Massive invasion on a Triatominae insectarium (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Reduviidae) by Attagenus fasciatus (Thunberg, 1795) (Coleoptera: Dermestidae: Attageninae)

ABSTRACT Background: Triatominae are vectors of the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease. This study aims to report an infestation on Triatominae colonies by a beetle, previously identified as a pest. Methods: The management of these colonies should be improved to maximize their usefulness, and factors that may cause harm to them should be avoided as much as possible. Results: This is the first report on a coleopteran infestation on living Triatominae colonies worldwide. Conclusions: The present record provides an important warning to researchers who maintain insectaries in general, especially those who rear triatomines, to carry protective measures against such invasions.

speciesLink: rich data and novel tools for digital assessments of biodiversity / speciesLink: dados valiosos e ferramentas inovadoras para avaliações digitais da biodiversidade

Abstract speciesLink is a large-scale biodiversity information portal that exists thanks to a broad collaborative network of people and institutions. CRIA's involvement with the scientific community of Brazil and other countries is responsible for the significant results achieved, currently reaching more than 15 million primary biodiversity data records, 95% of which are associated with preserved specimens and about 25% with high-quality digital images. The network provides data on over 200,000 species, of which over 110,000 occur in Brazil. This article describes thematic networks within speciesLink, as well as some of the most useful tools developed. The importance and contributions of speciesLink are outlined, as are concerns about securing stable budgetary support for such biodiversity data e-infrastructures. Here we review the value of speciesLink as a major source of biodiversity information for research, education, informed decision-making, policy development, and bioeconomy.

Resumo speciesLink é um portal de informações em larga escala sobre biodiversidade, que existe graças a uma ampla rede colaborativa de pessoas e instituições. O envolvimento do CRIA com a comunidade científica do Brasil e de outros países é responsável pelos resultados expressivos alcançados, atingindo atualmente mais de 15 milhões de registros de dados primários de biodiversidade, sendo 95% associados a espécimes preservados e cerca de 25% a imagens digitais de alta qualidade. A rede fornece dados sobre mais de 200.000 espécies, das quais mais de 110.000 ocorrem no Brasil. Este artigo descreve as redes temáticas do speciesLink, bem como algumas das ferramentas mais úteis desenvolvidas. A importância e as contribuições do speciesLink são destacadas, assim como as preocupações em garantir um apoio financeiro estável para e-infraestruturas de dados sobre biodiversidade. Aqui revisamos o valor do speciesLink como uma das principais fontes de informação sobre biodiversidade para pesquisa, educação, tomada de decisão, desenvolvimento de políticas e bioeconomia.

Ants of Ecuador: new species records for a megadiverse country in South America

ABSTRACT Despite its small territory Ecuador hosts a remarkable biological diversity. Paradoxically, its prominent insect richness has been poorly studied and is usually underestimated in biodiversity inventories. Ants are a major component of such richness. With the aim of promoting myrmecological research, we present 20 new ant records for the country belonging to nine genera and six subfamilies. The species Tapinoma ramulorum inrectum Forel is recorded for the first time in South America. We provide brief taxonomic diagnoses and general comments for all species. Our results expand on the records of Formicidae species previously informed for Ecuador and stress the importance of scientific reference collections as biodiversity repositories.

Accediendo al pasado: uso de especímenes de colección como fuentes de información genética para el género Bombus (Hymenoptera: Apidae)

Introducción: Recientemente ha tomado relevancia el uso de especímenes de museo como fuente de información genética para desarrollar estudios que resuelven preguntas taxonómicas, ecológicas, demográficas y evolutivas a diversas escalas temporales y geográficas. Sin embargo, material genético obtenido a partir de ejemplares depositados en colecciones biológicas es poco usado, debido al deterioro natural del ADN preservado en dichos ejemplares, de manera que la obtención de material genético de calidad es demandante en términos de tiempo y dinero. Objetivo: Usando material de museo, identificar una secuencia mini-barcode que pueda ser empleada en la determinación taxonómica, y que a su vez suministre información que permita la estimación de relaciones filogenéticas de especies del género Bombus. Métodos: Se estandarizó el protocolo de extracción de ADN a partir de la extremidad mesotoracica derecha y/o una muestra de músculo torácico de 96 especímenes depositados en la colección LABUN entre 7 y 38 años atrás. Las diferentes combinaciones de oligonucleótidos evaluadas permitieron amplificar fragmentos de 152 a 407 pares de bases (pb) del gen mitocondrial Cytochrome Oxidase I (COI). Usando como plantilla un grupo de 31 secuencias amplificadas a partir de especímenes recolectados recientemente, los fragmentos obtenidos de los especímenes del museo fueron ensamblados y analizados en un marco filogenético. Además, se realizó un análisis de red de haplotipos para evaluar en detalle las relaciones entre los haplotipos mitocondriales resultantes. Resultados: Se determinó un mayor éxito de extracción de ADN a partir de muestras de extremidad depositadas a partir del año 1982.Entretanto, la amplificación exitosa de fragmentos de más de 300 pares de bases (pb) se logró principalmente en muestras depositadas en fechas posteriores a 1999, lo que indica una mayor integridad del material genético recuperado de individuos de 19 años de recolección en adelante. Aunque todos los fragmentos evaluados pueden ser empleados como mini-barcode, solo con uno se obtiene una topología similar a la observada con el fragmento completo. Se detectó una gran variacion genética, particularmente al interior de las especies Bombus atratus y B. funebris, en las que se reveló una clara estructura filogeográfica. Conclusiones: Se obtuvieron nuevas secuencias de códigos de barras mediante extracción de ADN y protocolo de amplificación de muestras de museos. Además, se generó nueva información sobre la variabilidad genética intraespecífica, detectando la presencia de haplotipos mitocondriales únicos que podrían constituir Unidades Significativas Evolutivas sujetas a conservación. Dicha información es de vital importancia para formular estrategias de conservación para estos polinizadores en Colombia.

Introduction: The use of museum specimens as a source of genetic information to develop studies that resolve taxonomic, ecological, demographic, and evolutionary questions at various temporal and geographic scales, has recently become relevant. However, genetic material obtained from specimens deposited in biological collections is not used frequently due to the natural deterioration of the DNA preserved in these specimens. Getting quality genetic material is demanding in terms of time and money. Objective: By using museum material,to identify a mini-barcode sequence that can be used in the taxonomic determination and provides information that allows the estimation of phylogenetic relationships of species of the genus Bombus. Methods: The DNA extraction protocol for museum samples was standardized using the mesothoracic right leg and / or a sample of thoracic muscle of 96 specimens deposited in the LABUN collection between 7 and 38 years ago. Different combinations of oligonucleotides allowed to amplify fragments from 152 to 407 base pairs (bp) of the mitochondrial gene Cytochrome Oxidase I (COI). Using as a template a group of 31 sequences amplified from recently collected specimens, the fragments obtained from the museum specimens were assembled and analyzed in a phylogenetic framework. Additionally, a haplotype network analysis was performed in order to evaluate in detail the relationships between the resulting mitochondrial haplotypes. Results: The greatest success of DNA extraction was achieved from limb samples deposited since the year 1982 on. Meanwhile, successful amplification of fragments longer than 300 base pairs (bp) was achieved mostly in samples deposited on dates after 1999, which indicates greater integrity of the genetic material recovered from individuals of 19 years of collection and onwards. Although all the fragments evaluated can be used as mini-barcode, only with one primer pair, it was possible to obtain a topology similar to that observed with the complete fragment. A large genetic variation was detected, particularly within the Bombus atratus and B. funebris species, in which a clear phylogeographic structure was revealed. Conclusions: New barcode sequences were obtained through DNA extraction and amplification protocol from museum samples. Furthermore, new information on intraspecific genetic variability was generated, detecting the presence of unique mitochondrial haplotypes that could constitute management units subject of conservation. Such information is of vital importance to formulate conservation strategies for these pollinators in Colombia.

Sobre las aves de las expediciones Santander-Bio, cuantificando el costo de colectar especímenes en Colombia / On birds of santander-bio expeditions, quantifying the cost of collecting voucher specimens in colombia

ABSTRACT Several scientific reasons support continuing bird collection in Colombia, a megadiverse country with modest science financing. Despite the recognized value of biological collections for the rigorous study of biodiversity, there is scarce information on the monetary costs of specimens. We present results for three expeditions conducted in Santander (municipalities of Cimitarra, El Carmen de Chucurí, and Santa Barbara), Colombia, during 2018 to collect bird voucher specimens, quantifying the costs of obtaining such material. After a sampling effort of 1290 mist net hours and occasional collection using an airgun, we collected 300 bird voucher specimens, representing 117 species from 30 families. Such collection represents one of the largest series obtained during the historical ornithological exploration of Santander. We report differences among expeditions regarding the capture rate in mist nets, as well as differences in the sizes of taxa collected by mist nets and airgun. We discuss results in the context of previous ornithological expeditions in Colombia, commenting issues on the biology of some species, particularly those considered as noteworthy records (e.g., Red-legged Tinamou [Crypturellus erythropus], Cinnamon Screech Owl [Megascopspetersoni], Saffron-headed Parrot [Pyriliapyrilia], Black Inca [Coeligena prunellei], and Chestnut-crowned Gnateater [Conopophaga castaneiceps]). We calculated that the costs of obtaining and curating a specimen in Colombia, including tissues for molecular analysis, was ~US$60.4 (~$196 176 COP), which is among published costs of obtaining voucher specimens in other taxa and countries. These costs must be considered an investment in scientific capital because voucher specimens will provide biological information for hundreds of years.

RESUMEN Hay distintas razones científicas que apoyan la recolección de aves en Colombia, un país megadiverso pero con una modesta inversión en ciencia. Pese al valor de las colecciones biológicas para el estudio riguroso de la biodiversidad, la información sobre costos monetarios de recolectar especímenes es escasa. Presentamos resultados de la cuantificación del costo de obtener especímenes de aves durante tres expediciones en Santander (municipios de Cimitarra, El Carmen de Chucurí y Santa Bárbara), Colombia, en 2018. Tras un esfuerzo de muestreo de 1290 horas/red y recolecta ocasional con una pistola de aire, obtuvimos 300 especímenes pertenecientes a 117 especies de 30 familias, una de las series más grandes de la historia de la exploración ornitológica del departamento de Santander. Reportamos diferencias entre expediciones en cuanto a la tasa de captura con redes de niebla, así como diferencias en los tamaños de los taxones recolectados mediante redes de niebla y pistola de aire. Discutimos los resultados en el contexto de otras expediciones ornitológicas en Colombia, comentando algunos aspectos de la biología de especies relevantes (e.g., Crypturellus erythropus, Megascops petersoni, Pyrilia pyrilia, Coeligena prunellei y Conopophaga castaneiceps). El costo que calculamos para obtener y curar un espécimen, incluyendo tejidos para análisis moleculares futuros, es de ~$60,4 dólares estadounidenses (~$196 176 pesos colombianos), costo que se encuentra dentro del rango para obtener especímenes de otros taxones en otros países. Estos costos deben considerarse como una inversión al capital científico, debido a que los especímenes brindarán información biológica por cientos de años.

Colombian froze biodiversity: 16 years of the tissue collection of the humboldt intiitute / La biodiversidad congelada de Colombia: 16 años de la colección de tejidos del Instituto Humboldt

Collections of frozen tissue samples stand as keystone sources of molecular information to construct biodiversity knowledge, and are particularly challenged if they focus on megadiverse countries. In 1998 the Humboldt Institute (Instituto de Investigación de Recursos Biológicos Alexander von Humboldt) began a tissue collection of Colombian biodiversity (IAvH-CT) and the aim of this work is to present a diagnostic and an historical perspective for that collection, constructed by compiling information and experiences on its management as well as by organizing and curating the information of each catalogued sample. After 16 years, the IAvH-CT harbors 16,469 samples, which represent around 2530 species from 1289 genera, and 323 families of the Colombian biodiversity. Samples are biased toward plants (44 %) and birds (40 %), but also include other animal taxa. Geographically, IAvH-CT includes samples from all Colombian departments, but there is broad variation in their coverage. When compared with other international collections, IAvH-CT fulfills several standards of sample storage and data management, but its major weakness is that several tissues seem to lack a vouchered specimen. Tissues housed at IAvH-CT have been included in at least 48 studies published in several scientific journals. IAvH-CT is implementing strategies to improve curatorial standards, fill-in taxonomic gaps, and to explore the potential of its samples to understand the outstanding Colombian biota in a cooperative research framework among institutions.

Las colecciones de tejidos son fuentes fundamentales de información molecular para el conocimiento de la biodiversidad, y son particularmente desafiantes si están enfocadas en países megadiversos. En 1998 el Instituto Humboldt (Instituto de Investigación de Recursos Biológicos Alexander von Humboldt) inició una colección de tejidos de la biodiversidad colombiana (IAvH-CT). El objetivo de este trabajo es presentar un diagnóstico y una perspectiva histórica de esta colección, mediante la compilación de información y de experiencias sobre su manejo y organizando y curando la información de cada muestra catalogada. Después de 16 años IAvH-CT resguarda 16,469 muestras, que representan alrededor de 2530 especies de 1289 géneros y 323 familias de la biodiversidad colombiana. El número de muestras está sesgado hacia plantas (44 %) y aves (40 %), pero también incluyen otros taxones animales. Geográficamente, IAvH-CT incluye muestras de todos los departamentos colombianos, pero hay una gran variación en su cobertura. Al ser comparada con otras colecciones internacionales se encuentra que IAvH-CT cumple varios estándares de almacenamiento de muestras y de manejo de datos, pero su gran debilidad es que varios tejidos aparentemente carecen de un ejemplar de referencia. Varios tejidos almacenados en IAvH-CT han sido incluidos en al menos 48 estudios publicados en varias revistas científicas. IAvH-CT está implementando estrategias para mejorar la curaduría, llenar vacíos taxonómicos y explorar el potencial de sus muestras para entender la impresionante biota colombiana en un marco de investigación en cooperación con otras instituciones.

Myxomycetes collection preserved in the herbarium of the Federal University of Roraima (Brazil) / Coleção de Myxomycetes conservada no herbário da Universidade Federal de Roraima

First records of myxomycetes in the North region of Brazil go back to the 19th century. Nevertheless, the myxobiota of this region is still largely unexplored, with only 42 species recorded, distributed in 20 genera and seven families. The objectives of this paper were to characterize the Myxomycetes collection of the Herbarium of the Federal University of Roraima (UFRR) and to add new records for the myxobiota of this State. The collection holds specimens collected in fragments of Open Ombrophilous Forest, Seasonal Semi-deciduous Forest, Riparian Forest, deforested areas and urban home gardens in the state of Roraima. The 157 exsiccates were analyzed and identified or redetermined based on identification keys, descriptions and illustrations. The collection is in good conditions of preservation and includes all subclasses of Myxomycetes, 83% of its orders, 50% of its families, and 20 species. Trichiales, with one family, three genera and six species, represents 62% of all exsiccates. Cribraria aff. splendens, Metatrichia vesparia, Physarella oblonga, Stemonaria longa and Stemonitis splendens are new records for Roraima and Arcyria obvelata, Comatricha pulchella, Stemonitis pallida and Stemonitopsis aequalis are referred for the first time in the Northern Region, enlarging the knowledge of the Brazilian geographic distribution of these species.

Os primeiros registros de mixomicetos na Região Norte do Brasil remontam ao Século XIX. Todavia, a mixobiota desta região está ainda muito pouco explorada, com apenas 42 espécies registradas, distribuídas em 20 gêneros e sete famílias. Os objetivos deste estudo foram caracterizar a coleção de Myxomycetes do Herbário da Universidade Federal de Roraima (UFRR) e adicionar novos registros para a mixobiota deste estado. A coleção contém espécimes coletados em fragmentos de Floresta Ombrófila Aberta, Floresta Estacional Semi-decidual, Mata Ciliar, áreas desmatadas e quintais urbanos no estado de Roraima. As 157 exsicatas foram analisadas e identificadas ou redeterminadas com base em chaves de identificação, descrições e ilustrações. A coleção encontra-se em boas condições de conservação e inclui todas as subclasses de Myxomycetes, 83% das ordens, 50% das famílias e 20 espécies. A ordem Trichiales, com uma família, três gêneros e seis espécies, corresponde a 62% das exsicatas. Cribraria aff. splendens, Metatrichia vesparia, Physarella oblonga, Stemonaria longa e Stemonitis splendens são novos registros para o estado de Roraima e Arcyria obvelata, Comatricha pulchella, Stemonitis pallida e Stemonitopsis aequalis são referidas pela primeira vez para a Região Norte, ampliando a distribuição geográfica conhecida para estas espécies no Brasil.