(Bacillariophyceae) from Maurício river, Paraná, Brazil. Biota Neotrop., 9(4): http://www.biotaneotropica.org.br/v9n4/en/abstract?inventory+bn00309042009. Abstract:The biogeography and morphological variability of Gomphonema and Gomphosphenia species are still poorly known in Brazil. Due to the secretion of mucilage by the apical pore fields, Gomphonema is a common genus in periphytic algal communities, being well represented in richness and density. Studied samples were removed from Potamogeton polygonus Chamess. & Schltdl. and Egeria densa Planch. gathered in Maurício river, Fazenda Rio Grande, Paraná State. Twenty taxa were identified. Eleven species of Gomphonema and the genus Gomphosphenia were first recorded in the state of Paraná. In addition, the results of ultrastructural observations were presented. Variability in valve outline and ultrastructural details warrant further attempts to clarify the taxonomy of closely related species, such as: G. gracile and Gomphonema sp.5, G. contraturris and G. salae, G. capitatum and G. laticollum.

Although previous studies have already confirmed the toxicological potential of abamectin (ABA) in different experimental models (from invertebrates to vertebrates), almost nothing is known about the impacts the exposure to this pesticide can cause on birds. Thus, the aim of our study is to investigate the cytotoxic effects on the erythrocytes of female Japanese quails (Coturnix japonica) exposed to low abamectin concentrations. In order to do so, three experimental groups were proposed: "control," composed of quails exposed to abamectin-free drinking water; "ABA 1% median lethal dose (LD)," comprising birds exposed to water containing 15.5 mg a.i./L of abamectin (via commercial formulation Kraft® 36EC), and "ABA 10% LD," composed by birds exposed to water containing 155.0 mg a.i./L of abamectin. The micronucleus test and the tests applied to other nuclear abnormalities in the peripheral blood of birds were conducted 40 days after exposure. Our study revealed significant physical abnormalities in nuclear shapes (erythrocytes with asymmetric constriction nuclei, notched nuclei, indented and moved nucleus) of those birds exposed to higher abamectin levels. When all nuclear abnormalities were tallied, a significant dose-dependent trend was noted. Therefore, our study presents initial imprints on determination of abamectin-mediated cellular toxicity in avifauna which can be instrumental in checking polluted ecosystems.

The Itaqui reservoir in Paraná state, southern Brazil, is dominated by the floating macrophyte Pistia stratiotes L. and is used for recreation and irrigation. The reservoir's excessive plant cover suggests an extreme trophic state and interferes with multiple uses. The aims of this study were to determine the trophic state of the reservoir water and to document the limnological conditions and the composition of the periphytic diatom community before and after the mechanical removal of macrophytes. As each diatom species has certain autoecological requirements in a given geographic area, another objective of the study was to identify diatoms that can be considered tolerant of the reservoir's trophic state in a substropical environment. Local water samples collected for physical and chemical analyses, including estimates of chlorophyll a, showed the hypereutrophic status of the reservoir before and after macrophyte removal. Environmental conditions exceeded acceptable values for fishing and irrigation, providing a clear example of how the inadequate management of water resources can directly reduce their usefulness. Trimestral sampling was carried out between May 2008 and February 2009. For quantitative analyses, biofilms were scrubbed off glass slides submerged for 30 days at a depth of approximately 40 cm. Diatom samples were cleaned with potassium permanganate and hydrochloric acid and mounted on permanent slides with Naphrax. All individuals found in random transects under three replicates were identified and counted up to a minimum of 600 valves. Thirteen species tolerant of eutrophication were selected. Four species mostly known from low-nutrient sites may be considered tolerant of eutrophic conditions. The composition of the diatom community was influenced by seasonal changes in temperature and rainfall. Canonical Correspondence Analyses confirmed a correlation between higher diatom densities and the increased photic zone following macrophyte removal.Keywords: Itaqui Reservoir, PR, artificial substrate, eutrophication. Respostas das diatomáceas perifíticas à remoção mecânica de Pistia stratiotes L. num reservatório subtropical hipereurófico: dinâmica e tolerância ResumoA represa Itaqui, localizada no estado do Paraná, sul do Brasil, é dominada pela macrófita flutuante Pistia stratiotes L. e utilizada para recreação e irrigação. Esta excessiva massa vegetal sugere um elevado estado de trofía e interfere nos múltiplos usos do corpo d'água. Os objetivos deste estudo foram determinar o estado trófico da represa e documentar suas condições limnológicas e a composição da comunidade de diatomáceas perifíticas antes e após a remoção mecânica da massa de macrófitas. As espécies apresentam autoecologias específicas em diferentes áreas geográficas, desta forma outro objetivo foi identificar diatomáceas em ambiente subtropical que possam ser consideradas tolerantes ao estado trófico da represa. Amostras de água foram coletadas para analises físicas e químicas, incluindo estimativas de clorofila-a que evidenciou...

Periphytic diatoms from Fragilariales, Eunotiales, Achnanthales and Gomphonema Ehrenberg taxa were studied from a reservoir of the Itaqui River, in São José dos Pinhais, PR. Glass slides were used as artificial substrate that was collected after 30 days of incubation.

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Diatom growth strategies, which are used as a proxy to analyze disturbances and environmental impacts, can also provide reliable information about environmental gradients. In this study, we used diatom communities and biological traits to assess the structure of epilithic diatoms after an oil spill in a large tributary of the Iguaçu River (Paraná, Brazil). epilithon and water samples were taken on July 12th, 2004, and after an unexpected oil spill, on the following days: 09/19, 10/03, and 10/13/2004. We observed that the spill caused a distinct shift in both diatom composition and guild group. Diversity decreased and pollution-tolerant diatoms of the motile group became dominant in response to the elevated nutrient levels and reduced light. Tube-forming diatoms, which are strong competitors for light, dominated the epilithon 24 days after the oil spill. Both diatom guilds and growth forms were successfully used to predict the environmental conditions. While diatom guilds responded to disturbances along a temporal gradient, changes inside the guilds were the main factor for understanding the environmental gradient.