Sistema Regional de Información
en línea para Revistas Científicas de América Latina,
el Caribe, España y Portugal

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The present paper defines the taxonomic position of Compsura gorgonae. The genus Pseudocheirodon is maintained tentatively distinct from Cheirodon. Compsura gorgonae is distinguished from Pseudocheirodon affinis by the presence of spines on the anal fin of males, fewer maxillary teeth and longer maxillary bone. A key is pravided to distinguish the genera Compsura, Cheirodon, Odontostilbe and Pseudocheirodon. Over 2,800 specimens from 54 Panamanian and Costa Rican collections were utilized. The number of lateral line pores of C. gorgonae increases in a westward direction and this may be related to the shorter rivers of steeper gradient and more turbid waters in the rainy season in western Panamá. The number of lateral line pares of P. affinis, also quite variable (7-3 3), showed a random rather than clinal varíation. Both the above species, when sympatric, exhibit nearly the same average number of lateral line pares, which suggests an adaptation to the same enviranmental factors. The length of the maxillary bone of C. gorgondo decreased from east to west, whereas in P. affinis the situation was reversed. No hypothesis could be offered for this latter relationship.

At birth, the catton rat skull is oval and the braincase continues to expand during the first 20 days to near the adult size. Subsequently with the development of the dorsal area and the extension of the bones at the base of the braincase, the rounded form is transformed into the typical long-snouted appearance of the adult. Skull measurements demonstrate the initial rapid expansion of the braincase and the subsequent extension of the rostrum. Adult skull size is attained within the first 100 days of life. Normally, during the first days after birth, height of the braincase is greater than the length of the post-palatal area. However, at 20 to 30 days growth in the latter is greatest and its dimensions surpass those of the former. In three species, Sigmodoll hispidru, Sigmodon alleni and Sigmodon ochrognathus, the rostral length exceeds the height of the braincase only after the animals are over 100 days old. At 40 days palatal and maxillary tooth-row lenglbs are ncar the maximum adult size, while tbe diastema is 50 to 67 percent (depending on the species). At birth the zygomatic arches are small but rapidly expand laterally in comparison with the slower-growing braincase. This process, together with the lengthening of the rostral region is related to weaning and the development of the masticatory and facial muscles. The change of growth from an accelerated phase (1 to 40 days) to a much slower rate seems correlated with attainment oí sexual maturity.

In the classification of Chaetium bromoides (Presl) Benth., the species agrees in most morphological and anatomical characters with the subfamily Panicoideae, tribe Paniceae, subtribe Panicinae. A small number of anatomical details point to connection with the Chloridoideae-Eragrostoideae or with the Festucoideae and Bambusoideae, while the chromosome number of n= 13 provides a link with the genus Nardus, itself hard to place within the accepted subdivisions of the family.

Four new species of Elaphoglossum Schott ex J. Sm., are described from Costa Rica: E. eludens, E. leporinum, E. fournieranum and E. valerianum. The genus is richly represented in the country. Four new extensions of geographical ranges are reported: Bommeria pedata Fourn., Trichomanes (Didymoglossum ) petersii Gray, Trichomanes (D.) gourlianum Grev., Woodwardia radicans (L.) Smith, from North and South Ameríca are now known from Costa Rica. The rare intergeneric hybrid Pleuroderris michleriana (Eaton) Maxon, last collected from this country in 1910, has been found growing between large populations of Dictyoxiphium panamense Hk., and Tectaria incisa Cavanilles.

Las culebras del género Conophis se alimentan de lagartijas (principalmente Cnemidophorus), mamíferos pequeños, otras culebras, ranas, y sapos (WELLMAN, 5). VILLA (4) notó la regurgitación de anuros por un ejemplar joven de C. nevermanni de León, Nicaragua, y encontró Leptodactylus labialis en el estómago de la misma especie de Conophis cerca de Taboga, Provincia de Guanacaste, Costa Rica. Parece que hay pocas observaciones de Conophis al capturar sus presas en situaciones naturales.

Results of studies to determiné the geographic distribution of Rhodnius ecuadoriensis in the northern part of Peru revealed the presence of the insect in a single locality in each oE the Amazonian and the Pacific watersheds. Xerophitic vegetation is eharacteristic in these areas.All the different stages of the insect were found in human dwellings. In addition, eggs and nymphal instars were al so obtained in tree trunks and a pen where guineapigs were confined. This would indicate a versatile habit of the inseet which provides the opportunity to feed upon a wide variety of hosts under various environmental conditions.A very low infestation was observed during 1963-64. However, particular houses showed indications of possible higher infestations in previous years. Possible reasons for this phenomenon are discussed.

Human poisoning caused by ingestion of unripe fruit of Passiflora adenopoda is he re reported, apparently for the first time.HCN is produced in the pericarp and aril of tbe unripe fruit, as well as in the primary stem, petiole, bracts and stipules but not in tendrils. HCN yield has been reported previously in Passifloraceae only from vegetative parts. The pericarp and arils of completely ripe fruit of Passiflora adenopoda were found free of HCN. The presence of a cyanogenetic B-glycoside is suggested in P. adenopoda.

The Hymenolichens known from Costa Rica are: Herpothallon sanguineum (Herpothallaceae). Cora pavonia and Wainiocora ciferrii (Coraceae), and Dictyonenta sericeum (Dictyonematacea). A key to the families, genera and species is presented, and some ecological notes, mainly to point out the apparent overlapping altitudinal distribution and some preferences as to substratum: that of Herpothalion for the bark of Theobrolla Cacao and of Cora for exposed, lateritic soils or rocky outcrops.