A Taxonomic Revision of the South American Trilobite Cockroaches of Parahormetica Brunner von Wattenwyl 1865 (Blattodea: Blaberidae), with Description of Parahormetica museunacional sp. nov. from the Atlantic Forest.

The taxonomically intricate genus of trilobite cockroaches, Parahormetica Brunner von Wattenwyl, 1865, is revised based on a comparative morphological analysis. The goals of this study are to review the nomenclature, propose hypotheses about specific delimitation, and provide diagnoses to allow identification of the taxonomic units in the genus. Based on the revised status of Parahormetica, we transferred Parahormetica hylaeceps Miranda-Ribeiro, 1936, and Parahormetica punctata Saussure, 1873, to the genus Bionoblatta Rehn, 1940. Therefore, the genus includes now four species of giant cockroaches which are predominantly distributed on the Atlantic Forest: Parahormetica bilobata (Saussure, 1864), Parahormetica cicatricosa Saussure, 1869, Parahormetica monticollis (Burmeister, 1838), and Parahormetica museunacional sp. nov. (holotype male deposited in DZUP: Brazil, Paraná). Diagnoses, key, distribution maps, images of living, non-type, and type specimens are made available. Our results make clear that the status and limits among Brachycolini genera pending a full revision.

In honor of the Claudio Gilberto Froehlich's career: Tupiperla claudius sp. nov. (Plecoptera: Gripopterygidae), a new stonefly from Pico do Marumbi State Park, Paraná State, southern Brazil

ABSTRACT A new species of Gripopteryginae stonefly, Tupiperla claudius sp. nov. (holotype male deposited in DZUP: Brazil, Paraná State, Piraquara municipality, Pico do Marumbi State Park), is described and diagnosed based on seven adult males. The new species differs from its congeners by the long T10 extension, dorsally with straight lateral margins and tip truncated, protruding into a pair of short downward teeth in lateral view; paraproct long, surpassing the T10 extension dorsally, with a basal membranous-like area and a row of minute spines on the middle of the appendage length dorsally. Specimens of T. claudius sp. nov. from the Protected Area Mananciais da Serra in the Serra do Mar represent the very first gripopterygids recorded in the state of Paraná and are also a remarkable record for the genus for the southern Brazilian Atlantic Forest.

Three names, one species: junior synonyms for the Atlantic Forest emerald dragonfly Navicordulia atlantica (Odonata: Corduliidae s.s.)

ABSTRACT Three Atlantic Forest endemic species of emerald dragonflies of the genus Navicordulia Machado & Costa, 1995 are reviewed through a morphological comparative analysis. All name-bearing types and additional specimens of the Navicordulia atlantica-complex—Navicordulia atlantica Machado & Costa, 1995, Navicordulia mielkei Machado & Costa, 1995 and Navicordulia miersi Machado & Costa, 1995—were investigated to assess their taxonomic and nomenclatural status. Based on our results the hypothesis of these three nomina corresponding to distinct species is no longer supported. The proportional size of caudal appendages, an additional crossvein in cubito-anal space in the hind wing, as well as minor differences in coloration of pterostigma are not reliable diagnostic characters for supporting their specific status. We consider the three simultaneously available nomina as synonyms, and by action of the first reviser, Navicordulia atlantica Machado & Costa, 1995 is selected as valid nomen, hence N. mielkei syn. nov. and N. miersi syn. nov. are their subjective junior synonyms. Photos, other illustrations, and a new species-level diagnosis are given. Despite of the advances of taxonomic knowledge of Navicordulia, the second species-rich corduliid genus in the Neotropical region, the status of some species still necessitates a full revision.

Redescription of adults, nymphs and taxonomic notes on the Southern Brazilian mayfly Ulmeritus saopaulensis (Traver, 1946) (Ephemeroptera: Leptophlebiidae)

ABSTRACT The small mayfly genus UlmeritusTraver, 1956 currently includes three species of Neotropical Leptophlebiidae (Ephemeroptera) distributed in southern South America in the Pampean and Atlantic Forest dominions: U. carbonelli (Uruguay), U. balteatus (Brazil and Uruguay) and U. saopaulensis (Brazil). Ulmeritus saopaulensis is a poorly known endemic species from Brazil. Based on material from a single locality in Minas Gerais, we complement the knowledge on this species with a redescription of adults and nymphs and describe the eggs for the first time. The confusing nomenclatural history and the correct spelling of the specific name saopaulensis is discussed in light of International Code of Zoological Nomenclature. This paper points out that in despite of recent advances on the knowledge of this genus a full taxonomic review and phylogenetic analyses are pending to solve species delimitation and evolutionary relationships.

Are publications on zoological taxonomy under attack?

Taxonomy is essential to biological sciences and the priority field in face of the biodiversity crisis. The industry of scientific publications has made extensive promotion and display of bibliometric indexes, resulting in side effects such as the Journal Impact Factor™ (JIF) mania. Inadequacies of the widely used indexes to assess taxonomic publications are among the impediments for the progress of this field. Based on an unusually high proportion of self-citations, the mega-journal Zootaxa, focused on zoological taxonomy, was suppressed from the Journal Citation Reports (JCR, Clarivate™). A prompt reaction from the scientific community against this decision took place exposing myths and misuses of bibliometrics. Our goal is to shed light on the impact of misuse of bibliometrics to the production in taxonomy. We explored JCR's metrics for 2010-2018 of 123 zoological journals publishing taxonomic studies. Zootaxa, with around 15 000 citations, received 311% more citations than the second most cited journal, and shows higher levels of self-citations than similar journals. We consider Zootaxa's scope and the fact that it is a mega-journal are insufficient to explain its high level of self-citation. Instead, this result is related to the 'Zootaxa phenomenon', a sociological bias that includes visibility and potentially harmful misconceptions that portray the journal as the only one that publishes taxonomic studies. Menaces to taxonomy come from many sources and the low bibliometric indexes, including JIF, are only one factor among a range of threats. Instead of being focused on statistically illiterate journal metrics endorsing the villainy of policies imposed by profit-motivated companies, taxonomists should be engaged with renewed strength in actions directly connected to the promotion and practice of this science without regard for citation analysis.

A rare case of spontaneous rupture of epithelioid angiomyolipoma.

A male patient, 40 years of age, arrived at our Institute with diffuse abdominal tenderness, right flank pain, hematuria and early stage of hemorrhagic shock with anemia and initial hypotension. The immediate clinical history revealed no significant previous trauma, only subsequently was reported inconstant pain in the right flank for 4-5 days with pallor and asthenia, signs and symptoms that the patient had not investigated. Abdominal CT scan with angiographic evaluation was performed showing right kidney mass and perirenal fluid collection by blood component. Immediate nephrectomy was performed and histopathological and further immunohistochemical study, revealed the epithelioid variant of angiomyolipoma.

Thraulodes marianoi sp. nov., a remarkable new species of mayfly (Ephemeroptera: Leptophlebiidae) with dark wings from the southern Brazilian Atlantic Forest.

Thraulodes marianoi sp. nov. is described, illustrated and diagnosed based on a single male imago from a subtropical forest at Pico do Marumbi State Park, in the protected area of Mananciais da Serra, state of Paraná, Brazil. Based on the dark coloration of legs and the large dark spot at base of forewing, T. marianoi sp. nov. is similar to species of the niger-group (Peruvian Amazonia) and to T. basimaculatus Giordano Domínguez, 2005, a species endemic to Bolivia. The new species can be distinguished from all other species in the genus Thraulodes Ulmer, by the combination of following characteristics: (1) four cross-veins basal to bulla in forewing; (2) brown area covering about of proximal half of the forewing; (3) pleura violet; (4) middle and posterior femora yellowish washed with dark brown; (5) terga and sterna I-IV white washed with dark brown on posterior and lateral margin terga and sterna V-X dark brown; (6) penes short and wide with distolateral area, "ear-like" and poorly developed lateral pouch; (7) styliger plate triangular, median projection short and rounded on the apex. This new species represents the first record of the genus from the state of Paraná, Brazil.

Are publications on zoological taxonomy under attack?

Taxonomy is essential to biological sciences and the priority field to be supported in face of the biodiversity crisis. The industry of scientific publications has made extensive use of bibliometric indexes, resulting in distortions to institutions, organizations, and researchers, such as the side effect known as Journal Impact Factor (JIF) mania. Inadequacies of the most widely used bibliometric indexes from giant companies Clarivate™ (InCites™) and RELX™ Elsevier B.V. (Scopus®) to assessment of the relevance of taxonomic publications were considered as one of the impediments for the progress of this field. Recently, Clarivate suppressed the mega-journal Zootaxa, focused on taxonomy, from Journal Citation Reports (JCR), a database with 12,000 periodicals. Zootaxa suppression, together with other 32 journals, was based on an unusual high proportion of self-citations. Suppressed journals would thus not receive a value of JIF for 2020. A prompt reaction from the scientific community against the suppression of Zootaxa took place and, accordingly, Clarivate announced its reinstatement. This situation exposed many persistent myths and misuses of bibliometric indexes. The goal of this study is to shed light on the impacts of bibliometric indexes to the taxonomic field and on underlying aspects of the suppression of Zootaxa. Our major question is whether the suppression of any journal from JIF can really affect the production in the taxonomic field. We explored data metrics from the JCR (Web of Science Core Collection™) for 2010­2018 of the top ten zoological journals (eight are included in JCR) in the number of new taxa and journals focused on or regularly publishing taxonomic studies, totaling 123 journals. Zootaxa shows higher levels of self-citations than similar journals. We consider that two possible explanations provided for the high number of self-citations, i.e., Zootaxa's scope on taxonomy and the fact that it is a mega-journal, are inadequate. Instead, putative explanations are related to the "Zootaxa phenomenon," a sociological bias that includes visibility, and potential harmful myths that portray Zootaxa as the unique journal that publishes taxonomic studies with an inviting JIF value. Menaces to taxonomy as a science come from many sources and the low bibliometric values of its journals are only one of the factors that contribute for establishing the so-called taxonomic impediment. We suggest rejection of bibliometric indexes, including JIF, instead of considering them when convenient. Taxonomists as a community, instead of being deeply focused on journal metrics endorsing the villainy of bibliometric policies imposed by dominant companies, should be engaged with renewed strength in actions directly connected to the development and promotion of this science.

Oral treatments with a flavonoid-enriched fraction from Cecropia hololeuca and with rutin reduce articular pain and inflammation in murine zymosan-induced arthritis.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Cecropia Loefl. species (Urticaceae) are widely spread across the rainforest in tropical and subtropical regions of Central and South America. Inhabitants of different regions of Brazil employ leaves, fruits and sprouts of Cecropia hololeuca Miq. mainly as anti-inflammatory, anti-asthmatic, expectorant, fever suppressant, and against cough. AIM OF THE STUDY: To evaluate the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of an aqueous leaf extract of C. hololeuca in a murine model of zymosan-induced arthritis (ZIA) and characterize compounds contributing to these effects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The crude aqueous extract of C. hololeuca (CAE) was obtained by infusion, screened for antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities, and fractionated (solvent partition; RP-2 and Sephadex G-25 column chromatography), yielding fractions that were chemically and pharmacologically investigated. TLC, HPLC-DAD, HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS/MS and NMR analyses were peformed. The antinociceptive activity was assessed by means of acetic acid-induced writhing, hot-plate and rota-rod tests. ZIA was used to evaluate the anti-arthritic activity of oral treatment with CAE, butanolic (BF) and aqueous fraction (AF), as well as the fractions obtained from BF (F2, F2-A and F2-B). Rutin, a flavonoid found in C. hololeuca, was also tested. Mechanical hypernociception, joint edema, local neutrophil recruitment and articular TNF-α quantification were performed to measure the severity of arthritis and identify the anti-inflammatory potential of C. hololeuca. RESULTS: CAE (0.03-1 g/kg, p.o.) showed a dose-related inhibitory effect on acetic acid-induced writhing test, but did not change the pain latency in the hotplate test, nor the first fall time on the rota-rod test. In addition, CAE (1 g/kg, p.o.) inhibited by 65% the mechanical hypernociception, 46% the joint edema, 54% the neutrophil recruitment and 53% the articular TNF-α concentration levels in ZIA. BF (0.4 g/kg, p.o.), AF (0.6 g/kg), F2 (0.1 g/kg) and F2-A (0.045 g/kg), but not F2-B (0.055 g/kg), inhibited the mechanical hypernociception, joint edema and neutrophil recruitment in ZIA. Rutin (0.001-0.03 g/kg, p.o.) produced dose-related inhibitory effects in the mechanical hypernociception, joint edema and neutrophil recruitment, and at 0.03 g/kg also inhibited articular TNF-α synthesis after intra-articular zymosan injection. Isoorientin, isovitexin, rutin and isoquercitrin were identified in the most active fraction (F2-A), along with luteolin and apigenin derivatives, tentatively identified as isoorientin-2″-O-glucoside and isovitexin-2″-O-glucoside. CONCLUSION: This study corroborates the popular use by oral route of aqueous preparations of C. hololeuca against joint inflammatory disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis. Our results demonstrated for the first time that oral administration of rutin shows antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects in ZIA, indicating that this flavonoid is one of the immunomodulatory compounds involved in the anti-arthritic activity of C. hololeuca.

Insect (Hexapoda) diversity in the oceanic archipelago of Fernando de Noronha, Brazil: updated taxonomic checklist and new records

ABSTRACT Hexapods, commonly known as insects, are a neglected taxonomic group in the Fernando de Noronha archipelago, with unanswered questions about their species richness and the ecological processes in which they are involved (e.g., colonization, introduction, establishment, and extinction). Herein, we provide an updated Hexapod checklist with current nomenclatural combinations. The entomofauna of the Fernando de Noronha archipelago is currently composed of 453 species in 21 orders. The orders, and their respective number of species, are: Blattaria (9), Coleoptera (118), Collembola (29), Dermaptera (3), Diplura (1), Diptera (134), Embioptera (1), Hemiptera (29), Hymenoptera (59), Isoptera (2), Lepidoptera (25), Mantodea (1), Neuroptera (3), Odonata (5), Orthoptera (11), Phasmatodea (1), Phthiraptera (6), Psocoptera (3), Siphonaptera (1), Thysanoptera (10), and Zygentoma (2). The archipelago has 263 new taxon records (family + genera + species). Thirty-eight species (3.39%) were described from local specimens and most of them are likely endemic species. This study more than doubles our knowledge (from the previous 190 records) of the entomofauna in this large Brazilian archipelago. This study also provides a baseline for studies on its conservation status and for implementing future environmental management programs.

Open ocean nocturnal insect migration in the Brazilian South Atlantic with comments on flight endurance.

We observed a nocturnal insect swarm aboard the oceanographic ship Cruzeiro do Sul of the Brazilian Navy, while conducting a survey of the Montague guyot (seamount), 389 km distant from the nearest land in the South Atlantic. The insects came from open sea toward the ship from all directions, attracted by the powerful light of the deck. Most insects collided with the hull and fell into the ocean, but we managed to capture and determine 17 (13 Hemiptera of a single species, three Lepidoptera of three species and one Odonata). With one exception, we are certain that none of the specimens caught originated from the ship. The geographic origin, most likely the coast of Brazil, and flight endurance of these insects were inferred using data on wind speed and direction, provided by the crew of the ship, and were reconstructed using Hysplit modeling of air current trajectories.

Synthesis of New Thiosemicarbazones and Semicarbazones Containing the 1,2,3-1H-triazole-isatin Scaffold: Trypanocidal, Cytotoxicity, Electrochemical Assays, and Molecular Docking.

BACKGROUND: Chagas disease, also known as American trypanosomiasis, is classified as one of the 17 most important neglected diseases by the World Health Organization. The only drugs with proven efficacy against Chagas disease are benznidazole and nifurtimox, however both show adverse effects, poor clinical efficacy, and development of resistance. For these reasons, the search for new effective chemical entities is a challenge to research groups and the pharmaceutical industry. OBJECTIVE: Synthesis and evaluation of antitrypanosomal activities of a series of thiosemicarbazones and semicarbazones containing 1,2,3-1H triazole isatin scaffold. METHOD: 5'-(4-alkyl/aryl)-1H-1,2,3-triazole-isatins were prepared by Huisgen 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition and the thiosemicarbazones and semicarbazones were obtained by the 1:1 reactions of the carbonylated derivatives with thiosemicarbazide and semicarbazide hydrochloride, respectively, in methanol, using conventional reflux or microwave heating. The compounds were assayed for in vitro trypanocidal activity against Trypanosoma cruzi, the aetiological agent of Chagas disease. Beyond the thio/semicarbazone derivatives, isatin and triazole synthetic intermediates were also evaluated for comparison. RESULTS: A series of compounds were prepared in good yields. Among the 37 compounds evaluated, 18 were found to be active, in particular thiosemicarbazones containing a non-polar saturated alkyl chain (IC50 = 24.1, 38.6, and 83.2 µM; SI = 11.6, 11.8, and 14.0, respectively). To further elucidate the mechanism of action of these new compounds, the redox behaviour of some active and inactive derivatives was studied by cyclic voltammetry. Molecular docking studies were also performed in two validated protein targets of Trypanosoma cruzi, i.e., cruzipain (CRZ) and phosphodiesterase C (TcrPDEC). CONCLUSION: A class of thio/semicarbazones structurally simple and easily accessible was synthesized. Compounds containing thiosemicarbazone moieties showed the best results in the series, being more active than the corresponding semicarbazones. Our results indicated that the activity of these compounds does not originate from an oxidation-reduction pathway but probably from the interactions with trypanosomal enzymes.

Elucidating the mass spectrum of the retronecine alkaloid using DFT calculations.

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids are natural molecules playing important roles in different biochemical processes in nature and in humans. In this work, the electron ionization mass spectrum of retronecine, an alkaloid molecule found in plants, was investigated computationally. Its mass spectrum can be characterized by three main fragment ions having the following m/z ratios: 111, 94, and 80. In order to rationalize the mass spectrum, minima and transition state geometries were computed using density functional theory. It was showed that the dissociation process includes an aromatization of the originally five-membered ring of retronecine converted into a six-membered ring compound. A fragmentation pathway mechanism involving dissociation activation barriers that are easily overcome by the initial ionization energy was found. From the computed quantum chemical geometric, atomic charges, and energetic parameters, the abundance of each ion in the mass spectrum of retronecine was discussed.

Conjugation with polyamines enhances the antitumor activity of naphthoquinones against human glioblastoma cells.

Glioblastoma multiform (GBM) is the most common and devastating type of primary brain tumor, being considered the deadliest of human cancers. In this context, extensive efforts have been undertaken to develop new drugs that exhibit both antiproliferation and antimetastasis effects on GBM. 1,4-Naphthoquinone (1,4-NQ) scaffold has been found in compounds able to inhibit important biological targets associated with cancer, which includes DNA topoisomerase, Hsp90 and monoamine oxidase. Among potential antineoplastic 1,4-NQs is the plant-derived lapachol (2-hydroxy-3-prenyl-1,4-naphthoquinone) that was found to be active against the Walker-256 carcinoma and Yoshida sarcoma. In the present study, we examined the effect of polyamine (PA)-conjugated derivatives of lapachol, nor-lapachol and lawsone on the growth and invasion of the human GBM cells. The conjugation with PA (a spermidine analog) resulted in dose-dependent and time-dependent increase of cytotoxicity of the 1,4-NQs. In addition, in-vitro inhibition of GBM cell invasion by lapachol was increased upon PA conjugation. Previous biochemical experiments indicated that these PA-1,4-NQs are capable of inhibiting DNA human topoisomerase II-α (topo2α), a major enzyme involved in maintaining DNA topology. Herein, we applied molecular docking to investigate the binding of PA-1,4-NQs to the ATPase site of topo2α. The most active molecules preferentially bind at the ATP-binding site of topo2α, which is energetically favored by the conjugation with PA. Taken together, these findings suggested that the PA-1,4-NQ conjugates might represent potential molecules in the development of new drugs in chemotherapy for malignant brain tumors.

New hydrazides derivatives of isoniazid against Mycobacterium tuberculosis: Higher potency and lower hepatocytotoxicity.

Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. The emergence of multi-drug resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) and TB-HIV co-infection are major public health challenges. The anti-TB drugs of first choice were developed more than 4 decades ago and present several adverse effects, making the treatment of TB even more complicated and the development of new chemotherapeutics for this disease imperative. In this work, we synthesized two series of new acylhydrazides and evaluated their activity against different strains of Mtb. Derivatives of isoniazid (INH) showed important anti-Mtb activity, some being more potent than all anti-TB drugs of first choice. Moreover, three compounds proved to be more potent than INH against resistant Mtb. The Ames test showed favorable results for two of these substances compared to INH, one of which presented expressly lower toxicity to HepG2 cells than that of INH. This result shows that this compound has the potential to overcome one of the main adverse effects of this drug.

Double Intracavernous Breakage of Sachse's Knife Blade: Management of a Rare Complication Performing Direct Vision Internal Urethrotomy.

Background: Although the breakage of a Sachse's knife blade is already a rare event while performing optical internal urethrotomy, a double failure appears to be at the same time a unique and a challenging complication to manage since no reference has emerged from literature review. Case Presentation: A male patient, 80 years of age, underwent retreatment of recurrent urethral stricture that occurred after transurethral resection of the prostate. The latter was complicated by severe intraoperative urethrorrhagia; this is the reason he was transferred from another institution where at first a suprapubic cystostomy was carried out, followed by urethral recanalization through internal urethrotomy and finally he underwent intracavernous Sachse's knife blade discharge. Preoperative evaluation included combined retrograde and voiding urethrography and CT to evaluate the complete resolution of the urethral stenosis and to establish the correct location of the blades inside the corpus cavernosum. A transperineal approach to the left corpus cavernosum was carried out with manageable removal of the foreign body and postoperative assessment showed no early considerable complications for the patient. Conclusion: To our knowledge, this is the first case of double breakage of Sachse's knife blade performing optical internal urethrotomy reported in literature. Although it may appear to be an easy procedure, close attention to its execution must always be paid to prevent major complications. A transperineal approach has proven to be effective and safe without creating any further outcomes to the patient.

The Hypnotic, Anxiolytic, and Antinociceptive Profile of a Novel µ-Opioid Agonist.

5'-4-Alkyl/aryl-1H-1,2,3-triazole derivatives PILAB 1-12 were synthesized and a pharmacological screening of these derivatives was performed to identify a possible effect on the Central Nervous System (CNS) and to explore the associated mechanisms of action. The mice received a peritoneal injection (100 µmol/kg) of each of the 12 PILAB derivatives 10 min prior to the injection of pentobarbital and the mean hypnosis times were recorded. The mean hypnosis time increased for the mice treated with PILAB 8, which was prevented when mice were administered CTOP, a µ-opioid antagonist. Locomotor and motor activities were not affected by PILAB 8. The anxiolytic effect of PILAB 8 was evaluated next in an elevated-plus maze apparatus. PILAB 8 and midazolam increased a percentage of entries and spent time in the open arms of the apparatus compared with the control group. Conversely, a decrease in the percentages of entries and time spent in the closed arms were observed. Pretreatment with naloxone, a non-specific opioid antagonist, prior to administration of PILAB 8 exhibited a reverted anxiolytic effect. PILAB 8 exhibited antinociceptive activity in the hot plate test, and reduced reactivity to formalin in the neurogenic and the inflammatory phases. These data suggest that PILAB 8 can activate µ-opioid receptors to provoke antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects in mice.

Anti-Leishmania amazonensis activity of Serjania lethalis A. St.-Hil.

Extracts of Serjania lethalis A. St.-Hil leaves and stems were tested in order to identify potential agents against Leishmania amazonensis. The hexane fraction (HF) and dichloromethane subfractions (DDF and MDF) showed leishmanicidal effect. The anti-promastigote IC50 values were 10.29 (HF), 11.41 (DDF) and 28.33µg/mL (MDF); whereas those against amastigote were 7.2 (HF), 8.1 (DDF) and 6.5µg/mL (MDF). Among the fractions and subfractions assayed, only HF altered the cell cycle of the parasite, increasing 3-fold the number of cells in the sub-G0/G1 phase. HF also changed the parasite mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) and the percentage of annexin-V-propidium iodide positive promastigotes. Our evaluations of the IC50 values showed that HF, DDF and MDF decreased NO production in infected macrophages stimulated with IFN-γ and LPS. Moreover, HF increased the production of TNF-α in Leishmania infected macrophages. This paper reports for the first time the leishmanicidal activity of extracts and fractions of Serjania lethalis leaves and also characterizes its leishmanicidal and immunomodulatory properties.

Aquatic Insects from the Caatinga: checklists and diversity assessments of Ubajara (Ceará State) and Sete Cidades (Piauí State) National Parks, Northeastern Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Diversity and distribution of Neotropical aquatic insects is still poorly known, with many species to be recorded and many others to be described, due to the small number of taxonomists and sparse faunistic studies. This knowledge is especially poor in the Caatinga Domain in Northeastern Brazil, even though, this region may have played an important historical role in the spatial evolution of faunas of forested areas in northern South America. NEW INFORMATION: Aquatic insect checklists of 96 species from Parque Nacional de Ubajara (Ceará State, Brazil) and 112 species from Parque Nacional de Sete Cidades (Piauí State, Brazil) are presented, representing the following taxa: Elmidae, Epimetopidae, Hydrophilidae, and Torridincolidae (Coleoptera), Hemerodromiinae (Diptera: Empididae), Ephemeroptera, Gerromorpha and Nepomorpha (Hemiptera), Odonata, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera. Because of the scarce number of biological inventories in Northeastern Brazil, several new distributional records (of species, genera, and families) for Brazil, Northeastern Brazil, and Ceará and Piauí states are provided. In addition, several undescribed species were detected, being 26 from Ubajara and 20 from Sete Cidades. Results represent a significant increase to the known fauna of these states, ranging from 13%-70% increase for Ceará and 41% to 91% increase for Piauí. Although both parks are relatively close to each other and within the Caatinga domain, their aquatic fauna display a very high complementarity (89% species), possibly due to structural differences of water bodies sampled in each park. Rarefaction curves based on quantitative light trap samples suggest a much higher expected species richness of aquatic insects at Sete Cidades than at Ubajara National Park. Discussion on biogeographical affinities of this sample of the Caatinga fauna is provided.