Individuals of Trachemys dorbignyi (Duméril & Bibron, 1835) less than 12 months old are examined for sexual identification through anatomical study of urogenital system. Histological analysis is used to confirm sexual identification. It is concluded that accurate sexual identification is possible in hatchlings using gonadal morphology. Differences between testes and ovaries are clear so histological analysis is necessary for this species only in case of doubts.

Artificial incubation of 558 eggs from 70 clutches of Trachemys dorbignyi (Duméril & Bibron, 1835) were performed at São Paulo Zoo during 1992 and 1993. Hatching occurred when eggs were incubated between 25 and 31.5oC. Incubation time varied from 54 (at 31.5oC) to 120 days (at 25oC), similarly to Trachemys scripla sspp. Hatchling used the caruncle to made small incisions in the egg shell, latter enlarged by movements of the head and forefeet. Hatching usually lasted from one to two days. Newborn's carapace and plastron showed their natural form few hours after the emergence from the egg shell. During the third or fourth week, caruncle usually disappeared, and yolk sac was completely absorbed. Average (x±sd) measures of newborn were 3.55±0.18cm of carapace length, 3.35±0.17cm of plastron length, and 10.73±1.36g of weight.

Este trabalho foi desenvolvido no S/CMS "Píndaro de Carvalho Rodrigues", Rio de Janeiro, 1988, por assistente social, nutricionista, enfermeira e médica. Teve como objetivos: melhorar a qualidade de atendimento; discutir os resultados dos exames, o tratamento e a importância do preventivo para a saúde da mulher; propiciar à mulher um fórum de discussões de suas questões; contribuir para a reciclagem dos profissionais, através da troca de experiências e de informações. A metodologia utilizada constou de agendamento para consulta subseqüente; avaliação dos resultados dos exames; estabelecimento da terapêutica; discussão coletiva dos resultados dos exames entre equipe e usuárias; discussão livre sobre temas de interesse das mulheres. Obtivemos como resultados: o aumento da oferta de consultas de primeira vez em 42,7%; do tempo de consulta em dez minutos por cliente; da cobertura de exame preventivo e de mamas; rastreamento de sífilis e gonorréia; melhora na qualidade do atendimento à mulher, enquanto ser integral: valorização de suas experiências e vivências, seja na discussão de queixas e problemas, seja na avaliação dos serviços de saúde. A relevância deste trabalho pode ser evidenciada no fato de ser uma experiência pouco comum, podendo servir como ponto de referência para a discussão sobre o aumento da oferta de consultas, aliado à qualidade no atendimento.

This experience took place in a Medical Center, in Rio de Janeiro, in 1988. The group responsible for it included a social worker, a nutritionist, a nurse and a gynecologist. The aims were: to offer better health care; to discuss the importance, the results and the appropriate therapies of the Pap smear; to offer women an opportunity to meet and discuss their problems, experiences, desires, expectations; and to offer to the health professionals the opportunity to re-think their own practices. The methodology used was characterized by making appointments for a medical exam subsequent to a Pap smear; evaluation of each Pap smear result and its appropriate treatment, previous to the group consultation; group discussion about the Pap smear results; and about themes brought up by women clients. The main results were: an increase of 42.7% in the number of women who went for their first medical exam; an increase of ten minutes in the length of each medical exam; better screening for syphilis and gonorrhea, better quality of health care within the perspective of women as integral beings (greater appreciation of a woman s own experiences, be it in terms of her complaints and problems be it in her evaluation of the medical care system). This kind of consultation is of rather recent date and if it becomes more wide-spread it could result in an increase in the number and quality of the medical exam.

Este trabalho foi desenvolvido no S/CMS "Píndaro de Carvalho Rodrigues", Rio de Janeiro, 1988, por assistente social, nutricionista, enfermeira e médica. Teve como objetivos: melhorar a qualidade de atendimento; discutir os resultados dos exames, o tratamento e a importância do preventivo para a saúde da mulher; propiciar à mulher um fórum de discussões de suas questões; contribuir para a reciclagem dos profissionais, através da troca de experiências e de informações. A metodologia utilizada constou de agendamento para consulta subseqüente; avaliação dos resultados dos exames; estabelecimento da terapêutica; discussão coletiva dos resultados dos exames entre equipe e usuárias; discussão livre sobre temas de interesse das mulheres. Obtivemos como resultados: o aumento da oferta de consultas de primeira vez em 42,7%; do tempo de consulta em dez minutos por cliente; da cobertura de exame preventivo e de mamas; rastreamento de sífilis e gonorréia; melhora na qualidade do atendimento à mulher, enquanto ser integral: valorização de suas experiências e vivências, seja na discussão de queixas e problemas, seja na avaliação dos serviços de saúde. A relevância deste trabalho pode ser evidenciada no fato de ser uma experiência pouco comum, podendo servir como ponto de referência para a discussão sobre o aumento da oferta de consultas, aliado à qualidade no atendimento.

This experience took place in a Medical Center, in Rio de Janeiro, in 1988. The group responsible for it included a social worker, a nutritionist, a nurse and a gynecologist. The aims were: to offer better health care; to discuss the importance, the results and the appropriate therapies of the Pap smear; to offer women an opportunity to meet and discuss their problems, experiences, desires, expectations; and to offer to the health professionals the opportunity to re-think their own practices. The methodology used was characterized by making appointments for a medical exam subsequent to a Pap smear; evaluation of each Pap smear result and its appropriate treatment, previous to the group consultation; group discussion about the Pap smear results; and about themes brought up by women clients. The main results were: an increase of 42.7% in the number of women who went for their first medical exam; an increase of ten minutes in the length of each medical exam; better screening for syphilis and gonorrhea, better quality of health care within the perspective of women as integral beings (greater appreciation of a woman s own experiences, be it in terms of her complaints and problems be it in her evaluation of the medical care system). This kind of consultation is of rather recent date and if it becomes more wide-spread it could result in an increase in the number and quality of the medical exam.

Das 67 espécies de anfíbios conhecidas do Rio Grande do Sul, 18 foram coletadas na Estação Ecológica do Taim, no sudeste deste Estado. Os Leptodactylidae são os mais diversificados na área, e os Hylidae os mais numerosos em indivíduos.

Out of the 67 species of amphibians known from Rio Grande do Sul, 18 were collected at the Estação Ecológica do Taim, in the southeastern part of that State. The Leptodactylidae are the most diversified ir the area, whereas the Hylidae were the most numerous in individuais

Chrysemys dorbigni is a common diurnal turtle in the Taim Ecological Station. Though females may choose nesting sites in the same area they do it isolately, not in groups. Data on female nesting site selection, building of nest and egg laying are given. Under laboratory and field conditions development was followed from the egg stage to the emergence of hatchlings and growth of juveniles. One to 16 eggs are laid per clutch. Nesting activity is coincident with periods of higher temperatures in the field. Abiotic conditions and incidence of predation have been considered to estimate the success of clutches.

Reptiles were collected during a period of two years in the Estação Ecológica do Taim, in the southeastern part of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, in a region characterized by large extensions of swamps, sand dunes and prairies. Out of 81 species of reptiles known from the State 21 have been collected in the station. Freshwater turtles are most abundant; others groups are poorly represented.