Oviposition of Minstrellus grandis (Lepidoptera: Riodinidae) in a harmful ant-plant symbiosi

The oviposition behavior of the rare butterfly Minstrellus grandis (Callaghan, 1999) (Lepidoptera: Riodinidae) is recorded for the first time. Two females laid eggs on the old leaves of an unidentified Triplaris sp. (Polygonaceae), a myrmecophytic plant typically known as 'Triplaria' or 'novice' tree, inhabited by aggressive 'taxi' ants of the genus Pseudomyrmex sp. (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). These observations suggest that M. grandis caterpillars live associated with one of the most harmful types of Amazon ant-plant symbiosis. (AU)

Morfologia bucal interna dos girinos de Leptodactylus labyrinthicus Spix, 1824 (Amphibia: Anura: Leptodactylidae) / Internal buccal morphology of the tadpoles of Leptodactylus labyrinthicus Spix, 1824 (Amphibia: Anura: Leptodactylidae)

A microanatomia do disco oral e da cavidade bucal da larva de Leptodactylus labyrinthicus é descrita e comparada com outras espécies do gênero pertencentes ao grupo de L. pentadactylus. Trinta e cinco girinos entre os estágios 25 e 46 foram dissecados e analisados em microscopia eletrônica de varredura. A descrição da morfologia oral foi feita utilizando larvas entre os estágios 36 e 39. A morfologia oral da larva de L. labyrinthicus é similar às descritas para outros girinos com adaptação a macrofagia, com forte queratinização das coberturas das mandíbulas, redução das estruturas bucais internas e presença de uma glote descoberta, propícias às dietas carnívoras. As larvas do grupo de L. pentadactylus compartilham essa tendência à redução das estruturas de seleção e captura de partículas, apresentando redução no número de papilas da arena do assoalho e do teto bucal, redução ou ausência das papilas anteriores às bolsas bucais, apenas duas papilas pós-nasais, pequenas papilas laterais à crista mediana e zonas glandulares restritas a estreitas faixas no bordo velar. Nos girinos do gênero Leptodactylus a morfologia larvária reflete os grupos atuais propostos para o gênero.

The microanatomy of the oral disc and the buccal cavity of the tadpole of Leptodactylus labyrinthicus is described and compared with other species included in the L. pentadactylus species group. Thirty-five tadpoles between stages 25 and 46 had been dissected and analyzed in scanning electron microscopy. The oral and internal buccal morphology was analyzed in tadpoles between stages 36 and 39. The buccal morphology of the tadpole of L. labyrinthicus is similar to other tadpoles with adaptation to macrophagy, such as the strong queratinization of the jaw, reduction of the internal buccal structures and presence of one glote uncovered, propitious to carnivorous diets. The tadpole of L. pentadactylus species group share this trend to the reduction of the structures of selection and capture of particle, including reduction in the number of the buccal roof and floor arena papillae, reduction or absence of anterior papillae on the buccal pocket, only two postnarial papillae, small lateral ridge papillae and glandular zones restricted in narrow bands on the edge of velum. In the tadpoles of genera Leptodactylus the larval morphology reflects the current groups considered for this genera.

Defense and carnivory: Dual role of bracts in Passiflora foetida.

Members of the genus Passiflora are reported to have evolved modifications which kill insects; they have however never been tested for carnivorous syndrome. The flowers of Passiflora foetida consists of highly reticulate bracts which cover and grow along with the buds and fruits. Removal of bracts from developing bud and fruit resulted in higher predatory damage compared to those where the bracts were intact. These bracts also possess a large number of minute glands which ooze sticky secretion. A variety of tiny insects were found trapped by the secretion of the bracts. The secretion of these glands show high proteases and acid phosphatase activity, two common digestive enzymes found in traps of true carnivorous plants. A high quantity of aminoacids were released from freshly freeze killed ants when incubated in buffer extract of bracts· [14C] phenylalanine smeared on the glandular surface of bracts was recovered from ovules suggesting potential for absorption of aminoacids. These results suggest a novel role for bracts where primary function is to minimize predatory damage to developing flowers and fruits. The bracts serve as insect traps and also possess the mechanism to digest the trapped insects to obtain free aminoacids.