Taxonomic and faunistic study of four almost unknown Brazilian Meloidae (Coleoptera)

ABSTRACT The Brazilian fauna of Meloidae is poorly studied, even though it includes more than 160 species. In this paper, we aimed at widening the knowledge on four species of blister beetles from this country. Specifically, we defined the uncertain range of Tetraonyx angulicollis, as extended in south-eastern Brazil rather than in Mexico, and implemented the description of the species with figures. We studied the taxonomy and distribution of three almost unknown species of Nemognatha from Brazil, São Paulo State, providing descriptions and figures of sexual characters and colour variability of N. beauregardi, to which is probably referable as a junior synonym of N. plaumanni, of N. rufoscutellaris and of N. cfr. gounellei. Moreover, we assigned these three species to the subgenus Pauronemognatha, recently recorded from South America.

Leishmania enriettii visceralises in the trachea, lungs, and spleen of Cavia porcellus

BACKGROUND Leishmania (Mundinia) enriettii is a species commonly found in the guinea pig, Cavia porcellus. Although it is a dermotropic species, there is still an uncertainty regarding its ability to visceralise during Leishmania life cycle. OBJECTIVE Here, we investigated the ability of L. enriettii (strain L88) to visceralise in lungs, trachea, spleen, and liver of C. porcellus, its natural vertebrate host. METHODS Animals were infected sub-cutaneously in the nose and followed for 12 weeks using histological (hematoxilin-eosin) and molecular tools (polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism - PCR-RFLP). To isolate parasite from C. porcellus, animals were experimentally infected for viscera removal and PCR typing targeting hsp70 gene. FINDINGS Histological analysis revealed intense and diffuse inflammation with the presence of amastigotes in the trachea, lung, and spleen up to 12 weeks post-infection (PI). Molecular analysis of paraffin-embedded tissues detected parasite DNA in the trachea and spleen between the 4th and 8th weeks PI. At the 12th PI, no parasite DNA was detected in any of the organs. To confirm that the spleen could serve as a temporary site for L. enriettii, we performed additional in vivo experiments. During 6th week PI, the parasite was isolated from the spleen confirming previous histopathological and PCR observations. MAIN CONCLUSION Leishmania enriettii (strain L88) was able to visceralise in the trachea, lung, and spleen of C. porcellus.

Una nueva subespecie de Passiflora lobbii (Passifloraceae) para la vertiente occidental de los Andes peruanos

Se describe Passiflora lobbii subsp. limensis Chávez-Corcuera que se distingue del resto de subespecies de Passiflora lobbii por presentar dos ocelos en la cara abaxial de la lámina, pecíolos con glándulas situadas en su zona media y láminas foliares de mayores dimensiones que el resto. Adicionalmente, se presenta una clave para la determinación de las subespecies de P. lobbii y otros taxones afines, acompañada de una tabla comparativa con los caracteres morfológicos foliares de las subespecies de Passiflora lobbii.

Passiflora lobbii subsp. limensis Chávez-Corcuera is described. It differs from the other subspecies of Passiflora lobbii by presenting two ocelli on the abaxial side of the lamina, petioles with two glands located in its middle zone and larger leaf blades. Additionally, a key for determination of the related taxa and a table with morphological characters of the leaves of subspecies of Passiflora lobbii are presented.

Taxonomic notes on social wasps of the groups of Mischocyttarus wagneri (Buysson 1908) and M. barbatus Richards 1945 (Hymenoptera, Vespidae, Polistinae)

ABSTRACT Taxonomic revisionary notes and identification keys are presented for two species-groups of wasps of the genus Mischocyttarus, subgenus Phi. Material of the M. wagneri and M. barbatus groups, including types, was examined in several collections, resulting in description of one new species for the first mentioned group (M. camanducaia sp. nov.), and several new synonymies for both groups as follows (senior synonym in bold): [Mischocyttarus mourei Zikán 1949 = Mischocyttarus laneiZikán 1949 = Mischocyttarus plaumanniZikán 1949]; [Mischocyttarus declaratusZikán 1935 = Mischocyttarus confirmatusZikán 1935 = Mischocyttarus brackmanniZikán 1949 = Mischocyttarus alternatusZikán 1949 = Mischocyttarus cabaunaZikán 1949]; [Mischocyttarus barbatus Richards 1945 = Mischocyttarus ecuadorensisZikán 1949 = Mischocyttarus pedunculariusZikán 1949]. In addition, several cases are demonstrated of changing in group content, with species being moved into and out of groups as required. Both groups are distributed on the highlands of Central and South America, with the M. wagneri group being endemic to southeastern areas of the continent.

Una especie nueva ovo ‒ imitadora en Passiflora (Passifloraceae) de la Provincia Huancabamba, Piura, Perú / A new egg ‒ mimic Passiflora species (Passifloraceae) from Huancabamba Province, Piura, Peru

Passiflora santos-llatasii es descrita e ilustrada como una nueva especie en Passiflora subgénero Decaloba (Passifloraceae). Es endémica de los bosques montanos de neblina occidentales de la Provincia de Huancabamba, Departamento de Piura, en el noroeste del Perú. Esta especie es similar a P. pardifolia del Brasil pero se diferencian principalmente en el color de las hojas, tamaño de brácteas, corona floral tanto en color como el número de series, forma del fruto, y la distribución de sus poblaciones silvestres. Se añaden datos adicionales sobre su etimología, ecología, distribución, conservación y se discute su parentesco con otras especies afines.

Passiflora santos-llatasii is described and illustrated as a new species in Passiflora subgenus Decaloba (Passifloraceae). It is endemic to western cloud forests from the Huancabamba Province in Piura Department, in northern Peru. This species is similar to the Brazilian P. pardifolia, but differs mainly in leaves color, bracts size, flower corona -both in color and series number, fruit shape, and distribution of wild populations. Additional information about etymology, ecology, distribution and conservation is added, with discussion of similar species.

Spatial distribution of sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae; Larroussius group), the vectors of visceral leishmaniasis in Northwest of Iran

Objective: To determine spatial distribution of sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae; Larroussius group), the vectors of visceral leishmaniasis in Ardabil province, Northwest of Iran. Methods: Sand flies were collected using sticky traps from the 30 selected points in Ardabil province, during May-November 2017. The MaxEnt model in GIS software was used for modeling. Results: A total of 2 794 specimens of sand flies were collected, of which 33% were Larroussius subgenus sand flies. Phlebotomus kandelakii and Phlebotomus wenyoni were the highest and lowest collected species respectively. Based on the modeling, four areas in the province were identified with more than 70% probability of the presence of Larroussius group vectors which were at risk of visceral leishmaniasis disease transmission. Conclusions: The distribution of Larroussius subgenus sand flies was observed in all parts of Ardabil. But the northern parts of the province (Germi and Bilesavar counties) as well as central part (Ardabil and Meshkinshahr counties) were of great importance in terms of the presence of Larroussius subgenus sand flies and the possibility of transmission of the visceral leishmaniasis.

Spatial distribution of sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae; Larroussius group), the vectors of visceral leishmaniasis in Northwest of Iran

Objective: To determine spatial distribution of sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae; Larroussius group), the vectors of visceral leishmaniasis in Ardabil province, Northwest of Iran. Methods:Sand flies were collected using sticky traps from the 30 selected points in Ardabil province, during May-November 2017. The MaxEnt model in GIS software was used for modeling. Results: A total of 2794 specimens of sand flies were collected, of which 33％ were Larroussius subgenus sand flies. Phlebotomus kandelakii and Phlebotomus wenyoni were the highest and lowest collected species respectively. Based on the modeling, four areas in the province were identified with more than 70％ probability of the presence of Larroussius group vectors which were at risk of visceral leishmaniasis disease transmission. Conclusions: The distribution of Larroussius subgenus sand flies was observed in all parts of Ardabil. But the northern parts of the province (Germi and Bilesavar counties) as well as central part (Ardabil and Meshkinshahr counties) were of great importance in terms of the presence of Larroussius subgenus sand flies and the possibility of transmission of the visceral leishmaniasis.

Notes on the systematics of the orchid-bee genus Eulaema (Hymenoptera, Apidae)

Notes on the systematics of the orchid-bee genus Eulaema (Hymenoptera, Apidae). The classification of the genus Eulaema is modified in order to make it congruent with recent phylogenetic hypotheses based on molecular data. The speciosa group, containing E. peruviana, E. speciosa and related species, is removed from E. (Eulaema) and transferred to E. (Apeulaema). New morphological characters are presented to support the revised scope of the subgenera and their diagnostic features are revised. Six species groups are recognized herein: two in E. (Apeulaema) and four in E. (Eulaema). A list of valid species in each species group and an identification key to males of each of the subgenera and species groups are provided. Finally, an older overlooked designation of a type species for Eulaema is presented in the Appendix.

Estudo farmacobotânico comparativo de folhas de Solanum crinitum Lam., Solanum gomphodes Dunal e Solanum lycocarpum A. St.-Hil., Solanaceae / The pharmacobotanical comparative study of leaves of Solanum crinitum Lam., Solanum gomphodes Dunal and Solanum lycocarpum A. St-Hil, (Solanaceae)

Neste trabalho realizou-se um estudo farmacobotânico de Solanum crinitum Lam., Solanum gomphodes Dunal e Solanum lycocarpum A. St-Hil, espécies pertencentes à Solanum sect. Crinitum Child, com o objetivo de efetuar morfodiagnoses macroscópicas e microscópicas que possibilitem suas caracterizações. As três espécies são conhecidas popularmente como "jurubeba", fruta-de-lobo" e "lobeira" e usadas na medicina popular contra o diabetes e também para outros fins. Essas espécies compartilham vários caracteres morfológicos, dentre os quais se destacam o hábito arbustivo a arbóreo, o indumento velutino às vezes cerdoso, a corola é pentagonal-estrelada, roxa a púrpura, e o fruto globoso acima de 5 cm de diâmetro. Entretanto, apesar da grande semelhança morfológica entre as espécies estudadas, destacaram-se como parâmetros distintivos: a morfologia do pecíolo, a base do limbo, o indumento da face adaxial, a anatomia do mesofilo, os tipos de estômatos e a morfologia do bordo foliar.

In this work, a pharmacobotanical study of Solanum crinitum Lam., S. gomphodes Dunal and S. lycocarpum A. St-Hil., all belonging to the Solanum sect. Crinitum Child. has been realized with the objective of providing a macroscopical and microscopical morphodiagnosis for their characterizations. The three species are commonly named "jurubeba", "fruta-de-lobo" and "lobeira", and they are used in the folk medicine for the treatment of diabetes and others diseases. The three species studied share various morphological characters, like shrub and tree forms, the velutinous abaxial indument, the presence of bristles, the flower with stellate-pentagonal corollas ranging from violet to purple, and the fruit reaching up to 5 cm in diameter. The principal parameters to distinct the three species studied were the morphology of petiole and base of the blade leaf, the indument of adaxial surface, the anatomy of mesophyll, the types of stomata and the leaf margin.

Leishmania spp. parasite isolation through inoculation of patient biopsy macerates in interferon gamma knockout mice / Leishmania spp.: isolamento de parasitos pela inoculação de macerados de biopsias de pacientes em camundongos deficientes em interferon gama

Isolation of Leishmania parasite and species identification are important for confirmation and to help define the epidemiology of the leishmaniasis. Mice are often used to isolate pathogens, but the most common mouse strains are resistant to infection with parasites from the Leishmania (Viannia) subgenus. In this study we tested the inoculation of interferon gamma knockout (IFNγ KO) mice with biopsy macerates from Leishmania-infected patients to increase the possibility of isolating parasites. Biopsies from twenty five patients with clinical signs of leishmaniasis were taken and tested for the presence of parasites. Immunohistochemical assay (IHC) and conventional histopathology detected the parasite in 88 percent and 83 percent of the patients, respectively. Leishmania sp. were isolated in biopsy macerates from 52 percent of the patients by culture in Grace's insect medium, but 13 percent of isolates were lost due to contamination. Inoculation of macerates in IFNγ KO mice provides isolation of parasites in 31.8 percent of the biopsies. Most isolates belong to L. (Viannia) subgenus, as confirmed by PCR, except one that belongs to L. (Leishmania) subgenus. Our preliminary results support the use of IFNγ KO mice to improve the possibility to isolate New World Leishmania species.

O isolamento e a identificação da espécie de parasito do gênero Leishmania são importantes para a confirmação e auxiliam na epidemiologia da leishmaniose. Os camundongos são freqüentemente utilizados para isolar patógenos, porém, as linhagens mais comuns de camundongos são resistentes à infecção por parasitos do subgênero Leishmania (Viannia). Neste estudo, avaliamos a inoculação de macerados de biópsias de pacientes infectados em camundongos deficientes do gene do interferon gama (IFNγ KO) como um método para aumentar a possibilidade de isolar Leishmania spp. Biópsias de 25 pacientes infectados com Leishmania sp. foram avaliadas para a presença de parasitos pelos métodos de imunohistoquímica (IHC) e histopatologia convencional. Os parasitos foram observados, respectivamente, em 88 por cento e 83 por cento das biópsias. Leishmania sp. foi isolada de macerados de biópsia de 52 por cento dos pacientes infectados, quando cultivados em meio Grace, porém, 13 por cento destes isolados foram perdidos devido a contaminações. Inoculação dos macerados em camundongos IFNγ KO proporcionou o isolamento de parasitos oriundos de 31,8 por cento dos pacientes. A maioria dos isolados pertence ao subgênero L. (Viannia), exceto um que pertence ao subgênero L. (Leishmania), como confirmado pela reação da polimerase em cadeia. Nossos resultados preliminares sugerem que o uso de camundongos IFNγ KO pode ser útil para aumentar a possibilidade de isolamento de leishmânias encontradas nas Américas.

Nota sobre a ocorrência de pétalas reduzidas em espécies de Polygala L. subgênero Hebeclada (Chodat) Blake (Polygalaceae) da Região Sul do Brasil / A note about the occurrence of reduced petals in species of Polygala L. subgenus Hebeclada (Chodat) Blake (Polygalaceae) from southern Brazil

O número de pétalas é um dos caracteres taxonômicos utilizados na circunscrição dos subgêneros de Polygala. Até o momento, a corola das espécies do subgênero Hebeclada era descrita apresentando apenas três pétalas, uma inferior e central, denominada carena e duas laterais superiores aderidas à bainha estaminal. Dentre os 12 subgêneros de Polygala, a ocorrência de corola trímera era registrada apenas nos subgêneros Polygala e Hebeclada. O presente trabalho trata da ocorrência inédita de corola pentâmera em espécies de Polygala do subgênero Hebeclada, apresentando fotografias e comentários adicionais sobre estas pétalas reduzidas, não referidas para o subgênero até o momento.

The number of petals in the flowers is a taxonomic character used in the circumscription of the subgenera of Polygala. Until now, the corolla of the species of subgenus Hebeclada was described having tree petals, one inferior and central called carina and two lateral adnated to the staminal sheath. Among the 12 subgenera of Polygala, the occurrence of trimerous corolla was only known in subgenera Polygala and Hebeclada. This paper presents the discovery of pentamerous corolla in species of Polygala subgenus Hebeclada, presenting photos and additional comments about this reduced petals unknown for the subgenus until this moment.