Indicadores da realização do projeto

Materiais curriculares para o ensino do tempo geológico. Principais publicações

A phylogenetic study of the Cynipoidea (hymenoptera)

The current classification of the Cynipoldea was subjected to compatibility analysis on the basis of the characters then employed and shown to have a very poor resolution. A comprehensive morphological investigation of 31 exemplar species was undertaken and 234 characters were found, a 450% increase over the established classification. These characters were analysed and the compatibility clique contained 135 apomorphies, 68 of which were synapomorphies. This is an increase of 600% and 300% respectively over the established data, this is a tremendous improvement in the data-base leading to a great improvement in resolution. In addition, the principal morphological character-suites were analysed independently. This technique was used to locate the weaknesses in earlier classifications and, by this method, the distortion caused by the allometric bias to wing-data was recognized. Many extralimital cynipoids were examined and a new tribe was discovered. Other forms of cladistlc analysis. Parsimony and O'Nolan weighting, were undertaken and the results considered. After detailed analysis, a phylogeny of the Cynipoidea was reconstructed. The evolutionary biology of the Cynipoidea provided particularly strong support for the phylogenetic reconstruction. Concepts of host defence, host range, gall complexity, gall position, host switching, reproductive cycles, biogeographical distribution, plate tectonics, palaeobotany, palaeoclimatology, the origin of hyperparasitism and the adaptive characters associated with xylophagous hosts were all considered. All the available fossil cynipoids were examined and the evolutionary history, holophyly, and relationships of the Cynipoidea with other Hymenoptera were all discussed. Finally the phylogenetic reconstruction was used to provide the first reasoned classification for the super family

A medium-spatial scale distribution pattern of pseudoscorpionida (arachnida) in a gradient of topography (altitude and inclination), soil factors, and litter in a central Amazonia forest reserve, Brazil

In Amazonia, nothing is known about the distribution of the invertebrates on a medium-spatial scale pattern. In a trail system of 64 km2 at Ducke Reserve, we sampled 72 transects using the hand-sorting method and Berlese-Tullgren extraction. The reserve possesses ecosystems of "terra-firme" forest and the trail system represents a gradient of topographic soil factors and vegetation, avoiding categorizations. Considering the abundance and diversity of Pseudoscorpionida, we investigated the relation of the community to environmental factors tested (topography, clay percentage, litter, and soil pH), to the two major drainage basins of the reserve, and if these invertebrates can be used as biological indicators to monitor changes. We registered two species for the first time in the reserve, increasing the known diversity to 17 species. The lack of correlation with the predictor variables and the large home range, indicate that pseudoscorpions are not good biological indicators in the reserve. As the eastern and western watersheds are not separate management units for the community, our results show that they are generalist predators. In spite of our results and lack of knowledge concerning their biology, life history and taxonomy, pseudoscorpions are cosmopolitan and easy to find and measure. Compared with previous studies in the reserve, they have a consistent pattern of abundance and diversity throughout the years showing the stability of the community which can be checked mainly by comparison with environmental changes that would occur in the reserve. An investigation on a medium-spatial scale pattern and over a long-term period including other habitats, and also other predictor variables, like humidity, the structure of the vegetation and canopy closure, will be necessary to reinforce the observed tendencies

Impacto das camadas superficiais dos pavimentos nos mapas de ruído – casos de estudo

Apesar do elevado esforço de desenvolvimento de pavimentos rodoviários de baixo ruído na Europa, este assunto é ainda por vezes tratado sem o rigor adequado, nomeadamente na elaboração de mapas de ruído. Os software de simulação numérica utilizados correntemente contêm, por defeito, pavimentos com diferentes características acústicas, mas não necessariamente aqueles que são utilizados nos diferentes países. Este aspecto é ainda mais relevante aquando da calibração de mapas de ruído através de medições in situ. Este trabalho apresenta a aplicação de resultados de medições de ruído de passagem de veículos rodoviários (pass-by noise) para a obtenção da potência sonora associada, a mapas de ruído em diferentes localizações com diferentes tipos de pavimentos. A metodologia e resultados são discutidos com base em simulações no software CADNA-A. Os resultados obtidos demonstram a importância do conhecimento das características específicas do pavimento utilizado para a correcta calibração do mapa de ruído.Despite the effort in developing low-noise road surfaces in Europe, this matter is still regarded without proper detail, in subjects such as calculating noise maps. The most used numerical simulation software deals with this issue well by incorporating different types of road pavements. However, these are not necessarily the ones being used in the different countries. This aspect is further relevant when calibrating noise maps from in situ measurements. This work presents the results of measurements using the SPB and CPB (pass-by noise methods) to calculate the associated sound power, and their application to the calculation of noise maps in different locations and different road surfaces. The methodology and results are discussed based on simulations carried out with CADNA-A software. The results show the importance of the knowledge of the specific characteristics of the road surface used in order to obtain an adequate calibration of noise mapsFundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT

Instrumentos de recolha de informação

Questionário e avaliação das estratégias implementadas na lecionação da temática