Influences of plant organ, genotype, and cultivation site on the endophytic bacteriome of maize (Zea mays L.) in the semi-arid region of Pernambuco, Brazil.

Endophytic bacteria play a crucial role in plant development and adaptation, and the knowledge of how endophytic bacteria assemblage is influenced by cultivation site and plant genotype is an important step to achieve microbiome manipulation. This work aimed to study the roots and stems of endophytic bacteriome of four maize genotypes cultivated in two regions of the semi-arid region of Pernambuco - Brazil. Our hypothesis is that the endophytic community assemblage will be influenced by plant genotypes and cultivation region. Metabarcoding sequencing data revealed significant differences in alfa diversity in function of both factors, genotypes, and maize organs. Beta diversity analysis showed that the bacterial communities differ mainly in function of the plant organ. The most abundant genera found in the samples were Leifsonia, Bacillus, Klebsiella, Streptomyces, and Bradyrhizobium. To understand ecological interactions within each compartment, we constructed co-occurrence network for each organ. This analysis revealed important differences in network structure and complexity and suggested that Leifsonia (the main genera found) had distinct ecological roles depending on the plant organ. Our data showed that root endophytic maize bacteria would be influenced by cultivation site, but not by genotype. We believe that, collectively, our data not only characterize the bacteriome associated with this plant and how different factors shape it, but also increase the knowledge to select potential bacteria for bioinoculant production.

Oswaldocruzia franciscoensis n. sp. (Nematoda: Molineidae) in Leptodactylus macrosternum Miranda-Ribeiro, 1926 (Anura: Leptodactylidae) from Caatinga morphoclimatic domain, Brazil: morphological and molecular characterisation.

A new species of Oswaldocruzia Travassos, 1917 (Nematoda, Molineidae), parasite of Leptodactylus macrosternum Miranda-Ribeiro, 1926 (Anura: Leptodactylidae), from Caatinga morphoclimatic domain, Brazil, is described based on morphological and molecular data. Oswaldocruzia franciscoensis n. sp. is characterised by an anterior extremity with a cephalic vesicle divided into two portions, a body covered by cuticular longitudinal ridges, and cervical alae. Males of the new species have caudal bursa of type I with a 2-1-2 pattern, spicules divided into a shoe, bifurcated fork, and blade with two unequal branches, in which the longer branch bifurcates at its distal portion end and the smaller branch with three distal processes, each with distal bifurcations. Females have didelphic and amphidelphic uteri, an ovijector divided into vestibule, anterior and posterior sphincters, and anterior and posterior infundibula. The new species differs from its Neotropical congeners that have caudal bursa of type I, based on the presence of cervical alae and by having a spicular blade distally divided into two unequal branches, with the longer branch bifurcating at its distal portion and smaller branch with three distal processes, each distally bifurcated. The partial 18S rDNA sequence generated for Oswaldocruzia franciscoensis n. sp. is the first of a representative belonging to this genus in the Neotropical region.

The Effects of Irrigation Water Salinity on the Synthesis of Photosynthetic Pigments, Gas Exchange, and Photochemical Efficiency of Sour Passion Fruit Genotypes.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the synthesis of photosynthetic pigments, gas exchange, and photochemical efficiency of sour passion fruit genotypes irrigated with saline water under the conditions of the semi-arid region of Paraíba state, Brazil. The experiment was conducted at the experimental farm in São Domingos, PB. A randomized block design was adopted, in a 5 × 3 factorial scheme, with five levels of electrical conductivity of irrigation water-ECw (0.3, 1.1, 1.9, 2.7, and 3.5 dS m-1)-and three genotypes of sour passion fruit (Gigante Amarelo-'BRS GA1'; Sol do Cerrado-'BRS SC1'; and Catarina-'SCS 437'. The increase in the electrical conductivity of irrigation water negatively affected most of the physiological characteristics of the sour passion fruit at 154 days after transplanting. Significant differences were observed between sour passion fruit genotypes when its tolerance was subjected to the salinity of irrigation water. There was an increase in the percentage of damage to the cell membrane with the increase in the electrical conductivity of irrigation water, with maximum values of 70.63, 60.86, and 80.35% for the genotypes 'BRS GA1', 'BRS SC1', and SCS 437', respectively, when irrigated with water of 3.5 dS m-1. The genotype 'BRS Sol do Cerrado' showed an increase in the synthesis of photosynthetic pigments when irrigated with water of 3.5 dS m-1, with maximum values estimated at 1439.23 µg mL-1 (Chl a); 290.96 µg mL-1 (Chl b); 1730.19 µg mL-1 (Chl t); and 365.84 µg mL-1 (carotenoids). An increase in photosynthetic efficiency parameters (F0, Fm, and Fv) of the genotype 'BRS Gigante Amarelo' was observed when cultivated with water with high electrical conductivity (3.5 dS m-1).

Cellular automata predictive model for man-made environment growth in a Brazilian semi-arid watershed.

The current study implements a cellular automata-based model for the development of land use/land cover (LULC) future scenarios using a Remote Sensing (RS) Imagery series (1985 to 2018) as data input and focusing on human activities drivers in a 6700-km2 watershed vital for the water security of Paraiba state, Brazil. The methodology has three stages: the first stage is the pre-processing of images and preparing them as data input for the cellular automata land use model built in the R software environment (SIMLANDER); the stage of calibration establishes the variables and verifies the influence of each one on the LULC of the region; the last step corresponds to the validation procedures. After model calibration, land use maps for future scenarios (2019 to 2045) were simulated. The results estimate a reduction of 737 km2 of natural land cover between the years 2019 and 2045. The spatial distribution of anthropogenic interference predicted a more significant degradation in the central region of the basin. This fact can be potentially attributed by the water availability increasing from the São Francisco River diversion. It is possible to identify an ascending trend of anthropogenic actions in the semi-arid region, which host the exclusively Brazilian biome-Caatinga-and contains biodiversity that cannot be found anywhere else on the Earth. The model helps large-scale LULC modelling based on RS products and expands the possibilities of hydrological, urban and social modelling in the Brazilian context.

Macrobrachium/ Spence Bate, 1868 (Decapoda: Palaemonidae): New records, range extension and geographic distribution in the Northeastern Caatinga amp; Coastal Drainages, and São Francisco hydrographic ecoregions, Northeast of Brazil.

This study constitutes the most comprehensive effort ever done to assess the faunal diversity of the Macrobrachium genus within two ecoregions that encompass part of the northeastern Brazil: the Northeastern Caatinga Coastal Drainages, and the São Francisco (Lower-middle and Lower portions). Through sampling in several of their hydrographic basins, bibliographic research, and consulting scientific collections, our results reveal the occurrence of five species along these ecoregions: Macrobrachium acanthurus, M. amazonicum, M. carcinus, M. jelskii and M. olfersii. We also provide the first record of these species for several river basins in both ecoregions. Additionally, we confirm the occurrence of M. carcinus from Rio Grande do Norte State and provide updated distribution maps for each species in the studied area. This carcinofauna survey may form the basis for future evaluations of eventual anthropic impacts on biological diversity resulting from projects being implemented in these regions, which involve the São Francisco interbasin water transfer.

Análise de frequência de secas utilizando técnica de agrupamento e distribuições de probabilidades / Analysis of drought frequency using clustering technique and probabilities functions

RESUMO O objetivo deste trabalho foi o de ajustar funções de densidade de probabilidades aos índices de severidade de seca (mm) e duração de seca (meses) em três sub-regiões do semiárido brasileiro. Para tanto, foram utilizados dados de totais mensais precipitados de 320 postos pluviométricos, relativos ao período de 1984 a 2014, gentilmente cedidos pela Agência Nacional de Águas. Foram utilizados o método RUN e os totais mensais precipitados para se obterem os índices que caracterizam a seca: severidade (mm) e duração (meses). Em seguida, utilizou-se a técnica de análise de agrupamento para regionalizar esses índices. O passo seguinte foi obter os ajustes à função distribuição de probabilidades para cada uma das sub-regiões. As funções distribuição de probabilidades gama biparamétrica, generalized extreme value (GEV) e logística foram as que melhor se ajustaram aos índices de severidade (mm) e os modelos GEV, Weibull tri paramétrica e gama biparamétrica ajustaram-se melhor aos índices de duração para as sub-regiões homogêneas 1, 2 e 3, respectivamente.

Abstract The objective of this work was to adjust probabilities density function to drought indexes: Severity and Duration in three sub-regions of Brazilian semi-arid (BSA). For that, were used data of total monthlies precipited of 320 rain stations for period from 1984 to 2014, kindly provided by the Agência Nacional de Águas (ANA). Were used the "Run Method" and total monthlies precipited for obtain the monthlies indexes that characterize the drought: Severity (mm) and Duration (months). We then used the Cluster Analysis technique to regionalize theses characteristic drought indexes. The following step was to adjust probabilities density functions to drought indexes: Severity and Duration in three sub-regions of in the Brazilian semi-arid (BSA). The Gamma bi-parametric, Generalized Extreme Value (GEV) and Logistics functions were better adjusted to the indices of drought Severity (mm) and the GEV, Weibull tri-parametric and bi-parametric models, were better adjusted to drought indices Duration, to the homogeneous sub-regions 1, 2 and 3, respectively.

Sazonalidade da mosca-dos-chifres, Haematobia irritans, no semiárido brasileiro / Seasonality of horn flies (Haematobia irritans) in the Brazilian semi-arid

A mosca-dos-chifres (Haematobia irritans) é uma dos principais pragas que afetam a pecuária no Brasil. A despeito das carências regionais, inexistem estudos que avaliem sua importância e subsidiem seu controle no nordeste brasileiro. O presente estudo objetivou conhecer a dinâmica populacional e determinar os níveis de infestação da H. irritans no semiárido paraibano, visando subsidiar programas de controle. O estudo foi conduzido no Núcleo de Pesquisa para o Trópico Semiárido, Universidade Federal de Campina Grande, município de Patos, Paraíba. Durante 42 meses, de abril 2011 a setembro 2014, contagens de moscas-dos-chifres foram realizadas a cada 14 dias em um rebanho Sindi (26 vacas e um touro). Paralelamente, foram registrados diariamente os principais parâmetros climáticos. Infestações da mosca-dos-chifres ocorreram durante todo o período de estudo, com infestações individuais superiores a 100 moscas em todas as contagens, infestações médias mensais de até 183 moscas/vaca e infestações individuais máximas de 500 moscas nas vacas e 1.800 moscas no touro. Influenciados pela influência microclimática de grandes açudes, a mosca-dos-chifres apresentou comportamento bimodal, com picos populacionais anuais em outubro/novembro e março. Não foi encontrada correlação significativa entre fatores climáticos e resultados das contagens. De modo a evitar os picos de infestação e reduzir perdas econômicas subsequentes, medidas de controle são recomendadas.(AU)

The horn fly (Haematobia irritans) is a major livestock pest in Brazil. Despite of the regional needs, no studies assessing its importance and subsidizing its control are available for the Brazilian northeast. The present study aimed to know the population dynamics and determine the infestation levels of H. irritans on cattle in the semiarid region of the Paraíba state, in order to support control programs. The study was conducted at the Nucleus of Research for the Semiarid Tropics, Federal University of Campina Grande, municipality of Patos, Paraíba. During 42 months, from April 2011 to September 2014, horn fly counts were performed every 14 days in a Sindi herd (26 cows and a bull). The main climatic parameters were recorded daily. Horn fly infestations occurred throughout the study, with individual infestations above 100 flies at all counts, monthly mean infestations of up to 183 flies/cow and maximum individual infestations of 500 flies on cows and 1,800 flies on the bull. Influenced by microclimatic influence of large reservoirs, the horn fly population showed a bimodal behavior, with population peaks in October/November and March. No significant correlation between climatic factors and fly counts was found. In order to avoid infestation peaks and to reduce subsequent economic losses, control measures are recommended.(AU)

Contributions of Dryland Forest (Caatinga) to Species Composition, Richness and Diversity of Drosophilidae.

In this study, semi-arid environments were tested to see if they support insect diversity. This was evaluated through the structure of the composition of assemblies of drosophilids in three conservation units placed in three different ecoregions in the dryland forests, Caatinga. This is a unique biome in northeast Brazil, comprising approximately 10% of the country. Species richness was investigated over 2 years during a prolonged drought, considered the worst affliction the Caatinga ecosystem had experienced in the last 50 years. Alpha diversity indices and the ecological similarity between the samples were calculated to determine how the environments drive the composition of Drosophilidae in such semi-arid places. A total of 7352 specimens were sampled. They were classified into 20 species belonging to four genera: Drosophila, Rhinoleucophenga, Scaptodrosophila, and Zaprionus. Drosophila nebulosa Sturtevant (44.5%) and Drosophila cardini Sturtevant (12.5%) were the most abundant species. The occurrences and abundances of all the species differed greatly between sites. These results and other ecological analyses indicate that although placed in the same biome, there are great variability in the drosophilid species and abundance among the three protected and conserved dryland environments.

Medindo o invisível: análise dos Objetivos de Desenvolvimento Sustentável em populações expostas à seca / Measuring the invisible: Analysis of the Sustainable Development Goals in relation to populations exposed to drought

Resumo O Brasil, juntamente com todos os países membros das Nações Unidas, está num processo de adoção de um conjunto de Objetivos de Desenvolvimento Sustentável, incluindo metas e indicadores. Este artigo considera as implicações desses objetivos e metas propostos, para a região do semiárido do Brasil, região que apresenta secas recorrentes e que pode ser agravada com as mudanças climáticas, piorando a situação de acesso à quantidade e qualidade da água para consumo humano e, como consequência, também as condições de saúde das populações expostas. Este estudo identifica a relação entre seca e saúde, no intuito de medir o progresso nessa região (1.135 municípios), comparando indicadores relevantes com os outros 4.430 municípios do país, baseado e censos de 1991, 2000 e 2010. Importantes desigualdades entre os municípios dessa região e os do resto do Brasil foram identificadas e discutidas no contexto do que é necessário para alcançar os Objetivos de Desenvolvimento Sustentável na região do semiárido, principalmente em relação às medidas de adaptação para o acesso universal e equitativo à água potável.

Abstract Brazil, together with all the member countries of the United Nations, is in a process of adoption of a group of Sustainable Development Goals, including targets and indicators. This article considers the implications of these goals and their proposed targets, for the Semi-Arid region of Brazil. This region has recurring droughts which may worsen with climate change, further weakening the situation of access of water for human consumption in sufficient quantity and quality, and as a result, the health conditions of the exposed populations. This study identifies the relationship between drought and health, in an effort to measure progress in this region (1,135 municipalities), comparing relevant indicators with the other 4,430 municipalities in Brazil, based on census data from 1991, 2000 and 2010. Important inequalities between the municipalities of this region and the municipalities of the rest of Brazil are identified, and discussed in the context of what is necessary for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals in the Semi-arid Region, principally in relation to the measures for adaptation to achieve universal and equitable access to drinking water.