A nomenclatural revision of fifteen taxa of Xyris (Xyridaceae) described by L.A. Nilsson (1892) is presented as part of a taxonomic revision of the genus in Brazil. All the protologues and type collections of these taxa were studied. The type collections were examined in the respective herbarium collections where they are preserved and complemented by images available on herbarium websites and ...

The dive performance, oxygen storage capacity and partitioning of body oxygen reserves of one of the world's smallest mammalian divers, the star-nosed mole Condylura cristata, were investigated. On the basis of 722 voluntary dives recorded from 18 captive star-nosed moles, the mean dive duration (9.2+/-0.2 s; mean +/- S.E.M.) and maximum recorded dive time (47 s) of this insectivore were compar...

The localization of calbindin in the kidney and cerebellum of Hystrix cristata was investigated immunohistochemically using an antiserum against the 28k Da calbindin of chicken duodenum. Calbindin-D28k is an intracellular protein with a high affinity for calcium. This protein is exclusively localized in the distal convoluted tubules of the kidney and in Purkinje cells of the cerebellum. Functio...

Helminths and bot fly larvae were collected from 11 wild ungulate species on a game ranch in the Central Province of Zambia. New host-parasite records are: Calicophoron sp. from defassa waterbuck Kobus ellipsiprymnus defassa and Kafue lechwe Kobus leche kafuensis; Avitellina centripunctata, Gaigeria pachyscelis and Gedoelstia cristata from tsessebe Damaliscus lunatus lunatus; Cooperia rotundisp...

Weed species Anoda cristata, Ipomoeahederacea,and I. trilobaare reported for the first time for the flora of Iran. Trianthema portulacastrum, andMerremiadissecta, which have been previously reported as a doubtful and an ornamental species respectively from non-agricultural areas, are recorded for the first time from arable and farmlands of the country. Exact localities, crops, distribution, ill...

Studies have emphasized the importance of wild birds in the transmission of pathogenic microorganisms to other animals, whether wild or industrial birds, as well as in humans. Among these microorganisms, Salmonella spp. has shown relevant importance. Sousa et al. (2010a) captured 48 wild birds near poultry facilities in the North of São Paulo city, Brazil and detected three birds positive for S...

The uropygial gland waxes of the South American red-legged Seriema (Cariama cristata (L., 1766)) were found to be composed of unbranched alcohols and 2,2'-dialkyl-substituted acetic acids which so far have not been found in skin lipids. When used as a chemosystematic character, the occurrence of this lipid class separates the order Cariamiformes (Seriemas) from all other avian orders hitherto i...

The Crested porcupine (Hystrix cristata L.) has been shown to have considerably increased in numbers, and to have occupied new territories in Tuscany, which is the northernmost part of its range. New data on its ecology and biology, and the negative effects of an excessive density of these rodents on the rural and natural environment are reported. Since this species is protected by law in Italy...