SUMMARY:The excavatory movements of the spade-snouted amphisbaenid Leposternon microcephalum (Reptilia, Squamata) was studied with the aid of videofluorscopy (X-ray) techniques. This allows the observation of skull and column movements along tunneling, and a more detailed motion observation, being so a novel approach for amphisbaenian excavatory researches. A single specimen of Leposternon microcephalum was kept in a glass terrarium filled with semoline, and filmed with a scopy (X-ray) machine. Fixed anatomical marks on the head of the specimen were put in drawings from the framed recordings. Selected sequences of the recordings were fragmented in isolated frames for motion observation. The analysis of the recordings revealed a repetitive pattern of excavatory cycles, with retreating and downward bending of the head before its upstroke to compact the substrate tunnel roof. Follows a dropping of the head, which lays over the substrate giving support for the next retreating and downward head bending. This is an essential step that was neglected in earlier cycle descriptions. The initial downward head bending was not previously properly described for spade-snouted amphisbaenians. The excavatory movements of spade-snouted amphisbaenians are usually treated as a two-stepped cycle, but the evidence that this excavatory cycle has three steps is given here.

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Most studies on excavation behaviour of Amphisbaenia have been based on descriptive analysis through visual observation or external body motion records. Herein, we recorded the excavatory gaits of the shovel-headed amphisbaenid Leposternon microcephalum using videofluoroscopy. This technique films by X-ray emission, allowing a more detailed analysis of the amphisbaenid's underground locomotor behaviour and performance. Thus, we described, for the first time, its ascendant excavatory cycle and backward movement. Furthermore, we analysed its performance through the quantitative data (e.g. speed, travel distance, frequency, time) of each fossorial gait, including the three-step excavatory cycle previously described in the literature. When comparing the three-step and the four-step excavatory cycles, the first presented high average speed and short travel distances. Our original hypothesis that there was a relation between retreat/ downward movement of the head and the intensity of burrowing activity was not corroborated by the regression analyses. This movement seems to be just a part of the motion needed to perform the excavatory cycle, not a propulsion step influencing burrowing activity. The results presented in this work contribute to a better understanding of L. microcephalum fossorial behaviour. Further studies can be performed to better describe and compare excavation patterns and performance among different amphisbaenian skull morphotypes (round headed, keel headed, shovel headed and spade headed).

Here we present a commented list of mammals registered in the Serra da Bocaina National Park. Three field trips (February, 2010, and May and July, 2011) were accomplished along the RJ-165 highway in the Municipality of Paraty, State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Forty-eight species belonging to nine orders were recorded. The local mammal fauna could be considered diverse and rich, with some species regarded as biological indicators of habitat quality. Endangered and rare rodent species like Blarinomys breviceps, Juliomys rimofrons, and Thaptomys nigrita were captured. Road and hunting impacts on mammals are discussed.

RESUMO. Os objetivos deste estudo foram avaliar os efeitos da sombra natural e artificial e da aspersão de água nas respostas fisiológicas (temperatura retal e frequência respiratória) e produtivas (gordura, proteína e células somáticas) de 20 vacas leiteiras da raça Holandesa, durante o verão. As vacas foram divididas em dois grupos e submetidas a dois ambientes (sol e sombra) com e sem aspersão de água antes e depois da ordenha. A velocidade do vento, temperatura e umidade relativa, temperatura do globo-negro e produção de leite foram registradas diariamente. A temperatura retal e a freqüência respiratória foram medidas duas vezes por semana de manhã e à tarde; o leite, analisado quinzenalmente. A freqüência respiratória, a produção de leite e a contagem de células somáticas foram influenciadas (p<0,01) pelos fatores meteorológicos considerados. A temperatura retal não sofreu influência dos tratamentos. O fornecimento de sombra e a aspersão de água mostraram ser benéficas às vacas.Palavras-chave: conforto térmico, freqüência respiratória, gado leiteiro, temperatura retal.ABSTRACT. Effects of shade and water spray on physiological and production responses of dairy cows in tropical climate. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effect s of natural and artificial shade and sprinkling water on the physiologic responses (rectal temperature and respiration rate), and productive (fat, protein and somatic cells) of 20 Holstein-Friesian dairy cows, during the summer. The cows were divided in two groups and submitted for two environment (sun and shade) with and without water sprinkling before and after milking. Wind speed, temperature and relative humidity, black globe temperature and milk yield were recorded daily. Rectal temperature and respiration rate were measured twice weekly on the morning and evening; milk analyzed fortnightly. Respiration rate, milk yield and somatic cell number were affected (P<0,01) for considered meteorological factors. Rectal temperature did not affect by treatments shade supply and water sprinkling showed to be profitable to the cows.Key words: milk cows, rectal temperature, respiration rate, thermal comfort. IntroduçãoEm muitos países em desenvolvimento, cada vez mais vem-se adotando os sistemas intensivos de produção animal. E essa produção é avaliada com certa precisão, através de medidas de variáveis apropriadas, tais como ganho de peso, eficiência alimentar e quantidade de leite. A literatura é vasta nas verificações dos fatores ambientais que impõem, coletiva ou separadamente, um certo grau de desgaste nos animais, mensurável pelos resultados das disfunções verificadas na homeotermia.Segundo Nããs (1989), pesquisas demonstram que a eficiência do desempenho animal é resultado do funcionamento do seu sistema homeotérmico, e disfunções desse sistema provocam alterações significativas na eficácia da produção.As diferenças climáticas existentes entre o país de origem e o nosso país impedem esses animais de expressarem seu potencial genético para produção leiteira, em função do ...

GADELHA-ALVES, R.; ROZENSZTRANCH, A. M. S. & ROCHA-BARBOSA, O. Comparative intestinal histomorphology of five species of Phyllostomid Bats (Phyllostomidae, Microchiroptera): ecomorphological relations with alimentary habits. Int. J. Morphol., 26(3):591-602, 2008. SUMMARY:The intestines of Sturnira lilium, Phyllostomus hastatus, Carollia perspicillata, Glossophaga soricina and Desmodus rotundus were analized through macroscopic, morphometric and light microscopy studies. The species studied presented some common characteristics generally found in bats, such as the absence of a caecum and an appendix. The frugivorous bat S. lilium has a longer intestine than the other species. The intestinal epithelium is of the simple columnar type, constituted of absorptive cells characterized by microvilli and goblet cells, which in all the species proved to be PAS + and AB +. These cells presented some differences in quantity and in distribution among the species. The intestinal mucosa presented morphologic and morphometric differences, such as the shape and size of villi as well as the length of the crypts of Lieberkühn. Histologically the different intestinal portions could be distinguished: in the middle portion we found few goblet cells and long villi; in the distal portion we found an increase in goblet cells and a decrease in villi height; and in the large intestine no villi were found, but rather abundant intestinal glands with numerous goblet cells. In C. perspicillata, P. hastatus and G. soricina we could observe Peyer`s patches in the distal portion near the large intestine, whereas in D. rotundus and S. lilium we found aggregations of lymphoid nodulous tissue distributed along the tube. In all species we observed the presence of Paneth cells at the base of the crypts of Lieberkühn. We could observe differences among the species in the distribution of collagen in the small intestine submucosa and serosa. The outer muscular layer has one circular layer and a longitudinal layer, the circular layer increasing in thickness along the tube. Large intestine characteristics are uniform among the species. Structures such as the taenia coli and the appendices epiploicae were absent. These results should contribute not only to improve understanding of bat morphology, but also to provide grounds for the evaluation of evolutionary models on the adaptive radiation of phyllostomid feeding habits. Part of a M.Sc. dissertation (Rafaela Gadelha-Alves). GADELHA-ALVES, R.; ROZENSZTRANCH, A. M. S. & ROCHA-BARBOSA, O. Comparative intestinal histomorphology of five species of Phyllostomid Bats (Phyllostomidae, Microchiroptera): ecomorphological relations with alimentary habits. Int. J. Morphol., 26(3):591-602, 2008. · Phyllostomus hastatus (Subfamily Phyllostominae): MN 56210, MN 56233, MN 56234, MN 56235, MN 56236, MN 56238, MN 59715, MN 59835. · Carollia perspicillata (Subfamily Carolliinae): MN 56262, MN 56289, MN 56292, MN 56293, MN 56324, MN 56352, MN 59694, MN 59696, MN 59721, MN 59732, MN 59739, MN 59803, MN 59810. · Desmodus rotundu...

RESUMO -Um experimento envolvendo 60 suínos (½ machos e ½ fêmeas) foi conduzido, objetivando avaliar os efeitos do tipo de piso das baias sobre o desempenho e características de carcaça dos suínos, nas fases de crescimento e de terminação (33 -84 kg). Os animais foram distribuídos em um delineamento em blocos casualizados, com dois tratamentos, três ou dois animais por unidade experimental (UE), 12 UE por tratamento, perfazendo um total de 30 suínos por tratamento. Foram alojados em baias de 8m 2 (2,0 x 4,0m), distribuídos em dois tratamentos: piso com lâmina d'água e piso compacto. No tratamento "piso com lâmina" as baias possuíam ao fundo uma lâmina d'água (largura de 0,80m e profundidade de ±10cm), que foi mantida com água corrente. No tratamento "Piso compacto" as mesmas foram mantidas vazias e secas. O consumo diário de ração e ganho diário de peso foi maior para o tratamento com lâmina d'água na fase de crescimento, enquanto que a conversão alimentar e a espessura de toucinho não diferenciaram. Na terminação e no período total do experimento, os animais não apresentaram diferenças entre os tratamentos, para as variáveis estudadas. Conclui-se que a criação de suínos na fase de crescimento-terminação em baias com lâmina d'água ou em baias de piso compacto, resulta em respostas de desempenho e de características de carcaça, semelhantes. Entretanto, para a fase de crescimento, as baias com lâmina d'água proporcionam maior consumo de ração e ganho de peso.Palavras-chave: ambiência, bioclimatologia, carcaça, instalações, lâmina d'água, suínos Performance and Carcass Traits of Pigs (33-84 kg) Reared on Compact Floor or With Shallow PoolABTSRACT -An experiment using 60 pigs (½ males and ½ females) was carried out to evaluate the effects of the type of pens floor on the performance and carcass traits of growing-finishing pigs (33 -84 kg). The pigs were allotted to a randomized block design, with two treatments, tree or two pigs per experimental units (EU), 12 EU per treatment and 30 pigs per treatment. They were housed in pens of 8m 2 (2.0 x 4.0 m), allotted to two treatments: shallow pool and compact floor. In the treatment "Shallow Pool" the pens had a shallow pool locate in the back (0.80 m of width and ±10 cm of depth), which was kept with run water. In the treatment "Compact Floor" the same ones were kept empty and dry. Daily feed intake and daily weight gain was higher for the treatment with shallow pool in the growing phase, while the feed:gain ratio and the backfat thickness was not different. In finishing and in the total period of the experiment the animals did not show differences between treatments. The results suggest that rearing growing-finishing pigs either on shallow pool pens or compact floor pens, results in the same performance and carcass traits. Nevertheless, in the growing phase the shallow pool pens showed higher feed intake and weight gain.

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