Micromorphology of osteoderms in Dasypodidae (Cingulata, Mammalia): Characterization and 3D-reconstructions.

Osteoderms are present in a variety of extinct and extant vertebrates, but among mammals, the presence of osteoderms is essentially restricted to armadillos (Cingulata, Dasypodidae). Osteoderms have been proposed to exhibit a variety of functionalities in Dasypodidae, mainly protection and thermoregulation, and they have been considered as one of the synapomorphies of this group. In this study, we use high-resolution microcomputed tomography to describe the osteoderm micromorphology of several extant species of Dasypodidae in a comparative context. This study allowed the identification, 3D-reconstruction and volume quantification of different internal structures of osteoderms as well as their interrelations. This detailed characterization of the internal osteoderm morphology was compared in a phylogenetic context to assess the evolutionary trends of the species involved. This enables the identification of distinctive patterns for the most widely recognized clades, the Dasypodinae and Euphractinae with a morphological homogeneity in the microstructure of their osteoderms, in comparison with Tolypeutinae where it has not been possible to establish a common morphological pattern. The most important features for linage differentiation is the degree of compaction of the osteoderms, the number of cavities and the development of hairs. It is likely that the differential development of the various structures occurred as adaptive response to climate changes.

X-ray test in the evaluation of quality seed of physalis at different stages of development / Teste de raios X na avaliação da qualidade de sementes de frutos de fisális em diferentes estádios de desenvolvimento

Injuries in the internal structures of the seeds limit their viability and can reduce their vigor, producing weak seedlings susceptible to adverse conditions. Thus, the determination of the quality of seeds of Physalis peruviana L. by X-ray test is valid, in order to reduce the time separation of seeds and a good initial establishment of the culture. Considering the above, the objective of the present study was to evaluate the quality of physalis seeds at different stages of development of fruit by X-ray test. The seeds were removed and separated into lots according to the fruit maturation stage, being fruits with intermediate maturity (50% of the ripe fruit), completely ripe fruits and completely ripe fruits subjected to seven days of rest after harvest. Posteriorly they were subjected to X-rays for determination of seed quality. The experimental design consisted of eight replicates of one hundred seeds per lot. Physalis fruit seeds with 50% maturation have lower morphophysiological quality when compared to seeds extracted from completely ripe fruits. Seed vigor is greater when the fruits are subjected to rest for seven days. The X-ray test is efficient for selection of non-viable seed of physalis.(AU)

Injúrias nas estruturas internas da semente limitam sua viabilidade e podem reduzir seu vigor, produzindo plântulas fracas e susceptíveis às condições adversas. Dessa forma, a determinação da qualidade de sementes de Physalis peruviana L. pelo teste de raios X é válida, visando a redução de tempo na separação das sementes e um bom estabelecimento inicial da cultura. Diante do exposto, objetivou-se com o presente trabalho avaliar a qualidade de sementes de fisális pelo teste de raios X em diferentes fases de desenvolvimento. As sementes foram removidas e separadas em lotes de acordo com a fase de maturação dos frutos, sendo frutos com maturação intermediária (50% do fruto maduro), frutos completamente maduros e frutos completamente maduros submetidos a sete dias de repouso após a colheita. Posteriormente foram submetidas ao teste de raios X para determinação da qualidade. O delineamento experimental constituiu-se de oito repetições de 100 sementes por lote. Sementes de fisális de frutos com 50% de maturação apresentam baixa qualidade morfofisiológica quando comparadas às sementes extraídas de frutos completamente maduros. O vigor das sementes é maior quando os frutos são submetidos ao repouso por sete dias. O teste de raios X é eficiente para seleção de sementes não viáveis de fisális.(AU)

X-ray test in the evaluation of quality seed of physalis at different stages of development / Teste de raios X na avaliação da qualidade de sementes de frutos de fisális em diferentes estádios de desenvolvimento

Injuries in the internal structures of the seeds limit their viability and can reduce their vigor, producing weak seedlings susceptible to adverse conditions. Thus, the determination of the quality of seeds of Physalis peruviana L. by X-ray test is valid, in order to reduce the time separation of seeds and a good initial establishment of the culture. Considering the above, the objective of the present study was to evaluate the quality of physalis seeds at different stages of development of fruit by X-ray test. The seeds were removed and separated into lots according to the fruit maturation stage, being fruits with intermediate maturity (50% of the ripe fruit), completely ripe fruits and completely ripe fruits subjected to seven days of rest after harvest. Posteriorly they were subjected to X-rays for determination of seed quality. The experimental design consisted of eight replicates of one hundred seeds per lot. Physalis fruit seeds with 50% maturation have lower morphophysiological quality when compared to seeds extracted from completely ripe fruits. Seed vigor is greater when the fruits are subjected to rest for seven days. The X-ray test is efficient for selection of non-viable seed of physalis.

Injúrias nas estruturas internas da semente limitam sua viabilidade e podem reduzir seu vigor, produzindo plântulas fracas e susceptíveis às condições adversas. Dessa forma, a determinação da qualidade de sementes de Physalis peruviana L. pelo teste de raios X é válida, visando a redução de tempo na separação das sementes e um bom estabelecimento inicial da cultura. Diante do exposto, objetivou-se com o presente trabalho avaliar a qualidade de sementes de fisális pelo teste de raios X em diferentes fases de desenvolvimento. As sementes foram removidas e separadas em lotes de acordo com a fase de maturação dos frutos, sendo frutos com maturação intermediária (50% do fruto maduro), frutos completamente maduros e frutos completamente maduros submetidos a sete dias de repouso após a colheita. Posteriormente foram submetidas ao teste de raios X para determinação da qualidade. O delineamento experimental constituiu-se de oito repetições de 100 sementes por lote. Sementes de fisális de frutos com 50% de maturação apresentam baixa qualidade morfofisiológica quando comparadas às sementes extraídas de frutos completamente maduros. O vigor das sementes é maior quando os frutos são submetidos ao repouso por sete dias. O teste de raios X é eficiente para seleção de sementes não viáveis de fisális.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization in Asteraceae from white sand savannas, in Pinar del Rio, Cuba / Colonizacion micorrizica arbuscular en Asteraceae de las sabanas de arenas blancas, de Pinar del Rio, Cuba

Asteraceae family shows a great diversity in Cuba and presents threatened taxons in high number. Pinar del Río has 19 threatened species belonging to this family and three of them are characteristic of a sandy (quartzitic) soil at the Reserva Florística Manejada San Ubaldo-Sabanalamar (Floristic Reserve San Ubaldo-Sabanalamar). The arbuscular mycorrhizal status and colonization rate in Aster grisebachii, Erigeron bellidiastroides, Erigeron cuneifolius, Pectis juniperina and Sachsia polycephala (Asteraceae) from this Reserve was determined in October 2009 and April 2010, during hydrologic rainy and dry period, respectively. All species were mycotrophic in both periods with a high percentage of colonization rates, between 66 and 100% in rainy period and between 84 and 100% in dry period. Vesicles, arbuscules, spores, hyphal and arbuscular coils of arbuscular mycorrhizae were observed. Paris -type and Arum -type morphologies (both) were observed indistinctly in all the species, and Intermediate type was observed only in Aster grisebachii and Erigeron bellidiastroides, which could be a hint that these species are colonized by more than one fungal species, and therefore enhancing the relevance of fungal identity as a considerable character in the morphology association. Also, septate hyphae and microsclerotium of dark septate endophytes were identifyed inside the roots of all the species.

La familia Asteraceae muestra una gran diversidad en Cuba y presenta un elevado número de taxones amenazados. Pinar del Río cuenta con 19 especies amenazadas pertenecientes a esta familia, de las cuales tres son características de los suelos arenosos cuarcíticos de la Reserva Florística Manejada San Ubaldo-Sabanalamar. Se determinó el estatus micorrízico arbuscular y la tasa de colonización de Aster grisebachii, Erigeron bellidiastroides, Erigeron cuneifolius, Pectis juniperina y Sachsia polycephala (Asteraceae) presentes en esta Reserva, en octubre del 2009 y abril del 2010, durante los períodos hidrológicos húmedo y seco, respectivamente. Todas las especies estaban micorrizadas en ambos períodos con elevados porcentaje de colonización micorrízica, entre 66 y 100% en el período lluvioso y entre 84 y 100% en el período seco. Se identificaron vesículas, arbúsculos, esporas, enrollados hifales y arbusculares característicos de las micorrizas arbusculares. Los tipos morfológicos Paris y Arum (ambos) fueron observados indistintamente en todas las especies, y el tipo Intermedio solo se observó en Aster grisebachii y Erigeron bellidiastroides, lo cual sugiere la colonización de estas especies por más de una especie fúngica y con ello la importancia de la identidad fúngica en la determinación de la morfología de la asociación. Se identificaron además, hifas septadas y microesclerosios de endófitos oscuros septados en el interior de las raíces de todas las especies estudiadas.

Seed weight of Xylopia aromatica (Annonaceae): quality evaluation from X-ray and seedling emergence

Xylopia aromatica (Lam.) Mart. (Annonaceae) is a native species of the Brazilian Savannah (“Cerrado”) region, recommended for the recovery of degraded areas and also for medicinal use. Seeds of some species of the Annonaceae require a long period to germinate and many studies have focused on determining methods which can rapidly analyze seed quality. The objective of this study was to evaluate the quality of Xylopia aromatica (Lam.) Mart. seeds in accordance to their weight, through X-ray images and emergence test. Seeds were collected from dehiscent follicles with a blower and one portion was separated into weight categories: very light seeds, light seeds and heavy seeds. Another seed portion was separated in water by their density, into those that sank and those that floated. The seeds from each weight category were weighed and X-rayed. A further seed portion from the categories (separated by blower and in water) was also placed in 500 mg L-1 of a solution [gibberellin 4 (GA4) + gibberellin 7 (GA7) and cytocinin] to overcome dormancy and was later sown in soil taken from the “Cerrado”. The internal seed morphology andseedling emergence of X. aromatica were influenced by seed weight. The elimination of badly formed and insect- infested seeds improved the physiological potential of the seed lot. The X-ray test can efficiently evaluate seed quality but does not permit a visualization of the embryos.

Seed weight of Xylopia aromatica (Annonaceae): quality evaluation from X-ray and seedling emergence

Xylopia aromatica (Lam.) Mart. (Annonaceae) is a native species of the Brazilian Savannah (“Cerrado”) region, recommended for the recovery of degraded areas and also for medicinal use. Seeds of some species of the Annonaceae require a long period to germinate and many studies have focused on determining methods which can rapidly analyze seed quality. The objective of this study was to evaluate the quality of Xylopia aromatica (Lam.) Mart. seeds in accordance to their weight, through X-ray images and emergence test. Seeds were collected from dehiscent follicles with a blower and one portion was separated into weight categories: very light seeds, light seeds and heavy seeds. Another seed portion was separated in water by their density, into those that sank and those that floated. The seeds from each weight category were weighed and X-rayed. A further seed portion from the categories (separated by blower and in water) was also placed in 500 mg L-1 of a solution [gibberellin 4 (GA4) + gibberellin 7 (GA7) and cytocinin] to overcome dormancy and was later sown in soil taken from the “Cerrado”. The internal seed morphology andseedling emergence of X. aromatica were influenced by seed weight. The elimination of badly formed and insect- infested seeds improved the physiological potential of the seed lot. The X-ray test can efficiently evaluate seed quality but does not permit a visualization of the embryos.

Alimentary canal and reproductive tract of Hypothenemus hampei (Ferrari) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae, Scolytinae)

The alimentary canal and the reproductive tract of males and females of Hypothenemus hampei Ferrari are described. The alimentary canal of H. hampei showed the crop with several spine-like structures and the midgut with few gastric caeca. We evidenced for the first time that adult females need to feed on coffee in order to produce viable eggs before and during oviposition period. The presence of air bubbles inside the anterior midgut may be due to starvation rather than the response of the environment during flying as previously reported. Two ovaries and the same structures and arrangements common to individuals of the Curculionidae beetles composed the female reproductive system. The male reproductive tract showed a significant difference with respect to other Curculionidae and even other Scolytinae species as it showed a sclerotized aedeagus with several pore-like structures in the terminal portion where sperm is released during mating.

El estudio morfológico del tracto digestivo y el sistema reproductor de machos y hembras de Hypothenemus hampei Ferrari se describe a continuación. El tracto digestivo presenta un arreglo típico descrito para otros insectos. Ahora las diferencias morfológicas se encontraron en el buche del estomodeo, en donde se observaron estructuras espinosas y en el mesenteron se observo un número reducido de ciegos gástricos. Se evidenció por primera vez el comportamiento de la alimentación de las hembras de H. hampei, que requiere aparentemente de la ingesta del endosperma del café para poder producir huevos viables durante la oviposición. La presencia de burbujas de aire al interior del ventrículo anterior se cree que puede ser debido al hambre, más que a la respuesta al medio ambiente durante el vuelo como lo indicaban anteriores observaciones. El sistema reproductor de la hembra presenta dos ovarios y un arreglo estructural común a especímenes de la familia Curculionidae. El sistema reproductor masculino mostró una diferencia significativa con respecto a otros miembros de la familia Curculionidae e incluso a otra especie de la tribu Scolytinae presentando un aedeagus esclerotizado compuesto de varios orificios en la porción terminal, por donde el esperma se expulsa durante el apareamiento.