Genetic Diversity of an Imperiled Neotropical Catfish and Recommendations for Its Restoration.

The long-whiskered catfish Steindachneridion parahybae (Family Pimelodidae) is endemic to the Paraíba do Sul River basin in southeastern Brazil. This species was heavily exploited by artisanal fisheries and faces challenges posed by dams, introduced species, and deterioration of critical habitat. The remaining populations are small and extirpated from some locales, and the species is listed as critically endangered in Brazil. Screening variation at a partial mitochondrial control region sequence (mtCR) and 20 microsatellite loci, we: (i) describe the patterns of genetic diversity along its current distributional range; (ii) test the null hypothesis of panmixia; (iii) investigate the main factors driving its current population structure, and (iv) propose management of broodstock for fostering recovery of wild populations through genetically cognizant restocking. Our microsatellite data for 70 individuals from five collections indicate moderate levels of heterozygosity (HO = 0.45) and low levels of inbreeding (FIS = 0.016). Individual-based cluster analyses showed clear genetic structure, with three clusters of individuals over the collection area with no mis-assigned individuals, suggesting no recent migration among the three clusters. Pairwise DEST values showed moderate and significant genetic differentiation among all populations so identified. The MUR population may have suffered a recent demographic reduction. mtCRs for 70 individuals exhibited 36 haplotypes resulting from 38 polymorphic sites. Overall, mitochondrial haplotype diversity was 0.930 (±0.023) and nucleotide diversity was 0.011 (±0.002). Significant population structure was observed, with ϕST = 0.226. Genetic markers could be used in a hatchery-based restoration program emphasizing breeding of pairs with low kinship values in order to promote retention of genetic diversity and avoid inbreeding. Individual average kinship relationships showed 87.3% advised matings, 11.0% marginal matings, and 1.7% advised against. While these results comprise a contribution toward planning better breeding management and monitoring, parallel actions to be undertaken include surveying healthy riverine habits for reintroduction and continued searching for wild individuals to introduce new variation into the captive broodstock to avoid adaptation to captivity and to minimize inbreeding.

Teor de vitamina A em leites tipo C fortificados na cidade de São Paulo / Determination of vitamin A concentration in enriched type C milk in São Paulo city/Brazil

A ausência de vitamina A na alimentação provoca cegueira noturna, baixo crescimento, atrofia dos tecidos dos olhos e epiteliais. Por outro lado, o excesso dessa vitamina tem efeito tóxico. Nos países industrializados a adição de vitaminas e minerais aos produtos alimentícios é prática comum para evitar a deficiência desses micronutrientes. O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar o teor de vitamina A em leite tipo C fortificado e consumido pela população infantil de comunidades carentes da cidade de São Paulo, para verificar o cumprimento do valor declarado no rótulo das embalagens. Foram analisadas 676 amostras enviadas para análise no Instituto Adolfo Lutz, no período de fevereiro de 2001 a junho de 2004, utilizando a técnica espectrofotométrica. Os teores de vitamina A estavam abaixo do declarado em apenas 20 amostras (3%), de acordo com declarado em 325 (48%) e acima do declarado 331 (49%)

Biologia de Leptopharsa heveae Drake & Poor (Heteroptera: Tingidae) e a relação de suas exigências térmicas com a flutuação populacional em seringueira / Biology of Leptopharsa heveae Drake & Poor (Heteroptera: Tingidae) and the relationship of its thermal requirements with population fluctuation in rubber tree

O percevejo-de-renda, Leptopharsa heveae Drake & Poor, foi estudado visando-se determinar suas exigências térmicas, e a biologia e flutuação populacional de ninfas e adultos em seringueira, Hevea brasiliensis Müell Arg. Os experimentos foram conduzidos em câmaras climatizadas reguladas a 15°C, 20°C, 25°C, 27°C e 30°C e como hospedeiro utilizaram-se mudas de seringueira do clone RRIM 600. A flutuação populacional foi obtida amostrando-se os lados norte e sul de seringueiras do clone PB 235, considerando-se folhas das partes interna e externa dos terços inferior, médio e superior das plantas. A temperatura de 15°C foi inadequada para o desenvolvimento embrionário de L. heveae. O período de pré-oviposição foi menor em temperaturas elevadas (27°C e 30°C), contudo a fecundidade não se alterou na faixa de 20°C a 30°C. Os limites térmicos inferior de desenvolvimento e as constantes térmicas das fases de ovo, ninfa e ciclo biológico foram 11,5/141,4, 8,3/234,6 e 9,8°C/370,4 graus-dia, respectivamente. Os adultos e ninfas apresentaram picos populacionais em 30/03/99, ocorrendo também pico de adultos em 04/06/99 e de ninfas em 19/10/99. As exigências témicas possibilitaram prever a ocorrência de treze gerações de L. heveae durante o período de outubro/1998 a novembro/1999.

The rubber tree lacebug, Leptopharsa heveae Drake & Poor, was studied aiming to determine its thermal requirements, biology and the population fluctuation of nymphs and adults in rubber tree, Hevea brasiliensis Müell Arg. Experiments were conducted in climatic chambers at 15°C, 20°C, 25°C, 27°C and 30°C using rubber tree seedlings clone RRIM 600 as host plant. The population fluctuation was obtained by sampling north and south sides of rubber trees clone PB 235, considering leaves of internal and external parts located in the top, middle and basal sections of the trees. The temperature of 15°C was inadequate for the embryonic development of L. heveae. The shortest lacebug pre-oviposition period was observed at the high temperatures of 27°C and 30°C, however the female fecundity was not altered at the temperature gradient of 20°C to 30°C. The estimated lower developmental thermal thresholds and thermal constants of the egg and nymphal phases and of the biological cycle were 11.5/141.4, 8.3/234.6 and 9.8°C/370.4 degree-day, respectively. A population peak of adults and nymphs occurred in 30/03/99; another peak of adults was also observed in 04/06/99 and nymphs in 19/10/99. The thermal requirements provided the prevision of thirteen generations of L. heveae from October/1998 to November/1999.