José Eriberto De Assis

Phylogenetic relationships within Maldanidae (Capitellida, Annelida), based on morphological characters

The Maldanidae annelid worms are reviewed and the phylogenetic relationships of their subgroups provided, based on Hennigian principles and maximum parsimony. Characters were coded as binary and multistate (transformation series). We used 33 terminal taxa (species), and 50 characters. Characters were treated as unordered and of equal weight, and analysis was run in TNT. Three equally most-parsimonious trees were obtained with heuristic searches, with lengths of 64 steps; CI = 0.95, and RI = 0.98. The monophyly of Maldanidae was supported with 100% of bootstrap and jackknife values. As a result of our analysis, Arenicolidae remains the sister-group of Maldanidae, and both should be referred to Maldanomorpha. Maldanidae was supported by the following synapomorphies: dorsal prostomium; prostomium keel-shaped and fused to peristomium; torus globose behind median chaetigers; median chaetigers greatly elongated; number of pre-anal segments reduced. The subfamily Bogueinae was not monophyletic; Boguea and Boguella were included within Rhodininae. Clymenura, previously included in the Clymenurinae, was included within Euclymeninae. The taxa Notoproctinae, Maldaninae, Nicomachinae and Euclymeninae were grouped in the Maldanoplaca, a new taxon. Eight further new clades have been found, but were not named.

Lumbriclymene interstricta comb. nov. with a taxonomic key and a catalogue for all species of Lumbriclymene (Maldanidae, Polychaeta)

In this paper, we transfer Nicomache interstricta Ehlers, 1908 to Lumbriclymene Sars, 1872 based on a redescription of the type-specimen. We provide new illustrations for the species and new diagnostic features for the genus. Lumbriclymene interstricta (Ehlers, 1908) comb. nov. has 19 chaetigerous segments and four pre-anal achaetous segments; a prostomium rounded anteriorly, forming a slightly arched dorsal keel; semi-circular nuchal grooves; one acicular spine on chaetigers 1-4; and a small pygidium, with the anal pore bearing many small papillae. In addition, we compare the species with other subfamilies and genera of Maldanidae. We also provide a taxonomic key for all species presently included in Lumbriclymene. Finally, we provide a world catalogue for Lumbriclymene, containing synonyms and main references.

Morphology and larval development of Polydora cf. websteri (Polychaeta: Spionidae) in a tropical region of north-eastern Brazil

ABSTRACT Polydora websteri belongs to a group of the Spionidae known as the Polydora complex, members of which are known for building tubes within the shells of mussels and for their ability to infest commercially valuable bivalves, which causes serious losses for malacoculture. P. websteri is a species subjected to increasing research due to the global scale at which these infestations occur. In this paper, we describe the larval development of P.cf. websteri associated with the oyster Crassostrea cf. brasiliana in a tropical region of north-east Brazil. The main structures of all stages of development were analysed and compared to other populations of P. websteri. Ovigerous capsules of P.cf. websteri were cultured in the laboratory and the larval stages were analysed until metamorphosis. Ovigerous capsules were present in all sampling intervals, indicating that this population exhibits continuous reproduction. Up to 21 capsules per tube were found, and the number of eggs per capsule varied from 20 to 40. All observed eggs developed into larvae. Larval development from egg to recruitment stage did not exceed 13 days. Metamorphosis occurred when larvae attained 17 chaetigers, at which stage important diagnostic characteristics were revealed, such as the spines on chaetiger 5. The developmental stages of P.cf. websteri larvae, and the morphological features found at each stage, are in accordance with what has been recorded for temperate populations. In our study, the planktonic stage was found to be of shorter duration than elsewhere, which might be associated with the higher temperatures at which larvae were cultured compared to previous studies.

A catalogue of the scaleworm genus Lepidonotus (Polynoidae, Polychaeta) from South America, with two new records for Brazilian waters.

Abstract The genus Lepidonotus is the largest in number of species within the Polynoidae, with more than 70 described species and subspecies. A catalogue of 18 nominal species and subspecies of Lepidonotus from South America is provided, with valid names, synonyms and original citations. Redescriptions and illustrations of two species based on new specimens collected along the littoral of the State of Paraíba, northeastern Brazil are included. Lepidonotus carinulatus and Lepidonotus natalensis are reported for the first time for Brazilian waters. A comparative table of characters for all reported species and subspecies of Lepidonotus from South America is provided.

First record of Hydroides similoides (Serpulidae: Polychaeta) from Brazil

One specimen of the Atlantic polychaete Hydroides similoides is here reported as the first record for Brazil. After being first described from the Caribbean region (Puerto Rico—Venezuela), the range of distribution of this species is now extended to the Picaozinho reefs, State of Paraiba, Brazil (south-western Atlantic).

Avaliando o conceito de evolução biológica dos professores de biologia do ensino médio de João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brasil

A Teoria Evolutiva constitui a base da Biologia, incluindo estudos abrangentes e contextualizados sobre Meio Ambiente e Ecologia, que lidam com a Biodiversidade. O ensino da evolucao ajuda os estudantes a compreenderem o processo cientifico e diferenciar o que e ciencia e nao-ciencia. Nosso objetivo foi investigar os conceitos de evolucao biologica no ensino medio em escolas de Joao Pessoa, Paraiba, Brasil. Foram aplicados 30 questionarios contendo 10 questoes, que foram divididas em tres grupos. No primeiro grupo, formado por 2 questoes, os professores mostraram um bom nivel metodologico para trabalhar evolucao em sala de aula. No segundo grupo, formado por 4 questoes, os professores acertaram mais questoes metodologicas do que conceituais. No terceiro grupo, contendo 4 questoes-chave para o ensino de evolucao, os professores acertaram apenas metade das questoes que envolviam conceitos de evolucao. Conclui-se que os professores necessitam compreender mais claramente os conceitos cientificos relacionados a evolucao biologica.