Alessandra Valéria de Oliveira

Identification of Astyanax altiparanae (Teleostei, Characidae) in the Iguaçu River, Brazil, based on mitochondrial DNA and RAPD markers

Astyanax fishes are among the most important food-web components of South America rivers. In the Iguacu River basin, the Astyanax genus is represented mainly by endemic species. For millions of years, that hydrographic basin has been geographically isolated from the Parana River basin by the Iguacu Falls. Recently, a species from the Upper Parana River basin identified as Astyanax bimaculatus was revised and described as a new species named Astyanax altiparanae Garutti & Britski, 2000. Fauna endemism and geographic isolation triggered interest in investigations to evaluate the identification and genetic relatedness among two A. altiparanae populations from the Upper Parana River basin and the population identified as A. bimaculatus in the Iguacu River, upstream from the Iguacu Falls. Mitochondrial DNA sequences and RAPD markers revealed high genetic diversity within each population, as well as low genetic distance, high gene flow, and high mitochondrial DNA similarity among all three populations. In conjunction with morphological similarities, these results demonstrated that the population presently known as Astyanax bimaculatus in the Iguacu River should actually be stated as Astyanax altiparanae. Furthermore, it could be inferred that the A. altiparanae population is not endemic and most likely it was recently introduced in the Iguacu River basin, maintaining the ancestral genetic identity.

Genetic relationships of Plagioscion squamosissimus (Perciformes, Sciaenidae) from five Neotropical river basins evaluated using mitochondrial atpase6/8 gene sequences

The genetic relationships of native or introduced Plagioscion squamosissimus in five Brazilian Neotropical basins were evaluated using the mitochondrial atpase6/8 genes. Results revealed that the population of the Tocantins River basin is more basal than the native populations of the Amazon and Parnaíba River basins. Moreover, the populations of P. squamosissimus that were introduced in the São Francisco and upper Paraná River basins originated from the population of the Parnaíba River.

Molecular characterization of Moenkhausia (Pisces: Characiformes) populations with different lateral line developmental levels

The genera Hemigrammus and Moenkhausia have been traditionally diagnosed mainly by the former having lateral line completely pored whereas the latter having a lateral line with a few pored scales. Those features have been used to diagnose species of both genera in the upper Paraná River floodplain. Specimens with the diagnostic features of Moenkhausia bonita, collected in the upper Paraná River floodplain, exhibited different developmental levels of the lateral line, making it difficult to distinguish them from specimens of Hemigrammus sp. We analyzed the gene encoding cytochrome C oxidase I (COI) and intron 1 of the nuclear gene S7 to investigate the genetic similarities between the called Hemigrammus marginatus and M. bonita and to confirm their identities. Molecular sequences of other Moenkhausia species were analyzed for genus delimitation tests. The results reveal genetic similarities of M. bonita specimens with different developmental levels of the lateral line, and also distinguish between M. bonita and Hemigrammus sp. Species delimitation tests revealed that specimens from the upper Paraná River floodplain were M. bonita and were distinct from other Moenkhausia species. The developmental level of the lateral line is not a consistent characteristic that distinguishes between Moenkhausia and Hemigrammus species.

Análise Molecular de Espécies de Aspergillus Contaminantes de Uvas Vendidas no Comércio de Maringá-PR

Sensitiveness profile of microorganisms in the curimba Prochilodus lineatus (Valenciennes, 1847) was isolated, characterized and evaluated. Fragments of the fish body underwent microbiological analysis whereas microorganisms were isolated to investigate isolation, characteriszation and evaluation of the sensitiveness profile. Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterobacter cloacae were the organisms found, featuring resistance to three out of the eight antibiotics tested.

Padronização das Condições de Amplificação da Técnica rDNA 5S, para Obtenção de Marcadores Moleculares Espécie-Específicos em Populações de Hypostomus do Rio Ivaí

Natural dyes are used since the dawn of humanity, but were gradually replaced by synthetic ones, which, albeit practical, have a high impacting effect on the environment. Current study identifies the best methods in dyeing cotton fabrics with the natural dyes, turmeric and annatto, in order to obtain more consistent color tones and lower color release through fixatives with no impact on the environment. The best dyeing method in both cases was achieved by boiling in distilled water. The most efficient modants were vinegar and sea salt in quantities specified in the methods.Concerns exist with regard to cartoons since children build their meaning through images and pictures. Current study investigates whether cartoons influence children’s visual culture within child education. Strategies will then be identified for the use of visual resources in the educational process. This study was developed in a municipal nursery school with children between four and five years old, in Maringa PR Brazil. Two children groups were randomly divided – an experimental and the control group. The experimental group watched Snow White and Hercules cartoons, whereas the control group developed other activities related to the research. Interviews were undertaken to complement the investigation. Results show that cartoons may interfere in the visual culture during children’s education and the construction of stereotypes are warranted. Teachers should discuss films and cartoons seen by children, coupled to debates on ideas, concepts and opinions that may be elaborated thereby so that stereotypes, biases and social tags may be avoided. In fact, these factors inhibit the formation of meanings and the understanding of social reality.Social network is a set of interpersonal relationships consisting of two basic elements: social agents, network nodes and the connections between them. The dynamic network structure is transformed by emerging patterns of interaction. Although several web sites provide a platform for the formation of social networks, the networks formed around gospel music sharing in Multiply have many particular traits worthy of being investigated in current case study. The sharing of digital music on this site occurs within relationships of cooperation and conflict that go beyond the boundaries of cyberspace and are directly affected by the participants’ religious guidance. The cooperation in the exchange of knowledge and music was analyzed through the study of non-rival property, gift culture and collective intelligence. Sharing has caused much conflict with the recording industry, manifested in continuous court suits by Multiply to prevent the practice. Answers always consist of by-activities of interagents. The conceptual distinction between communication and information power is discussed. The lack of association between cooperation and conflict is fundamental for transformations in the communication, economic, organizational and social fields encouraged by the intersection between the human and the technological aspects in computer-mediated interaction.