scholarly journals WHICH MOON PHASE DO WE FIND MORE GHOSTS? EFFECTS OF THE LUNAR CYCLE ON THE GHOST CRAB Ocypode quadrata (FABRICIUS, 1787)

2020 ◽  
Vol 52 (2) ◽  
pp. 85-97
Author(s):  
Matheus Oliveira Fortaleza ◽  
Magalline Maria Lemos Girão ◽  
Wilson Franklin Junior ◽  
Jadson Pinto de Lima ◽  
Cristina De Almeida Rocha-Barreira
Keyword(s):  
High Tide ◽  
Northeastern Brazil ◽  
Tidal Range ◽  
Brazilian Coast ◽  
The Moon ◽  
Important Species ◽  
Ghost Crab ◽  
Lunar Cycles ◽  
Ocypode Quadrata ◽  
Phases Of The Moon

The ghost crab Ocypode quadrata is commonly found in the middle and supralittoral areas of sandy beaches along the Brazilian coast. It is a known and important species in the ecology of beaches, which inhabit semi-permanent burrows excavated, maintained, and protected by them. This study evaluated the density and diameter of O. quadrata burrows, considering three lunar cycles in a Conservation Unit on the coast of Ceará state, Northeastern Brazil. Quarterly samplings were performed between 2014 and 2015 during the early morning in the four phases of the moon over three lunar cycles. The tidal range (high tide and low tide) and nocturnal luminosity were used to evaluate the effects of the lunar phases on crab behavior. The lunar cycles influence the activity of the O. quadrata, varying the density, diameter, and distribution of the burrows along the beach, due to changes in the tide conditions and nocturnal luminosity. The construction of burrows by the crabs was higher in the moons that provided more bright nights.Keywords: ghost crab, burrows, Canto Verde beach, phases of the moon.

scholarly journals Preliminary results of drift-bottle releases and recoveries in the Western Tropical Atlantic

1967 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ellen F. Luedemann
Keyword(s):  
Surface Current ◽  
Northeastern Brazil ◽  
Brazilian Coast ◽  
Northern Coast ◽  
The North ◽  
Strong Current ◽  
North Brazil ◽  
Equatorial Current ◽  
The Caribbean ◽  
Area North

In February-March 1963, during the Equalant Operation for the ICITA program, 476 drift-bottles were released at the equatorial waters off the northern Brazilian coast (01ºS to 09ºN and 043ºW to 053ºW). Thirty-five, bottles were recovered (7,4%). Those were classed in five groups according to their different velocity ranges and areas of recovery (Trinidad Island; Lesser Antilles; Caribbean and Florida area; north Brazil; northeastern Brazil). The recoveries of bottles released within 300 nm off the northern and northeastern coast of Brazil confirmed a strong current along the north and northeast coast in northwestern direction (South Equatorial Current and branches). In late February-early March the bottles showed maximum velocities of this current (3,6 knots). The region off the northern coast of Brazil, between 05ºN and 09ºN up to 050ºW seems to have been under the influence of an eastward component of the surface current in this same period, while at late March this influence appears to have been weaker. In the region from Trinidad Island to Yucatan Peninsula the current seems to be stronger on the northeastern side of the Caribbean Sea.

scholarly journals Butterflies (Lepidoptera: Papilionoidea) of the Restinga de Cabedelo National Forest, Paraíba State, Brazil

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
pp. e970
Author(s):  
Adalberto Medeiros ◽  
Emanoel Pereira Gualberto ◽  
Rafael Pereira Rodrigues ◽  
Solange Maria Kerpel
Keyword(s):  
New Records ◽  
Northeastern Brazil ◽  
Brazilian Coast ◽  
National Forest ◽  
Butterfly Species ◽  
Preliminary Information ◽  
Butterfly Fauna ◽  
Forested Areas

Restinga forests are plant formations that occur on plains of quaternary sandy deposits along the Brazilian coast. Despite historical reduction of the Restinga forests, little effort has been made to know the butterfly fauna of these areas. This paper is an important contribution to the butterfly’s knowledge, being the second inventory in the Restinga forest of northeastern Brazil. The survey was conducted in the Restinga de Cabedelo National Forest (FLONA de Cabedelo, following the Portuguese abbreviation) and aimed to provide preliminary information on the butterflies richness in this region. A total of 89 butterfly species and 1,503 individuals were recorded at FLONA de Cabedelo. Hesperiidae was the richest family (34 species), followed by Nymphalidae (33) Pieridae (eight), Lycaenidae (seven), Riodinidae (five), and Papilionidae (two). In general, the butterfly fauna of the FLONA de Cabedelo is dominated by species widely distributed and commonly found in open or forested areas in Brazil. Five species are new records in Paraíba state: Calydna sturnula (Geyer), Theope foliorum (Bates), Cogia hassan (Butler), Vehilius inca (Scudder), and Chiothion asychis (Stoll). We suggest carrying out monthly samplings which will certainly increase the list of species herein presented.

scholarly journals Phases of the moon: a study of 19th century scientific book illustrations providing a comprehensive catalogue for the first three editions of James Nasmyth & James Carpenter's The Moon: considered as a planet, a world, and a satellite

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Margaret Ramsey
Keyword(s):  
19Th Century ◽  
Lunar Surface ◽  
Book Production ◽  
The Moon ◽  
Scientific Contribution ◽  
Amateur Astronomer ◽  
Book Illustrations ◽  
The Aesthetic ◽  
Phases Of The Moon

James Hall Nasmyth (1808–1890) was an accomplished engineer and amateur astronomer. The culmination of Nasmyth's drawings from telescopic observation, the advent of photomechanical print processes, and his interest in the causative features of the lunar surface, led to the 1874 publication of The Moon: Considered as a Planet, a World, and a Satellite. This thesis provides a comprehensive catalogue of the lunar illustrations in the first three editions, revealing the aesthetic variations in the illustrative plates due to reproduction and print processes used. These processes include: engraving, photogravure, heliotype, lithograph, chromolithograph, and four different variations of the Woodburytype. The editions are contextualized using scientific photographs as illustrations, through a discussion of astronomy, book production, and Nasmyth's biography. Through an examination of Nasmyth's use of photography and permanent print processes, this thesis argues that his lunar illustrations remain an important scientific contribution.

scholarly journals Diadema ascensionisMortensen, 1909 (Echinodermata: Echinoidea) is not restricted to Oceanic Islands: evidence from morphological data

2013 ◽  
Vol 73 (2) ◽  
pp. 431-435 ◽  
Author(s):  
AI Gondim ◽  
TLP Dias ◽  
ML Christoffersen
Keyword(s):  
Oceanic Islands ◽  
Coastal Areas ◽  
Northeastern Brazil ◽  
Morphological Data ◽  
Brazilian Coast ◽  
Dense Population ◽  
Sandy Substrate ◽  
Morphological Studies ◽  
Or Groups ◽  
Scientific Collections

The genus Diadema presently consists of seven species, two of which are known from the Brazilian coast: D. antillarum and D. ascensionis. The first is usually known for shallow coastal areas, while the second was apparently restricted to oceanic islands. In February 2011, a dense population of D. ascensionis was observed on the coastal reefs of Praia do Francês (Alagoas State, northeastern Brazil). Five specimens were collected and transported to the laboratory where morphological studies of the test and pedicellariae were conducted. Subsequently, visits were made to scientific collections in order to compare and confirm species identifications. Our observations confirm the presence of tridentate pedicellariae with narrow and strongly curved valves. The axial cavity in the tips of the spines is filled with dense nonreticular tissue. This taxonomic data confirms the occurrence of D. ascensionis in coastal areas. On the coastal reefs of Praia do Francês, animals were observed from the beach to the reef formations about 200 m offshore in areas with a sandy substrate and in reef cavities, usually in clear and well illuminated waters. Solitary individuals or groups of up to 15 individuals formed dense populations in the area. We stress the importance of pedicellariae for the specific identification of the Diadematidae, considering that they are quite constant and reliable at this taxonomic level. Our results demonstrate that D. ascensionis is not restricted to insular environments and that this species may be common in shallow coastal habitats.

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