Ana Maria Setubal Pires

Potiicoara brasiliensis: a new genus and species of Spelaeogriphacea (Crustacea: Peracarida) from Brazil with a phylogenetic analysis of the Peracarida

The second genus and species of Spelaeogriphacea, Potiicoara brasiliensis, is described (type-locality: Brazil, Mato Grosso do Sul, Bonito, Gruta Azul). The specimens were found swimming in a lake 50 m inside the cave entrance. The new genus is distinguished from Spelaeogriphus Gordon by having a shorter carapace, mandibular palp three-segmented, endite of maxilliped with a row of thick distal spines, pleopod 5 biramous. A cladistic analysis of the Peracarida suggests a sister-group relationship between Spelaeogriphacea Gordon, 1957 and Mictacea Bowman et al., 1985. The phylogeny of Peracarida is discussed.

MORPHOLOGICAL STUDY OF Sr 2 CeO 4 BLUE PHOSPHOR WITH FINE PARTICLES

Morphological and spectroscopic studies of Sr2CeO4 blue phosphor in the form of fine particles prepared from a powdered multi-component precursor, via a combustion method, are reported. Samples were also prepared through a solid-state reaction and from a polymeric precursor for comparison. Citric acid or glycine as fuels in the combustion method lead to a mixture which is heated at 950 oC for 4 h, resulting in spheroidal particles with a diameter between 250-550 nm. Samples from the polymeric precursor result in spheroidal particles (350-550 nm) and from the solid-state reaction in irregular particles (~ 5 mm). Therefore, the combustion method is adequate for preparation of Sr2CeO4 in the form of spherical fine particles.

Characterization and spectroscopic studies of Eu3+ and Tb3+ complexes with 2,2′-bipyridine-4,4′-dicarboxylic acid

This work reports on the synthesis of the ligand 2,2′-bipyridine-4,4′-dicarboxylic acid (bpc), the characterization and photophysical properties of Ln2(bpc)3·nH2O (Ln=Eu,Tb,Gd). The compounds were synthesized by the addition of LnCl3 aqueous solution to an aqueous ligand (bpc) solution (pH ∼7.0). The characteristic transitions 5Do→ 7FJ (J=0, 1, 2, 3 and 4) of the Eu3+ and 5D4→7FJ (J=6, 5, 4 and 3) of Tb3+ were observed. The lifetime measurements of the 5D0 and 5D4 excited levels (0.37 and 0.90±0.01 ms) are in agreement with three to four coordinated water molecules. The monoexponential decay curves reveal only one type of site for each ion in the complexes. The complexes were also characterized by thermogravimetric analyses and infrared spectroscopy.

A low-cost ultrasonic spray dryer to produce spherical microparticles from polymeric matrices

The spray-drying technique has been widely used for drying heat-sensitive foods, pharmaceuticals, and other substances, because it leads to rapid solvent evaporation from droplets. This method involves the transformation of a feed from a fluid state into a dried particulate, by spraying the feed into a hot medium. Despite being most often considered a dehydration process, spray drying can also be used as an encapsulation method. Therefore, this work proposes the use of a simple and low-cost ultrasonic spray dryer system to produce spherical microparticles. This equipment was successfully applied to the preparation of dextrin microspheres on a laboratory scale and for academic purposes.

Taxonomic revision of Bagatus (Isopoda, Asellota) with a discussion of ontogenetic polymorphism in males

Summary A taxonomic review of 15 species comprising the genus Bagatus (Asellota, Janiridae) is presented with the following species described as new (type-localities in parenthesis): Bagatus nereus (Ubatuba, Sao Paulo State, Brazil), B. triton (Belize, British Honduras) and B. brachydactylus (La Parguera, Puerto Rico). Taxonomic characters and ontogenetic variation is discussed, and the status of dubious species clarified. B. crosslandi (Stebbing) is reinstated as a valid species; B. longimanus Pillai is considered a junior synonym of B. algicola (Miller) and B. falcifer (Barnard) a junior synonym of B. parvus (Omer-Cooper). Keys to species-groups and to species are provided together with notes on the geographical distribution and habitat.

Aspects of the breeding biology of Janaira gracilis Moreira & Pires (Crustacea, Isopoda, Asellota)

Sao descritos, no presente trabalho, varios aspectos relacionados a biologia de femeas gravidas de Janaira gracilis Moreira & Pires. O marsupio e formado por 4 pares de oostegitos, que partem dos pereopodos I-IV. Os oostegitos, que surgem pela primeira vez no estadio 7 do desenvolvimento pos-marsupial (estagio preparatorio 1), crescem nas sucessivas mudas, atingindo no estagio 9 (estagio reprodutor 1) seu pleno desenvolvimento. O tamanho dos ovos e proporcional ao tamanho das femeas. O numero de ovos, por femeas, e proporcional ao volume das femeas, isto e, a fecundidade e mais elevada nos exemplares de maior comprimento. O numero de ovos, embrioes e jovens decresce com o desenvolvimento marsupial, sendo este decrescimo maior entre os dois ultimos estagios marsupials (i.e., entre os estagios C e D) do que entre os estagios precedentes. A taxa media de mortalidade marsupial e de 38.95%.

Ecological study on littoral and infralittoral isopods from Ubatuba, Brazil

No presente trabalho, foram estudados os padroes de distribuicao vertical e horizontal da fauna de Isopoda de costoes rochosos, bem como sua abundância relativa nos varios substratos investigados, visando ao conhecimento de alguns aspectos de sua ecologia. As coletas foram realizadas nas zonas litoral e infralitoral da Enseada do Flamengo, Ubatuba, Estado de Sao Paulo, Brasil. As estacoes de coleta variaram quanto ao grau de exposicao as ondas e profundidade. As amostras do litoral foram coletadas em abril e setembro de 1975 e janeiro de 1976, enquanto que as do infralitoral referem-se a abril e maio de 1965. Verificou-se que a exposicao as ondas e um fator muito importante na distribuicao das especies, havendo animais que so foram encontrados nas condicoes ecologicas oferecidas por locais expostos e semi-expostos, e outros que sao foram em locais abrigados. Entretanto, existem especies que ocorreram nas tres situacoes, sendo geralmente mais abundantes em uma delas em particular. O tipo de substrato mostrou ser outro fator que exerce grande influencia na distribuicao das especies. Substratos diferentes, coletados em um mesmo local e submetidos as mesmas condicoes ambientais, apresentaram variacao na composicao e abundância relativa da fauna de Lsopo-da. Esta variacao e dependente da estrutura do substrato, da protecao e da quantidade de nichos que ele oferece as especies. A maior densidade de isopodes foi obtida em Dictyota ciliolata, na franja do infralitoral. Foi encontrada uma relacao entre diversidade de especies e grau de exposicao as ondas. A diversidade de especies aumenta dos lugares expostos para os semi-expostos e decresce muito destes para os abrigados. O presente estudo revelou, tambem, a existencia de uma variacao estacional na abundância relativa e na diversidade das especies, sendo ambas mais elevadas em setembro.

Ecological studies on intertidal and infralittoral brazilian tanaidacea (crustacea, peracarida)

Summary Three species of Tanaidacea were found on the intertidal and shallow infralittoral at Enseada do Flamengo, Ubatuba, southeastern Brazil. Their vertical and horizontal distributions, as well as their density, seasonal variation and constancy are studied in relation to substrate and degree of exposure to wave action. Leptochelia savignyi and Teleotanais sp. have their vertical distribution from the midlittoral to 5–6 m depth, and Zeuxo coralensis from the midlittoral to 1 m depth. Leptochelia savignyi and Zeuxo coralensis are present on exposed, semi‐exposed and sheltered places, while Teleotanais sp. is absent from the last. The importance of the substrate as a factor influencing the distribution and the abundance of tanaids was again confirmed: sometimes the effect of the substrate is more significant on the animals than the wave action. The highest density of tanaids was found on the calcareous algae. Leptochelia savignyi is the most abundant species. There is some seasonal variation in the numbe...

The contribution of isopods in the feeding of sympterygia spp (pisces : rajidae) with a description of ancinus gaucho sp. N. (isopoda : sphaeromatidae)

The present paper deals with the isopods present in the stomach content of Sympterygia acuta and S. bonapartei, two species of Rajidae frequently found along Rio Grande do Sul coast. Eight species of isopods were found in the stomachs analysed, and Ancinus gaucho sp.n. showed to be an important food resource for the fishes, especially for S. bonapartei. The difference found in the diet composition of both species of skates seems to reflect a non selective feeding of the fishes on distinct benthic communities. The description of Ancinus gaucho is also furnished herein as well as a key to the known species of the genus.

Luminóforo azul preparado a partir do método de combustão

This work reports on the preparation of Sr2CeO4 blue phosphor with fine particles by using a powder multi-component precursor, via combustion method, varying the fuel. Citric acid or glycine as fuels lead to the formation of different phase mixture. After heating under 950oC both different phase mixtures result on a material that the mainly phase is the Sr2CeO4. White blue luminescence is only observed for these samples after thermal treatment and both of them present similar emission and excitation spectra that are characteristics of Sr2CeO4 phase. Therefore, the combustion method is adequate for blue phosphor preparation.