Dung beetles (Coleoptera, Scarabaeinae) attracted to sheep dung in exotic pastures. In this study we provide data on the abundance and richness of dung beetles (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae, Scarabaeinae) attracted to sheep dung in exotic pastures (Brachiaria spp.). In four areas of exotic pasture pitfall traps were installed and baited with fresh sheep dung for sampling of dung beetles. A total of 2,290 individuals were captured belonging to 16 species, 10 genera and five tribes of Scarabaeinae beetles. Trichillum externepunctatum Preudhomme de Borre, 1886 and Dichotomius bos (Blanchard, 1843) were dominant. The guild of dwellers was the most abundant in pastures. We demonstrate that dung beetles are attracted to sheep dung. Since the production of both cattle and sheep in the same area is common in tropical pasturelands, results obtained here highlight the need to investigate the actual role of dung sharing (cattle dung + sheep dung) by dung beetles. It is also suggested that experiments be performed for evaluation of the ecological functions performed by dung beetles using sheep dung.

Mensurar a variabilidade genética e conhecer as correlações entre caracteres de interesse para seleção numa população constitui uma das etapas iniciais em um programa de melhoramento genético. Com o objetivo de avaliar o potencial para o melhoramento genético de uma população composta por 19 genótipos de feijão-caupi de porte ereto e semiereto, entre variedades comerciais e linhagens avançadas, foram estimados parâmetros genéticos e fenotípicos e correlações entre caracteres fenológicos e morfoagronômicos da população. O experimento foi conduzido na área experimental da Universidade Estadual de Mato Grosso do Sul, em Aquidauana, no período da seca do ano agrícola 2007/2008. Foram avaliados os caracteres: dias para o florescimento (DF), dias para a maturação (DM), massa de 100 grãos (MCG), comprimento de vagem (CV), massa de vagem (MV), número de grãos por vagem (NGV) e produtividade de grãos secos (PROD). Verificou-se efeito significativo de genótipos para todas as características indicando existência de variabilidade. O maior valor da estimativa do coeficiente de variação genética foi obtido para PROD, que também apresentou o mais alto valor de coeficiente b, 2,05, indicando condição favorável para seleção desse caráter. Dentre os demais caracteres apenas para DM o valor do coeficiente b foi superior a um. Foram observadas correlações genéticas positivas e significativas entre todos os caracteres e PROD, sendo as mais elevadas com DF, MV e NGV. Concluiu-se que a população apresentou potencial para o melhoramento genético e que aumento da produtividade de grãos pode ser obtido principalmente para genótipos mais tardios.

Determining the genetic variability and correlations between traits of interest for selection in a population is one of the stages in a breeding program. The objectives of this study was to evaluate the potential for genetic improvement of a population composed of 19 cowpea genotypes of erect and semi-erect growth habits, involving commercial varieties and advanced lines. Genetic and phenotypic parameters and correlations between phenological and morphological traits of the population were estimated. The trial was carried out at the experimental field at the Universidade Estadual de Mato Grosso do Sul, in Aquidauana, in the dry season of the crop year 2007/2008. The following traits were evaluated: days to flowering (DF), days to maturity (DM), mass of 100 beans (MHB), length of pod (LP), mass of pods (MP), number of seeds per pod (NS) and dry bean yield (DBY). There was a significant effect of genotypes on all traits, indicating the existence of variability. The highest estimate of the genetic variation coefficient was obtained for DBY which also had the highest coefficient b (2.05), indicating favorable condition for the selection of this trait. Among the other traits only DM had coefficient b above one. There were positive and significant genetic correlations between all the traits and DBY; however, the highest were DF, MP and NS. These findings showed that this population has the potential for genetic improvement and the increase in bean yield can be obtained especially for the later genotypes.