The reproductive period of tarantulas is constrained by their thermal preferences (Araneae, Theraphosidae).

Locomotor and physiological performance of ectotherms are affected by temperature. Thermoregulation is achieved by changes in behavior and the selection of micro-habitats with adequate temperatures to maintain the body temperature (Tb) within a range of preference. Apart from this temperature dependence at spatial scales, ectotherms are also affected by temperature at temporal scale. For instance, ectotherms can only be active some months of the year, particularly in temperate environments. Tarantulas are ectotherms that live in burrows most of their life. Nevertheless, after the sexual maturation molt, males leave their refugia and start a wandering life searching for females to mate. The reproductive period varies among species. In some species walking males are seen in late spring or early summer, while in other species males are only seen during fall or winter. Apart from the differences in lifestyles after maturation, tarantulas exhibit sexual dimorphisms in longevity and body mass, having smaller, shorter-lived males. Thus, to optimize energetic budgets, decreasing thermoregulation costs, we hypothesize and examine a putative correlation between an individual's preferred body temperature (Tpref) and the environmental temperature during the reproductive period. Hence, we characterize Tpref in seven tarantula species and analyze which factors (i.e., time of day, body mass, and sex) correlated with it. Furthermore, we assess putative correlated evolution of Tpref with ambient temperature (minima, mean, and maxima) during the reproductive period by means of phylogenetic independent contrasts. We did not find differences in thermal preferences between sexes; and only one species, Acanthoscurria suina, exhibited diel differences in Tpref. We found evidence of correlated evolution between Tpref and minimum temperature during the reproductive period among all seven species studied herein. Our results show that the reproductive period is constrained by thermal preferences, dictating when males can start their wandering life to mate.

Flowering Phenology and the Influence of Seasonality in Flower Conspicuousness for Bees.

Flowering patterns are crucial to understand the dynamics of plant reproduction and resource availability for pollinators. Seasonal climate constrains flower and leaf phenology, where leaf and flower colors likely differ between seasons. Color is the main floral trait attracting pollinators; however, seasonal changes in the leaf-background coloration affect the perception of flower color contrasts by pollinators. For a seasonally dry woody cerrado community (Brazilian savanna) mainly pollinated by bees, we verified whether seasonality affects flower color diversity over time and if flower color contrasts of bee-pollinated species differ between seasons due to changes in the leaf-background coloration. For 140 species, we classified flower colors based on human-color vision, and for 99 species, we classified flower colors based on bee-color vision (spectral measurements). We described the community's flowering pattern according to the flower colors using a unique 11 years phenological database. For the 43 bee-pollinated species in which reflectance data were also available, we compared flower color diversity and contrasts against the background between seasons, considering the background coloration of each season. Flowering was markedly seasonal, peaking at the end of the dry season (September), when the highest diversity of flower colors was observed. Yellow flowers were observed all year round, whereas white flowers were seasonal, peaking during the dry season, and pink flowers predominated in the wet season, peaking in March. Bee-bluegreen flowers peaked between September and October. Flowers from the wet and dry seasons were similarly conspicuous against their corresponding background. Regardless of flowering season, the yellowish background of the dry season promoted higher flower color contrast for all flower species, whereas the greener background of the wet season promoted a higher green contrast. Temporal patterns of flower colors and color contrasts were related to the cerrado seasonality, but also to bee's activity, visual system, and behavior. Background coloration affected flower contrasts, favoring flower conspicuousness to bees according to the season. Thus, our results provide new insights regarding the temporal patterns of plant-pollinator interactions.

Dispersal mode constrains allocation of carbon and mineral nutrients in seeds of forest and savanna trees.

Species vary in seed size and content of stored reserves, which can be related to dispersal strategies and type of habitat in which they are found. We compare seed carbon and nutrient reserves of anemochorous and zoochorous trees from the Cerrado of central Brazil. We measured seed dry mass, lipids, non-structural carbohydrates (starch and total soluble sugars), carbon and mineral nutrients in ten forest and 13 savanna species, each classified as having wind- or animal-dispersed seeds. We used phylogenetically independent contrasts to test for correlations among these traits. Seeds of anemochorous species were lighter, with higher concentrations of C, N, P, Ca and Mg. Lipids were the dominant carbon reserve for most anemochorous species, underpinning the importance of allocation to compact carbon reserves. Starch, lipids or soluble sugars were the major carbon reserve in zoochorous seeds. Savanna and forest species did not differ in seed mass or in total carbon reserves. However, seeds of forest species had higher concentrations of starch than seeds of savanna species. Lipid and starch negatively correlated across species, suggesting a trade-off between starch and lipids as major seed carbon reserves. Calcium was positively correlated with Mn and B, while Mg was positively correlated with C, N, P, K, S, Zn and B. Potassium, S and Cl were positively correlated, while P was positively correlated with Mg and Zn. Dispersal mode rather than vegetation type constrained seed mass and seed storage allocation patterns in forest and savanna trees. We provide evidence that similar mechanisms are involved in seed storage of carbon and mineral nutrients across species.

Herança predominante de caracteres em trigo com enfoque multivariado / Predominant trait inheritance in wheat with multivariate approach

The objective of this study was to analize the inheritance of characters in wheat using multivariate analysis of variance. Sixteen genetic constitutions were evaluated between commercial cultivars and progenies F1 and F2. Treatments were arranged in completely randomized blocks, with three replicates. Five characters were evaluated. Multivariate analysis of variance and multivariate contrasts were then performed to test the hypotheses. The significant differences, obtained for comparison between parents and progenies F1, may be evidence of heterosis occurrence. However, only comparisons between progenies P1_P3 (F1) vs. P1_P3 (F2) and P4_P2 (F1) vs. P4_P2 (F2) showed significant differences. Multivariate analysis of variance revealed that inheritance of the characters studied is predominantly of the additive type. It is possible that, this occurred due to the degree of relationship between parents who reunited identical alleles at the same locus, by ancestry, as a result of inbreeding effects. The knowledge of additive inheritance may represent a faster incorporation of resistance or quality characteristics in new cultivars.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi estudar a herança de caracteres em trigo utilizando análise de variância multivariada. Foram avaliadas dezesseis constituições genéticas, entre cultivares comerciais e progênies F1 e F2. Os tratamentos foram dispostos em blocos completos casualizados, com três repetições. Cinco caracteres foram mensurados. Para testar as hipóteses foi realizada análise de variância multivariada, e posteriormente contrastes multivariados. As diferenças significativas obtidas para as comparações entre os genitores e as progênies F1, podem ser indícios da ocorrência de heterose. No entanto, somente as comparações entre as progênies P1_P3 (F1) vs. P1_P3 (F2) e P4_P2 (F1) vs. P4_P2 (F2) apresentaram diferenças significativas. A análise de variância multivariada revelou que a herança dos caracteres estudados é predominantemente do tipo aditiva. Isto ocorreu, possivelmente pelo grau de parentesco entre os genitores que reuniram alelos idênticos no mesmo loco por ascendência, como resultado dos efeitos da endogamia. O conhecimento da herança aditiva pode representar a incorporação mais rápida de resistência ou de características de qualidade em novas cultivares.

Herança predominante de caracteres em trigo com enfoque multivariado / Predominant trait inheritance in wheat with multivariate approach

The objective of this study was to analize the inheritance of characters in wheat using multivariate analysis of variance. Sixteen genetic constitutions were evaluated between commercial cultivars and progenies F1 and F2. Treatments were arranged in completely randomized blocks, with three replicates. Five characters were evaluated. Multivariate analysis of variance and multivariate contrasts were then performed to test the hypotheses. The significant differences, obtained for comparison between parents and progenies F1, may be evidence of heterosis occurrence. However, only comparisons between progenies P1_P3 (F1) vs. P1_P3 (F2) and P4_P2 (F1) vs. P4_P2 (F2) showed significant differences. Multivariate analysis of variance revealed that inheritance of the characters studied is predominantly of the additive type. It is possible that, this occurred due to the degree of relationship between parents who reunited identical alleles at the same locus, by ancestry, as a result of inbreeding effects. The knowledge of additive inheritance may represent a faster incorporation of resistance or quality characteristics in new cultivars.(AU)

O objetivo deste trabalho foi estudar a herança de caracteres em trigo utilizando análise de variância multivariada. Foram avaliadas dezesseis constituições genéticas, entre cultivares comerciais e progênies F1 e F2. Os tratamentos foram dispostos em blocos completos casualizados, com três repetições. Cinco caracteres foram mensurados. Para testar as hipóteses foi realizada análise de variância multivariada, e posteriormente contrastes multivariados. As diferenças significativas obtidas para as comparações entre os genitores e as progênies F1, podem ser indícios da ocorrência de heterose. No entanto, somente as comparações entre as progênies P1_P3 (F1) vs. P1_P3 (F2) e P4_P2 (F1) vs. P4_P2 (F2) apresentaram diferenças significativas. A análise de variância multivariada revelou que a herança dos caracteres estudados é predominantemente do tipo aditiva. Isto ocorreu, possivelmente pelo grau de parentesco entre os genitores que reuniram alelos idênticos no mesmo loco por ascendência, como resultado dos efeitos da endogamia. O conhecimento da herança aditiva pode representar a incorporação mais rápida de resistência ou de características de qualidade em novas cultivares.(AU)

Predominant trait inheritance in wheat with multivariate approach / Herança predominante de caracteres em trigo com enfoque multivariado

ABSTRACT: The objective of this study was to analize the inheritance of characters in wheat using multivariate analysis of variance. Sixteen genetic constitutions were evaluated between commercial cultivars and progenies F1 and F2. Treatments were arranged in completely randomized blocks, with three replicates. Five characters were evaluated. Multivariate analysis of variance and multivariate contrasts were then performed to test the hypotheses. The significant differences, obtained for comparison between parents and progenies F1, may be evidence of heterosis occurrence. However, only comparisons between progenies P1_P3 (F1) vs. P1_P3 (F2) and P4_P2 (F1) vs. P4_P2 (F2) showed significant differences. Multivariate analysis of variance revealed that inheritance of the characters studied is predominantly of the additive type. It is possible that, this occurred due to the degree of relationship between parents who reunited identical alleles at the same locus, by ancestry, as a result of inbreeding effects. The knowledge of additive inheritance may represent a faster incorporation of resistance or quality characteristics in new cultivars.

RESUMO: O objetivo deste trabalho foi estudar a herança de caracteres em trigo utilizando análise de variância multivariada. Foram avaliadas dezesseis constituições genéticas, entre cultivares comerciais e progênies F1 e F2. Os tratamentos foram dispostos em blocos completos casualizados, com três repetições. Cinco caracteres foram mensurados. Para testar as hipóteses foi realizada análise de variância multivariada, e posteriormente contrastes multivariados. As diferenças significativas obtidas para as comparações entre os genitores e as progênies F1, podem ser indícios da ocorrência de heterose. No entanto, somente as comparações entre as progênies P1_P3 (F1) vs. P1_P3 (F2) e P4_P2 (F1) vs. P4_P2 (F2) apresentaram diferenças significativas. A análise de variância multivariada revelou que a herança dos caracteres estudados é predominantemente do tipo aditiva. Isto ocorreu, possivelmente pelo grau de parentesco entre os genitores que reuniram alelos idênticos no mesmo loco por ascendência, como resultado dos efeitos da endogamia. O conhecimento da herança aditiva pode representar a incorporação mais rápida de resistência ou de características de qualidade em novas cultivares.

Application of multivariate techniques in the evaluation of pure lines of beans / Aplicação de técnicas multivariadas na avaliação de linhas puras de feijão

ABSTRACT: The objective of this study was to apply multivariate techniques, canonical discriminant analysis, and multivariate contrasts, indicating the most favorable inferences in the evaluation of pure lines of beans. The study was conducted at the experimental field of the Institute for Breeding and Molecular Genetics, in Lages, SC, Brazil. The experiment was composed of 24 pure lines of beans from the Santa Catarina test of cultivars. Plant height, numbers of pods and grains per plant, and stem diameter were the variables measured. The complete randomized block design was used with four replications. The data were subjected to multivariate analysis of variance, canonical discriminant analysis, multivariate contrasts and univariate contrasts. The first canonical discriminant function has captured 81% of the total variation in the data. The Scott-Knott test showed two groups of inbred lines at the average -of scores of the first canonical discriminant function. It was considered that testing hypotheses with the canonical scores may result in loss of information obtained from the original data. Multivariate contrasts indicated differences within the group formed by the Scott-Knott test. The canonical discriminant analysis and multivariate contrasts are excellent techniques to be combined in the multivariate assessment, being used to explore and test hypotheses, respectively.

RESUMO: O objetivo deste estudo foi aplicar técnicas multivariadas (análise discriminante canônica e contrastes multivariados) indicando as inferências mais vantajosas na avaliação de linhas puras de feijão. O estudo foi conduzido na área experimental do Instituto de Melhoramento e Genética Molecular em Lages, SC. O experimento foi composto por 24 linhas puras de feijão provenientes do ensaio catarinense de cultivares. Os caracteres mensurados foram: estatura da planta, números de legumes e grãos por planta e diâmetro do caule. Foi usado o delineamento experimental em blocos casualizados, com quatro repetições. Os dados foram submetidos à análise de variância multivariada, análise discriminante canônica, contrastes multivariados e univariados. A primeira função linear discriminante canônica captou 81% da variação total contida nos dados. O teste de Scott-Knott formou dois grupos de linhas puras na média dos escores da primeira função linear discriminante canônica. Considera-se que testar as hipóteses com os escores canônicos pode causar perda de informações valiosas obtidas pelos dados originais. Os contrastes multivariados evidenciaram diferenças dentro do grupo formado pelo teste de Scott-Knott. A análise discriminante canônica e os contrastes multivariados são técnicas excelentes para serem combinadas na avaliação multivariada, sendo efetuadas para explorar e testar hipóteses, respectivamente.

Application of multivariate techniques in the evaluation of pure lines of beans / Aplicação de técnicas multivariadas na avaliação de linhas puras de feijão

The objective of this study was to apply multivariate techniques, canonical discriminant analysis, and multivariate contrasts, indicating the most favorable inferences in the evaluation of pure lines of beans. The study was conducted at the experimental field of the Institute for Breeding and Molecular Genetics, in Lages, SC, Brazil. The experiment was composed of 24 pure lines of beans from the Santa Catarina test of cultivars. Plant height, numbers of pods and grains per plant, and stem diameter were the variables measured. The complete randomized block design was used with four replications. The data were subjected to multivariate analysis of variance, canonical discriminant analysis, multivariate contrasts and univariate contrasts. The first canonical discriminant function has captured 81% of the total variation in the data. The Scott-Knott test showed two groups of inbred lines at the average -of scores of the first canonical discriminant function. It was considered that testing hypotheses with the canonical scores may result in loss of information obtained from the original data. Multivariate contrasts indicated differences within the group formed by the Scott-Knott test. The canonical discriminant analysis and multivariate contrasts are excellent techniques to be combined in the multivariate assessment, being used to explore and test hypotheses, respectively.(AU)

O objetivo deste estudo foi aplicar técnicas multivariadas (análise discriminante canônica e contrastes multivariados) indicando as inferências mais vantajosas na avaliação de linhas puras de feijão. O estudo foi conduzido na área experimental do Instituto de Melhoramento e Genética Molecular em Lages, SC. O experimento foi composto por 24 linhas puras de feijão provenientes do ensaio catarinense de cultivares. Os caracteres mensurados foram: estatura da planta, números de legumes e grãos por planta e diâmetro do caule. Foi usado o delineamento experimental em blocos casualizados, com quatro repetições. Os dados foram submetidos à análise de variância multivariada, análise discriminante canônica, contrastes multivariados e univariados. A primeira função linear discriminante canônica captou 81% da variação total contida nos dados. O teste de Scott-Knott formou dois grupos de linhas puras na média dos escores da primeira função linear discriminante canônica. Considera-se que testar as hipóteses com os escores canônicos pode causar perda de informações valiosas obtidas pelos dados originais. Os contrastes multivariados evidenciaram diferenças dentro do grupo formado pelo teste de Scott-Knott. A análise discriminante canônica e os contrastes multivariados são técnicas excelentes para serem combinadas na avaliação multivariada, sendo efetuadas para explorar e testar hipóteses, respectivamente.(AU)

The ability of non-computer tasks to increase biomechanical exposure variability in computer-intensive office work.

Postures and muscle activity in the upper body were recorded from 50 academics office workers during 2 hours of normal work, categorised by observation into computer work (CW) and three non-computer (NC) tasks (NC seated work, NC standing/walking work and breaks). NC tasks differed significantly in exposures from CW, with standing/walking NC tasks representing the largest contrasts for most of the exposure variables. For the majority of workers, exposure variability was larger in their present job than in CW alone, as measured by the job variance ratio (JVR), i.e. the ratio between min-min variabilities in the job and in CW. Calculations of JVRs for simulated jobs containing different proportions of CW showed that variability could, indeed, be increased by redistributing available tasks, but that substantial increases could only be achieved by introducing more vigorous tasks in the job, in casu illustrated by cleaning.

Phylogenetic signal, feeding behaviour and brain volume in Neotropical bats.

Comparative correlational studies of brain size and ecological traits (e.g. feeding habits and habitat complexity) have increased our knowledge about the selective pressures on brain evolution. Studies conducted in bats as a model system assume that shared evolutionary history has a maximum effect on the traits. However, this effect has not been quantified. In addition, the effect of levels of diet specialization on brain size remains unclear. We examined the role of diet on the evolution of brain size in Mormoopidae and Phyllostomidae using two comparative methods. Body mass explained 89% of the variance in brain volume. The effect of feeding behaviour (either characterized as feeding habits, as levels of specialization on a type of item or as handling behaviour) on brain volume was also significant albeit not consistent after controlling for body mass and the strength of the phylogenetic signal (λ). Although the strength of the phylogenetic signal of brain volume and body mass was high when tested individually, λ values in phylogenetic generalized least squares models were significantly different from 1. This suggests that phylogenetic independent contrasts models are not always the best approach for the study of ecological correlates of brain size in New World bats.

Does body size of neotropical ant species influence their recruitment speed? / O tamanho corpóreo de espécies de formigas neotropicais influencia na velocidade de recrutamento?

Ants are one of the most important animal groups in tropical forests because of its abundance and number of species. An important characteristic of the group is the eusociality, which allows the occurrence of a recruitment behavior when food resource is found. However, there are two main questions regarding this behavior: (i) the recruitment is a product of environmental or phylogenetic pressures, and (ii) the recruitment speed is related to the body size of the ant species. In this work we addressed these two questions using 17 species of neotropical ants, in the Amazonic lowland dense rain forest. According to results, recruitment behavior is related to ant size, where smaller species exhibit this trait when finding a protein resource. However, species size is not important in recruitment speed, which suggests that speed can be best explained by the type of food resources needed in the ant colony.

Formigas são um dos mais importantes grupos animais nas florestas tropicais devido a sua abundância e seu número de espécies. Uma característica importante do grupo é a eusocialidade, que permite a ocorrência do comportamento de recrutamento quando um recurso alimentar é encontrado. Entretanto, existem duas questões principais acerca desse comportamento: (i) o recrutamento é um produto de pressões ambientais ou filogenéticas, e (ii) a velocidade de recrutamento é relacionada ao tamanho corpóreo das espécies de formigas. Neste trabalho nós analisamos essas duas questões em 17 espécies de formigas neotropicais, na floresta Amazônica densa de terras baixas. De acordo com os resultados, o recrutamento é fortemente relacionado com o tamanho da formiga, sendo que espécies menores exibem essa característica quando encontram uma fonte protéica. Entretanto, o tamanho das espécies não é importante na velocidade de recrutamento, o que sugere que a velocidade de recrutamento pode ser melhor explicado pelo tipo de recursos alimentares necessários à colônia.

Body size and extinction risk in Brazilian carnivores / Tamaño corporal como factor de amenaza en carnívoros brasileros

Because extinctions are not random across taxa, it is important for conservation biologists to identify the traits that make some species more vulnerable. Factors associated with vulnerability include small geographical ranges, low densities, high trophic level, "slow" life histories, body size, and tolerance to altered habitats. In this study we examined the relationship of body size, reproductive output, longevity, and extinction risk for carnivores occurring in Brazil. We used generalized linear models analyses on phylogenetically independent contrasts to test the effect of body size alone, and the combined effect of body size, litter size and longevity on extinction risk. Body size appeared in the two best models according to the selection criteria (AIC), and it was the most plausible bionomic variable associated with extinction risk. Litter size and longevity, bionomic traits previously associated with threat risk of Brazilian carnivores, were implausible. The higher extinction risk for larger species could result from body size influencing vulnerability to different human activities, such as killing, habitat destruction and fragmentation, and the small size of natural reserves.

Debido a que las extinciones no son aleatorias a través de los diferentes taxa, es importante para los biólogos de la conservación identificar las características que hacen a algunas especies más vulnerables. Los factores asociados con la vulnerabilidad incluyen distribuciones geográficas pequeñas, densidades poblacionales bajas, niveles tróficos altos, historias de vida "lentas", tamaño del cuerpo, y tolerancia a habitats alterados. En este estudio examinamos la relación del tamaño corporal, el potencial reproductivo y la longevidad con el riesgo de extinción para los carnívoros brasileros. Realizamos análisis de modelos lineares generalizados con contrastes filogenéticamente independientes para probar el efecto del tamaño corporal solo, y el efecto combinado del tamaño corporal, el tamaño de la camada y la longevidad sobre el riesgo de extinción. El tamaño del cuerpo apareció en los dos mejores modelos de acuerdo con el criterio de selección (AIC) y es la variable bionómica más plausible afectando el riesgo de extinción. El tamaño de la prole y longevidad, otras variables bionómicas que han presentado tal efecto en otros estudios, fueron implausibles. La mayor probabilidad de amenaza para las especies grandes puede deberse a que el tamaño del cuerpo afecta la vulnerabilidad a diferentes actividades humanas como la caza, la destrucción y fragmentación del hábitat, y al tamaño reducido de la mayoría de áreas protegidas.

Uso ou abuso em testes de comparações de média: conhecimento científico ou empírico? / Use or abuse in mean comparison tests: scientific or empiric knowledge?

O objetivo deste trabalho foi identificar quais os principais erros e acertos na aplicação de testes de comparação de médias em trabalhos científicos, demonstrando alternativas viáveis no sentido de aumentar a imparcialidade dos resultados obtidos pelos pesquisadores. Um dos maiores desafios do pesquisador é a interpretação dos resultados de forma fidedigna. Apesar da preocupação com a análise dos dados, muitas vezes pode ser observado certo descaso com a interpretação dos resultados, em que a aplicação incorreta de testes estatísticos pode levar à divulgação de informações pouco confiáveis. Foram revisados 226 trabalhos científicos publicados na revista Ciência Rural de 2002 a 2006, somente na área de Fitotecnia, sendo utilizados 148 trabalhos para discussão. A maioria dos trabalhos que estudaram mais de um fator foram classificados como incorretos (72 por cento) devido ao abuso dos testes de comparações de médias. Por outro lado, 4 e 24 por cento foram classificados como parcialmente corretos e corretos, respectivamente.

The objective of this research was to verify which are the main mistakes and the successes in the application of mean comparison tests in scientific studies, demonstrating viable alternatives in the sense of increasing the impartiality of the results obtained by researchers. One of the researcher's largest challenges is the interpretation of the obtained results in a trustworthy way. In spite of the concern of most researchers with the data analysis, many times certain disregard is observed in the interpretation of the results. Thus, the incorrect application of statistical tests leads the researchers to publish information not completely reliable. One hundred and forty-eight papers dealing with one or more than one factor were evaluated. All of them are related to the crop production major area, published from 2002 to 2006, in the 'Ciência Rural', a Brazilian scientific journal. Most of the studies (72 percent) were classified as incorrect due to the abuse of means comparison tests. In addition, only 4 percent and 24 percent were classified respectively as partially correct and correct.

Uso ou abuso em testes de comparações de média: conhecimento científico ou empírico? / Use or abuse in mean comparison tests: scientific or empiric knowledge?

O objetivo deste trabalho foi identificar quais os principais erros e acertos na aplicação de testes de comparação de médias em trabalhos científicos, demonstrando alternativas viáveis no sentido de aumentar a imparcialidade dos resultados obtidos pelos pesquisadores. Um dos maiores desafios do pesquisador é a interpretação dos resultados de forma fidedigna. Apesar da preocupação com a análise dos dados, muitas vezes pode ser observado certo descaso com a interpretação dos resultados, em que a aplicação incorreta de testes estatísticos pode levar à divulgação de informações pouco confiáveis. Foram revisados 226 trabalhos científicos publicados na revista Ciência Rural de 2002 a 2006, somente na área de Fitotecnia, sendo utilizados 148 trabalhos para discussão. A maioria dos trabalhos que estudaram mais de um fator foram classificados como incorretos (72 por cento) devido ao abuso dos testes de comparações de médias. Por outro lado, 4 e 24 por cento foram classificados como parcialmente corretos e corretos, respectivamente.(AU)

The objective of this research was to verify which are the main mistakes and the successes in the application of mean comparison tests in scientific studies, demonstrating viable alternatives in the sense of increasing the impartiality of the results obtained by researchers. One of the researcher's largest challenges is the interpretation of the obtained results in a trustworthy way. In spite of the concern of most researchers with the data analysis, many times certain disregard is observed in the interpretation of the results. Thus, the incorrect application of statistical tests leads the researchers to publish information not completely reliable. One hundred and forty-eight papers dealing with one or more than one factor were evaluated. All of them are related to the crop production major area, published from 2002 to 2006, in the 'Ciência Rural', a Brazilian scientific journal. Most of the studies (72 percent) were classified as incorrect due to the abuse of means comparison tests. In addition, only 4 percent and 24 percent were classified respectively as partially correct and correct.(AU)

Germination requirements and seedling shade tolerance are not correlated in a Chilean temperate rain forest.

• In a comparative study of 26 Chilean temperate woody species, the following questions were addressed. Are germination requirements correlated with seedling light requirements? Can germination requirements be used to delimit pioneer and nonpioneer guilds? • To assess dependence of germination on canopy gaps, germination percentages were compared experimentally in gap and understorey environments. Seedling light requirements were quantified by determining the mean light environment naturally occupied by juveniles of each species. • Germination was significantly higher in the gap than in the understorey in > 30% of the species, although only one germinated exclusively in the gap. In the understorey, germination was higher in 19% of species, whereas 50% were indifferent to germination environment. Several light-demanding species germinated abundantly in the understorey. Both cross-species analysis and phylogenetically independent contrasts showed that seedling light requirements were not correlated with responsiveness of germination to the gap environment. • Results suggest that germination requirements and seedling light requirements are not coupled, and that requirement of canopy gaps for germination cannot be used to delimit pioneer and nonpioneer guilds in a Chilean temperate rain forest.