Abstract A lectin from the marine sponge Haliclona (Reniera) implexiformis (HiL) was isolated by affinity chromatography on Sepharose™ matrix. HiL showed specificity for galactose and its derivatives. The glycoproteins porcine stomach mucin (PSM) and bovine stomach mucin (BSM) were potent inhibitors. Hemagglutinating activity of the lectin was maximal between pH 5.0 and 9.0. The lectin remained active until 60°C. The presence of CaCl2 and EDTA did not affect the hemagglutinating activity. In SDS-PAGE, HiL showed a single band of 20 kDa under reduced conditions, whereas in the non-reducing conditions, it showed a band of 20 kDa and one additional band of 36 kDa. The average molecular mass determined by Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry (ESI-MS) was 35.874 ± 2 Da in native and non-reducing conditions, whereas carboxyamidomethylated-lectin showed 18,111 Da. These data indicated that HiL consists in a dimer formed by identical subunits linked by disulfide bonds. Partial amino acid sequence of HiL was determined by mass spectrometry, and revealed that it is a new type of lectin, which showed no similarity with any protein. Secondary structure consisted of 6% α-helice, 31% β-sheet, 18% β-turn and 45% random coil. HiL showed significant reduction in the number of viable cells of Staphylococcus biofilms.

Abstract A new lectin from marine sponge Ircinia strobilina, denominated IsL, was isolated by combination of affinity chromatography in Guar gum matrix followed by size exclusion chromatography. IsL was able to agglutinate native and enzymatically treated rabbit erythrocytes, being inhibited by galactosides, such as α-methyl-D-galactopyranoside, β-methyl-D-galactopyranoside and α-lactose. IsL hemagglutinating activity was stable at neutral to alkaline pH, however the lectin loses its activity at 40° C. The molecular mass determinated by mass spectrometry was 13.655 ± 5 Da. Approximately 40% of the primary structure of IsL was determined by mass spectrometry, but no similarity was observed with any protein. The secondary structure of IsL consists of 28% α-helix, 26% β-sheet, and 46% random region, as determined by dichroism circular. IsL was a calcium-dependent lectin, but no significant variations were observed by circular dichroism when IsL was incubated in presence of calcium and EDTA. IsL was not toxic against Artemia nauplii and did not have antimicrobial activity against bacterial cells. However, the IsL was able to significantly inhibit the biofilm formation of Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis.

Abstract The objective of this study was to investigate some life history traits of the palaemonid shrimp Typton carneus collected from a reef in northeastern Brazil. Samples of the sponges Amphimedon compressa, A. viridis, Desmapsamma anchorata, Dysidea etheria, Haliclona implexiformis and Tedania ignis were analyzed and shrimps were removed from them. A total of 41 individuals were found in Te. ignis, three in H. implexiformis and one in D. etheria; the latter two sponges are new records of sponge hosts for Ty. carneus. Of the specimens associated with Te. ignis, 24 were males, 10 ovigerous females, six non-ovigerous females and one juvenile male. Fecundity varied between 19 to 56 eggs (37 ± 14) per female, and the mean egg volume was 0.033 ± 0.010 mm³. Eleven heterosexual pairs were obtained. Characteristics of the pairs suggest a monogamous mating system for the studied population, such as: the absence of sexual dimorphism in weaponry and body size and presence of paired non-brooding and brooding females carrying eggs in different development stages; and a sex ratio that does not differ from the expected 1:1. However, the lack of size-assortative pairing as well as the low proportion of pairs, compared to solitary individuals, have been observed in polygamous mating systems.

RESUMO Ambientes de águas continentais estão suscetíveis a condições ambientais extremas, determinantes à evolução de várias estratégias adaptativas para estas condições variáveis. As esponjas de águas continentais produzem corpos resistentes chamados gêmulas, que contêm células totipotentes e espículas especializadas (gemoscleras). As gêmulas completamente formadas exibem baixas taxas metabólicas e podem tornar-se dormentes tipicamente durante períodos de estresse ambiental. Até agora, poucas espécies tiveram sua capacidade de eclosão testada frente diferentes condições ambientais. O objetivo do presente estudo foi testar a capacidade de eclosão de gêmulas para duas espécies (Heteromeyenia cristalina Batista, Volkmer-Ribeiro & Melão, 2007 e Radiospongilla inesi Nicacio & Pinheiro, 2011) de esponjas de águas continentais em águas de diferentes localidades. Foram realizados cinco ensaios (A): A1 (água do local da coleta das esponjas); A2 (água do Rio Pirangi); A3 (água da Lagoa Araraquara); A4 (água mineral) e A5 (água do local da coleta das esponjas). Para cada ensaio, três réplicas com 30 gêmulas foram usadas. As gêmulas foram observadas diariamente durante 30 dias. A análise de dados foi conduzida usando ANOVA e o teste aposteriori Tukey. Os resultados mostraram que gêmulas de ambas espécies submetidas ao A3 não eclodiram, provavelmente devido à alta condutividade. Há diferenças entre os ensaios (A1, A2 e A4) e entre espécies (F2, 12 = 77.2; P < 0.001). Ao comparar A1 e A5, houve diferenças significativas entre ambos os ensaios e espécies (F1, 8 = 27.5; P < 0.001). Radiospongilla inesi apresentou alta taxa de eclosão em todos os ensaios enquanto que Heteromeyenia cristalina teve uma alta taxa de eclosão apenas no ensaio com água do seu ambiente natural. Os resultados mostram claramente que cada espécie tem diferente capacidade de eclosão.

ABSTRACT Inland waters experience extreme environmental conditions determining the evolution of several adaptive strategies of the fauna to these variable conditions. Freshwater sponges produce resisting bodies called gemmules that contain totipotent cells and specialized spicules (gemmuloscleres). Completely formed gemmules exhibit low metabolic rates and may become dormant during periods of environmental stress. Until now, few species had their hatchability tested against different environmental conditions. The purpose of the present study was to test the capacity of hatching gemmules of two freshwater sponge species (Heteromeyenia cristalina Batista, Volkmer-Ribeiro & Melão, 2007 and Radiospongilla inesi Nicacio & Pinheiro, 2011) from inland waters from different localities. Five assays were tested (A): A1 (water of sponge collection site); A2 (Pirangi River water); A3 (Araraquara Pond water); A4 (mineral water) and A5 (A1 after drying gemmules). For each assay, three replicates with 30 gemmules were used. The gemmules were observed daily during 30 days. Data analysis was performed using ANOVA and a posteriori Tukey test. Results showed that gemmules from both species submitted to A3 have not hatched, probably due to its very high conductivity. There was a significant difference between assays (A1, A2 and A4) and between species (F2, 12 = 77.2; P < 0.001). Comparison between A1 and A5 showed significant differences between both assays and species (F1, 8 = 27.5; P < 0.001). Radiospongilla inesi presented high hatching rate at all assays, while H. cristalina had a high hatching rate only on A1 and A5. Results clearly show that each species has a different capacity of hatching.

Abstract The association of the caridean shrimps Anchistioides antiguensis (Schmitt, 1924) and Typton gnathophylloides Holthuis, 1951 with the sponges Dysidea janiae (Duchassaing & Michelotti, 1864) and Amphimedon viridis Duchassaing & Michelotti, 1864, respectively, is reported for the first time. The material was collected in coral reefs surrounding Santa Barbara Island, Abrolhos Archipelago, Bahia, Brazil. The shrimps occupied different locations inside the sponges. Previous records of associations between these carideans and other hosts were revised and the possible type of association between the shrimps and their hosts is discussed. The occurrence of the sponge A. viridis in the Abrolhos Archipelago is also reported for the first time.

É apresentada a primeira lista de espécies da ordem Ephemeroptera do Estado de Pernambuco, Região Nordeste do Brasil. O levantamento foi baseado em coletas em vários rios e riachos de 17 municípios. Foram registrados cinco famílias, 28 gêneros e 38 espécies, incluindo 22 novos gêneros e 31 espécies novas para o Estado de Pernambuco. Além disso, Farrodes tepui Domínguez, Molineri & Peters, 1996, Lisetta ernsti Thomas & Dominique, 2005 e Simothraulopsis (Maculognathus) sabalo Kluge, 2007 são registrados pela primeira vez para o Brasil.

The first list of the species of Ephemeroptera from Pernambuco State, Northeastern Brazil, is presented. The survey was based on collections from numerous rivers and streams of 17 counties. A total of five families, 28 genera, and 38 species were recorded, including 22 genera and 31 species newly recorded from Pernambuco State. Moreover, Farrodes tepui Domínguez, Molineri & Peters, 1996, Lisetta ernsti Thomas & Dominique, 2005, and Simothraulopsis (Maculognathus) sabalo Kluge, 2007 are recorded for the first time to Brazil.

The new dibromotyrosine derivative 3,5-dibromo-4-[3'dimethylamonium]propoxyphenyl]-N,N,N-trimethylethanamonium, here referred to as aplysfistularine (1), was isolated from the marine sponge Aplysina fistularis along with 2-(3,5-dibromo-4methoxyphenyl)-N,N,N-trimethylethanamonium (2), aplysterol (3) and 24,28-didehydroaplysterol (4). Their identification was performed by mass spectrometry, infrared, ¹H and 13C NMR, and by comparison with literature data. Compound 2 and the mixture of 3 and 4 were tested in vitro (inhibitory activity) with supercoiled DNA relaxation techniques, and showed inhibitory activity on human DNA topoisomerase II-α. Compound 1 was not tested due to paucity of the material.

Based on collections in five municipalities from southern Bahia, a new species, Paracloeodes quadridentatus sp. n., is described from Brazil. It can be distinguished, among other characteristics, by the presence of three, often four, well developed denticles on the tarsal claws, a characteristic that has never been found in other species of the genus. Besides the description of the new species, the following 14 taxa of Baetidae are recorded for the first time from the State of Bahia: Americabaetis alphus Lugo-Ortiz & McCafferty, Americabaetis labiosus Lugo-Ortiz & McCafferty, Aturbina georgei Lugo-Ortiz & McCafferty, Baetodes sp., Callibaetis sp., Camelobaetidius francischettii Salles Andrade & Da-Silva, Camelobaetidius lassance Salles & Serrão, Camelobaetidius sp. 1, Camelobaetidius sp. 2, Cloeodes cf. opacus Nieto & Richard, Cryptonympha dasilvai Salles & Francischetti, Spiritiops silvudus Lugo-Ortiz & McCafferty, Waltzoyphius fasciatus McCafferty & Lugo-Ortiz e Zelusia principalis Lugo-Ortiz & McCafferty. As this is the first survey of Baetidae from Bahia, and it was restricted to the southern part of the state, sampling efforts in other areas are extremely required and should increase considerably the number of species, or even genera, reported from the state.

O artigo apresenta uma pesquisa que teve o objetivo de traçar um perfil das representações sociais dos moradores de três localidades da Baía de Camamu, Estado da Bahia, sobre o Filo Porifera. O foco nos poríferos foi motivado pela grande biomassa de esponjas no fenômeno de arribação da baía e ausência de pesquisas sobre esses animais na área do ensino. A metodologia esteve pautada nas representações sociais, pois conhecimentos (re)construídos na vivência de um local característico, como o apresentado por esse ambiente, permitem desenhar perspectivas que subsidiam o ensino de Ciências, por exemplo, no tratamento dos obstáculos epistemológicos à aprendizagem de conceitos científicos. Foram realizadas sessenta entrevistas semiestruturadas, vinte em cada lugarejo (Ilha do Contrato, Barra Grande e Ilha dos Tubarões). Os dados foram organizados em categorias que resultaram num perfil de conhecimentos sobre os seguintes aspectos dos poríferos: estado vital, origem, taxonomia, ecologia, anatomia, fisiologia, utilidade antrópica e espongose.

This study established a profile of social representations by inhabitants in three locations in Camamu Bay (state of Bahia) of the Phylum Porifera. Among other reasons, the focus on Porifera is due to its significant biomass ascertained in the bay region's migration phenomenon and the lack of research on these animals in education. The methodology used was based on social representations because when knowledge is (re)built from experience of a location with a characteristic profile is compared to scientific knowledge, it is possible to draw perspectives for Science education, such as the epistemological obstacles to the learning of scientific concepts. Sixty semi-structured interviews were carried out, twenty in each place (Ilha do Contrato, Barra Grande, and Ilha dos Tubarões). The gathered data was organized into categories that outlined a profile of knowledge that includes characteristics such as seasonality, animism, behavior, classification, physiology, and anthropic utility.

Two species of Aplysina Nardo, 1834 are described in this article, Aplysina caissara sp. n. and A. fulva (Pallas, 1766). Additionally, a possible third species was identified as A. aff. cauliformis. Collections were done in the São Sebastião Channel area as an ongoing effort to assess the poriferan biodiversity of the northern sector of the São Paulo State coastline. Specimens were collected by scuba diving, and descriptions of external morphology are based on the observation of populations alive, and on extensive underwater photography. A literature review of other brazilian records of Aplysina was undertaken, and an ammended species list is offered.