Abstract The present study investigated by palynological and chemical analysis (Flame Atomic Absortion Spectrometry) about the botanical origin and the heavy metals content (arsenic, cadmium, chromium, lead and mercury) of monthly honey samples of Apis mellifera L. over two years. The pollen types Apiaceae, Mimosa caesalpiniifolia, M. tenuiflora and Myrcia indicated the main floristic sources used by bees. M. tenuiflora was the most frequent of the pollen types, and because it predominates in different months in each year, which may indicate more than one species of the genus being foraged by the beehive. The climatic influence (rainfall and temperature) on the pollen diversity was investigated and was not statistically supported. The chemical analysis showed that the heavy metal content of the samples were below their respective limits of quantification, and, therefore, the samples can be considered safe for human consumption.

ABSTRACT Initiatives directed at managing information on aquatic plants can support different areas of scientific research, educational practices and political decisions for sustainable management and protection of wetlands and natural resources, as well as reveal knowledge gaps regarding aquatic plants and wetlands. Furthermore, such initiatives can contribute directly to consolidating wetland classification systems in Brazil. The objectives of this work are to present and explore the use of a data repository and online platform created specifically for the management of data on aquatic plants in Brazil. The data repository for aquatic plants was developed to store information on species occurrence records in a standardized form considering: systematics, taxonomy, habit, life form, geographic distribution, hydrographic basin, wetland, bibliographic references and herbarium material. A total of 3,903 records referring to the Southeast Region of Brazil were generated for the data repository. This total encompassed 1,036 species distributed among 132 families and 466 genera. Our results illustrate the diversity of information available regarding aquatic plants, circumscribe this group of species and serve as a source of data about them. Similar databases and electronic infrastructures can be developed for other flora in the future.

ABSTRACT The Brazilian Pantanal is an extensive wetland with heterogeneous habitats, primarily due to the river-floodplain system and plants with differential adaptations and reproductive strategies. Factors such as altitude, distance among plant formations, and flood pulse must be considered to better understand its diversity. Aiming to assess the influence of biogeographic patterns in this system, we analyzed the floristic composition of six areas along the Paraguay River, including residual relieves, verifying the pattern of similarity, and effects of distance and altitude. We recorded 356 species in 87 families, mostly perennial (75%), and some annuals (15%) and pluriannuals (5%). Herbaceous plants were the most represented (48%), followed by arboreal (23%), shrubby (15%) and epiphytic (14%) habits, only 12% being endemic to Brazil. The studied areas showed low floristic similarity, but higher resemblance of species between neighboring areas, and no relation with altitude. The upper Paraguay River is diverse, with high spatial variability of species, predominantly perennial. The river-floodplain connectivity may be a determinant factor in species richness and occurrence of endemic species.

The input of particulate and dissolved organic matter (POM and DOM, respectively) from terrestrial ecosystem drainage basins is an important energy and nutrient source in limnic food chains. Studies indicated that semi-deciduous seasonal forests located in drainage areas in Brazil have the potential to produce 7.5 - 10.3 Mg ha−1/year of POM. The global increase in vegetation destruction, such as forests, threatens this allochthonous resource and can have significant impacts on river and lake communities and food chains. Therefore, it is critical that exploitation and occupation protocols are updated to protect the transition areas between terrestrial and limnic ecosystems. This review highlights the existing knowledge of these ecosystem interactions and proposes responsible sustainable methods for converting the vegetation in drainage basins. This was based on Brazilian ecosystem data and the new "Brazilian Forest Code." This study also considers the importance of including flood tracks in permanently protected areas to improve Brazilian legislation and protect hydric resources.

Bancos de folhiço flutuantes são habitats efêmeros constituídos de troncos e galhos de árvores, flores, sementes e frutos retidos por uma variedade de mecanismos. Estes materiais formam uma camada espessa de matéria vegetal morta, que é colonizada por diferentes organismos, incluindo peixes que se alimentam de macroinvertebrados aquáticos presentes neste habitat. Nosso objetivo foi caracterizar as espécies e características tróficas dos peixes que ocupam esses bancos de folhiço flutuantes, bem como determinar se a composição da assembleia de peixes e a riqueza de espécies podem ser previstas pelo tamanho dos bancos. A amostragem dos peixes foi realizada em cinco rios da bacia amazônica. Dos 31 bancos de folhiço flutuantes amostrados que continham peixes, foram registrados 455 indivíduos distribuídos em 40 espécies, 15 famílias e cinco ordens. Siluriformes foi a ordem mais representativa, com o maior número de espécies e famílias. A fauna de peixes coletados foi composta principalmente por espécies carnívoras, que geralmente são encontrados em bancos de folhiço submersos de igarapés amazônicos. A composição das assembleias de peixes do 'kinon' pode ser prevista pelo volume desses bancos de liteira flutuante, tanto utilizando dados de presença/ausência quanto de abundância, mas não de riqueza de espécies. Em conclusão, os bancos de folhiço flutuante abrigam uma rica assembleia de peixes, que utilizam esse habitat como local de abrigo e de alimentação, e podem funcionar como refúgio para a ictiofauna dos bancos de folhiço submerso durante a estação chuvosa.

Floating litter banks are an ephemeral habitat consisting of branches, twigs, flowers, seeds, and fruits that are trapped on the stream water surface by a variety of retention mechanisms. These heterogeneous materials form a deep layer of dead plant matter that is colonized by a variety of organisms, including fish that forage on the aquatic macroinvertebrates found in this unique habitat. In this study, we aimed to characterize which fish species occupy the floating litter banks and their trophic characteristics, as well as determine if fish assemblage composition and species richness can be predicted by the size of the floating litter banks. Fish sampling was conducted in five rivers located in the Amazon basin. Of the 31 floating litter banks sampled that contained fish, 455 individuals were recorded and were distributed within 40 species, 15 families and five orders. Siluriformes were the most representative order among the samples and contained the largest number of families and species. The fish fauna sampled was mainly composed of carnivorous species that are typically found in submerged litter banks of Amazonian streams. The fish assemblage composition in the kinon can be predicted by the volume of the floating litter banks using both presence/absence and abundance data, but not its species richness. In conclusion, kinon banks harbor a rich fish assemblage that utilizes this habitat for shelter and feeding, and may function as a refuge for the fishes during the peak of the flooding season.

Mistletoe can have a major impact on the fitness of the host plant. If there is more than one species of mistletoe on the same host tree, the overall impact might be amplified. We report the occurrence of more than one species of mistletoe on the same host tree. Although it is not a rule in the field, to our knowledge, there have been no studies of this topic. In most cases, two species of mistletoe were recorded on the same host tree, although we recorded three species of mistletoe on one occasion. This demonstrates that different species of mistletoe can be compatible with the same host species. Therefore, compatibility (structural and physiological) might be an important factor for the occurrence of mistletoe. Recent studies have shown that if the mistletoe does not "recognize" the host species, the deposited seeds will germinate but the haustorium will not penetrate the host branch. This is probably the primary mechanism in the establishment of more than one species of mistletoe on the same host, which can trigger a cascade of harmful effects for the host species.

Ervas-de-passarinho têm sim sido regularmente estudadas em países temperados por afetar negativamente espécies cultivadas e florestas manejadas. Em comparação com ambientes temperados pouco se conhece sobre a ecologia das ervas-de-passarinho neotropicais. Desta forma, é necessário maior conhecimento sobre o grupo porque são importantes elementos de comunidades vegetais, atuando como recurso-chave para polinizadores, dispersores de sementes e herbívoros. Através de uma combinação de trabalhos clássicos já publicados com evidências empíricas recentes, nós apresentamos padrões emergentes da interação entre ervas-de-passarinho com os organismos associados e questionamentos para estudos adicionais. Existe um crescente interesse neste grupo no Brasil. E embora existam informações sobre dispersão de sementes, estudos sobre biologia reprodutiva são raros e representam um campo a ser explorado. O conhecimento da biologia básica das ervas-de-passarinho será relevante para modelar sua distribuição espacial usando uma abordagem metapopulacional ou epidemiológica. Nesta revisão nós sumarizamos os principais estudos conduzidos na região Neotropical para fornecer um panorama atual das pesquisas desenvolvidas, bem como novas ideias para futuras investigações, especialmente no Brasil.

Mistletoes have been studied in temperate countries regularly because they can be pests of cultivated plants and forest plantations. In comparison with temperate habitats, little is known about the ecology of mistletoes in the Neotropics. More emphasis should be given to neotropical mistletoes because they could be important elements of plant communities, acting as key resources for pollinators, seed dispersers and herbivores. Using a combination of findings from early mistletoe studies and empirical evidence from several recent case studies, we report emerging patterns of mistletoe interactions with associated organisms and propose aims for further studies. There has been increasing interest in working with mistletoes in Brazil. Although there are some data on the ecology of mistletoe seed dispersal, reproductive biology studies are scarce and represent a wide range of fieldwork to be explored. Knowledge of the basic biology of mistletoes will be very important for modeling their spatial distribution using metapopulation or epidemiological approaches. In this review, we summarize the studies conducted in the neotropical region in order to provide a framework for current research and new ideas for future investigations of mistletoes, especially in Brazil.

Chemical investigation of the leaves of Solanum sordidum Sendtn., Solanaceae, resulted in the isolation and identification of sitosterol, stigmasterol, 3β-O-β-glycopyranosyl stigmasterol, 3β-O-β-glycopyranosyl sitosterol, kaempferol-3-O-α-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-6)-α-glycopyranoside, rutin, and N-trans-feruloyltyramine. The structures of these compounds were established by analysis of 1D and 2D NMR spectrometric data and comparison with data in the literature. The evaluation of antioxidant activity showed an IC50 of 159.5 ppm for the chloroformic fraction and IC50 of 77.5 ppm for the hydromethanolic fraction.

Reservas extrativistas (RESEX) são espaços territoriais destinados à exploração sustentável e conservação dos recursos naturais renováveis, por populações extrativistas. Além disso, tem como finalidade implantar alternativas de renda que contribuam para a melhoria das condições de vida das famílias locais. Dentre as variadas possibilidades de renda pelas comunidades que compõem as RESEX, destacamos neste trabalho o uso das helicônias. As espécies de Heliconia são um dos mais vistosos grupos de plantas herbáceas das florestas tropicais. Entretanto seu uso como fonte de renda é desconhecido pelas comunidades que compõem a RESEX. Registramos 11 espécies de Heliconia na RESEX do Baixo Juruá com uso potencial como plantas ornamentais: H. acuminata, H. densiflora, H. hirsuta, H. lasiorachis, H. stricta, H. chartacea, H. juruana, H. marginata, H. psittacorum, H. spathocircinata e H. tenebrosa. Atualmente o mercado de plantas ornamentais está em expansão no Brasil, mas a Amazônia parece não estar acompanhando este processo, demonstrando falta de iniciativa política. A economia na forma do extrativismo praticada dentro das reservas florestais na Amazônia, mesmo acarretando alguns impactos diretos sobre a fauna e a flora, ajuda a manter as funções ecológicas originais da floresta evitando perdas futuras de biodiversidade regional. Adicionalmente, garante a continuidade das populações tradicionais no campo, com efeito direto na economia local e regional.

Extractive Reserves (Reservas Extrativistas-RESEX, in portuguese) are defined as territorial spaces destined for auto-sustainable exploration and conservation of renewable natural resources for the traditional population. Moreover, they are an alternative source of income for improving life conditions of the local families. Amongst the possibilities of income for the communities that make up the RESEX, which we discuss, is the use of Heliconia understorey herbs. The Heliconia genus is one of the colorful groups of tropical forest non-timber plants. However, as an income source, it is unknown to the RESEX communities. We registered 11 species of Heliconia in the Baixo Juruá Extractive Reserve with potential as ornamental plants: H. acuminata, H. densiflora, H. hirsuta, H. lasiorachis, H. stricta, H. chartacea, H. juruana, H. marginata, H. psittacorum, H. spathocircinata and H. tenebrosa. Currently in Brazil, the commercialization of ornamental plants is expanding, but the Amazonian region seems not to be following this trend, demonstrating perhaps lack of political initiative. Even though it causes some impact on fauna an flora, the practice of extractive economy inside the forest reserves in Amazonia helps keep the ecological functions of the forest intact, preventing future losses of regional biodiversity. Additionally, it guarantees the continuity of traditional populations in the natural areas, with direct effect on the local and regional economy.

Atualmente o uso de massa de modelar tem sido amplamente utilizado para testar várias hipóteses ecológicas. O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar se cores de frutos artificiais dispostos isoladamente nos ramos, ou em agregação, influenciaram a escolha das aves. Coletamos os dados em seis parcelas distribuídas homogeneamente em uma trilha de 3 km. Nós usamos desenho experimental pareado, de modo que todos os tratamentos estavam disponíveis para a comunidade local de aves em cada parcela. Os frutos artificiais vermelhos foram mais bicados do que marrons e brancos. Separando-se nos dois diferentes arranjos, vermelhos e marrons isolados foram significativamente mais bicados de que os outros arranjos. Embora nosso estudo tenha sido realizado em pequena escala espacial, frutos artificiais foram eficientes em registrar tentativas de consumo pelas aves. Embora não conclusivo a respeito da pressão seletiva que molda a dinâmica de polimorfismos nas cores dos frutos, bem como dos padrões de escolha pelos frugívoros, nosso trabalho corrobora recentes estudos onde aves preferiram frutos com maior contraste em relação à coloração de fundo imposta pela vegetação.

Modeling clays have been used in several ecological experiments and have proved to be an important tool to variables control. The objective of our study was to determine if fruit color in isolated and grouped displays influences the fruit selection by birds in the field using artificial fruits. Data were collected in six plots distributed homogeneously in 3 km long trails with a minimum distance of 0.5 km. We used a paired experimental design to establish our experiments, so that all treatments were available to the local bird community in each plot. Overall, red was more pecked than brown and white. Isolated red and brown displays were significantly more pecked than others display. Even though our study was conducted in small spatial scales, artificial fruits appeared to be efficient in register fruit consumption attempts by bird. Although inconclusive about selective forces that sharp the dynamics of fruit color polymorphisms and choice by frugivorous birds, our findings corroborate recent studies wherein birds showed preferences by high- over low-contrast fruit signals.

Nos trópicos, os estudos sobre a ecologia de interações parasito-hospedeiro são incipientes, sendo a maioria de cunho taxonômico. O principal objetivo do presente estudo foi identificar a fauna metazoária de ectoparasitas e analisar aspectos ecológicos da piranha Pygocentrus nattereri. As coletas foram realizadas em maio de 2002, na bacia do rio Araguaia, GO. Com o auxílio de linha e anzol foram capturados 252 exemplares de P. nattereri, dos quais 32,14% estavam infestados por crustáceos ectoparasitos. As espécies de ectoparasitas registradas foram Argulus sp. e Dolops carvalhoi (Branchiura) e Braga patagonica, Anphira branchialis e Asotana sp. (Isopoda). A prevalência e a intensidade média de branquiúros (16,6% e 1,5, respectivamente) e isópodos (15,5% e 1,0, respectivamente) foram similares. Isópodos foram observados nas brânquias do hospedeiro; os branquiúros foram mais freqüentes na região ventral, base da nadadeira peitoral e região gular. Nessas áreas, a pele é mais fina, facilitando a fixação e alimentação do parasita. As correlações entre o comprimento padrão do hospedeiro e as variáveis intensidade e prevalência de parasitismo foram significativas apenas para branquiúros (rs= 0, 2397, p= 0,0001; chi2 = 7,97; C= 0, 19, respectivamente). Os resultados sugerem que os sítios de alimentação e o tamanho corporal dos ectoparasitos provavelmente têm um papel importante na sua distribuição e abundância.

In the tropics, studies on the ecology of host-parasite interactions are incipient and generally related to taxonomic aspects. The main objective of the present work was to analyze ecological aspects and identify the metazoan fauna of ectoparasites that infest the piranha, Pygocentrus nattereri. In May 2002, field samples were collected in the rio Araguaia basin, State of Goiás (Brazil). A total of 252 individuals of P. nattereri were caught with fishhooks and 32.14% were infested with ectoparasite crustaceans. The recorded ectoparasites were branchiurans, Argulus sp. and Dolops carvalhoi and the isopods Braga patagonica, Anphira branchialis and Asotana sp. The prevalence and mean intensity of branchiurans (16.6% and 1.5, respectively) and isopods (15.5% and 1.0, respectively) were similar. Isopods were observed in the gills of the host; branchiurans were more frequent where the skin was thinner, and facilitated attachment and feeding. The ventral area, the base of the pectoral fin and the gular area were the most infested areas. The correlations between the standard length of the host and the variables intensity and prevalence of crustaceans parasitism, were significant only for branchiurans (rs = 0.2397, p = 0.0001; chi2 = 7.97; C = 0.19). These results suggest that both feeding sites and body size probably play an important role in the distribution and abundance of ectoparasites.

OBJETIVO: Determinar a freqüência das manifestações oftalmológicas de pacientes infectados pelo vírus da imunodeficiência humana (HIV) no período pós-HAART (terapia anti-retroviral com drogas altamente eficazes) e correlacioná-la com a literatura e com a experiência da Universidade Federal de São Paulo no período pré-HAART10,11. MÉTODOS: Foram avaliados os prontuários de 200 pacientes sucessivos atendidos no setor de Uveítes/AIDS desta Instituição, no período de maio de 2000 a fevereiro de 2001. RESULTADOS: Dos 200 pacientes, 84 (42%) apresentaram alterações oftalmológicas relacionadas à infecção pelo HIV na primeira consulta. Os diagnósticos oftalmológicos foram: 36 (18%) com retinite por citomegalovírus (CMV) (nove com doença ativa e 27 com lesão cicatrizada), 22 (11%) com retinite por toxoplasmose (nove com doença ativa e 13 com lesão cicatrizada), 15 (7,5%) com descolamento de retina (10 secundários à CMV, três a toxoplasmose e dois não determinados), oito (4%) com catarata (cinco secundários à descolamento de retina e uveíte pelo CMV, um por uveíte secundário à toxoplasmose, e dois indeterminados), oito (4%) com exsudatos algodonosos, entre outros. CONCLUSÃO: Observamos no período pós-HAART aumento do número de pacientes com exame oftalmológico normal e tendência à dimimuição dos casos de retinite por CMV, quando comparados aos casos examinados no período pré-HAART.

BACKGROUND: To determine the frequency of the ophthalmological findings in Human Immunodeficience Virus (HIV) infected patients in the post-HAART (Highly Active Anti-retroviral Therapy) era and to compare it to data from the Federal University of São Paulo in the pre-HAART era10,11. METHODS: Charts from 200 consecutive patients examined from May 2000 to February 2001 were reviewed. RESULTS: From the total of 200 patients, 84 (42%) presented ophthalmological findings related to HIV infection in the first ocular examination: 36 (18%) with Cytomegalovirus retinitis (9 active and 27 inactive), 22 (11%) with ocular toxoplasmosis, (9 active and 13 inactive), 15 (7.5%) with retinal detachment (10 secondary to CMV retinitis, 3 to ocular toxoplasmosis and 2 not determined), 8 (4%) with cataract (5 secondary to CMV retinitis, 1 to ocular toxoplasmosis and 2 not determined), 8 (4%) with cotton wool spots, 6 (3%) with acute retinal necrosis (4 active and 2 inactive) and 3 (1.5%) with intersticial keratitis. All patients with acute retinal necrosis showed T CD4 cells under 100 cells/microL CONCLUSION: The authors identified in the post-HAART era, rise on number of patients with normal ophthalmologic exam and decreased number of cases of CMV retinitis and ocular toxoplasmosis when compared to the pre-HAART era.

Registros de simbiose de limpeza entre peixes dulcícolas são raros. No presente trabalho registramos um juvenil de Platydoras costatus, limpando uma traíra, Hoplias cf. malabaricus em um riacho do rio Araguaia, Bacia Amazônica. A escassez de registros de comportamento de limpeza em peixes de água doce parece ser uma conseqüência dos poucos estudos subaquáticos nos Neotrópicos. Por outro lado, a raridade deste comportamento em ambientes dulcícolas está possivelmente relacionada ao curto tempo evolutivo disponível para o desenvolvimento de interações complexas, quando comparada ao ambiente marinho.

Records of cleaning symbiosis between freshwater fish are scarce. Here we report on juvenile catfish, Platydoras costatus, cleaning the piscivorous characin Hoplias cf. malabaricus in a stream of the rio Araguaia drainage in the Brazilian Amazon. The scarcity of records on cleaning behavior in freshwater systems seems to be in part a consequence of the few observational studies under natural conditions in the Neotropics. Otherwise, the rareness of this behavior in freshwaters is possibly related to the short evolutionary time available to the fish fauna to develop these complex interactions, when compared to the ocean environment.