Gill anomalies in three common fish species of different taxonomic order, habitat dwelling and feeding habits (one Characiformes, Oligosarcus hepsetus; one Siluriformes, Hypostomus auroguttatus; and one Perciformes, Geophagus brasiliensis) from a eutrophized tropical river in south-eastern in Brazil were compared. The aim of this study was to search for sentinel species that could be used as potential biomarkers of environmental quality. Most fish had gills with histological changes, namely epithelial lifting, interstitial oedema, leucocyte infiltration, hyperplasia of the epithelial cells, lamellar fusion, vasodilatation and necrosis. On the other hand, lamellar blood congestion and lamellar aneurysm, which are more serious and often irreversible changes, were recorded for the water column carnivorous O. hepsetus and, to a lesser extent, for the bottom-dwelling detritivorous H. auroguttatus. A histopathological alteration index (HAI) based on the occurrence and severity of gills anomalies indicated that O. hepsetus (mean score = 11.4) had significantly higher values (Kruskall-Wallis H(2,41) = 15.95, P = 0.0003) compared with G. brasiliensis (mean score = 7.0). Overall, the omnivorous G. brasiliensis had comparatively lesser occurrence of most gill anomalies compared with other two species, being less suitable as biomarker of environmental quality. In contrast, the water column-dweller O. hepsetus (water column) and the bottom-dweller H. auroguttatus had gills most susceptible to changes, making them more suitable for using as histological biomarkers of the environmental quality in entrophized tropical rivers.

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In the above paper, the name of the seventh-listed author was misspelled. The correct name is Rodrigo Chaves.We apologize for any confusion caused by this error.

Histological and ultrastrucutural alterations in the midgut of Aedes albopictus larvae infected with Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis (Bti) were observed by light and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Two formulations of Bti were used: granulated and powder, with 0.2% active ingredient in 90 larvae of Ae. albopictus distributed in three containers containing 30 larvae each (one control group and two test groups). The midgut epithelium of the control group presented flattened and elongated cells with mace-shape with a narrow base. Midgut epithelium cells' surface was convex and had a large circular nucleus located in the median-apical portion of the cell. These cells also presented a basal lamina with a small accumulation of extracellular fibrous matrix, thus characterizing a basal membrane, with a muscle layer and a peritoneal membrane more externally. After Bti ingestion, the larvae stopped/slowed their natural movements down in 5 min. After 30 min approximately, the swimming movements stopped completely. Internally, the intestinal cells showed a disorganization of the basal processes, dilatation and fragmentation of the rough endoplasmic reticulum, with intense cytoplasmic vacuolization. There were concentric dense laminas accumulated in the cytoplasm, and these residual membranous bodies were seen greatly increased in size after 60 min. Mitochondria, fragments of rough endoplasmic reticulum and other remainder organelles were surrounded and segregated from the cytoplasm by exocytosis. This article reports the histopathological alterations in the midgut of Ae. albopictus after infection with Bti and contributes to a better understanding of the mode of action of this bacterial strain used as bioinsecticide against mosquito larvae.

In the present study, we investigated types of pancreatic endocrine cells and its respective peptides in the Brazilian sparrow species using immunocytochemistry. The use of polyclonal specific antisera for somatostatin, glucagon, avian pancreatic polypeptide (APP), YY polypeptide (PYY) and insulin, revealed a diversified distribution in the pancreas. All these types of immunoreactive cells were observed in the pancreas with different amounts. Insulin-Immunoreactive cells to (B cells) were most numerous, preferably occupying the central place in the pancreatic islets. Somatostatin, PPA, PYY and glucagon immunoreactive cells occurred in a lower frequency in the periphery of pancreatic islets.Keywords: immunoreactive cells, endocrine cells, pancreas, bird. Estudo imunocitoquímico do pâncreas de Zonotrichia capensis subtorquata (Swaison, 1837) ResumoOs tipos de células endócrinas e seus respectivos peptídeos reguladores foram estudados imunocitoquimicamente no pâncreas do tico-tico, espécie Zonotrichia capensis subtorquata, empregando-se o método imunocitoquímico ABC -Peroxidase (Complexo Avidina -Biotina -Peroxidase) e anti-soros específicos para somatostatina, ao glucagon, ao polipeptídeo pancreático aviário (PPA), ao polipeptídeo YY (PYY) e à insulina. Todos estes tipos de células imunorreativas foram observadas no pâncreas em quantidades diferentes. As células imunorreativas à insulina (células B) foram as mais numerosas, ocupando preferencialmente, a região central das ilhotas pancreáticas. As células endócrinas imunorreativas à somatostatina, PPA, PYY e glucagon localizaram-se predominantemente na periferia das ilhotas.Palavras-chave: células imunorreativas, células endócrinas, pâncreas, ave.

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ABSTRACT. ULTRASTRUCTURAL STUDY OF TH E STOMACH OF TRICHOGENES LONGIPINNIS (BRITSKI & ORTEGA) (PISCES , SILURIFORMES, TRICHOMICTERlDAE). The obselVations made abo ut the stomach ofTrichogenes longipinnis (Britski & Ortega, 1983) showed a rounded organ which has in its dorsal side an accessory structure -a cul de sac -that comunicates with it. The distal part ofthis dorsal accessorypresents characteristic of an organ that exerci se respiratory functions: reduction in the thickness of the mucosa and arrangement of an intrincate continuous capilar net in dose contact with lhe superficial cells of the epilhelium. ln this portion Ihere are no glands in the lamina propria. The epithelium shows a superficial squamous cels; they are very slim, and sometimes, with the capillary endothelium form a single barrier between the organ lumen and lhe blood. Polyhedric cells are also present in this epithelium; they are located under the squamous cells, sheltered betwcen capillaries and basal cells.

ABSfRACf. ULTRASfRUCfURAL sruDY OF THE OESOPHAGOUS O F TRICHOGENES LONGIPINNIS (BRITSKI & ORTEGA) (PISCES, SILURIFORMES, TRICHOMICTERIDAE). Trichogenes longipinnls (Britski & Ortega, 1983) is a leather fish restricted to the rivers on the shore in the southeast of Brazil. ln this work, the oesophagous structure is being showed. The oesophagous appears itself short, dorsaliy inciinated toward pericardium and ventraliy covered by iiver lobe. By electron microscopy we can observe a mucosa layer formed by stratified squamous epithelium and lamina propria with slralum compactum. The epithelium is composed by three types of celis: superficial squamous celis; mucous celis, similar to the globet celis and polyhedric celis. The stratification of this epithelium provides a complete basal layer of proliferation polyhedric cells. The celis in the intermediate region of the epithelium are also polyhedric. These celis are juS! bellow the superficial squamous cells and packed among mucous celis.