Mecistocephalus guildingii Newport, 1843, a tropical centipede with amphi-Atlantic distribution (Chilopoda: Geophilomorpha

Mecistocephalus guildingii Newport, 1843 (Chilopoda: Geophilomorpha: Mecistocephalidae) is redescribed, and its geographical distribution revised and updated, after examination of 28 specimens from different localities together with critical assessment of published accounts and records. Mecistocephalus guildingii Newport, 1843 (= Mecistocephalus punctilabratus Newport, 1845, n. syn.; = Lamnonyx leonensis Cook, 1896, n. syn.; = Mecistocephalus maxillaris guadeloupensis Demange and Pereira, 1985, n. syn.) is distinguished from other Mecistocephalus species, with which it has been often confused, mainly in head elongation and some features of the clypeus. M. guildingii has been reported hitherto from less than two dozen sites on the eastern side of tropical Americas, however it is actually established in islands and coastal sites on both sides of the tropical part of the Atlantic ocean: on the American side from Bermuda through the Antilles to southern Brazil; on the African side in the Cape Verde archipelago and from Gambia to Liberia. It is also established in a locality on the Pacific coast of Mexico, and has been found occasionally inland in Brazil and in European hothouses and other disturbed anthropic sites. � 2009 Magnolia Press

The seaweeds Sargassum spp. and Macrocystis pyrifera: An alternative for cattle forage in the Baja California peninsula?

The nutritional quality of dried seaweed Macrocystis pyrifera and a group of Sargassum species were compared with desert plants, cereals and animal meals commonly used as a feed for livestock in the Baja California peninsula during the dry season. The associated digestive enzymatic activity and the presence of digestive enzymatic inhibitors and lectins were evaluated and their general chemical analysis was also considered. The protein concentration of seaweeds was low, compared to other plants. The presence of lectins and enzyme inhibitors was negligible, compared to desert legumes. The use of seaweeds as a supplementary forage for herded cattle is apparently a good strategy, despite their low protein concentration. High carbohydrate, mineral and lipid concentrations can help meet maintenance requirements, especially when grasses are not available

Effect of three diets on growth of hatchlings of American crocodile Crocodylus acutus [Efecto de tres dietas en el crecimiento de crías de cocodrilo Americano Crocodylus acutus]

The effect of three diets with replacement of marine fish (20 and 40%) for beef liver in the growth and survival, and the effect of temperature on feed intake of young Crocodylus acutus was studied. Crocodiles fed the 40% of liver had the highest growth and 100% survival, with potential for greater tolerance to winter conditions

Effect of three diets on growth of hatchlings of American crocodile Crocodylus acutus [Efecto de tres dietas en el crecimiento de crías de cocodrilo Americano Crocodylus acutus]

The effect of three diets with replacement of marine fish (20 and 40%) for beef liver in the growth and survival, and the effect of temperature on feed intake of young Crocodylus acutus was studied. Crocodiles fed the 40% of liver had the highest growth and 100% survival, with potential for greater tolerance to winter conditions