Convergent evolution in the antennae of a cerambycid beetle, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Onychocerus albitarsis,</Emphasis> and the sting of a scorpion

Venom-injecting structures have arisen independently in unrelated arthropods including scorpions, spiders, centipedes, larval owlflies and antlions, and Hymenoptera (wasps, ants, and bees). Most arthropods use venom primarily as an offensive weapon to subdue prey, and only secondarily in defense against enemies. Venom is injected by biting with fangs or stinging with a specialized hypodermic structure used exclusively for the delivery of venom (usually modified terminal abdominal segments). A true sting apparatus, previously known only in scorpions and aculeate wasps, is now known in a third group. We here report the first known case of a cerambycid beetle using its antennae to inject a secretion that causes cutaneous and subcutaneous inflammation in humans. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that the terminal antennal segment of Onychocerus albitarsis (Pascoe) has two pores opening into channels leading to the tip through which the secretion is delivered. This is a novel case of convergent evolution: The delivery system is almost identical to that found in the stinger of a deadly buthid scorpion.     

Strategy for the Control of Land-Based Sources of Marine Pollution in the Wider Caribbean Region

The pollution of the marine environment caused by land-based sources threatens or impairs the health of the ecosystems and the value of human uses of the coastal waters. the Contracting Parties to the Convention for the Protection and Development of the Marine Environment of the Wider Caribbean Region agreed to take all appropriate measures to prevent, reduce and control pollution. in the first meeting of the Contracting Parties, the development of a protocol on the control of marine pollution from land-based sources was recommended as a measure to protect the marine environment.

A small group of experts from the Caribbean Region formulated a strategy for controlling land-based sources of marine pollution. Due to the diverse nature, resources and capabilities of the countries comprising the Region, the pollution control strategy suggested by the group of experts included the following techniques or their most appropriate combination: (1) pollution prevention measures, (2) effluent limitations, (3) water quality limitations, (4) environmental planning, and (5) best management practices. the desirable control strategy should be based on a system of discharge permits in the case of point source pollution, which includes effluent and water quality limitations. the technology based effluent limitations could be applied as a short-range strategy to control pollution from industrial and domestic point source discharges. the use of water quality standards could become part of a long-range strategy for controlling point sources. for nonpoint sources, it would be virtually impossible to develop effluent limitations. Thus, the implementation of best management practices and effective environmental planning would be the most reasonable control strategy for non-point sources. However, pollution prevention measures could consist of a “black list” of substances that should be completely banned, and a “grey list” for those that should be strictly limited. These lists should be adopted or appropriately modified for the conditions of the Wider Caribbean Region.

The development of control based on the water quality of the receiving body of water involves the collection and analysis of effluent and ambient data to develop water quality based permit limits and to assess compliance with these permits. Finally, any marine pollution control strategy developed by the countries of the Region should be mutually agreed upon and implemented within a period of ten years from the ratification of a protocol on land-based sources of marine pollution.     

Voltammetric analysis of metallothioneins and copper (II) in fish for water biomonitoring studies

An major research area in environmental chemistry is the development of methods for the analysis of biomarkers. Metallothioneins are used as biomarkers in studies of heavy metals exposure in water, because metallothioneins are synthesized and accumulated when organisms are exposed to toxic concentrations of pollutants. In this work, simple and sensitive voltammetric methods were developed for metallothionein and copper (II) determinations in fish liver Lepomis gibbosus. Both analytical methodologies were optimized and applied to samples extracted from individuals previously submitted to sub-lethal toxicological trials with copper sulphate (CuSO₄) and cadmium chloride (CdCl₂). The obtained results showed that both methods are very precise, sensitive, and involve simple sample preparation processes. Moreover, metallothioneins showed better correlation with the toxic exposure than Cu²⁺. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that hepatic metallothioneins and Cu²⁺ contents are voltammetrically determined in order to be compared in their function as heavy metal biological indicators.     

An approach to simulate wind fields around an urban environment for wind energy application

This work proposes an approach to simulate wind flow fields around an urban environment with the aim of evaluating the potential impact of buildings on the general wind patterns and power production using the current generation of commercial wind turbines. The simulation process was performed with the aid of accessible computational tools that can potentially render the proposed procedure applicable in other cases of interest. The roughness of the urban environment was defined as the association of roughness map, topography, and an alternative process for obtaining the volumetry of buildings. A case study was conducted in a region located at the district of Boa Viagem (Recife-PE) for assessing the applicability of the approach. Scenarios were designed in order to simulate wind flow patterns and pre-identify sites that have suitable wind energy potential for electric power production by investigating the combination of wind speed magnitude and turbulence intensity. From the results obtained, it was possible to identify zones of potential wind sources that are not detected in classical wind atlas probably due to the influence of the built environment on local wind flow patterns.