio de H. jimi, para a localidade tipo, e de H. elianeae, ainda desconhecida da literatura. As atividades de campo foram desenvolvidas de agosto de 1997 a junho de 1999. As gravações foram efetuadas em ambientes de área aberta na região de Botucatu, Estado de São Paulo. Foram registradas vocalizações de 100 exemplares, 49 de H. jimi e 51 de H. elianeae; foram analisadas nove características do canto de anúncio. O canto de anúncio de ambas as espécies consiste em uma série consecutiva de notas simples com taxa de repetição relativamente rápida. Machos de H. jimi e H. elianeae apresentaram dois padrões de emissão de notas. Um emitido por indivíduos iniciando a atividade de vocalização ou isolado do agregado e outro emitido por machos em atividade de coro, interagindo com machos vizinhos. Foram verificadas diferenças significativas na estrutura temporal nos dois padrões de vocalizações.

Advertisement call of Hyla jimi and Hyla elianeae (Anura, Hylidae) in the Botucatu Region, São Paulo, Brazil

In this work we present a description of the advertisement call of H. jimi, the locality type, and of H. elianeae, until now unknown in the literature. Field activities were carried out from August 1997 through June 1999; recordings were made in two open-area environments in the Botucatu region, São Paulo State. Vocalizations of 100 individuals (49 H. jimi and 51 H. elianeae) were recorded; nine characteristics of the advertisement call were examined. The advertisement calls of both species consist of consecutive series of simple notes with relatively fast repetition rates. Males of H. jimi and H. elianeae presented two patterns of note emission: one emitted by individuals beginning vocalization activity or isolated from the aggregate, and another emitted by males in chorus activity interacting with closely neighboring males. A significant difference was verified in the temporal structure of the two vocalization patterns.

Neste trabalho apresenta-se a descrição do canto de anúncio de H. jimi, para a localidade tipo, e de H. elianeae, ainda desconhecida da literatura. As atividades de campo foram desenvolvidas de agosto de 1997 a junho de 1999. As gravações foram efetuadas em ambientes de área aberta na região de Botucatu, Estado de São Paulo. Foram registradas vocalizações de 100 exemplares, 49 de H. jimi e 51 de H. elianeae; foram analisadas nove características do canto de anúncio. O canto de anúncio de ambas as espécies consiste em uma série consecutiva de notas simples com taxa de repetição relativamente rápida. Machos de H. jimi e H. elianeae apresentaram dois padrões de emissão de notas. Um emitido por indivíduos iniciando a atividade de vocalização ou isolado do agregado e outro emitido por machos em atividade de coro, interagindo com machos vizinhos. Foram verificadas diferenças significativas na estrutura temporal nos dois padrões de vocalizações.

Bioacoustic analysis of advertisement call in Hyla nana and Hyla sanborni (Anura, Hylidae) in Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil

Vocal communication traits of Hyla nana and Hyla sanborni, of the nana species group, were studied from August 1997 until June 1999 in two large permanent ponds located in an open field in Botucatu, São Paulo State. One hundred thirty-one individuals, 71 of H. nana and 58 of H. sanborni, were recorded in the beginning of their vocalization activity and during chorus vocalization. The rhythms of sound emission on the two occasions were different. An advertisement call consists in a consecutive series of simple notes in rapid succession. Both species have two types of notes in their advertisement calls, here named types A and B. Type A notes are introductory and have a longer and higher pulse number and are emitted more frequently in the beginning of vocalization activity. Introductory notes are the first to be emitted in chorus activity. Type B notes are secondary, of shorter duration and lower pulse number, and are emitted during chorus vocalization. The notes of both types differ significantly in their temporal structure. Both species present acoustic segregation in both spectral and temporal structure.

Comparative cytogenetic studies of Bufo ictericus, B. paracnemis (Amphibia, Anura) and an intermediate form in sympatry

Specimens of Bufo ictericus, Bufo paracnemis and a third type, considered an intermediate subgroup between these species, were cytogenetically studied by conventional Giemsa staining, C-banding and staining of the nucleolus organizer region (NOR). The nuclear DNA content and seroproteins were also analyzed to characterize these species, and verify the possibility of hybridization between them. Karyotypes and cytogenetic markers were essentially equal on the basis of the methods used. The DNA nuclear content found was 6.25 ± 0.30 pg/DNA in Bufo ictericus; 7.57 ± 0.40 pg/DNA in Bufo paracnemis and 7.04 ± 0.29 pg/DNA in the intermediate subgroup. Eletrophoresis of total blood serum in Bufo ictericus, Bufo paracnemis and the intermediate specimens revealed a remarkable difference in the patterns of the protein bands whose molecular weight corresponded to that of albumin. While the parental species presented two different bands, the intermediate form presented 4. However, only three of these bands were seen in each specimen. The results obtained pointed to a high probability for natural hybridization between Bufo ictericus and Bufo paracnemis in the site and specimens studied

Non-viral infections of the liver.

The function and anatomy of the liver renders this organ peculiarly susceptible to bacterial and parasitic infections; fungal infections are increasingly recognised in the immunocompromised. As biochemical abnormalities of liver function can be non-specific, a high index of suspicion of liver or biliary infection is required. A need for prompt investigation is emphasised by the potentially rapid progression and poor prognosis of some bacterial and fungal infections, and the public health implications of parasitic diseases. This review encompasses the major infections of the liver and biliary tree other than viral hepatitis and includes aspects of pathogenicity, epidemiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis and management.