Vias de produção de GDP-fucose em Arthropoda

O processo de glicosilação de proteínas nos seres vivos é uma etapa pós-traducional de extrema importância, dado que é a partir dela que muitas proteínas adquirem características estruturais essenciais para o seu funcionamento. A L-fucose é um açúcar muito importante nesses processos e compõe inúmeros oligossacarídeos fucosilados que estão anexados às proteínas de seres vivos. Para tanto, a L-fucose estará pronta para compor glicanos apenas em sua forma nucleotídeo ativada - GDP-fucose. Para síntese deste açúcar há duas vias enzimáticas conhecidas em organismos, são chamadas de via salvage - que apresenta as enzimas fucose- quinase (FK) e GDP-fucose pirofosforilase (PP) - e via de novo - que apresenta as enzimas GDP-manose 4,6 desidratase (GMD) e GDP-fucose sintase (FX). Este trabalho realiza investigações destas vias de produção de GDP-fucose em Arthropoda, partindo da espécie de aranha N. cruentata e estendendo para os demais grupos do Filo. Análises de alinhamentos das sequências de aminoácidos das enzimas FK, PP, GMD e FX foram realizadas, buscando observar a preservação ou substituição de resíduos de atividade catalítica e de ligação ao substrato e cofatores. A árvore de máxima verossimilhança a partir das enzimas da via salvage, mostra a proximidade filogenética das FKs com a enzima única de dupla função, fucose-quinase/GDP-fucose pirofosforilase (FKP), da bactéria B. fragilis, o que traz indícios de como se deu a evolução dessa rota enzimática nos seres vivos. Os resultados mostram que a via salvage de produção de GDP-fucose encontra-se ausente no subfilo Hexapoda, mas presente em Arachnida e Crustacea. Já a via de novo está presente em todos os grupos de Arthropoda cujas informações de transcriptomas encontram-se depositadas nos bancos de dados públicos.

Evolution of Toll, Spatzle and MyD88 in insects: the problem of the Diptera bias.

BACKGROUND: Arthropoda, the most numerous and diverse metazoan phylum, has species in many habitats where they encounter various microorganisms and, as a result, mechanisms for pathogen recognition and elimination have evolved. The Toll pathway, involved in the innate immune system, was first described as part of the developmental pathway for dorsal-ventral differentiation in Drosophila. Its later discovery in vertebrates suggested that this system was extremely conserved. However, there is variation in presence/absence, copy number and sequence divergence in various genes along the pathway. As most studies have only focused on Diptera, for a comprehensive and accurate homology-based approach it is important to understand gene function in a number of different species and, in a group as diverse as insects, the use of species belonging to different taxonomic groups is essential. RESULTS: We evaluated the diversity of Toll pathway gene families in 39 Arthropod genomes, encompassing 13 different Insect Orders. Through computational methods, we shed some light into the evolution and functional annotation of protein families involved in the Toll pathway innate immune response. Our data indicates that: 1) intracellular proteins of the Toll pathway show mostly species-specific expansions; 2) the different Toll subfamilies seem to have distinct evolutionary backgrounds; 3) patterns of gene expansion observed in the Toll phylogenetic tree indicate that homology based methods of functional inference might not be accurate for some subfamilies; 4) Spatzle subfamilies are highly divergent and also pose a problem for homology based inference; 5) Spatzle subfamilies should not be analyzed together in the same phylogenetic framework; 6) network analyses seem to be a good first step in inferring functional groups in these cases. We specifically show that understanding Drosophila's Toll functions might not indicate the same function in other species. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show the importance of using species representing the different orders to better understand insect gene content, origin and evolution. More specifically, in intracellular Toll pathway gene families the presence of orthologues has important implications for homology based functional inference. Also, the different evolutionary backgrounds of Toll gene subfamilies should be taken into consideration when functional studies are performed, especially for TOLL9, TOLL, TOLL2_7, and the new TOLL10 clade. The presence of Diptera specific clades or the ones lacking Diptera species show the importance of overcoming the Diptera bias when performing functional characterization of Toll pathways.

Four new species of Parajapyx (Diplura: Parajapygidae) from Mexico with redescription of Parajapyx isabellae aztecus Silvestri.

Four new Mexican Parajapyx species are described: P. silvestrii sp. nov. differs from P. adisi Pagés by the presence of one ma macroseta on mesoscutum, metascutum and abdominal scutum I; P. pagesi sp. nov. differs from P. grassianus Silvestri in the arrangement and number of macrosetae on all abdominal scuta; P. brunocondei sp. nov. is characterized by the unique feature of 50 glandular setae on the subcoxal organs and femur with one macroseta; P. yunyanorum sp. nov. differs from P. reymi Pagés by having some reduced macrosetae on the mesoscutum and metascutum and one lp macroseta lacking on abdominal II to VII scuta. A redescription of P. isabellae aztecus Silvestri, 1948 is presented including additional characters not previously reported, such as complete body chaetotaxy and descriptions of leg III, antennae and cercus. An identification key is presented for Mexican species of Parajapyx.

Universal fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) protocol for mapping repetitive DNAs in insects and other arthropods.

Repetitive DNAs comprise large portion of eukaryote genomes. In genome projects, the assembly of repetitive DNAs is challenging due to the similarity between repeats, which generate ambiguities for alignment. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) is a powerful technique for the physical mapping of various sequences on chromosomes. This technique is thus very helpful in chromosome-based genome assemblies, providing information on the fine architecture of genomes and their evolution. However, various protocols are currently used for FISH mapping, most of which are relatively laborious and expensive, or work properly only with a specific type of probes or sequences, and there is a need for a universal and affordable FISH protocol. Here we tested a FISH protocol for mapping of different DNA repeats, such as multigene families (rDNAs, U snDNAs, histone genes), satellite DNAs, microsatellites, transposable elements, DOP-PCR products, and telomeric motif (TTAGG)n, on the chromosomes of various insects and other arthropods. Different cell types and stages obtained from diverse tissues were used. The FISH procedure proved high quality and reliable results in all experiments performed. We obtained data on the chromosomal distribution of DNA repeats in representatives of insects and other arthropods. Thus, our results allow us to conclude that the protocol is universal and requires only time adjustment for chromosome/DNA denaturation. The use of this FISH protocol will facilitate studies focused on understanding the evolution and role of repetitive DNA in arthropod genomes.

A crabs' high-order brain center resolved as a mushroom body-like structure.

The hypothesis of a common origin for high-order memory centers in bilateral animals presents the question of how different brain structures, such as the vertebrate hippocampus and the arthropod mushroom bodies, are both structurally and functionally comparable. Obtaining evidence to support the hypothesis that crustaceans possess structures equivalent to the mushroom bodies that play a role in associative memories has proved challenging. Structural evidence supports that the hemiellipsoid bodies of hermit crabs, crayfish and lobsters, spiny lobsters, and shrimps are homologous to insect mushroom bodies. Although a preliminary description and functional evidence supporting such homology in true crabs (Brachyura) has recently been shown, other authors consider the identification of a possible mushroom body homolog in Brachyura as problematic. Here we present morphological and immunohistochemical data in Neohelice granulata supporting that crabs possess well-developed hemiellipsoid bodies that are resolved as mushroom bodies-like structures. Neohelice exhibits a peduncle-like tract, from which processes project into proximal and distal domains with different neuronal specializations. The proximal domains exhibit spines and en passant-like processes and are proposed here as regions mainly receiving inputs. The distal domains exhibit a "trauben"-like compartmentalized structure with bulky terminal specializations and are proposed here as output regions. In addition, we found microglomeruli-like complexes, adult neurogenesis, aminergic innervation, and elevated expression of proteins necessary for memory processes. Finally, in vivo calcium imaging suggests that, as in insect mushroom bodies, the output regions exhibit stimulus-specific activity. Our results support the shared organization of memory centers across crustaceans and insects.

Injuries in humans caused by mantis shrimp or siriboia (Crustacea: Stomatopoda)

Abstract 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.

Soil macrofauna in green manures preceding cotton growing / Macrofauna do solo em adubos verdes antecessoras ao cultivo do algodão

The objective of this work was to evaluate the abundance of the soil macrofauna in four green manure species, before the cotton crop. The experimental design was a randomized block design with four treatments: Mucuna pruriens (gray mucuna), Canavalia ensiformes (pork bean), Cajanus cajan (pigeon pea) and Crotalaria juncea (crotalaria). The macrofauna was captured by means of collections with collections using pitfall traps. The data were processed through the cluster analysis to verify the similarity among green manure species as to the occurrence of soil macrofauna. The orders Orthoptera, Coleoptera L (Larval), Hymenoptera and Coleoptera (adult), respectively, had the highest local relative abundance. There was a significant effect of the cover plants on the taxonomic groups and relative density of the soil macrofauna. Green manures were more determinant in the abundance and relative density of the soil macrofauna than the region climate. Up to 60 days after sowing the cotton crop, there was a beneficial influence of the green manures on the soil macrofauna.

Objetivou-se avaliar a abundância da macrofauna do solo em quatro espécies de adubos verdes, antecedendo a cultura do algodão. O experimento foi instalado na Universidade Estadual de Mato Grosso do Sul - Unidade Experimental de Aquidauana, MS. O delineamento experimental adotado foi em blocos ao acaso com quatro tratamentos: Mucuna pruriens (mucuna cinza), Canavalia ensiformes (feijão de porco), Cajanus cajan (guandu anão)e Crotalaria juncea (crotalária) e quatro repetições.A macrofauna foi capturada por meio de coletas com armadilhas modelo Pitfall.Os dados foram processados mediantes a análise de agrupamento para verificar a similaridade entre as espécies de adubação verde quanto à ocorrência da macrofauna do solo.A maior abundância relativa local foram as ordens, Orthoptera, Coleoptera L (Larva), Hymenoptera e Coleoptera respectivamente. Houve efeito significativo das plantas de cobertura sobre os grupos taxonômicos e densidade relativa da macrofauna edáfica. Os adubos verdes foram mais determinantes na abundância e densidade relativa da macrofauna do solo que o clima da região. Até os 60 dias de implantação da cultura do algodão, houve influência benéfica dos adubos verdes sobre a população da macrofauna do solo.

Three new species of the genus Poeciloderrhis Stål, 1874 from Brazil (Blattodea, Blaberidae, Epilamprinae) and neotype designation for Poeciloderrhis imperialis Rocha e Silva amp; Jurberg, 1978.

Three new species of Poeciloderrhis are described: P. angelus sp. nov., P. mangaratibensis sp. nov. and P. marombensis sp. nov.. Species delimitation, the tergal modification in the abdomen, the genital plates and their respective structures were analyzed. In addition, a neotype for P. imperialis Rocha e Silva Jurberg, 1978 is also designated.

Three new cave-dwelling Eukoenenia (Palpigradi: Eukoeneniidae) from limestone caves in Northern Minas Gerais state, Brazil.

In this paper, we describe three new Eukoenenia species from specimens collected in limestone caves in the northern region of the Minas Gerais state, Brazil. These species present different degrees of adaptation to the subterranean habitat, with Eukoenenia magna sp. nov., with 6 blades on lateral organs and body ratios very close to other troglobitic species, being the most troglomorphic among them. This species is morphologically very similar to the Brazilian troglobites E. navi, E. eywa and E. neytiri. Eukoenenia lundi sp. nov. and Eukoenenia jequitai sp. nov. are probably closely related species due to their substantial morphological resemblance. These two species are closer to E. virgemdalapa among the Brazilian species described to date. We provide a table summarizing the main diagnostic characters of the three species herein described and those of the Brazilian congeners to facilitate morphological comparisons.

Arthropod parasites of Antarctic and Subantarctic birds and pinnipeds: A review of host-parasite associations.

Due to its cold and dry climate and scarcity of ice-free land, Antarctica has one of the most extreme environments on our planet. To survive in the Antarctic region, parasitic arthropods must either remain closely associated with their hosts throughout the entire life cycle or develop physiological adaptations to survive in the terrestrial habitat while their hosts are away foraging at sea or overwintering at lower latitudes. Forty-eight species of birds and seven species of pinnipeds breed in the Antarctic region, with 158 species/subspecies of parasitic arthropods recorded thus far, comprising: sucking lice (Echinophthiriidae), chewing lice (Menoponidae, Philopteridae), fleas (Ceratophyllidae, Pygiopsyllidae, Rhopalopsyllidae), pentastomes (Reighardiidae), hard ticks (Ixodidae), nest-associated haematophagous mites (Laelapidae), nasal mites (Halarachnidae, Rhinonyssidae) and feather mites (Alloptidae, Avenzoariidae, Xolalgidae, Freyanidae). In this review, we provide an updated compilation of the available information on the host-parasite associations of arthropods infesting birds and pinnipeds in the Antarctic region, and discuss some over-arching ecological patterns and gaps of knowledge.

Conservation of terrestrial invertebrates: a review of IUCN and regional Red Lists for Myriapoda.

Red Listing of Threatened species is recognized as the most objective approach for evaluating extinction risk of living organisms which can be applied at global or national scales. Invertebrates account for nearly 97% of all animals on the planet but are insufficiently represented in the IUCN Red Lists at both scales. To analyze the occurrence of species present in regional Red Lists, accounts of 48 different countries and regions all over the world were consulted and all data about myriapods (Myriapoda) ever assessed in Red Lists at any level assembled. Myriapod species assessments were found in eleven regional Red Lists; however, no overlap between the species included in the global IUCN Red List and the regional ones was established. This means that myriapod species considered threatened at regional level may not be eligible for international funding specific for protection of native threatened species (more than US$ 25 million were available in the last decade) as most financial instruments tend to support only threatened species included in the IUCN Red List. As the lack of financial resources may limit protection for species in risk of extinction, it is urgent to increase the possibilities of getting financial support for implementation of measures for their protection. A Red List of all Myriapoda species recorded in Red Lists at national or local (596) and global (210) scales totaling 806 species is presented. This list shows for the first time an overview of the current conservation status of Myriapoda species. Here, the urgent need of establishing a Myriapoda Specialist Group in the Species Survival Commission of IUCN is also stressed.

Catalogue of type specimens of Insecta (Arthropoda: Hexapoda) deposited in the entomological collection of the Museum of Zoology of Universidade Estadual de Feira de Santana, Brazil.

This contribution is an update catalogue of the type specimens of Insecta deposited in the entomological collection Prof. Johann Becker of the Museum of Zoology of Universidade Estadual de Feira de Santana, Bahia, Brazil. A list of 206 holtypes and 1,430 paratypes of 23 families, 73 genera, and 244 species allocated in 12 orders. Lectotype and paralectotypes of Bitoma palmarum Bondar, 1940 were designated. Diptera present the highest number of types on the collection, with 161 holotypes and 1,324 paratypes.

Axiidean ghost shrimps (Decapoda: Axiidae, Callianassidae, Callichiridae, Micheleidae) of the Trindade and Martin Vaz Archipelago, Vitória-Trindade Seamounts Chain and Abrolhos, off southeastern Brazil.

The Trindade and Martin Vaz (TMV) volcanic archipelago is highly isolated, being located some 1200 km off the Brazilian coast and about 4200 km away from the nearest African coast. The only axiidean known from the archipelago is Coralaxius nodulosus (Meinert, 1877), a species extensively reported in the western Atlantic. From 2012 to 2018, 263 SCUBA diving and intertidal samplings were conducted at TMV and yielded 46 axiidean specimens in three species, one of which is a new species: Corallianassa longiventris (A. Milne-Edwards, 1870), Neocallichirus grandimana (Gibbes, 1850), and Fragillianassa joeli sp. nov., a species closely related to F. fragilis (Biffar, 1970). Hitherto unreported specimens from along the Vitória-Trindade Seamounts Chain (VTSC) and the Abrolhos Bank were also included in this report, namely C. nodulosus and Michelea vandoverae (Gore, 1987). The occurrence of M. vandoverae at the Abrolhos Bank extends its range into the southwestern Atlantic. Coralaxius abelei Kensley Gore, 1981 is herein considered a junior synonym of Coralaxius nodulosus (Meinert, 1877). Meinertaxius Sakai, 2011, therefore becomes a subjective synonym of Coralaxius Kensley Gore, 1981. Axiideans from the tropical southern-central Atlantic oceanic islands (Ascension, Fernando de Noronha, Rocas Atoll, Saint Helena, Trindade and Martin Vaz) are listed with their gross distribution in the Atlantic Ocean revealing a strongly depauperate axiidean insular fauna, totaling six species. Except for Axiopsis serratifrons (A. Milne-Edwards, 1873), a pantropical species, the insular southwestern-central Atlantic axiideans are entirely of western Atlantic affinities, with F. joeli sp. nov. being the only endemic so far.

New records of Ichthyostraca Zrzavý, Hypsa amp; Vlásková, 1997 (Pancrustacea) from Mexico with an annotated checklist of North America.

In this work, we document for the first time four species of Ichthyostraca in Mexico, one Branchiura: Argulus foliaceus (fish parasite), and three Pentastomida: Porocephalus clavatus (reptile parasite), Raillietiella hebitihamata (reptile parasite) and Raillietiella orientalis (frog parasite). In addition, a total of 11 new host records and 16 new localities are presented for Ichthyostraca in Mexico. Based on the compilation of published information and on specimens deposited in scientific collections, the first checklist of Ichthyostraca from North America (Canada, United States of America and Mexico) is compiled. To March 2019, records of Ichthyostraca from North America include 64 species and 8 undetermined taxa, parasitizing 293 host species (64 of them identified only to a supra-specific level) in 77 provinces and states (8 from Canada, 47 from the USA, and 22 from Mexico). The subclass Branchiura is represented by 1 order, 1 family, 1 genus, 35 species and 1 undetermined taxa; the subclass Pentastomida includes records of 4 orders, 9 families, 14 genera, 29 species and 7 undetermined taxa. Ten species reported in this work are thought to be introduced into North America with only a few records of them parasitizing native hosts. This checklist summarizes the available records of this class of crustaceans in North America and represents a base line for future studies.

Exceptional preservation of comma shrimp from a mid-Cretaceous Lagerstätte of Colombia, and the origins of crown Cumacea.

Mesozoic rocks with exceptional preservation of marine arthropods are known worldwide but largely restricted to mid-high latitudes. The scarcity of assemblages with exceptional preservation in low, tropical latitudes greatly limits our understanding of the origins of several modern groups and the evolution of tropical biotas through time. Here, we report the oldest crown Cumacea, or 'comma' shrimp (Arthropoda: Eumalacostraca: Peracarida) with modern familial affinities, from a new mid-Cretaceous (95-90 Ma) Lagerstätte in tropical South America. Cumaceans have one of the poorest fossil records among marine arthropods, despite today being abundant and speciose benthic organisms associated with fine-grained sediments with high fossilization potential. Eobodotria muisca gen. et sp. nov., found in mass accumulation surfaces, preserves with detail the gut, mouth parts, thoracic legs/pereopods, pleopods, uropods bearing setae, antennal flagella and even small eyes bearing ommatidia. These features, rarely preserved in fossil crustaceans, plus the large sample size (greater than 200 individuals, 6-8 mm long), allow us to discuss phylogenetic/systematic aspects and explore possible mechanisms behind their unusual accumulation. Eobodotria bridges an approximately 165 Myr gap in the cumacean fossil record, provides a reliable calibration point for phylogenetic studies and expands our understanding of exceptional preservation in past and present tropical settings.

Pycnogonida (Arthropoda) from Uruguayan waters (Southwest Atlantic): annotated checklist and biogeographic considerations.

Records of pycnogonids from Uruguayan waters (south-western Atlantic) include 26 species cited from precise locations, and at least five other species based on unconfirmed records. Nearly half of the species in that fauna belong to the genus Nymphon (12 spp.). Most species (22) come from deep-water and were recorded and described by C. A. Child. Of these, at least twelve species have an extended Antarctic and Subantarctic distribution, showing the influence of these cold waters in the area; three others have a wide deep-sea distribution pattern. Five species are known only from the lower slope and abyssal basin off La plata river: Mimipallene Atlantis and four species of Nymphon. Records from coastal and shelf areas (four species) are poorly documented and should be the focus of future research. Of these, Colossendeis geoffroyi is considered endemic in the Southwest Atlantic between 34ºS and 40ºS, but presents clear Antarctic affinities. A small-sized species living in shallow waters, Pycnogonum cessaci, is here considered as cryptogenic.

Marine invertebrate biodiversity from the Argentine Sea, South Western Atlantic.

The list of marine invertebrate biodiversity living in the southern tip of South America is compiled. In particular, the living invertebrate organisms, reported in the literature for the Argentine Sea, were checked and summarized covering more than 8,000 km of coastline and marine platform. After an exhaustive literature review, the available information of two centuries of scientific contributions is summarized. Thus, almost 3,100 valid species are currently recognized as living in the Argentine Sea. Part of this dataset was uploaded to the OBIS database, as a product of the Census of Marine Life-NaGISA project. A list of 3,064 valid species, grouped into 1,662 genera distributed in 808 families and 23 phyla, was assessed. The best represented taxa were Arthropoda and Mollusca, contributing approximately with the 50% of the mentioned species in the literature. Cumulative species curves were analyzed in order to estimate the percentage of marine invertebrate biodiversity that is currently known. However, no model fit to our data, showing that the recorded species represent less than 50% of the expected marine invertebrate biodiversity for the Argentine Sea. The great surface of the Argentine Marine Platform (6,581,500 km2) and the relative low effort in collecting and studying new species due to economical restrictions could explain the low fraction of described species. The training of new taxonomists, as well as, the support of projects that contribute to the knowledge of marine invertebrate biodiversity from South Western Atlantic is recommended.

Kiekie, a new Neotropical spider genus of Ctenidae (Cteninae, Araneae).

Kiekie gen. nov. is newly proposed to accommodate 11 Neotropical Ctenidae species. With the exception of one species from Colombia, they are all distributed in Central America. Two species are transferred from Ctenus: Kiekie sinuatipes (F.O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1897) comb. nov. from Costa Rica, and K. curvipes (Keyserling, 1881) comb. nov., with broader distribution from Mexico to Panama. Ctenus incolans (F.O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1900) is synonymized with Kiekie curvipes. Nine species are newly described. Kiekie garifuna sp. nov. was collected in Guatemala and Honduras. Four species were collected in Costa Rica: Kiekie sanjose sp. nov., K. verbena sp. nov., K. sarapiqui sp. nov., and K. griswoldi sp. nov.. Two species were collected in Panama: Kiekie barrocolorado sp. nov. and K. panamensis sp. nov.. Kiekie montanensis sp. nov. was collected in Costa Rica and Panama. Kiekie antioquia sp. nov., from Colombia, was the only species collected in South America. To support the description and further identification of the genus and its species, we provide illustrations of male and female genitalia, habitus and modified metatarsus of the male leg IV, measurements and diagnostic characters. We also provide a distributional map of the specimens herein recorded. Taxonomic changes are based in recent cladistics analysis, showing that at least two species belong to a well-supported clade, sister group of Africactenus Hyatt, 1954. We discuss the phylogenetic relationship of the group and the evolution of key morphological characters.

First record of the nymph of Nanomis rasmusseni Chacon, Pescador & Segnini, 2013 (Ephemeroptera: Baetidae) from Colombia

Herein, we present the first record of the nymph of Nanomis rasmusseni Chacón, Pescador & Segnini, 2013, from two biogeographic regions in Colombia. This species was originally described for the Venezuelan Andes. Both Colombian and Venezuelan populations occur at high elevations, in streams with similar altitudes. We also found that both populations can be distinguished from each other by the terga II, VII, and IX coloration, in addition to the branching pattern of the abdominal gills.

First record of the nymph of Nanomis rasmusseni Chacon, Pescador & Segnini, 2013 (Ephemeroptera: Baetidae) from Colombia

Herein, we present the first record of the nymph of Nanomis rasmusseni Chacón, Pescador & Segnini, 2013, from two biogeographic regions in Colombia. This species was originally described for the Venezuelan Andes. Both Colombian and Venezuelan populations occur at high elevations, in streams with similar altitudes. We also found that both populations can be distinguished from each other by the terga II, VII, and IX coloration, in addition to the branching pattern of the abdominal gills.(AU)