The janirid isopods (Crustacea, Isopoda, Asellota) living on the sea star Echinaster brasiliensis Müller & Troschel at São Sebastião channel, Southeastern brazilian coast, with description of a new species

Three species of janirid isopods were found on the sea star Echinaster brasiliensis Müller & Troschel collected in São Sebastião Channel, southeastern Brazil. Janaira gracilis Moreira & Pires and Carpias nereus (Pires) were previously known from the area and Carpias asterophilus, sp.n. is described. The three isopod species were found together on the dorsal surface of the sea star, and juveniles performed nearly 73% of the population. The janirids presented homeochromy with the sea stars, and food and shelter were the observed benefits that the crustaceans received from the association. A key to separate the species of Carpias with a spoon-like gnathopod is included

Características da carcaça e dos componentes não carcaça de cordeiros oriundos de parto simples ou duplo

Um experimento foi conduzido com o objetivo de avaliar as características da carcaça e dos componentes não carcaça de cordeiros nascidos de parto simples ou duplo. Dezesseis cordeiros mestiços Texel × Ile de France, machos não castrados, foram desmamados aos 56 dias de idade e abatidos com aproximadamente 28kg de peso corporal. Imediatamente após o abate, cada componente corporal foi pesado separadamente, sendo as carcaças avaliadas após 24 horas de refrigeração a 2°C. Os cordeiros oriundos de parto simples apresentaram superioridade no peso e nos rendimentos da carcaça, além de maior área de olho de lombo. Por outro lado, proporcionalmente ao peso de corpo vazio, o rúmen é maior em cordeiros nascidos de parto duplo, o que resulta incremento da proporção de conteúdo gastrintestinal ao abate. Os resultados deste estudo indicam que, quando abatidos a um mesmo peso, cordeiros oriundos de parto simples possuem carcaças de melhor qualidade, em comparação a cordeiros nascidos de parto gemelar

Diel feeding chronology of the skate raja Agassizii (Müller & Henle) (Pisces, Elasmobranchii) on the continental shelf off Ubatuba, Southeastern Brazil

The diet and diel feeding pattern of the skate Raja agassizii were investigated through analysis of stomach contents. A total of 280 stomachs were collected by a series of hauls during a daily cycle in three periods, 8-10 January 1987, 22-24 July and 2-4 December 1988, from the inner continental shelf of the coastal ecosystem of Ubatuba, São Paulo State, Brazil (25º35'S; 45º00'W). According to the results of the stomach fullness and of the number of fresh prey, it is suggested that this species presents continuity in the feeding activity during a day. The stomach contents were mainly composed of crustaceans. Nematodes, polychaetes and fishes also occurred. No changes were observed in dietary composition between day and night