Right whales (Eubalaena australis) that gather on a wintering ground off southern Brazil have been aerial surveyed and photographically identified since 1987. As of 2003 the Brazilian Right Whale Catalogue has 315 different individual whales of which 31 were resighted in other years (23 females, 3 yearlings and 5 whales of unknown age/sex). No resightings occurred prior to 1994 and 71% (n=24) were recorded in 2003. The modal observed interval between calving events is 3 years, consistent with successful reproduction. From 1997 to 2003 the number of reproductive females in the Central Survey Area off Brazil increased at a rate of 29.8% per year (95% CL 15.7, 44.0), and at 14% per year (95% CL 7.1, 20.9) from 1987 to 2003. These rates are significantly different from zero (t=4.133, p<0.009 and t=4.06, p<0.004, respectively). The increase from 1997 to 2003 is higher than the rates observed for right whales in other wintering grounds in the South Atlantic. The right whales on the Brazilian wintering ground are not just transients. Ten percent of the whales have been resighted. If the number of whales continues to increase they will probably expand their distribution throughout their historical 2,400km range and come into increasing conflict with human activities.RESUMO: As baleias francas (Eubalaena australis) que freqüentam a área de concentração reprodutiva de inverno no sul do Brasil têm sido monitoradas através de levantamentos aéreos e fotoidentificadas desde 1987. Até 2003, o catálogo brasileiro de identificação das baleias francas conta com 315 baleias identificadas individualmente, das quais 31 foram reavistadas em outros anos (23 fêmeas, 3 baleias de um ano de idade e 5 baleias de sexo/idade indeterminados). Nenhuma reavistagem foi registrada antes de 1994 e 71% (n=24) foram registradas em 2003. O intervalo modal observado entre o nascimento dos filhotes foi três anos, o que é consistente com o sucesso reprodutivo. De 1997 a 2003, o número de fêmeas registradas com filhotes na Área Central sobrevoada no sul do Brasil aumentou a uma taxa de 29,8% ao ano (95% CL 15,7 -44,0), e de 14% ao ano (95% CL 7,1 -20,9) de 1987 a 2003. Essas taxas são significativamente diferentes de zero (t=4,133, p<0,009 e t=4,06, p<0,004, respectivamente). O aumento de 1997 a 2003 é maior que as taxas observadas para as baleias francas nas outras áreas de concentração reprodutiva de inverno no Oceano Atlântico Sul. As baleias francas na área de concentração reprodutiva de inverno no sul do Brasil não são apenas transientes. Dez por cento das baleias têm sido reavistadas. Se o número continuar a aumentar, pode-se esperar que as baleias francas reocupem sua área de distribuição histórica ao longo de cerca de 2400km de costa, aumentando a possibilidade de conflitos entre as baleias francas e atividades humanas.

ABSTRACT. A detailed analysis of the interactions between Tursiops /runco/us (Montagu, 1821) and the artisanal fishing of mullets (MugU spp.) is presented at two localities in the south of Brazil: Laguna (Santa Catarina) and Imberrramandai (Rio Grande do Sui). Its behavioral strategies and the advantages of their association are re-described and quantified based on the success of the capture and on the selectivity of the prey sizes. The mullets are the main resource involved (92 % to 75%) both at numerical level and as biomass. Twenty individuals of Tursiops /runcollls participated in the interactions in Laguna and 9 in Imberrramandai. The participation and learning of calves is also reported.

Residence patterns, habitat use, range, and some population estimate of the coastal bottlenose dolphin, Tursiops truncatus (Montagu, 1821), were documented in two coastal sites in southern Brazil: Laguna (Santa Catarina) (28º30'S; 48º55'W), and Imbe/Tramandai (Rio Grande do Sul) (29º58'S; 50º07'W). Regular observations were carried out at the Laguna system for 27 months (August 1989 to December 1991). The dolphins were photo-identified using natural permanent marks. Over 4,500 photograps were taken from shore grounds 6 to 14 meters away. Up to 51 dolphins have used the estuaries of Laguna's canal and Imarui-Santo Antonio's lagoon system in 1991. A stable group of nine animals has inhabited the Imbe/Tramandai area for over 13 years. Both sites were considered distinctive geographical communities, with 5.7% interchange within their individuals. In Laguna 88.5% of the individuals were resident and the rest were nonresident. Four cases of movement along the coastline were followed and females were more resident than males

Entre janeiro de 2005 e dezembro de 2006 foram realizados estudos sobre a composição e abundância relativa dos mamíferos de médio e grande porte do Parque Estadual do Turvo. Para tanto, foram utilizados registros de armadilhas fotográficas além de visualizações e dados sobre presença e ausência de pegadas ao longo de transectos pré-determinados. No total foram registradas 29 espécies de mamíferos de médio e grande porte, das quais Dasyprocta azarae Lichtenstein, 1823 e Sylvilagus brasiliensis (Linnaeus, 1758) foram as espécies com maior número de registros. No que se refere a Carnivora, Nasua nasua (Linnaeus, 1766) e Leopardus pardalis (Linnaeus, 1758) tiveram os maiores índices de registro, enquanto Leopardus tigrinus (Schreber, 1775), Leopardus wiedii (Schinz, 1782) e Galictis cuja (Molina 1782) os menores. Entre os ungulados apenas Pecari tajacu (Linnaeus, 1758) mostrou-se freqüente, sendo a quarta espécie em número de registros. Algumas espécies comuns em outros ambientes apresentaram baixos índices de registro no Parque Estadual do Turvo, tais como Dasypus novemcinctus Linnaeus, 1758 e Didelphis albiventris Lund, 1840. Finalmente, constata-se a provável extinção local de Tayassu pecari (Link, 1795), uma vez que não foram obtidos registros de sua presença ao longo do estudo. A conservação dos mamíferos de médio e grande porte do Parque está fortemente associada à preservação do "Corredor Verde de Misiones", que provavelmente representa uma área fonte para diversas espécies.

Chiroptera is the second largest order of mammals (KALKO 1998). In tropical forests, this group accounts for nearly 40 to 50% of the total mastofauna, thus strongly affecting richness and diversity patterns (ESTRADA & COATES-ESTRADA 2001). Moreover, bats occupy a variety of trophic niches, including frugivore, nectarivore, carnivore, sanguivore, piscivors, and insectivore species (FLEMING et al. 1972). Due to their considerable feeding plasticity, this group interacts with a broad spectrum of organisms (BERNARD & FENTON 2007), playing a fundamental role in the maintenance of ecological processes (KALKO 1998, BERNARD 2001, FALCÃO et al. 2003). Because of the great ecological importance of bat assemblages, several studies have been conducted focusing on their structure (

1. The common dolphins (genus Delphinus) have one of most problematic taxonomies and complex distribution patterns of all cetaceans. Although the taxonomy and the distribution seem to have been clarified somewhat in the eastern North Pacific and Indo-Pacific Oceans, many questions remain in the Southwestern Atlantic Ocean (SWA). We review the biogeography of Delphinus in the SWA. 2. We reviewed data from strandings, incidental catches and sightings since 1922. Systematic surveys were conducted in five major areas. Twenty-one natural history collections were examined, and 135 skulls were measured. 3. A total of 184 records of common dolphins were compiled. Delphinus apparently occurs in three stocks in the SWA: one located in northern Brazil and two from southeastern Brazil (~22°S) to central Argentina (~42°S). Two distinct patterns in habitat use were observed by depth: in southeastern Brazil, sightings were restricted to coastal waters with water depths ranging from 18m to 70m. On the other hand, in the area that extends from southern Brazil to Central Argentina (from 28°S to 42°S), sightings were recorded in deeper waters, ranging from 71m to 1435m, with the exception of occasional coastal sightings. The cranial analyses demonstrated that both short-beaked common dolphins Delphinus delphis and long-beaked common dolphins Dephinus capensis occur in the SWA. 4.In the SWA, Delphinus seems to occur near areas of high productivity. One stock is associated with the productive waters discharged by the Amazon River and possibily with the coastal upwelling system off the coast of Venezuela, while the other stocks are associated with the Cabo Frio upwelling system and the Subtropical Convergence. Our results indicate that the current taxonomy does not adequately reflect the amount of variation within the genus in the world.

-We analyzed 63 cases of dental anomalies from 62 specimens of a total sample of 516 specimens of the Atlantic population of South American sea lions, Otaria byronia de Blainville, 1820. The anomalies were represented by 53 cases of missing upper post-canine 6 (second molars), seven cases of maxillary or mandibular extra teeth, two cases of "dentes geminati" and one case of reduced teeth. Considering a phylogenetic framework where all otariid species and basal Pinnipedimorpha are included, missing post-canine 6 could be related to evolutionary trends in Otariidae towards a progressive reduction and loss of teeth (agenesis). The occurrence of the upper post-canine 6 in Otaria Péron, 1816 as in Phocarctos Peters, 1866 is usually regarded as a primitive character. Alternatively, when adopting another cladistic procedure, this could be interpreted as a taxic atavism at the base of Otaria/Phocarctos clade. Extra-mandibular teeth are related to a concrete case of spontaneous atavism in the dentition of Otaria byronia, in retrogression to ancient groups like the Miocene pinnipediform Pteronarctos Barnes, 1989. The other anomalies -maxillary extra teeth, "dentes geminati" and reduced teeth -are caused by some disturbance on the epigenetic system underlying dental morphogenesis leading to duplication, coalescence or duplication and reduction of the dental germ, respectively. Dental formula in Otaria byronia shows a high degree of variability and this variability must be considered in the light of their phylogenetic relationships and their evolutionary history. The ecological approach suggests that dental anomalies do not affect longevity, and are unrelated to dietary items or environmental disturbances, but these points need more careful studies.Resumo -Foram analisadas 63 anomalias dentárias em 62 espécimes de uma amostra total de 516 indivíduos da população Atlântica do leão marinho sul-americano Otaria byronia de Blainville, 1820. As anomalias foram representadas por 53 casos de pós-caninos 6 (segundos molares) ausentes, sete casos de dentes extranumerários maxilares/mandibulares, dois casos de dentes geminados, e um caso de dente reduzido. Considerando um contexto filogenético onde são incluídas todas as espécies de otarídeos e também Pinnipedimorpha basais, a ausência do pós-canino 6 pode estar relacionada às tendências evolutivas de redução e perda desse dente (agênese). A ocorrência dos sextos pós-caninos superiores em Otaria Perón, 1816 e em Phocarctos Peters, 1866 é, usualmente, considerada um caráter primitivo. Alternativamente, adotando-se um procedimento cladístico distinto, isto poderia ser interpretado como um atavismo táxico na base do clado Otaria/Phocarctos. Dentes extranumerários mandibulares são considerados casos concretos de atavismos espontâneos na dentição de Otaria byronia, em retrogressão a grupos ancestrais como o pinipedimorfo do Mioceno Pteronarctos Barnes, 1989. As outras anomalias -dente extranumerário maxilar, dente geminado e dente reduzido -são causadas por algum distúrbio no sis...

ABSTRACT. Geographica l d istribution and morphological analysis of Artibeus lituratusOlfers andArtibeusfimbriatusGray (Chiroptera, Phyllostom idae) in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. A study has been made on the geographical distribution and comparative externa I and cranial morphological analysis ofArlibeus liluratus Olfers, 1818 and Artibeusfimbrialus Gray, 1838 (Chiroptera, Phyllostomidae) in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. A. liluralus and A. jill1brialus were found to be sympatric in the state n0l1h to the " Planície Costeira", in the "Depressão Central", in the hillsides of "Serra Geral", and in the northern region ofthe state, areas previously covered by forests . The southernmost point for Artibeus Leach, 1821 distribution is 30° South, and A. liluratus and A. jimbriallls are the two species found more to the south. The two species studied do not show sexual dimorphism as to exte1l1al characteristics. Cranial measurements revealed significant differences between males and fema les of A. liluralus in mandible length, which was significantly 1arger in females(p <5%), and between males and females of A.jimbrialus, in the length ofthe set oflower teeth and in the externa1 width between the cingula of canine teeth, which were significantly larger in males (p<5%). No further morphological cranial differences were found between genders of both species. A. liluralus and A. jimbrialus can be externally distinguished by size, for A. liluralus is larger than A. jimbrialus as concerns ali external dimensions ana!ysed except for the tibia length (p<5%). The two species can also be differentiated by pelage colour, hair length, and facial stripes appearance. ln the skull, a number of difterences were found in rostrum format, in the deveJopmental degree ofsupraorbital and post-orbita! crests and pre-orbita! and post-orbital processes, and in severa! cranial dimensions analysed. KEY WORDS. Phyllostomidae, Arlibeus liluralus, Arlibeus jimbriatus, distribution, morphology, South Brazil Os morcegos do gênero Artibells Leach, 1821 (Phyllostomidae, Stenodermatinae) distribuem-se desde o México até o norte da Argentina e sul do Brasil