The germination of achenes of Bidens pilosa L. was analyzed during the life span of the mother plant. Decrease in the range of achene size was monitored until the senescence of the mother plant when the shortest achenes were harvested. The analysis of the germination percentage confirmed the presence of two distinct classes, formerly defined as short and long ones. Because length can not be used for the separation of those classes, the morphological characteristics of the tegument, specially of the ornament must be used for separation of the achenes with verrucose tegument (formerly named as short achenes) and achenes without ornament of the tegument (formerly named as long achenes). The achenes with verrucose tegument presented dormancy and light sensitivity, and the achenes without ornament of the tegument presented no dormancy and no light sensitivity for the germination process.

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Erythroxylum catharinense Amaral é uma espécie nativa da mata pluvial de encosta atlântica que foi recentemente registrada na restinga da praia de Paranapuã sob as coordenadas geográficas 23º 58’ 51” S e 46º 22’ 52” W, no município de São Vicente, Estado de São Paulo, Brasil. Em função disso, este trabalho apresenta a atualização taxonômica da espécie com a descrição da planta, ilustração botânica e a alteração da chave de identificação do gênero Erythroxylum para o Estado de São Paulo, além de considerações sobre a distribuição geográfica da espécie.

Introduction: Mantis shrimps or siriboias are crustaceans belonging to the order Stomatopoda. They are known for their strong claws, which they use for defense and capturing their prey. They are classified into two groups: the spearers, which pierce the prey with sharp projections, and the smashers, which strike their prey with high-powered punches. These animals are highly feared by fishermen, and there are frequent anecdotal reports of human injuries caused by these crustaceans. Methods: A questionnaire about injuries in humans caused by these stomatopods was administered to 23 fishermen of Colony Z10 in Ubatuba, São Paulo state, Brazil, and a survey of the literature on injuries in humans caused by these animals was carried out. Results: The fishermen consider the mantis shrimp dangerous and avoid direct contact with them on account of the associated risk. We describe five reports of human injuries caused by these animals: four by the claws and one by the tail spikes. Conclusions: We describe the first aid treatment, prevention, and recommendations for such cases and propose the distribution of educational leaflets among the fishermen colonies.