Abstract The Parapaguridae comprises hermit crabs that inhabit deep-water environments. In these environments, shell availability can be limited, mostly consisting of small and fragile-shelled gastropods. Thus, different strategies have evolved to mitigate this limited shell supply. Sympagurus dimorphus (Studer, 1883) lives in association with a zoanthid cnidarian that creates a pseudo-shell that grows with the hermit crab. In contrast, Oncopagurus gracilis (Henderson, 1888) inhabits small, calcified gastropod shells. Therefore, we selected these two species as models to test sexual dimorphism and shape patterns of their chelipeds and cephalothoracic shield, due to their different shelter acquisition methods. We photographed the animals and digitized the images to employ comparative geometric morphometric techniques. We tested the differences in shape between the sexes within each species, and also tested sexual size dimorphism based on centroid size. For O. gracilis, we found shape differences for the chelipeds and cephalothoracic shield, however, we only observed sexual size dimorphism for the chelipeds. For S. dimorphus, an inverse pattern was found, in which females presented more robust chelipeds, and sexual size dimorphism was present in which males were larger. These differences can be reasonably explained by their shelter acquisition methods, in which O. gracilis depends on small shells that limit growth, while S. dimorphus grows with its cnidarian pseudo-shell. The robustness found in the shape patterns may also be related to their behaviors, e.g., in addition to competition for shells, they also fight during mating. However, we emphasize that future studies with other populations of these species are needed for comparative purposes.

Resumen Este estudio representa un esfuerzo sin precedentes para evaluar la diversidad de los decápodos Brachyura y Anomura del infralitoral rocoso del Parque Estatal Marino Laje de Santos, un área preservada y protegida localizada en la costa sureste de Brasil. Las muestras se tomaron trimestralmente durante 1 año con la combinación de sustrato de refugio artificial para captura pasiva y buceo autónomo para captura activa. Se determinaron un total de 987 individuos distribuidos en 32 especies, 22 géneros y 11 familias. Presentamos un reporte taxonómico de las especies y se discuten sus registros de distribución. El ermitaño Pagurus brevidactylus y el cangrejo Mithraculus forceps fueron las especies más abundantes de Anomura y Brachyura, respectivamente. Como se esperaba, la combinación de los métodos de muestreo mostró un valor más alto del índice de diversidad de Shannon (H = 5.7) que los métodos individuales de captura pasiva (H = 5.6) y captura activa (H = 4.4). Este estudio provee el primer reporte de crustáceos decápodos para el parque, por lo tanto, puede ser usado como línea base para programas de monitoreo de fauna local y en los planes de conservación.

Abstract This study represents an unprecedented effort to assess the diversity of rocky infralittoral decapods Brachyura and Anomura from the Marine State Park of Laje de Santos, a preserved and protected area located in the southeastern Brazilian coast. Sampling was carried out quarterly for 1 year, using the combination of artificial refuge substrate (ARS) for the passive capture of specimens, and SCUBA diving for active capture. A total of 987 individuals distributed into 32 species, 22 genera, and 11 families were determined. We present a taxonomic account of the species and their distribution records are discussed. The hermit crab Pagurus brevidactylus and the crab Mithraculus forceps were the most common species of Anomura and Brachyura, respectively. As expected, the combination of the sampling methodologies showed a higher Shannon diversity index value (H = 5.7), than the individual methods of ARS (H = 5.6) and active capture (H = 4.4). This study provides the first record of decapod crustaceans for the park, therefore it can be used as a baseline for local fauna monitoring programs and conservation planning.

Abstract Rimapenaeus constrictus is a penaeid shrimp widely distributed in the Western Atlantic, frequently captured as bycatch in trawling activities. Here we describe the weight vs. carapace length relationship and the condition factor of the species. Shrimps were sampled in the Ubatuba region, northern littoral of São Paulo State, monthly. We analyzed 4,952 individuals (1,371 males and 3,581 females). We measured the individuals’ weight and carapace length, and the condition factor (CF) was calculated for both sexes. Females had a heavier body when compared to males, probably due to their greater maximum body size achieved. Both sexes presented a negative allometric growth in weight, probably due to their reproductive pattern and activities. We found similar mean CF values for males and females. From temporal analysis, the highest CF values for females were observed during the seasons with lower water temperatures. Such a situation may happen because females’ CF tend to be influenced by a greater food availability in the environment, induced by the intrusion of the South Atlantic Central Water during the spring and early summer in the Ubatuba. The information presented here could be used as subside in protection actions and management of bycatch species.

Resumo Quando os eleitores se preocupam com a honestidade de seus líderes políticos, políticos office seekers — sejam corruptos ou não — têm fortes incentivos para se comportar como se fossem realmente honestos. Construímos um jogo simples de sinalização no qual o político no poder desconhece a parcela do eleitorado que se preocupa com a corrupção. Nosso modelo explica algumas descobertas recentes da literatura empírica em Economia Política, a saber, que alguns incumbentes implementam políticas anticorrupção no último ano de seus mandatos (durante a campanha pela reeleição) e que os incentivos para adotar tais medidas são mais fortes quando a concorrência pelo cargo é maior. Entre outros determinantes, destacamos como a percepção dos políticos sobre o quanto os eleitores se preocupam com honestidade é crucial em sua escolha. Aplicamos nosso modelo ao cenário político brasileiro e mostramos que nossas previsões são apoiadas por evidências e dados anedóticos. Em particular, podemos explicar a mudança no comportamento dos incumbentes brasileiros após as manifestações de junho de 2013.

Abstract When voters care about the honesty of their political leaders, office-seeker politicians—whether corrupt or not—have strong incentives to behave as if they were actually honest. We build a simple signaling game in which the politician in power is unaware of the share of the electorate who care about corruption. Our model explains some recent findings of the empirical literature on Political Economy, namely that some incumbents engage in anticorruption policies in the last year of their terms (during campaign for reelection), and that incentives to adopt such measures are stronger when the competition for office is fiercer. Among other determinants, we highlight how politicians’ perception of how much voters care about honesty is crucial in their choice. We apply our model to the Brazilian political scenario and show that our predictions are supported by anecdotal evidence and data. In particular, we can explain the change in the behavior of Brazilian incumbents after the 2013 public revolts.

Resumo: Estudos acerca da morfologia de animais silvestres servem de subsídio para trabalhos de manejo e preservação de diferentes espécies, pois fornecem informações para a tomada de medidas que auxiliem na manutenção destes em cativeiro, na preservação em habitat natural ou mesmo para ações voltadas a reintrodução ao habitat de origem. Estudos referentes à morfologia de cutias abordam os diversos sistemas, mas nenhum faz referência à arquitetura ou estrutura de suas glândulas salivares. Assim este trabalho objetivou descrever macro e microscopicamente as glândulas salivares maiores de cutias. Foram utilizados dez animais adultos para o desenvolvimento de metodologias relativas à macroscopia propriamente dita das glândulas, microscopia de luz, microscopia eletrônica de transmissão e microscopia eletrônica de varredura. Foram identificadas quatro glândulas salivares maiores nos animais estudados, denominadas parótida, mandibular, zigomática e sublingual. As glândulas apresentaram-se como sendo do tipo tubuloacinares e contendo em seu parênquima ductos dos mais variados tamanhos. Com exceção da glândula parótida, que era estritamente serosa, as demais eram mistas. Da mesma forma, apenas a glândula mandibular foi identificada a presença de ducto do tipo granuloso. Apresentando as cutias os quatro pares de glândulas salivares maiores, estes animais podem servir de modelo para os estudos acerca das mudanças anatômicas sofridas pelos roedores para se adaptar aos diversos habitat do planeta.

Abstract: Studies on wild animal morphology serve as theoretical basis for the management and conservation of different species, because they provide necessary information for measures to keep these animals in captivity, in their natural habitat or even to reintroduce them into their original habitat. Studies about the morphology of the red-rumped agouti, Dasyprocta leporina, approach the various organic systems, but not a single study refers to topography and structure arrangement of their salivary glands. Thus, this paper aimed to gross and microscopic description of the larger salivary glands of red-rumped agouti. Ten adult D. leporina were used to study the macroscopic aspect of the glands, as well as the microscopic aspects with light microscopy, scanning and transmission electronic microscopy. Four larger salivary glands were identified: parotid glands, mandibular glands, zygomatic glands and sublingual glands. The tubuloacinar glands contained in their parenchyma ducts of extremely varied sizes. With exception of the strictly serous parotid glands, the others were mixed, and only the mandibular glands had granulous ducts. The red-rumped agouti with four pairs of larger salivary glands may be a model for studies concerning the anatomical changes in rodents for adaptation to various habitats.

Com o objetivo de traçar um perfil clinico-epidemiológico e estabelecer marcos do desenvolvimento neurológico de recém-nascidos prematuros aos 3, 6, 9 e 12 meses de idade corrigida, quanto às reações do paraquedismo e do apoio lateral, foi realizado estudo de coorte não controlado, com enfoque prognóstico. Foram incluídos no estudo recém-nascidos com idade gestacional até 36 semanas e 6 dias, com 2000g ou menos de peso ao nascimento. As reações do paraquedismo e apoio lateral estavam presentes em 8,1% aos 6 meses, em 87,5% e 90% respectivamente aos 9 meses. Foi possível avaliar as reações posturais do paraquedismo e do apoio lateral em crianças prematuras no periodo de um ano. Alterações na coordenação tronco-membros pode ser evidenciada no 1º ano de vida através de reações posturais, que são mantidas como marcadores de prematuridade até a idade escolar.

A non-controlled, prognostic cohort study was performed with the aim of establishing markers of neurological development and defining a clinical and epidemiological profile of preterm newborns at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months of gestation-corrected age in terms of parachute and lateral propping reactions. Newborns with gestational age of up to 36 weeks and 6 days, weighing 2,000 g or less at birth, were included in the study At 6 months of age, parachute and lateral propping reactions were present in 8.1% of the patients. At 9 months, the parachute reaction was present in 87.5%, and the lateral propping reaction was present in 90% of the children. It was possible to assess parachute and lateral propping reactions in preterm children in the first year of life. Alterations in trunk-limb coordination may be evidenced in the 1st year of life through postural reactions, which are maintained as prematurity markers until school age.

OBJETIVO: chamar a atenção para o diagnóstico da doença de Devic e realizar revisão da literatura. DESCRIÇÃO: paciente de 6 anos, do sexo masculino, apresentou subitamente paresia nos membros inferiores, que desapareceu no decorrer da internação. No entanto, à medida que a paresia desaparecia, ocorria perda da visão. Os sintomas só foram revertidos após o uso de prednisona. COMENTÁRIOS: a abordagem diagnóstica e terapêutica foi semelhante à usada em outros casos em diferentes centros de referência, ou seja, o diagnóstico foi clínico e o tratamento com prednisona, obtendo-se a melhora completa dos sintomas. Apesar disso, várias contradições ainda cercam essa doença, desde a etiologia até sua relação com outras doenças desmielinizantes, como a esclerose múltipla.

OBJECTIVE: to report a case of Devic disease, emphasizing its diagnosis, in addition to reviewing the medical literature. DESCRIPTION: male, six-year-old patient suddenly developed weakness in lower limbs, with resolution during hospital stay. However, as the weakness disappeared, loss of vision occurred. The symptoms were reverted after the use of prednisone. COMMENTS: the diagnostic and therapeutic approach was similar to that used in other cases reported by different reference centers. In other words, clinical diagnosis and prednisone therapy were used, with the complete improvement of symptoms. However, there is still some controversy surrounding its etiology and relationship with other demyelinating diseases, such as multiple sclerosis.